From gear tips to personal mantras, the right advice can make a world of difference—no matter if you're commuting to work on two wheels or hammering out a century ride. We asked both novice and veteran cyclists for the best advice they've ever heard, and some of their answers may surprise you.
Our personal favorite?
Don't ride to win races or to get to places, ride to feel free.
Just pedal, fast or slow it doesn't matter. Just pedal.
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Submitted by Kevin Moriarty
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Your Next Ride$500 bike or $5,000 bike, either way you still have to pedal!
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Submitted by Johnny Gallegos
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Your Next RideSmooth is fast, and don't crunch your knees.
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Submitted by Diane Hayward
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Your Next RideBe honest with the shop. "Just riding along" doesn't break stuff.
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Submitted by Kevin Bolton
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Your Next RideKeep a Swiss Army bike in your stable. There's always room for a fun multitasker.
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Submitted by Robert Loewe
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Your Next RideLife is like riding a bicycle: To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
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Submitted by Kristian Rondeau
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Your Next RideOne must learn to go slow in order to go fast.
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Submitted by Monica Cross Holmes
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Your Next Ride
You don't buy upgrades, you ride upgrades.
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Submitted by Scott Paciorek
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Your Next Ride
Enjoy the ride, and don't care about what everyone else is doing. Go at a pace you are comfortable with.
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Submitted by Dale Evans
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Your Next Ride
Quantity in the winter; quality in the summer.
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Submitted by Nigel Wyatt-Grainge
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Your Next RideColor coordination helps you go faster. It is completely scientific.
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Submitted by Morgan Andriulli
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Your Next RideBuy a saddle that is comfortable all day long.
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Submitted by Shaun Drew
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Your Next Ride
You don't need to eat or drink for the first two hours.
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Submitted by Matt Vallins
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Your Next RideDo hills—lots of them. The bigger the better.
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Submitted by Peter Philpott
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Your Next Ride
Ride when you feel like, and ride when you don't.
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Submitted by Ralph Garth
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Your Next RideWhen you get a flat, check the whole tire inside and out for the possible cause.
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Submitted by Bryan Rowe
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Your Next RidePurchase a good quality pair of bibs, and use chamois cream.
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Submitted by Chris Giles
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Your Next Ride
Wind is the greatest training partner you will ever have.
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Submitted by Karl Osborne
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Your Next Ride
Don't ride to win races or to get to places, ride to feel free.
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Submitted by Martin Smith
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Your Next Ride
Eat before you are hungry. Drink before you are thirsty.
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Submitted by Morgan Andriulli
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