Making mistakes is part of cycling, but learning from others' can save you years of frustration. Anthony and Josh Ross from CyclingNews break down 10 things they wish they'd known as beginner cyclists—from nutrition and training zones to pacing strategy and why recovery matters just as much as the work itself.
Key Takeaways
- You can't overeat during a ride—fuel aggressively with a mix of solids and liquids (rice cakes, gels, carbs in bottles) to avoid bonking and keep riding strong for hours.
- Stop riding in zone 3 all the time; spend time in easy zones (1-2) and hard zones (4-5) to unlock different physiological adaptations instead of narrow benefits.
- A power meter is the single best investment for going faster—it gives you immediate feedback on effort and pacing, and they're now affordable for any cyclist.
- Know your starting point and your goal, then use training data to plot a realistic path between them—impossible journeys lead to burnout and poor decision-making.
- Ride your own pace on distance goals rather than chasing faster riders; staying in the red compromises nutrition, hydration, and safety decisions.
- Recovery isn't just for pros—sleep, stretching, and rest days are where fitness gains are realized, and listening to your body beats pushing through constant fatigue.
Expert Quotes
"I haven't known anyone ever that's gained weight by eating too much during a ride—it's pretty much impossible."
"The best advice he could ever give to somebody is watch the good lads...they have it nailed and it's so nuanced."
"Hard training doesn't make you faster; hard training gives you the potential to be faster and that potential is realized once you recover properly."