From
Jesse LaLonde
Invest in your competitors.
From
Rich Dillen
1) Always talk trash that is three times
greater than your actual skill level.
2) Never wear shorts that match your jersey.
3) Choose races that offer free beer with the
entry fee so if you DNF you can still get your
money's worth.
From
Amy Thomas
Train with power. Heart rate is old skool.
From
Steve Bobusch
Lube your nipples...and learn how to
suffer
From
Mia Phillips
Pick your line and stick with it. Always
look ahead to where you want to go, never at
that tree over there to your left. Hydrate or
die!
From
Travis Sapsford
In endurance racing pace yourself and
don't waste time in the pits, races can be won
or lost in the pit area. Cross country races
the hole shot is where you could win or lose,
once that flag drops/bells sounds go like hell.
If you're in front it's there job to pass you.
From
Rich Dillen
1) Avoid riding in circles as it gets
you nowhere. 2) Don't ride drunk, unless someone
is there to witness it. 3) Pick your scabs to
get more impressive scars 4) Don't get so caught
up in racing that you forget that you're just
riding your bike.
From
Andrew Welch
- Eat
- Drink
- Don't stare at stuff you don't want to hi
From
Jeff Kerkove
Train hard, but rest harder.
Watch the movie "300" before your
next event.
Coffee good.
Sugar bad.
From
Aaron Sjorgen
Dedication and hard work pay off…suffer,
suffer, suffer.
From
Jeff Kell
Whatever you do – start off easy.
From
Rick Sunderlage (not his real name)
Go tubeless. Campbells “Soup at Hand” is the best endurance racing food there is. Chicken with Noodles has 10 more calories per can than Chicken with Stars.
From
Jason Mahokey
Have fun riding and racing. Don't panic
when sh*t goes wrong in a race. Keep moving
forward!
From
Aaron Fader
1. If you are spending significant amounts
of time on your bike - use some sort of chamois
crème liberally. No such thing as too
much. I can't believe it took me close to 10
years to figure that out.
2. Take some time to experiment with the air
pressure in your tires. Many people pump up
their mtb tires to 40 lbs and hit the trails.
Depending on your riding style, you can often
get away with less air pressure, which equals
a much smoother ride and better traction and
control. Experiment with different pressures
to find out how low you can go without pinch
flatting, which will vary from tire to tire.
My motto - "If I didn't feel my rim hit
at least once per ride, I had too much air pressure.
From
Brooke Harris
Have fun out there, or it is not worth
all of the time, money, and energy! And listen
to your instincts about everything.
From
Marc Vettori
have fun. it’s all beer league
softball, remember in 20 years you won’t
remember the race, but you’ll remember
who you raced with.
From
Marko LaLonde
I prefer to let people learn themselves.
Its funner that way.
From
Namrita O'Dea
They're all right here.
From
Daniel Porter
Pack the night before
Pre-ride the course
From
Daniel Musto
Get lots of sleep and stay hydrated
From
David Ziemer
Chamios Butter, feed zones and southern
rock.
From
Guitar Ted
Discipline is freedom, have fun, and
don't take yourself too seriously.
From
Adam Lisbonee
Freeze your hydration bladders after
you wash them to cut down on the funk.
Eat foods you like on long rides, calories in
your pack do you no good. Ride early, ride often,
and ride with a smile. Watch out for rocks and
trees. Stop now and again to breathe it all
in
From
Aaron Sheck
If you’re riding - enjoy it. Don’t
ignore the surroundings. See as much of the
world as you can because you never know when
it will be taken from you. If you’re racing
- go hard, don’t let up, & NEVER let
anyone tell you “it can’t be done”.
From
Jeremy Rodriguez
Always commit, ride the trail like you
own it and when it throws you get up and do
it again.
From
Becky Reimann
persistance, miles, and a strong will/mind
are priceless
From
Jeff Weyrens
Quantity is not better than quality when
it comes to riding. And not every race can be
your "A" race.
From
Nate Hackensack
Ride loose and let your bike do some
work for you.
From
Becca Hackensack
Look up. Get off your saddle. Stay off
your brakes. Keep breathing. Ride with people
who make you better, confident, and relaxed.
From
Amy Breyla
Drink lots of water and always look way
up the trail...
From
John Gatto
Suggested pressures are just a good starting
point, go with what feels good (forks/tires),
Very snug is better than over tight. Over tight
will get you in trouble.
From
Christine Teel
Finish strong because there is always
beer afterwards.
From
Regina Livingston
Look ahead, you'll fall less if you see
whats out further!
From
Andrew Welch
1)Ride with your head up. Always look
where you want the bike to go.
2)Keep your fuel levels up. Never forget to
take on food and water whenever and wherever
possible. You never know when the next chance
will be.
From
Arleigh Jenkins
Walking doesn't make you a sissy. And
never ride in wet chamois.
From
Becky Reimann
1. look up when you ride. 2. be an ambassador
to the trails and to the sport.
From
Jason Goyanko
Train consistently, my three rules of
getting better at riding: ride long, ride hard,
and ride frequently and you will get better.
Strength train in the off-season, stretch frequently.
From
Bob Elam
1) Nothing replaces saddle time. 2) If
you have to pee in a race, you're not riding
hard enough.
From
Brian Fuentes
1. sell car
2. no whining
From
Matt Nelson
Prepare, Pre-Ride and Pace yourself.
If you’re not having fun, do something
else. Just get away from me!
From
Bryan Redemske
1) Be nice to your bike. Without it,
you're toast. 2) Learn from the old guys --
they know what they're talking about. 3) Never
discount the benefits of proper rest and recovery
time.
From
Pete Borgen
1) Take over the counter Magnesium tablets
daily for leg cramps.
2) Don't waste a season being lazy. Life is
short.
3) Don't talk shit about riding early the next
morning when you are all loaded... then sleep
in hungover. Wake up tough guy.
4) Single speed bikes can revitalize and simplify
your drive to ride bikes. That is why
they are so popular.
5) Set personal goals and achieve them,
it's good for your self confidence.
6) Focus on what is important to you in life.
You don't need to have 10 hobbies confuse
you on Saturday morning.
7) Bikes are like shoes: you always need more
for that special occasion (use this to explain
to your wife why you need another bike)
8) Cheap bikes are like cheap shoes, you won't
be satisfied.
9) Build a posse of people around you who challenge
you, stoke you out, and make you laugh. If
they like to drink beer, and your familes hang
out, better yet.
10) Ride Winona once in a while, it's by far
the best trail in the state.
11) Enter a race that scares you a little.
12) Don't mope around if you had a crappy race.
That makes you a buzz kill. Laugh it off. There
is another race next week and there will be
for the next 50 years. You can make it up.
From
Miguel Arias
People become obsessed with riding more
technical terrain when they first begin to ride,
neglecting basics such as cornering, etc which
are more difficult to pick up on harder terrain.
The best way to become a better rider is to
work on fundamentals like cornering, position
on bike and then move on. Or if you started
out ass backwards like me you can re-visit the
cornering when your friends are not riding with
you. If you are the type that finds trails "easy",
try riding them as fast as possible. Then call
and tell me that they are easy...
Learn to be efficient with your crank spin.
Do one-legged pedal drills and what are called
"spin-ups" at the end of long rides
to smooth out your pedal stroke.
Learn to brake less and let momentum take you.
If you try riding a singlespeed you will see
that going downhill you can't pedal fast enough,
but you can learn to lay off the brakes.
From
Sarah Groff
1) Racing is the celebration of your
training. Have fun with it!
2) Making boys hurt on the bike feels pretty
darn good
3) The heavier your equipment in training, the
faster you'll feel on your race bike
4) Spend less time worrying about your gear
and more time riding
5) Being fast is cool, but being fast and looking
good while doing it is even cooler
From
Bruce McDaniel
Remember when racing to start fast finish
strong and keep a positive attitude it's only
a race. As for riding keep it fun.
From
Rachel Gatto
I have been riding for awhile now and
I still need to remind myself to look where
I want to go.
From
Troy Willard
Keep on keepin' on!; Music makes the
pedals go round; Bag balm-It taint just for
cow udders.
From
Bryan Redemske
1. Place the needs of your bike ahead
of yours if at all possible. No ride can happen
if your bike isn't ready to go. 2. It's the
cliched 'ride with faster people to get fast'
thing. It's true, but supplement what you learn
with them by doing the same things on your own.
Sprint for signs, find the biggest hills. It
all helps.
From
Buddy Briggs
Ride a lot. Rest a lot.
From
Caleb Anderson
1. Get to the starting line before everyone
else does, sucks to be in the back chasing people.
2. Even if you think you can take a tree out
you can't.
From
Chris Ganter
Learn everything about how your bikes
work. Get thorn-proof tubes for the Pennsylvania
winter. Hanging your bike from the ceiling is
easier, cheaper and better than any bike stand.
Lube your chain every time you ride and your
bike will be silent.
From
Craig Ward
Riding less and resting more has made
me faster. A single speed mountain bike is the
best training tool ever.
From
Dan Knutsen
1) It is better to lose 20lbs from the
gut than to take 20grams from the bike. 2) Keep
your eyes on where you want to go, not on the
trees. 3) Do not wear white spandex shorts.
From
Paul Incognito
Rest harder than you ride. Eat before
you're hungry; drink before you're thirsty (when
riding). If you make this an everyday practice,
you'll get fat and drunk. That's no way to go
through life.
From
Pat Cowan
A race is not the time to try new food.
From
Nat Pellman
Keep it fun, enjoy yourself, take time
out to look around at where you are, be in the
moment. Recovery is important and an art form
that I struggle with. Breath, laugh, find riding
partners that keep you honest. Don’t take
yourself too seriously. Your bike can be used
solely for transportation, it is not just a
training tool...
From
Daniel Porter
1) Always wear your helmet. (2 trips
to the emergency room, 2 severly cracked helmets
and no susssssstained injuries can't be wrong)
2) Be prepared - even if you are riding with
a group, bring your own supplies as if you were
alone. No one likes "that guy" that
forgot his pump, his patch kit, his water...
3) Single speeds are relationship savers for
those of us with 'less aggressive' cycling spouses,
significants, etc.
From
Dianne Vettori
make a pre-race checklist to avoid forgetting
things and support is key.
From
Douglas Southwick
1) Buy a SS, they are inexpensice and
so much fun! 2) The best way to get stronger/faster
is to ride with people that are stronger/faster
then you.
From
Forest Dramis
Always carry TWO CO2 cartridges. Always
wear a helmet.
From
Greg Martin
ride for joy and sleep hard
From
James LaLonde
Always layer during cooler temps
From
Jason Goyanko
Go long 3+ hours at least once per week
if you want to get stronger and faster. Hills
are your friend, go out of your way to find
them when you train. Get a good bike fit, it's
everything. Cross-train, especially in the off-season.
From
Jason Mahokey
Listen to your body.
Eat right.
Don't try / use anything for the first time
on race day.
Never try to save time during a 12 or 24 solo
race by peeing yourself. You have time. (not
that I've done that or anything)
The shirt goes OVER the bib shorts.
Never wear undies with spandex.
If you're a dude- down and to the left or right
please.
If you're not a good mechanic. KNOW a good mechanic,
and take care of him / her.
From
Luis Calderon
It's not about how fast you are but how
good you look and how much smack you can talk...
From
Jason White
Go fast so they don't catch you.
Go tubeless, WAY better traction enabling you
to go faster.
From
Chris Gardner
Just show up and give it.
From
Steve Blackhall
Sit in for the first part of the race,
never be afraid of the occasional suicide attack,
never let the ego get so big that you can’t
pull for somebody, especially if he/she has
a better sprint than you, put your nose into
the wind. Pre-race, spin, spin, spin. Eat a
good breakfast, pet your dog, stuff like that.
From
Jeff Cote
1) In -40oC wear a c*ck sock!
2) Go 240 spikes on ice for best results!
From
Jeff Kerkove
A clean bike is a happy bike. Train hard.....rest
harder.
From
Jon Tumilson
Always bring enough calories because
bonking SUCKS! Corn starch in place of chamois
butter for really long or multi day rides.
From
Kaveh Rahimi
Never jink yourself about "never"
having a flat, and with a
singlespeed, momentum is your friend, so never
stop pedaling.
From
Kenna Oaks
1. Always have fun on a bike, 2. Don’t
forget your sunscreen
From
Nick Evanoff
Saddle time and self induced beat-downs.
Lots of both. Repeat.
From
Kyle du Ford
OK, THIS IS REALLY FOR MY BROTHER, WHO
NEVER LISTENS TO MY ADVICE: (1) ALWAYS CARRY
A CELL PHONE WITH YOU. (2) LEARN HOW TO CHANGE
A FLAT IN 3 MINUTES OR LESS. (3) NEVER RIDE
A PINK BIKE UNLESS YOU KNOW YOU'RE FAST (4)
BUY A SELLE SAN MARCO SADDLE. YOUR GROIN WILL
THANK YOU WHEN YOU'RE OLDER.
From
David Blalock
go fast, take chances, and stay hydrated
(drink more beer!!!)
From
Shey Lindner
Never, never let the lady at RadioShack
work on your Polar HR monitor or replace the
battery! Counter steer, look it up, read about
it, learn it, use it, it will save your ass
some day doing 35+ on a gravel road descent!
From
Marc Vettori
(1) when you shoes are wet, ball up newspaper
in them and in the morning they will be dry.
(2)never try something on race day, you haven't
worked in training/riding. (food, part etc)
From
Mark Fitzwater
Train your mind as much as your body,
you would be amazed at how far being smart and
having a strong mental will can take you. also,
set very clear objectives and goals for every
ride and race that you do. having a clear path
makes it easier to follow.
From
Ryan McCullough
Don't get so caught up in racing that
you forget to have fun.
From
Mark Stevenson a.k.a Guitar Ted
A clean bike is a happy bike. Don't fear
the Reaper
From
Robb Rempel
Go anaerobic at the start and hang on
by your fingernails. If you feel good at the
end, you just didn't go hard enough.
From
Justin Millhouse
Ride & Smile.
Unless you like walking, always bring a good
multi-tool, patch kit and pump.
From
Ron Hunt
Relax - It's just bike racing,
Hydrate - Your body will like you better,
Go hard at the beginning of a cross race-Seems
obvious, but it makes all the difference in
the world, HAVE FUN - You're not getting
paid, so why are you doing this? Enjoy it!,
Always bring money, a tube, a patch kit, and
some sort of inflation device when you go out,
Don't fight cars - They are bigger
than you and can kill you.
From
Robb Kranz
Pedal, repeat.
From
Jim Ransweiler
Never trust anyone who says "we'll
take it easy today"
From
Debbie Gillespie
Don't be afraid to use your front brake
more. The front brake is your friend.
From
Hector Guatemala
1) you can catch the person in front
of you.
2) eat when you feel good.
3) overpack the winter gear. frozen riding sucks.
4) bring two tubes if going out of cell phone
range.
From
Matt Thompson
Replenish your Stan's frequently and
Beer is a great recovery drink.
From
Mike Lavery
1) Ice baths are painfull but a great
way to recover from hard rides or races. 2)
Make sure to do those long early season rides
to build a fitness base. You can't build very
high on a week foundation.
From
Namrita O'Dea
1) Nothing rewarding comes without hard
work 2) Anyone can be beaten.
From
Steve Bobusch
1. When riding in the winter, wear a
short sleeve jersey and armwarmers instead of
longsleeves. It will allow you to regulate your
temperature way better by pushing down your
arm warmers a couple inches to dump heat without
having to expose skin or unzip your jacket and
lose the windblock.
2. Anytime you catch somebody in singletrack,
get by them as quickly as possible, they are
slowing you down even though a "breather"
feels nice. If somebody catches you (heaven
forbid), let them by. Unless of course it's
the last ten or fifteen minutes and it's for
position.
From
Nat Pellman
ride hard, rest harder
From
Paul Tannous
1) Drink before you’re thirsty,
eat before you’re hungry, watch out for
that angry dog just outside of Mesquite.
2) Take a break at the top of the hill, not
at the bottom.
3) Plan your race and race your plan.
From
Pete Ryan
Stay loose, remember to breathe.
From
Paul Incognito
Always carry a spare tube and some tools.
Get plenty of rest. Practice your dismounts
and re-mounts. Spin, spin and spin.
From
Kyle du Ford
Never think a man riding a pink bike
is slower than you.
Never go in against a Sicilian when death is
on the line.
Be a front-runner (thanks, Pre!)
From
Ralph Stewart
Ride with the assumption you are completely
invisible to drivers. Don’t be a dick:
you never know when you will represent all bike
riders in the off chance someone does actually
see you.
From
Wil Baker
The faster you go the faster the pain
is over.
From
Tim Bates
Know your bike. Know how to repair your
bike. Ride within yourself, unless it’s
a race, then all bets are off.
From
Brandon Abbott
Do it because you love it. Speed will
come.
From
Kathleen Shannon
For triathlons, a proper bike fit is
essential. It’s the best money you can
spend on your bike. Sometimes….after you
wear it for a while, spandex becomes see-through.
Just a heads up. Learn how to relax. Chocolate
milk/soymilk is a great post-workout recovery
drink. Have fun!
From
Brendan Dee
Go faster than everyone you can go faster
than. That way you might beat someone. Seriously,
don't take yourself too seriously.
From
Kevin Dawson Jones
Nothing beats saddle time, Mix up your
training with other disciplines and activities,
Prepare prepare prepare, Have fun.
From
Nick Evanoff
"Carrots" are the key to speed
and determination. Bet a buddy a steak dinner
or a keg on results and you will ride like never
before
From
Seth Gunderson
1. To clean up your pedal stroke spend
some time on an elliptical trainer. Get used
to that motion and try to incorporate it into
your pedaling. 2. If you carry a cell phone
on a ride, always put it in a plastic bag, you
never know when that freak rain shower is going
to hit.
From
Bradley Schmalzer
Keep your seat as low as possible, your
bars as high as you can get them, and use toe-clips.
Also, and hour prior to a race, drink a two-liter
bottle of Coke Classic and eat a pound of bacon.
These are the keys to successful XC racing.
From
Travis Williams
If you want to be a better ride your
bike more. Have a healthy relationship with
your cycling habit and your family, significant
other, dog, cat, etc. A sweet pair of T6 socks
will make your feet feel better on and off the
bike. Keep a positive attitude even when everything
goes wrong. If you feel that you MUST have a
bad attitude about something don’t be
a jerk and bring everyone around down. Don’t
get a cocky ego, It doesn’t matter how
good you are there will always be someone going
faster or bigger. Pimping a smooth new T6 jersey
will bring you good Karma. If you want to do
something don’t just try to do it, commit
to it and DO it. When racing give it 110%. Remember
that any day on your bike is better than a day
at the office. These are some basics of cycling
that people tend to forget, remember the basics
and you’ll be a better cyclist. Join IMBA
it will be the best $20 you’ve ever invested
in cycling.
From
Brandon Harpster
Never leave for a ride and forget that
the co2's in your repair kit are empty. Never
get intimidated by another racer or your guaranteed
not to beat him.
From
Bradley Reiter
Drop the hammer and don't look back.
From
Eric Neuhaus
Always check your air pressure for MTB
low as you can go before pinch flatting. For
road riding, max it out for the smooth tarmac.
Wear a helmet and keep your bike in good working
order. don't let it go to hell before it's to
late.
From
Wayne Hofeldt
ride more / race aggressive but not stupid
From
Walt Wehner
1: A patch kit is more useful than a
tube, you lazy bastard. 2: Camelbaks are good
for racing, even if they're not cool
From
John Glodek
RIDE YOUR OWN RACE...DON'T WORRY ABOUT
WHO IS RIDING WHAT...OR THAT GUY IS RIDING THIS
BIKE...YOU CANNOT CONTROL THOSE ASPECTS OF A
RACE...RELAX & HAVE FUN...ISNT THAT WHY
YOU RIDE IN THE FIRST PLACE?
From
Kandy Welch
When you fall, get back up before your
friends see you. Get a professional bike fit,
it makes a huge difference.
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