Training

My general bicycle riding principle:

Don't ride your bike to race, race because you ride your bike.

There is no substitute for owning all your local climbs in the big ring; using smaller gears to go up a climb faster only works when you're doped.

Computers suck almost as much as dopers. Yes, Fabian uses a SRM, as well as all of his colleagues - if I got a check from SRM every time I looked at my power meter I'd use one too - if you're not getting a check then spend that extra cash on a nice pair of Assos bibs, you'll be happier.

Coaches are for people who don't understand why they are riding their bicycle. If you're not going to the Olympics or Worlds then go have fun; intervals are not fun; structured training is not fun - if you want to ride your bicycle fast then every time you go up hill, do it faster than everyone else (in your big ring).

If you feel good, gas it; if you feel square, then don't.

Don't assume anything about how you're going to ride on any given day, ever. Expectations are premeditated resentments.

Always say something about how much you haven't been riding when you show up for a group ride, even if you have 30 hours in your legs that week.

In general, Campy doesn't work better than anything else, you only have it for sex appeal - this isn't a training guideline as much as a overarching observation... just sayin'.

Own an all black Assos kit... or two.. or three...

If you're not at a race, then ride some handbuilt 32 spoke wheels with brass nipples and washers; rolling around on a suitcase of carbon cash is stupid, and makes you look like a tool, especially at Saturday morning worlds.

Drink coffee all the time, especially before you go to bed at night. This will ensure you're ready to go first thing in the morning.

Do a six hour ride with nothing but your favorite beer (or if you're like me, whisky and warm water) in your water bottles at least three times during the winter.

Don't take it seriously.

Minimize everything.

Have fun.