5 Pro Tips You Shouldnt Follow

Cyclists can learn a lot from watching pros. But that doesn't mean you should always ride and train like them. Alison Tetrick of Team Twenty16 explains what makes sense in the real world.

The Pro Way:

Stick to the training plan no matter what.

Do This Instead:

If you're riding with friends and feel awesome, it's okay to go longer and harder than you intended. On the flip side, you don't have to keep pushing when you feel lousy. Go hard on the days you feel strong, keep it mellow when you're tired, and stay off the bike as much as you need to without guilt—until you're ready to get back on.

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The Pro Way:

Use only the gear supplied by sponsors.

Do This Instead:

Don't get me wrong, I love all my sponsors and equipment. But when it comes to outfitting yourself, the fact that you pay for gear means you are not limited to any brand. Take advantage of the range of choices. Say the chamois in your new bibs rubs you the wrong way: Nothing is stopping you from trying a different one. When you're shopping for a bike, test-ride a variety until you find one that fits well and suits your strengths, riding style, color preference and performance goals.

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The Pro Way:

Count (almost) every calorie.

Do This Instead:

As long as you raise your glass to moderation and follow a balanced diet most of the time, you are free to contend your local Donut Derby or turn a long ride into an event with multiple hot-dog stops—without having to worry about losing marginal gains.

More: 10 Weight Loss Tips From Pro Cyclists

The Pro Way:

Ride for four or more hours multiple days a week

Do This Instead:

You probably don't have unlimited spare time, and unless you're training for a big-mileage event, you don't need to put in endless hours of pedaling week in and week out. Maintain or improve your fitness by building high-intensity efforts into rides of an hour or two.

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The Pro Way:

Race where and when you're told

Do This Instead:

Ride your bike on your terms, for personal goals, and not to please anyone else. Some ideas: Head out only on routes you love, but explore new ones on a regular basis. Register for an event in a bucket-list location and make it into a vacation. Plan a bike trip to France's Loire Valley, the Tuscany region in Italy, or Napa, California—any place where you can sip world-class wine after spending the day on two wheels.

More: 10 Rules to Group Ride Like a Pro

Three Pro Moves Worth Adopting

1. Be Prepared

Even though pros have follow cars and support while racing, we're on our own during training. Don't count on cell service for that bailout phone call. At a minimum, always have flat-repair items, extra layers, ID, money, and food with you.

2. Ride With a Purpose

Each time I'm on my bike, I have a mission, whether it's to go easy or do time-trial efforts or practice skills like descending or cornering—or just have fun! Set a goal each time you clip in, and you won't waste any rides.

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3. Eat and Drink Before You Bonk

Start taking on fuel in the first hour of your ride to maintain consistent blood-sugar levels—don't wait until you start feeling fuzzy. Aim for one bottle of water and about 200 to 250 calories an hour to keep your tank toppped for any effort or duration.

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