Keep learning

The kind of cyclist you decide to be might change over time. With new pursuits will come new learning curves. Remember, it’s best not to be too tribal with your cycling discipline. Brennan describes herself as a longtime utilitarian cyclist, commuting and hauling her kids in a bike trailer for years before buying her first road bike to try multi-sport racing. “I’ve always been the kind of person who owns a bike and rides it around town,” she says. “I had a relatively narrow cycling world, and it wasn’t until I got a road bike that I realized I could go so much faster and that going fast is fun.” Since then, she’s participated in gran fondos, charity rides, races and bike tours. She even took up fat biking recently. “I just think cycling is a beautiful and fun way to be out in the world,” she says.

One year, you might fall in love with winter fat biking and figure out how to keep your toes warm outside in February. Another, you might choose virtual racing and master the intricacies of Zwift. There might be seasons when you analyze your data obsessively and others where you ride without gadgets. You might ride with a group of great people one year and choose solo adventures the next. Be open to where your interests take you, and don’t let the awkward learning phases stop you along the way.