Many cyclists unknowingly make mistakes that hinder their progress. Whether you’re new to cycling or have been riding for years, it’s essential to know what to avoid. In this post, we’ll highlight the top 8 cycling training mistakes to avoid, why they can negatively impact your performance, and what to focus on instead to improve your results.
The Cycling Training Mistakes:
1. Obsessing Over Equipment
The Problem: There’s no shortage of shiny new gear promising small performance improvements. From ceramic bearings to the latest bike models, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that upgrading your equipment will make a huge difference.
Why It’s a Mistake: Many of these upgrades only offer tiny gains, often costing an arm and a leg. For instance, you might spend £800 on ceramic bearings that improve your speed by half a watt. Meanwhile, spending that money on training plans, fitness tests, or aero testing could offer far greater benefits.
What to Focus On: Investing in the basics—like a proper training program, getting a fitness test, and working on your bike fit and aero position—will give you more significant results than expensive gear.
2. Getting Distracted by Small Details: The Devil’s in the Basics
The Problem: Some cyclists focus so much on small, unimportant details—like the exact cadence or the color of their shoes—that they forget the bigger picture: consistently doing the basics well.
Why It’s a Mistake: Neglecting to do the simple, effective training practices (like easy miles, structured workouts, and proper recovery) means you’re missing out on the biggest performance gains.
What to Focus On: Focus on the core principles of cycling training—like improving endurance, building strength, and staying consistent—before diving into the weeds of tiny, less impactful adjustments.
3. Zwift: The Trap of Blindly Following Workouts
The Problem: Zwift is a great tool, but it can lead to the trap of mindlessly following workouts without truly engaging with the session. It’s all too easy to just click “Go” and let the software guide you through the session.
Why It’s a Mistake: This removes the mental focus needed during training and misses the value of understanding why you’re doing certain exercises, how to adjust based on your own effort, and how to fine-tune your performance.
What to Focus On: Be engaged with your workouts! Understand the purpose of each session and adjust based on your body’s feedback—whether you’re using Zwift, riding outdoors, or doing intervals on the trainer.
4. Falling for Unproven Gimmicks: Avoid the Hype
The Problem: Cycling is filled with unproven gadgets that promise a boost in performance. Ice baths, massage boots, and questionable breathing devices. They all come with flashy marketing but little scientific backing.
Why It’s a Mistake: These gimmicks are often not supported by real evidence and could be a waste of money that you could better spend on things that actually improve your cycling, like proper training and recovery techniques.
What to Focus On: Stick to what works. Training hard, resting when needed, and following a plan that’s tailored to your goals. Focus on proven methods, rather than jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad.
5. Training While Sick
The Problem: Some cyclists push themselves to train hard even when they’re sick, thinking it will improve their performance or help them “catch up” on missed workouts.
Why It’s a Mistake: Training while sick is counterproductive. Your body isn’t going to absorb the training properly, and you risk making yourself worse. Instead, it’s better to rest and recover, allowing your body to heal.
What to Focus On: When you’re sick, listen to your body and take a rest day. Training while ill often leads to worse performance in the long run, so prioritize recovery.
6. Strava and Social Media Distractions
The Problem: It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of sharing your rides on Strava or comparing yourself to others. But when you’re more focused on posting stats and getting kudos than actually improving, you’re missing the point.
Why It’s a Mistake: Strava titles and social media posts don’t make you a faster cyclist. Instead of focusing on showing off, focus on logging your workouts and keeping a training diary.
What to Focus On: Use Strava for fun and motivation, but prioritize your actual training plan. Record your progress in a way that helps you learn and improve, and save the memes and emojis for after the ride.
7. Obsessing Over Gadgets Instead of Training
The Problem: Many cyclists waste too much time troubleshooting gadgets. Power meters, bike computers, and Zwift setups—instead of just getting on with the training.
Why It’s a Mistake: Spending more time setting up your bike and gadgets than actually riding can delay your progress. If your tech isn’t working, use perceived effort, heart rate, or other tools to stay focused on the ride.
What to Focus On: Ensure your gear works, but don’t let it become a distraction. The real value lies in consistently completing your training sessions, not in having everything perfectly calibrated every single time.
8. Sticking Too Rigidly to a Training Plan
The Problem: Some cyclists follow their training plans to the letter, regardless of external factors like fatigue, illness, or life stress.
Why It’s a Mistake: A rigid approach doesn’t account for the complexities of real life. If you’re not recovering properly or dealing with other stressors, pushing through the plan can be counterproductive.
What to Focus On: Adjust your training as needed. Flexibility is key—don’t be afraid to tweak your schedule when life throws curveballs.
Now you know what mistakes to avoid, why not take a look at our blog on the Top 7 Cycling Training Tips To Improve Performance.
Avoid these cycling training mistakes for better results. As a cyclist, your goal is to improve and get faster. While it’s tempting to chase the latest gadgets or jump on every new trend. True performance comes from consistency, quality training, and focusing on the basics.
By avoiding these common cycling training mistakes, you’ll be able to direct your energy toward the things that will really make a difference.
Training Plans
Ready to take your cycling training to the next level? Take a look at our affordable and flexible cycling training plans below.
