I've been riding for years now — racing with Cycle Nation in the Western Cape, logging thousands of kms on Strava, obsessing over TSS and CTL in TrainingPeaks.

But when I started? I was clueless. Here's what I'd tell myself:

1. You don't need the most expensive bike. My first road bike was basic. The engine matters more than the frame. Get fit first, upgrade later.

2. Learn to read your body before you read your power meter. Data is incredible — I live in Intervals.icu now — but RPE (how hard it feels) is still the most important metric when you're starting out. If you can't ride by feel, numbers won't save you.

3. Join a group ride ASAP. Riding solo builds discipline. Riding in a group builds everything else — drafting, pack skills, pacing, and most importantly, friendships that keep you coming back.

I started CE Cycling Academy to share everything I've learned — training plans, ride strategy, gear breakdowns, and a community of riders who actually care about getting better.

If you're chasing your first century, your next KOM, or just want to ride smarter — come ride with us.