DMGOlder and Wiser... Maybe.
I like to think I've gotten older and wiser in my cycling. Here's what I've changed over the last few years.
The Problem is Me
It's nice to think that a shiny new fork will make me faster, but the fact is that it's not the bike's fault I'm slow. The overwhelming factor in the performance of the bike is the rider.
Fuel Properly
A strong ride and quick recovery start with proper fueling during your ride. Hydrate and stay fueled. Recovery starts at the top of the day's last climb. That's a great moment to have a snack and get a jump on the nutrients your body will be screaming for later.
Cool Down
Finish every hard ride with 10-15 minutes of easy spinning. (Heart rate under 140 bpm.) It radically improves recovery by keeping your heart going while your legs finish processing all that built-up lactate.
Eat Promptly
Eat a carb-rich meal/snack within 30 minutes of finishing a ride. Waiting until 90 minutes after a ride can easily cost me a day of extra recovery time. Giving your body the fuel it needs exactly when it needs it is immensely effective.
I tend to sweat a lot, so I make sure to get plenty of water, especially after a ride.
Do Recovery Rides
Moderate activity increases your muscle cells' insulin sensitivity, which pulls glucose from the blood into muscles' glycogen stores more effectively than if you're sedentary. But the activity must be moderate, or it defeats the purpose.
Flats Kill Speed
The average speed of a cyclist with a flat is zero mph. I run tubeless on my mountain bike, and I use Gator Skins tires on my road bike.
Laundry is Not Optional
Use a sports-specific laundry soap (I like Penguin Wash) to keep the stank off your gear.
Do Your Own Wrenching
Get the tools you need. Missing something? Take the bike to the shop (otherwise you'll miss your next ride, duh), and while it's there, order what you need from Amazon.