The cycling world is rich in great sayings and quotes reflected the sport’s long history and reflecting its toughness and sense of fun.
We recently asked Cycling Weekly readers to nominate their favourite saying or quote, and we’re listing them below along with the name of the person who submitted it.
Use them wisely to improve your café banter or for taunting your poor cycling friends when they’re struggling.
Have we missed out your favourite (or most hated) cycling saying? Tell us in the comment section below.
>>> 10 things to say to make you sound like a Tour de France expert
It’s not the falling off that hurts, it’s the landing.
James Carson
If it’s not raining, it’s not training.
Richard Wing
“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” H.G. Wells
Oliver Neilson
Training is like wrestling a bear – you don’t stop just because you’re tired.
Neil Cobley
You are one ride away from a good mood.
Sarah Bentley
“Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.” Fausto Coppi
Kevin Shields
A bit of banter to liven up a club ride. Photo: Jesse Wild
Four wheels move your body, two wheels move your soul.
Nicola Miller
“It never gets easier, you just get faster.” Greg LeMond
Nash Nyoni
The older I get, the faster I was.
Paul Webb
Are you riding, or are you hiding?
Daniel Solomatine
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” Eddy Merckx.
Andreas Östrin
Riding? Or hiding?
Never sacrifice style for speed.
Bill Caveny
It’s only a hill, get over it.
Tim Badger
Ride it like you stole it.
Lee Sutton
“As long as I breathe, I attack.” Bernard Hinault.
Peter Grady
Keep the rubber side down.
David Silver
My eight-year-old old daughter: “this hill is so steep, my legs are out of breath”.
Mike Griffiths
“Don’t buy upgrades, ride up grades.” Eddy Merckx.
Vshal Nahin
Always good for a quote: cycling legend Eddy Merckx. Photo: Chris Catchpole
Sweat is just fat crying.
Paul Beevers
Sprint for flash, climb for cash.
Jason O’Brien
I just trebled the value of my car, I put my bike in the boot.
Jeremy Dickens
Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.
Fahmi Ibrahim
No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.
Josie Hunsdon
My ultimate fear is that when I die my wife sells my bikes for what I told her I paid for them.
Sean Power
Before thinking about buying a lighter bike, make yourself lighter.
James Foley
Hills are your friends
If someone finds me collapsed on the road, please pause my Garmin.
Jayson Carey-Brenton
When I was younger I asked my dad how many hills were left towards the end of the ride, he would reply: “It’s all downhill. Except for the uphill bits.”
Tom Cullen
Heard on a recent club run: They are not hills, they are mounds of opportunity.
Michael Page
When you’re wet, you’re wet. Used often with the British climate.
George Kinghorn
Your bike cost how much? And it doesn’t even come with pedals?
Mark Turner
When you finish just one inch before the next one, you win.
Bram Bugajski
This is a recovery ride for me today. You know, just in case I’m a little slower on the hills.
Peter Denness
