Good cycling posture means your hips stay planted and your pedals turn in smooth circles. Sit back in the saddle with your chest slightly forward, core engaged. Your breathing should match your effort: steady and rhythmic at an easy pace, harder and faster as you push. Most wasted effort on a bike comes from fighting the pedals instead of flowing with them. Keep your cadence smooth — imagine running water, not jerky steps. If your legs are screaming but you're breathing fine, you're not breathing hard enough. Dial up the intensity.