My first words of 'wisdom' is that what works for you is more important than people give it credit for. When it comes to things that are not safety related give what works for you big points.

Rememebr you will have bad days. In a way the just a little bad can be the worst because a really bad day you can recognize, it is the jsut a little bad days that can fool you into thinking you are not makeing any progress or even going backwards.

If you think you are suddenly a stud rider, especially if riding solo, stop and check for a wind. (The entire West coast typically has a breeze that builds and is southerly, I've seen some riders at teh beach think they are great going South, only to find the wind ahs built to 15 mph and what was at their bhack is in hteir face going home).