Ride with SPDs
Ride a cross bike on stupid route terrain and pass mountain bikers on proper bikes

Fail.

Look further ahead – not at your front wheel.

Slow down to go faster..

Brakes are for girls, anyone seen using them will be assumed a friend of Dorothy.

99% of riders have way to little faith in quite how late and strongly then can brake, and how much grip their tires do have if only they'd trust them.

Look further ahead – not at your front wheel.

Probably the best bit of advice, along with "Look at where you want to go, not at what you want to avoid or you'll hit it"

Others

– ignore people who think that because they have a better/more niche/etc bike than you, that somehow makes them cool/special/an outcast/etc" because frankly they're just lame.

– turn back and go home if you're not enjoying it (at some level at least)

– learn to bunny hop on flats

– learn to ride rigid

– don't brake in corners

– skids are for kids ( 😉 )

– don't eat yellow snow.

Do something you've always wanted to but have been too scared to attempt!

Never take anyone else's advice!

Buy a buff

Build your own bike

Build your own wheels

Ride how you want, if it's all about the shineys then admit that, but don't look down on others who's priorities are different (unless they're singlespeeders 😉 )