The basics are quite simple, and they are all you ever really need to know.

1) Fewer watts for every mph
2) Fewer heart beats for every watt
3) Less effort on every beat

These basics define the ultimate goal for every cyclist, no matter what body type, no matter what natural talent, no matter what level of training.

This is true the first time you get on your bike and forever after.

If you get these basics squarely in your head and keep them in mind at every turn while using an objective repeatable reference to track your progress, you will be able to figure out the rest.

This book will help get you started.