DEAR DIESEL, ABOUT TRAINERROAD AND BLINDERS
Dear Diesel,
I'm interested in your take on trainer road. I've had an account for a couple years and have stuck with it pretty consistently. At the moment, my race calendar is empty for the rest of the foreseeable future, so I'm looking to drop it as well. I've felt it's worked well to keep me consistent, but not sure how to quantify the rest of it. Hopefully you can elaborate a little more when you get a chance.
Eventless Ryan, Simi Valley, CA
Dear Ryan,
I can’t seam to get it to register that I can do way more than prescribed. Yesterday’s workout was rated a Moderate to Hard fitness test. About half way through, I just blew off the recommended power because it was so easy, and went deeper. Even then, it felt "moderate".
For me, I think it’s kind of a waste.
I dunno.
I’ve never been an intervals guy, and always struggle with prescribed training via a coach. I find it confining.
Probably because I live in a cycling hotbed and have access to so many amazing group rides on every surface I race on.
It’s just easier and more fun to go ride with group x and get my lycra handed to me.
Hope you find a worth A race in 2026I
- The Ol' Diesel
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Morning Diesel,
Read your column this morning and I disagree with your advice, racing with blinders on.
To get into a state of flow in life you have to see the challenges of life that will blindside you from the side.
I tried running with blinders on the side and above and below and my performance always decreased.
You have to stay focused on what you want to achieve, but you can’t achieve without peripheral processing, that’s where the Fun is.
Have fun,
Rockin' In Reno
Rockin' In Reno
Dear Rockin,
Point taken.
Let me try and clarify.
First, did you really/physically run with blinders on?
That's insane.
But, I know you are a literally an accredited vision expert, who helped me greatly in recovering from TBI, and prone to experiment, so good on ya!
The idea is to see the landscape of the trail, or life, recognize the obstacles and then...
- ignore
- tune out
- be oblivious
... stay laser focused on the cleanest, fastest line.
Said another way...
... what we think about we bring about.
Think about the rocks,
hit the rocks.
hit the rocks.
Think about the clean line,
shred on by.
shred on by.
For example, we've regrouped at the bottom of a rocky, cactus-lined trail and some riders are Did you see the giant ____? Others are, Nah, missed it was having too much fun.
I think we're saying the same thing.
Thanks for calling me out!
- The Ol' Diesel
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161.4 lbs/12.1% - nothing like a lack of hunger to trim down
770 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
√ Upper Body: 80 push ups, 20 pull ups, gripper, heel & toe raises
no Lower Body: split squats, step ups
80/55/25 per Strava
249 FTP per my TrainerRoad AI coach experiment