MY BIKE LIFE CONTINUUM STRETCHES FROM SAND TO STONE. Some of what I do is very negotiable, and other parts are truly written in stone.
Tuesday morning group ride, pure stone. This ritual has been going on for about 30 years. Some years it's been part of a full week of riding, and others it's been the only weekday ride. It's a social thing, as well as an accountable thing.
Sundays off is set in stone as well. For me, this is the only way I can keep perspective on all aspects of my life. I unplug from training, unplug from work - no emails, calls or reading... and I'd like to add unplug from digital life, but haven't done it yet. I plug into family and the spiritual side of life. I started this when I turned 30.
Bike fit is set in stone. I go to one fitter, I go every time I get a new bike, and anytime I have any kind of pain. A good bike fit can get you 10% faster.
Weighing myself each morning is mainly stony. I weigh myself right when I get up each day, and record it. I have gained all kinds of insight to my body and the effects of what I eat, the times I eat, how long it takes to gain or lose weight, and what I really weigh. But, I never weigh myself on vacation.
Sleep is sandy-stony. I try and get 7-8 hours, it really feels good. But, sometimes we stay out late. That said, I still set the alarm for 530 and rise most days around 5.
Coaching is sandy-stony. I love my little coach, she's the best. But, each of us know I'm only good for the 7 weeks leading up to a big event. Any more than that and I find the structure suffocating. She puts up with me, and I'm grateful for it.
My goals are sandy-stony. Some years, it's all about the MTB others it's all road riding. Lately I'm all into USACycling road races, I had years that were all about 100 mile MTB races. But, when I lock in the theme of the year I'm all stone on my goals.
Diet is on the sandy side. I try and eat whole foods, but sure had fun pounding cake and brownies and Mexican coke watching the Super Bowl yesterday.
What kind of bike is sandy too... I like road and mountain, carbon and aluminum. I'm not a neat freak, but the drivetrain has got to be tidy and working well.
But the sandiest of all is M-W-Th-F-S.
I go where the treads flow.
Never really know,
Until I get there,
Which is where,
Life puts on a show,
I meet someone, see something,
And grow.
How about you, what's in sand and what's in stone?
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