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Todd’s Journal
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Get RaceDay Ready
HE'S MAKING HIS LIST
THE POWER OF A CHECK LIST is awesome. Not ticking the boxes, for that quick hit of dopamine, there is something even better than...
... getting it done.
Which is the point.
For me, the real power is in the creation of a list.
Exploring and considering...
- each and every angle
- what is needed
- what is fluff
... and building an empowering list.
It's harder than it looks.
But, done correctly...
... discipline is replaced with love and urgency.
Checking the box is dessert...
... one we can enjoy each and every day.
===
165lbs/12.5%
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/86/0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GOAL SETTING
WRAPPING UP THE YEAR, is a lot like wrapping up Christmas presents. We have these memories and milestones...
... to look back on later.
Gifts to ourselves.
What if we knew what gifts we'd be wrapping up for ourselves next year?
Would we plan our 2026 calendar differently?
Change up our goals...
... if their accomplishment was a given?
Now that you've done that little thought experiment, I'll share this with you.
The biggest accomplishments in my past were never concerned with...
- little details
- strategies
- tactics
... only What.
From there it was just a matter of making it real.
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
510 Anti-Oxidant Score
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
180 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/84/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
HR TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE the joy of climbing with friends to a distant peak and poking through the clouds. Summiting is like having...
... the top of the world to ourselves.
All is calm.
Bombing down the mostly unfamiliar other side...
... not so calm.
Heaven forbid we'd let a gap open and get left behind.
Already on the edge of grip, I came into a sweeping lefthand turn...
... a negative radius, sloping downward.
I drifted all the way wide to the soft bulldozed berm.
Exiting, it was nothing but steep with ruts and rocks competing for my attention.
It wasn't looking good.
Somehow I managed to wiggle through the gauntlet.
My HR now sky high.
Only one thing to do, let out a huge...
... WOOOOHOOOOO!!!
Sheesh, my heart skipped a beat just reliving and writing this.
It.
Was.
Awesomeness.
Had I gone down,
I wouldn't have died.
But, it woulda been a bloody mess firshur.
Glad I kept my eyes open
and arms relaxed,
the tires held...
... just another reason to be grateful this time of year.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
480 Anti-Oxidant Score
7ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/96/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
WHO KNEW WE WERE THAT BAD?
THE PROGRESS WE MAKE can be kind of embarrassing. We don't know it at the time. In fact, we're having so much fun those early pics and vids...
... can be kind of embarrassing.
There's hope.
Bad athletes,
can get good.
Good athletes,
can be great.
Great athletes...
... know the secret.
Keep doing it.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
480 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/82/3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
THE OTHER 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
A LOT OF US plan to do some superspecialsecret training when nobody is looking in the coming days. Some are going so far as to...
... do the outrageous.
A gift to ourselves.
Which reminds me of one my pals who each year would ride a century 12 days in a row.
That was his goto way to start the year with a bunch of base miles.
Of course, the family and friends all thought that was...
... akin to getting coal for Christmas.
Personally, my overarching diabolical (counter season or counter intuitive?) plan is to...
- play around on jumps and technical stuff
- catch up with friends
- have fun
... make the training count.
What are you planning for 12/25 thru 1/6
While you're thinking about that...
... I'm sharing this kit with you in the off chance you're looking so spoil yourself with something outrageously sexy...
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Or, 50% savings here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
7ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/84/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
IS IT TOO LATE TO GO PRO?
THE SALARIES of the tops pro seem fantastic. The lifestyle unbeatable. Who doesn't want to get...
... paid to train and travel the world?
Sign me up.
But...
... it's too late, you're too old, you lack talent, you don't have time, you're too young, your equipment sucks, your friends and family won't approve, you'll nevereverver freakin' make it...
... SILENCE!
Though we may not get paid,
our travel will be less exotic,
we can still focus on...
- a specified activity
- honing our craft
- doing our best
... it's never to late to be pro.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/89/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
WE WON THE LOTTERY!
WE DON'T DREAM enough. At least most of us. When we do, and I'm not talkin' 'bout shut eye...
... we change our state.
Great things are suddenly possible.
I was reminded of this yesterday...
... my son was going to buy a lottery ticket.
He does this when it's over a billion.
I told him how much...
- it allows us to dream
- things we'd change
- do or never do
... I love and hate the lottery.
Name one thing you'd do?
I'd never get up to an alarm clock again?
Later, I reflected on my greatest day on the bike.
In 2022.
The insane Leadville goal of...
- a PR
- sub-8 hrs
- at age 60
... and how I did it.
The dream of sub-9 at sixty started years prior.
Always in the back of my mind.
But, there.
How it would feel to be in that kind of shape.
The closer the date got,
the more real it became.
Until I believed I could not only go sub-9,
but shatter my 6 previous efforts.
We can win our own lottery...
- crystal clear
- detailed
- belief
... if we'll just start dreaming.
===
166lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/91/-4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
IS IT THE SACRIFICE?
WHY DO SOME OF US stick with the endurance thing year after year after year and others check in for a season or two then check out...
... never to return?
There is something unseen happening.
I think I know what it is.
Sacrifice.
For better or worse...
- could be skipping a new car for a better bike
- an hour later out at night for an early run
- a quick swim instead of a tv binge
... we've sacrificed something.
That sacrifice produces the faith necessary to really go for it,
go for that insane physical goal we've set.
It gives us hope.
And, we love that...
... in everything we do.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
7ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/93/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
YOU'RE GONNA SAY THIS IS IT
THINGS AREN'T GOING to go according to plan. Everything is going to go south. Everything. And you're going to say this is it..
... This is how I end.
You can accept that,
or you can get to work.
That's all it is.
You just begin.
Solve one problem.
And then the next.
If you solve enough problems...
... you get to cross the finish line.
Adapted from the closing scene of The Martian.
It's a long movie,
about solving problems,
which is what we do the moment...
... we register for a race or commit snagging that elusive PR.
(highly recommend the movie)
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8sh hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/95/-7 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
IF WE'RE REALLY LUCKY, and we (you n me) are, we'll stumble into something that keeps us endlessly fascinated. No matter how much we do it, or how long we put it on pause...
... it is always, ALWAYS, a ton a fun.
How can we do it forever?
At a high level?
Before I tell ya the answer...
- age
- friends
- failure to progress
... we gotta accept the challenges.
1. If we aren't on point with our health choices, age may ravish us...
... and not the sexy kind.
2. As the playground circles the sun...
... many of our friends will hang it up (see #1.)
3. Failure to progress...
... leads to boredom.
Today, I hooked my sassy grin...
- rode with younger cats
- picked up a new trick
- pushed my limits
... up to the firehose of youth.
1. Lucked into shredding a lot of single track with Steve and Brian...
... the schedules aligned, the conversations vibrant.
2. Coming in hot to a corner, Steve locked up the rear wheel...
... Why did you do that? To vector the turn and change trajectory.
3. Brian, did you launch off that rock?...
... Yeah, came around the turn so fast I had to.
The real secret to the fountain of youth...
... making and keeping young friends.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
THE HIDDEN ADVANTAGE
WE'RE BUSY. We work. Raise families. Participate in communities. Do our duties...
... what's our hidden advantage?
Just that.
We know how to...
- schedule
- pacify
- lead
... and we have perspective.
Which is what sets us apart,
keeps us in the hunt...
... 'till we cross the finish line.
===
164 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
DARE OR DARE NOT
SOMEWHERE AROUND 8 YEARS OLD, we learn of daring. Someone gets dared. We don't even know what the word means and, yet...
... we do.
Because there is tone.
An unsaid judgment.
I dare you.
Our response...
- bold
- calm
- weak
... means everything.
Later in life, that cat in the mirror still dares us...
... if we are lucky.
What are you daring yourself to do in 2026?
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
7.75 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHOW A FRIEND AROUND TOWN?
GETTING A LONG-DISTANCE FRIEND TO VISIT is mostly rare, for most of us. We post to Starva, talk up our locale...
... to the point of bragging.
Then, the friend shows up.
Suddenly, we're wondering...
- will they be impressed
- can they keep up
- will they crash
... how this is gonna go down>
There was a time when Surfergirl would take such visiting friends aside and whisper...
... Be careful, he's kinda crazy.
Couldn't blame her as more than a few returned bleeding,
one with a broken bone.
It wasn't on purpose.
- I'd just forget
- be in the zone
- having a blast
... thinking they were doing the same.
The local, me...
... could rip the trails blindfolded.
Everyone else was riding blind.
Anyway...
... Tim did great today.
(I knew he would, and didn't really back it down at all.)
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
7.75 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/91/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GOOD NEWS: THERE'S HOPE!
THIS TIME OF YEAR, the schedule gets crowded. The company parties, family get togethers, community events...
... we want to attend 'em all.
It eats into the training time.
And, that's good.
Just yesterdee, Surfergirl reminded me of our date to see Gentry.
Her favorite trio was in town for a Christmas concert.
Driving down, we wondered if we'd run into any friends,
walking in we saw my brother and sisterinlaw...
... seating, we were astonished.
We were exactly right behind them.
Couldn't have planned it better,
total surprise.
But, that's not the point.
We were carried away in the spirit of the night...
... all the world's nonsense, forgotten.
When we returned home, there was a package on the doorstep.
Incredible...
... a customer had hand made classic ornaments for each of our family members.
As a gift.
The real point is if we'll shut off the news, the pointless socials and get out to events and people we love we find...
... there's hope!
Hoping you'll find plenty of time to share your love for others in the coming weeks.
===
162.2 lbs/12.2%
7.5 hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/86/-1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE BEST FREE ADVICE YOU NEVER PAID FOR
WE ALL GET ACHES AND PAINS. Mostly, we just blow 'em off knowing in a few days things will right themselves. At least that's the idea. But, we are organic...
... our equipment is not.
It won't self heal,
like our miraculous bodies.
No matter how much positive energy we send it...
... those creaks won't go away on their own.
We gotta respect and inspect 'em.
I mean really figure it out.
Lemme splain it.
I've had an annoying creak for a couple of weeks.
Finally, last Friday...
- removed cranks
- checked, cleaned bottom bracket
- found a broken bolt on the chain ring spider
... thought that'd solve everything.
Mostly, kinda.
However, last steep climbs at end of Saturday's ride indicated problem not resolved.
Took into the shop for professional treatment.
Ace mechanic gives me a call.
It's not good.
How bad.
Axle in hub is cracked.
Yikes.
Yeah, it coulda been bad.
How bad?
Well, if it broke while riding it would have destroyed the hub innards, and...
And, what?
... and possibly locked up the wheel.
Now, I dunno how things are where you live, but on that ride I'd just finisihed...
... I hit 35 mph over a rocky, gravel fire road.
Had that wheel locked up...
... I'd be dead, at best.
Consider this the best free advice you Never paid for...
- bike
- bones
- muscles
... Fix thy creaks!
===
162.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/89/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HAVE YOU HAD A CLASSY SMOKE, LATELY?
CELEBRATING AN EPIC EFFORT is, can be, a powerful factor in repeatability. You know, whether or not we ever do it again and...
... gain the associated benefits.
Old time movies we so classy.
In black and white.
Couple meets,
goes to dinner and dancing,
the very next scene we see...
... they are covered up, smoking in bed!!!
Here's how we do it most Saturdays.
Meet up at the corner,
hit it hard for 3-4 hours,
the next thing we know...
... we're at the country store.
Cokes, RedBulls, chips, even had Zingers yesterday...
... our version of smoking in bed.
===
Now, here's the diabolical brainwashing science...
- guaranteeing many repeat performances
... celebrating with lots of sugar and caffeine burns those good feelings in.
===
165.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
APPRECIATING A ROUGH START
FOR SOME GETTING STARTED is easy, for other it's hard. Even messy. So, what's better...
... an easy start or a tricky start?
Take today.
We'd climbed 4141', 13.4 miles.
The start, though steep, was pretty smooth.
The final 4.5 miles, were quite a bit rougher.
Lots of rocks.
I really suffered that last 2ish miles.
After a bit of a break,
it was time to plummet back down.
We pushed the pace pretty good those first 4 1/2 miles...
... over terrain I've flatted on many times.
I knew the next 9 miles were smoother, but...
... after the previous beating they seemed like a freeway.
We screamed down.
Surprisingly, I posted my 3rd fastest time ever.
(In case you're wondering if that was my 3rd time down, it was my 44th since 2012, per Starva)
This served as a good reminder...
... if we push through a rough start, we gain the skills to go much faster.
===
Further update on the Conti Dubitals...
- they roll reallyreallyreally fast
- corner dependably at high speed
- seem to be pretty darn puncture resistant
... I'm loving 'em.
Looking forward to playing with pressures,
I think I can run lower than the 16 and 17 I ran today.
(that was in the cold garage, before the heated up on the actual ride which would increase the pressure by a few pounds)
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
0 PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/107/-18 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE WE RIDING SATURDAY?
WE ALL HAVE A RHYTHM TO OUR TRAINING. We have a favorite rotation of workouts, training partners, intensity...
... just like the goto dinner schedule.
When all else fails, I know spaghetti and meat balls is a winner.
No matter what I have planned.
When it comes to Saturdays, the...
- crew
- pace
- route
... I have a few defaults.
If I've had two hard sessions during the week,
I'm leaning towards a longish sweetspot/tempo ride.
If the week only had one high intensity completed,
I'm gonna wring it out on Saturday.
This week's Wednesday Worlds was kinda hard, therefore...
... tomorrow I have a nasty 1ish hour uphill TT planned.
The younsters are gonna make me hurt.
Can't wait!
How do you do it?
===
165.6 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TACKY, TORQUEY TESTING... CONTI DUBNITALS
GETTING NEW EQUIPMENT is always fun. Usually, it is preceded by all kinds of Kool-Aid drinking. You know, the marketing team laying it on thick...
... and our friends laughing at our antiquated ways.
This week, I bit.
Finally jumped to wider tires.
From 2.2 RaceKing in back and 2.2 CrossKing in front to...
... 2.4 Dubnitals, front and rear.
My testing took place on our local single tracks...
... while doing low-cadence, torque climbing in Zone 2.
I'd rip down,
ponder performance on way back up.
Going from 2.2 to 2.4 doesn't appear to be much,
the tires are a bit lighter than the 2.2s
My initial...
- they go from edge to edge much quicker
- seem to roll very fast
- traction is great
... reactions.
I think they're gonna be a great upgrade,
will test on the smoking fast downhills, Saturday.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/93/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION
IF IT TAKES A VILLAGE to raise a child, then, for us, it obviously takes a group to train us up proper. The right gaggle...
... has countless benefits.
Number 1 being speed.
Which is why I did the Wednesday Worlds today, and rolled right into...
... Pain Cave.
When we're on form,
this is an hour segment of riding just below detonation.
Today was much easier...
- the group was slowish
- BBB and I cruised Pain Cave
- catching up and discussing next year's goals
... we were 5 minutes off the PRs.
That will come down because we committed to some rather outlandish goals.
Which means, we'll be pressing the pace on the WW ride,
then duking it out on Pain Cave.
Leading to our mutually assured destruction the rest of the work day...
... and, what we hope will be a massively successful 2026 campaign.
===
If we do it correctly, we'll sprout wings.
Deal below.
Use promo code: VELOBONES
To save 20% on any t-shirt in the collection.
Expires on 12.5.25
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all
===
165.4 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/95/-9 (fitness/fatigue/form)
420 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
OTB OR OTB?
WE HAVE ALL THESE CODE WORDS and acronyms in our culture. The deeper we get into it...
... the cryptic they become.
Here's the mechanic's favorite...
... I was just riding along.
His eye's roll and he scribbles on the notes...
... JRA.
I heard another from a shop owner who was barely hanging on and his "loyal" patrons were constantly asking for discounts and free stuff...
... he called them Freetards.
I've been guilty of both of those and quickly cleaned up my evil ways once I got the hint.
But, this one...
... it's been hard to stay away from.
OTB.
This one is a two-fer,
I can't get it out of my mind lately.
Off the back...
... which is where I seem to be finding myself a little more than my liking.
Over the bars...
... luckily, my recent wipeouts have been on solo rides.
===
165.8 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
390 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU CHOPPING WOOD?
WE ALL HAVE A FAVORITE MOVIE, book or story. One that inspires us to be more than we currently are, or return to a place we once dominated. These myths are important because...
... they can lead and guide us to a better future.
Truly powerful.
One of my all time favorites is Rocky IV.
Rocky, seeing his once enemy, the great Apollo Creed, who became his friend and mentor, get crushed by a Russian giant...
... decides he must do something completely different.
He must go...
- runs
- pulls a sled
- carries logs
- throws boulders
- chops down a tree
... to snowy and freezing Siberia.
Maybe it's winter,
maybe it's cold...
... maybe they only way to get nasty fit is chopping wood like Rocky.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
00 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
390 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EARNING VS LEARNING
LIFE IS LIKE AN EPIC CARD GAME. We're dealt our genetic hand. As little children, we have no idea...
... we're just running around having fun.
Somewhere around the age of 8 or so we realize...
... we're not all created equal.
I can throw,
my aim is woeful.
I can run,
my friends are faster.
I can swim,
holding my breath is a struggle.
Most of us here, found we love to endure...
... persistence and suffering are out super powers.
We can't earn our way to a sub-4 minute mile, but...
... we can learn how to be faster and more efficient.
That's the journey we are on.
Learning how to be our best.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/93/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TRAINING BLOCKHEAD
FOR MANY OF US, this is the time to back things down. Pick up a sporty side hustle. Hit the weights...
... do something different.
Makes sense.
The next season is a long way off.
Just one problem.
Physics.
You can't shoot a cannon from a canoe.
Meaning, when the season does come around, we're going to need a good base from which to start launching our hard efforts.
So, whatawee 'posed ta do?
Personally, I'm gonna...
- have fun
- be more socisl
- challenge my skills
... while logging some solid base mile.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
6.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/107/-20 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU COMFY?
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT comfort zones. How we want to avoid them because they hold us back, lead us to settling for...
... more than we can be.
Who wants that?
Things I think about after a less frightful drop down one of my all time favorite descents.
I held the KOM at one point,
still top 11.
Back than, I was really, really at ease on that screamer...
... in a state of flow, relaxed.
Comfy.
The good kind.
Yesterday, on the same segment, I was a hot mess.
Smiley on my rear wheel, showing his front wheel, asking...
... Are you riding cautious?
I wanted to say...
... Heck no, and Screw you!
Things were not flowing,
I was gripping.
Hard.
It was very uncomfortable because I haven't been on my MTB much the last year or so.
Practice leads to comfy,
comfy leads to flow,
flow leads to ripping.
Effortlessly.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/94/-9 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE'S A LEGENDARY CLIMB
SOARING 5600' ABOVE SEA LEVEL, we have access to a legendary climb. A gravel fire road. It's the kind of challenge we can sink our teeth into, get a baseline for our fitness...
... set legit goals.
The mountain ain't movin'...
- 9 miles
- 3000'
- 6.3%
... but, we are.
The KOM is held by current world tour pro Kevin Vermaerke,
which he probably set in the NICA days.
53:10
The next 9 are local legends...
... the legit kind, not the goofy Starva thing.
There are two ways to view...
- I'm slow, and I suck
- I'm slow, and I can improve
- I'm slow, and I'm dawgawn grateful to be ripping with my pals
... today's traditional Thanksgiving effort.
One more takeaway.
When I set my PR, we lived much closer to the mountain and I'd ride it 3-4 times a month.
It was a goto.
And, it got me thinking...
... if I wanna slay like that again, I gotta do it more.
Maybe every week for the rest of 2025,
and chop 18 minutes off today's time?
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
84/90/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I NEVER LIFTED WEIGHTS UNTIL I GOT INTO THE NFL...
MOST OF US ARE PROBABLY HEADING OUT for the local turkey trot or some sort of holiday ride. It's tradition, followed by the traditional...
... Did you ride or run today?
Which deserves...
... Yes, and the sun also rose this morning.
Earning an...
... I bet your hungry!
Usually followed by a...
... I didn't know you could eat so much pie!
At some point someone will turn on "the game".
As full as we are,
as much as that lycra gonna be stressed tomorrow...
... we realize endurance training doesn't favor or create massive muscles.
Which brings me to one of my all time favorite athletes...
... the Great Hershel Walker.
Dude was devastating in college and NFL.
This quote must have been so humiliating to those left flattened on the field....
- 2000-3000 pushups/day
- 3000-5000 crunches/day
- hundreds of pullups/day
- hundreds of dips/day
- air squats and lunges thousands
- 20-50 yard sprints
... I never lifted weights until I got into the NFL.
Damn.
We may not be - ok, never will be - built like Hershel, but...
... kinda makes ya wonder how much stronger we could be.
Dedicating little time,
from home.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
20 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/82/0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
STRATEGY VS THE DREAM
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR yet? Maybe it's too early, I mean jeez it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But, almost...
... so, it might not be too soon.
There's no rule on that.
I was thinking about this on my ride yesterday.
What comes first...
... strategy or the dream.
Especially with all the InfooIncers on the socials.
You know which ones kill me....
... literally saw this one today...
... Download My 47 Points To Master Advertising Now!
hahahahahah
But, you get the idea.
We can get so hyped up on a new (to us) strategy...
- Single-legged box jumps while hula-hooping for explosive sprinting
- One million grams of carbohydrate from bonking to crushing
- Sleep like a grizzly and maul the group ride
... we start looking for a race to unleash.
I've done it,
still do it.
We can all be suckers,
the cons are as appealing as the conmen.
Anyway, what I concluded after zonetwoing my way around town was...
... The Field of Dream if we build it, they will come...
... is kinda right.
The players, errr strategies, don't show up until the field is built.
In other words, once we identify the...
- A race
- impossible PR
- unconquerable route
... then, and only then, will the strategies we need be apparent.
Let me say it differently.
We can quickly toss aside...
- techniques
- strategies
- hacks
... the worthless dross.
Because the really good stuff that works is easy to see...
... once we have our dream/goal/desire firm and clear in our minds.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
82/74/7 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
NOT AS GOOD?
JOURNALISTS ARE SO MUCH SMARTER than us fans, they have incredible insights we just can't fathom. Why it's a wonder we even...
... bother seeing with our own eyes.
This is gold.
A journo says...
... MVdP is nowhere near as good as Tadej.
On the heels of saying...
... MVdP beat Tadej on the races he wanted to win.
He being MVdP,
and he being Tadej.
Wait,
what?
He's not as good,
but he beats him?
Oh, journo.
Here's the dill, and...
... it's a good lesson for us lowly amachuros.
On certain courses...
... certain riders are unbeatable.
The challenge is to find our course.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/12 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
MY VICE IS TERRIBLE, MY CULT IS WORSE
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
165.4 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/70/11 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HOW WE SOLVE PROBLEMS
SOME PROBLEMS ARE HARDER than others to solve. It can be frustrating when the answers just aren't coming. This is...
... how I solve my problems.
It's a question of time, right?
The truly unsolvable problems need marinating...
- clearly identify what needs to be solved
- set aside time
- get outside
... during a very lazy ride, run or swim.
The only goal is to solve the problem.
A stop for a pastry and drink is often required...
... I carry a journal and a pen to help me flush out ideas.
The best problems take require more...
- miles
- creativity
- "fuel" stops
... 3 or 4 or a lot more sessions.
Just today I was trying to figure out what to focus on...
- goals
- events
- milestones
... for next year.
Went for a ride,
had a brainstorm,
came home to the Giant calendar.
And they think we ride just for fun and fitness!
===
165 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
0 PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/81/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BECAUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL
WE ALL HAVE A WAY to perform. Whether it's vanquishing, showing off, sufferfesting, truly enjoying every moment, our individual efforts...
... leave a lasting impression.
On others,
on ourselves.
Is there a best way?
Right way?
Only way?
Let us not gaze into our own navel but...
- racers
- promoters
- business leaders
- matriarchs and patriarchs
- community and governments
... appreciate for better or worse.
It is what it is.
I was recently struck by a singer...
- unknown by most
- unwilling to submit to label demands
- who died without much fame or fortune at 33
... sold more than 10,000,000 records posthumously.
What?!... how? who?
The great Eve Cassidy sang as if every song was a gift to the listener,
with uncommon love and passion.
Nothing more.
May we all do our thing with such beauty.
===
Pull down her tracks on your music app... good wrenching vibes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C1_oNzhU7U
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/65/16 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ON THE GAS
A LITTLE KNOWN SECRET to not falling over is going faster. It's counterintuitive. But, it's the first thing we taught the kids when they started riding motos in the desert...
... speed is our friend.
Then why did I suffer so badly last weekend in a desert-bound gravel race?
You didn't have a motor Dingdong!
No, it's more than that...
... and I've thought about it a lot this week.
The 92-mile race
- low gradient climbs and descents
- long, long straight roads
- mostly flat
... provided very little coasting.
We had to stay on the gas.
It's not like the terrain here,
most of my ride profiles look like a lumberjack's saw blade.
Anyway, I'm thinking about that this week because I'm starting to do sweetspot training...
... 90% of FTP, without coasting.
I've got to stay on the gas (the pedals).
It's hard to do when we have so many punchy climbs and lots of turns.
But, I'm a committed fool when it comes to this stuff.
===
By the way, you might be one of the horde who loved this jersey...
... which means you'll probably love the kit.
If you wanna rock this awesomeness click here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
There's an insane offer, so don't forget to click here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
82/67/14 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
>
TAKE TWO, AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING
GETTING A COLD is annoying. Can't train like we want to, can't sleep well, hard to be productive. If we get near our lover fingers are raised in an X...
... so, what do we do?
To speed it up.
There are my goto...
- Zicam at first hint
- Pollo Loco tortilla soup
- Insanely hot and long showers
... rider's tales.
Then there's what I did today...
... which could massively backfire, tomorrow.
I woke up,
it was cold.
I had a cold,
and hemmed and hawed.
I consulted my alter ego Dr. Goforit, who said...
- raise your body temperature
- the nose will start to flow
- blow that gunk out
... Put on a kit and get on two wheels.
Torture.
I've had mixed success over the years.
I'll either be on my way to pneumonia...
... or good as new tomorrow.
===
165 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/23 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE GODLY CONNECTION IS STRONG IN THIS ONE
BEING OUTSIDE and unplugged is more than just an escape from "the real world". Most people in "modern society" rarely experience what that is like. We do because...
... that's where we thrive.
And, we're moving fast.
Even if we're practicing our craft daily,
and the whether is good,
we could use more.
Not less.
I experienced a snippet of much more on our road trip.
We took time to visit the land my greatgreatgrandfather homesteaded 100 years ago.
No one else was there but us.
Access is via a gravel road,
10 miles from a 2-lane highway.
No cell service.
The only inputs,
each other and nature.
The peace and solitude remarkable.
Over night, the temps dipped low enough to freeze the rain puddles from the prior evening.
We were cozy,
the van has a heater.
Still, when we rose to stretch and visit this hallowed land filled with childhood and parenthood memories...
... we were shocked by the reality of nature.
Not in a negative way,
one that makes you feel alive,
connected to more than a paycheck and bills.
To God.
To acquire the land...
- the extreme temps at 7000'
- the distance by horse or wagon to town
- the loneliness during the months no one came to visit
... E. M. Whiting had to stay on it and not leave, for two years.
How else could he make such a sacrifice if not feeling a closeness to his creator?
I feel it when I'm...
- there
- in the surf
- on our local trails
... and love it.
Need it.
And so...
- walk
- hike
- ride
- run
- surf
- swim
- camp
... we keep inviting and encouraging our friends to join us.
Outside.
===
164.2 lbs/12.6%
9ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/23 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE...
DISNEY CREATED AN EMPIRE animating fairytales. Because the appeal is so strong, with little to no cultural barriers we have to ask ourselves not just why, but...
... which is our favorite.
Then, why?
Personally, Cinderella is my top choice.
Not just the story arc,
the snappy dances,
or catchy songs.
There's an orphan in all of us.
Often we don't see who we really are,
out talents lying dormant.
Could be naysayers,
could be something else.
It's nice that Price Charming is a price,
it's charming that he sees Cinderella as she really is.
The point isn't...
- Where's my prince charming?
- Who will save the day for me?
- Why am I not picked?
... to wallow in our sorrows.
The point is for whom are we Prince Charming?
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
9ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/67/16 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT’S IN OUR DNA
TOO FEW OF US know our family history. Some barely know cousins. Great-grandparents? Forget about it. It’s just not a thing. And, yet…
… what could be more important?
To know their stories,
is to know ourselves.
Which is why we drove hours out of our way after the bike race.
Here in eastern Arizona, to soak of our roots.
Surfergirl’s great-grandfather helped settle Snowflake,
my great-great grandfather helped settle Saint Johns.
They are neighboring towns,
about 20 miles apart.
And the communities were quite friendly with each other.
You’d think we grew up out here,
and that’s how we met and married.
Not so.
I was born and raised in SoCal,
she was raised in Hawaii.
Maybe somethings are meant to be.
But, that’s not really the point.
This is hard country,
the high desert.
To carve a life and community out of nothing took strength, smarts, and massive cooperation…
… the same qualities it takes to complete very challenging endurance events.
Who is an ancestor that inspires you?
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/87/-0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I WANNA PUT A DENT IN THAT GIRL
IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE we can say and do the craziest things. You know things we might not normally say or do. And, at the time...
... they sound/seem totally normal.
Like today.
I had the awesome opportunity to flat 15 minutes into the 92 mile race...
... suddenly I'm swearing like a sailor.
It wasn't horrific,
still, glad no one was around.
Spent the next 50 miles basically riding by myself.
Doing my best.
Jumping from group to group.
I roll up on one of the female leaders,
bridge across to another badass Barbie.
And, I hear her say the funniest thing...
... I wanna put a dent in that girl.
Speaking of the other racer.
I visualize a halloween scene,
hatchet stuck in the helmet.
Hahaha.
Then the crass, neanderthal in me thinks...
... that sounds like something I'd like to do on date night.
Not the hatchet...
... if you know what I mean.
These crazy thoughts are birthed in our very depleted states, as we...
... do our best to stay upright and moving forward.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/89/-2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY WOULD ANYBODY GO TO DOUGLASS, AZ?
RACING VENUES ARE HARD TO COME BY, especially in big cities. Almost impossible. The result is the bigger the race, the more likely we are to travel...
... someplace we've never been.
Would never go.
Here I am,
two hours south of Tucson,
on the Mexican border, in Douglass, AZ.
This gravel race has the same vibe as my first Leadville,
back in '99.
Small town,
somewhat forgotten.
Which makes it a perfect place to stage a gravel race...
... surrounded my endless gravel roads.
I decided to sponsor the race for three reasons...
- Mike, the promoter, is hella nice and persistent.
- He's a huge fan of our products
- I'm a huge fan of gravel races
... which are the only reasons to sponsor anything.
Passion and admiration for what each other are doing.
Funny story.
I have actually been here before.
Back in the 80's.
I was doing missionary work in Mexico and our visas needed to be renewed. Five us youngsters piled in a van and hit to Agua Prieto, MX. The plan was to walk across to Douglass, wait five minutes and walk back with new visas.
We were greeted with...
... No, no gringo. No se puede asi. (Not so fast whitey, you can't do it like that.)
So we...
- spent the night in Motel 6
- chomped Pizza Hut
- watched ESPN
... forgot all our Spanish.
And crossed back the next day.
I'm guessing Borderlands gravel will be slightly more challenging.
Good night now.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/64/18 (fitness/fatigue/form) ... somebody is tapered!
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HURRY UP
IN OUR EFFORTS TO GET FASTER, we often think of the many benefits. Mainly health, youthfulness. And truth is...
... we are better than most, not as good as some.
Who's better?
By that, do you mean...
... how could anybody be better???
We are aerobic machines, and that is a key to longevity.
Mostly.
Here are...
- Sprints
- Weights
... the missing ingredients.
I know, I know...
- sprinting sucks
- weights can be dangerous
- and, for the weenies in the back, who wants to gain weight?
... what you're thinking.
According to research, when we lift weights not only do our bones get denser but there are intra-muscular gains to be made that we cannot get any other way.
You know what else is weird, most people in our culture never sprint again after their early twenties.
So, here's the main takeaway from all scientific facts do 'em and...
... move faster, age slower.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/71/13 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVERS
THERE ARE THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER selflessly and those who volunteer selfishly. Both are admirable. In fact, when I was a race promoter it blew my mind that...
... people just reach out and offer their assistance.
Just giving where there's an obvious need.
I ran into a selfish one tonight.
The sun had set,
my headlight was on.
I was making my way cautiously because the ruts on this particular trail are bad and...
... there's an enormous sinkhole that might kill ya.
As a get there...
... did I say it was pitch dark?...
... a man is standing with a shovel in one hand and a trowel in the other.
Creepy?
Scary?
Nope, I knew what he was up to.
Not burying bodies...
... prepping the trail so when it rains this weekend the ruts will fill in.
I stopped.
Introduced myself.
Thanked him profusely.
No need, I just moved here and can't believe how lucky we are to have these trails right here. Just wanna make 'em perfect for my kids and me to ride on.
To which I could only say...
... Bro, you gotta let me make you a custom RaceDay Bag.
Is there a better gift?
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I THINK I VOIDED THE WARRANTY
LIVING IN THE ACTION SPORTS MECCA of the world, I'm surrounded and influenced by all manner of creative, ingenious athletes. We all feed off each other. My friend Kody...
... started making super aero computer mounts.
3D printed gloriousness.
My new MTB was in need.
I reached out.
Got a mount for Roval bars?
Yes.
Cool, I'll get one.
We haven't tested for lights yet.
He thought I was asking for my road bike.
So yeah...
- the road mount is super aero
- looks freakin' awesome
- supports a light
... survived and thrived on first MTB ride.
Did my evil test void the warranty?
I dunno.
But, this is...
- come up product ideas
- make it
- test it
... what we do around here.
Here's a ink to his site: https://nanoworx.shop
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/85/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOLDILOCKS NUMBER?
WE ARE ALL SEARCHING for that magic number of hours to maximize our training. You know, the Goldilocks amount. Not too little. Not too much...
... the perfect amount of work.
I know where it is.
You do to.
Look back over the year.
Find the week that didn't wreck you, the...
- hours
- distance
- intensity
... I can do this every week.
Bonus/verification if you had any...
- Segments
- PWR
- HR
... PRs the following week(s)?
That's your Goldilocks number.
Mine's about...
- saddle time
- bit of strength work
- some sort of other fun
... 13 hours/week.
What's yours?
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/86/1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU GET 1 WISH
2026 WILL BE HERE soon enough. Many of us are already planning work, vacations, family time...
... and, yes, races.
You get 1 wish.
Here it is...
- lay out your Giant RaceDay Calendar
- scour the interwebs for races
- pick one, and do it
... no limitations.
Imagine it...
- Anywhere on this giant blue marble.
- Any time of the year
- Dream equipment
- Fantastic lodging
- Clear schedule
... and ask yourself.
If not this year...
... when?
'Cause here's the deal, if we only did one race next year...
... we could probably make it happen.
It's just a mental game, play it out, and let me know...
... where, when and why.
Me personally, my top choices...
- Gravel Burn, South Africa
- Oregon Trail
- Rebecca's Private Idaho
... are gravel stage races.
Gravel Burn looks insane.
===
You do have a Giant RaceDay Calendar, right?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
===
164.4 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/91/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE REBEL ALLIANCE IS GROWING
EVERY NOW AND THEN a new format or race or course or piece of equipment comes along with promises to change everything. Except hardly anything changes...
... until something sparks.
How does that work?
Like this.
About 10 years ago, I purchased my first gravel bike.
My friends, like me, were roadies and mountain bikers.
A gravel bike seemed like the worst of both worlds.
I got it,
understood where they were coming from.
Except, I was having so dang much fun...
... I didn't care.
I just kept riding gravel,
inviting my friends,
enduring their
mockery.
It wasn't overnight,
more like overdecade.
The last two Saturdays, most telling.
Eight days ago, an absolute shredder on a mountain bike shows up on a spanking new gravel bike.
30 minutes in, he's grinning and shouting...
... This looks so wrong, but gadang it's fun!
Today, another pal shows up for his first group gravel ride.
He's gifted off road, we spent years riding motos in the desert...
... We're going 30+ miles an hour, I can't believe how much ground we can cover!
Does that mean you should be riding gravel, too?
Maybe.
But, really, it's just a lesson in how things that are worthwhile spread.
Then again...
... What did the gravel bike say to the road bike?
I am your father.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
90/105/-15 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FAMOUS COACHES ARE GETTING FIRED RIGHT AND LEFT
IN PRO SPORTS, or high level amateur, there is always a spot light on the coaches. At some point, blame or credit lands...
... squarely on their shoulders.
Should it?
I do love to follow college football...
- the emotional swings
- the athleticism
- the stadiums
... so much energy and unpredictablity.
Who would have thought so many megamilliondollar...
... coaches would be punted this year.
Mid-season.
The great Seth Godin wrote The Gap.
The idea behind the book is when we find ourselves unable to close the gap to our goal...
... the sooner we decide to quit and move on, the better.
It might be a pro gambling tactic as well...
... but, the only gambling I do is putting my heart, soul and cash into this business.
Anyway, would you have/have you had the guts...
... to change directions, and how quickly would you do it?
===
163.6 lbs/12.4%
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CHOOSE WORTHY ADVERSARIES
WHAT IS IT ABOUT LOVING UNDERDOGS? It's so uniquely American. Is it our origin story, the DNA of our culture...
... to cheer for the fighter with no chance?
Honestly.
Who can't feel a bit of their own soul being crushed with every blow the awesome Apollo Creed delivers to a...
... bloodied, bruised, crushed Rocky Balboa?
We've all been in that arena.
Had the bell ring.
Still standing.
Somehow.
We humans thrive against overwhelming adversaries...
- inspiration
- desperation
- exasperation
... oozing with confidence and power.
When our all is required,
we discover who we really are.
As the great Kierkegaard said...
... What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/88/-1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY TOP 5 SPEED HACKS
FOR MOST OF US, going faster, getting better, has less to do with a fancy new gizmo or the latest training fad. We know that...
... but, what are doing about it?
Like the Mastercard ad says...
... some things are priceless.
Here are five...
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Strength
- Maintenance
- Consistency
... anybody can do.
These are my hacks.
Sleep.
Figure out when we want to wake up. Get in bed 8 hours prior to that. Stay there until it's time. Eventually, our bodies get the hang of it, and boom... we're sleep doping.
Nutrition.
Eat clean. No packaged foods. If we can't identify the ingredients, we don't consume it.
Strength.
Do the basics, at home. We don't have time to drive to the gym. No need to do all the sets at once, break 'em up throughout the day. Hardly any equipment is needed: pull up bar, a few dumbbells (adjustables for the win).
Maintenance.
New equipment is so nice because it is all tight and precise. Flawless maintenance will keep that new equipment performance for years, and we'll always be race ready.
Consistency.
If we always train at the same time magic happens. Those around us learn and appreciate our commitment. We get it done. Always.
A final word.
I was never the best athlete. Not among my friends, and certainly not at school or among the general population.
I was never picked first, couldn't aim or hit anything regularity.
I wasn't the bravest or most daringist.
I did have one thing going for me...
... I freakin' loved being outside and being challenged by nature.
Today, I'm probably better than almost all my contemporaries.
That's not a flex, it's just happens.
They quit.
Which brings us to the top two hacks of all time...
... commitment and passion.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3(fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU'VE LOST THAT AWESOME FEELING... GET IT BACK!
THERE'S A CERTAIN SOMETHING we feel during the early days of picking up our passion. It's tangible. We can taste it. We love it...
... that's how we got here.
I'd lost it.
Over the last couple of years, drunk with stupid stats from Training Peaks and Starva...
- more time
- more miles
- more climbing
... I found myself wallowing in fatigue.
Don't get me wrong.
I'd line up, or roll out with the pals, and, though I might be quick to drift back...
... the ability to endure for hours was ridiculous.
Something snapped.
Or, lightning struck.
I dunno.
But, a few weeks ago, I woke up and said...
Screw it!
I'm cutting down the long slogs...
... and bringing back sprint days.
2-3 hours became 90 minutes.
With 10-15 VO2 max efforts,
lasting 10 seconds to 5 minutes.
I'm super fortunate to live close to trails with a lot of straight up and straight down...
... I let the terrain dictate how long the sprint lasts.
Then, focus on my DH skills...
... coasting, staying off the brakes, carving and carrying speed.
The upshot, after 90 minutes and 10+ solid efforts?
I feel amazing,
not pooped.
Sprinting engages all our muscles and focus...
... a total mind, body soul work out.
Soul?
Yeah, trust me.
Do 'em right, and you'll see stars and feel God's presence could be imminent.
===
164.3 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3(fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU CAN'T GROW A BEARD OVERNIGHT
WE WANNA BE FASTER. Right now. Not this season, not this month, not this week, not today. Right now...
... 300 meters from the finish line.
Houston, we have a problem.
Go ahead.
We forgot to add fuel to the return booster.
Sucks to be you.
Yeah.
We can't grow a beard overnight.
A good one, for some of us...
... can take months.
If we wanna be fast in the final sprint,
if we wanna negative split the course...
... we gotta put in the work before we need the result.
===
164.3 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT'S RELATIVITY
Jun 27, 2018
by TODD BROWN
AT ABOUT 7AM THIS MORNING MY ENTIRE BODY WAS SHAKING. Failure was near. Time... the more I looked at the stopwatch feature on my phone the slower time went.
It was just 2 minutes in the plank position,
It seemed like an hour.
At about 5pm this afternoon we rolled out for MTB WDNSDY. It was 80+ degrees, we were moving slow, gaining over 1700'.
It was 6 miles straight up for an hour,
It seemed like 2 minutes.
That's relativity.
----> Side note: I definitely should have gone to Santiago Oaks today to pre-ride Saturday's race course. There's a pretty tricky down hill that I haven't ridden since last year. Oh well, now I have a relatively good excuse.
____
171.2
WHO ARE YOU?
Jun 26, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THE BEST PART ABOUT THE KID IS HIS ENTHUSIASM. Frankly, that's the best part about all my riding buddies: EN-THUS-EEEEASM! It's a greek word meaning "possession by a god", and there's one thing for sure... we are all part of the cult of two wheels. It's more than hooked, more than into it, we are religious in our observance of daily practice.
Like any recent convert the kid is on fire and you know what the say... people will come from miles around to watch a man burn. I predict he'll bring a ton of kids into the fold.
Like any old diesel, I'm willing to share all I know. So when I got this text after this morning's TMWC ...
I had a to share what another old diesel told me early on...
It really is the best advice I ever got from a salty old man in his mid-30s. Not only does it take 3 years to figure it, but... in three years you can actually mold yourself into a different kind of cyclist.
At some point I'm gonna encourage the kid to shave his legs. NOT because it makes you faster, not because it's pretty, but at some point his skills are going to be on par with is fire... until then, that hair is a good signal to the initiated that he deserves a little extra space and tender loving care.
He's new.
Be patient with him.
He's the future.
Teach him.
____
171.6
IS IT FINALLY SUMMER?
Jun 25, 2018
by TODD BROWN
SUMMER HERE HAPPENS WHEN IT'S SUNNY ALL DAY LONG, when we push past maygrayjunegloom. Tomorrow is looking like it'll be one of those days when I get to wear the sunglasses, not the photochromics. I love the nerdy look of the photochromics, and I love not needing them even more.
It means it's warm and sunny at 530 am, a beautiful thing.
It means soon we'll be geeking out to the tour.
It means the unOFFICIAL TMWC is near.
It means a jersey and bibs will suffice.
Now that's a potent list of awesomeness, which is why I love summer. So much daylight to get out and play. So get out there!
____
174 (whoops!)
BUT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED
Jun 23, 2018
by TODD BROWN
EVERYBODY HAS A FIRST TIME, a day they are baptized into the bloody brotherhood of San Juan. It's a day they will never forget, a trail they will always remember.
Miles of slippery decomposed granite, infinite switchbacks, steep drop offs and lots and lots of poison oak all competing with striking views across the West Coast to the ocean blue.
Once you've done it, once you realize that yes you will most likely give blood every single time and yes it's likely there'll be some mechanical failure along the way and yes it's nearly two hours to the top... once you've done it and lived to tell your tale then you can't resist inviting a friend.
That poor friend will be just like you were and you don't care.
You try and warn but it comes out so weak because after the blood is dried and scabs are healed and the lingering itch of the poison oak is no more all you can remember is those huge vistas, the exhilaration of conquering the climb and a long, long smile-filled drop back to earth.
You have been baptized,
but your friend hasn't...
yet.
What are friends for?
_____
It's starts off so innocent.
Beautiful above the clouds
The least of his new tattoos
... and some for the rest of us too ...
Don't forget to wipe.
____
171.6
CLOSING TIME
Jun 22, 2018
by TODD BROWN
SO, YOU'VE BEEN WORKED TO THE BONE. Whatta ya do now? When you feel like you're nothing but a skeleton, like there's no more energy to give, but you know the work is done?
... then one of your crew fires off a text like this...
Just like that the rejuvenation begins.
It's like magic.
I feel the energy swelling in my chest as it prepares to suck up massive amounts of oxygen. My legs tingle with eagerness. My eyes close and I see glorious single track being gobbled up as my knobbies scratch and claw across the decomposed granite.
With friends like that, how can we ever get old?
I ain't no skeleton!
It's closing time,
Time to ride!
_____
re·ju·ve·nate
rəˈjo͞ovəˌnāt/
verb
-
make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.
_____
NO, WHAT DO YOU DO?
Jun 21, 2018
by TODD BROWN
LET'S CHANGE THE CONVERSATION... next time someone asks you what you do? reply with I ride my bike.
It's not that work isn't thrilling and exciting and fulfilling, it's that being in amazing shape and feeling wonderful is all that and more. And, if you are feeling all those things people can see it.
What they are probably wondering is how do you work and still look great?
Every now and then you'll find a cycle mate, then you can really geek out.
I ride road,
gravel,
dirt.
gravel,
dirt.
I've been to France,
Kansas,
Moab.
Kansas,
Moab.
I'm just getting started,
Been doing it forever,
Just love to ride.
Been doing it forever,
Just love to ride.
... I ride my bike,
What do you do?
What do you do?
____
171.6
THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HORST'S FACE
Jun 20, 2018
by TODD BROWN
DUE TO THE RECENT FIRES IN ALISO WOODS MANY TRAILS ARE CLOSED. So, I found myself at the bottom of Rocket and decided to head on up as the lower portion of Coyote is verboten. Rocket is a difficult trail to ride down and nigh impossible to ride up because of a quarter of mile section of rough rock (the pictures don't do it justice). But, 25 years ago, on our rigid MTBs, Surfergirl and I stopped in awe as a 50 year old man (FIFTY!!!!) was riding his bike UP! Rocket.
He introduced himself and his incredible machine. Horst Leitner was a myth to me, and the bike a whisper. Somewhere out there was said to be a full-suspension mountain bike with a disc brake on the front. We'd only seen pictures up to this point. And here we were with the man and the machine himself.
Here was living proof that full suspension mountain bikes were coming and they'd change the way we rode forever. Someone I considered way beyond his riding years was riding up an impossible trail and making it look easy.
As I picked my way up the trail tonight two things bounced around me noggin: one, I'm older than Horst was 25 years ago... so maybe 50 ain't what it used to be; two, why in the heck am I riding a hardtail!
Here's a great example of that amazing bike. I wanted one so bad, but it was out of my range. Something I could only dream about.
Horst sold the patent to the rear suspension to this little company called Specialized. It's still in use.
Here's a link to more of his amazing inventions
... I love capitalism.
____
171
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WINNING
Jun 19, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THOMAS WATSON FAMOUSLY TOLD HIS SALES TEAM, FAIL MORE. Thomas Edison famously said, I haven't failed I have found 10,000 ways that won't work. Mike Tyson famously said, Everybody has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth.
Want to win a bike race? Sign up.
Haven't won yet? Sign up for more.
Still haven't figured out how to win? Now you know what doesn't work for you.
Stick with it, one day you'll learn how to "punch someone" and take home the prize.
Whether your signing up for a formal race or just hitting the local group ride or racing virtually, racing is a great teacher.
Figuring out how to win is fascinating. It's a never ending game. Someone is nearly always better. But, we keep coming back like Pavlov's dogs because every now and then it pays off. We add a new strategy or technique and a little confidence to our quiver.
After you've won some, share the knowledge. Help someone. It's a different kind of winning.
____
?
ONE FOR EACH FINGER
Jun 18, 2018
by TODD BROWN
HERE IN CABO, I’ve seen a total of 5 dudes kitted up on race bikes. Three were sprinting for grupo supremacy Sunday morning. Another was 50 kilometers out of town on a Tri bike on a road to nowhere but great surf. The last sported a Tinkoff Jersey on a gravel bike with a flat tire.
This ain’t home
and that’s just fine
The legs are rested
feeling a different kinda burn.
IS IT REALLY SATURDAY?
Jun 16, 2018
by TODD BROWN
SATURDAYS AND BIKES AND FRIENDS STARTED OUT WHEN I WAS ABOUT 10. Me and the gang ‘d ride all day. Nobody missed us.
As soon as someone could drive, surfing pushed the bikes to the side. But surfing is a fickle lover and the bike is always good, always ready.
When the family was young I rallied the crew to get back from riding by 830ish. Just as the kid’s cereal and cartoon sesh came to an end, I’d romp in grab the youngins gear em up and go for the second ride, like a hobbit’s second breakfast.
Now they’re all growed up and the only way we can get the band together and unplugged from work and school is taking a trip.
It’s Saturday and I’m not riding and it’s perfect.
——-
170.6
Ride with us: click for info.
Readers use "SAVE10" to save 10% on in-stock gear.
HAHA, YOU'RE SO DUMB!
Jun 15, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I USED TO LAUGH AT BIKE RIDERS WITH FLATS AND THEIR SAD FACES.
Then I started riding bikes and got a flat.
Lots of flats,
Taught me to fix flats,
Now I stop and help riders with flats and enjoy their glad faces.
You can't help no one,
if ya can't help yourself.
I used to get mad if I got a flat,
sometimes I still do,
but mainly I think,
meant to be,
because I've many a time I've been late to a mishap,
I've seen the damage,
and thought,
that could have been me.
You can't help no one,
if ya ain't around to help.
_____
170.2
COURAGE
Jun 14, 2018
by TODD BROWN
COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH BUT SADDLING UP ANYWAY. A famous man was known for that saying, and nobody doubted he had plenty of courage.
The more we saddle up, the less courage we need.
Bar-to-bar racing in a screaming pack, dropping down a skinny single track, starting a 100 mile race across dirt roads... the terrifying becomes common, we gain confidence.
Be scared,
Saddle up,
Confidence and skills
are just around the corner.
I learned that from my daughter. I'm glad she's home.
_____
170.6
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Jun 13, 2018
by TODD BROWN
WHO DOES THIS?
Who takes the time to carve cleverness into rocks and dot the trails?
Who stops and scoots glass out of the bike lane?
Who rides with a $20 to give a "bum"?
Mike Franze (Fullerton Bikes) tracked me down at OverTheHump: Todd, I've been so lifted up by the calls, texts, and posts regarding my crash and subsequent surgery....
... But Todd, why don't we do that all the time?
_____
172.2
RACING TO RACE
Jun 12, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF RACERS: those who race to win and those who race to race.
Racing to win might lead to win at all costs thinking.
Racing to race on the other hand might lead to a deeper view of how winning is defined.
I'm not sure which approach yields the most podium finishes, but I'm pretty sure one produces more wins.
.... sometimes, like tonight, I just race to race.
Knowing I'm a little off,
having the leg marker gal confirm it,
I line up anyway,
to race my race.
Knowing I'm a little off,
having the leg marker gal confirm it,
I line up anyway,
to race my race.
_____
173
WHO MOVED MY TRAIL?
Jun 11, 2018
by TODD BROWN
AT SOME POINT YOU'RE GONNA BE LEADING. Not leading the race, but leading humans. You have been, are and/or will be leading. Being the person people look up to aint easy, if it was everybody would do it. You will do it, because you have to. Because something inside is telling you to stand up and make a difference.
Whether it's putting together a birthday ride for a friend or a skills clinic for new riders or giant charity ride you're going to do it and your "name" is gonna be on it. Most people will have a blast and not say a word, a handful will gripe. It's up to you who you want to listen to and how you want to react. I know you're going to do your best and that's all you can do.
So do it.
... the preceding was on my mind today as I came upon a bike trail washed out by giant surf. I thought Who moved my trail? which made me think of the book I have yet to read Who moved my cheese? I don't know what that book is about, but I imagined it was about talking responsibility for one's own actions and for deciding to lead and to make a difference and to keep inviting people to get out and ride their bikes and I wondered if the headlining suicides of my generation would have been avoided if a little more bike riding was done, if a little more leading were on the menu and I resolved to up my game.
Do it, now.
Hung on his wall.
Let's get busy,
and give our all.
_____
173.6
IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
Jun 09, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THERE WAS A PILE UP TODAY, and my friend is very hurt. He'll need surgery on his neck. He should be okay. Whether or not you're the praying type, now would be a good time to fire one up on his behalf.
My spider sense gave no warning. Very, very unusual - normally I have a really strong advance feeling. I've done this ride many times and there was nothing special about the pace. In fact, other days on this particular section - La Costa - have seemed much sketchier.
Less than a minute before I was joking about having him bring some of his awesome WEND product to me on the ride. He was jazzed to go Long with a group of us from OC.
It was supposed to be fun.
But, it wasn't.
Emergency professionals were quickly on location. First a doctor who was driving by, then paramedics. Quickly he was rushed to a fantastic medical facility. Diagnosed. Scheduled. What a country we live in!
Many others went down, but he was in the worst shape. His forks sheered off at some point in the crash - not the cause. Of those I know, all were able to go on about their day.
It's terrible for this to ever happen to anyone,
it seems extra awful because Ryan is such a nice dude.
Always happy.
A truly sweet demeanor.
The kind of guy you just like to see and hang out with.
If you're so inclined, today would be a good day to try out his products. I can't go without his Wax Off Chain Cleaner. If you use any kind of wax lubricant, Wax Off has got to be in your tool box.
Follow up: Someone didn’t point out a pot hole, someone hit it launching their bottle into their wheel and the wheel locked up. From there all hell broke loose. There's not much anybody can to to prepare for that.
WARMING UP MY APP
Jun 08, 2018
by TODD BROWN
IT'S ALMOST TOUR TIME AND I'VE MANAGED NOT TO WATCH ANY CYCLING ON TV THIS YEAR. That will end. It has ended. NBCSports gold found me, reminded me I'd paid for a year and sent me a link to the Criterium Du Dauphine.
AI is real.
Is that even AI?
Is that even AI?
I love watching the last 30-60 minutes of each stage of the race while I'm stretching after a ride and/or eating breakfast. Me, Phil, Paul and Bob together. Watching those youngsters - all skin, muscles, and bones - fly on their bikes motivates me to eat a little better, sleep a little more and to take advantage of the long summer evenings.
If haven't had enough, those 3 talking heads are great at night too... kinda like a bed time story, and I'm out in no time dreaming of riding and racing and dreaming.
Wake up, and the cycle repeats.
This cycle is what makes the group rides so fun this time of year. Everybody is geeked up from watching and dreaming and watching. Consequently, the rides are bigger than ever, more animated than ever, more fun than ever.
June is fun.
July is better.
_____
170.6
SWAMI'S LONG - THE OC INVASION
Jun 07, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I DON'T WANT TO SCARE YOU, AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO BAIL OUT. I just want you to know what you've gotten yourself into and how to get yourself out of it... because I'll be focused 100% on me.
We're going to do Swami's Long Saturday. Nothing new.
We're bringing a few friends along. Nothing new.
You, that's what's new.
We're bringing a few friends along. Nothing new.
You, that's what's new.
Riders who have braved Long before know it's kinda like TMWC meets SHOP Ride. The start is a beautiful site seeing cruise down the coast to meet up at Nytro where the ride originates. From there, it will be the ugly offspring of our 2 weekly throwdowns to "the church".
Think about it... ask yourself... truthfully ponder... can I hang with the best of the best on our 2 hardest rides?... because I guarantee you will be praying for it to end well before it's over. Maybe that's why it lets up slightly at the church?
There used to be a regroup at the church. Not any more for regular Swami's, kind of for Long. You probably won't make it to the re-group, but there is a short cut and with any luck you'll be there to see the discarded and aborted take it. This will require everything you've got, just to make the short cut.
After the church we ride 8 miles of tempo over to Wollford Road. You know how Live Oak is less than a mile? This is 2 miles, followed by rolling terrain. There is a stop sign where you must turn left or you'll be on your way to the reservation - literally. Assuming you're having an amazing day and somehow made it to Wollford, you might have a chance... might... to latch onto the slowest guys which will increase your odds of getting to the store regroup before the group leaves.
If there is any doubt at all, go straight to the store. At the store, really a liquor stop for locals, we re-water and grab a snack and take a leak. You'll thank me later if you chose to skip Wollford, because West Lilac is up.
West Lilac is an amazing, twisty-turny-rolly bundle of speed. So fun if you're in the group, still fun if you're not. This connects into the downhill portion of the San Luis Rey road race. All fun, fun, fun.
Here's an example of why you'll get lost... we take an abandoned bridge over to the worst "paved road" I've ever ridden on that cuts through a flower farm with chickens running wild.
The next 12 miles the group steamrolls into a stiff headwind all the way back to the coast, where we finish and go to In-N-Out.
Coming unhitched from the group at any point after the store can easily put you 20-30 minutes behind because of the wind and jagged-zigzaggedness of the route. Don't worry, we'll still be near, but you'll miss the burgers and fries and shakes reward.
Now I told you all that to see if you'd read this.
Swami's Long is about the best group ride I've ever done. Brutal pace. Scenic, beautiful roads. Shoulder rubbing with San Diego's best, and in the winter it's not uncommon to see Tour De France pros on the ride. When you're done, no matter how far you managed to hang on you will be a better rider. You will have discovered new powers, and uncovered unknown flaws.
You've got nothing to lose, because I've already told you you're not going to finish with the group. Download the ride onto your GPS. Upload the UBER or LYFT apps to your phone, which you better have in your jersey pocket. Bring a few 20's and a credit card just in case.
One last piece of advice, do not go to the front of the pack and be that guy.
I'll see you at the back of the pack,
but not off the back,
I hope.
Ride Details:
We are LEAVING the parking lot across from Joe's Crab Shack in Oceanside at 725 - we will not wait for you if you're late, but you could leave as late as 740 and still make it.
It's 80 miles - 20 mile warm up, and 100k of full gas - yes, it's a HUNKR.
Here's a link you'll want to know well: Swami's Long
Two shortcuts:
-- at mile ~30.7 the ride will turn left at Country Club Dr for a newer KOM section (the pink line)--if you're in doubt stay on Harmony Grove Rd. (The dark line) - this will save you 90 seconds
-- at mile 39.0 the ride turns right to go up Lake Wohlford Rd. Yes, this is a two-mile hill at 6% -- also at the top of the hill [after you got dropped] the next 7.5 miles of rollers with 300' of climb are fast (24+ mph) -- if you're in doubt continue straight on Valley Center Rd for four miles.
_____
Ride with us: click for info.
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Use "SAVE10" to save 10% on in-stock gear.
172.4
CELERYBRATION
Jun 06, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I TOLD THE COACH, COACH I'VE BEEN CRAMPING A LOT. She thought about it, went down the usual check list: drinking plenty of water, electrolytes, etc. Yes, yes, yes, yes, I responded.
Try eating more celery.
Really?
Yep, more potassium than a banana. But, you'll have to eat a lot.
Not a problem for me. I love celery, and I really love celery with peanut butter. So, I've been celerying it up, gnawing through half a stalk a day. I think she's right... far fewer cramps off or on the bike.
Celery, celery the magical green
The more you eat the less you cramp
The less you cramp, the faster you spin
So skip your celery and let me win.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
171
PEAS AND ADVIL
Jun 05, 2018
by Accounting Bookkeeping
I COULD TELL HE WAS GOING TO CRASH AS SOON AS I HEARD HIS SIDEWALLS SLIPSLIDING AWAY. But, there was nothing I could do because I was right on his rear wheel. I hoped he'd scrape away from me or bounce off the trail. Instead, I landed on him and on my right wrist.
Not a scratch on me.
Adrenaline spiked.
I popped up, mashed my cleats into the pedals and went all out for 5 minutes to get back up to the leader. Slowly the wrist's signals broke the news to me...
Hey Pal, it's me, your right wrist. We got a problem.
You mean, you gotta a problem because me and the rest of The Old Diesel are racin' so shut up and hang on!
Oh, I see what you mean. Well, I'll suck it up. But you'll be sorry-er, late-er.
Whatever Right Wrist, just do your job.
This cute little conversation lasted long enough for me to recover a bit and get my bearings on things. It kinda kept my mind off how much the rest of my body was hurting as these guys were going all out... apparently they were racing too, and at least one of them got his bell rung pretty good and rode the adrenalin train back up to the front of the action.
Hee-haw... that's racing folks.
Sucks to go down, but it happens.
Sucks worse to not race, don't let that happen.
Sucks to go down, but it happens.
Sucks worse to not race, don't let that happen.
PS: Picked up some peas and Advil on the way home, before I hit Chic-fil-A for some nuggets and ice cream.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
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171.4
HOW DID THESE BIBS GET SO SMALL?
Jun 04, 2018
by TODD BROWN
OF ALL MY FRIENDS WHO RIDE, this friend's weight swings the most wildly. You know that question on the insurance forms or at the doctor's office... Have you lost or gained 30 lbs in the last year? You know, the one you don't have to think about, ever. Neither does he. It's a yes.
Right now, he's running around grabbing his gear, changing in the buff with the garage door wide open.
How'd these bibs get so small?!... oh, boy, I bet you're going to write about that.
No way... I say.
Eventually, after he wiggles and jiggles into his clean kit we get riding. And we see this giant rattle snake. I didn't get a great pic, but you can get an idea of how huge he was by looking at his tail. And it got me thinking, isn't it great that modern cycling fabrics are so stretchy and they don't slough off mid-ride when we've out grown 'em?
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
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173
ANGER
Jun 02, 2018
by TODD BROWN
News of his death oozed along the roads.
A miserable cuss with a reputation that blew packs to pieces before he kitted up. He's coming!... and bowels released, tires flattened and helmets cracked.
Meanness shot out his elbows, legs charring and scarring the fools and foolish.
That unleashed tongue! Forever snapping, snarling, shredding. Offensive and vulgar.
He was the devil, the hated one.
Gone.
No one cared. Not at all.
By the time I tracked him down, I was tired. Tired of searching for this wretchedness. My funds and curiosity were just about out and I was ready to pack it in and head home. It was a miracle really. I mean, who was I to set out on such a stupid adventure? It's not like I'm a spy. It's not like I'm super smart. I have no training in such things. I just wondered if it was all true. Could someone really be as ferocious and vile as the reputation he'd left behind? I didn't even know why I had to know. But, I did. I had to know, which meant I had to get to know this man. Would he bite? Would he strike? Maybe he would lure me some place of his choosing and drive an ax through the center my beating heart. All these questions...
... and I was speechless, jaw flapping in the wind.
How can I help you?
Unexpected words to say the least. I don't know what I had expected, but it wasn't that. The kindness in his aged voice, like honey. Gooey and warming. Deep creases wrapped around his smiling eyes. SMILING!????????? What in the world was happening. I stood back, still speechless. The address was right, the last name proudly painted above the withered porch was bright and clear. This was it, and he was him, and I was spinning.
Are you lost?
I could hear the words as clear as I could see the spattered green tattoo above his left wrist. The legend was that he'd crashed and lost a race. How many times had I rolled my eyes at this story? He'd lost a race and in his anger driven straight to Chuck's. Chuck was a felon. Nobody knew what he'd done, just that he'd done time. While doing time, he'd learned a skill and supported himself - if you could call it that - defacing peoples bodies was what it looked like to me. There was no way to call it art, even though he pranced around fancying himself as Warhol 2. Anyway, sweaty and bloody he comes in yelling Anger! Anger! Anger! All caps Chuck, and make it scary. Well, Chuck did his best, no talent and all. He could barely spell. But, he was a pro and dedicated to his craft and he dutifully carved A-G-N-E-R. Could it be more obvious? Wake up Todd. This is him, Agner.
You are about to die...
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
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173
ATTACKS AND FLATS
Jun 01, 2018
by TODD BROWN
=======================
ATTACKS AND FLATS MAY BREAK MY WILL,
but names will never hurt me.
but names will never hurt me.
========================
... and on a related note,
Family Night at OverTheHump next Tuesday!
|
For Family Night Timeline [Click Here] |
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
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171.6
THAT'S PRETTY STALE, MATE
May 31, 2018
by TODD BROWN
IT'S NO SECRET, ENDURANCE ATHLETES ARE ADDICTS: addicted to endorphins, pain, competition, etc., often to fill our time and keep us on the straight and narrow, away from the destructive.
Right now, I've got a new addiction: Chess.
Drop by for a visit, and don't be surprised if the board gets whipped out. That's easy to control. What's not so easy is playing online. I just love it, the challenge and strategy and learning. There's always someone, somewhere on the planet ready to play.
There's a probablytrue urban myth about teaching inner city kids to play chess. The kids who learn chess go on to much more productive lives because they learn that what they do today effects what happens tomorrow.
Which brings me to my main addiction - riding bikes.
There is no way you can expect to be good on race day if you've made bad decisions leading up to race day. There is no way you can be fresh for the sprint finish if you've made bad moves in the final miles. The great champions plan their winning moves many months out, years out.
They plan.
Work.
Win.
Chess has this cool ending, where you can keep from losing simply because the player who is annihilating you doesn't close out the game effectively and can't Check Mate. It's called Stale Mate. On the ride tonight, I was trying to think of an equivalent in bike racing.
The only thing that comes close is getting the equal or faster competitor to burn themselves out. Mark Hoffenberg is the best I've ever seen at this. Somehow, he gets his competitors to work harder than he is working. It is so weird to watch, be subjected to. He just completely out thinks his competitors, then gets the W. I'm not even sure that is a Stale Mate, as I write this it seems more of a Check Mate.
Maybe that's why we let other positive addictions creep in,
they present new challenges to conquer,
require new ways of thinking,
and in the process,
riding is renewed.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
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172.2
TRAIL GOATS
May 30, 2018
by TODD BROWN
ECTOMORPH I'M NOT. Ectomorphs climb with ease. They are skeletons. They haunt my pre- and post-race thoughts. They make it look so easy.
My friend Colin is an ectomorph. He's a bike rider. He's a brilliant artist.
He sent the Trail Goat design to see what we thought. Hell yeah, let's make 'em.
Maybe it will give me some discipline.
You are what you eat,
mostly.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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171.6
I'M LEAVING AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE EATING
May 29, 2018
by TODD BROWN
SURFER GIRL SAYS, WE'RE GOING TO A BBQ.
Ugh, really? You know I don't like meeting new people.
You can leave early, I'm sure I can catch a ride home.
Right behind us walks in a man I haven't seen for decades. A college acquaintance, but at least it's a friendly face. He hasn't changed. Well, he's gray. But man, he looks mahvalus! Super fit.
GG?
He looks at me, searching his memory.
It's Todd, Todd Brown.
Todd!...?
Yeah, we were in college together.
There we go, now we remember each other. We reminisce for a bit, then it's on to What are you up to?
In minutes we go from an unsure friendship
to blood brothers...
... because he's as crazy about running as I am about cycling. Maybe crazier? Like running and winning a 62 miles race at the South Pole, like running Badwater 135 (miles). Certifiable.
We start comparing notes. Food. Equipment. Hydration. Training. Coaching. Events done. Events to do. Mindset.
His mindset is different than mine. Probably because his events are so incredible. He just wants to survive. Todd, I'm a soul runner... I just run the pace that feels right. I run to control my demons. I run to be exhausted. I was born to run. I'm so glad running found me.
How important is mindset to him? He told me I'd rather die than DNF... in fact, it's our family mission statement. It's my license plate.
Hours later, Surfergirl stopped by to check on my misery.
Then his wife looks at us all laughing and says
He said he'd leave as soon as he ate.
Brothers for sure.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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172
SOME PEOPLE
May 28, 2018
by TODD BROWN
IS IT BAD OF ME TO ASSUME IT'S ALWAYS THE GUYS? Sexist? Jumping to conclusions? Probably. Definitely. 'Cause I know some girls that definitely play dirty.
Whoever you are, wherever you roam,
thank you for being awesome,
improving the bridge,
cutting new trails,
whacking the weeds.
You make life a lot better.
I hope to meet you in person.
thank you for being awesome,
improving the bridge,
cutting new trails,
whacking the weeds.
You make life a lot better.
I hope to meet you in person.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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171.6
LIKE RINGS IN A TREE
May 26, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THESE GUYS ARE KILLING YOU. But, they're not your peers. Their kids are grown and their grandkids are growing. Just like the gap between you and them as they leave you behind.
At that moment, all you can see is their chiseled, youthful calves and hammies churning away. Just like any other fast rider.
The pace slows and you notice the elbows,
the hair,
the gut,
WTH?
the hair,
the gut,
WTH?
Hurts even more, right?
the wrinkles,
the gray.
the wrinkles,
the gray.
Here's a glance of what these >60s are up to...
Gerrit regularly places at the top in single speed races.
Dave patrols the front of the Market Ride, going wheel to wheel with the kids and shooting video the whole time.
Two days ago his teammate Mike took a flyer from a mile out and beat everybody to the finish.
Mark regularly wins 200 mile races, often enough to win the season series.
Dave patrols the front of the Market Ride, going wheel to wheel with the kids and shooting video the whole time.
Two days ago his teammate Mike took a flyer from a mile out and beat everybody to the finish.
Mark regularly wins 200 mile races, often enough to win the season series.
Are they stronger than you? Maybe. They're definitely savvy, not wasting any energy or making bad choices.
Those wrinkles are like rings in a tree.
Strength,
Wisdom,
Experience...
Strength,
Wisdom,
Experience...
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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171.6
HEY TODD: I'M NEW, WHAT DO I DO?
May 25, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S A NEW PADWAN IN TOWN. He's addicted. He's riding a ton. Therefore, I shall call him Miles. Like all enthusiastic riders he shall live or die by his miles.
His biggest problem is he's actually an athlete. He just concluded his college football career.
Let the record show,
any college athlete with limited training,
will quickly blow past the experienced rider
who was merely a high school athlete
or no athlete at all.
It will be almost impossible for Miles to cut back on the miles, especially the going-hard miles. He can already see the direct correlation between miles and speed. Intuitively, more hard miles will always equal more speed. Plus, he's used to suffering. He's used to running until he pukes, lifting weights to complete failure, etc.
Today he came to ask the The Old Diesel how it's done.
How do I train?
Well, it's like this.
First, if it ever stops being fun take a break.
Second, you must ride easy to be able to really ride hard. 70% of your time should be like right now... conversational, easy, Zone 2.
Third, if it ever stops being fun take a break.
That's it?
That's it for now Miles. Screw it up and you'll be chasing an old diesel all summer, or quit all together. Got it?
Got it.
It's not the piles of miles,
It's what you do with them Miles.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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171.6
FORGIVE ME BODY
May 24, 2018
by TODD BROWN
RIDING AT THE END OF THE DAY MAKES ME LOCO. I go from a disciplined monk to Mr. Crazypants.
Salad and nuts for dinner?
No!
No!
Pizza?
Yes!
Yes!
Frozen fruit for desert?
No!
No!
Haagen Daz?
Yes!
Yes!
To bed before 10?
No!
No!
Up all night?
Yes!
Yes!
Is it worth it?
No!
No!
Do I care?
... forgive me body,
for I have sinned...
again.
for I have sinned...
again.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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172.6
LEGENDS
May 23, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO THINK WHEN I SAW THE NEW CATEGORY AT OVER THE HUMP: LEGENDS. Matt created it for the guys who are too fast for their own good, and too old to go the distance. I think it's a nice way to say Has Beens.
The problem is that inside each one of these guys is a million miles of tiger. Roaring, angry tiger. Even if they're a little a long in the tooth, every now and then the old diesels and V-8s fire on all cylinders.
You can't predict it, and they can't either.
It's hard to see inside,
to see the heart,
desire,
will...
... don't mean it ain't there.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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172.6
JUDGEMENT DAY
May 22, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THE A GROUP SLOWLY DISAPPEARED IN THE DISTANCE.
In the B group, there was a silent roar.
Nobody talking out loud.
Just seething on the inside.
We'd all started together.
Thought we had a chance.
One attack at a time,
The A's beat us down.
We had been weighed,
We had been measured.
And our inner voice is screaming
I should have _________.
Then I'd be an A,
On judgement day.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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173.2
I DID IT!
May 21, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S A RETAINING WALL NEXT TO ONE OF THE SIDEWALKS ON MY SPIN ROUTE. It has a perfect ramp to ride up. Each week I make it about 10' then I have to pop off of it. Tonight was different. I rode the entire length.
Previously, I'd only look about 2' ahead and spend all my energy trying to stay away from the edges. This is a terrible strategy, and it proves that you get what you focus on. I was focusing on the edges. I had no vision.
What a loser!
I know better.
Tonight, I focused on the end of the wall. I didn't looked down, my vision was 50' ahead. As a result, I rode faster and never really had to adjust the handle bars.
It's kind of weird when you think about it. I could ride that distance with my hands off the bars if I was going fast enough. The faster you go, the more stable the ride. But, there is something about the height of the wall I guess.
I know perfectly well from mountain bike racing that you only focus on the trail and never on the rocks, ledges, branches and other hazards.
The body follows the head,
so look ahead,
far ahead.
_____
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10
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173.2
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX
May 19, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THE BOX DOESN'T CLOSE ANY MORE. The last time this happened I chucked the box and everything in it. Kinda regret that. Not as much as I regret not writing notes on the back of the race numbers, like little journal entries.
That would be pretty cool.
Right?
Just a sentence or two....
especially on the plates that last a season.
Heck, I'd probably keep all of them. Writing about something seems to drive it a little deeper into the memory. And if I do take a moment to dig them out, the reliving should be a little richer.
Takes no time at all.
Like this.
What's in your box?
On your number?
_____
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172.4
NOW WHAT IS IT YOU DO?... AND WHY?
May 18, 2018
by TODD BROWN
HOLLYWOOD MIKE MIRANDA PULLED ME ASIDE AT THE FIRST OVERTHEHUMP THIS SEASON. Can ya help me out? I have no art, and a tight deadline for the Aids/LifeCycle event... we need 50 hoodies.
What do you have?
He whips out a picture of the Macho Man, Randy Savage.
Plus, this sweet sketch...
Let's do it!
That's the What of what we do.
The Why is this... we love it! We love helping people bring their ideas to life. Usually these projects are for something really cool, too: a charity or crazy event or in this case a charity that is a crazy event.
What could be crazier than 5500 people riding together from San Francisco to LA? Here's Mike cheering on the the riders.
What's your crazy?
Why?
_____
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171.2
I'VE SEEN FIRE AND I'VE SEEN RAIN
May 17, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I'VE RIDDEN THROUGH ALL KINDS OF CRAZY WEATHER: hail and lightning at Leadville, wildfire chasing me in San Clemente, driving snow at 24 Hours of Moab...
I've ridden through 5+ decades of life and my bike has gone from fun to transportation to sport to social life and friendship.
I've ridden through marriage and kids and marriage of kids.
I've ridden through good times and bad times.
I've ridden through a lot,
and I plan to ride through a lot more.
_____
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170.4
PARDON MY SCHADENFREUDE
May 16, 2018
by TODD BROWN
IT WASN'T THEIR YOUTH, THEIR HIPSTER GARB OR EVEN THE BLUE HAIR. It wasn't even their electric unicycles tearing down the single track. It was their smug essence, knowing how cool they were.
I couldn't help myself, blurting Is it wrong of me to hope they crash?
That's Schadenfreude Todd.
What?
Schadenfreude... when you find pleasure in another's pain.
Who knew you could expand your vocabulary on a bike ride? Of course, I'd seen that word before, but I had just speed on never really understanding it. But here, my-other-brother-Brandon-from-another-mother was filling me in. Making it clear.
You know what else was clear?... I've got a lotta Schadenfreude when it comes to bike racing. I really enjoy watching other racers suffer. And, if it's because of my efforts... even better.
Wishing ill on the hipsters, that's a little cruel, but enjoying other racers suffering that's beautiful. How else are you going to get better if you don't suffer... even a little?
Pardon my Schadenfreude,
I'll pardon yours.
PS... this does look pretty fun.
_____
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171.4
THE ECHO CHAMBER
May 15, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THIS WILL BE FUN, head on out to the race. It's such a nice drive. Pull into the venue. The friendly grassy slope. Trees and canopies providing lots of shade. Throw on my kit. Roll over and verify my chip is working. Get the leg marked.
Hey there, how are you? Small talk.
It's such a lovely afternoon.
And we get to race.
I feel my heart... what the heck!... we don't start for another 45 minutes.
I gotta pee.
I spin around some of the course.
Pee again.
Lots of peeps lining up.
My heart beats stronger... damnit, I'm barely moving!
Last minute pee.
I find my group.
Howdy fellas! More small talk, in staccato. Gibberish really.
We roll forward.
Our wave takes the line.
Flipping 120 BPM!.. and we haven't pedaled once.
The horn blares.
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
I cross the finish line.
I'm done.
A list of a million things I can do to improve pops up.
Next race,
can't wait!
I'm done.
A list of a million things I can do to improve pops up.
Next race,
can't wait!
_____
Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
172.2
NOW FOR SOME OF MY WIERDNESS
May 14, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I'M AN EXPERIMENTER. I don't mind tasting and trying new food and drinks. Sometimes I love it. Take this kooky drink Eileen recommended. It's a great snack or small dinner. Super filling. Probably healthy.
The proper order to load the Magic Bullet is 2 small cubes of ice, then half a cucumber, then half an avocado, then jam all the Power Greens I can in there, the final ingredient is Almond Milk.
You might gag.
I didn't.
You might love it.
I do.
_____
Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
172.2
DON'T SWEAT IT
May 12, 2018
by TODD BROWN
DON'T SWEAT IT, WE'LL JUST CRUISE was Eric's promise to me. A promise I made him commit to before I ventured out to his famous Black Friday course. His other promise was that if we used part of or all of this course it would be the toughest HUNKR ever. One those promises would be broken... and as my head dipped forward, my body and bike searching for traction, the Garmin registered a 26% incline and my top tube was covered in sweat!
You liar!
You no good son of a biscuit...
... damn I love this stuff.
A ride like today is so lovable because: the weather was perfect, overcast mid-50s; good people who are good riders; a route of stunning views absent cars; and my virginity... it was all new to me. That's the perfect combination. Oh, oh, oh... and tasty Mexican food after.
What defines good people... mainly attitude I think. Not just a "good" attitude, but a similar attitude - one that says Let's go ride some challenging terrain and enjoy each other's company. Good riders, in this case, means people of similar ability with good handling skills and bikes in good working order.
There was a life size Easter Island statue, a miniature polo rider statue, countless avocado groves, beautiful estates, gorgeous horses, all of it accessed by tiny country roads. For the most part, they were smooth. I rolled with 100 lbs of tire pressure which seemed just perfect.
But, there were those terrible pitches, the worst being about 900' in 9/10's of a mile. While Eric was grabbing PRs and KOMs I reverted to back a more innocent time. My magazine route, delivering Sports Illustrated and National Geographic through the hills of Fullerton where I mastered the "paper boy". No shame here, if ya got a skill use it. If you don't know the paperboy... LMK.
Check out the ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/1567906221
Will I ever trust Bierman again?
Of course.
I knew what I was getting into
and packed my RaceDay Bag accordingly.
Is it HUNKR worthy?
Hell yeah.
Of course.
I knew what I was getting into
and packed my RaceDay Bag accordingly.
Is it HUNKR worthy?
Hell yeah.
#it'sjustasocialride
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
170
WHAT'S THAT BOSS?
May 11, 2018
by TODD BROWN
YOU DON'T NEED A BOSS.
Whatever your motivation for bike riding,
you don't need anyone to tell you to do it.
Whatever your motivation for bike riding,
you don't need anyone to tell you to do it.
You have a mission,
and you're going to complete it,
all on your own.
and you're going to complete it,
all on your own.
The mission is your boss,
What's your mission?
What's your mission?
|
\/
\/
Adam Grant is a professor and author I enjoy learning from. He recently launched a podcast where he discusses his ideas. The 4th episode is called A World Without Bosses. Part of the research for this episode involved the largest tomato processing plant - I think in the world - where there are no bosses. The company is called Morningstar.
Digging into the details of how a company with thousands of employees operates without a boss was captivating. In a nutshell, you have a mission... say pack tomatoes. Everybody needs you to be good at that so they can get on with their mission. If you aren't hacking it, someone might call you out... invite you to leave the company, or get more training, etc. The employees govern themselves on the simple principle of the mission is the boss.
Thinking of that in work terms can be foreign and clunky, but when I think of it in terms of something I'm passionate about it's quite easy to see the brilliance of this management system... fortunately, I'm on a mission here too.
Now, go ride your bike!
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
171
ZONE ZOMBIE
May 10, 2018
by TODD BROWN
LONG TIME READERS OF THIS BLOG <- I've promised myself to never start a post with "long time readers..." but, if I didn't start at least one post this way then you'd never know my true feelings... I want to barf now --> anyway, I've brought my heart rate monitor (HRM) back to life.
Turns out I've been riding slow as hell for the last 6 months.
How do I know this? Because this morning I went out for a Zone 2 spin and the following happened: I went 18 mph vs the 14 mph I've been doing lately, all in about Zone 2.5. 2.5 is nothing, and I felt great afterwards... energized and ready to take on the day.
Why was I going so much slower before? Because I was riding on perceived exertion (PE). PE is old school... not super old school... super old school was go ride at 18 mph for an hour today then 2 hours at 23 mph, all mph based... PE was cutting edge at the time and was thought to be a big step forward allowing us to ride easy if we were tired. Fortunately, PE led us to the trusty heart rate monitor.
What possessed me to stop using my HRM? I felt like I'd turned into a Zone Zombie... spending more time looking at my screen than enjoying the ride. It also seemed like a good thing to do at the time, which was at the end of a long season. Oh, and the battery died.
Speaking of cool... one of the cool things you can do with Strava Premium is check your Fitness and Freshness. This is a useful tool to see how fresh and ready you are for an event, how over trained you might be, etc. Unfortunately, you need a month or so of HRM data... none of which I have accumulated.
If I was really cool... I'd be using a power meter.
But I'm not.
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.2
LITHIUM AND MORPHINE
May 09, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I STARTED THE WORK DAY LISTENING TO MORPHINE. Not cranked, just in the background. I was first introduced to this group at Canyon Bicycles, they had it cranked. Canyon Bicycles was a leader in a lot of ways: niche store focused strictly on high-end mountain bikes, a great mechanic, their own killer frameset, and a website to take orders (this was '95). They didn't make it, I'm not really sure why. But, Morphine did.
I think I liked the music because it was so mellow and the opposite of the new high energy/high adrenaline mountain bike scene. To this day, nothing gets my heart rate pegged like a mountain bike race... which brings me to lithium.
Six months ago my heart rate monitor battery pooped out, and since I've been so pooped out lately I decided it's time to get a little more structure back in my training. So, I picked up a new battery. With my HRM working again, I'll be able to make sure I'm going easy enough on the easy days, and see just how hard I'm going on the hard days.
I also picked up 5 pints of Vanilla Swiss Almond - they were on sale!
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
169.6
TWO A DAY TUESDAY, IT'S TEMPTING
May 08, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THIS TIME OF YEAR, IN THESE PARTS, TUESDAYS CAN KILL YOU. There are a variety of group rides every morning and evening. The quality of the morning rides can be every bit as good as a top race. Which means we're fit year round. When the time changes a few more rides come online plus two race series: OverTheHump and Eldo (the Eldorado Park Crit series).
How does it kill you? By tempting you into thinking you can do it all. Like it did me today.
At 4:50AM the Cabazon earthquake shook me outta my slumber ten minutes earlier than I'd like.
The plan was to drive to Bob Frosty's to get my canopy then do TMWC easy. Which worked, except for the easy part... I couldn't resist and hit the A loop hard. Then my cleat broke on the way to Live Oak allowing me to get a good 1.5 leg workout in.
Which left me thinking I might as well grab my MTB just in case I decided to do 1 lap of OverTheHump tonight.
Of course, I missed the last minute route edit from 3 laps to 2. This shouldn't have mattered as my intention was to do just 1 lap... but, well, there I was huffinandpuffin with my buddies in the top 5... so, of course I did the second lap. On the way up the big hill I decided to let them go so I could save some for the 3rd lap... the 3rd lap no one else in my category was doing.
And that's how you get killed.
You dig so far into your reserves you're not thinking clear,
not riding fast,
you're just out there pedaling.
You dig so far into your reserves you're not thinking clear,
not riding fast,
you're just out there pedaling.
And I was...
I rode that last lap by myself,
Enjoying the cool evening air and setting sun,
Not caring nobody else was out on the course.
We all had a good laugh when I finally rolled in,
But, the jokes on them...
I'll be back.
Rested.
Ready.
There's no way I'll be foolish enough
to be seduced by another beautiful Tuesday morning
... is there?
I rode that last lap by myself,
Enjoying the cool evening air and setting sun,
Not caring nobody else was out on the course.
We all had a good laugh when I finally rolled in,
But, the jokes on them...
I'll be back.
Rested.
Ready.
There's no way I'll be foolish enough
to be seduced by another beautiful Tuesday morning
... is there?
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
172
OVER THE HUMP #99
May 07, 2018
by TODD BROWN
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE EFFORT IT TAKES TO PUT ON A BIKE RACE? Think of a wedding with 300 brides and 300 grooms and they all want to be recognized as the most-bestest couple ever. Plus, half of these couples have brought their friends and family to witness their commitment and dedication. Because that's what racers and lovers are: committed and dedicated.
Now imagine you're doing it for the 99th time.
Tomorrow, May 8th, will be the 99th time Matt Wenger and his crew have put an Over The Hump MTB race. It's a race they've built into the largest mid-week mountain bike race in the country... maybe the world.
How'd they do it? By having fun.
Don't let the word Race scare ya, it's first and foremost a party. Most folks are in the I'm-a-beginner-and-just-wanna-have-fun category. Sure there's racing and timing, but there's also a race just for kids... which will give you hope for the future.
Should you do it? Yes, definitely... first-timer or grizzlednadchizzled pro.
While your at it... give this guy a high-five. He's earned it.
_____
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Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
171.4
SOME TRIATHLONS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
May 05, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I'M DOING AN AWESOME TRIATHLON TODAY. Unlike my new friend Miles who's doing an actual full Ironman next weekend, my triathlon involves my son Shane's birthday. My triathlon is easy, Miles' is ridiculous: swim 2.4mi, ride 112mi, run a marathon.
I started with The SHOP (Saturday Hour of Power/Pail/Pleasure/Pickyourpoison) Ride. This is a challenging first leg. It's a ride of blistering pace and unending short climbs. It didn't help that I slept terribly, dreaming of hippopotamuses attacking me and Surfgirl in the ocean.
Next, we hiked around Riley Regional park with Shane and Abbey and reminisced all the fun to be had there for teenagers... the highlight being when they snuck in at night with shovels and buried a time capsule. As second legs go... wasn't too bad: an hour in the midday sun at 80+ degrees is a great cool down from the ride and prep for our final leg.
The final leg will be watching the Avenger's. This could actually be the most difficult. Matinee time + first 2 legs + massive amount of popcorn could put The Old Diesel to sleep.
Better pass the Diet Coke down this way.
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
168.8 (yes, I've ditched that Intermittent Fasting Diet... before I read this, too.)
WHAT I AM GLAD NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT MARRIAGE
May 04, 2018
by TODD BROWN
Nobody told me it would be hard. I should have guessed that as my own parent’s marriage failed.
Nobody told me kids would be difficult. I should have guessed that as my mom had to make more than one visit to the principal’s office; the weekends worried where I was; etc.
Nobody told me that during the teenage years there would be so much pressure on our marriage. It was just brutal, and in the midst of it all we had no idea our family was under attack. All we knew was it took a lot more huffing and puffing of the kindling to keep the love log lit. I remember telling myself, “buckle down bro, you have 12 more years until the last one is gone and then you can leave too”.
Nobody told me that if I went to work on myself, on becoming a better husband and father it would get better. But I did do that via counseling and lots of study. It was largely thankless and unrecognized by anyone – even me.
Nobody told me it would get better, because I suffered in silence. So, I rode my bike and pedaled the pain away.
Nobody told me it wasn’t about me, in fact all I heard was “you gotta be happy man”. But, in my heart I knew it wasn’t about me, it was about us. How could we as a family survive and thrive? So, I rode my bike more and thought about it and pleaded for divine help.
Nobody promised me the honeymoon would return, that there would be time to focus on us. I don’t think I would have believed them, and I wasn’t even hoping for that. But here I am, happy as ever… marriage intact, kids have turned into wonderful and productive adults. I wouldn’t say we’ve made it, but I sure like our trajectory.
Nobody promised me anything but bliss, the kind you get the first time you ditch your training wheels… and who doesn’t want that?
_____
Support the blog --> Use "SAVE20" to save 20% on in-stock gear.
Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
168.8
WHAT'S YOUR CODE?
May 03, 2018
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU HAVE A CYCLING CODE? You know, what do you live by? What are you must haves/dos? Well, you probably do... whether or not you give it much thought. I thought I'd take a few moments to flesh mine out.
1. Compete. I like to have at least 1 big, key event on the horizon. It's got to be gnarly enough to scare me - can I do it?. Or, prestigious enough to demand my best. Ideally, it's both. I like this because it keeps me motivated to seek optimal health for me and my machine.
2. Have fun. While I like to slay and be slain on a group ride as much as the next guy, it's the other rides that keep things fresh. The rides where work on my wheelie skills - after all these years I'm still terrible - or jump curbs or see how far I can skid my back tire. These rides have no agenda other than feeling the wind on my face.
3. Make friends. I have met so many amazing people on the bike. Many have become my best friends. While we like to ride hard, most of the time we are just cruising along talking about life and how things are going. Along the way we learn about each others' family, career, interests... we get to know another wonderful human being.
4. Maintenance. I know enough to do the basics on my bike. A lot of peace can be found in the garage with a wrench and a rag. I wouldn't say I'm a neat freak, but my road bike is generally pretty tidy. The mountain bike I prefer to leave dusty, except for the drive train - that's always got to be pristine.
5. Loyal. I'm loyal to my local bike shop, not in a sheepish way. Some of my best memories as a kid are walking into Fullerton Bikes. There's nothing like the smell of a bike shop. A mixture of new bikes and greasy hands. It can't be, but when I reflect on those days every single bike was red and faster than mine. I hope they all make it in this new retail world.
6. Road vs Dirt. I spend about half my time on the road and half on the dirt. The mix depends on what my "big event" is going to be - dirt event more dirt, road event more road. I can't say I like one more than the other. My best results have been racing downhill on an MTB and crits and circuits on the road. But, I really do like it all.
7. Ride with rockets. On the hard effort days I try and hang with the fastest guys around. I learn a lot more by getting beat than by being number one. Even on the easy days, riding with the best guys means there's time to talk and learn.
8. Bike fit. Bike fit is way more important than most people realize. I've never understood why people will spend $5000+ on a bike, then ride 500 hours in a year and never optimize the position for comfort and power. It's the best investment you can make after proper training. Trust me, that bike isn't going to win a race unless you are at your best.
9. Rest. I choose Sunday as my off day, it's partly for religious reasons and partly for perspective. I have an addictive personality and cycling can become an addiction. I know when it's getting out of hand by how much I want to blow off the day I've chosen to dedicate to my family and spiritual life... I guess I feel it helps my keep my feet on the ground.
10. Food. Whenever possible, I eat whole foods. I stay away from processed food, and baked goods. But, I'll never say no to ice cream.
There's probably more, minor codes out there for me. But, these are the top 10.
What is your code?
_____
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Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
169.2 (off the intermittent fasting diet)
CHASING TAIL
May 02, 2018
by Accounting Bookkeeping
AFTER SEEMINGLY CHASING MY TAIL ALL DAY, I didn't feel like riding my bike. But, a funny thing happens once you get going.
I left late, just after 6pm.
The sun finally dropped low enough to send rays across the sky and light up the mustard weed. It made me happy.
That time of day I guess.
But it was also tail chasing time. Bunny tails. Squirrel tails. Mouse tails. Roadrunner tails... even a lone coyote tail crossed my trail.
All that chasing led to some fast times, too... can't say enough about my new drive train, and upgraded bearings.
Cheers to the tails we chase.
_____
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Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
171
COVER THAT
May 01, 2018
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S A LOT OF COVERING GOING THESE DAYS ON The TMWC.
Mainly on Antonio.
Antonio used to be pretty social, kind of a warm up before things got serious. But, the young kids like hitting it hard right from the start. Sometimes I try and jump across and get in their breakaway. I'm less and less successful at this. The rest of the time, I'm waiting for another young stallion to make the effort and drag the rest of across the gap before it's too late.
Which brings me to a different kind of cover: covering a song.
As I was recovering from this morning's social ride, Stevie Wonder's Essentials playlist was rocking in the background. I like these essentials playlists from Apple Music because not only do the have the favorites but often they'll have a gem. The gem today was Pastime Paradise.
So, I'm listening to it and thinking... damn that sounds familiar.
What song is that?
And it hits me.
It's Coolio's
Gangsta's Paradise
And in the words of Hanna Montana, That's pretty cool!
On the Wiki they say Coolio sampled Stevie's song from 20 years prior, but I'm going to say he covered it. Though the lyrics are changed, the meaning is the same.
There you go gangstas...
to cover the moves, don't waste ya time
to cover the songs, ya gotsta rhyme.
Which do you prefer?
_____
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Save the dates: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
172.6
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