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Todd’s Journal
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Get RaceDay Ready
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...
You can get it for full price here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dusty-shins-collection
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
>
CULTURE WARS
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF TRAINING groups. Both extend invitations...
... the similarities stop there.
One culture assures...
- everyone is ready to start together
- there are plenty of stops
- nobody gets left behind
... fairness and concern.
The other demands...
- leaving on time
- no stopping
- no waiting
... rugged individuals.
The group we...
- join
- create
- help grow
... depends on the result we are looking for.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
180 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/86/1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DIRT WORLD PROBLEMS
EVERY SURFACE HAS it's challenges. Add in the weather, how we approach things...
... changes quickly.
Super mist.
The normally grippy sidewalk we were slaying to meet the rest of the crew, was not only glazed with moisture...
... bright green moss screamed Slow down and do not lean over.
We ain't rookies,
not a problem.
It was so misty, the glasses were tucked away.
The late Fall moon dust covering most of our trails and roads...
- forks
- shins
- lenses
... quickly 3D prints on to everything.
Bombing the first downhill...
- nearly 40mph
- no brakes
- 1 minute
... the dust and pebbles flying up stinging our eyes.
Two choices:
Wear the glasses,
blurry, smudgy vision.
Wear no protection,
smoke your corneas or contacts.
When the sun finally burned through,
I grabbed my glasses from my jersey pocket...
... they were covered in sweat.
lol
Truly, dirt world challenges.
===
These Ugly Sweater jerseys woulda worked well today - which include matching gloves and socks
SPECIAL OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
When you Purchase an UGLY Pro Jersey, we'll include a gloves and socks. (we'll email you for your sock and glove size)
Order here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ugly-sweater-collection-2025
===
EXTRA SPECIAL CUSTOM UGLY SWEATER OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
Same offer as above, but custom ugly in your team colors and graphics
Go here to get started: https://bookdesign.pedalindustries.com/
===
164.4 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
90/99/-10 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT FREAKED ME OUT!
IN THE HURRY to get the miles in, sometimes we find ourselves willing to risk a potential short cut to get home early. Which is exactly what I did...
... just before halloween.
Hustling down a new trail.
The night's shadows suffocating the daylight.
A long ladder bridge spans steep canyon walls and the trail...
... whips around and under the bridge!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I was going too fast to even think about it.
Leaned on the tires.
Ducked my head.
Stopped.
Went back up and mastered it at even more speed.
I'd discovered a great way to freak my friends out...
... like finding a killer haunted house.
Gonna be good scare on the next weekly MTB ride.
===
Not as scary as these Ugly Sweaters - which include matching gloves and socks
SPECIAL OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
When you Purchase an UGLY Pro Jersey, we'll include a gloves and socks. (we'll email you for your sock and glove size)
Order here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ugly-sweater-collection-2025
===
EXTRA SPECIAL CUSTOM UGLY SWEATER OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
Same offer as above, but custom ugly in your team colors and graphics
Go here to get started: https://bookdesign.pedalindustries.com/
===
164 lbs/12.3%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FADS FADE FAST
Apr 20, 2023
by TODD BROWN
SO MANY FADS COME AND GO. It's not easy to distinguish between the good and the bad. I have a few rules of thumb to help me...
... know what is legit.
Here are my top 2 rules:
1. When it comes to food, you know it's a fad when you see ridiculous claims on food that is complete trash.
For example, I've see Red Vines packaging printed with these gems over the years...
- Fat Free
- Gluten Free
... do those ring a bell?
Or these poisons proudly on the Keto train:
- Fried chicken wings
- Pork rinds
- Pizza
2. Good advice endures.
For example, long slow distance is key going fast.
- Eddie Merckx calls it piles of miles
- Phil Mafetone preaches Zone 2
- Joe Friel base training first
In other words, if it's been around a long time and the marketers don't have their fangs clamped down ready to suck your hard earned cash...
... you're probably in good shape.
Does that mean there's nothing new?
Not at all.
Study the literature.
Absorb the podcasts.
Just take it with a grain of sea salt.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
---
164.8
7.5
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THIS ISN'T HARD, THAT'S HARD!
Apr 19, 2023
by TODD BROWN
ONE PERSON'S WORK is another person's pleasure. To us, it's nothing to ride up a hill for 20 minutes, or much more. We love it, the climbing up, being in the power zone...
... almost as much as ripping and carving down.
Here's the weird thing.
And it came up in a conversation with a committed, hard core surfer.
For reference, most of surfing is paddling as hard as you can to get through the breakers for up to 20 minutes, then floating between sets, then jockeying for position with other surfers, then paddling as hard as you can to catch a wave, at which point you battle back out through the breakers...
... all kinds of work for very brief payoffs.
2 hours in the water,
gives no more than 2-4 minutes actually riding the waves.
So why is it that nearly every surfer I know, these very talented athletes who are used to fighting nature and man, wants an e-bike?
Because...
... it looks like work.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
---
164.6
6.2 hrs (Surfgirl's flight landed at 5am, that's love right there)
1.5 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
POLARIZED CHAIN SMOKING
Apr 18, 2023
by TODD BROWN
TONIGHT WAS FUN. I hit a bunch of hills on my way to the group ride. It's kinda sneaky, and maybe I shouldn't do it, but when you're frothy like that and everybody else is cold...
... it's just too darn easy to pin right away.
Besides, it's a training ride and I'm training for some MTB racing and those always go hard from the start.
I rode the first 5ish miles off the front.
Strava estimated 300+ watts.
HR was nipping at anaerobic.
It was about a 10 minute effort,
the final for the day,
I felt great.
The point is this. If you're going to do polarized training...
... the hard days have got to be chain smokers.
Not kinda hard,
Not up there...
... all out
is all that counts.
I love these custom socks we made for the Chain Smoker MTB Race in Vegas next month.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/custom-gear
If you want to make some custom socks...
... click here: https://pedalindustries.com/pages/custom-gear
164.6
6.2 hrs (Surfgirl's flight landed at 5am, that's love right there)
1.5 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
Training:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HOW 'A' RACES CAN GUIDE OUR FITNESS JOURNEY
Apr 17, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE PROBLEM WITH LONG-TERM THINKING is that it works. The proof is everywhere. The challenge, clearly, is not the thinking but...
... staying on course.
Thinking is easy, doing can be hard.
So, here's how to make it fun.
- Have a massive goal for an A race - I mean completely unreasonable
- Have check-ins with ourselves or others
- Measure our progress
If it's fun, it will be easy.
If it's easy, it will get done.
1 caveat...
... the A event must be a minimum of 6 months out, ideally years out.
Here's an example.
Unreasonable: I have a goal to crack 9 hours at the Leadville 100 when I'm 70. To the best of my knowledge it as never been done. How's that for unreasonable?
Check-in: I plan to do the race, and a few similar races, between now and then.
Measure: I know where I need to be in terms of fitness, and I track those metrics daily.
The best part is the benefits that come with a true A event...
- I'll maintain maximum fitness, with the accompanying ebbs and flows of seasons.
- I'll arrive at 70 in far better shape than if I didn't have such an outlandish goal.
As the great Socrates said:
The beginning of wisdom is defining the terms.
In other words...
... let your A event guide your fitness journey.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
164.8
8.2 hrs Sleep
1.5 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
TIPPING THE SCALES IN OUR FAVOR
Apr 16, 2023
by TODD BROWN
PIANISTS PRACTICE SCALES to get familiar with the notes and chords. We do the same every time we ride. In both cases, the most important result is...
... opening the pathways to reach the desired actions.
The end product is confidence and ease, and magic.
My pal Merlin is a true magician on a keyboard. He can play anything, in any style, on anything with keys. Last week, before a workout, he made my grandmother's old, salt-air-destroyed piano sound amazing.
Like a pro on an old and rusty bike schooling all the hotshots.
It's not the piano,
not the bike.
It's the player who has played the scales,
the rider who was logged the miles.
There is no substitute for time in the saddle when it comes to handling.
Leaning.
Sliding.
Sprinting.
Jumping.
Braking.
Dodging.
Just riding outside improves these skills.
Honing them requires specificity.
PRs and Podiums follow.
Yesterday, my son Trevor joined me on a ride. First time for him in years. He raced very successfully from 2013 to end of 2014.
Dad, would you consider this riding to be technical?
Yes, a lot of bones have been broken on this trail.
Are you surprised I'm keeping up?
Slightly, but I'm astonished at your ability to talk when we climb.
My heart rate is 189!
Ha ha ha!... mine's 152.
Give me a few months.
How, how, how could that punk be so fast downhill with zero riding and keep up climbing without wheezing?
He'd done his scales.
He still has the smoothest pedal stroke I've ever seen.
We can't purchase the pathways, but...
... we can earn them.
---
Podcast:
Training:
---
164
8 hrs Sleep
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SLOW AND LOW LET YOURSELF GO... FASTER
Apr 15, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND CALLED UP after a rather severe concussion and asked if I'd teach him some bike skills. He'd been riding his bike, crashed, somehow made it to a hospital, and then spent 2 days there...
... now he wants to get back on the bike that bit him.
He shows me the scars.
Yikes!
I don't remember anything.
Nothing?
The Garmin says I was going 23mph and immediately stopped.
If we were kids we'd laugh. He's an adult, with a career and a family. Getting back on his bike...
... is important to him.
Let's get started.
I'm somewhat shocked at the difficulty he has getting going, just clipping in and taking the first pedal stroke. There are two reasons:
- He hadn't really ridden much for 20+ years, prior to the crash.
- He's been on Zwift a lot (I'll get back to this).
This was going to be a challenge.
As a lifelong rider and outdoor enthusiast, it hadn't occurred to me how far most adults' abilities to balance and control their bodies when in motion could degrade. Handling a bicycle with the inherent speed, myriad obstacles would be frightening.
Could you roll off that low curb there?
It would be terrifying.
What would you do?
Here's what I did.
First we simply rode, I'd chose a desolate road with zero cars.
Keep your elbows slightly bent, your hands firm and your fingers looped around the bar.
We practiced lazy, swooping turns.
You've got to keep your outside foot down.
Things that are so automatic for me, and probably you, we don't even call them second nature. It's just the way we do it. Naturally. Every time.
Keep your chin up, you need to be looking far ahead because things happen fast out here.
Our speeds were very slow as we moved into figure 8s. Large at first, then we kept shrinking the space.
Do you feel all those muscles firing to keep you upright?
I do.
It is tiring?
It is.
That's because you are nervous and weak. We are going to fix that by mastering riding slow. Then, we can go fast.
Ok.
I could tell one leg was clearly being favored and more coordinated so I introduce the one-legged pedaling drill.
- Let your right foot hang
- Pedal with your left leg
- There shouldn't be a dead spot
- You should have constant power all the way around.
His pedaling was more like stabbing straight down.
That's very common, to have a dead spot like that.
How do I fix it?
Do this drill, first thing at the start of each ride on a flat street in an easy gear. Both legs, 1 minute each side, 3 sets.
What else?
When using both legs to pedal, imagining you are simply sliding your feet back and forth can be very helpful.
Clearly, he was having a good time. The turns were getting better, the posture better, the confidence increasing to the point...
... we rode off the terrifying curb many times.
The most impressive thing to me was his humility and openness to doing some unconventional Miyagi-like training.
We're a long way from sprinting and railing corners or joining a big group ride, but we'll get there. I'm sure of that.
I was so happy for him, and left him with these words.
Keep it fun and playful. Take your kids to the school tomorrow for some hide and seek on bikes. All that starting and stopping and tight turns will do wonders for your bike handling and confidence.
---
As for Zwift, I'm not scientist and I have zero data but I sure as heck think...
... it's a big factor in the declining handling skills of riders.
Get outside whenever possible.
Podcast:
Training:
---
164.8
7 hrs Sleep
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
YOU GET THE IDEA
Apr 14, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I NEEDED THIS RIDE. It had been weeks, months perhaps, since I'd experienced this kind of ride. Some might call it selfish...
... for me it's necessary.
Like breathing.
What happened?
Before the sun rose, I took care of the basics. Customer service, a few production issues, some a/p and a/r.
Now, it was time to ride without purpose or agenda or goals.
The ideas gushed.
Things to be improved.
New initiatives to be launched.
I pulled into a hidden spot, and enjoyed a warm drink and a soft cookie...
... a new thought.
Call your friend, he needs you and has asked you to call him several times. Call him now.
The next hour, we caught up. He has a real battle on his hands, the kind you never want to lose. Having crossed the chasm he faces, I shared with him what wisdom I had gleaned on my journey.
Will it help?
That's not the point.
It was the call that mattered.
Ideas are nothing,
without action.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
Miracles are happening.
---
165.5
7 hrs Sleep
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
DREAMS COMING TRUE
Apr 13, 2023
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF MY EARLIEST COLLABORATIONS I dreamt about, was with the Leadville Trail 100. In my mind it was so obvious...
... a bag to remind us about the A race we're training for.
Heck, the RaceDay Bag™ was inspired by my second Leadville 100 when...
Yep, I'm that guy.
When I saw the Leadville version of our RaceDay Bag presented as their feature product today...
... another Leadville dream had come true.
People train months, years just to finish this incredible Race Across The Sky.
- 105 miles
- 12,000+ feet of vert
- Start line at nearly 11,000'
For most of us mortals, it is the hardest thing we will ever accomplish, which is why the mayor originally accused Ken...
... Are you trying to kill people?
It takes a powerful vision to stay on track and cross that finish line...
... I'm so stoked to be part of this giant challenge.
Check it out.
https://leadville-race-series.myshopify.com/products/leadville-race-series-xl-pedal-bag
https://leadville-race-series.myshopify.com/products/leadville-race-series-xl-pedal-bag
---
165.9
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE BODY IS WHEEZING
Apr 12, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I'VE HAD A FRIEND BUGGING ME to join me on my daily workout. He's a lifelong athlete, but has let things slide the last few years. So, when I set up him up on the sled...
... let's just say it wasn't sliding.
It didn't occur to me that it would be hard for him.
I slide 180lbs easily.
Last week,
Bryson did it no problem,
14 year old Myles did it no problem.
But, I shoulda known when he was winded after 50 jumping jacks...
... this was all gonna be a problem.
That's the thing about resistance training. Done right, it takes months not days to be able to easily move things around.
I removed 80 lbs from the sled.
Too easy.
Added 40 back.
Kinda doable.
Shoulder press, I had him use the 15 pounders.
Same for squats.
That's where I started.
I could tell he was bummed when I used the 40s and the 70s on the same exercises.
It takes a while.
Let me do a few more reps.
You're doing fine.
Nobody wants to hear this, especially a proud athlete.
But hear this!
According to Dr. Peter Atilla...
... regular physical exercise trumps everything for longevity.
He winced barely doing a nordic.
Skipped the box jump.
Will my pal be back?
For sure.
And next time his neck straining pull ups and his head only push ups...
... will be heavily mocked.
Friends don't let friends be weak.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
165.3
8.7 hrs Sleep
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HOW A TURKEY GOT US OUT OF A TICKET
Apr 11, 2023
by TODD BROWN
'ROUND THESE PARTS there are a lot of friendly drivers and cyclists. Often when we all hit a stop sign together, the cars wave us through. We all think this is great...
... officer Friendly felt differently.
He was ticked.
Siren wailing,
lights flashing,
badge and gun threatening.
What the heck do y'all think you're doing.
Uh, well, the cars were stopped and waved us through.
I don't care.
Ok.
Maybe one of the cars doesn't see you and pulls out, what about that?
You're right.
You have to obey the law just like the cars. Licenses. All of you.
It wasn't really all of us because the yahoos who started the stopsignrunning sprinted on home...
... just the suckers remained.
Officer Friendly kept firing questions and answers and scenarios.
Big O', our man from Turkey, took command.
You're right. Yessir. You're definitely right.
And then he landed the real reason he stopped us...
... I've seen tow trucks run that very sign at 35 miles an hour!
This man, this officer, has seen too many casualties and he was...
... extremely upset at our stupidity.
Like all good people doing good work...
... he loves and cares for the people he serves.
Big O' connected with him on a personal level, he empathized with the many tragedies this man has seen and will see.
Y'all were lucky today, not as lucky as the motorcyclist who was just hit. I have to go. Don't let me see you do that again!
Yessir, thank you for the warning and for caring, sir.
It is a quandary.
We do often get intersections at the same time and drivers often do wave us through...
... better to error on the side of caution.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
165.8
7.2 hrs Sleep
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SAVED BY THE SEALANT, WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE
Apr 10, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT ANDY'S HEROIC EFFORT on Saturday. First blocking for me, then riding in a break until it died...
... and bridging across solo to join me.
But, wait there's more!
We kinda screwed this up,
and I don't want you to do the same thing.
Half way through lap 2, on our way to the turnaround his tire sprung a leak.
I have a flat.
Are you tubeless?
Yeah, but it's not sealing.
Front or rear?
Front.
Because the tubeless tech is so good now, we rarely flat. If we spring a leak, it usually seals so quickly we don't even know there is an issue.
Rather than slow a bit to see if it would seal we shoulda stayed on the gas, and pedaled hard.
We didn't slow much, but maybe it was just enough to give those jokers chasing us hope?
We'll never know the answer to that...
... but, we do know it's likely gonna seal and we should press on.
Because it was a championship race and we were only there to see if we could win it...
... neither one of us carried any darts or repair tools.
Unusual, but not unprecedented.
If it had been an epic quest kind of race, like Leadville or LoToJoa or Ironman...
... we definitely would have had our mini bags ready to go.
They ship free.
Work great.
166.1
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
EASTER EGG HUNTING FOR BIG KIDS
Apr 09, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I USED TO NOT LIKE EASTER, or Christmas. The idea of some kooky lie, like a jolly fat guy in the chimney or an egg-laying bunny really bugged me...
... until today.
I finally got the connection via the Urban Dictionary.
Easter Egg: A hidden item placed in a movie, television show, or otherwise visual media for close watchers.
Close watchers.
What are we, in terms of endurance sports, if not close watchers?
We are always on the lookout for the slight improvement.
Maybe it's in a race, or a group ride?
A YouTube video or social media?
A mentor or friend?
A book.
When we watch closely we find the Easter Eggs, the knowledge few see or take the time to ponder...
... we can make real improvements.
What we consume matters.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
Part of the RaceDay Ready Challenge is reading 30 minutes a day.
Not phone scrolling.
Diving deep into the great wisdom literature...
... finding our own Easter Eggs.
166.8 (no peeps for me!)
8.2 hrs Sleep
No Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
HOW TWO OLD FRIENDS ROLLED THE DICE AND GOT AWAY
Apr 08, 2023
by TODD BROWN
LAST NIGHT SOMETHING WIERD HAPPENED. Usually, the evening before a targeted race I'm a little wound up. Not this time, with the State RR Champs on the line...
... and I think it made all the difference.
We had takeout, lasagna and meat balls, and pulled up Ted Lasso.
It's a terrific feel good, comedy, one of the few shows we watch together.
After one episode we cleaned up and were about to wind down.
Want to watch the next episode?
Sure, why not.
The next thing I know, I'm spread out on the couch and pounding popcorn and laughing and just having a great evening.
You know what?
What?
I don't think I care about tomorrow's race at all.
Why?
I dunno, this is just so much fun and so relaxing... I guess, I've also accomplished my big goals for the first half of the year.
Hmmm.
And... you know all the hitters are going to be there tomorrow.
You'll feel different in the morning.
Maybe.
I did, kinda.
I slept wonderfully, didn't give a thought to the race. I was more excited that Andy, who just finished a 70.3 Ironman the previous Saturday, was coming and wanted to run PEDAL Industries colors.
For context, we haven't been on the same team for 30ish years and even then we were different categories. He moved south, we raised our families, I got into MTB. LIfe.
So, there we are. A couple of yahoo's who haven't raced a road race in CA for 4 years.
- A tri guy
- An MTBr
Unlike the explosiveness of the road, with attacks and tactics, we've been honing our endurance.
I got no top end.
Me neither.
We gotta go early.
Yeah, I'm thinking 2nd time of up the climb (we climb it 3 times).
We gotta go earlier.
Ok.
We have nothing to lose. He is crushing triathlon, on his way to Xterra Worlds. I'm already tickled with the year's start.
The race begins at the top of the finishing climb and promptly drops 2 miles to a 120 left hand turn...
... a big enough deal for a neutral roll out.
At the left hand turn, there is a little rise and I just stand on the pedals to get my blood going.
I look back and no one is chasing.
Ok, let's go a little further.
I already wanted to make the race hard because a who's who of local roadies had shown up and our fields 55+ and 60+ were combined with 50 or so racers...
... we both needed to get away from the climbers.
The moto comes up.
You're at 30 seconds.
Really?
I press on.
50 seconds.
At the turn around, I start counting and the moto confirms.
A minute 30.
All I could do was laugh.
Emilio told me post race,
When you went I knew it was going to be a problem. Nobody knows you, but I knew you could stay out there all day.
At the bottom of the climb the moto comes up.
1:50.
I can't freakin' believe it.
The climb is not terrible, 2 miles and 400', it is a power climb. I stayed right at threshold wanting to conserve my energy and get to the turnaroud before group...
... I figured they'd catch at the top of the first lap.
Nope.
Now I've been off the front for 15 miles.
I start counting seconds and who do I see?
Andy!
He's got about 20 seconds to make up and about 40 seconds on the group.
I hold up.
It seems eternal before he latches on.
Unbelievable...
... something we'd always wanted to do.
We started rotating.
40 seconds.
50 seconds.
1 minute.
At the turnaround, half way through the race, 4 riders make it across...
... one of the true hitters.
Dougie.
We press on.
Doug and Jon are strong, the other two start skipping pulls.
Doug is legit. Current National Road Champ, last year's National Crit Champ.
Jon and I have only raced once, and he bridged across a gap and easily beat me.
I'm worried.
Can I make it to the turnaround and out to lap 3.
Yep.
As we are heading back out the valley, we are moving smoothly. We lose one of the pull skippers and I try and take the other off the back. He's determined not to do his share.
So, Doug and I will battle for 60+ and Jon and Andy and skipper will fight it out for 55+.
At the turnaround, with 7.5 miles to go...
... I see Emilio, alone.
Closing.
Uh-oh.
We are good friends and know each other well. He's a National CX Champ, and more. Generally, he smokes me on <2 hour races and I can sometimes get him on > 4 hour races.
Then, I see the charging group about a minute back of Emilio.
We gotta go.
Keep the pace high.
We hit the climb.
Andy sets a steady, fast pace.
I feel mostly good, with a few cramp twitches in my lower legs.
Doug hits us.
We all withstand.
With a mile to go, Doug is vicious this time...
... I'm holding, then I'm not.
He's gone.
Jon and skipper are coming back to me and Andy is really fighting but losing a bit of ground.
Where is Emilio?
When I'm sure Emilio isn't going to catch us, I slow down the pace hoping the other two won't come around and Andy can catch on so I can lead him out.
We're too exhausted.
I'm 2nd in 60+
Andy's 3rd in 55+
And, that is how two old friends rolled the dice to get away and had...
... the best day of racing together, ever.
There's a saying,
You gotta risk it
to get the biscuit.
To do that is hard, I have to detach my ego from the outcome and be willing to lose.
Had we been caught, I'm guessing I would have been dropped on the last climb and finished way down the pack. It wouldn't have mattered, being off the front with Andy was the best.
On our podiums.
Honored to make this podium.
Andy and ...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
The power of a Giant calendar, with the races that matter marked in Sharpie is demonstrably powerful.
It's been a crazy past 2 months, and I've decided to skip BWR so I can recover for Sea Otter.
Get one.
They ship free.
Just a few left.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
166.5 (gained 3 lbs relaxing last night)
8.2 hrs Sleep
No Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
ROADIES GONNA BE ROADIES
Apr 07, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WHAT IS IT WITH ROADIES? I'm sure I'm the one who's wrong here, actually no I'm not, this is craziness for the State Championships tomorrow where...
... 90% of racers signed up in the last week?
This is a roadie thing!
It's partly a hangover from the good ol' days of packed calendars and packed fields...
... but, I think it's also something else.
As dumb as this sounds, as silly as this is, I think people hold off on signing up because...
- they want to see who the competition is
- surprise everybody at the last possible moment.
There is a big problem with that, which is why I try never to do be a last minute signerupper...
... it creates all kinds of stress for the promoter.
Think of that poor person.
They are usually promoting out of pure passion. There is no money in local bike racing, so for hecksakes...
... register as soon as possible.
Help a promoter out.
Nobody is surprised that the local national and state champs, the heavy hitters and their henchracers are gonna show up...
... and everybody wants to go to an event that is well attended.
In the heyday of road racing, late 80's and early 90's, fields were packed and events sold out.
No internet promotion,
No social media,
wordofmouth,
and flyers.
Gravel races and MTB races currently sell out all the time...
... because people sign up early.
Am I wrong?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
I'll tell what would be wrong... showing up without my PR Lotion tomorrow.
Save 25% and free shipping with promo code SIGNUPEARLY
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
----
163ish
8ish hrs Sleep
No Resistance Trahing
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
BIKE PREP 101
Apr 06, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT CAN MAKE OR BREAK a race, the chief being the bike. Bikes don't win races, but they sure can make things a lot harder...
... or a lot easier.
As I went through my checklist, I found a few issues:
- Rear brake pad smoked
- Sealant dried out
- Battery low
It's kinda nice to have brakes that work, especially with a ripping downhill like Saturday's.
The course should be in pretty good shape, but that doesn't mean a small wire or piece of glass couldn't be a day-ender without sealant.
And c'mon...
... ya can't ride these modern bikes without good batteries.
And, I'm not just talking about the derailleur batteries. Many of the shifters have their own small batteries.
I have made the mistake of not checking the shifter batteries.
Heck, I didn't even know about them until the start of the Filthy 50 a couple of years ago. I didn't warm up, just saddled up and headed to the start.
Typically MTB XC start... everybody pinned to get to the single track first...
... I got there last.
Shifter was dead, I was spun out and then spit out.
15 minutes later, with some help from the mechanic on site, I was back at it.
Which is exactly why I came up with the RaceDay Bike Checklist, and made it into a sticker.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-checklist-stickers
For about a year now we've been shipping the stickers out with each RaceDay Bag purchase. They're great for tool boxes and benches.
Here's a link to check 'em out:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-checklist-stickers
----
163ish
7ish hrs Sleep
Just PushUps and PullUps today
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
LESS WEIGHTY MATTERS, UP THE PROTEIN
Apr 05, 2023
by TODD BROWN
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 4 YEARS OUR STATE ROAD RACE is back on the calendar. This Saturday we'll get after it, so I thought I'd do...
... some light research.
To be honest, I was hoping the last time was in 2018.
5 years ago I was 10 pounds heavier, the low 170's is where I'd been for years...
... during 2018 is when I started cracking the code.
Turns out I'm right about where I was the last time I did this race, low 160's.
Is anything else different?
Is there any other reason to hope for a better outcome?
Yes,
and No.
I'm not as battle hardened for road racing as I was back then. We would hit the road hard every Tuesday and Saturday in prep. Plus, I'd competed in other road events.
Road tactics and strategy don't worry me, too much. Knowing who's who doesn't either.
Maybe those should be concerns?
While I'm tipping the scale about the same, I'm a lot stronger from doing the RaceDay Ready Challenge.
While my top end and explosiveness (what little I have) is down some, MTB racing has increased my ability to ride at Threshold for a long time.
While I don't have Coach Brian McCulloch helping me hatch a plan...
... last time it was to wait for the sprint...
... I have hatched a pretty good plan.
Saturday we'll be mixed in with the next age group down and the age group above, about 40-50 racers. That will make it interesting because few will know exactly which category the others are in.
There are a few racers I've marked, hopefully I have it right...
... and nobody cares about lil' ol' TB.
But, you don't care about that.
You want to know how I lost the 10 and kept it off for 5 years.
I was thinking about that this morning as I made Kodiak Cakes.
28 grams of protein in 3 pancakes.
Upping my protein and reducing my carbs was, is, will continue to be, a key piece of Ripping On RaceDay.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
----
162ish
8isk hrs Sleep
Just PushUps and PullUps today
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
INTERVIEW WITH BRAD KEYES, FOUNDER OF CarboRocket
Apr 04, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I LOVE CARBS, YOU LOVE CARBS, WE ALL LOVE CARBS. As athletes we pick and choose when to indulge and more importantly...
... when to use carbs for performance.
So, I had a chat with my bro Brad Keyes, founder of CarboRocket, who might just be...
... the best bro scientist I know!
- Legit racer
- Product that solved his problem
A few samples from the podcast:
What is the origin story of CarboRocket?
I used to throw up after all my races, so I make something that worked for me. Gave it to a few friends. Got an order from a bike shop. Mixed the first batch in my basement.
What is your background?
I have a degree in Native American Studies, I also have a lot of friends who are top notch nutritionists and scientists.
Have you always been an entrepreneur?
Not at all. I was in the mortgage industry for 20 years.
How did you come up with your breakthrough product, Half Evil... you were way ahead of the establishment with 333 calories per bottle?
Do you own your own manufacturing?
What's the magic formula for calories per hour?
What are the advantages of beet juice for pre-race nutrition?
What about beet juice during a race?
What are you thoughts on post race or hard training nutrition?
Should we be drinking a gallon of water a day?
Why does Half Evil have glucose and fructose?
Why do we cramp and what can we do about it?
Does alcohol affect performance?
Are you faster on a singlespeed or a geared bike at Leadville?
Catch the full-interview here on the podcast,
or here on YouTube.
If you want to try CarboRocket... Brad gave us a killer promo code to save 25%.
The code is: RDR
----
164ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SAINTS, SINNERS AND WILL POWER
Apr 03, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS A BIKE RACE FROM SALT LAKE CITY TO LAS VEGAS called Saints to Sinners. It's a relay race. I wish it was called Sinners to Saints. Not because there is a prevailing headwind blowing east, I just like the idea...
... ending up a saint vs a sinner.
Today, we lost a saint..
A few years after selling Dragon Alliance,
18 months PRing IronMan St George,
12 months after his diagnosis,
6 months after helping me
launch our Tri bag,
he's gone...
... to race in the heavens.
We met in college, in a fraternity.
I didn't get him at the time.
We were friendly, but I thought he was arrogant.
That's on me.
My insecurities and my inability to read people who are simply a lot smarter than me kept me from appreciating Will.
We reconnected here in San Clemente.
Once he retired, he got out his hammer and chisel to reclaim the fitness he'd enjoyed as a young man. He went from doughy hanger onner, to a lean, happy...
... watt producing machine.
Few recognized him at first.
It was an astonishing transformation.
Why wouldn't it be?
He'd transformed an idea; from his garage to a successful business.
More importantly, he'd transformed himself into a wonderful husband and father.
Along the way he'd found time to serve his local community, and guided many people to a higher way of living...
... closer to the Great Spirit.
Will was so kind to me, and a champion of my little business. He spent hours sharing Dragon stories with me, and how to do things better...
... because he enjoyed seeing others succeed.
Maybe that was his secret.
I'll miss him,
his intellect,
his spirit.
Heaven got a good one today.
HOW MANY CHARITY RIDES SHOULD I DO THIS YEAR?
Apr 02, 2023
by TODD BROWN
DURING THE LAST MILE OF THE LAST LAP, in a tough battle for second place, we entered a nest of high speed berms. I made it through cleanly...
... another racer didn't fare as well.
I could hear his tire give way,
glanced over to see his legs in the air,
followed by a gnashing of machinery and body.
Should I stop?
My competitor got around him,
kept charging hard after me.
I was thinking about that today after an order for JDRF came through. JDRF is a charity that helps those in a real battle...
... of life and death.
JDRF isn't just putting on ride to raise money to cure Type 1 diabetes, they are connecting people who might not otherwise get to know each other. People from varied backgrounds, religions, political philosophies...
... are united in a common cause.
Uniting our hearts and minds is always an offshoot of charity.
This is why we are encouraged, commanded to be charitable. Yes, to help each other for sure. More importantly to unite us and see each other's humanity through working together.
I didn't stop to help the fallen racer.
I told myself, I'll be finished in less than a minute and will report it as soon as I cross the line.
Here's the shame of it.
At the line were Surfergirl and our son and grandson. The other person's pain and potentially bad injury were quickly forgotten.
Was he okay?
Yes, for sure. No ambulances were called or medics alerted.
Should I have stopped?
I dunno.
We were all racing, all doing our dangest to finish fast. We know the dangers. 97% of the time, we pop up and ride on...
... shaken, bruised, not broken.
Had it not been a race, I would have stopped for sure.
But, is that even true?
How often am I racing past people in need every day.
I have a friend who brings an extra bar on every ride and makes it a goal to find someone who might be hungry to give it to.
I have others who stop for any flat or mishap and help out.
As I complete my 61st lap around the sun, I ask myself...
How many more rides will present an opportunity to be charitable, to meet someone new, to possibly be of service...
... and unite our hearts and minds, even for a moment?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
----
163ish
8 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
----
164ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
I LEARNED SOME CRAZY SHIZ TODAY
Apr 01, 2023
by TODD BROWN
AFTER ALL RACES there is always the huddle. Could be a group, a single rider, or just ourselves, but we always...
... replay the race.
Today was not different,
except some crazy shiz was shared.
First up, Tim and I had to rehash his blistering start. It was nuts. From the word go he was sprinting and...
... Tinker and I were hanging on.
He backed off a little before the single track and we got by him.
What the heck was I doing on the World Champion's wheel?
Weaving, bobbing and dodging some very fast, flowy single track. I was there for a bit.
This was blowing my mind.
I've never been there. Either Tinker has raced pro, or had a call up to the front row.
Two weeks in a row he has put the wood to me.
15 minutes in 3 hours last weekend, 3 minutes in 1 hour this weekend.
Could I have held his pace?
Maybe, if I'd tapered and really focused for this race...
... maybe, just maybe.
Could he have gone faster?
Probably.
But, it's something to think about.
Am I just gonna resign myself that we are all racing for second place when Tinker shows up or am I gonna go for it? That is what I did today, resign to race for second, and consequently Tim and I had a very fun and tactical battle.
Here's another weird mental thing.
Because I didn't know Tim before our battle at Cactus Cup a few weeks ago, I figured I could probably beat him. Why? Who knows?...
... I learned it was totally unjustified.
He has beaten really fast guys who regularly smoke me or have smoked me soundly in the past. That was one of the things that came up in our post race huddle today.
Now that I know that will I race Tim different?
Maybe.
Now that I know I can at least start with Tinker will I race him different?
Maybe.
It's crazy how expectations impact us.
But, I wasn't expecting this crazy story.
Apparently, and I didn't know this, at Cactus Cup some of the guys Tim and I were racing were cutting the course.
No shiz!
I couldn't believe it, but sure enough, these cats were dramatically short on miles according to their Strava files.
And, when confronted, simply stated well the officials said I placed X and I'm taking the prize.
How crazy is that?!
Grown men, cutting course to win a bike race?!
So dumb.
How do you do that to your soul? For get your competitors, that kinda shiz can snuff the light right out inner greatness.
Then, Jon showed me his new Trek SuperCaliber. It was so light. At least 3 pounds lighter than my bike and a super sano cockpit. That weight savings is enough to actually matter, and I never would have guessed it would be so much fun to ride.
3lbs...
... how crazy is that?!
When I finally got back to camp, Steve and Bryson were there.
What place did you get?
2nd.
You?
2nd.
And, you?
2nd.
If you're a regular reader you already know I have the largest collection of 2nd place awards in the world...
... but, 3 friends all ending up 2nd in their age class?
That's some crazy shiz.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
----
163ish
8 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
I'M SO DANG HUNGRY
Mar 31, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE DAY BEFORE A BIG RACE?! No matter how much I eat, and I've already eaten a lot, I'm still hungry...
... is it just habit?
I remember the dumb days, when I'd be afraid to eat too much the day before a race.
Predictably, I'd bonk.
Tomorrow's should be a screamer.
14 miles mostly single track.
Hero dirt conditions.
About an hour.
I know this, but my body is behaving like there's a 100-miler ahead.
I guess that's just part of racing,
being full.
Unlike all my friends who are eating pasta and carbohydrates,
I prefer something substantial.
Red meat.
Tonight, it's gonna be shish-kabobs on the camp fire.
No s'mores, though.
I ain't crazy, LOL.
Maybe it's also camping? Even if it's not really camping, with the van and neighbors so close we can hear each other whisper. We outside all day long.
For that matter, I'm looking forward to the actual race.
Might be my only alone time of the weekend.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-hats/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
I'm glad I have my beanie.
It'll be low 30's tonight.
You can be warm outside, too.
4 colors available.
$20 and its delivered to you.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-hats/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
----
163.9
7 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WELL, THAT STINKS!
Mar 30, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MY B.O. WAS OVERPOWERING THIS MORNING. That should get rid of 50% of readers. Now, we can get down to why...
... and what to do about it.
Just after reading and writing for about an hour, I headed out to the garage for some RaceDay Ready resistance training.
Jumping Jacks, to start.
Within 20 reps, my body heated up and oh boy the stench was real.
At the same time, I'm listening to a marketing podcast by a dude who is ripped and their conversation reveals a stunning piece of knowledge...
... I've been doing 30 sets a day for 10 years.
What?!
Did I hear right?
I hit every body part, every day, 10 years running.
He isn't wiry, Cowboy Strong.
He's Hulk Ripped.
Giant.
Which brings up the B.O...
- I get up
- Read, write
- Do my 10ish sets
I don't
- Put on a special outfit
- Drive to the gym
- Get prettied up
Which brings up the other point.
I've learned, it takes a lot more than we think to be great...
- I used to think 90 minutes, 4 days a week was enough saddle time.
It's not. - I used to think legs twice a week in the offseason was enough make me stronger and faster.
It's not. - I used to think I could wing it on 6-7 hours of sleep.
I can't. - I used to think cheat days were a good idea.
They aren't.
... which is why we have to work through the B.O.
Time is short.
Efficiency matters...
... consistency matters more.
You know what stinks worse than working out in the tshirts we sleep in?...
... being weak.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Want to get stronger?
Get a Giant calendar and fill in your A, B and C races...
... there's nothing like focus to keep ya on track.
We have about 5 of these left, in stock.
Ships free.
Can make in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162.3
8.2 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IS THIS YOUR RELIGION OR ARE YOU SIMPLY RELIGIOUS?
Mar 29, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I SEE A LOT RACERS GET SIDETRACKED BY RACING. Suddenly, years have flown by and...
... opportunities have been missed.
Racing hard became religion.
Why not? We have...
- Regular meetings
- Gospel preached by local wizards
- Rules to live and ride by
- Strange diets
- Unusual apparel on public display
- Secret symbols of commitment
- Different sects posing as clubs
- Different disciplines posing as denominations
That is religion.
Not all religions are created equal.
Some, notably the great religious movements, provide something much more mystical...
... a feeling of love and connectedness that reaches into our souls.
This is true religion, connecting us to who we really are, who we can become, and to the Great Spirit.
I train religiously,
it's not my religion.
Training facilitates religious experience by purifying our bodies.
Do the less active feel the spirit of religion?
Sure.
I enjoy a richer experience when I can move freely and and powerfully, without the many addictions calling to my physical existence.
Training used to be my religion.
It filled a void.
One day I woke up and committed to keep one simple commandment of the religion I was born into.
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God …Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
A funny thing happened.
Out of the blue, I learned all kinds of training and racing secrets that had been previously hidden to me.
A better thing happened.
I rested.
Family was properly placed first.
A day to study higher things became a daily practice.
I would like to say I care which of the great religions you adhere to, those I worship with would like me to say that, too. I don't. That isn't important in my mind, not nearly as important as...
... setting time aside to connect with the Great Spirit.
Crazy as it sounds, setting that time aside is part of the RaceDay Ready Challenge.
Note:
Join us for live interview and Q&A with Brad Keyes, Founder of CarboRocket
On Zoom Meeting - 730pm PST
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4149084992?pwd=Y2dGZ0p1RXFoK2dQTTVIUGRick1PQT09
Meeting ID: 414 908 4992
Passcode: rL0pz4
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
----
163.5
7 hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
STRENGTH, MUSCLE AND LOSING
Mar 28, 2023
by TODD BROWN
IT WAS SHOCKING TO SEE ONE OF MY FRIENDS at the last race. He's always been super fit and muscular, but something had changed. He'd lost a lot of upper body muscle...
... noticeably smaller chest, shoulders and arms.
We're all getting older.
Common knowledge says we lose muscle with age.
That's true at some level. The common level. But, we want...
... to be uncommon.
Am I right?
This is why I'm so adamant about being Cowboy Strong by lifting weights or some other type resistance training...
every,
single,
day.
Here is just one result I can report on from the same very difficult race.
Multiple times we were forced to dismount and push our bikes. The terrain was very steep and rocky.
Rather than struggle to put one foot in front of the other, I was able to run up these sections. Not because I've been running, but because I've been regularly pushing my sled...
... every day, up and down the street.
On the bike results have been astonishing. Superior ankle flexibility has led to a greatly improved pedal stroke.
I could go on.
I won't.
The point is, most people are losing muscle mass by either not doing any resistance training, or reducing what they've done in the past.
Conversely, I've increased that area of preparation and I'm seeing great results. I won't be mistaken for The Hulk, but I'm holding stronger...
... much more than I ever thought possible.
The decline may be inevitable,
it doesn't have to be rapid.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
----
164
7 hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
INTERVIEW: RYAN DAHL, CEO OF WAX RESEARCH... WE TALK CHAINS AND DRIVETRAINS
Mar 27, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I SAT DOWN WITH RYAN DAHL, CEO OF WAX RESEARCH, TO TALK SPEED. Specifically, the latest version of his WEND chain wax with ceramic particles. I learned alot...
... scored us a 50% off coupon.
What did I learn, specifically?
- Which chains are fastest
- Why wax with ceramics are faster
- How lifestyle a business can become a world class operation.
- Teflon contaminates ground water, how WEND fixed that
- Why chains turn black with oil-based lubes
- How to mix water and oil to create a super thin lube to really penetrate the chain and get into the rollers
- Borrowing from their downhill ski wax technology is a huge R&D advantage
- Why you want a solvent free lube, why it's hard to do
- How WEND emulsifies water and oil eliminating need for solvents
- How to properly apply lube
- How much lube is needed
- How much time is needed before riding
- Why dry lubricants like wax will extend the life of your drivetrain
- Will different formulations of his WEND wax play nice
- Does he really use Tide to clean his drivetrain?
- Pledge for the rest of the bike?
- How Ryan competes at the highest level without having a big VO2 motor
- How he gets 2 seasons out 1 chain
- When is the best time to lube your chain
- Why we argued about how much he charges
- Why his purchasing power is so massive
- How to get free lube if you see Ryan out riding
It was a lot of fun to connect with Ryan. He's been beating me on the bike since he was 16... and there's some video at the end of one of our battles from the 90's.
Use promo code: RDR50 to save 50% on his new lubes... code expires 4/1/23
Order here: https://wendperformance.com
You can watch the interview here.
Listen to it here.
Ask Ryan anything about lubes here.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
----
164
8 hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SORE LEGS, BROKEN BONES AND GOOD TIMES
Mar 26, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I'VE WRECKED MYSELF AGAIN. The legs were barking as I headed downstairs in the dark this morning. Cleaning the muddy water bottles, I got to thinking...
... is this all there is to life?
Race.
Destroy body.
Clean up mess.
There used to be so much more chaos and energy. Craziness that would spill past midnight...
... would leave me just as wrecked.
36 years ago, I'd had enough. I didn't want more. I wanted zero...
... but, a funny thing happened.
This girl I met found out I rode bikes
and went out and got herself a road bike,
then she invited herself on my trip to Mexico...
... next thing I know, it's permanent.
35 years ago today, the real race started.
Like the Cape Epic, we started with a team of 2. Now we are 8. The course has thrown us all kinds of challenges...
- broken bones
- smashed dreams
- wind from all directions
- weather so extreme we almost quit
Like all epic races, we learn and adapt until all that's left...
... is a better version of ourselves.
I was reminded of that today at a surprise brunch celebration with the entire race team...
... with my nevergonnabestraightagain right elbow in the pic.
May the finish line be far away...
... until the best version of ourselves is attained.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
Surprisingly, the kids all know and love the English Beat and are digging the Mod inspired hoodie.
Plus!, the hoodie grants early access to this limited edition kit
$35
Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
163.4
8 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
CAN YOU RACE TOO MUCH?
Mar 25, 2023
by TODD BROWN
TODAY'S XC RACE WAS HARD. Technically challenging single track, with deepish water crossings, a good amount of rain ruts...
... it was epic!
Two conversations stuck in my mind.
One with Smiley who snagged 2nd, not one with former World Champion Tinker who one the race, and another from Huey.
Ya gotta understand the hardness of this 31 mile race.
- Strava called it a Historic Relative Effort
- My fitness jumped from 120 to 129
- Everybody walked some of it
- Water crossings knee deep
- A relentless 3 hour effort
That right there is why I raced it,
plus the insane beauty,
and camping.
This is my favorite local race.
Easily.
Am I racing too much?
This was my 7th day of racing in the last 4 weeks, and I have races slated the next 4 weekends in a row.
Smiley is my bud, and he knows what I'm up to.
I couldn't do what you're doing.
I know, I wouldn't do it, but the calendar just kept filling with races I really want to do.
Huey is part of the RaceDay Ready community and had this to say.
You should write about how you recovered the last 2 weeks after smashing your A race.
Those convos sewed some doubt and then I remembered:
- I'm not recovering. I went into my A race rested, completely healed from training on and off the bike.
- The last 2 weeks have been big volume with lots of resistance training, and some decent hard days.
- I detest intervals, just not my jam. I race for fitness and practicing racecraft, and seeing my pals, which is what I did today.
- I'm not crushing myself at all these races.
- Only 1 of the next 4 races is of interest to me. I love the course, though it doesn't really suit me. The best guys around will be there, and that is very intimidating. I love that.
- With two big weeks of volume and an Historic Relative effort today, I'll be recovering and polishing the arrows in my quiver for the 1 race.
Can we race too much?
Yes.
Am I?
No.
If we are trying to win them all, we will lose many and burn out and die...
... cuz if we win them all, we losers for sandbagging.
---
Join the RaceDay Ready community where we discuss what's working, what's not and generally how to rip on RaceDay.
Go here: https://join.slack.com/t/raceday-ready/shared_invite/zt-1rpm0wwev-jW9p_uJj6XhcGusmz00szg
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
At the top of the RaceDay Calendar there is space to write in your A race(s). I suggest no more than 3...
... which is about how many calendars we have left.
Stock is dwindling, when we're out they can be made to order.
Ships free.
Can make in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
163ish
7ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
I WANT TO LEARN FROM YOU
Mar 24, 2023
by TODD BROWN
AFTER GETTING BLOWN OUT THE BACK OF OUR LOCAL GROUP RIDE, I received a humble message. A cry for help...
... what could he have done different?
First we had to get through the fake excuse.
I had to meet my wife for dinner.
That's a good one.
Is there anything I could have done different when I closed the gap?... one thing, I was the last rider when that happened.
Good question.
What could he do different?
Did you get popped off after the gap closed or did you rotate on up to the front?
I rotated through,
then blew.
Sometimes it is easy to close the gap then rotate through because you have some momentum. Other times it's better to just hang on and recover for a bit.
How do I know this?
Partly experience, and partly because someone took the time to teach me whatthehell was heppening.
My guess is you're like me, the goto person in the neighborhood when it comes to bikes by virtue of the fact that you regularly ride...
... it's super cool to help people out.
Still, we all have much to learn...
... and, I want to learn from you and share with you.
If you want to share your knowledge, and I'm sure you have a lot, join the RaceDay Ready community.
It's new.
This is where to ask questions, share knowledge, breakthroughs, tips, etc...
... it's tempting to hold back, keep your secrets.
That's fine. This isn't for you. This is for people that want to learn from others, be generous with what they know,
... and accelerate their progress.
Please, join our Slack channel HERE.
This is new to PEDAL Industries. Anybody can join.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
Should this be the official RaceDay Ready hoodie?
I dunno, but it's pretty cool. I get compliments all the time.
Plus!, grants early access to this limited edition kit
$35
Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
163.2
7ish hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
MY GUTTY LITTLE BRUINS
Mar 23, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MY GUTTY LITTLE BRUINS. Dangit, they taught a helluva lesson tonight in the NCAA basketball tournament...
... one we can all learn from.
Up by 13 at the half.
Down by 10 with 2 minutes to go.
Oh, crud I can't watch any more.
Be positive.
I can't take it.
Ya never know.
UP BY 1 WITH 12 SECONDS TO GO!!!
How many times do we think we have it all under control in a race, only to find ourselves in a real battle?
How often do we feel overpowered and scratch and claw our way back to the front of the race?
That finish line.
That dern finish line!
Can't get it to it fast enough when we're ahead...
... coming at us too fast when we're behind.
But, here's the lesson I learned tonight and the reason locals have referred to them as the gutty little Bruins for decades...
... they kept playing.
All 40 minutes.
Never did they waiver from their plan or look lost.
The kept relentlessly pressing and shooting and hustling...
... until the very last second.
Can we ask more than that?
Can we ask more of ourselves?
My gutty little Bruins will weep tonight, but as my dear ol' Bruin dad said...
... They'll live to fight another day.
The world is relentless.
Competitors are relentless.
The finish line is always approaching...
... we have to be relentless,
in all we do,
everything,
always.
Tonight I was relentless on the group ride...
... thanks to this wonder product.
Use code: DONTbeAbaby
And save 33%... code will expire TOMORROW, 3/24.
----
163.3
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
WE HAVE TO BE MUCH STRONGER
Mar 22, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I WENT TO BED WITH RAIN FORECAST. To my delight I woke up to sunshine. Did my rituals, filled up some bottles, grabbed my bike...
... flat tire.
Rookie move.
Always check yer gear the night before.
Things got interesting.
Snagged my forgotten gravel bike.
One bottle cage.
Battery dead.
Tires low.
Now I'm late.
As I'm hustling down the coast to meet the henchmen, I see a massive cloud of grayness dipping all the way to the ocean...
... freakin' rain!
Worse.
The road closure along the way was actually warranted. I've had wheels swept out from underneath me in fast moving water, so I did...
... the ride of shame home.
Drenched, speeding through dropping temps, I was losing the ability to shift my already ridiculouslyeasytoshift gear.
But, ya know what?
I loved it.
I'd put all my bitcoin, which ain't much, on a bet that exactly...
... ZERO % of my neighbors friends or family would enjoy the morning like I did.
Well, maybe Rocky, the retired fireman...
... he's an 80 year old beast.
Which brings up why cycling and running are so awesome...
... our stadium is the great outdoors.
We don't just battle competitors,
we battle the elements.
Pros don't ask the onlookers to whisper...
... fans are in their faces and shoving them.
This is a sport for warriors.
Which means, we have to be stronger.
Strength takes preparation, which is what I thought about all morning late to my freezing ride.
We have to regularly battle the elements, ride through equipment challenges, and do our dawgawn...
- Push Ups
- Pull Ups
- Squats
... or we're gonna be weak just like so many of our neighbors, friends and family.
With any luck, they'll see us coming back from an epic adventure with our supersilly grins and...
... be inspired to get out and do something.
Ideally with us.
Good thing a lathered up with PR lotion this morning...
... got me home quick.
Are you ready to rip on RaceDay?
Use code: DONTbeAbaby
And save 33%... code will expire after 30 uses or 3/28, whichever comes first.
----
163.5
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
POLARIZED TRAINING MADE EASY
Mar 21, 2023
by TODD BROWN
(excerpt from RaceDay Ready, the book I'm working on)
I WOKE UP SEVERAL TIMES LAST NIGHT WITH THE SAME DREAM. I knew it was about polarized training and that I needed to share it with you.
But, I didn’t understand it.
There was a hill about a quarter of a mile high. At the top was a grayish granite boulder. Pristine. Clean. No dirt. The path to the boulder was smooth and straight.
About 50 yards to the right was another boulder. This boulder was the same size and color, the same boulder really, but it was covered in dirt and dust. The path leading up to it was rutted and rocky and would be a real challenge to ascend.
Polarized training kept bouncing around my thoughts each time I woke up.
What did the dream mean?
Then it hit me.
The clean rock on the left with the straight and smooth path represented polarized training. The dirty rock with the rutted route represented what most of us do before figuring it out.
On the left side representing polarized training the ground below and the rock above were bathed in sunlight. The meaning here is either train in Zone 2, the bottom, or train very hard, the top of our efforts. Spend no time in between.
What most of us do, is the right side. We quickly leave Zone 2 and train the middle area between the bottom and the top. We stay there too long. Consequently, we do not have the power to reach the top. Instead, we are left to struggle in various ruts. The rock, rather than a shine beacon of hope and power becomes tarnished, dirty. Eventually, we cannot even see the rock. Our vision vanishes and, stuck in our ruts, we fail to reach the top and fall over.
Here is what is happening physiologically when we practice polarized training:
- Our cardiovascular system becomes very robust and our endurance increases.
- Our max power increases.
The result is:
- We can go faster in Zone 2 because we have more power.
- We can go longer during max efforts because we have better endurance.
The dream, I hope, illustrates our options.
- Be powerful and able to endure.
- Struggle and never reach the top.
Bringing back to the title: 80% of our training is fun, enjoyable miles and time; 20%, more or less, is extremely hard.
Since the hard efforts are spaced out with lots of Zone 2 in between they aren’t mentally draining. In fact, we look forward to unleashing all the holding back we’ve been doing during the balance of our riding.
Polarized training is training made easy.
We aren't the only ones using PR Lotion on our hard and race days...
... power house road team JUMBO-VISMA announced yesterday they've been using the key ingredient, sodium bicarbonate, to ride harder and longer.
They are using an ingested form.
PR Lotion was developed because most people's stomachs cannot tolerate the sodium bicarbonate. The get the trots...
... is that what hit Tom Dumoulin in the Giro?
Why risk that...
... especially with this outrageous savings code below?
Use code: DONTbeAbaby
And save 33%... code will expire after 30 uses or 3/28, whichever comes first.
----
164.2
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HALFWHEEL COMEDIANS
Mar 20, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL HAVE A HALFWHEELER IN OUR LIVES, a friend who's just gotta be half a wheel ahead regardless of the speed. It bugs some people...
... I think it's funny.
First off, who doesn't like to halfwheel a pal just to needle 'em a bit?
C'mon.
It's fun.
But, I said funny and funny is morebetter than fun.
Ok, so there's the friend who constantly halfwheels who you know is gonna halfwheel and it's your friend so you just have to laugh because you know it's gonna happen and you're gonna have to say something or even better...
... ride even slower.
Whole wheel 'em, whole bike 'em.
Just to mess with 'em.
That's friendly funny.
Then there's unfriendly funny.
Where two people who don't know each other rotate to the front of the group in a double paceline.
Gawsh I love this one.
First your pal, who you dearly love, nudges a bit a head, then newrider realizes what has happened and...
... it's even better when I know both riders but they don't know each other and I know they are both chronic halfwheelers...
... newrider lifts the pace a bit.
Back and forth,
the pace increases.
I've seen a leisurely ride shift up to 24... 25... 26... 27... to a near sprint, and here's the best part...
... they are so unconscious neither one is aware of Whattheheck is going on here!
Why do halfwheelers halfwheel?
Derned if I know.
Human nature.
One upping.
Like on our spin this afternoon, LoveWatts rode over to my place then we rode together. I rode him back to his house and commented...
I'm riding you back so we are even on miles today.
Uh-huh.
Hey isn't that your house?
Yep.
Aren't you pulling?
Sure.
That sunuvagun kept riding back towards my place just to out mile me today!...
... now what are we gonna call that?
This PR Lotion special promo STILL has me ticked off!
I loaded up on inventory so we could all stick it to the halfwheelers...
... that's how much I love you.
Alas, I have way too much inventory.
So I have a temporary insane offer at 33 FREAKIN' % savings!
It won't last.
Smart people are buying multiple bottles.
Use code: DONTbeAbaby
And save 33%... code will expire after 30 uses or 3/28, whichever comes first.
----
164.4
7ish hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
DO YOU WHEELSUCK OR JUST SUCK?
Mar 19, 2023
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL SUCK. From time to time, we find ourselves glued to that wheel in front of us. The question is are we...
... sucking with purpose?
On yet another ride, a bunch of us worked hard on the front for miles and miles.
On yet another ride...
that dude we haven't seen since the meet up,
who hasn't had a whiff or sniff up front,
who's been leisurely hanging on,
while we suffer...
... stuck it to us at the finish.
Do I care?
I try not to,
but I do.
Silly.
Petty.
I know.
I should be grateful, because there's always some wily hack who tries that in a race...
... and, sometimes makes it work.
We gotta be vigilant for such wheelsuckery.
One thing is fursure...
... we can't suck our way to fitness.
The art of wheelsucking ain't easy to master, which is why...
... so many riders just suck.
When training with riders who are a lot faster, it's easy to convince ourselves we should be sucking.
We shouldn't.
We need to get our lycracladbuns to the front and pull through,
no matter how brief.
Pull through,
just for a second.
Get that fitness,
earn that grit,
be a boss.
Two things will happen:
- (self) Respect will be gained.
- We quickly learn it's easier to pull through than dangle.
Dangling is for babies and those about to blow.
I've dangled plenty o'times...
- Lungs bursting
- Blood pounding
- Tunnel vision turning to stars
... I've never dangled like that and had any power or game at the end of the ride or race.
That is wheelsucking to greater fitness at the mercy of superior athletes...
... anything less is just sucking.
Why are so many people sucking?
- They are afraid, I get it.
- They spend too much time on the trainer, indoors watching TV or scrolling while pedaling and have lost the feeling, the art of wheelsucking with purpose. They have become soft, unsure of themselves and their abilities to do more than simply suck.
I'm down with wheelsucking with purpose...
... not with sucking.
What about racing, particularly the road, where speeds are high and drafting matters?
That's where wheelsucking with purpose makes a difference. It's an art to get sucked along, to pull through when the speed eases, to be as efficient as possible, to fake we are tired when we merely pulling back the arrow...
... before shooting for greatness.
That is wheel sucking with purpose...
... not sucking.
What about when we're out of shape, tired, in over our heads?
Sometimes we just gotta hang on. Hanging on as long as we can on a group ride can be an incredible workout. If it's the same route each week, making it to the next corner or hill or climb can be such a rush.
That is wheel sucking with purpose...
... not sucking.
There are many good reasons to be wheelsucking...
... none to suck.
Am I truly grateful to the suckers who stick it to us on a group ride?
Nope.
I'm trying to be,
but, as a human I kinda suck at gratitude.
The good news is we don't have to be grateful for these suckers,
we can harness that angst,
and learn and prepare,
to be faster,
and win.
(that book above talks a lot about courage and resistance and being pro)
This PR Lotion special promo has me kinda ticked off!
Like a drunken fool, I purchased way to much inventory thinking y'all'd be like me and use this for every blistering ride or race...
... when we don't want to just suck.
I have way, way too much inventory.
To make matters worse, I posted it was 25% off yesterday... it's 33% off.
It's an insane deal, it won't last.
Don't wait, smart people are buying multiple bottles.
Use code: DONTbeAbaby
And save 33%... code will expire after 30 uses or 3/28, whichever comes first.
----
163.8
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THIS GUY ALWAYS BEATS ME, DANGIT!!
Mar 18, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I HATE TO ADMIT THIS, but it's true. There are some people when I see their names on the start list I automatically think I got no chance. This morning...
... I had that feeling.
There, on the start list for an upcoming race was the name of a friend who beats me like a drum.
It's bad.
He just waits for the final climb and rides away.
I'm not alone.
Sometimes, on reallyreally long races like Crusher In The Tushar I can get him.
It's rare, bloody quivering rare.
Being that I've oversubscribed to too many races in the next 6 weeks I instantly thought...
... Let's focus on something else.
I could hear Fat Bastard...
... He kinda looks like a baby!
Dangit!
Then, I started thinking about it. A lot. So much so that I had to hop to the porcelain throne and unload my worries.
Where they worries?
Maybe.
I thought about it some more...
... it's been raining nobody likes training in the rain but I've been in the desert racing and got a big fitness bump and I'm feeling pretty good and maybe just maybe I can take this fitness and massage the coming weeks to take it a bit higher via the races between now and then which aren't road races but MTB and will definitely be filled with threshold efforts and in between the racing in can do some punchy group rides and my weight is back near fighting shape and when I'm as light as I was last summer I can climb a lot better and maybe I'll have some luck since nobody really knows me these days on the road because I race road so infrequently and perhaps I'll sneak away and as the great Lloyd Christmas said...
... So you're telling me there's a chance. YEAH!
There's always a chance.
Life gets in the way,
plans change,
tires flat.
The most exciting thing about this race...
... there's 5-10 other frenemies gonna show up.
And that, my fine lycracovered friend, is my plan too.
There's a chance I overdid it a bit today - check that photo at the top. I was just so excited after my pep talk to myself I couldn't resist.
Time to put the feet up and recover.
Because I'm gonna need to do some serious 2-5 minute efforts next week, you know I'll be applying the PR Lotion.
Just fer fun... there's a promo code down there + FREE shipping.
Use code: DONTbeAbaby
And save 25%... code will expire after 10 uses or 3/28, whichever comes first.
----
162.3
7.5ish hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THE RHYTHM THAT MATTERS
Mar 17, 2023
by TODD BROWN
RIPPING ON A BIKE IS A LOT LIKE DANCING. You've got to have the rhythm of the thing or you look like a wanker. It's the same in everything really...
... and, I've been out of rhythm lately.
About a year ago I found a really good work, ride, husband rhythm and I've been surprisingly productive.
Prior to that, I was still dancing to the kid at home beat.
- Up early
- Ride
- See 'em off to school
- Work
- See 'em
- Tuck 'em in
On weekends, I'd still get up crack o'dawn.
My weekend warriors always complained,
Why so early?
I wanna get back before kids get going.
This worked pretty darn good for decades. Kept me in decent shape, got me out with the fellas, got me into nature, got me the sunrises I love to see.
Then I read a book in 2015, The 5 Hour Workday. He proposed working from 8-1. No breaks. Just grind.
I liked the idea and attempted it several times since reading it. I say attempted because invariably I'd get thrown off track.
- Rides running later than 8
- Poor work output due to lack of sleep - gotta get up early to be seated by 8.
These were the top two problems.
About a year ago, I recommitted and moved all my riding to afternoons. The exception being Saturday. I still like to get out early and meet the hardest sonsaguns on two wheels, and that means mornings.
I liked the changes of the new beat, and it showed.
- We shut down the office and retail store
- Outsourced shipping
- Increased our sales
- Increased our product offering
- Improved our ad spend
- Built a new, virtual work team to support me
My weekdays now look like this:
- 6-8 read, journal, RaceDay Ready resistance exercises
- 8-1 grind
- 1-2 lunch
- 2-4 grind
- 4ish-7ish ride
- 7ish dinner with Surfergirl, maybe watch a movie together
- 830ish write a blog post if not already done
- 930ish stretch, do some hypervolting
- 10ish hit the hay
This has been a really productive rhythm for me: socially, mentally, spiritually and physically.
During the week it's common for me to intermittent fast until 1pm. The key is pushing through the urge to eat around 9-10, then I can easily go to 1 or even 2pm. No problem.
One day a week, I get up to the factory and check on production, QC, etc.
Weekends are similar. Still hitting it early on Saturday. Surfergirl gets out on the water. The afternoons usually involves chores or catching up on work. Sunday is the day of rest, and I've been honoring that for 30+ years now and absolutely love it...
... I'm thinking of not blogging on that day and unplugging completely.
Now, why am I sharing all this?
I think a lot of you are like me, trying to find a rhythm to groove to. When were in that groove, life is so much easier and pleasant. When we're out...
... we just aren't as productive as we could be.
For example, one of the new products we added was a RaceDay Bag for running...
... and we ran out.
I blame it on the recent travels, but I also think the rain had a lot to do with it. We've had so much rain and I've been going out in the windows the weather has presented. Weak, I know.
The good thing is we make everything here.
We aren't employing kids in China or other parts of Asia.
We don't have to wait for a boat and pray the dock workers are working.
I was thinking about that the other day. The world is a weird place and their are tremendous forces in play. The fact that we are producing here, in a strict state, is a huge advantage to us and I don't think I talk about it enough.
Where your gear comes from matters.
So, we got out heads together and added Made In USA to our logo above.
The only thing we haven't been able to make here is gloves, it's a leather thing. Weird, that weird world again. One day we'll get that mastered.
In the meantime, I'm listening to my inner drummer and following my celestial band leader...
... so I can rip on raceday.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
This is such a powerful tool for accomplishing great things throughout the year.
Just yesterday SurferGirl was in here looking at what I have planned and writing in things of her own, and family things, etc.
Gotta keep all the bandmates in tune and on the beat.
$30, shipping included.
Stock is dwindling, I'm not making more.
Ships free.
Can make in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162.4
7.5ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE 1 THING PROS DO AND AMATEURS DON'T, BUT COULD
Mar 16, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I LOVE PRO RACING. Seeing the teams, the attention to detail, the whole attitude and vibe pros radiate. The weird thing is...
... some pro's are so amateur and some amateurs are so pro.
The difference isn't...
- Money
- Sponsors
- Equipment
- Training time
... nope, it's something so obvious it's easy to miss.
A bit of background:
Amateur (noun)
1784, "one who has a taste for some art, study, or pursuit, but does not practice it," from French amateur "one who loves, lover" , from Latin amatorem "lover, friend," agent noun from amatus, past participle of amare "to love"
Pros love racing.
Amateurs don't love racing enough.
It shows in everything pros do.
Sponsored or not.
Amateurs wing it.
Pros leave nothing to chance.
Weekend warriors vs.
Every Day Is RaceDay.
Every single day the pro works on their craft. They rest like pros, eat like pros, sleep like pros, recover like pros, train like pros.
It's not a matter of time as much as it's a matter of dedication and consistency.
I've seen amateurs spend ride a lot, spend immense sums of cash...
... only to be smoked by a pro on a mid-level bike, holding a fulltime job.
Amateurs diet.
Pros fuel.
Amateurs race.
Pros race to win.
And before you get all itsnotaboutwinning on me, you know where I stand on that...
... the pro leaves nothing on the battlefield, win or lose.
Amateurs take two pedal strokes, and coast.
Pros keep pedaling.
Here's a little pro secret: it's easy to maintain pro once you...
Dedicate.
Commit.
Plan.
Do.
... we're all counting on you.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets/products/custom-name-raceday-wallet
There are two tools that I find invaluable for staying on the Pro path.
The Giant RaceDay Calendar...
... and the reminder wallet.
I have printed a wallet with an outrageous goal going on 4 years.
Not only is at a constant reminder of what I'm after, but it's made of inner and has a true cycling vibe...
... plus, it slides perfectly into a jersey pocket.
Type into the Custom Name field what you want on your wallet.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets/products/custom-name-raceday-wallet
161.7
7.5ish hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE TRUTH ABOUT ROLLING RESISTANCE
Mar 15, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT WHICH TIRES to roll at the races last weekend. Faster treads vs more traction. Tire pressure matters, too...
... does any of it really matter?
Definitely.
But, that is not the rolling resistance I'm most concerned with.
The real rolling resistance to worry about is rolling through life avoiding the scary stuff. The great Ryan Holliday says The obstacle is the way. The great Steven Pressfield says Resistance points to what we are called to do.
In other words...
... do the scary stuff.
More directly for us...
... sign up for the scariest races.
The races and events we are most likely to fail at,
most likely to truly suffer,
most likely to lose...
... are most likely to bring out our very best.
Publicly stating our goals adds bonus power...
... there is massive resistance to that.
---
Speaking of which I have been experiencing a lot resistance to writing my next book: RACEDAY READY - a philosophy for ripping on and off the bike every day.
Here's an excerpt:
You want to know the answer to the other comments, particularly this one…
What are you doing?
It’s not a mystery, if you’re patient. I blog every single day about exactly what I am learning and applying. How it works. How to incorporate it. Plus, I post every single workout and how much I sleep, weigh, read, write.
So, when someone poses the question What are you doing? I quip, read the blog.
Who has time for that?
There are over 2000 posts at this point. Plus, the newly added video and podcast readings and riffs of each post.
For this reason, I have written this book. Yes, it’s for you to absorb. It is also for our kids, their spouses, their children…
… because this is would have been so valuable to me 30 years ago.
At that time, I called myself Fat Todd...
---
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
How can you resist this hoodie? $35, ships free.
Plus!, grants early access to this limited edition kit
$35
Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
163.7
7ish hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WE DO THIS BECAUSE THEY DON'T
Mar 14, 2023
by TODD BROWN
IT'S HARD TO GET UP EARLY and get dressed in the dark and cold and roll out into pre-dawn in our underwear, but we do it...
... because they aren't.
They are sleeping, cozy and mostly soft.
We are up, uncomfortable and hardening ourselves.
It's easy to say no to a donut when we have the power to say yes to doing hard things.
I said yes today,
to the hard group ride.
I said yes today,
and I'm darn glad everybody else did, too!
Where would we be without riders who are equally committed to do the hard work?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
Do you know who puts the Industries in PEDAL Industries?
The industrious,
on and off the bike
those get after it every day,
If that's you, check out this hoodie. $35, ships free.
Plus!, grants early access to this limited edition kit
$35
Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
163.7
7ish hrs Sleep
1 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE BURNOUT PROBLEM
Mar 13, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I INTENDED TO WRITE ABOUT THE VIRTUES OF TIME OFF. But, I wound up grinding for 9 hours straight, trying to catch up after the road trip. My output dwindled, the sun broke through...
... and a battle ensued.
The 14 days of riding in a row, 6 of them racing, vs sitting in my office grinding from sun up.
My body ached to rest, my soul longed to get outside.
I can definitely burn out on racing, same for training with an agenda...
... but there's nothing more rejuvenating than rolling on two wheels.
So I kitted up
kept my HR low
and lightly tapped the pedals.
It's good to be home.
Here's the burnout problem.
There are some really fun and good races to be had during the next 6 weeks...
- Team Big Bear's endurance race, 3/18
- Sagebrush Safari best XC race in SoCal, 3/25
- US Cup XC on Vail's new sweet single track course, 4/1
- State Road Race is back, and I love the course, 4/8
- BWR San Diego, I've never done it, 4/15
- Sea Otter, Fuego XC, 4/22
... I've already signed up for 5 of the races because each one that I learned about seemed better than what I'd already committed to do.
Last weekend was my A race for the first half of the year.
I didn't plan to ramp things back up until summer, for Marathon Nationals in September. I thought I'd do a few events in the spring for fun, not 6.
Then, the state road race was rejuvenated and ya know I gotta take a crack at that.
Then, I heard about US Cup and how can I pass that level of competition up?
Right now, looking at the calendar seems daunting. I will definitely burn out if I try and treat them all as A races.
That's impossible.
I can probably pick 1, and do the rest for fun and practice.
Even then, there is a fair amount of travel and the ensuing chaos that always goes around getting all the equipment dialed in perfectly. Which means, I will probably skip one or two and definitely roll in on a half ready bike.
The key to not burning out, is to keep it light and get myself in a headlock if I waver for one moment on committing to making more than one of these races and A race...
... which will it be?
We'll see.
(Why did I sign up so early you ask? Because I like to help the promoters sleep easier, it's so stressful wondering if anybody will show.)
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
This is such a powerful tool.
Stock is dwindling.
Ships free.
Can make in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
164.8
7ish hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
RATIOS I LIKE
Mar 12, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE CACTUS CUP enduro is the final stage of a super fun weekend of racing desert terrain. Rolling, fast and short, punchy climbs. Plus, my favorite component...
... a little bit of danger.
All racing has danger, but this racing is unique.
Nearly everybody sheds a little blood.
Cactus rips and tears at your arms and legs.
Rocks will leave scars to match the lifetime memories.
Slip and slide on the sand and it'll take a layer of skin off faster than a Makita.
For every mile raced, it's hard to match the fun and bloodletting.
I like it.
I'm forced to pay attention.
Under those conditions it's easy to slip into a state of flow, and critical to stay there. No mind wandering, no day dreaming, no bird watching...
... just flowing fast.
On today's enduro stage, we all raced our XC bikes because it's not that difficult. The promoter calls it the hangover stage...
... I call it fun.
We, all our crew, ride to each of 3 stages together, then race all out down some fast trails time trial style for 3-6 minutes.
It's relaxed a very relaxed atmosphere in between the intense effofrts. We chat and enjoy the beautiful wide open desert.
I had a few flesh tears,
others some skin sanding,
and one a very nice, deep slice.
Did we care?
Nope.
That's that we signed up for.
Racing.
Life.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
At the awards ceremony it got a little chilly in the shade, so I busted out this lightweight hoodie.
If that's you, check out this hoodie. $35, ships free.
Plus!, grants early access to this limited edition kit
$35
Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
162.8
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
0 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ARE YOU A BELIEF STACKER?
Mar 11, 2023
by TODD BROWN
FOR YEARS NOW, my prerace meal before an epic distance has been a can of sardines. I'm partial to the King Oscar's, Mediterranean style. And, I like 'em...
... 2 hours before the race.
- Protein
- Salt
- Fat
What could be better?
I can think of about a million things that could taste better...
- pancakes
- bacon
- eggs
- waffles
- butter
- syrup
- crepes
... to name a few.
But, for me it's sardines.
They fill me up,
they go down easy.
Today, I chased them down with chocolate French crepes I get at Costco.
I'm sure you can get on board with the crepes.
How about the sardines?
Too low brow?
fishy smelly?
gross?
I hope so, because I give y'all way too much of my secret secrets as it is.
Now, you might be thinking there's no way he does that on purpose?
You'd be wrong.
Superstitions die hard for a reason...
... they work.
Belief is everything in competition.
Would things have gone as well as they did today without my sardines?
Probably.
But, that is not the point.
The point is belief stacking works.
It wasn't just the sardines.
It was also...
the white socks and gloves I saved for today,
the fresh jersey and new prototype bibs,
quietly lubing my chain last night,
listening to my play list,
warming up by myself,
a dusty, dirty frame,
glasses over strap,
... little things I like to do.
No, none of it really matters.
Training matters.
Fueling matters.
Sleep matters.
Belief stacking is the final polishing,
and it's often the difference between a great day and a good day.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Want to turbo charge your beliefs?
- Get this giant calendar
- Place it where you can see it daily
- Write in red Sharpie your top A race
Stock is dwindling.
Ships free.
Can make in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162.5 (better)
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ANOTHER PR?!
Mar 10, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS TO KEEP GETTING PRs. Since I just PR'd the TT course at Cactus Cup, after racing it for my 4th time...
... do ya wanna know what I did?
The most important thing, I didn't do.
We had great weather.
The first year, it was well over 100 degrees. Today was low 70's, slightly cloudy.
Good temps.
Good lighting.
Now, here's what I did personally that I think made a difference:
- I raced with a larger beefier tire up front, a Continental Cross King 2.35
- I've purposely spent most of my time training on my MTB. Training the position, training I raced in today. I cut out all gravel riding, and reduced my road riding... about 4 hours on the road, 8-10 on the MTB.
- Got another great night of sleep.
- I pre-rode the course 3 times Monday, and then road the XC course the rest of the week which is the same type of dirt. Very hard dirt, with small pebbles of decomposed granite on top. It's unique to the desert and requires a different feel than what we ride at home.
- Because I follow my Cowboy Strong philosophy that I teach in the RaceDay Ready 10-Week Challenge, I am always riding with a little fatigue due to the fact that I'm doing strength training every single day. I haven't been able to do that for a week now, as I've been on the road, and I think my body is just super fresh.
- I followed my warm up protocol of starting an hour before the short TT (the longer the race the shorter my warm up). I rode easy for 35 minutes, then brought my heart rate up with 2 minutes on 2 minutes off at threshold for 16ish minutes, and kept spinning until 2 minutes to go.
- Racing the same format last weekend, with a TT last Friday, was a good reminder of what it takes to do well in a TT... as someone who never does intervals, I need to do races that are similar to get the feel of the effort required.
Here is what I didn't do:
- I didn't freak out that I'm heavier by about 5 pounds than last year, that I had a nasty flu for 10 days early Feb, or that rain as hindered the training.
- I didn't waste any energy worrying about starting 2 hours after my competitors when it was warmer and windier - my fault for screwing up my registration.
- I didn't hit it hard from the get go and try and get my HR up asap to gain every second possible by starting fast. I brought my speed up gradually, paced myself so i could pound the one 3ish minute power climb and every climb from there to the finish.
There you go.
As for data, saw my HR get into the 180s for the first time in a year...
... on that power climb.
It probably happened at last week's TT as well, but I had no data for that ride due to Wahoo Tickr malfunction.
Wins are nice,
PRs are better!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
I had multiple racers come up to me today and tell me this weekend has been on their Giant RaceDay Calendar.
Do you know why?
Because there is nothing more powerful than a giant calendar with you races written in Sharpie.
Stock is dwindling.
Ships free.
Can make in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
164.2
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THIS IS NOT THE PILL YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
Mar 09, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I'M A SUCH A SUCKER. Some people fall for nice legs, others broad shoulders, a sweet smile. Me, I'm a total sucker...
... for a bad@$$.
And, I'm finding more and more of you since we expanded our bags to include triathletes and runners.
We may look different, move different, play different but in the end it's all the same...
... people pushing their limits.
I love it.
If you've taken the 10-Week challenge then you know about Cowboy Strong and my cousin Norman.
Check out Becky:
I'm the tiny female version of Norman:. a full-time horse trainer, with 22 horses, 1 miniature donkey, and various stray dogs to care for on my ranch in Texas. I have those cowboy callouses from hay bales, feed sacks, manure forks, and lead ropes. I feel that all of this has kept me relatively injury free as a competitive runner, and recently, functional fitness athlete.
Yep.
Cowgirl Strong.
She continues:
I appreciate your promotion of fitness as a lifestyle. It's so important in this "take a pill for everything" world we're living in.
Eating dinner at the bar tonight (I'm on a road trip), a commercial popped up for a weightloss pill. It seamed insane to me.
Dad bods playing soccer, good.
Dad bods working up a sweat, more good.
Dad bods loading up their plates at the barbecue, WTH?
When we commit to a life of bad@$$ery...
... there is no need for pills.
There is only one need - to be excellent.
- Physically
- Mentally
- Spiritually
- Socially
A proper focus eliminates all desire to deviate...
... and reveals that excellence is actually the easier path.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
This is the pill you need.
Are you up for the challenge?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162ish
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
WHY RACE AT ALL?
Mar 08, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THOUGHT EXPERIMENT: Why do you race? And before you say, I don't race...
... you race.
We all do.
We might not pin on numbers or tie on plates, but we sure as heck know our PRs...
... and go for the City Limits signs.
So, why do you race? Because you like...
- the action?
- camaraderie?
- the ego boost?
- a fitness check in?
- inspiration by humiliation?
... whatever your reason, what would happen if you stopped racing?
The racer who simply loves riding,
will race harder and longer
than the racer who loves
the finish line.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
Do you know who puts the Industries in PEDAL Industries?
The industrious,
on and off the bike
those get after it every day,
If that's you, check out this hoodie. $35, ships free.
Plus!, grants early access to this limited edition kit
$35
Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
165
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
900 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
DO YOU HAVE FRENEMIES
Mar 07, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MAYBE IF WE WERE GETTING PAID IT'D BE DIFFERENT. But, we aren't. We are just racing for fun and sport and competition...
... the challenge.
Along the way friendships are formed.
Oh, I've managed to ruffle a few feathers along the way. Maybe it's just part of doing all you can to be your best that drudges up a few haters. Not a big deal...
... maybe a compliment?
Far more common is to meet so new people, who are also committed to excellence on and off the bike.
Friends before the race.
Enemies during.
Buds after.
I received a nice note from Adam, who one the overall last weekend. We only know each other by doing this one race, in Tucson AZ, since 2018. Over time, we have battled back and forth on each stage...
... and I look forward to seeing him each year and catching up.
Above is a picture of Dan and I after the last stage. We met this year, and we battled all three days. He held onto 3rd place overall by a whopping 3 seconds.
Below is David, from MO. We connected when he purchased a RaceDay Bag 4 years ago...
... and he happened to be in Tucson this past weekend and noticed the van.
The point is, if you're going to races and make friends...
... you're doing it right.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
And if you're wearing this hoodie, you're definitely part of a friendly tribe of dedicated athletes.
Ships free.
Grants early access to this limited edition kit
Order Now.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
----
165ish (Surfergirl diet got me)
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THERE'S A BEE IN MY BIBS!
Mar 06, 2023
by TODD BROWN
RACING CAN BE SO WEIRD. You're shoulder to shoulder with someone. Everyone is working so hard. But, we get tired and get crabby and sometimes...
... behave poorly.
I prayed things would be different.
Yep.
I actually said a little prayer before heading out to race...
- Help us all to ride safe
- The officials to have an easy job
- And help me to be kind and understanding
That last part is pretty much why I don't race crits any more. The are so gnarly, so technically challenging. Everyone is on the edge because the danger is so high...
... and, frankly, I can be a bit of a jerk.
Not on purpose.
But, when tensions are amped and emotions raging, it's a challenge to give another racer the benefit of the doubt let alone...
... a freakin' inch of road.
So, on lap 5 of yesterday's race when I politely inquired of another racer...
Hey, any idea what lap we are on?
Yes.
What lap?
You should know.
No, what lap are we on?
You should know, that's racing.
So you're not gonna tell me?
He looks at me, smiles, looks away.
I think, Jerk!
Ok, well, you can close that gap I just opened...
Yes, not my finest moment.
I was so tempted to go for it right then and there...
... the bee was definitely in my bibs.
That little exchange served to pump up the adrenalin for the plan I'd hatched in the morning.
As he closed the gap, I slid back bottling all that silly emotion up. Time to disappear for lap and fein exhaustion.
The things we do for a win.
It's pretty darn fun.
If we stay cool.
Playful.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie
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What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.
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163ish
8 hrs Sleep
40 pushups and air squats
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RACING FOR THE WIN AND RACING FOR VICTORY
Mar 05, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I HAD ONE PLAN TODAY, victory. Friday, I winged it on the time trial. Yesterday, I raced to win. Today, I went for the victory...
... which is unlike winning.
In fact, for me, it's a completely different mentality.
Winning is about hedging and managing and strategy and doing what it takes and nothing more...
... to win.
That's nice, but nowhere near as satisfactory as the feeling of knowing there was nothing more to give, vanquishing my fears of losing, risking everything...
... this is victory, regardless of the outcome.
I woke up with this mental image: a greased pig, wreaking havoc and uncontainable.
Can't image a better vision.
Of course, it's easy to feel that way after a great night of sleep in an outstanding hotel...
... before the first hard stomp on the pedals.
(Surfergirl turned in my points to stay at the Lowes, and why not?)
My warm up was spot on this time.
1 hour.
45 minutes easy on the pedals.
15 bringing the heart rate up and stoking the fires.
For some reason, I lined up at the back of the pack even though I predicted it would start out hard. Heck, I even thought about the same thing before hatching my plan to go on the 7th lap.
So, I got to spend that first mile or so chasing and hustling my lycra up to the front.
For 5 laps I went with every attack, or let it go and bridged up, or pushed on when things slowed down. We needed to suffer, and make the teams work, and tire out the sprinters.
During that time, I was able to ferret out who could handle their bike in the turns, who's wheel was good to follow and who had something left to give on the day.
My plan, hatched the night before was to go for it on the last climb of the 6th lap, rail the turn at the bottom and keep on going.
It almost worked.
What happened was just as good, if not better.
The teams were sprinting for the bonus seconds on lap 6, completely stretched out the field, got their seconds, then shut down the pace...
... I sailed on by, and kept going.
Then Gerry, who smoked us in the tt, passed me like I was standing still.
I looked back.
I had a good gap.
Gerry was pulling away.
I buried myself to catch up...
... and he eased up a bit.
Thanks for waiting, give me a minute to recover.
He gave me 3 minutes, to the top of the climb.
As I'm pulling through, I look back and see a white jersey.
Dang.
They caught us.
Nope.
It's yesterday's hero Gary.
I can't believe he made it across the gap. We have a good 15 seconds and now we are rolling and rotating.
It's on.
We are smooth, and committed.
Greased pigs, on the loose.
Into the bell lap, we have nearly 30 seconds. That 7th lap was the fastest of the day for me.
Gary is gassed.
Hang on bro, recover.
Gerry, Gary is struggling.
We couldn't wait, but it was cool if he skipped a few pulls. It was too much. Gerry is such a powerhouse uphill, it's just a battle staying on his wheel.
With 2k to go, we still had 20 seconds.
We started the mile or so downhill to the last turn.
This is where we would lose a lot of time. The bunch was anxious to pull us back, some wanted to hang onto their GC positions, some wanted to win the stage...
... they'd have to wait another day.
300 meters to go.
It's a drag race for the line.
Today was that rare instance, where a victory comes with a win.
Insights:
This was the first race in quite a while where I have felt really good, didn't battle any cramps, and had excellent energy.
- Great sleep
- Arrived 2 hours early
- Proper 1 hour warm up
- Consumed 600 calories, 400/hour
Those little details probably made the difference. But, who knows? The older I get, the more difficult it is to predict good days on the bike.
Marco Colbert, with a lot of great people from the city and volunteers, has rescued the Tucson Bicycle Classic. USAC, had a really pro and friendly staff, which I found to be very refreshing. If you are looking for a helluva fun weekend of racing, in the beautiful winter desert...
... get your buns out here next year.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
Victories start way before the gun goes off.
Are you up for the challenge?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
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163ish
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IT'S MARCH, IT'S MADNESS
Mar 04, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE TUCSON BICYCLE CLASSIC delivered another wild race. On the start line, race jitters were dialed way up because the temp was...
... dialed way down.
35 degrees.
USAC officials really, really, really like to see race numbers so there was serious deliberations on what to wear. Because the speeds can be very high on the long, long, long decent I opted to go aero.
- Skull cap
- Base layer
- Neck gator
- Two jerseys
- Arm warmers
- Plastic trash bag pieces over socks
- Covered holes on aero helmet with tape
Nobody warmed up much.
Too darn cold.
I stayed in my light down jacket as long as possible. Still, I was shivering as we waited for our wave to roll off. Surfergirl took it from me with 2 minutes to go.
Like everyone else, I was anxious to get it on...
... get that blood pumping.
We hit the first few hills pretty hard.
It felt good.
Well, I felt nothing.
The one thing that was way better than I thought was pullng that neck gator up over my face as we raced along the lumpy terrain before bombing down hill for 4 miles...
... at 30+mph in our underpants.
The racing?
Chaotic as usual.
Lots of free agents, like me, rolling the dice on attacks. A handful of teams willing to pull it all back. This carried on for 2 and half of the 3 laps, 60 miles, we'd race...
... then, the madness.
We turned right to go down the hill, I was in second position and let a gap open. These breaks were going nowhere...
... but, this opened up a bit.
The teams weren't working at all.
Then a bigger dude I thought had no chance to hold us off on the hill went.
2 guys up the road.
I waited for the teams.
The Adam went, and I thought for sure the race leader, Gerry, and his team would pull him back.
Nothing.
So I took a flyer, got within 5 seconds, could see the group was coming hard and waited for them...
... nothing.
The gap kept getting bigger and bigger.
They were gone.
3 guys up the road.
No teams working.
No free agents rolling the dice.
The only hope was they'd blow.
They didn't.
At the bottom of the 4 mile climb to the finish, my friend Gary took the front and really put it down.
Nobody could come around him.
He pulled off, everybody was gassed.
He went back and kept the heat on.
Heroic stuff.
Honestly, I thought I'd have something for the finish. Even though the time bonuses and lots of time were gone...
... it's still good to sprint across.
I had nothing.
Something, but not enough.
Adam won by over a minute, and picked up 13 seconds in time bonuses.
Impressive.
He has 53 seconds on Gerry, and a minute twenty on little ol' me who...
... somehow is still 5th overall.
Madness.
Tomorrow, I predict, is going to be lit.
The teams will have plans and the free agents got nothing to lose.
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This skull cap is so nice
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https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-hats/products/black-skull-cap
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163ish
7ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
TIME TRIAL OF MY LIFE
Mar 03, 2023
by TODD BROWN
TIME IS A CONSTRUCT WE ALL AGREE ON, and can be very real for us humans. For all other creatures there is day and night. Measured or not, seconds can mean the difference in another construct...
... winning and losing.
Aren't you glad you have me making mistakes so you don't?
This is a great one.
I thought I was being so smart and clever. Earlier in the week, I pasted all my start times into my calendar on Outlook. For some reason, I thought to share them with Surfergirl.
Good thing.
This morning, after a solid night of sleep in the van, we popped down to the Waffle House.
I love Waffle House.
She'd never been.
It's one of the reasons I come to this race.
I really look forward to it.
It's a time machine.
Backwards.
Fueled up, I doublechecked my start time: 11:40:30 AM
It was 830ish.
Plenty of time to get to the start, 30 minutes away, and relax before a 60 minute warm up.
Everything was according to plan.
9:40 AM
Why aren't you getting ready?
Still have 2 hours.
Are you sure?
Yep.
It says 10:40 start.
What?
Right here.
O. M. G!!! Arizona is on MST, Outlook updated all the times!!!!!
That's a pretty big mistake.
Rookie!
I hustled.
She pinned numbers.
No time for proper warm up.
On the line, I had another genius idea.
My new TICKR HR monitor from Wahoo, had finally connected yesterday and was working great. During the warm up it was working great. On the start line, I decided to stop the ride, which it deleted I later learned, and start a new Ride so I could look at the miles and exact time.
It read 128 as the official counted down. This is normal for me, my HR gets pretty high right before...
... ready for battle.
As I rode away, it started to drop.
120
112
104
98
Yep.
98 bmp, as I'm getting after it in a 10 minute time trial.
I don't use a power meter.
I raced on feel.
This isn't totally new for me. Short MTB XC races, I often put my Wahoo in my back pocket so I can concentrate on the racing and terrain and ignore what my body is telling me.
Who knows what the difference would have been with the HR data?
I'm 5th.
27 seconds off 1st... 5 seconds off 3rd, 1 second off 4th.
Want to know what else I did wrong?
Why not...
... I didn't crank my shoes down and had to do that within the first 100 yds.
3 mistakes.
How much time did it cost?
Who knows?
Who cares?
It's just racing.
Good times.
Fun.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Inventory is dwindling on the GIANT RaceDay Calendar...
... with magical properties of
- Increased Focus
- Superior Planning
- Dreamlike Results
The calendars ship FREE.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
If you like the blog, you'll LOVE the podcast version:
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163ish
7ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IS THIS AIRBNB's LAST STAND?
Mar 02, 2023
by TODD BROWN
RACE TRAVEL IS IT'S OWN THING, and if you're like me and don't do it much it can really be a roll of the dice. While I have generally had good luck...
... not so this round..
I should have known it would be amateur night when I had to meet the owner for the key.
After a brief run through, and assurance the place will heat right up, he was gone.
A few minutes later we discovered there was a major roof leak, water soaking down the wall and dripping all over the only toilet and puddling on the floor.
While he circled back we went to dinner at Reilly for "craft" food and drink. We ordered a giant salad, meatballs and a small pizza...
... it was excellent.
Upon returning, the heater was making all kinds of heater sounds and pushing all kinds of arctic air.
We took hot showers while we waited for the owner.
It's not heating up.
Let me get my mechanic down here tomorrow.
Don't worry about it, we aren't staying.
Ok, I'll refund everything.
Great.
The thing is, I didn't want a refund. I wanted a little place, central to the races, where I could relax and stretch and generally enjoy a bit of racing and time away with Surfergirl.
Here's the good news:
- We have a van,
- A comfy bed
- A heater
And I'll have something to be pissed off about tomorrow, which is requisite for...
... putting down a blistering time in a short time trial.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Inventory is dwindling on the GIANT RaceDay Calendar...
... with magical properties of
- Increased Focus
- Superior Planning
- Dreamlike Results
The calendars ship FREE.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
If you like the blog, you'll LOVE the podcast version:
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162.8
7,5 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
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