YEARS AGO, nearly all my rides ended early.  Even on the weekends, I'd head out early and be back by 830 or 9...

... because I had another ride to do.

These were the best rides,
with my best riders.

We lived right next to this beautiful canyon, with a pristine singletrack.
followed by a mile or so fire road climb,
and a ripping, bermy, flowy ride
to the bottom.

The best 5 mile loop for these little troopers, ever.

It started with a bolt on half-bike thingy and our oldest.

Then we got ahold of some tiny cranks and a bottom bracket that allowed him to ride and pedal on the back of the tandem, with our second son bolted onto the back of that on the half-bike thingy.

I loved it.
They loved it.

It was a heckuva workout for me,
with them doing what the could when I really need Full Power!

26 years ago today, the sassy little sister joined the party...

... which is why I needed to cut the ride short this morning.

We're all gettin' together from her bday and Father's Day, at the beach.  

The bike riding didn't really take hold...

... but, getting outside and doing fun things sure did.

---

165.3
7.3ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

IT'S JUST A SPORT, a passion, a hobby.  Consequently, a lot of times we don't take ourselves seriously...

... when we could.

Look back a few years, to that first bike ride.

Slow.
Dorky.
Not good.

Look at you now.
Much better.
Faster.

Or maybe back to slow?

Here's the dill.

When we look back and see where we've come from vs where we are now...

... it's obvious we've improved.

We did something.

Take stock of that, then ask...

... who can help me take the next leap forward?

I did just that today.

Thinking about my commitment for Marathon Nats, I realized I'm going to need to take my fitness up a notch.

Quickly.

So, I hired a coach,
someone who knows more than me,
who can teach me something I don't know...

... quicker than I'd learn it on my own.

Seriously,
time is short.

Who is the missing piece of your puzzle?

---

165.1
7.2ish hrs
Full RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

A DAY IN MY LIFE.

Get up to factory to review new prototype jerseys, bibs, tech t's and base layers with our new pattern maker.

We're close.
But, I'm picky.
And, she's pickier.

It's take much, much longer than anticipated to develop these new patterns...

... and I think we are a week or two from our final revision.

From there, I hustled home to do a podcast with Tom Danielson.

What a story.

Scrawny kid,
rips on a mountain bike,
switches to road as a climbing specialist,
races at the highest levels all the way to the Tour de France...

... falls from grace.

Regroups.
Rebuilds.

... fall again and crashes and burns.

Regroups.
Builds something new.
From nothing.
Amazing.

I had no idea the depth, breadth and details we'd cover.

Popped on my kit, 
barely caught up to the fellas,
got shot out the back to do some purposeful Zone 2.

Quick shower.

Jump on our Alliance call, where this gold is dropped by Kyle.

Marty, you mentioned you still get anxious and nervous before a race even after doing 1000s of races.

Yeah.

I'm an anesthesiologist and early on I mentioned to my mentor that putting kids under made me really nervous...

... he told me, Good, if that ever stops it's time to quit.

I tell ya, it was a truly great day.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance

---

164.4
7ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
6- minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

WE'VE BEEN THREATENING TO DO THIS, get our other women together and see how things go.  You know jump on...

... the trending societal debauchery.

Tonight was the night where Surfergirl found out my other woman...

... is a man with a bike.

Kidding aside.

I put out a text the DRTY WDNSDY crew, 
Susie is making tacos after the ride.

Here's the thing.

We spend all this time riding together, 
talking about work, kids, life,
the good, the trials,
dude bonding.

We need it.

Too few of our contemporaries have any kind of male only interaction.  Dude loneliness is a thing, and for some can be a killer.  In that sense, we are extremely fortunate. 

While we know each other so well, 
our partners only know of us...

And, I reckon more than a few have wondered...

... Who the heck is he spending so much time with?!

So, to finally get together and put faces with stories it can be an amazing experience for everybody because truth be told most of us are...

... riding with incredible human beings.

---

164.8
7 hrs
Full RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

ZONE 2 TRAINING HAS BECOME ESSENTIAL TO ME.  There is nothing better to build a huge cardio engine...

... but that is only the half of it.

Nearly all of my zone 2 training is alone.

Like most, my schedule can get hectic, and it is a challenge to meet others for a session more than once or twice a week...

... so, it's just me.

Not only am I riding in solitude, but the majority of the rides are off-road, in nature.  Or, off the highway on a bike path.

Here is where I tap into the superpower of zone 2...

... and maybe you do the same.

I noticed it long ago, when a certain infamous champion dominated cycling's collective consciousness.  As I rode along, I imagined I was him.  My posture changed, my cadence changed, my thoughts were elevated to those of a champion.

Years later, I realize zone 2 can be a meditative workout. 

Far from the distractions of life, I am with my thoughts.  Sometimes, for sure, I am envisioning a great outcome on the bike.  Reviewing what I'll do in preparation, and how I will perform at a given time...

..., but, that's not all.

I take this time to imagine all areas of life having the outcomes I desire.  My marriage, our kids and grandkids.  Our long-term physical and spiritual health. The people I serve.  And, most definitely, where PEDALindustries is headed.

That is how I do zone 2 training...

... how about you? 

---

165.4
7.3 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

IT'S PROBABLY NOT NEW TO YOU, but I was stunned to see this.  Right before my very eyes, binge watching...

... the Tour de France.

Have you seen it?
On Netflix?

We sat down for the first episode, with steak and veggies.

The initial scenes are incredible.

And suddenly I'm thinking, maybe just maybe, my friends and family will finally get it...

... why I'm so crazy for this sport.

The insane technology,
incredible athletes,
massive danger,
fans so close,
this is it.

Maybe.
Maybe they'll be drawn in.

Because, how cool would it be to get a whole bunch more friends and family out riding, and dreaming of...

... going that fast,
being that good,
on two wheels.

---

164.8
7.5 hrs 
Circuit training
20 minutes recovery  
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

YA KNOW, it's a shame I have to be reminded of this every year or so.  But, here it is very late spring, and the signs couldn't be more clear...

... there's evil creeping in the woods.

It's unseen,
unless you slow down.

But, who has time for that?

While we were out ripping it up on DRTY WDNSDY the evil was doing it's thing...

... wrapping around my arms and legs.

Painless.
Without a trace.
Until last night when I awoke in misery.

My right arm got it the worst.
Everything from sleeve to glove is inflamed, in a weird rhino-skin way.

So, here are my top 2 remedies.

• If you suspect in the slightest, use Tecnu immediately after returning from a ride.
• If you've blown it, like I have, Ivarest is great at knocking back the urge...

... to rip the skin off your body.

Roadies, you got nothing to worry about.
Gravelers, maybe a teeny chance if you poach singletrack.
Mountainbikes below 5000' in moist, shady areas like the bottom of our trail network...

... beware, and take care.

It ain't called Poison Ivy for nothing.

---

166.2
8.5 hrs 
No strength work
20 minutes recovery  
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

SINGING ANDY came up for some MTB fun this morning.  An outstanding road racer and accomplished runner, he's found a new focus...

... offroad triathlon, Xterra.

Today's mission:  have some fun.

The heavy mist provided amazing traction, zero dust...

... and 3D printed our legs and bikes with mud.

Since he's at the end of a big training block, and I'm starting to lay base for my September showdown neither of us was looking to push too hard...

... but, what do you make of that pic of my BPM up there?

We had done a number of steep pitches...

... however, nothing to warrant 225 BPM.

Yes, I know, the ongoing saga of my Wahoo device.

I looked at Andy's bike.

No bike computer?

Nah, I don't measure anything any more.

Nothing?

Only on my road bike, when I do intervals, I track power. 

No Strava?

Not for 4 years.

No heart rate monitor?

I'm pretty sure it's still beating.

Hmmm...

Yeah, I just like to ride on feel and be in the moment.

I can respect that.
Especially given the worthless data I was receiving.  
The Apple watch came through with HR data, but it always records about 10% less vertical than the Wahoo.

Which is correct?
Does it matter?

Or, would we all be better off riding on feel and in the moment like Singing Andy?

---

Afterwards, I caught myself in the mirror on the way to the shower.  It wasn't good.

I thought my gloves were tucked stowed in my jersey, I often throw them up there post ride...

... that little pooch in front of my jersey wasn't my gloves!

Time to face reality...

... I've let something slid on the meal plan and it's gathering in plain sight.

As much as I assure myself my current weight trend is from all weights, I now 100% sure it's not.

---

166.4
7.5 hrs 
PushUps and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME, I predicted the The Vampire (aka Jonas Vingegaard) would win the Tour.  My logic was simple...

... he was making his team captain Roglic look old and slow.

You can read about it here.

So, what about this year?

First off, I'm excited as heck to see my favorite mountain biker in action...

... Pidcock is so fun to watch.

There's a lot of hype around his descending skills, deservedly so.  He's so hard to classify as a racer, extremely aggressive...

... and supremely confident.

Wout, Mathieu, Remco all race like that.
As if they've just escaped from jail and they ain't going back.

Then there's Tadej.

He's currently recovering from a broken wrist.
However, that won't be driving him.
He's coming for redemption.
He was embarrassed.

If you think this year's exploits in the Classics were to focus on something else besides the Tour, I'd guess you're wrong.  In my eyes, those peloton stomping wins were much more...

... a show of force, shock and awe. 

Is the vampire rattled?
Judging by his performance so far at the Dauphine, I'd say nope.

Should he be?
Definitely.  
No Roglic to misdirect the competition.
Kuss just rode the Giro and could be weaker than last year.

It's early, it's risky...

... it's gonna be Tadej. 

There.
I said it.

Who are you picking?

---

164.2
7ish hrs 
No strength workout
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I HAVE THIS CORE GROUP OF ATHLETES I meet with once a week on Zoom.  In the beginning, it was simply to hold each other accountable.  Six months in...

... it's become a trusted group of advisors and motivators.

If you're like me, very few people can relate to what I want to accomplish.

Why do you want to do that?

Ugh... I hate that question.  

Is it to make me feel guilty? 
Is it because I'm making them look bad?
Or, maybe it's just jealousy that I have something I'm passionate about.

Personally, I just want to go for it.
Simple as that.
I want to.

Which is what makes my alliance so invaluable.
They all get it because they are on a similar quest.

We ask why, so that we know how to support each other.
We ask how, and we get gold from the group.
We ask when, to cheer each other on.

Each week, we check in and update each other on our progress on and off the bike, our challenges, our races, our PRs, etc...

... and I love it.

I hope you have something like that in your life.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance

If not, check this out.

 https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance

---

164 
8ish hrs 
Push Ups, Pull Ups, Squats
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

LAST NIGHT WAS A CLOSE ONE.  Pre-riding part of the course, my chain was skipping a bit.  Can't have that racing...

... luckily, my local bike shop was there.

So, I cut my pre-ride short figuring the course was unchanged from the previous week.

Big mistake. 

(Note:  this is why I highly, highly recommend supporting the local shop)

The other mistake, as The Coathanger pointed out, was not dialing in my bike before showing up.

Hey, I saw your bike hanging up and being wrenched on.

Yeah, chain is skipping.

Aren't you supposed to be raceday ready?

Yes, I am.

Don't you make a checklist for having the bike ready on raceday?

Yes, I do.

Well?

Well... shift happens.

Anyway, we line up to race and within about 3 minutes we've nearly caught the wave that stared 30 seconds ahead of us and as 3 of my competitors gap me with ease...

... I'm thinking Why the heck do I sign up for this torture?!!

My breathing is so loud and laborious, even I'm concerned.

Fortunately, along with my derailer not working well my Wahoo HRM wasn't working either.

Let the records show that both of these devices were working fine the day before.

If I'd been about to see the HR recorded by my back up Apple Watch, I probably would have quit.

It was really hard.

Towards the top, I made up a bit of ground and while the leaders were being held up a bit by slower traffic on the single track return to the bottom, I was able to connect once we hit the pavement.

Remember how I skipped riding all of the course?

Yeah, well, if I had, I would have known to be first into the final single track, which we haven't ridden all year.  

It's not that hard.

But, it does have some very steep and tight turns that must be attacked with power...

... the kind of turns that can get in your head.

Sure enough, the rider in front of me misses the last 180 and we all have to dismount.

Ugh.

Winding around to hit the big hill for the second and final time, I'm feeling a little better.

Slowly, ever so slowly, I pulled away from the fellas and established a big enough gap by the bottom to comfortably ride away.

The point is this.

Sometimes, I (we?) just want to quit.

It hurts.

I'm tired of suffering.

Inevitably, at least for me, I almost always start to feel good.

As the great Mike Tyson famously said...

... Everybody's got a plan until the get punched in the face (gapped off the back.)

The thing is though, while the pain is real, it's not infinite...

pushing through,
giving it our all,
persevering,

... is what we do, and who we are.

It doesn't always work out, that we catch back on or feel better.  Sometimes we just get shelled and do the ride of shame back to the start line.

You know what would be a real shame?

To never go back,
to stop clawing and battling,
to never chase another outrageous PR.

The real race is the infinite one, against ourselves.

---

164.7
6.8 hrs 
RaceDay Ready Circuit Training and Run
20 minutes recovery  
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

HAD A RACER PING ME and let me know he'd beat anybody, anytime, anywhere.  He'd put up $500, cash. He just had one requirement...

... no drafting.

Then asked me my thoughts,
poor soul.

They are many.

• He would lose to any pro male, and most pro women.
• Drafting requires a level of skill and cunning, I personally enjoy.
• Drafting is important in decreasing order:
• BMX
• Road
• Gravel
• Mountain
• Time trialing.
• Don't wish things were different, with you were better.

So rather than bottle up that angst,
go for something where drafting matters less, or not at all.

MTB
or, TT

Prove it.

Now, I really like this cat.  He has sent me a number of emails over the years...

... I hope he is encouraged to go for it.

Winning a Cat 1 race in either of those would be a truly massive feat.

I hope he does it.
I hope he rips it up,
climbs to the top step,
and claims the all elusive Gold medal. 

That would be rad...

... then, we can find a pro who he can give $500 to.

If you're still reading brother,
I send this in love and as a challenge.

Let me know.

Meanwhile, I'll be finishing at to top of my age group tonight...

... 15+% slower than the pros.

---

165.2
7.5 hrs 
PushUps and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

ALLRIGHTY KIDS, you may be having the same challenge I am.  Oddly, and this is happening on and off the bike, I have found myself challenged...

... to look far ahead.

That's a problem if you're trying to go fast.

For some inexplicable reason, I am having to really force myself to keep my eyes up...

... searching for the next turn or obstacle.

Instead, I find myself rather myopic (kids, that means only seeing what's right in front of me.)

The result is instead of being in a state of flow, I often find myself being reactive and overly cautious.

Do I need glasses?

Mmmmmaybe.  

But, I don't think so.

In fact, after a deep dive into 10X Is Easier Than 2X, I'm convinced my vision has just gotten lazy on the bike.

Lazy?

Maybe not the right word.

Bad habits?

It could be I've been doing more road riding and it is so easy to just focus on staying glued to the wheel I'm drafting off.

In the 10X Book, Dan and Ben propose that by focusing on 10X goals our mind will develop the pathways to get us there.

Rather than looking far down the trail and having the faith my body will fill in the gaps...

... which is what it does when I'm in a state of flow,
when the stakes are sky high...

... I'm looking only a few feet ahead.

This puts me in a much more reactive state when ripping, far from flow.  Much more of...

... a state of Oh, shift!

Not good.
Slow.

Not joyful.
Danger.

Where I should be loose and attacking,
I'm tense,
rigid.

The only cure I can think of is to get out on the trails more,
and go a lot faster than I've been going lately...

... because going 10 times faster,
used to feel a whole lot easier.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer

One of the secrets to going faster is...

... expecting good things to happen.

I talk about this in Chapter 4.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer

---

165.8
8 hrs 
RaceDay Ready Strength Work
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

AS RACERS AND ATHLETES, the 'A' race is our north star.  Everything we are doing is aligned to achieve a specific result.  To be truly powerful...

... 'A' races are something we have never done.

Doing LoToJa for the 'nth time is not an A race...

going for a PR is,
arriving at a never before race-weight is,
completing it when life derailed nearly all training plans is,
shooting for the podium after being pack fodder for years and years is...

... if it isn't scary, it's not an A race.

It's just a race that will B nice to do and allow us to C our friends

Which is fine, but hardly a north star by which all decisions are going to be weighed against...

... is this going to help or hinder the A race?

In that light, most us fail.

Me, especially.

We plan poorly,
make up excuses, 
create unrealistic fears,
anything to keep us from facing the fact...

... we are scared shiftless.

Recently, I was talking myself out of going to USA Cycling's MTB Marathon Nationals...

• It's so far away.
• I hate flying (I really do)
• Work is so busy that time of year
• It's gonna cost a ton
• ... on an on.

... What a freakin' baby (I'd say pussy but I know that offends a lot of people, but that's what I was thinking.  What a freakin' pussy to come up with all these excuses when it's been on my bucket list for years to go and to win.)

You know the difference between an A race and a B and a C?

Courage.

Because we don't know how we're gonna do it.
We've never done it.
It's impossible.

There is a secret, however.

It starts with Registration.

Just because we can't fathom the outcome we want to achieve,
doesn't mean it's unachievable.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer

If you've read my book, which apparently I need to read again for a kick in the bibs... 

... then you know Registration is where the magic begins.

And, until that happens we are only fooling ourselves.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer

---

165.8
8.2 hrs 
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery  
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

ON THE VERY FIRST BABY CLIMB, I suspected I was in trouble. 2 hours later, when riders from all parts met up, I received confirmation... 

Bro, you're overtrained.

I was shot right out the back 2/3s up a power climb...

... the lonely ride of shame ensued.

Dangit!

I knew it'd be risky, this little plan o' mine to put in a big training block during our racing break in order to up my fitness a bit.

5 out of 8 days, hitting it hard...

Saturday
Sunday off
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday exhausted, skipped the ride
Friday, very easy
Saturday

... plus weights, Mon-Wed and Fri.

Now, what to do in the next 72 hours?

• Get plenty of sleep - I've struggled a bit lately by adding an early morning commitment, but I think my rhythm is coming around.
• Hypvolt and stretch daily.
• Recovery walk tomorrow.
• Monk-like on the diet.
• Easy spin Monday...

... with any luck, I'll feel better.

We have 4 races left.

My plan, going forward, is back to back hard days with race Tuesday, hard MTB Wednesday...

... then lots of zone 2.

Ideally, the last 3 races I'll be feeling really good.

We'll see.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

At least I was looking good with these superlight gloves to match my kit above...

... we have lots of colors and did you know...

... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?

Nothing like matching gloves to make the kit look slick.

Note:  be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

163.9
6.8 hrs (no bueno)
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

WAS I REALLY GOING 24 MPH on my gravel bike, with underinflated tires and a heart rate of 114 bpm?  It sure felt good, plus the sun had finally broken through after a month of May Gray...

... and, it dawned on me.

Everything is easier with a tail wind.

Except for one thing.

And, that can be a problem.

The tail wind speeds everyone up.  Suddenly wind is not an issue, and the most powerful riders, if allowed to breakaway, can be nearly impossible to catch.

But, what if we had our won personal tailwind?
Wouldn't that be grand?

Some of us do.
And you can, too.

For a coupla bucks you can have a home gym,
and in 20-30 minutes knock out enough work to make a lot more watts.

Normally, I'd point you to the RaceDay Ready Challenge right here, where I unveil all the strategies I use...

... to Rip On RaceDay.

But, I'm not gunna.
I can't.

Hundreds and hundreds have started the challenge, but failed to make it.

That's on me.
And, it makes me sad.

I really do want you to have your best days ever...

... so, I'm revamping the program.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

So, allow me to  point out that these supersexy, superlight race gloves are amazing...

... light and airy enough to wear ih the hottest temperatures.

Plus... there's a deal going on...

... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?

You know how cool these are gonna be on the 4th!

Note:  be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

163.6
7.5 hrs 
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery  
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE TO EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN, which our bodies need to repair and maintain muscles.  With all our efforts to be fueled for the ride, it's easy to skip or skimp on...

... whatever your thoughts on how much protein you need.

The studies can be startling.

A study showed the young really don't need any protein because their bodies manufacture their own supply, while aging athletes need more because their bodies can't utilize it as efficiently.

What are we supposed to do?

Me, I have a goal to eat a gram of protein for every pound I weigh.

To stay on track and make it easy I try and knock most or all of my protein consumption prior to dinner...

... then, I can eat whatever the family, friends or I want to eat.

There are bonuses to this program:

• Your full all the time
• Not consuming a bunch of unneeded calories

I created a journal my protein consumption, the rest is a focus on eating "clean". 

For example, here's today's entry...

6/1

30 Kodiak waffles
7 Bacon
7 Cheese
22 Sardines
12 Rx Bar
25 Kachava Shake
50 Poke (dinner)
36 Greek yogurt (dessert)

... a little over gram/pound of my body weight.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

Good thing the Superlight Race Gloves...

... provide such a powerful connection to my bars.

Did you know...

... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?

I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.

Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.

Note:  be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

165.6
7.8 hrs 
0 cross training
20 minutes recovery  
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE DRTY WDNSDY RIDE is one of my favorites.  We meet at the corner, chase each other up the climbs, search out new and challenging downhills...

... what could be better?

The Assassin had gone to the front, and as the trail got a lot steeper, the pace stayed the same... 

... I was afraid to look back.

If I looked back and saw The Gentlemen gapped off,
I'd probably drop anchor myself.

If I looked back and he was on my wheel,
I'd press on and blow up before the top.

Now, why do we do these rides?

Adventure, for sure.
Chance at coming home bloodied, that too.

But, there's something else.
Something bigger.

We're all training for A races in a couple of months.  What we are doing now, is laying down the foundation:

• Lots of saddle time
• Riding trails much harder than we'll race

The Great Alex Hormozi shared a great and applicable story we can apply to base training.:

Two men set out to build a building.

One lays the foundation for a 10-story building and finishes the entire building in nine months.

The other lays the foundation for a 100-story building and it takes him the entire nine months just to build the first few floors.

The first “being ahead” mocks the second for taking so long. He decides he wants to build his building into a 100-story building to prove how good of a builder he is. So he tries to add stories on top. He gets to 15-16 stories and then the foundation begins to crack. He starts reinforcing things. But no matter what, he feels he can’t put anymore on top.

Over time, the second guy keeps building and passes the first man. Two years later the second man completes his 100-story building despite barely having his foundation finished by the time the first man finishes his entire building.

The first man, goes to a mentor to ask his advice on growing his building taller. The mentor tells him “you need to tear down this building or start another one new”

He says “and waste all the time I spent building this one? Can’t I just add it on top if I just knew how?”

The mentor replies “there’s a lesson here: The fastest way to build a 10-story building isn’t the fastest way to a 100-story building. Your desire to grow fast ruined your ability to grow big.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

All of us had on the Superlight Race Gloves...

... with the perforated palms, real leather and device friendly thread.

Did you know...

... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?

I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.

Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.

Note:  be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

166.1
7 hrs (not enough, trying to shift my sleep pattern)
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery  
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THERE I WAS, MOVING QUICKLY UP A STEEP CLIMB through a local neighborhood.  The bottom far below and the top nowhere in sight, when a lovely lady said...

... Wow, you make that look easy.

I smiled back and wished her well.
She wasn't flirting with me, I don't think.

But, her assessment wasn't quite accurate.

What she couldn't appreciate was the miles I've logged,
the discipline I've learned to exercise,
the wonderful feelings in my body,
the challenges I've faced,
the skills I've developed.

I wasn't making it look easy...

... I was making it look enjoyable, pleasurable.

And that is all the difference,
why I'm endlessly fascinated with this sport.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

I was wearing these superlight gloves...

... with the perforated palms, real leather and device friendly thread.

Did you know...

... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?

I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.

Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.

Note:  be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

166.6 
7.7 hrs
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

WHAT COULD GO WRONG WHEN YOUR PAL, who is already faster, invites you for an easy and lazy holiday spin?  Nothing, unless he's noticeably lighter and says...

... We're just gonna cruise up a few hills.

To start, we did something I reallyreallyreally didn't want to do first

Nyes Place.
20% grade.
So steep when the homes were constructed cement trucks were mandated to carry half loads.

I PR'd Nyes, and that was just the beginning of the magic.

Let me tell you how weird this was. 

I'd already done the full Cowboy Strong Circuit, plus my legs were still feeling fatigued from Saturday's 80 mile adventure.

Strangely, probably because everybody dropped me on Neyes, I rode that sunnuva climb faster than ever before. I'd only been up it a few times, but still.

Then, I PR'd 2 of the next 3 steep climbs, and got a 3rd fastest on the 2nd of the 4 climbs.

It was just so strange because the remaining 3 climbs seemed so much easier than they ever had before.

Yes, I was huffing and puffing.
Yes, it was a high threshold, nearly anaerobic effort.
Yes, we were regrouping and actually cruising from climb to climb.

But, how could that be?
All these PRs when I'm a lot older?

Maybe the cross training got my muscles firing?  
I remember the hearing of the Lakers, in the glory days, hitting the weights before the game.

Maybe it was the nice 45 minute warm up ride over to the climbs?
I do appreciate a good warm up more and more.

Maybe it was the perfect, 60ish degrees and misting.

Maybe it was just physics?
I hadn't done any of these climbs since before I got back into racing and dropped at least 10 pounds.

Maybe it was fitness?
I'm just a lot more committed and fit than I was when Strava first came out.

Maybe it was the bike?
My current road bike is super legit, much more than the bikes I rode for fitness and getting road miles in.

Maybe it was chasing my very fast friends?
There really isn't anything like seeing someone else ahead and tapping into the mental magnet to get pulled along.

It coulda been any one of those, all of those, or some combination.  

But, I reallyreallyreally think riding the beast that is Nyes first...

... made everything else seem a whole easier.

Maybe there is something to the Rubber Arm Experiment: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdxlT68ygt8

---

166.6
7.5 hrs
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE BIKES WENT FLYING EVERYWHERE.  It was a spectacular finish line crash, but I suspect that was nothing compared to the pain felt yesterday...

... which must have been overwhelming.

So, what do we do when we're really banged up?

If you watched the last, incredible stage of the Giro today you might have missed it.

• Not the crash
• Not G Thomas' massive pull
• Not Cav's insanely dominant sprint

A couple of kilometers out, I saw something none of the pundits caught.

Did you?

Geraint Thomas began the healing process from what had to be a supremely bitter and painful loss...

... by helping a friend in need.

Go back and watch it.

He' not paid to pull Cav's lead out man, LL Sanchez, but he pulls along side and says Get on my wheel.

Then, Thomas strings out the race at just the right moment, keeping the pace extremely high and making all the other sprinters work very hard to get into position while Cav is cruising in the perfect position.

With 1k to go, the other sprint teams' momentum carries them around Cav and he's perfectly slotted in 10 guys back on the wheel of the guy rocking the Sprinter's jersey.

It couldn't be better,
it wouldn't have been better if Thomas hadn't done a very good deed.

THERE'S A LOCAL RIDE I'VE DONE A THOUSAND TIMES, which is why I don't do it that much of late.  We hit it today because my pal TimmyV texted up...

... I'm outta shape and need a hard ride.

Perfect, CV is a ride he knows well and knows how to get home.

A mile from home, I realized my front derailer was dead.  Same as yesterday, only this time I'd charged the battery...

... good thing there's lots of vert, little flat riding.

We picked up Charlie and met about 30 fire breathers, soon we'd be feelin' that burnin' he'd been yearnin' for.

The first little pitch I stretched my legs, looked back and saw a gap.

Hmmm.  

I pressed on, made a light they missed.

I coulda waited, but I was really wanting to ride hard and the group didn't seem that interested.

After 8ish minutes, I eased up and waited and waited and waited...

... they were missing all the lights before the canyon.

We all dropped down the corkscrew, leanin' hard and singin' brake pads, pouring out onto the downhill run before blasting up the other side of the canyon.

I was about 7 guys back.
The pace was heating up, finally.

With zero warning, we hit a road closure.  Stopped.  Trees down.  Turned around.

This is where it got fun.

Paralleling the road is a paved stretch through a campground, which turns to dirt for the final 1/2 mile or so.

Surprisingly, only a few of us knew the route.
A few roadies, balked and bailed out.
The rest loved the detour.

Back on the climb up the canyon, things got going again.  It felt so good to be sweating, hearing my heavybreathing, watching the leaders ride away over the top...

... reeling them back in by the 120 degree turn at the bottom,
and hanging on.

Ryan, Chase and I opted for the extra credit, 20% pitch over the very top before regrouping with the rest.

Tim's text came through,
I'm done.
Fried.

I'm glad he got me out, 
I'm glad I kept going with only the small chain ring.

It was good to see the friends,
good to get pushed hard,
good to test the legs.

When I got home, I saw the most amazing thing...

... the mark of a winner.

Primoz Rogic dropped his chain, 
remained calm and put it back on.

Didn't freak out.
Didn't get emotional.
Didn't give up and quit.

That's focus.

---

166
8ish hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THERE IS A BIG PRICE TO BE PAID when we have a true A race.  It's not the entry fee, the bike upgrades, travel, lodging, food, time off work, time away from family...

... it's a lot more than that.

This is what makes it so hard, and why so many of us fail to accomplish that big A race goal.

The price we must pay is...

... saying NO! to every other race and event and thing we also want to do.

Sure, we'll do other races.  Go for PRs.  Race our friends to the City Limit signs all year long.

As the great Derek Sivers says in Anything You Want...

... If it ain't Hellyeah! then it's No.

Trust me, I'm battling like hell with this right now.  

I had my A week back in March,
that fitness carried through to an exceptional April,
and now we are halfway through a weekly MTB series and it's been a real battle.

I'm burned,
My body is burned,
My MTB is even burned.

But, that competitive bug has bitten and I'm sick with a desire to see if I can manufacture some fitness for the last 4 races...

... then, I'll take a break before building for the next A race.

This could be really dumb and back fire.

If you love racing, which I'm guessing you do since you are reading this post...

... it's one thing to know you need a break, another to take it.

It actually takes courage,

and faith.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023

Thanks to Neal F for the photo above...

... it's a progress shot from his 10-Week Challenge, so rad.

(photo credit RVAHUB)

---

165.6
8ish hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I RAN INTO A FRIEND OF MINE who asked if I was going back to Leadville this summer.  He said he needed to go back because he'd had a major mishap...

... and couldn't let that be his last attempt.

Who wants to end on a low?

Not him.
Not us.

We want to go out on top, whatever that top is.

Here's the weird thing though...

... few of our family and friends can relate to what we want to accomplish.

That's actually not that weird, because our standards are so insanely far above the average adult.

What's weird is the reactions of these friends and family.  
The questions they ask, the looks on their faces.
They just don't get it.

I told him I wasn't going back that I needed a break, it's a massive commitment.

You going back?

For sure, can't let last year's flop be my last.

That's cool, I'm stoked you're taking it on again.

I knew you'd understand.

For sure.

It's gotten to the point where I rarely share these adventures and quests because nobody gets it.

I'm right there with you.  We do these epic challenges just because we want to, it's our thing.

You know what else?

There's a lesson there, one we all know but...

... might not recognize.

At least I didn't recognize it until recently.

Wanting things magical.  Simply wanting something a lot opens up the pathway to making it possible.  In our case...

... the training, knowledge and plan.

It all starts by simply wanting to do it, regardless of what everybody else thinks.

We gotta want it.

 ---

165
7ish hrs
Minimal cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE THORN JAMMED IN MY THIRD KNUCKLE wasn't bothering me at all during my ride.  I could feel it catch as I slid my glove off, which was no big deal.  Then I knocked against the counter...

... yeah, I felt that real good.

It was a reminder of how great the day had been.

I'd gotten up early.
Done my morning reading and writing.
Followed by a quick session of cross training.
I settled in at my desk and knocked out some good work.
And finished the day riding single track trails with The Gentleman.

It's amazing how quickly things can be accomplished when the habits are in place.

James Clear, in Atomic Habits, says...

... If you want to do 50 pushups start by doing 5.

Naval Revekant says...

... At the end of the day, we are the combination of our habits and the people we spend the most time with.

To which I'll add...

... If you want to rip on raceday, start riding with purpose and meeting up with faster riders.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

Did I mention, I'm relaunching this and the price is going up?  Join now, and get the current price.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

 ---

165
7ish hrs
1 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE ANNOUNCER RAN DOWN THE LIST OF CATEGORY LEADERS, while I unloaded the van.. A few of my friend's names, and of course my frenemy's name...

... stuck out the most.

This is the 4th week of our 8-week series.
Only 6 count.
It's on.

At this point, everybody who has a chance at the series championship has raced at least once.  The leaders have all raced 3 races...

... but not everybody has.

And those who have can still toss out 2 races.

In other words, now the fun begins.

My frenemy, Bob, got a coach this year.  My coach!  Damnit!!... 

... maybe I should get back on a formal training plan.

I probably should.
I might.

My A race is still months off...

... I got time.

For now, it's time to see how the weekly MTB race season unfolds.  We've had 2 different race winners and a lot of jumbling in the placings.

Each week is gonna have some drama.

The closer we get to race 8, the more the bars will be banging.

---

By the way, how rad was today's final climb of the Giro?!.  They only have a few more days of hard climbing...

... it's gonna be epic.

Nobody wants to leave it for the last hilly time trial.

Too risky.

But, sometimes fate has it's say and we just might get down the last day or two with seconds still remaining between the leaders.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

Can't wait to check in with the club.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

 ---

164.5
7ish hrs
0 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE FIRST CRIT SERIES I EVER DID made all the difference in the world.  Not because it was well run, or fancy, or challenging, or had any fans at all...

... it was the opposite.

The amount of blood I shed on the second race still stains my memory.

Who would go back to that week after week?

Me.

Here's why.

The race was put on by the college ski coach, to help his athletes stay in shape. They raced the B race.  The actually racers did the A...

... newbs like me the C.

Like all asphalt-roots crits, this one was staged in an out of the way place...

... the giant, aging football stadium parking lot.

It was more packed gravel than pavement in spots, particularly the the turn I slid out in.

I didn't care.

Only 10 guys lined up.
None of us knew what we were doing.
Most of us placed, and occasionally won on a hot summer night.

I was hooked.

I hadn't won anything sporty to speak of since grade school...

... I was a very, very, very late bloomer.

Finally, I'd bloomed and found something I was good at.

But, what if first race was a legit California crit as a Cat IV?  
150+ racers on the line was common back then.
The speeds seemed insane.

It's hard to imagine surviving a few laps.

Nope, I needed Bobby Bills and his girlfriend telling us to Go!,
Holding their silly posters with laps remaining,
The ensuing squabble over who won.

No photos or video,
No race numbers on our back,
No friends or family or spectators of any sort.

A handful of athletes...

... tasting victory for the very first time.

That's often all it takes to find a whole new world of adventure and the pursuit of personal excellence.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

 ---

165.9
7.5 hrs
1 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS YOU TO RIP ON RACEDAY, there are a whole lotta people pulling for you.  But, sometimes it feels like we're...

... grinding up hill with a headwind.

Why?

Because we aren't using our calendars properly.

We have 'em.
Sometimes fill 'em out.
Completely neglect the most important parts.

Here's how I do it, and it's improved every relationship I have and given me superior support on my A race...

• Pencil in the A race, the sooner the better.
• Show it to your important relationships - family and work for sure.
• Add the the family and work dates in pen to your calendar.

... then go back and fill in your A race in pen - I like a fat, red Sharpie.

Share your calendar with all that matter, often.

Here's how to screw it up...

• don't share the A race until it's a few weeks or months away
• don't consider other events your supporters deem important
• only have your A race on the calendar

Can I share a little story?

Here's how I set up my A race in 2022.

• I put it on the calendar 3 years out.
• I blocked out time to take Surfergirl on a surf trip to Mexico months prior to my A race.
• I made sure to get to every family and work event I could.

You know how you want your loved ones and friends to crush it at their thing?

They want the same for you...

... the calendar and caption above are a perfect example.

Pro tip:  check out their calendar, figure out a way to be there for them.

Bonus:  if your calendar and goals aren't freaking you out, raise your standards.  A lot.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

I'm in the process of dramatically upgrading the accountability club.  

The price is also going to increase.  

Those who join prior to the upgrade will be grandfathered in.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability 

---

164.8
8+ hrs terrible tossing and turning, too excited?
No cross training
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

MY PLAN WAS TO MAKE THE RIDE HARD.  When I found the Gambler and the Hulk loading up on caffeine at the corner bakery ...

... my little heart skipped a beat.

Then 1 X Beard, Captain Smith, along with the regulars and some cat named Nico pulled up.

Hellyeah!

This was gonna give me a real read on my new favorite segment.

... how fast can we do it?

Like the young buck I'm not, I started firing.  At Jeffery and Alton, The Hulk hit it so hard, only 1 X Beard and I latched on, trying to get through the next light about a half mile away...

... so began the synchronized sprinting.

We barely missed it.

Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!

Over the freeway, 
through the first round about,
1 X Beard, Hulk and I were swinging.

Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!

Up a little hill,
through the second, faster roundabout.

The three of us are gone again.

Charging to make every light we can,
pulling through hard...

... I gotta skip a pull.

Okay.

These guys are a little bigger, and I hung on over the freeway which felt like an alp.

Rotating,
Pulling.

Red light!
The Gambler and Nico catch.
Green light!

The next climb up Tesla...

... my batteries are shot.

Hulk, 1 x Beard
gone.

Nico
in between.

Gambler,
on my wheel.

It hurts so flipping bad.
What should be a 2.3 minute power climb,
ends up being a too dang close to 3 minutes.

We catch Nico.

Quick rotations.

Somehow, the idiot who wanted to make the ride hard,
the fool who thought he was a young buck,
pulled to the next short climb.

We're closing.

All 3 of us out of the saddle.
One of us off the back.

Dadgummit!

There's a shortcut.
I scoff and chase onward.

On Church Hill
i can see 'em.

Then I see the shortcutters.

All together over the top for the long, long drop to the coast.

Captain Smith waits,
friends!

We pedal like hell.

There are lights coming up.

Synchronized sprinting?

No luck.

But, we are making the lights too...

... at the last light before the 4ish miles to Laguna, we catch.

Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!

We're in the mid-30s, rotating strong.

This is just what I had hoped for.

Captain Smith and I head South,
they head North.

Only 3 miles and 1000' to go...

... For The Burrito!

It took us 1:07.
Can we break an hour?
First person who does, the burrito is on me.

---

163.6
6.8 hrs terrible tossing and turning, too excited?
Just PushUps and PullUps and a few Squats today.
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

LAST NIGHT'S PODCAST WAS A GOOD ONE.  My scheduled guest had to bail due to emergency surgery.  Luckily I had a PRO MTB racer...

... and he had a very clear lesson.

The thing about the podcast interviews is they always bring something neither of us were thinking of to the surface.

This dude is a total stud.

• Outstanding husband and father of 3
• 2-Time winner of Leadville
• National MTB Champion
• Founder of Rouleur Development

2 things stuck in my mind, which you might relate to.

• His 20-year quest to qualify for MTB Worlds
• Obliterating a difficult PR

I knew he'd represented the US at MTB Worlds in Switzerland.  What I didn't know was that as a Junior, age 17, he was half a point away from going to Worlds...

... how heartbreaking would that be?

Someone would quit.
Many do.

At 40, he was in the best shape of his life.  One a bunch of races, got the points and fulfilled his dream to carry our flag on the world stage.

His son is now beating him, and his next quest is to hang on to his pro status so...

... they can race pro together.

In the meantime, he's taken up Hard Enduro motorcycle racing.  If you don't know what that is, it is by far the most difficult and challenging offroad racing on the planet: https://youtu.be/pD5qc9aAB4w

2 years ago, when he got into the sport, he found a terrible 1 mile climb.  It took him and a buddy 2 hours to get to the top...

... this week he did it in under 7 minutes!

Bryson, how did you do that?

Well... the same way I won Leadville and went to World's, I kept at it.

Anything else?

I entered and trained for 5 Hard Enduros.

That's it?

I also found a new group of people to ride with that taught me so much I could never learn on my own.

Sound familiar?

• Practice
• Enter hard races
• Ride with better riders

That's Bryson Perry's raceday ripping, pr crushing formula.

Here's the link to the actual podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raceday-ready-with-todd-b

---

164.6
8.2 hrs
Just PushUps and PullUps today.
20 minutes recovery  
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

BECAUSE MY 10-WEEK CHALLENGE has been incredibly successful in terms of downloads and attempts and an...

... utter failure at people finishing...

... I'm going to do a 5-Day Challenge.

To get the name right, I texted 60 or so of my friends a question:

Which is more compelling: Crush Your PRs or Rip On RaceDay?

The answers were almost a 50/50 split, with a slight lean towards Rip On RaceDay.

Of those, 50% were a quick answer and 50% quite thoughtful.

Some people had a lot to say, but I think the winner was Cameron Hoffman...

... Crush your PRs is worn out.

Before you tell me what matters more to you, and I do hope you'll reply and let me know... 

... here are my thoughts.

PRs are such a good measure for our personal progress and readiness for racing.  In a world of tailwind assits, ebikes, and questionable supplement choices it can be hard to win a race or snag a KOM segment.  Only we know if it's a legit PR.

Winning is not the goal of racing for me.  Yes, I definitely like to win and place well and climb the podium.  But, if I didn't have to go all out because I registered in an unchallenging category or few if any participated it can be a truly hollow victory.

Ripping On RaceDay is the win for me.  Making a plan, working out the details and through the many challenges, arriving at the start line absolutely ready to rip and then racing hard start to finish...

... that is what compels me the most.

As I'm writing this, my former t-shirt biz partner, Damion Hickman, votes for PRs with this...

... #PRCRUSHER.

Now I'm swayed right back to Crushing PRs because that sounds so cool...

... we'll have to make that tshirt.

Maybe we gotta go Johnny Cash at this point...

... PR Crushing, RaceDay Ripping, Sunuvagun!

How about you?

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project

One of the most fun things I do is create a custom kit for the biggest A races.  It's such a fun process.  That jersey up at the top is one I'm working on for Nationals. I added a fiery look, because I want to be on fire for that race.

Did you know we have No MInimums for custom orders, and the designs are free?

Crazy, I know...

... but, I'm crazy about helping you Rip and Crush!

Creating custom gear is the best gift you will ever give your...

... PR Crushing, RaceDay Ripping Self.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project

---

165.4
8 hrs
Just PushUps and PullUps today.
20 minutes recovery  
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

MY GLOVES TOLD THE ENTIRE STORY.  Once white and pristine, they were now covered with the stains of battle...

... will they ever be the same?

My shins and forearms weren't much better.  A thousand little tears received as...

... we tore through the wildly overgrown trails.

Thistles and nettles pricking and stinging.

This is real.
Physical.
Fun.

The blood and weed stains are the proof we are alive and well.  Screw the encroaching digital world...

... and its isolation and safety.

We want adventure,
and challenge,
and danger.

We need this,
it bonds us together,
strengthens our humanity.

The best part is we are fit enough to love it!

MY GLOVES TOLD THE ENTIRE STORY.  Once white and pristine, they were now covered with the stains of battle...

... will they ever be the same?

My shins and forearms weren't much better.  A thousand little tears received as...

... we tore through the wildly overgrown trails.

Thistles and nettles pricking and stinging.

This is real.
Physical.
Fun.

The blood and weed stains are the proof we are alive and well.  Screw the encroaching digital world...

... and its isolation and safety.

We want adventure,
and challenge,
and danger.

We need this,
it bonds us together,
strengthens our humanity.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

Good thing we have a Buy One Pair Get One Pair glove offer going...

... those little stitches across the forefinger are heat sensitive so we can operate our devices with gloves on.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

RACED THE BEATER TONIGHT.  It was rough.  According to Starva, I worked significantly harder than previous two races.  According to the race results...

... I got smoked, again.

This is going to be a fun nut to try to crack.

There are 5 more races.
5 more chances to figure out what the heck is going on.
5 more weeks to get my race bike back in racing condition.

But, I really don't think it's the bike.

The guys are all riding really well.

We had two new guys show up this week, and the Coxy, who's been beating us, skipped.

Emilio won. For those of you keeping score at home, Emilio is my pal who I desperately managed to hold off for 2nd at the state road race last month.

Look at his lap times.

That's crazy, right!...

... how did he dose his effort so perfectly?

Compare that to mine.

 Clearly, I cracked on the 2nd lap.

I passed 4th place on the first lap, then he passed me back and put a minute and half into me.  Had to cheer him on...

... he's also named Todd.

What am I gonna do between this week and next?

• Order the parts to fix the race bike, but doubt they'll get here in time.
• Try and drop some of the extra pounds I'm carrying.
• Get in one more hard ride Saturday.
• Recover, recover, recover.

Anything else?

• See what moving parts can be improved on the beater.
• Maybe throw on some new tires.

Is that it?

• I'm tempted to cut out the daily cross training for the remaining weeks.

---

165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

TOMORROW IS GONNA BE INTERESTING.  I'll be doing the local race on the bike I spend the most time on...

... I consider it my beater.

Not only do I do most of my training on it,
but I loan it out when someone comes to visit,
and, I haven't done a lick of maintenance on it in months.

Why do I ride it the most?

Because it's oldish, 
identical fit to my race bike,
and ridiculously reliable day after day.

Why race it?

Well, the race bike's suspension is wonky and in need of love.

Here's the interesting thing though.

Is the ol' bike really a beater or have I just treated it like one?

In its day it was top of the top,
lots of carbon and tech,
super light.

It's lighter than my current race bike,
shifts as good as or better than the electric stuff,
and has a fork that is so plush I still giggle when it gets rough.

Ya know what I'm gonna have to do, right?

Convince myself this is fastest dern bike I own.

Which reminds me about the second chapter in my book, The Way of The Racer...

... All You Can Do.

All we can do is enough...

... not a haul pass to complain or make excuses.

---

165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

WHETHER MY NEXT A RACE IS IN 6 MONTHS OR 6 YEARS, this is my maintenance mode.  It's tried and true...

... and might be good for you.

Because here's the deal.

We can't race all the time.
Can't be always on.
Gotta rest.

Here's my formula for successful maintenance:

• Know what the next A race, or could be.
• Ride hard twice a week.
• Do other stuff.

Knowing what the next A race, however far off, is a powerful motivator to maintain our good habits we practice when we really want to preform well.

We might drift off course from time to time,
but we always come back because that big challenge is out there.

Riding hard twice a week is simple enough in concept.  It can be difficult to do alone.  The best way I've found is to have a group to ride with on those big effort days.

For sure somebody in that group has an upcoming A race,
and their energy will get us to regularly push ourselves.

There are lots of other activities I enjoy that compliment riding and racing. Most of them involve family and friends, and it's great to connect more often and deeply than I might when living the A race life.

During maintenance mode the ride time often fluctuates wildly.  Long days when there's time, short days or skipping days when time is short.  Often, it's just a matter of taking a mental break that necessitates this...

... lack of a regimen.

I've gone years between A races, but I've always had something big out there...

... haunting me to stay fit and healthy.

When is your next A race/event/challenge?
Who is pushing you twice a week?
What can you add?

---

164.9
8.5 hrs
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 

SHOULD WE BOW TO THE CLIMBING GODS on bended knee, or just admit they've broken our legs and will to ride, with ease?  Like we have a choice!...

... when it gets truly steep.

To honor the Giro, some of the pitches I battled on a stair-stepping climb today were 24%.

On a stunning 1.3 mile ascent, my pace was pathetic compared to our local pro young Kevin, who rides for DSM.

• He averaged 10.9 mph
• Me, 6.9 mph
• Him 7:34
• Me 11:54

I was well off my PR from 4 years ago, 8.9 mph and 9:14.

Which is great news.

Why?

Because today's route was beautiful and extremely satisfying in every way.

Here's the link: https://www.strava.com/activities/9065838378/segments/3092547893762368880

It had everything...

• Nice warm up
• Some spirited group riding
• 3 Epic climbs

... and the best breakfast burrito I've ever had.  Kudos to High Tide for upping their burrito game.

Now I have something to work on for the next few months.

• Dropping my times on the 3 big climbs

That's gonna be really fun to work on.

I'm not sure I'll PR any of them...

• The first one I PRd on a group ride 4 years ago.  It's fast enough to make drafting matter.
• The second one I hit after the spirited group ride portion, 2.5 hours in, and PRd 4 years ago.
• The third one... see previous 2, I did PR it today but I've only been up it 3 times as it's a recent discovery.

... I won't ever be a climbing god,
but, I'll definitely be idolizing their gifts to ascend.

---

Time to commit to the RaceDay Ready regimen.

---

165.6
7 hrs
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 

YES, I WEIGH MYSELF DAILY.  I have for years, and I record it as well.  It's such a great way for immediate feedback on what was consumed the day before...

... however, there is a problem.

Weight isn't everything.

Yes, I need to shed all the ballast if I'm going to climb well. 

My body always changes, when I gain control of my mouth and truly live by RaceDay Ready.

But, lately my weight is up a bit.

Should I care?

Maybe.

If my body fat is up, then yes.

If it's not, or if it's lower, then probably not.

How to know the difference?

There's the simplistic Do these pants make me look fat? test.

It's simple.

I put on the skinny jeans and if there's a muffin top, we gotta problem.

If the waist is same or looser then it probably means I put on muscle.

Another home test is using a scale that measures body fat. 

Generally, they are consistently inaccurate. Meaning I don't think the percentage shown would match up with a legit pro body composition measurement, but I do think it's consistent.  While it might say 18%, like today, which I think is high, I think it will be consistently high as long as I...

• weigh myself first thing each morning
• drink about the same amount of liquid each day

... then I can use it to track progress.

Capeesh?

So, do I care I'm up a bit.

Yes, on the surface it bugs me.

That said, I am on a very long-term goal 9 years out.  My goal is to be as strong then as I am now.  To do that, I'll probably put on more muscle than I'd normally carry because of all the additional strength work I've added to my regimen.

Also,
the skinny jeans are looking good
and the arm sleeves are fitting tight.

Nothing wrong with that.

---

165.1
8 hrs
1 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 

FOR ALL OUR HUBRIS OF BEING THE BEST OF THIS OR THAT, it really just comes down to our peloton...

... who we ride with matters.

We can choose the peloton,
we not the effects.

We've all been on a blistering group ride, traveling the same route we have ridden either alone or with a different group...

... and blown away our PRs.

Keep riding with the those cats and we often go from hanging on,
to regularly pulling through,
to winning the sprint.

The peloton's speed and effects aren't accidental,
riding with them is a choice.

Choose wisely.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dirt-dad-fund-store

The picture above is from the DIRT Dad Fund.

Dads
Indoors
Riding
Trainers

These dads Zwift together all year long...

... that's their peloton to stay in shape.

20% of every purchase goes directly to the fund to help the less fortunate members of the peloton.

Click the image to check out some of their gear.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dirt-dad-fund-store

---

164.6
8 hrs
.5 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 

GOT MY LYCRA HANDED TO ME LAST NIGHT.  The  course was nearly identical to the week before, Strava says my little ol' heart was ticking harder than last week's race...

... so, like any fool, I checked to see if my brakes were rubbing!

I mean jeeeeez... my splits were slower, and I was 3 min behind the winner and 2 min behind guys I'd battled the week before.

Whattheheck happened?

The weather was perfect for racing, overcast and cool.  Same as week before.

There's a ton of data to dig through on Strava and other places...

• Freshness/Fitness
• Training time
• Effort distribution
• Weight
• Sleep
• Food
• Stress

... here goes:

Stress, I've had to decline some opportunities to give service and time lately and it was stressful to say no.

Food, I definitely cut my calories to get back to race weight last week... and skipping breakfast on raceay was a bozo nono.

Sleep, has been way off.  Getting a decent amount, but staying up too late.

Weight, I'm down 2 lbs from last week, maybe too much too fast.

Effort, last week, I went out Thursday and drilled it again then went long on Saturday.

Training time, last week was about double the hours from the week before but less than I was doing a year ago.

Fitness/Freshness, this is the biggie... and a big change from this time last year.

Monday 5/8/23 Fitness 108, Form 19
Monday 5/1/23 Fitness 108, Form 27
Monday 5/9/22 Fitness 127, Form -8

I was definitely in a better place a week ago than this week, and it showed.  

What is interesting to me is that my Fitness was quite a bit higher last year and my Form lower, but I was racing better

Let's see what happens in the coming weeks as I get back to last year's training during this series...

... hard race Tuesday,
long Zone 2 and 3 Saturday,
all the other days are Zone 1 and 2.

---

163.2
8 hrs
1 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 

I HAVE A HABIT OF SETTING STUPID GOALS.  There is a big difference between stupid and audacious, but sometimes I forget...

... how about you?

It's a problem for me.

And, I blame it on the bike.

Because I have set many audacious goals over the years and accomplished them it's easy to fall into a trap by simply neglecting two key differentiators.

• Believability
• Highly desirable

Without that, the goals are just stupid at best...

... defeating at worst.

Why do I blame the bike?

To be clear, the bike has helped in both stupid and audacious goal setting.

Specific audacious examples:

• Race Baja 500
• Get kids successfully into adulthood

Not only did I believe those goals were possible, I desperately wanted to see it through.

Now, for some stupid ones:

• Double sales in 12 months
• Purchase a remote vacation cabin

These weren't goals in my soul, they were more like goals I was supposed to go for...

... because of some book I read,
or magazine article,
or guru. 

Therefore, stupid...

... and doomed to failure.

Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with most goals.  Nor, do I think it's bad to set goals.  But, if we don't believe they are attainable and we don't really have  a burning desire...

... they are worthless, and in many cases defeating.

The filter for my goals is:

• Believability
• Highly desirable

---

162.6
7.5 hrs
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 

HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH MY FRIEND KENT TONIGHT, and boy was it enlightening and confirming.  He's a multi-time national champ...

... from high school right on up to the Senior Games.

Gold medals to prove it. 

Funny thing is we'd never compared training notes.

Probably because he's a world-class Volleyball Player and we didn't considered ourselves to have much in common...

... he had a 40" vertical leap, I had an okay sprint.

Anyway, we have a lot in common now.  

Not with sports, with age and how to preserve our health and be competitive.  

For reference, his team is comprised of an average age of 65, and they still compete in the 50's.

Legit.

Turns out we're doing almost the identical regimen.

• Lift weights daily
• Stretch daily
• Eat whole foods
• Stay away from bread and sugar
• Hypervolt and Hyperice

He probably stretches more than I do, and for sure he warms up more than I do...

... he's doing very explosive moves.

• Box jumps, on and off
• Playing tennis
• Running hard

Funny thing.

He got all geeked up when I told him about the sled.

You got a sled?

Yeah.

They're so expensive.

I know, but worth it for all the activation in my ankles.

Where do you do it?

Right on my street, confirms to my neighbors how weird I am.

Ok, I'm getting it.

Get this one from Freak Athlete.

I guess the moral of the story is this... 

• keep challenging yourself
• keep signing up for the races

... stay strong.

---

164.6
7 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
70 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

ROLLING INTO THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY and most of the SoCal racing is done or nearing done.  Road races, mostly done.  MTB races, winding down.  Gravel, kinda done...

... but there is a phenomenon.

The race series.

Some of the series are wrapping up, and some are just getting started.

One thing I've noticed, the race series seem to be doing pretty well.

• Lots of racers
• Lots of spectators.

From a business perspective, the various series going on seem to be taking a page out the the ski industries marketing book.

• Give 'em a deal
• Let 'em race a lot
• Take all their money

When that happens, there isn't a lot of energy or time or resources left to do other races.

I can see the series thing continuing to grow and the lone races continuing to shrink.

Is this a good thing?

I dunno.

Among the many positives is those who commit to do the entire series end up belonging to a community vs just doing a rando race.  I actually think this is really good.  We need to connect more, not less...

... not just the racers,
but the families and
the sponsors.

As athlete's, it's challenging to have an A series vs an A event.  

I was thinking about this while listening to the Giro commentators discussing whether or not Evenepoel came in to the first stage too hot and he'll fade in the 3rd week.  Or, will he build such a big lead it won't matter.  

We kinda get to face that challenge if it's a weekly series, not so much if we race on a monthly basis.

Either way, it's a challenge to figure how to stay fresh and still stay fast.

I like it.

Do you?

---

162.8
8 hrs
1 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 

COMMITTING TO ZONE 2 TRAINING HAS SOME LIMITATIONS AND BENEFITS.  For example, it's hard to find a training partner who's zone 2 will match up, which means...

... we have plenty of alone time.

How to use that wisely?

Personally, I use to listen to podcasts or books while spinning along.  

Not any more.

I prefer unplugged riding...

• My brain needs a rest
• Outside has many wonderful sounds
• All the better to hear any encroaching danger.

... because it reminds of the great Rocky IV training montage.

Not the wood chopping
running in snow
rock throwing.

Those scenes are epic, but for me it's what is going on inside Rocky's head.

While he's laying all the epic base strength...

... he's thinking.

How is he going to demolish Drago?

And, as the great Tony Robbins points out....

... the quality of the questions determine the quality of the answers.

Somewhere in all that crazy non-traditional and very raw prep Rocky finds his answer...

... maybe it's the scene where he chops down the giant tree?

That doesn't really matter.

What matters is what are we thinking about on these long Zone 2 rides?

---

164
7.75 hrs
0  Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

LAST NIGHT'S GROUP RIDE WAS NUTS.  I felt amazing.  Even though I'd had a tough MTB race 48 hours prior, even though I'd lifted weights every day this week...

... the legs were magic.

I was all geeked up about it on our Accountability call.

Gushing.

Finally, after 7 months of consistently working on 2 newish moves I was feeling the results.

•  The Sled 
• The Nordic

For sure I'm a lot stronger than when I started, but I think that's only part of the story.

Permit me to go bro-science on you...

... I think it's neuromuscular.

The entire pedal stroke is engaged and firing because, again bro-science, I've activated all the muscles and tendons.

• The Sled has done wonders for my ankles and really pushing through the bottom of the pedal stroke.
• The Nordic has done the same with the engagement of the hamstrings on the back of the stroke.

Adding those to moves to the squats, box jumps, calf raises and shin raises has made a huge difference in my seated power...

... which is exactly when you'd feel it, all out and hammering on a flattish ride.

The good news, the really good news, is that nearly everyone I share this with thinks I'm an idiot.  They think it's dumb to stress those muscles.  Foolish to lift 3-5 days a week, year round, except when tapering.  A waste of an investment...

... which means I've got a long runway before anybody catches on.

Bro-science...

... gotta love it.

---

Our pals at OverTheHump floated my a coupon code to save $5 for the race plate, use promo code PEDAL23.

---

163.2
7.75 hrs
1  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 

I HAD A DISTURBING CONVERSATION at the race this week.  It wasn't a troll, I get those.  It wasn't gossip, I hate those.  It was worse...

... it was resignation.

We've all been there, had our lycra handed to us one too many times and wanted to quit.

Said we'd quit.

Yet, here we are...

... still getting after it.

I did BWR and had a terrible race.

How bad?

Worst finish ever.

Hmmm...

And this is after hiring a coach and going all in.

Ok...

So, I fired the coach and I'm not going to do my other A race this year.

Yikes!

Can I buy you lunch and pick your brain?

Sure, if you drive to San Clemente and we go to Kawamata's.

So, what am I gonna tell him?

Because when I think about it, I already post all I'm doing here...

... and I've consolidated it all in the RaceDay Ready Challenge...

... and I have an accountability call that is a helluvalot more than a check in.

Should he have fired the coach?  

Maybe, maybe not.  

Hard to know.  

I think the right coach can be transformative.  At the same time, I think a lot of coaches are plugging numbers into an algorithm and regurgitating the output, and not much more. It's not necessarily their fault, it's what they are taught to do so they can make a living...

... a great coach makes a difference.

PS I'm not a coach. 

---

164
8 hrs
1  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 

IF WE'RE LUCKY, our competitors will be just a little faster and just a little slower.  Bonus if that happens on different parts of the same course.  Because then...

... we can get on the ultimate fitness train.

Last night at OverTheHump Race #1 was just such a race.  The proof is in the following convo...

I was just trying to hang on to you and gap TR.

Ha!  I was just trying to hang on to Coxy and gap you.

We weren't the only ones.  I could see battle ensuing all over the course.  Racers very evenly matched, pushing hard and trying get away and hang on.

What happens next?

We have a week to get better, and we're all thinking where we lost a bit and where we can gain a bit.

Me, I'm thinking I can make up the 22 seconds to the guy who finished ahead of me...

• I can drop a few lbs
• Carrying the loaded saddle pack was dumb.
• So was the full, tall water bottle
• Not to mention, lifting weights in the morning
• Or, the 2 hour ride the night before
• I can probably get some better sleep
• I could flip my training schedule and be more rested
• Maybe a better warm up would help

... and everybody else is guaranteed to be having similar discussions with themselves, their partners, their coaches, etc.

We're all slicing up the results, 
looking for slivers of speed,
a little over here,
a little there.

We usually race the same course 2 weeks i a row.  I hope that happens and the weather is about the same...

... we be cool to slice enough time off for a better finish.

---

164.5
7 hrs
1  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 

THERE A 3 EVILS WE ALL FACE.  Most of us would rather spend a few thousand on a better bicycle, hire a coach for a few hundy a month...

... than conquer the evils.

This is a fact.

In fact, it came up tonight at the races.

We were battling back and forth for quite a while.  The fun kind, bar to bar action.  My pal is extraordinarily powerful...

... he's also loaded down with too much ballast.

Dunlop's disease,
dunlopping over his bibs.

Bad for him,
good for me.

Post race went like this...

How much do you weigh?

165ish.

That's 20 lbs less than me.

That's a lot.

I've got to lose 10 lbs.

You'll be killing us all when you do.

Which brings up the 3 evils:

Sleep.  We need more.  When we get proper rest, the results are subtly better.  Enough to matter, not enough to remember to get to bed at a regular time.

Food.  We really are what we eat.  When we avoid spiking our insulin with sugary foods and drinks we feel great.  My simple rule is to eat whole foods as much as possible.

Strength.  We need to hit the weights, work the core, and stretch and massage.  The stretching and massaging is key to being able to hit the weights 3-5 days a week.

The struggle against these 3...

• Lack of sleep
• Cruddy food
• Skipping the weights

... is very real for me.

Fortunately, I've seen incredible results via RaceDay Ready.

The cost of discipline ain't money...

... but the results are pure gold.

---

165.5
7.5 hrs
1  Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
70 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

WE DON'T RIDE IN A TRUCK TO THE TOP OF HALEAKALA and coast down in moon suits.  We are hard pressed to do a 2 mile ride along the board walk... 

... and you can forget the amusement parks.

After you've conquered a climb to the top of a volcano and had a seat of your lycra bibs thrill descending on the very limits of your own skill...

... everything else is boring.

BORRRRRRing,

Pay good money to be cattle prod in a long line,
have no control of velocity or trajectory?

Heck no!

We pay with sweat,
burning lungs,
blood.

Risks,
catastrophes,
hours of preparation.

Some say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

We say the road to heaven is paved...

and steep
and rocky
and twisty
and flat
and fast
and slow
and windy
and oil
and abandoned
and rainy
and hot
and freezing
and broken
and friends
and enemies
and pot holes

... and full of adventure.

That's our jam.

It's hard
and challenging
and we wouldn't want it any other way.

---

166.5 (time to get serious)
8 hrs
2  Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery  
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I THINK WE'VE ALL HAD THE EXPERIENCE of being put in a box.  Maybe we put ourselves there, maybe it was a coach, or a friend...

... who observed we were good at X.

Usually it's backed up with our first win.

But, what if we won...

an XC race against terrible bike handlers?
a sprint against the plodding TTers?
a climb against track racers?

... was that worthy of confidence?

Maybe.

The only way to find out is so throw away the box,
try something new or different,
take a chance.

It's a no-lose proposition.

We might discover a hidden talent,
Confirm what we knew all along,
Or, pick up some new skills.

For example, a long time ago I built up a single-speed MTB.  Even though it was slower in almost every conceivable way, I actually became a better rider...

• smoother pedal stroke
• increased upper body strength

... totally worth it.

So much so, I'm thinking about building another one up.

---

165
9 hrs
0  Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
10 minutes recovery  
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

AT 2PM, THE SUN'S HEAT WAS cooking the desert floor.  Not a soul to be seen.  I knew how to get back to where I'd started, had a pretty good idea of the long way to my destination...

... and hoped the short cut wouldn't kill me.

I wasn't short on time, but lately I'd been...

... short on adventure.

The fact that things could go horribly wrong was why it had to be done,
choosing the safe route felt like failure,
risk taking was irresistible.

The heat might overpower me,
my sense of direction be completely wrong,
a mechanical failure would make for a helluva hike.

I went for it.

Soon enough, whooshing through the dips and drops, my chain sounded terrible.

Why didn't I lube it?

Something had to be wrong, the sound was much worse than dry links.

I stopped.

Sweat filled the bottom of my lens as I inspected the drive train.

Of all the things!

The culprit, a loose chain catcher, was causing the grinding sound.

I grabbed my multi-tool, and went to work.

So did the horseflies!

Swiping at them only seemed to signal for their friends to join in harassing me.

The fix, in this case, was removal of the catcher as quickly as possible so I could get moving.

Rolling into the small town felt fantastic,
I'd tempted fate,
and won.

---

165ish
7.5 hrs
0  Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
0 minutes recovery  
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

Podcast:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries