IF I COULD OVEREMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING WITH OTHERS, believe me I would.  I can't.  It's impossible.  I've tried.  But, there are still riders who insist they'll get better and improve by  Doing my intervals man! They're wrong...

... and I think they know it.

There's nothing better than rolling out with a group of riders with the goal of whooping up on each other, because nothing pushes us like chasing a rabbit and not being caught if we are the rabbit.

The challenge, of course, is getting the ride going if you can't find one.

There are 5 keys:

1. Start on time.
2. Leave from the same place.
3. Do NOT wait for anybody, ever, as a group.
4. Keep inviting.
5. Keep doing it.

The last two are the secret sauce.  It's not gonna happen over night.  It will take commitment and promotion.  Keep inviting everyone you meet and keep doing it.

We've started this new MTB Hot Laps on Wednesday nights.  It's still small, and we don't want it to get too big.  Max 20.  Tonight we had 8.

I know we'll get it where we want it.

I wonder how many other movements and traditions are started like this?

I bet you can name a few.

Just like I'll bet you'll go a lot faster if you lather up with PR Lotion.  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

And, I'll even wager you'll want to get in on this deal... which includes FREE Shipping

Purchase AMP PR Lotion by 4/9, and we'll include 2 of the Clearly Awesome water bottles.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

 ---

164.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5088257980

FOR SURE YOU DON'T WANT A TIGHT HEADSET.  It makes steering difficult and riding with no hands dangerous if not impossible.  But it doesn't stop there, because if you're a coy rider...

... it's really fun to mess with someone's head.

Would I ever do that?

In a race?

Well, yeah.  For sure.  Sometimes ya gotta dig deep...

... inside your opponent's helmetcovered head.

I think it was in some LeMond book where I read about faking tired when feeling good and it's equally sneaky twin faking good when feeling terrible.

Then there's faking like you don't know what you're doing so racers steer clear and don't pay you any attention.

It's endless really, however we were talking about some of our favorites last weekend and I shared one that can be really devastating.

Will I share it with you?

Sure... why not.  

We're friends.

It's this one, and it only works on a really long and miserable day.  The kind of day I might have this weekend.

Just imagine you're 80% into the race.  Conditions are very challenging.  Wind.  Dust.  Heat. 

It's just you and one other cat.

Trust me this works better than you'd think.

Hey, how are you feeling?

That's it.

Just leave it hanging.

No need to follow up.

That cat heard you and is thinking...

It's not like popping their tire.  It's more like a pin hole, and the air slowly starts to seep out.

Which is one reason I've switched completely to tubeless tires.  Because with tubeless tires and sealant no pin hole is gonna slow us down.  Glass and grit and rocks.  I laugh at them now.  Well, not totally... I just don't fear them like I did.

On the road, I'm loving the Pirelli P Zero SLs.

Gravel, the Pirelli Cinturato.

MTB, Continental Cross King up front and Race King on the rear.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-tires

We have a whole slew of tires in stock.

Use promo code TODDSTIRES

To save 20%... the code expires 4/8/21.

 ---

166.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.4 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5080277077

I PLAY WITH MY AIR PRESSURE CONSTANTLY.  I test low pressure vs high pressure, to try and figure out the optimum for the kinds of conditions I'll be racing on.  There's no easy answer...

... though the trend towards lower and lower pressure is winning me over.

But, you can go too low.  Even with the tubeless setups I'm riding, there's a point of negative returns.

The problem is there's only one way to find out if you've gone too low...

... and that is going to failure.

What kind of failure?

It ranges from burping to pinching to rolling.

Burping is landing so hard some of the air in your tire escapes. 

Pinching is hitting a sharp object so hard the tire gets pinched against the rim and tears.

Rolling is the worst.  That's where you land or corner so hard the tire rolls off the rim and a terrible crash ensues.

One friend burped his tire after overjumping a landing, missing the gentle slope and hitting the side of the berm that followed.

I pinched ripping over a section of mini tombstones.  

My was able to keep riding.  You can do that on a burp, but it slows you down until you put in more air.

I had to stop and jam a plug into the tear before filling the tire back up with CO2.

I'm not sure what pressure my friend was running, but I was down to 18lbs in the rear tire.  For me, over that harsh terrain, that was too low in my 2.2 MTB tires.

When doing this kind of testing we have to be very precise.  

Can't go on feel.  
Can't be using different pumps.

That's why I use a digital gauge.  And why that gauge is either by my floor pump or in my RaceDay Bag™.

It makes a difference.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/tools/products/bikeshop-sks-airchecker-digital-display-pressure-gauge-presta-and-schrader

This is the one we trust. 

It's compact, and very reliable.

Use Promo Code:  AIRCHECK

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/tools/products/bikeshop-sks-airchecker-digital-display-pressure-gauge-presta-and-schrader

 ---

166.9 
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5074751057

THERE IS THIS HUGE GAP WE ARE TRYING TO JUMP.  To get across we've got to be moving fast enough, with the correct attitude and enough altitude, to land it safely...

... and keep shredding what lies ahead.

But the biggest gap we'll ever jump is the one from our nature to our potential.

It takes real guts.

Deep commitment.

Patience and practice.

Jumping anything is one of the best feelings ever because of the fear and danger and giant reward when we land it.

My nature is ice cream and tv.

My potential...

... that's the only path I want to ride.

Every day,

every single day,

really is raceday.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat

I just love these hats. 

• They are light, and cool on my sweaty, post ride helmet head.
• Motivational to me and all those who see it.
• A secret code only we understand.

Not a hat cat?... then maybe this hat isn't for you, but for a friend who is.  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat

 ---

166.9 (definitely been letting my nature rule my diet this week, ugh!)
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5071162285

OUR LITTLE RACE CREW HAS BEEN KEEN TO CORNER BETTER ON MTBs.  Enter better, carve better, exit faster.  Playing with braking evenly between front and rear, and just going heavy on the rear brakes to whip the bike around turns...

... to no brakes at all.

A wrong turn can be corrected.  A missed turn can be catastrophic.

An unnamed rider (gotta protect the innocent) and I were quickly slicing and dicing a narrow, twisty path.  I took the sweeping left berm high, he shot inside and low to slip by me...

... no brakes for either of us...

... the trail wound sharply back to the right, my tire compressed and the nobs gripped as I leaned over...

... dust was flying up from his skidding rear tire as he went off trail, down the slope, and over the bars.

It was a soft landing.

This ain't basketball, where a miss is just a chance to shoot again.

This is what we do to get better.  We play, we take chances.

But you know what blows me away?  It's how we learn to rely so completely on our equipment.  I mean the brakes, I'm modulating them with one finger.  Those tires, they're 2" wide with 20lbs of air...

... and then there are the gloves, a very thin layer of perforated leather covered with much, much thinner lycra.

That's it:  brakes, tires, gloves.

Which is exactly why I never skimp on my equipment.  There are too many variables to assess and address when on the edge, and no bandwidth to contemplate product failure.

Of course all this was discussed over tacos and Cokes...

... because if we're not reviewing the wrong and missed turns we'll just keep making and missing them...

... and some landings are harder than others.

In case you missed it, we're supporting jeremy's effort to raise Autism Awareness through the weekend.

We'll make an additional contribution to Jeremy's effort by donating 30% of the sales on any glove and sock purchases.

To make it extra sweet for you use this code to get matching socks for free.  This is a worthy cause... be sure to order the gloves and the socks and use this code:

BuyGlovesGetSocks

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

 ---

166.9 (too much cake) 
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5063581918

I KNEW RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING, right from the start, this was gonna be a great day.  Weather perfect, check.  Apple fritter waiting for me in the kitchen, check.  MTBs ready to rip, check.  Jeremy doing 54 1.5 mile laps for Autism Awareness...

... on a super fun loop, CHECK!

When we dig into the secret sauce of a successful charity event, there are a key ingredients but only one that really matters.

Is it the course?  Well, yeah it's good to have a course that is fun and interesting.

Is it the awards and recognition?  For sure, a lot energy gets put behind being the top fundraiser or finisher or whatev'.

Is it the after party?  Always important.

What truly matters is that the person doing the fund raising is the type of person others want to get behind.  Kind, generous, friendly...

... and heart in the right place.

I'm fortunate to see a lot of people doing rides as fundraisers, either as participants or organizers.  In every case, the most successful ones are the coolest people you'll ever meet.

Through the weekend, we'll make an additional contribution to Jeremy's effort by donating 30% on any glove and sock purchases.

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

 ---

163.8 
Quick PullUps and PushUps
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5057715675

ONCE A YEAR WE GET ASKED THAT QUESTION: What are you going to do on your birthday? I mean, really?  C'mon.  Is it even a question?..

... those that know me best ask different questions.

Who are you riding with?

What time are you riding?

Where are your riding?

When will you be back?

... but nobody asks Why are you riding?

If they did, it's Because I can.

Learning to ride a bike is like a right of passage.  It was hard to take those training wheels off and go...

... and then it wasn't. 

Suddenly we were free to go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted, with whoever wanted...

... kinda like a birthday every day.

So, yeah, I'll be riding my bike tomorrow.

With my friend Jeremy, who is riding for Autism Awareness.  He's riding 54 1.5 mile laps because 1 in 54 children develop autism.  That's the kind of guy I want to ride with.  Total stud.

In celebration, I'll make an additional donation 30% of any glove and sock purchases through the weekend.

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

---

164.8 
Stretch and Plank
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/505293047

DID YOU EVER NOTICE HOW DIFFERENT WE ARE?  Not you and me, us and them.  The pros.  There's the Godgiven differences, can't do anything about that...

... but what about the things we can do something about?

Let's leave buying speedier equipment aside for the moment.  Too obvious.

Instead, take this insane workout from Nino Schurter.  He's a multi-time MTB World Champion and he's showing all the world, even us verymortals, how to be strong.  It's a 27 minute workout.  Who doesn't have 27 minutes?  Watch here.

Here's another.  Chris Froome's shedding of 20 lbs and going from zero to hero. We can get a glimpse of how he did that.  Cutting the carbs, upping the protein.  It's very straight forward.  Who couldn't drop a few lbs by skipping a few carbs?   Details here.

Do they tell us everything?  No.

Should we do all they do?  Doubtful.

Could we get better by studying what makes us different?  Hellyeah.

Which brings me to my point.  My pal Bart, in the 5 years of I've known him, has gone from a sub-9 hour Leadville guy to a card-carrying professional body builder to a champion calf roper.  He's nuts...

... but he has a method we could all use more.

When he sets his mind on something he seeks out the very best people that he can find and studies everything they do.  He hires the best mentors he can find.  This singlemindedness and alignment with the top pros allows him to do in a couple of years what most people never accomplish in a life time.

Wanna get better?...

... that right there is a very solid formula.

But, don't it all go to your head or you might not be to fit that expanded cranium inside one of these amazing helmets.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

If I had to pick one, it would be the Protone for sure.  Light, aero, super comfy.

Use this promo code to save 10% and get free shipping.

MENTORS

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

165.3 
Lots of pullups, pushups, squats and shoulder presses today - Nino style
7.8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5047341440

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE FREE ADVICE THINGIES about a little hack I came up with last week while riding ill prepared.  Starving.  Near bonking.  I had a couple of bucks.  There was a store...

... but I was missing the mandatory you know what.

Rats!

The sign was quite large indicating it was definitely required, and the crowd of people enjoying savory snacks had plenty of willing witnesses.  

I had to comply...

... but how?

Surveying my my gear I did the obvious.  Grabbed a glove, stuck it on my nose, draped the opening over my mouth, and held it in place with my Oakleys.

Just like that, I marched in and got my fix.

Hopefully you won't find yourself in a similar situation.

You're smarter, I'm sure.  Better prepared, for sure.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition

You probably roll out with a few waffles just in case... which I did, just needed more.

Use promo code FARAWAY

To save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition

---

166.6 
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5038178322

THERE ARE REALLY TWO OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A RIDE IN.  If I want to go for a quick spin or if I'm trying to cover a lot of ground who is in my peloton makes a huge difference.  In fact, the quick spin...

... is best done alone.

However, getting someplace far away fast can be lot easier in a group.  But, not just any group.

If I'm the strongest, it's likely to take even longer to get where I want to go than if I were by myself.

If I'm the slowest, I risk getting left behind.

The fastest way is with the right mix of riders.

Who we ride with matters.

Which is why we created the PEDALposse.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-monthly-subscription

---

165.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5034768100

A BICYCLE RACE IS LIKE A REALLY GOOD STORY because it take place within a limited knowable world.  We know the course, the day, the weather, the duration, the bike we'll ride, clothes we'll wear, food we'll need etc.  The variables are all constrained.  Compared to the freedom of just heading out for a ride...

... we are really go for it.

For example, one time in a race I found myself off the front with a lap to go.  Adrenalin levels were sky high.  I felt no pain...

... my heart rate was 207.

I never produced an effort like that before or after.  It was a glorious ride I'll never forget.  The only time I ever soloed in.

You probably have similar experiences where you performed high above what you'd expected.  The constraints of racing do that to us.

We don't have forever.

Make today count.

Speaking of counting, have you counted how many of these awesome clear bottles you can get for $48?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.

All prices include shipping..., crazy, right?  Supplies are limited.

$19 for 4 bottles

$ 48 for 12 bottles

$ 75 for 24 bottles

$100 for 48 bottles <- this option is going away Monday

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

---

163.5
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5029214631

WE ALL KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE:  If we eat right, regularly ride our bikes, get plenty of rest, then we age differently than many of our peers.  We're a little like Benjamin Button, who aged in reverse...

... which is a dern fine thing.

I think use it or lose it is real.  And, I think it's pretty obvious once you take note and look around a little.

I also think abuse it and lose it is real.  Duh.

But, what about...

... use it and boost it?

Yep, that's real too... unless we are already at our max, and who really is?

However, I have to admit after a largish ride this afternoon I was feeling a lot more like baby Benjamin.  A little creeky after 4ish hours, 60ish miles, 5000ish feet of vert mostly on dirt roads and single track.

... definitely used it today.

... data will tell if I boosted it.

For sure I was properly hydrated.  Drinking like a boss from these fantastic Made in USA bottles I scored for us.

Picked up a few thousand, and they are going fast.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

I really like the easy to squeeze plastic.

But don't take my word for it, watch the video

Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.

All prices include shipping..., crazy, right?  Supplies are limited.

$7 for 1 bottle 

$19 for 4 bottles

$ 48 for 12 bottles

$ 75 for 24 bottles

$100 for 48 bottles <- this option is going away Monday

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

---

165
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5005814748

THE MORE CHALLENGING THE TERRAIN, the easier it is to snag a PR the second time around. And the third.  And fourth.  Right up until the time we are really on the sliding edge...

... where things get a bit dicey.

It could be the final turn before a sprint finish.  The first time through we are scrubbing speed, exiting and getting on the pedals.  Each subsequent effort less braking, more momentum, faster finish.

Or a steep gravely descent.  The first brush feels loose and skiddish.  We overtense, overbrake which leads to undercontrol.  But, we get the feel of looseness and where to have our weight, we drop down with speed and ease.

You get the idea.

PRs are there for the taking.  Every go, and we go faster.  Our bodies memorize the course. 

What was difficult becomes unconsciously effortless.

Commitment to getting it right by doing it over and over again brings about our very best effort.

There are crashes along the way. 

Pushing too hard, missing the blind turn, improperly tuned suspension, incorrectly inflated tires.  The list of where we can improve is nearly endless.

Which brings me to today's anniversary...

... 33 years together, a lot of missed turns, poorly approached jumps, scrapes and bruises along the way...

... but Surfergirl and I are still at it, snagging the occasional PR that really matters.

If there's one thing I've learned from racing, it's to improve from my failures and make them strengths.

Like this failure from a bottle manufacturer.  The business actually started in the late 80's.  Was sold to a company out in Texas.  Sold again to a local company who couldn't master imprinting the bottles.

We win!

I scored the remaining inventory.   The were going to throw it away. But, we don't toss our failures aside do we?

I mean these are wonderful bottles.  Made in USA.  Just unprintable by current owner of a very large and diversified business.

So, I purchased all 5000.  

They are going fast.

Which is typical of things around here.  Ride Fast is a motto of ours.

Check 'em out.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

But don't take my word for it, watch the video

Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.

All prices include shipping..., crazy, right?  Supplies are limited.

$7 for 1 bottle 

$19 for 4 bottles

$ 48 for 12 bottles

$ 75 for 24 bottles

$100 for 48 bottles <- this option is going away soon.

PS. They wanted to do custom imprints on the bottles and couldn’t get the ink to stick.  That’s the reason for closing out them out... these bottles will be blank.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

---

165
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5005814748

ONE OF MY PALS HAS JOINED US ON 3 MTB RIDES,  The first two ended with spilt blood and broken parts.  It was my fault.  In my exuberance to share my love of dirt I failed to assess his ability.  For at least 6 months he's blown me off...

... undeterred, I kept inviting.

At our practice MTB race last night, he showed up.  It made me so happy just to see him there. 

We first did a parade lap around the course so everybody knew where to go.  I kept looking back expecting the worse.  This wasn't a baby course...

... we like challenges.

Clearly he'd been riding dirt on his own.  He'd upped his skills a ton...

... after the last lap, he was all smiles.

I may be a con man when it comes to inviting on rides, but it ain't malicious.  It's because I know it's the only way to be a confident cat.

Do the rides.

Like our wounds.

Learn what worked.

Repeat.

It's a pretty simple formula, and it works for anything because over time our confidence improves.  The overwhelming obstacles become easy.  It's a virtuous cycle.

Talking about improvement...

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

One of my suppliers is closing out their water bottle business.  I picked up the remaining inventory of bottles.   They are Made in USA, and they are a really awesome bottle. 

But don't take my word for it, watch the video

Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.

All prices include shipping..., crazy, right?  Supplies are limited.

$7 for 1 bottle 

$19 for 4 bottles

$50 for 12 bottles

$75 for 25 bottles

$100 for 50 bottles <- that's what I'd do if I was a starving student.  #fundraiser

PS. They wanted to do custom imprints on the bottles and couldn’t get the ink to stick.  That’s the reason for closing out them out... these bottles will be blank.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

---

164.5
50 PullUps 40 SuperBurpees 20 PushUps 40 Goblet squats
7 hrs sleep - not enough
https://www.strava.com/activities/5008869835

THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH GOOD MOVIES.  Not when it comes to trying to explain our culture.  I'll bet any true fan says that about their sport.  It seems to be a lost art, capturing what we are really all about. 

But, there are a few that nail it.

Some aren't even about cycling, but are so relatable we understand what others are doing simply because we are so into what we are doing.  We feel their souls.

On Any Sunday - Motocross

Big Wednesday - Surfing

Free Solo - Climbing

For cycling, for me anyway, there is only one.  

Breaking Away

Maybe because the first time I saw it I was the same age as Dave, the hero.  Just as in love with bike racing and the ladies.

With one lines like this...

Give me something American dammit, gimme french fries!

All I want is a refund. 
REFUND?!!

I sure miss playing basketball.  I got depressed when my athlete's foot and jock itch went away.

What's the matter?
He's shaving.
Well... so what?
His legs.

... At the time of my life I was eating PB&J and Mac&Cheese, drinking water.

If I'd found a deal like this I would have picked up 50 bottles and sold to all my friends for some extra funds.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

Here's the skinny...

One of my suppliers is closing out their water bottle business.  I picked up the remaining inventory of bottles.   They are Made in USA, and they are a really awesome bottle. 

But don't take my word for it, watch the video

Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.

All prices include shipping..., crazy, right?  Supplies are limited.

$7 for 1 bottle 

$19 for 4 bottles

$100 for 50 bottles <- that's what I'd do if I was a starving student.  #fundraiser

PS. They wanted to do custom imprints on the bottles and couldn’t get the ink to stick.  That’s the reason for closing out them out... these bottles will be blank.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles

---

165
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5005814748

HOW MANY RACE NUMBER PLATES DO YOU HAVE STORED AWAY?  I have an overflowing shoe box of them.  Kind of like a little history book, or school album.  But how to use them?... 

... well, here's one way.

Wednesday nights we have this little practice MTB race on our local trails.

I'd say it's chill, but nothing with the word race is chill.  It is little, a 3ish miles loop.  And it is practice, with a Start or Go or something predictable to launch us.

Then the unpredictable will happen.

Someone will ride way over their head.  Another will blow a turn.  I'll probably just blow up.

Thinking about it, should I pull a rando from the pile or pull the Leadville plate since it's my A race for the summer? 

Now, if I'm having a great little practice race Leadville would properly burn in the success feeling.  But what if it's no bueno?  What if I'm suckering suffertash?  The mental association could be mucho negativo.

And that's where the numbers part of racing comes in...

.. the more you can race, the better you get...

... at everything.

At packing for the race, warming up, starting, staying focused, keeping fueled.

It's been said that practice makes permanent.  Who doesn't want to be permanently good at all aspects of racing?

I know Tina does because she called up today and told me about all the races she's doing... she's a charger.   From crits to 6 hour MTB races.  

She's from the south, and I'm a huge sucker for the drawl...

Darlin, does that PR Lotion really work?

Oh yeah!

You promise?

Yep, just put in on 30 minutes before you race.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

For the long races I'm a big proponent of chamois cream as well.

Use promo code NUMBERS

To save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

PS Join the PEDAL industries Strava Club for deets on the MTB races. https://www.strava.com/clubs/pedalindustries

---

164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4993789009

THERE ARE A MILLION TACTICS FOR SUCCESSFUL BIKE RACING.  It would be impossible to know or practice them all.  A fool's errand.  I have a handful of strategies that have served me well...

... here are four of them.

• Be strong.  On and off the bike
• Eat real food.  If you can't identify the ingredients it's not food.
• PRs > KOMs.  It's nice to win prizes, it's everything to know you did your absolute best.
• 1 big event per year.  Have one big challenge every year and you'll always be fit.

Some day I'll write a book about those.  In the meantime, I'll finish up the book I've nearly completed.  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Here's another:

• Drink water.

And yes, you can get two of these tall Purist bottles delivered to your mailbox for less than a new Tesla.

Use promo code: 4rules

And you'll save 10% and get free shipping.

---

166
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4985341222

OUR DOG HAZEL USED TO DRIVE ME CRAZY.  Now you may wonder how a sweet, loving, little Beagle could get under The Old Diesel’s lycracovered skin... frankly I wondered the same thing many a time.  But, I think I figured it out on my ride today...

... by simply following my nose.

Ya see, sometimes for lesser developed humans such as I, it’s the personalities most alike that clash the strongest.

What was our family treasure’s greatest sin?

The moment that front door opened, she was gone.  Full speed.  Up the street.  Gone for hours.  She had no control over her nose’s call of the wild.

Alas, I am no different.

The moment I dropped Surfergirl off at the airport last night was like leaving the front door open.  For sure, I would ride all day and simply follow my nose...

... starting with a very hot pursuit after my first query, meeting the crew at the corner.

They were off to a horrendous hundred.  They begged me to keep on... but that was never my plan, hence the gravel bike.  

I simply wanted to say Howdy and get a towed up to the wild that was calling me.  From there...

... just followed my nose.

If done correctly, as today was, you're bound to find a few new paths and options.  These really are my favorite rides.  Alone, on the hunt.  Phone off.  Just me and my thoughts.  This is how we rejuvenate our superpowers.

Sometimes I feel for the suckers who can't be a moment without some sort of distraction... running, riding, hiking with crud plugged in their ears.

Dogs don't do that.

Nor should we...

... better to tap into our disobedient, singleminded, slave to our nose, sense of adventure.  Much better.

So here's a little challenge for ya...

... get out your calendar, and pick a date to just roll out with no particular place to go.  All day.  Just grab your wallet and get out that front door.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

Need an excuse?

Pick your b-day.

We have a limited number of calendars left.

With events starting to solidify, you'll definitely want one of these to remind you and those who see it that a healthy you is a productive you.

Use promo code RIDELIKEADOG

To save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

165.5
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4980858143

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE'D BEG, EVEN PAY, SOMEONE TO RIDE A MOPED OR SCOOTER IN FRONT OF US.  It was called motorpacing.  The motorized rider would ride about 27 miles an hour...

... just fast enough to make your eyeballs bleed.

But that was then, and this is now.

That's the odd thing about the future.  What we paid for in the past and now get for free is frowned upon.  Cursed out.  Simply because it's being used different.

The result is the same.

We're pedaling our buns off, trying to hang on, and some of the younger riders are genuinely hacked off about it.

Do you know how fast an electric bicycle can go?  Unmodified, about 27 mph.

Now we've got a gentleman rider who is injured.  He's rehabbing a bum leg.  He's a decorated racing legend, wanting to get out with the fellas.  Be part of the bunch.

Me, I feel fortunate to have my health... and a friend who'll show up on an obviously electric city bike to keep the pace high and burning.

Maybe I'm old.

What must have been old for y'all yesterday was trying to get in on this wonderful offer which I fouled up some of the coding on.

It works now.  The coding.  The products have always worked.  Excellently.  Just like my friend's leg will be doing very soon.

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

These gloves.  Made from leather, forming to your hands.

There are lots of color combinations.  When you order a pair of gloves and socks

use promo code: DONTTELLHR

The socks will be free, and so will the shipping.

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

---

166
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.75 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4973724397

HEY, WILL YOU HOLD THIS AT MY CROTCH?  There is just so much wrong with that statement, and to make matters worse it was the boss asking a co-worker to take said delicate measurement.  Yikes!...

... but sometimes when you are a rider you gotta know your inseam.

Which is exactly what this cat needed to know in order to purchase a bicycle from us.  

There was an awkward silence on that end of the line...
... we were dying on our end.

I don't know why, but that got me thinking about other awkward silence sitchyations in our sport...

... the most difficult of all being the silence after this question.

So, how much is a good bike?

Uh..................

Should we be embarrassed?

I dunno.

I have a friend who just purchased $1300 earbuds.  He's totally into music.
Another told me about her new $1200 snowboard.
One friend works for a place that sells used purses... for upwards of $15k.

Now, my point isn't to justify these purchases or point out any potential irrationalities.   It's simply this...

How much is a good bike?

Not much at all... but a bike that will thrill you for years, take you places you only dreamt of, and bring you back in a state of exquisite bliss... well, those are priceless.

Speaking of priceless, how about that skin that covers your fingers?

Did I ever tell you the story that convinced me to always ride with gloves?

It's short.

We were ripping along this nifty singletrack trail.  It was a bit slippery, and a tad rocky.

All good.

Until my friend lost the front wheel, stuck his hand out and peeled the skin from his thumbnail down to that crease opposite the first knuckle.

What a gusher!

So, yeah, I'm a fullfinger glove lover.  But not just any fullfinger glove.  It's gotta be lightweight and breathable.

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

Like these gloves.  Made from leather, forming to your hands.

There are lots of color combinations.  When you order a pair of gloves and socks

use promo code: DONTTELLHR

The socks will be free, and so will the shipping.

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

---

164.1 lbs -
Stretch and HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4968076614

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A HEAPING DOSE OF CONFIRMATION BIAS TO MAKE ONE FEEL GREAT... am I right?  You know, when you figured out by dumb luck or maybe osmosis or reading some forgotten book and developed a method and preached it...

... and the choir was like, yawn.

But Hotdarnit! Joe Friel has been tweeting about 2 hard days a week.  All week.  Same thing yours Diesel has been hellfire and damnationing for years...

... 2 days, hard.
no more, no less.

Now that I'm writing this and searching my cavernous library of filed wisdom fragments... I think it was the great Eddy B. who said...

... If you're not feeling awesome twice a week, you're doing it wrong!

But in a thick eastoeuroaccent.

Just remember,
what you're reading here is unadulterated Diesel anecdotes...
forced through the mighty cycling echo chamber...
lavished with exquisite confirmation bias from 2 of US cycling's pillars of coaching.

In other words, you might want to try it out if you haven't already.

2 hard days - 72 hours apart
Joe says the rest are mostly recovery
I still like a good tempo day thrown in as well.

Because I do at least half of my rides from the shop, I load my RaceDay Bag™ often.  It just part of my routine, can't imagine doing things the old way.  Wondering if I packed everything, fumbling to find things...

... and I'm guessing a few of you love the bags as much as I do.

So I have a favor to ask...

Would you shoot a video on your phone...

... with your bag...

... answering this question...

... Why do you love your RaceDay Bag™?

Keep it short and sweet.  First thing that comes to mind.  Less than 15 seconds.

Don't worry about the background or looking pro... just an honest to goodness message would be terrific!

All who send me a video will get a little gift of appreciation mailed out.

I'd love to get your videos this week.

I think it will be super fun to see what you come up.

Y'all are awesome!

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

Here's a little video for inspiration.

By the way, these changing ponchos have become quite popular.  

If you'd like one use promo code LOVEMYBAG

To save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

---

165.1 lbs -
50 PullUps, 60 SuperBurpees, 40 Pushups, 50 Goblet Squats, 20 Box Jumps
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4965334684 

PS  Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values.

THIS RIDE HAS ONLY BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE TURN OF THE 7TH DECADE OF THE 20TH CENTURY, so you'd think all the pot holes and debris and whatnot would be memorized by now and easily pointed out...

... but that's not the case.

Unlike most rides around these parts the Market Ride goes on hiatus from time change to time change.  I reckon it's the same way with a good chunk of our united states.  

Most of ya's actually have seasons,
ergo actual riding seasons.

I'm feeling ya tonight.

In fact, I'm wondering if the first group rides of the season are going to be even more of a cluster than normal thanks to the fitness gains of digital dungeons set up for Zwifty and Pelotaunt...

... without any of the actual skills required to participate properly being used or honed or, crud!, even developed?

Because if your first ride of the season is anything like ours was tonight, well keep you peepers popped, your head on a swivel...

... and trust no one!

I was shocked at how little pointing out of hazards was happening,  There was even some downright squirreliness.  And these guys and dolls are solid riders, that ride year round.  Outdoors.  I'm sure things will be all settled in a just a few rides.

Anyway, you'll be thawing out soon... so consider this just a friendly reminder from the Diesel who wants ya back with a smile and only good tales to tell.

Speaking of good tales to tell, I warned Kevin about his new bike.

He purchased a long travel BMC 4 Stroke.  It's the same bike that I pounded out a million PRs on last weekend in AZ, except it has a little longer travel.

Kevin, be careful on your first ride.

What do you mean?

Well, your face is really going to hurt.

Huh?

You'll see

.

Yep, new bikes always make my face hurt.  

This morning, we spent a good hour on BMC's unveiling of 2022 new products.

TBH, my face was hurting... there's a bunch of good stuff coming, guaranteed to make you smile.  Details will be coming forth.

In the meantime, if you are around 6' tall and looking for a most excellent gravel bike.  We have 2 of these bikes in size Large.

Yes, they'll make you smile... and your bummy will be happy too because there's 20mm of travel built into the rear triangle.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three

I'm not allowed to post the price available, so ping if you're interested.

Oh, one last thing... I was on my gravel bike for the group ride tonight, and that extra cush for my tush was most bueno.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three

---

166 lbs - just a little celebrating after Cactus Cup
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4959659466

DON'T TELL ANYBODY BECAUSE IT'S JUST OUR LITTLE SECRET... we can learn about riding and racing from well outside the sport itself.  Take my ongoing interest in economics sparked by a visiting professor who opened up with...

... monopolies are great... if you're the monopolist!

Little ol' brainwashed me was captivated from that point on.  My brain had been opened.

Well, consider this quote in How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life from the great Milton Friedman and apply it to your bold ambitions as an athlete:

The sum of negligible forces,
need not be negligible.

Ride on that thought for a moment.

Aren't our 10 pullups and matching 20 burpees a negligible force?  What does it matter if we get in an easy spin for 45 minutes?  Where can we attribute passing up a harmless chocolate chip cookie a day?

Taken by themselves, these are all negligible forces.  But sum up a month or quarter or year of these choices and we fundamentally transform who we can become.

Who's down getting some negligible work done today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and... ?

All in favor say Aye!

Did you know KASK means Kick @$$ Steal KOMs?

Well, it doesn't... but that's how you feel when you wear one.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

I keep seeing more and more of these KASK helmets at the races and on the rides.

Use promo code THESUM

to save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
RestDay - 20 PullUps, 30 PushUps, 10 Supermans

WE WERE HANGING OUT AFTER THE RACE TODAY WAITING FOR THE FINAL RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED.  I ran into Adam and his wife who were kind enough to show me the sweet line for today’s Enduro.  Jimmy introduced himself as the guy tacked on my wheel and thanked me for offering him my salt tabs yesterday.  Sweet Sage, the promoter, and I were chatting when Mike walked up and said...

...  I read the blog every morning!

Which was real nice, but not as nice as what he wanted to talk to Sage about.

Mike races 70+.  

Now, if you're not racing 70+ yet I have two things to share with you.

The first is you can race at 70.  Yes, people do that.  It takes some good genes and luck for sure  But, when you see these athletes you realize it's not an accident.  They are fit and committed to maintaining their health.

It's the second that always touches my heart.  The septuagenarians  all know each other, and more importantly they care about each other in ways I've never seen amongst the other ages.

I've seen them wait for each other on the start line if someone is running late.  I've seen them give health reports on the missing.  I've seen genuine love between them, and it's always moving.

Today was no different.

Mike was there to pick up the bike of his only fellow racer from yesterday.  His friend had crashed.

Sage can I pick up the bike?

Yes, was it only a collarbone? 

No, 12 broken ribs.  He's in ICU.

It wasn't a teary moment, that's racing.  However, as I write this and reflect on the blessings we all share of health and friendship riding the roads and trails of life...

... and how fleeting it can be

... at any age

... I'm verklempt.

Yep, there are a lot of nice people in our community.  It's always a joy to make a new friend on a ride or at the races.

Thanks for being nice y'all.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/cactus-cup

We made some real nice gear for this year's cactus cup:  RaceDay Bags™, Changing Ponchos, and Wallets.

Why? 

Because it's such a dawgawn fun event.

If you have an event, ping me... let's make you some gear.

If you have a team, ping me... let's make you some gear.

If you want to make something custom to give a nice gift to friends or customers... ping me... let's make you some gear.

Our minimum order is 1... yes one (1)!

Get it done.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/cactus-cup

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4947282977

Still reading?

Some stats:

8 dudes, one friend that's a girl, and 2 dogs.

1 busted spoke on day 1, that held up the entire weekend.

1 bloodied knee and bruised hip.

1 punctured tire a mile from the finish and ridden in sloppy as it wouldn't seal.

1 First place in the enduro

1 Third place overall.

9 smiles.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS UP, but never ever do that when racing.  Racing is when you apply all your hard earned training, all the lessons on nutrition, all the things that have worked in the past...

... not the time to chuck it all out the window.

But, that's what I did.

And, it's a long list of nonos.

Breakfast
For years I've had good luck getting up 3 hours early and eating a can of sardines and half a can of beans.  Pinch your nose if you must, but there was gold with them tactics.

Today, lots of carbs.  Rice cake, 2 tangerines, 1 1/2 Honeystinger waffles, a few macadamia nuts.

Warm Up
For decades all I've done to warm up is soft pedal and do some hard accelerations. 

Today, and yesterday, I slowly ramped my HR up to 160s and held it there for 5-10 minutes.

Food
I had my strategy of 2 bottles with 2 scoops + 4 waffles and 2 gels.  900 calories for 3 hours.

But, then I saw Victor Sheldon.  He reps Hammer Nutrition and suggested I go with their flask and fill it with 7 gel packs.  It's way easier than tearing a gel pack open!  More importantly, he always annihilates me and everybody in our age group.  

As I rolled out, thinking how bad I wanted redemption after such a poor showing last year at this event I consoled myself with these nuggets... 

... the only way to know something works better in a race is to test it in a race...

... isn't amazing how the best secrets are revealed racing.

Due to Covid, we went off in 2 waves of 25 or so.  I was in the second wave, my friends in the first.  The race overnight leader was in my wave.  We took off and the leader towed about 6 guys off into the distance.

I committed to ride my pace and stuff my face with gel from the flask, double scoop bottles, and my Salt Sticks.

It worked.

I felt absolutely amazing all 3 hours.  Best I've felt in years.  Even power throughout.

So, yeah, you'll be seeing a promo here for Hammer Nutrition very soon... 

... the meantime I'll tell the dirty secret of Salt Stick.

First, as noted in the book Waterlogged that I reported on:  one, as long as we don't over-hydrate we don't need more salt; two, cramps are more neurological than chemical; three, the salt tabs and the pickle juice etc confuse the brain and the cramps stop.

I'd never race without Salt Stick, and I love the chewables.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/saltstick-fast-chews

Use this promo code: ROOKIE

It'll get ya free shipping and save 10%.

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4941302379

REVIEWING THE START LIST OF ANY RACE CAN BE DEFLATING.  Last year's winner is here, the previous year's winner is here, the cats you know are always good on RaceDay have been putting in the time...

... and then there's us.

If there are seeds of doubt, looking at the list is like adding water and sunshine.  Here, at the Cactus Cup, those seeds grow into giant saguaros whose prickly pads are waiting to embrace all who lack the discipline to control their thoughts...

... all that's missing is a pile of dung for fertilizer.

Which is exactly what those thoughts are.  Pure shyte.

In a race like this, 40 miles with a million turns and drops, 96% of us will be riding alone at some point. The other racers could be 30, 60, 90 seconds ahead and we won't even see each other.

We'll be solito.

With our thoughts.

Those damn seeds of doubt will be aching to sprout.

There is only one countermeasure I've found to be effective, remembering what helk I'm doing here.

Changing those feelings of What was I thinking? sure to arise on the start line is easy if we can just find a reason and a reasonable goal...

... one reason, one reasonable goal.

Protect them, viciously.

At all costs.

At the blistering start,
when the gaps start to open,
when we're all alone with no one insight...

... one reason, one reasonable goal...

... will win the day.

Of course there are other little tricks of the trade, like PR Lotion.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

I know, it seems insane that a lotion applied before a race could make a big difference...

... but, at this point all of us here think it would be insane to line up without PR Lotion.

So, here's the dealio.

Use this promo code before Midnight on Sunday and save 20% when you purchase 2 or more of the above.

The code is PRESSON

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

---

Of the 8 of us out here racing... we fared pretty well today.  Top 10 times, and only one busted spoke and scraped up knee.

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4931942586

DO YOU EVER GET THE FEELING THAT OUTSIDE IS AN INSIDER'S GAME?  Take today, we woke up to an outstanding view.  Gawwwl... I love the desert in the winter!  It can be cold and windy, for sure.  But the views, the sky...

... well, you gotta be here.

A lot of the time, it seems like society has forgotten how awesome outside is.  And maybe that's okay.  Because it leaves more of outside for us, the adventurous.

While the digital dorks may have won the battle...

... they haven't won the war, not yet.

As long as we keep heading outside and returning rejuvenated I think we have a chance to course correct.

I'll drink to that.

These Purist bottles are awesome.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

$20, delivered to your door.  Including shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4931942586

WE'RE STAGING RACING THIS WEEKEND.  3 days in Aridzona, Fri-Sun.  A TT, an XC, and an Enduro.  Something for everyone.  But this is better than a pro road stage race...

... or even an amateur one with a team. 

Because it's MTB.  There isn't really any teamwork to be done.  No drafting, no leading out.  No pacing back to the front.  So, it's way better in the sense we can all battle for our own results each day.

That's the first thing that's better about MTB stage racing - fighting our individual battles.

However, it's the second thing about stage racing, in general, that I enjoy the most.

Piling in a couple of cars,
Buzzing gas stations and fastfood joints,
Taking over a rented house in a new town,
Geeking out over course maps and last minute gear choices,

Rolling up to the start line with the posse,
Racing our guts out,
Licking our wounds that night,
... and doing it all over again the next day.

That's why stage racing rules.  The camaraderie.  The getting away... whether camping like tonight, hoteling it, or VRBO.

Pull up your race calendars, look for a stage race.  You might have to look out of state.  We are in AZ for Cactus Cup, then I'm planning on Leadville Stage Race in CO, and finally Sea Otter in NorCal in October.  Sea Otter isn't a stage race, but it is a bunch of races spread out over a 5 day weekend.

Find a few and see if one fits in with the other parts of life.  If it does... by all means make it happen!

The best way to do that is write it down in Sharpie on one of these giant calendars.

We added more designs.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

Click on these images to check 'em out.

For a few bucks you can have a super rad calendar - either one of these stock designs or with your team graphics and dates important to your team highlighted.

$30. Delivered.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

165.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
no ride today.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I'D TRY AND CONCEAL MY UPGRADES.  Not now.  That evil has been replaced with a much more sinister deceit.  Apparently I've developed a nasty habit of story telling...

... kinda like this:

Is that a new helmet?

Oh, this?

Yes, that shiny red helmet.  

Right, well you see Chris was telling me that we should never wear a helmet more than 3 years old.  Apparently all the shocky absorby stops working after a while.  Degrades.  And, you know I figure I need to protect what little gray matter I have.

You realize that you have a habit of coming up some amazing story about every purchase you make lately, right?

Hmmm...

... so, if you're thinking about getting a new helmet no need to blame it on the Devil, I'll take full credit.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

We love KASK helmets.

Use promo code DEVIL to save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

164.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4919161937

THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO DO AT THIS POINT, and it doesn't involve slitting my wrists or a bottle of pills or any other easy outs...

... but, there will be razor blades involved.

It's the final countdown for the only A race on the calendar this quarter, and though I'm feeling quite ill-prepared I'm still gonna do it. Because, tradition.

Yes, I shall obey the edict...

Shave thy legs.

... like any devout follower of this religion we call racing.

Why do we do it?

It's a mountain bike race, so can't be for aero reasons.

TBH, I can't think of any good reasons except this: 

It feels faster.  There's something about a final shave before a race that I find delightful. 

Or, maybe it's taking time to appreciate the supreme health I enjoy, the immense fun I have huffing and puffing under my own manpower.

Ain't it great to have the ability to ride a bike, at any speed?

I think so.

There is one other thing, though this is recent, I think it's a heck of a lot nicer to have smooth legs when buzzing up and down them with the HyperVolt.

And that is actually one of the main things I'll be doing this week as part of my recovery.  HyperVolting and stretching and sleeping and resting.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery

As much as I thought I'd be ready to slay all comers 5 months ago, I can see I'm not in the shape I intended to be.  

Which leaves recovery as my prime objective this week and after each race - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

If you're into excellent recovery, use promo code SHAVE to shave $35 off this awesome tool.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery 

---

163.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
30 PullUps 60 PushUps

HATE IS A STRONG WORD.  I hate what Jeff Bezos' Amazon did to our little tshirt business.  Destroying it by refusing to protect us from counterfeiters.  But, I gotta hand it to the guy...

... he focuses on the right things.

Here are the top 3 takeaways:

We are what we choose... and in this case, we choose to be bike racers.  We each have our reasons, but I suspect it boils down to friendship. 

My friend(s) are riding and racing bikes.  It seems like fun.  I'll give it a try. 

Or, I met some really cool cats out riding.  They seem to have their shiz together.  I'll be doing a lot more riding and racing because these people inspire me and make me feel included.

High standards.  We know what they are, but sometimes we can't put our finger on them.

We know we want to win, but we rarely actually - if ever - win a bike race.

We don't need to if we have high standards for ourselves. 

It could be creating our own race to smash a PR, or simply hit a certain metric like weight or hours ridden per week.  It could be knowing how to repair anything or simply knowing enough to fix a flat and get back riding.  It could be learning how to fuel our bodies so our energy is strong all day long.  It could be riding a tricky rocky section without putting our feet down - dabbing.

The point is, it's hard to the define the true wins... 

... but we sure has heck recognize them when our standards are high.

Nowhere in the book does he mention focusing on sales as a top priority.  The top priority is always customer experience...

... and this stood out to me the most.

I'd be lying if I told you I was always on the same page when it comes to customer experience.  Somewhere I picked up that it's all about the sales numbers.  That's an inherently bad focus, and I've fallen in it's trap much more than I care to admit.

The devil is right when he says it's all about obsession with customer experience. It's definitely an area where I think we can improve, a lot.

If we choose to.

If we set our standards high enough.

I'll never put our products on Amazon again, but I sure as helk will do all I can to blow your minds every single day by continuing to improve our offerings.

I wasn't asking for feedback when we recently shipped our first orders of our new Pro jersey out.  But the comments started coming in and I thought you'd be interested.

Did you know 90% of our apparel production is custom?

For teams?

That our minimum order is one (1) item?

If you're looking for something rad for your team, we can have your store up and running quickly and beautiful product delivered right to you door.

Made in USA.

From Italian fabrics.

Designed by cats who race, with high standards for performance and comfort.

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

---

164.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4909286499

TODAY DIDN'T GO AS WELL AS I'D HOPED.  If you haven't figured it out, sometimes I'm terrible at taking my own advice.  Like, warming up matters.  Today I had planned to set a hot time on a local climb.  The kind of thing you want to do the Saturday for before the only A race on my calendar for months.  Instead, I pretty much bombed...

... instantly gapped by my faster friends, while holding up the first-timer I was sure wouldn't be able to keep up.

Was I holding you up?

Oh, I probably had another 30 or 40 watts.

Ouch!

I knew I'd gap him on the very technical stuff at the top, but he could have walked the last mile and still beat me...

... 30-40 watts!

The next two hours were a little better.  Well, a lot better.  A surprising number of PRs.  

You know what I think really fouled me up was the old...

... Hey, let's not warm up before we haul gass for an hour straight uphill.

Genius.

So take my strong advice, 
remember to always think twice...

... and warm up proper.

Which is what I'm planning to do at the races next weekend.

Chris, The Wrench, pinged me later in the day.

Can ya help me prep these bikes for pick up?

Let the record show... a professional mechanic asked little Ol' Diesel to help prep two new bikes for pick up. 

Yep, he trusted me to put air in the tires. 

Well, convert 'em to tubeless, then put air in.

He also reminded me that I erroneously stated we were out of gravel bikes.

We have two, still.

One is the demo, and one is still in the box.  Both Large.

These are truly special bikes.  Built on the BMC hardtail platform, they have 20mm of travel in the rear triangle.  

They are light.

Stiff, yet compliant with that travel.

Climb great.

Descend like a dream on road, gravel, and especially on singletrack.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three 

We had 4 yesterday, now we are down to 2 larges.

So, if you're into that sorta thing... 

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three 

Check it, and drop me a line Clementine.

---

164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4894848345

SO STRADE BIANCHI IS THE MOST EXCITING RACE ON THE CALENDAR.  It gets all kinds of press.  No one can figure out if it truly favors a classics rider or a pure climber...

... but, we do know one ting for sure!

There will be drama because...

There are lots of gravel sections.
And Lots of dust of dry and mud if rainy.

... and fans like drama, the like change.

Turns out the racers do, too.

Due to the mixed surfaces - pavement and dirt - and mixed terrain - rollers with a killer climb at the end - a large percentage of the racers fancy their chances for the big V for victory.

But ya know what I think?

I think it's more than the forgone conclusion of who will win, I think the racers are digging the unusual challenges the race presents.

So, forget if you can, all the big bucks the marketing dorks are putting into making you want to buy a gravel bike. 
Just unsee all those sexy ads of riders flying to adventure. 
Unimagine the freedom to roam from road to gravel to singletrack they are selling so very hard...

... and take consider this...

... my son pinged me last night.

Dad, let's ride gravel tomorrow.  We'll drive to the old neighborhood.  Hit the dirt roads in Riley Park, then the single track.  Next we will work our way over to the old house and see if things have changed much.

He doesn't even own a bike, I bring him a shop demo bike.

So forget all the marketing, all the hype, watch the race if you get a chance, and maybe you'll end up like me...

... grateful for gravel bikes that make riding fun enough my non-riding son will suggest we go for a ride.

We are all sold out on the gravel bikes at the moment, but stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to score a beeeyoutiful BMC URS.

In the meantime, I love our superlight full-finger race gloves for gravel riding...

... and keeping my feet cozy in our socks knitted in these united states using EZ Breathe Yarns and FastMax compression technology.

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

And I highly encourage you do the same.  With this BuyOneGetOne promo code - > REGGIE

Now if you're thinking it's too cold for the superlight awesome stuff... the weather is going to be perfect before you know it, and won't new gloves and socks be a joy to pull on when it's time?

A scant $25 will get you the gloves and the socks, shipping is free.

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

---

163.1
30 PullUps 40 PushUps 20 Burpees
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4894848345

WERE YOU BORN TO RESIST, OR BE ABUSED?

I swear I'll never give in, I refuse.
- Foo Fighters

The big event is on the calendar; it's getting real, close.  The base miles have been laid.  Race-specific crosstraining completed.  Bike dialed, test, prepped, perfect.  Eating has been maybe too perfect.  The final weeks of bigger, max mileage and intensity...

... you should be excited...

... but you're exhausted, just want it to be over.

If I can hit that threshold of borderline burnout 2 weeks out, and spend the next 2 weeks healing and resting and sleeping with a few short efforts designed primarily to make me feel most excellent, then I know I've done all I can do.

When done properly it's truly a better than ever feeling...

... like being born to resist, and I swear I'll never give in!

Do you know what I'm talking about?  That feeling?

I hope so.

I'm starting to see more and more events pop up.  The RaceDay Calendar is starting to take shape.  Soon I'll have to start making choices as to which ones are going to be all in and which will be training.

That's part of the fun.

Looking at the calendar.  Dropping in A and B races, family commitments, work responsibilities, etc.

Which is why I love this huge calendar, I can see the entire year at a glance.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2 

This calendar is set up for racers.

The weekends are at the end of the week, because you know we live for the RaceDays.

Get one.

$30.

Delivered.

It's the best way to give it your best!

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4892232816

ONCE WE UNDERSTAND THAT SCIENCE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BEING DRIVEN BY EGO AND GREED, it gets easier to make sense of it all.  This is readily apparent with a little digging.  Scientist, author and accomplished endurance athlete Tom Noakes readily admits his own faults in his book Waterlogged...

... discovered via a lifetime of research and competition.

He takes credit for furthering the effort to get people waterlogged, which lead to the deaths of multiple athletes following the science.  That takes courage and fortitude, especially when pushing back on many egos and mountains of greed.

I nearly chucked the book when it arrived.

Too many graphs and sidebars. 

Too much documentation. 

Lazily, after the Forward, Introduction and Chapter 1 I skipped right to the detailed chapter summaries.

This was not enough.

I was thirsty for more knowledge...

... only by reading what preceded those summaries was I able to get a bead on the problems Waterlogged address; and my own issues of cramping and upset digestion during races of epic distances.

But, that's not the question.

The question is should we blindly trust science?

In fact, this was a burning question after reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything.  I came away with one certainty:  today's truth is very often tomorrow's fallacy, when it comes to science.

This is not to condemn science, but to realize Science is merely humanity's current, best assessment of a situation.  Overtime, our assessments adjust and improve as new knowledge comes forth.  That is sure.

Back to the very honest, courageous and vigorous Dr. Tom Noakes who points out Gatorade's own hype...

... Gatorade is the most scientifically studied sports drink of all time.

But I'll bet you'd never make Gatorade your go to sports drink.  Because you know better.  All the scientific studies in the world on Gatorade aren't likely to change your mind...

... because your body says different.

Questions:  Did you know Gatorade was developed to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion?  That their scientists implored users to drink far too much, to the point of death?...

... a perfect example of ego and greed driving a product's commercial success, while failing humanity.

Which brings me to the final word's of Tom Noakes:

Your body will tell you what it needs, if you just listen. 

After which follows a concise summary of the current science regarding hydration...

... but don't take my word for it, read the book.  It's your body.

Speaking of your body, while I'm sure your quite proud of all the progress you're making this year...

... we don't want to get you arrested for public indecency.  Which you might be tempted to do when changing before or after a ride.

That's why I came up with the awesomely modest Changing Poncho.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

Sure it's great for a quick change,
a million times better than changing in your car,
or risking a towel change while standing in the open...

... when I'm done changing and wiping off my grime and do a quick wipe down on my bike as well.

It's perfect.

But it today and we'll include an Every Day Is RaceDay™ hat for the first 5 purchases.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

---

164.2
50 PullUps 50 PushUps 50 Burpees
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4884608904

WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ IS SECOND HAND INFO FROM OLYMPIAN QUOTING THE IRON COWBOY.  The Iron Cowboy is famous for doing 50 Ironmans in 50 states in 50 days.  Yesterday he started his new quest...

... 100 Ironmans in 100 days.

On the surface there's nothing to learn, but we don't dwell on the surface.

We like to dive deep into the endurance waters we share with our Iron brothers and sisters.

So, here's the gold:

The first 25 days of the 50-50-50 were really hard.  On about the 26th day it got a lot easier.  It was like my body understood an Ironman a day was the new normal and made the appropriate adjustments.

That make sense, right?

How many of our friends are astounded when they hear we rode 40 or 50 or 100 miles in a day?  

The can't relate.

But we do it. 

Quite easily. 

Our bodies adapt.

Side note -> I skipped my pullups and pushups over the weekend.  The first set yesterday was really hard.  The second easier.  The third easiest.  It's no 50-50-50 Ironmans, but I think this is true of any new habit we are trying to instill.

Kinda makes ya wonder what we might really be capable of...

... could it be we are only scratching the surface... like the saying we only use 10% of our brains?

... how much more can we accomplish?

Fortunately, our lives don't depend on our physical prowess.  Well, most of the time they don't.

Did I ever tell you about the time I came face to face with a large adult mountain lion?

I did everything wrong.

I turned around and rode so fast up the nearest trail to civilization.  I had to skid at the top to make the turn to safety.

Since that encounter, I've taken my best shot at that hill many, many times and never, ever needed to slow down let alone apply the brakes to make that very same turn.

One thing is for sure, to be our very best we've got to be properly fueled.

Here's the link to my favorite foods:

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition

And here's the dealio

Use this code:  DOMORE

To save $$ and get Free Shipping.

---

163.9
15 PullUps 25 PushUps
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4878269277

MY FRIEND TOD T. SHOT ME AN EMAIL WITH A LINK TO THE CRUSHER IN THE TUSHAR.  It's a crazy event, so crazy that I've declined going for about 10 years.  My pals Jeff and Cris have done it, and even won it.  But, I've never had the right bike or at least that's what I told them.  In other words...

... it's a once in a lifetime event.

This is crazy right?  

Featuring a 40/60 split between tarmac and dirt & gravel sectors, the 70 mile course accumulates over 10,000 feet of elevation gain and affords riders the opportunity to explore the stunning back country of Utah’s little-known Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest.

When I read featuring and stunning mixed in with all the details, all I see are the features of a sledgehammer delivering a massive stun to my mind, body and soul.

Naturally, knowing I finally have the bike... I entered the lottery.

Which brings me up to this euphemistic gem, LOTTERY!  Good heavens, who's to tell who wins the lottery? 

Those keeping their $200 in fees and spending the weekend relaxing on the coach listening to Phil Liggett's TdF lullabies...

... or those parting with the cash and getting bashed by Burke's heinous course designed to slaughter all the unworthy?

So here's to winning the lottery!

Speaking of winning the lottery... one you'd actually want to win... did you see the video we did of Craig H?

He won the Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ GiveAway.

There's a new contest rolling right now.

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

The winner will work directly with our top designer Rocky E. to design your very own custom:

RaceDay Bag™

Speed Kit - Jersey and Bib

Changing Poncho

KOM Jacket

RaceDay Calendar™

plus, matching socks and gloves

$1000 in custom products

Enter here:  

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

164
25 PullUps 50 PushUps
7.8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4872139829

RIGOROUS RESEARCH SHOWS WE ARE THE AVERAGE OF OUR 5 CLOSEST FRIENDS.  And, new research is showing that what a friend's friend is doing can also have a big impact on us...

... but, that's the selfish way to look at it.

Especially in bike racing fitnessy stuff.  That logic would have us only hanging out with people that are better than us.  Which we probably do quite naturally anyway.

I'm more interested in the effects we are having on our 5s friends.  Because of our 5 closest friends, they don't all ride bikes.  Far from it.

We get excited about riding bikes fast.  We start thinking about what to ride, to eat, to wear, to race, etc.  Our 5 tap into this energy...

... and it goes out to their 5.

How many people are going to make awesome lifestyle changes because we've inspired them to do so?

They may never race.

Totally cool.

But, they may start riding again. 

They may set a goal to ride 30 miles, or ride up that giant mountain.  They may get a little group of 5 or so and take a road trip to Moab or the Ozarks or the Northeast.

Or maybe they simply get a hankering to get back in shape.

In fact, I'll bet $5 you've already seen changes in your 5.

What I'm wondering though is if you're willing to share your secrets.

Sometimes that can be hard.  

You've invited a friend to start riding.  You've enjoyed spending time together.  Helping them progress has been rewarding...

... and absolutely owning them any time you want is, well, entertaining to say the least.

Are you keeping these little secrets to yourself?

C'mon.  

Be honest.

Of course you'll share the pleasantries of a good chamois cream.   

But what about the good stuff, the stuff that really makes a difference like PR Lotion?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

Back to that $5 bet...

... you purchase PR Lotion and DZ NUTS with the promo code -> $10

 ... and you'll save $10 if you do it before 3/3/21.

Shipping is included. 

That should cover the $5 bet.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

---

16.29
Stretch and Hypervolt
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4868278749

SOME SAY YOU CAN SEE THE HAND OF GOD ON A BABY'S FACE OR THE SUN RISING ACROSS A DESERT PLAIN.  For me the mountains never fail to deliver.  Today one of us came prepared with a holy kit...

... and we all spilled some blood.

Naturally, the new guy spilled the most blood.  He'd fallen behind.  So much so that we reversed course.  After a bit he rounded a corner, with an Ace bandage over what appeared to be an unholy amount of gauze.

What happened?

I crashed.

And...

And the blood was squirting out with each heartbeat.

His socks were soaked.

The hikers patched me up.

All good?

Hellyeah!

Thataboy!

These are the kinds of spiritual experiences which often....
... accompany?
... precede?
... follow?
... the sense of oneness with nature.

For is there a better way to escape our digital dungeons than to truly connect with Mother Nature?  Touch her with great force?  Breath her pristine air through gaping  and gasping mouths?  And, yes, bleed with her?

Which brings me to the kit one practitioner wisely wore today.

You know there are a lot holes on that kit.

Yes.

You know I gotta guy that can hook you up with a new kit?

Yes... it's you!

Well...

Well.. I know where we are going today, I know it's highly likely I'll be leaving some skin on the trail... therefore I prefer to don an old kit with holes.

Ahhh, a holy kit.

If you're into these kinds of spiritual experiences, and why wouldn't you be, it's quite helpful to have a bike that climbs like a Blue Angel and handles like Ferrari.

I'm partial to the Swiss engineering on BMC bikes.

Apparently their partial to us as well because they accidentally shipped three (3) of their top of the line XC, Long Travel mountain bikes.,,

... we'll be shipping them back Monday or Tuesday, unless you'd like to pick one up at the PEDALposse price?

Here's a link to all the details.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

This is the same bike I've been tearing up my local trails on and absolutely loving, but it's the long travel version. 

Nearly as light, more travel.

Superduper fun!

Did I mention these bikes are completely sold out for 2021?

That they shipped them to us on accident?

Contact me by Monday, 3/1 if interested.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

I saw God twice today

---

164
Stretch and Hypervolt
7.8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4862017083

EVER WONDER HOW TO SQUEEZE IN ALL THE OFF THE BIKE STUFF WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO?  I do.  After reading that the holy trinity of fitness is pull ups, burpies and squats in Natural Born Heroes I thought to myself...

... I got the pull ups covered with a pull up bar at home and at the shop, I can upgrade pushups to burpies, but when the heck am I ever going to do squats?

First off, I don't have weights of any significance.  Second, there is a 0% chance I'll go to a gym.  Third, and this is the good part, air squats can be very effective if doing...

... ass to the grass (Coach Brian Mcculloch's words not mine).

Still when would I do them?

The pull up/pushup routine started by doing a set every time I got in the shower or walk in the office.  Just rattle off a quick set.

I needed a cue for squats.

I found one, and it seems to be working for now.

While brushing my teeth I do 20 very slow and controlled asstothegrass squats...

... clean teeth, descent regular squatting.

Simple.

No need to tip me yet another invaluable tip, but you might want to check this little bit of info...

... BMC accidentally shipped us 3 beautiful Long Travel XC bikes.  I'm going to ship them back on Monday unless you want one at the PEDALposse price.  Two larges, One medium.

 Here's a link to all the details.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

This is the same bike I've been tearing up my local trails on and absolutely loving, but it's the long travel version. 

Nearly as light, more travel.

Superduper fun!

Did I mention these bikes are completely sold out for 2021?

That they shipped them to us on accident?

Contact me by Monday, 3/1 if interested.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

---

163.4
Stretch and Hypervolt
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4855566237

I'VE HEARD IT SAID THAT STRETCHING IS A LOT LIKE PRAYING, we should do it when we least want to.  I get that sentiment.  There was a time when I'd stretch every time I returned from a ride...

... never before.

Someone somewhere told me to never stretch cold muscles.  It sounded sound, and very convenient.  I'm rushed as it is trying to meet the posse, skipping a pre-ride stretch was easy to do.

For a long time, I'd return from a ride and always do some stretching and a few crunches.

Not these days.

These days have it in my head to stretch at night, do a few planks, a little yoga... and hit the legs with the HyperVolt.

But, having it in my mind mid-day is a lot different from actually doing it mid-night, when I'm tuckered out, when I just wanna fall asleep to an old and mindless re-run...

... so I start to skip.

Little aches and kinks start popping up.  IT band irritation.  Tight back.  Strained calf.  The sort of stuff I really want to avoid...

... just need to get on the floor before I go to bed, and do my stretches.

On that note, I appreciate y'all giving me feedback on a non-racey name for the inter-galacticly famous RaceDay Bag™.

Pedal Bag and Ride Bag were the top 2 suggestions.  I like PEDALbag from a marketing standpoint because it leverages PEDALindustries.  I like RIDEbag because we all ride.  Stay-tuned the final decision.  Video will launch soon.

Mike G 1st and Amy L, were 1st and 15th respectively.  New waterbottles are on their way to them.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Everyone else can get these beautiful bottles delivered for a scant twenty bucks... 

... yes, including shipping, $20.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

162.7
Stretch and Hypervolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4848621940

OUR FRIEND MONICA GARRISON IS BEING FEATURED ON TODAY.  She is the founder of Black Girls Do Bike, 25000 strong and growing.  If you're wondering how to grow your club or team or cause check out what Monica is up to on Today or Facebook or on her site Black Girls Do Bike. ...

... I think it's more important than ever we keep connected and motivated to maximize our health, which is the mission of BGDB.

All this got me thinking that while the RaceDay Bag™ has been a hit, we are missing all the I Don't Race peeps.  So I'm asking ya for some help with more general name for a new campaign...

... because you are the best people I know.

The motivation is to help more people have more excellent days when they travel to a ride or an indoor class.

Choice are:

• RideBag
• PedalBag
• CycleBag
• _____________ (your suggestions welcome)

 Muchos thanks for the help.

First and 15th person to respond will get some new waterbottles.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Everyone else can get these beautiful bottles delivered for a scant twenty bucks... 

... yes, including shipping, $20.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

163.1
42 PullUps, 84 Burpees
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4845287382

I COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER?  Heck, I was a contender. Something has happened.  Not only don't I contend, I don't even give it a shot.  And I can't even tell you when it started.  How did I get here?...

... this is not my pathetic attitude.

Actually it is.

... this is not my heavish bike.

Actually, that is also true.

... this is not my slovenly body.

And yes, that in actuality is slightly true.

That's how I felt when I rolled out the door today...

... defeated.

But, somewhere along the way I felt a little encouraged.

Was it the sunrise?

The easier than usual pace at the start?

Hard to say.

All I can tell is I was huffingandpuffing up all the climbs while everyone else was chatting and telling jokes.

My lungs hurt, and my throat burned.

I'm gonna ditch two of the three lame excuses, attitude and body, and maybe if the #bikecoin crisis ever ends I'll get the parts for that new, half-built road bike...

... I'll be a contender.

For sure it helped to have lathered up with PR Lotion.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/amp-pr-lotion

I've created a lot of believers in this lotiony potion.  So much so that on the way to our vicious MTB ride last Saturday Chris shot me a text

Whether or not you've ever used PR Lotion, you'll want to use the promo code: PRme

It'll save ya 10% on your entire order, and get ya free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/amp-pr-lotion

---

162.7
21 PullUps, 42 PushUps
6.5 hrs sleep (not enough!)
https://www.strava.com/activities/4836672634

I KNOW IT'S BOLD TO SAY NOBODY CAN KEEP UP WITH ME ON MY EASY DAYS.  If it weren't true, I wouldn't make such an utterly outrageous claim.  But it is a cold hard reality that my easy day pace is just too...

... brutally slow.

Somehow I have garnered the underserved reputation of hauling boodwah all the time.  Its unfortunate because there's a whole slew of peeps I'd love to ride with on my easy days.

Every now and again someone will tag along... they are totally unprepared for the insanely slow pace.  They never come back, dawgawnit.

Here's an easy way to remember my formula.  Think of a 24 hour day.

• 8 hours for work
• 8 hours for living
• 8 hours for sleep

That's basically my training week.

• 1/3 intensity - 2 days, Tuesday and Saturday
• 1/3 tempo - 2 days, Wednesday and Friday
• 1/3 easy - 2 days or 1 day, Monday and maybe Thursday

Simple enough.

The fact is, it's even easier than that because Friday is a lot more like Monday.  Easy with a few short efforts, at most.

How easy?

Well, just look at today (Monday):  120 bpm, 10.1 mph... Strava suggests I stay under 360 for recovery, todays ride was 27.

Here's the money ->  Only by going slow can we ever hope to truly haulbooty when it matters.

Where ya gonna keep money like that?  In your soul.

Where ya gonna keep your greenbacks, c cards, and ID?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet

Right here in the only wallet made from bicycle innertubes.  

You do know why this is the perfect material right?  Well, because it's water and sweat resistant and because it holds everything you need when on the go...

... but the best part is the rubber is super grippy, and once it's in your jersey pocket it will never ever ever ever come out on it's own.

Trust me.

Best part... it's $20 delivered to your mailbox.  Including shipping.  Crazy, I know.

Just click here to order:  

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet

---

163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt (almost everyday, don't always post it)
14 PullUps, 28 Burpees
8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4831136024

JOE ROGAN WAS RAVING ABOUT THIS BOOK ON A PODCAST, Natural Born Heroes.  Because I'm always down to read and study what's going on in other sports to see if I bring something new to my code, I took his recommendation.  It's a wild and heroic tale of real histry, definitely a good read...

... I burned through it in a few days.

In the end it reminded me of a magical day racing.  Before I get there, here are a few of the nuggets I mined:

• True heroism is motivated by compassion
• You aren't an adult until you can rescue someone
• The holy trinity:  PullUps, Burpees, Squats
• Burn fat for fuel to go the distance
• The mediterranean diet is king
• Go slow to go fast

It's that last one I'm having trouble reconciling at the moment.  In past years, I've been focused on real tests of endurance:  Leadville, VisionQuest, Tahoe 100.  But, lately I've been road racing and doing some short XC races.

In these short races there are moments of violence that if you miss them, it's pretty much over....

Screw up the start of an XC race and you'll never make it to the front. 

Same goes for road racing.  If you miss the winning break it's over. 

... ya just can't go slow - the distance too short, decisive moment to quick

But, the book brings up Mark Allen.  6 time Ironman champ, known as The Grip.  Because as the races drew to an end if he had you in his sites he'd run you down.  You had no chance.

All that reminded me of something I used to have my best day ever at Counting Coup, Tahoe 100, and most recently at Leadville.

I call it The Pace.

Natural Born Heroes definitely alludes to this as the heroes live up to their Greek origins fighting the Nazis in WW2.

I need to get back to that type of training, especially with Cactus Cup in 3 weeks and Sagebrush Safari after that.  I might have waited too long.  We'll see.

Thinking about The Pace today, while finishing the book, I realized I left it out of The Leadville Letters.

Shame on me.

It's critical info for anybody looking to go the distance.  

So, I'm going to add it to the letters and ship it out to everybody made a previous purchase.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/the-leadville-letters

If you've got something epic on your RaceDay Calendar™, then you might want to have these handy letters in your library too.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/the-leadville-letters

---

163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt (almost everyday, don't always post it)
8.2 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4827006272

THE TRAIL SPLITS AND WE ALWAYS GO TO THE RIGHT.  Been doing if for decades.  I've stopped, looked to the left...

... and just kept going to the right.

Not today.

Fittingly, the name of the trail is Viejo Tie -> I am old, and I prayed it would tie back into where we wanted to end up.  

It wasn't much of a prayer, I was prettydamnsure this was the famed trail nobody ever rides because if you have a mishap nobody will ever find you.  Plus, there are bonus points if you can make it without dabbing...

... mission not accomplished.

Yet, still accomplished.

The whole point of today's ride was to get on some terrain that would beat the crud out of us...

... get the blood flowing inside and outside our mortalness.

In that we were most successful. 

Plenty of scrapes, dandy dabs, and a wholelotta Damnman we should be able to ride this!

When we got back on familiar, easier terrain the results where immediate.  We cleared a number of features we might normally walk, and Chris PeeYar'd the long and ridiculously fun final 30 minute downhill. 

This is not the first time I've confirmed R. Frost's claim...

... nor will it be the last.

The reason for today's adventure is the Cactus Cup looming 3 weeks out.  I can see it on my great, big, giant, amazing RaceDay Calendar™.  March 11-14 is circled in red.  

The terrain is very similar to the racecourse out in Arizona.  Only harder, and ideally will make us fasterbetterstronger.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

The calendars are awesome.  27" wide x 50" tall

• printed on our beautiful bag fabric
• grommets to hang up, and remove easily
• foldable for travel
• ... and we can make them in your team colors with your team's special dates highlighted.

For $30, delivered.

Yes, for just a few bucks you can have this calendar delivering inspiration all year long.

Order here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

163.6
21 PullUps 21 Burpees
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4820131182

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS SILLY CHALLENGE... some people straight up refuse.  I don't know if it's out of embarrassment or inability or if they are offended.  Today we had more takers than usual.  Anybody who walks in we ask 'em...

... How many pullups can you do?

Then we point to the pullup bar.

After the pullups...

... How about pushups?

Now before you ask yourself what the helk does that have to do with bike riding... let me just share the results.

WH
3 Pullups - 40 Pushups

SD
1 Pullup - 0 Pushups

MS
10 Pullups - 0 Pushups

JE
15 Pullups - 7 Pushups

Ok, now you can ask... What the helk does that have to do with bike riding?

Honestly, I'm not exactly sure.

But, I was thinking about it lately since more than a few of my friends have managed to fall off their bikes and get pretty banged up. 

Could it be they are weak? 

Pullups require a fair amount of hand strength, and tendon strength through out your arms and back.

Pushups require a lot of chest, tricep and core strength.

All I can tell ya is since finishing Living With A Seal and getting on this Pullup and Pushup kick ...

... I feel a helluvalot stronger on all my bikes

• Out of the saddle climbing and sprinting
• Steep descents on the local trails
• Seated, technical MTB climbs
• Bunnyhopping and other quick moves

Would this have helped my pals stay on their bikes?  I dunno, but it makes carrying in the groceries a lot easier.

I do sets throughout the day.  However many pullups, I do twice as many pushups.  I try and keep my form - no swinging on the pullups and shoulders as high as the bar; back flat and legs locked on the pushups, all the way down and all the way up.

Right now I'm doing sets of 7/14.  The goal is to do 5 sets of 10/20 each day, minimum 5 days a week.  I think I'll be able to do that by my birthday in April.

Steve installed a sweet bar in our rafters, and Chris wrapped it with the most excellent ENVE bar tape.  

It's so grippy and soft.

Just what you'd want on your handle bars.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-enve-composites-handlebar-tape-black

If you're looking for some super sweet bar tape, here it is.

Use this promo code:  BARENVE

It'll save ya 10% and get ya free shippin'.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-enve-composites-handlebar-tape-black

---

162.9
35 PullUps 70 PushUps 
8 solid hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4813488611

NBA SUPERSTAR REGGIE MILLER IS PART OF OUR LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SCENE.  Racing.  Putting up prize money. Buying RaceDay Bags™ for his team, Boombaby.  When he commented on a video I posted on the Instagram today...

... then, and only then, was I sure we were onto something.

But, let me give you some background.

Lately, I've realized just how useless I've become.  Having tacked a bike shop on to our online empire, staffed with a pro mechanic named The Wrench to bail me out regularly, has only made my uselessness more useless.

It's embarrassing.

We, me for sure, oughtta be able to fix our bikes.  Because if we can't fix our own bikes how the helk are we gonna help anybody else roadside, trailside or gravelside?

I was thinking all that when it me...

Fix a man's bike and he can ride for a day,
Teach a man to fix his bike and he can ride forever.

So, I walked around the corner and shot impromtu this video

 Which I posted and which the great Reggie Miller commented That's actually TRUE...

So count me in as a dude who is recommitted to becoming a kickarse garage mechanic.

And why not?

It's a helluva a lot better than HuluFlix.

How am I gonna do it?  The same way you can. 

Next time I need some work done I'm going to schedule Chris and let him know I want to watch and learn.  Easy enough.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-wrench-calendar

I'm also going to get a good set of tools for home that I can travel with.

In the meantime, I'll keep my hands protected with the most awesomest, lightest, airiest race gloves ever...

... and my feet cozy in our socks knitted in these united states using EZ Breathe Yarns and FastMax compression technology.

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

And I highly encourage you do the same.  With this BuyOneGetOne promo code - > REGGIE

Now if you're thinking it's too cold for the superlight awesome stuff... the weather is going to be perfect before you know it, and won't new gloves and socks be a joy to pull on when it's time?

A scant $25 will get you the gloves and the socks, shipping is free.

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

---

163.8
28 PullUps 56 PushUps 
8 solid hours sleep
no ride - boohoo

IF A RUT IS A GRAVE WITH THE ENDS KICKED OUT, what is a rut filled in by the county tractor?  I'll tell what it is, one of the most lethal tricks in the book...

... but, is there a name for such hazards?

They are phrases for sure, and depending on who you're talking to the phrase will range from grateful to hateful. 

A hiker, might appreciate a rut being filled in.  Just moseying along, it is nice to have a smooth surface on which to plant one's boot even if it's a little loose.

A runner, moving a little faster and hitting the ground with more force, if not careful, could turn an ankle.  Lucky for them, they aren't really going all that fast and have time to adjust course accordingly.

But a rider, a racer, like you and I...

... letting it all hang out, possibly at night, might come whipping around a familiar corner and realize too late - if at all! - that things have changed.  The ruts are gone...

... that's what the new rider might think, Oh look it's all smooth now.  Yippee!...

... Not us.  We see that change and our PEDALsense is on high alert, Oh crud, the ruts are gone which means the county tractor rolled through and filled them with loose dust and a couple of rocks. Be careful Joe or we're going down!

Yep, we really think all that and maybe a few saltier words in a micronanomiliseocnd.

We search madly to find the old ruts and avoid them because we know if we hit them with speed the wheels will drop in and we'll be an instant yardsale.

It happens so quick.

Ruts.

This is about the point where I come up with some new, clever name for ruts recently filled in by the county tractor.  But, I got nothing.  No new word.

No pithy way to describe the feeling we've had, lurking beneath that newly smooth dirt is a disaster waiting to happen.

Can't win 'em all.

But, you can win the Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ - custom bag, custom kit, custom poncho, custom KOM jacket, custom RaceDay Calendar™ and a bunch of other goodies.

Check it out:  https://pedalindustries.com/pages/3000-enve-wheel-giveaway

---

165.2 - the horror!
42 PullUps 84 PushUps 30 leg to shoulder press
7.25 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4805024710

YA KNOW....... SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO STAY IN BED.  But, I never do.  Even when I get home late the night before, even when the ground is soaked, even when the Wahoo isn't charged...

... I charge out the door for TMWC.

And that soaked ground is always risky on road tires, right? 

I think the flats per ride goes up a million percent on wet days. I wasn't worrying about it this morning...

... getting a flat...

... because ya know, tubeless.  In fact, I've been consciously wreckless since going tubeless.  Purposely not paying attention like I did in my tubed days.

Psssssst psssssst psssssssssst.

Flat!

Oh man, we got time to change it.

Not changing it, got this handydandy plug.

And I did have a handydandy plug.  Jammed it in the toobigtosealwithsealant hole, yanked it out, shot in some CO2.  Just like the commercial said, except the CO2 shot right back out.

I wasn't surprised. 

This is exactly what happened last time we experimented with the Stan's Dart system at the shop.  If the hole is too small, the dart head separates from the feathery things meant to fill the hole.  It's a big fail.

Luckily for me, Steve was driving over and stopped to lend a hand and a CO2 cartridge.  

The second dart I shoved more slowlier.  Then even slowlier extracted the dart shover.  Said a prayer.  Filled it up.  

Success!

I wasn't suprised.

It supposed to work that way.  

There is somewhat of an art to all these dartlike systems for patching a hole too gaping for sealant.  With the Stan's, if the hole is just barelytoobigforsealant the dart must be shoved in carefully.

Anyway, I sent the guys on ahead and turned around.  Figured it would be better to be close to home in case the system failed.  Rode for 30ish miles. 

It's still holding air perfectly now, hours later.

Even though you can see the feathery thingies, you really don't feel them when riding.  Part of the reason could be that this all happened on the BMC URS which has 20 millimeters of travel in the rear.

The temptation, when you're surrounded with new tires like I am, is to throw a new one on.  But, I think I'm going to really test this out for a few hundred miles.

It's good to practice flat repairs.  Tubeless or tubed.  Not too long ago, flats were things you got once a month, or more.  It was a skill every rider honed and could easily perform.  These days not so much.

Which is why I say Every day is RaceDay.  Especially today.  I got a little more practice with the darts and reminded myself to carry more than one CO2.  One could say this was a fortuitus time to flat:  not in a turn, not in a hurry, not in a race... a good time to practice.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat

It's still beanie weather, so you probably don't want this hat yet.  But, then again maybe you do.  Even if it's just hanging in the garage by the Zwifty set up.

According to our website, this hat sells for twentyfour dollars and ninety seven cents, which is such a weird number.  I don't know what we were thinking.  So just remember this...

25 bucks, delivered to your door.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat

 ---

164.2 lbs - not bad after 5 days on the road eating junk
20 PullUps 40 PushUps
6 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4797003122