Todd's Blog — The RACER's Life

PETER SAGAN HAS A NEW TEAMMATE, it's California legend T.O.D.

When asked by GCN why he had to have the aging racer on the team Peto was quick to respond...

Why not?  He's fast for his age.  He's claimed numerous KOMs in his weight class.  And, he's a hell of a lot of fun to be around.

Pressed on why those were winning qualities team owner Ralph Denk was very frank...

Look, we don't count on him winning anything but we just like him.  He works hard, sweats a lot, and eats pretty good most of the time.  We think he'll be a huge inspiration to the younger guys on the team.

GCN cornered The Old Diesel.  just after he was the last guy to come off the winning break of the local group ride.  They probed how he felt about taking a spot away on the team from someone who might actually help the champion win a race.

I know, it's sounds crazy.  But, I've been a huge fan of Sagan's since lining up to race him at Over The Hump.  When he lapped me that day I knew being teammates was our destiny.  Of course my wife will miss me, but she has a good TV and she'll be able to see me doing my thing.  My kids are excited to, after years of living like a pro I'll finally be one.  My neighbors are already asking for my autograph. And my mom, bless her heart, cried.  I can't wait for the first training camp, to hang out with the guys and...

Dad... Dad... DAD! Are you listening to me?

What, huh, yeah, of course honey...

Reading The Secret Life of Walter MIddy today reminded me of the life saving balm a good day dream can be.  Times when we drift off and dream of what it would feel like to be pro.  To ride all day, climbing the highest mountains, professional chefs looking out for us... ah, the life of a professional bike racer.  What it would it be like?

Maybe you dream of wearing the stars and stripes, of being a national champion, of representing the USA.  If that's you, our Patriot Speed Jersey could be just what you're looking for.

We make them to order, right here in 'Merica.

Check it out:  

https://pedalindustries.com/products/made-in-usa-speed-jersey-ships-in-about-3-weeks

Yes, the actual short story is better than mine... a lot better.

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165.2 lbs
0 pullups/0 pushups
8 hrs sleep
3 mile walk on sand

Ride with us: click for info. 

SURFERGIRL SPLIT FOR HIGHER PASTURES YESTERDEE.  I looked at her long-faced, swore I didn't know what I'd do with myself...

... then started planning today's ride...

'cause ain't no riding like the riding when she's gone.

Typical Friday, messages and posts... What 'er ya doin'?  Did you hear about X ride? etc

I wanted to say yes to all of 'em, being all pent up with my self-imposed, weakly regulated offthebike rest week.

I committed to meetin' the fellas by the harbor and heading up the coast to connect with the newly resurrected Food Park group ride.  Shamed PViddy into joining us - I'm not in shape - I know, that's why you should come - I'm gonna get dropped - I know, it'll be fun.

Our little posse met up with the group.

Lotsa good feelings, guys come from all parts to do the ride and we hadn't seen each other since it's summer demise - another topic.

Cheyne, how far you going?

Gonna do a hundy.

So, of course I thought I'd do the same.

We peeled off from the group.  Then went our separate ways.

I stopped for an apple danish at Hidden House, ran into Dylan and Mike and Alessandro.

65 miles in, 35 to go. What's a bachelor to do?

Then tragedy struck at mile 90.

Ugh.

Sliced sidewall.

I popped off my Mini-RaceDay bag, ready for a quick fix.

Oooops!

No nozzle for my cartridge... I then remembered I'd loaned it to a buddy on a ride and forgotten to repo it.  Rats!

Luckily, I have a million friends - fact - who ride.

Called one... I moved.

Called two... no answer.

Called three... I'm out, but wife is home.

Phew.  

Two blocks in my socks.

Got 'er fixed, and shot straight for the local, quirky bakery for an unpronouncable sandwich.

Lesson of the day:  be sure the vastly superior Mini RaceDay bag is loaded.

Click the image for details - I dare you... not really, but it's cool.   Check it out . 

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-mini-raceday-bag

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165 lbs
0 pullups/0 pushups
6.5 hrs sleep
6 hour ride.

Ride with us: click for info. 

MY STOMACH HURT, 'couldn't stop laughing.

It all started with Uncle Todd, I signed up for a triathlon.

When?

Sunday.

Well, awesome... let's get you hooked up.

It's hard to remember how incredibly foreign a bike can be.  We all rode bikes as kids... but, you pick up a pro-level bike for the first time and it might as well be a NASA spec'd interplanetary rover.

This is a very smart, hard working young man.

Clueless.

Have you ridden it?

Yeah, Uncle Todd.  I have a lot more respect for road bikers.  (just wait, kiddo)

K, how about the gears... do you understand how to shift?

Not really.

So we throw it in the bike stand and play around with the shifting.

Small in back, hard.  Small in front, easy.  

He nods.  I have complete faith by the end of 25 miles he'll have it dialed, but oh man... those first 10 are gonna be rough.

Let's get you in a kit.

The nut crunchers?

You'll be fine... now Wyatt, this is my prized speed suit.  We sell these for over $200.

Oh, okay I don't need that.

Yes you do... I'm telling you that so you have confidence that this is the very best money can buy... now go put it on.

Ok.

No undies, go commando.

He changes... comes out... now, in all fairness he is an outstanding surfer and wetsuits have the zipper in the back... he comes out with... you guessed it... THE ZIPPER IN BACK! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

I'm dying.

He starts laughing, can't help it.

What?!

Hahahaha.....hahahaha...

Bro.... hahaha.... it's .... on..... BACKWARDS!!!!

Back in the bathroom, and out.

You look great.  How's it feel.

Amazing.  When do I put it on?

First thing, under your wetsuit.  Then on the bike...

... do I run in it?

Absolutely?

For real?

Yes, my buddy Joby just PR'd Kona in that exact speed suit.

He smiles.

Me too... can't wait to go watch him Sunday.

I wore that very suit to a number of surprising road victories this year.  If you want to check it out here's the link:

https://pedalindustries.com/products/splatter-speed-suit-master-yellow

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165.4 lbs
20 pullups/60 pushups
7.5 hrs sleep
1.25 hour ride.

Ride with us: click for info. 

NOTHING IS WORSE THAN A BAD GIRLFRIEND (ladies just insert boyfriend for ease - not that your easy, that I'm too lazy to switch back and forth and I know your too hip to care).

I would surf every day if surfing wasn't such a lousy lover.  I never know what I'm gonna get.  Is it going to be pumping? flat? empty? crowded? ? ? ? ?

Which reminds me how silly I think surf contests are, surfing is art, and my favorite surfers are soul surfers... surfing for love and spirit. 

Most mountain bikers around here are surfers.

You know why now, right?

Because surfing is so dawgawn fickle.  Ugh!

But the bike... the bike... she so lovely.

She a great lover.

Always ready to go, to rip or flow.

She don't care, she just wants to go.

And these surfing mountain bikers aren't into the competition thingy.

They are soul riders.

No hurry to climb.

No computer to obey.

Getting high, while riding high.

Chasing it with adrenalin, while chasing each other down.

That's soul riding.

No agenda.

Time to ditch the Garmin, bro.

My go to soul riding snack:  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-posse-proven/products/honey-stinger-variety-pack

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166
20 pullups/60 pushups
7.5 hrs sleep
1.25 hour ride.

Ride with us: click for info. 

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO BREAK YOUR PROMISE TO TAKE A WEEK OFF?  Does it really matter?  I mean nobody is checking, right?  Sure my body is worn out...

But, when a college buddy calls and says I'm in town, let's ride!

Ya gotta go.

Though the paths we ride are thousands of miles apart, our souls are still traveling together...

... and that's a ride I'm always never gonna pass on.

MY GIRL IS A SURFER FIRST, BIKE RIDER 2ND.  Which means we surfed this morning - paddle surfed... and, we might go for a bike ride tonight.

Do I panic I'll miss my planned DRTY WDNSDY ride?  Not even.

It's all part of the diabolical plan:  do all I can to make this day special so I can ride all I want the rest of the week.

It's more than that actually, because she celebrates the entire week.

So, on Monday night when she wanted to go watch the meteor shower I said Heck yes!... even though I knew we'd be out so late I'd have to skip the Tuesday Morning World Championships.

... all part of my diabolical plan to ride all I want the rest of the year.

_____

164.4 lbs 
25/0
7 hrs

Ride with us: click for info. 

Our latest vid.

I'M THE BRAVEST, TOUGHEST PERSON I KNOW until I'm faced with a threat.  Then, I'm much for flight than fight.  Tonight, long after the shadows took over, I leaped up a steep single track leaving the comfort of asphalt and street lights behind.  It seemed like a good way to get back home.

My light was shining steady and bright, and I zoned out lost in my thoughts as my legs spun an easy tune.  It felt so good to get away from the bustle of my daily hustle.

City behind.

Cars long gone.

Just me, my light and a dried mustard weed forest.

The moon was yet to rise.  It would beam bright, eventually.  But, at the moment things were quite dark.

I heard a yelp up ahead, to the left.  Not a big deal. 

Coyotes are shy.  I see them often... in fact, I've been seeing them a lot lately. Usually alone.  Occasionally, two or three.  They are aren't starving, they are big and healthy.

Another yelp.  This time  ahead, and off to the right a bit.

At that moment, I was reminded of Justin's encounter with a coyote on the way to TMWC.  It ran along side him.  Unafraid.  It flanked him.  It should Justin up for weeks.

The next yelp was off to my left.  

Were they surrounding me?  I was alone.  Going up hill.  Breathing rather hard.

I stopped.

Whipped my rig around.

Flipped the beam to highest strength and got the heck outta dodge.

... real brave, real tough... ha!, not tonight.

_____

164.4 lbs
20/60
8 hrs

Ride with us: click for info. 

Our latest vid.

I'M PROBABLY NOT LIKE YOU.  My day job is largely spent with 20 year olds.  I also put in a fair chunk of time volunteering my time serving teenagers.  

When it comes to my riding posse, I usually out old most of 'em.

I'm lucky, I guess.

All this youth, constantly sharing with me how they see the world.  In obvious and subtle ways the teach me.  

Yesterday, I received two great lessons.

Young Luke, 13 years old/100 lbs, kept attacking and attacking on a flat and windy course.  He had no business even trying against a bunch of strong adults.  That's the lesson, train hard and your races are easy.

The other was from AC.  Airpods firmly drilled in, attention clearly zoned out. 

I asked what he was listening to.  
Music.

I like music too, so I asked what.  
60s-80s-90s.

I like that too. I asked top band of each decade.  
Grateful Dead-Dead Kennedys-Tool.

Only knowing a fair amount about the Dead, we got down to talking.

When I got home I pulled up the Essential Tool playlist on Apple Music.

_____

163.6 lbs
Gym
7 hrs

Ride with us: click for info. 

Our latest vid.

25 IN PARK CITY THIS MORNING, per Jeff. 

47 in San Clemente this morning, per Todd.

I tell him the humidity makes it colder than it is...

... he laughs at me.

We're both laying it on pretty thick because it's time to layer up.

My ride today when from 47 to 59 inside of 12 minutes.  Part of that is geographical, riding from the shaded river bed to the sun-warmed ridge tops.  Part of it is just the time of year.

Layer time.

Today was just my kit and a windbreaker.  That's what I like when I know the temp change is going to be rapid and drastic.

Other days I roll out with kit, vest and arm warmers.  Ditching the arm warmers as thing percolate.  Keeping the vest to warm my core.

Next is knee warmers with arm warmers and vest.

The most I typically need in these parts is arm and knee warmers with the windbreaker... 

...unless it's in the 30's, then I'll add the vest too... 'cause humidity!
(Jeff goes kit only until sub-45... 'cause stud)

_____

164.6 lbs
0/0
7 hrs

Ride with us: click for info. 

Our latest vid.

A MISTY, BONE-CHILLING START.  Chicken skin.  Sixth day of an experimental, high-intensity week... Chris hits Cholla hard after squeaking I'm just gonna spin up it.

That's Chris for ya. 

Stair Steps can be a shin-busting descent, but today I cleaned the whole thing... feather in helmet for me!

Now it's 8:15am, the high tide for trail users.  Hikers, runners, riders.  Everywhere.  

Ripping Old Emerald, the rough trail scrambles my eyesight.  I see a dude,  TODDbrooown... (doppler effect).  It's Roby McGee.  I stop.  He's all about Enduro on Saturdays. 

Asks if we're going to Filthy 50....

 Yep. 

Good, let's ride together I'm sick of racing.

That sounds good.  

And, it does.  Today anyway.  Can't make promises once the gun goes.

There's a wonderful single track down Emerald Canyon.  The kind you don't really pedal and don't really brake.  It is emerald.  So lush.  Cooler, quieter.  Not lonelier.  An on purpose solitariness.

The climb back up is nice, requiring a touch of nimbleness to wiggle up a couple of pitches.

Rattle Snake, has no rattlers today.  No hikers.  No riders.  Weird.  The claws of rock at the bottom take a few swipes.  Knock me off, but no scratches.

Under 10 min on I Think I Can climb... new PRs, ouch.

Dropped down B.F.I knobbies clinging to pavement to gravel to dirt..... more PRs.

Smiling so hard on Lizard DH, I finally have it mostly memorized... more PRs for me...

... but not for Chris.

Chris rolled in with a dropper seat post... errr dropped seat post.  He musta hit something hard.  The seat tube collar split in half.

Do you want me to go back with you? 

I'd like to say this was an honest question.  I knew he'd say No, but would like the company.  He knew I'd say OK, and would miss his company.  A real friend would go back with comrade on wounded bike.  A real friend would also say No, I don't want to ruin your ride.

And... that's friendship.

The rest of my ride was less enjoyable than it could have and should have been,

I got to Nix Nature Center.

Sat down.

Got up.

Filled my bottles.

Sat down.

Took time to do nothing.

Geared back up, and rode back.

Better fitness, but feeling less friendly.  Kept telling myself I would have said same thing he said... knowing he would have ridden back with me.

Some days, I could do better.

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164.2 lbs
0/0
7 hrs

Ride with us: click for info. 

Our latest vid.

PEDAL POSSE Ep 1:  HOW TO LOAD YOUR RACEDAY BAG

Hey there Awesomeness…

I’m so stoked you got a RaceDay Bag (or considered it)...

... It's gonna change your life...

... the right bag will make you go faster because race day becomes a whole lot easier.

So, let's get started.

Watch the video or read below.

I store my bag with all the pockets unzipped, so the bag can breathe and smell fresh.  When I grab it, it’s ready to load.  Some of the posse store their bag with their gear ready to race.  

First, put your shoes in there… and make sure you’ve got the right shoes for the bike and event.  I always do this first.  In fact, one of the inspirations of the bag was my second Leadville 100.  Halfway to Colorado I realized I had left my shoes behind.  My wife called FEDEX, but they couldn’t guarantee delivery the next day because it was a tiny, forgotten town at the time.  As a back up, we bought $300 shoes in Fruita.  But, they didn’t carry my brand of pedals.  Phoned ahead to a shop in Aspen that carried them and arranged to have them leave a bag outside after hours.  It probably looked like a drug drop.  Great, big, huge hassle.  Put your shoes in first and zip ‘em up.

Second, slide your helmet in the other end.  It’ll go right over your shoes.  If you have the PRO, add your bottles (I recommend not filling them, ya never know if the lids will leak).  Zip ‘em up.

Now, look at the top of your bag.  Go through our check list.  You’ll notice extra space for you to Sharpie in other items.  Need and ibuprofen?  Write it on the pocket.

Personally, I like to do one pocket at a time.

Once you're packed, put the bag by your bike, or in the car.  It’s a RaceDay bag and you wanna have it with you, right?!

Now here’s the beauty.  If by chance you get 15 minutes down the road and start wondering… Gee, did I pack my glasses… in seconds, you can go to that pocket and find them.

This is peace of mind.  You’ll be relaxed.  You’re gonna have a great day!

So… tell us about it.  Post on our FB or Insta or Strava pages.  Let us know.  We’re cheering for you… and ya never know, we just might send you a surprise.

Got any questions.  Email me, todd@pedalindustries.com

__________

PS ->  This must be what it feels like to dope... there's no way I'd show up to race without PR Lotion, it's that good.  Promise.

From the first time you use it, you'll know...

You'll be saying things like, It's super weird, I've never felt better.

For short races, apply before.

For epic rides and races double up.  Put on when you rise, then apply again before you head out.

I don't use it for training rides because I'm afraid it'll make me ride too hard.

Buy PR Lotion here, shipping is FREE.

I won't tell if you use it to steal KOM's....

K, that's it for now.

I HAVE A VERY, VERY STRICT BUDGET FOR INVESTING IN NEW BICYCLES.  It's really simple.  Anybody can use it successfully and have a lifetime of two-wheeled joy.

Here it is...

Zero or Outrageous.

If it's an okay bike, if I'm not dreaming about it, if I think it's gonna be anything short of blow my bibs off awesome... I got no interest.

If it's got all the latest and greatest, if it promises to make me super hero, if it's insanely rare, if it calls to me evening and night... now that's something to pry the inner-tube wallet open.

So my dear purveyor of bikes, show me the best... after all, friends don't let friends ride junk.

... and yes, more and more, I find that same formula works for any purchase.

(That's my buddy Craig's drool-worthy 80's resto with original chrome rims and super-trick 11 speed cassette upgrade)

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165.4
00/0
6.5 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

AT APPROXIMATELY 11AM SAID RIDER EXITED THE DESIGNATED AREA.  Yep, I did that.  Didn't cut the wire, just hellaglad it'd been done because the alternative was a steep, unrideable, rocky sketch... destination unknown.

5 feet away, the lovely and entreating Laguna Canyon highway opened her arms.

We make decisions every day to ride inside or outside the wire.

Some of us cut the wire.

Others slip through an opening.

A few lead.

Many follow.

How, When, What don't matter nearly as much as Who and Why.

_____

By the way, we're overstocked on Arm, Knee and Leg warmers... use SAVE20LAYERS to save 20% - SHOP NOW 

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166.6
0/0
7.5 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

IT'S FRIDAY AND I'M FRIED.  It ain't easy being awesome.  Am I right?  Cranking out great work takes time, energy and love.  If you do that, then you know what I'm talking about. 

Sometimes, the only thing that keeps me hanging on is the scent of an epic weekend ride. 

...'you pickin' up what I'm puttin' down?...

... can I please get an Amen!?...

But it's worth it, putting in the effort.  At least. I hope your work is worth it.

This morning, the old Roxy Music song popped into my head... Love is the drug that I'm thinking of.

I pulled up Apple's take on Roxy's essential songs and I had an Oh Yeah! moment.

Their older songs, like a lot of great and less-than-great groups, sound like their influences.  In this case, the Beatles.  As time went on, they developed a vibe of their own. 

Which brings me to my Oh Yeah!... the more time, energy and love we put into our work the more original we get and the better our work.  There are definitely some flops along the way.  Just keep striving for the hits.  

Yeah, I know my bike rides are self-medication and I'm totally down with it.

How 'bout you?

_____

This is goods

_____

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164.2
20/60
7 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, I can't leave it in the small ring.  Even on a pancake flat ride, with goalometer pegged to easy... eventually... out of habit?... my chain magically jumps to big.

Take tonight, on the heels of the heinous Hardman Classic followed by a peppy Market Ride and chased by an attempt at tempo but turned let's do this! glorious mtb sesh...

...you'd think...

... right?...

You'd think, No prob. . You'd think i'd just roll along.  Sure I'd run all over that rear cassette (why do we say rear, when there's only one place it could be?).

But no.

A whiff of tailwind, a -.5% grade, and I was in the big.

Is it just me?

Am I the only one with zero ability to resist the lusty call of the big ring?

It's just a small ring after all... who needs it?

______

164
25/0
7.5 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

OF ALL THE LIES WE TELL OURSELVES THIS TIME OF YEAR, none is bigger than I'll be back before dark.

It's not impossible to be back in time, just improbable.

It's not our fault either, it's just too darn good. 

The air is still warm, but there's a hint of chill that makes us want to charge on.  Plus we've been enjoying the long summer nights for months.

We're in a groove.

What's a rider to do?

I dunno.

Really, I don't.

I mean I do, but... I guess I'm just in denial.

One thing I really like about the long days is wrapping up solid day of work with an equally solid ride.  It's part reward and part mental bath.

I'm gonna fight it longer this year... gonna get an earlier start on the work day.  Then, I'll bust out the lights to extend my twilight.  

But, when the time changes I'll probably give up.  Go back to sunrise rides.  I like those too.

Ya know... I see a lotta a sunrises and sunsets.  Probably more than any of my neighbors or friends... no lie.

______

164
20/60
7.5 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

MY FRIEND IS SLOW.  Not long ago he was very fast.  He's not sure why.  Dr's don't know.  And the road to figure it out is very congested.  It's frustrating.  Infuriating.

I miss battling him.  He brings out the best in me.

On a recent ride, we poked along.  He was working hard.  I wasn't.

We talked about stuff.  Vacations.  Kids.  Life.  Which is the best part of any ride anyway. 

I pray his health returns with a vengeance.
I give thanks for the health I enjoy. 
We think we'll ride forever.
Maybe we will...

______

164.4
20/60
8 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

SHE’S MY CHEAPEST DATE. 
Expects the least from me.

Rolls with my whims,
all of ‘em

Easy on my mind,
when I’m uneasy.

Dirty-minded,
we’re like-minded.

I like her dusty,
looking used.

She likes any pace,
fast or slow,
... just wants to go.

This bike.  Inexpensive.  Heavy.  Solid.  Dependable.  Hopes for little, gives all.  Everyone oughta have one. 

One of these days.
We’ll ride away.
Nowhere.
Fade away.
Somewhere.
Hideaway.
Right there.

Never come back.

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163.6
25/50
7.5 hrs 
Ride with us: click for info. 

KOOKY IS AS KOOKY DOES... and I see a lotta kooky kaka.  I try not to dwell on it.  It's like kancer.  It'll kill ya.

This SUV is not moving.  It's parked.  The driver you can't see, he's outta the car.  Thankfully, he got back in and kept moving.

Let it go, bro... it never ends well.

______

164
0/0
6.5 hrs (paid for it on ride and at work)
Ride with us: click for info. 

HEY... I WAS A GUEST ON THE BIG WHEEL COACHING PODCAST.  Brian rooted out some of my secrets.

I had a blast.  Before I do another...

... I'd love, love, love... your feedback.