I'M A SUCH A SUCKER.  Some people fall for nice legs, others broad shoulders, a sweet smile.  Me, I'm a total sucker...

... for a bad@$$.

And, I'm finding more and more of you since we expanded our bags to include triathletes and runners.

We may look different, move different, play different but in the end it's all the same...

... people pushing their limits.

I love it.

If you've taken the 10-Week challenge then you know about Cowboy Strong and my cousin Norman.

Check out Becky:

I'm the tiny female version of Norman:. a full-time horse trainer, with 22 horses, 1 miniature donkey, and various stray dogs to care for on my ranch in Texas. I have those cowboy callouses from hay bales, feed sacks,  manure forks, and lead ropes. I feel that all of this has kept me relatively injury free as a competitive runner, and recently, functional fitness athlete.

Yep.
Cowgirl Strong.

She continues:

I appreciate your promotion of fitness as a lifestyle. It's so important in this "take a pill for everything" world we're living in. 

Eating dinner at the bar tonight (I'm on a road trip), a commercial popped up for a weightloss pill.  It seamed insane to me.  

Dad bods playing soccer, good.  
Dad bods working up a sweat, more good.
Dad bods loading up their plates at the barbecue, WTH?

When we commit to a life of bad@$$ery...

... there is no need for pills.

There is only one need - to be excellent.

• Physically
• Mentally 
• Spiritually
• Socially

A proper focus eliminates all desire to deviate...

... and reveals that excellence is actually the easier path.

 https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

This is the pill you need.

Are you up for the challenge?

 https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

----

162ish
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT:  Why do you race?  And before you say, I don't race...

... you race.

We all do.

We might not pin on numbers or tie on plates, but we sure as heck know our PRs...

... and go for the City Limits signs.

So, why do you race?  Because you like...

• the action?
• camaraderie?
• the ego boost?
• a fitness check in?
• inspiration by humiliation?

... whatever your reason, what would happen if you stopped racing?

The racer who simply loves riding,
will race harder and longer
than the racer who loves
the finish line.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

Do you know who puts the Industries in PEDAL Industries?

The industrious,
on and off the bike
those get after it every day,

If that's you, check out this hoodie.  $35, ships free.

Plus!, grants early access to this limited edition kit

$35

Order Now, quantities are limited and dwindling. 

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

165
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
20 minutes recovery 
900 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

MAYBE IF WE WERE GETTING PAID IT'D BE DIFFERENT.  But, we aren't.  We are just racing for fun and sport and competition...

... the challenge.

Along the way friendships are formed.

Oh, I've managed to ruffle a few feathers along the way.  Maybe it's just part of doing all you can to be your best that drudges up a few haters.  Not a big deal...

... maybe a compliment?

Far more common is to meet so new people, who are also committed to excellence on and off the bike.

Friends before the race.
Enemies during.
Buds after.

I received a nice note from Adam, who one the overall last weekend.  We only know each other by doing this one race, in Tucson AZ, since 2018.  Over time, we have battled back and forth on each stage...

... and I look forward to seeing him each year and catching up.

Above is a picture of Dan and I after the last stage.  We met this year, and we battled all three days. He held onto 3rd place overall by a whopping 3 seconds.

Below is David, from MO.  We connected when he purchased a RaceDay Bag 4 years ago...

... and he happened to be in Tucson this past weekend and noticed the van.

The point is, if you're going to races and make friends...

... you're doing it right.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

And if you're wearing this hoodie, you're definitely part of a friendly tribe of dedicated athletes.

Ships free.

Grants early access to this limited edition kit

Order Now.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

165ish (Surfergirl diet got me)
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
20 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

RACING CAN BE SO WEIRD.  You're shoulder to shoulder with someone.  Everyone is working so hard.  But, we get tired and get crabby and sometimes...

... behave poorly.

I prayed things would be different.

Yep.

I actually said a little prayer before heading out to race...

• Help us all to ride safe
• The officials to have an easy job
• And help me to be kind and understanding

That last part is pretty much why I don't race crits any more.  The are so gnarly, so technically challenging.  Everyone is on the edge because the danger is so high...

... and, frankly, I can be a bit of a jerk.

Not on purpose.

But, when tensions are amped and emotions raging, it's a challenge to give another racer the benefit of the doubt let alone...

... a freakin' inch of road.

So, on lap 5 of yesterday's race when I politely inquired of another racer...

Hey, any idea what lap we are on?

Yes.

What lap?

You should know.

No, what lap are we on?

You should know, that's racing.

So you're not gonna tell me? 

He looks at me, smiles, looks away.
I think, Jerk!

Ok, well, you can close that gap I just opened... 

Yes, not my finest moment.

I was so tempted to go for it right then and there...

... the bee was definitely in my bibs.

That little exchange served to pump up the adrenalin for the plan I'd hatched in the morning.

As he closed the gap, I slid back bottling all that silly emotion up.  Time to disappear for lap and fein exhaustion.  

The things we do for a win.
It's pretty darn fun.
If we stay cool.
Playful.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

Like this playful, midweight, hoodie.

Ships free.

Grants early access to this limited edition kit

Order Now.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

What's more fun than a blog post?... me riffing on it.

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

163ish
8 hrs Sleep
40 pushups and air squats
0 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I HAD ONE PLAN TODAY, victory.  Friday, I winged it on the time trial.  Yesterday, I raced to win.  Today, I went for the victory...

... which is unlike winning.

In fact, for me, it's a completely different mentality.

Winning is about hedging and managing and strategy and doing what it takes and nothing more...

... to win.

That's nice, but nowhere near as satisfactory as the feeling of knowing there was nothing more to give, vanquishing my fears of losing, risking everything...

... this is victory, regardless of the outcome.

I woke up with this mental image:  a greased pig, wreaking havoc and uncontainable.

Can't image a better vision.

Of course, it's easy to feel that way after a great night of sleep in an outstanding hotel...

... before the first hard stomp on the pedals.

(Surfergirl turned in my points to stay at the Lowes, and why not?)

My warm up was spot on this time.

1 hour.
45 minutes easy on the pedals.
15 bringing the heart rate up and stoking the fires.

For some reason, I lined up at the back of the pack even though I predicted it would start out hard.  Heck, I even thought about the same thing before hatching my plan to go on the 7th lap.

So, I got to spend that first mile or so chasing and hustling my lycra up to the front.

For 5 laps I went with every attack, or let it go and bridged up, or pushed on when things slowed down.  We needed to suffer, and make the teams work, and tire out the sprinters.

During that time, I was able to ferret out who could handle their bike in the turns, who's wheel was good to follow and who had something left to give on the day.

My plan, hatched the night before was to go for it on the last climb of the 6th lap, rail the turn at the bottom and keep on going.

It almost worked.

What happened was just as good, if not better.  

The teams were sprinting for the bonus seconds on lap 6, completely stretched out the field, got their seconds, then shut down the pace...

... I sailed on by, and kept going.

Then Gerry, who smoked us in the tt, passed me like I was standing still.

I looked back.
I had a good gap.
Gerry was pulling away.
I buried myself to catch up...

... and he eased up a bit.

Thanks for waiting, give me a minute to recover.

He gave me 3 minutes, to the top of the climb.

As I'm pulling through, I look back and see a white jersey.

Dang.

They caught us.

Nope.

It's yesterday's hero Gary.

I can't believe he made it across the gap.  We have a good 15 seconds and now we are rolling and rotating.

It's on.

We are smooth, and committed.
Greased pigs, on the loose.

Into the bell lap, we have nearly 30 seconds.  That 7th lap was the fastest of the day for me.  

Gary is gassed.

Hang on bro, recover.

Gerry, Gary is struggling.

We couldn't wait, but it was cool if he skipped a few pulls.  It was too much.  Gerry is such a powerhouse uphill, it's just a battle staying on his wheel.

With 2k to go, we still had 20 seconds.

We started the mile or so downhill to the last turn.

This is where we would lose a lot of time.  The bunch was anxious to pull us back, some wanted to hang onto their GC positions, some wanted to win the stage...

... they'd have to wait another day.

300 meters to go.
It's a drag race for the line.

Today was that rare instance, where a victory comes with a win.

Insights:

This was the first race in quite a while where I have felt really good, didn't battle any cramps, and had excellent energy.

• Great sleep
• Arrived 2 hours early
• Proper 1 hour warm up
• Consumed 600 calories, 400/hour

Those little details probably made the difference.  But, who knows?  The older I get, the more difficult it is to predict good days on the bike.

Marco Colbert, with a lot of great people from the city and volunteers, has rescued the Tucson Bicycle Classic.  USAC, had a really pro and friendly staff, which I found to be very refreshing.  If you are looking for a helluva fun weekend of racing, in the beautiful winter desert...

... get your buns out here next year.

 https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

 Victories start way before the gun goes off.

Are you up for the challenge?

 https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

----

163ish
8ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery 
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE TUCSON BICYCLE CLASSIC delivered another wild race.  On the start line, race jitters were dialed way up because the temp was...

... dialed way down.

35 degrees.

USAC officials really, really, really like to see race numbers so there was serious deliberations on what to wear.  Because the speeds can be very high on the long, long, long decent I opted to go aero.

• Skull cap
• Base layer
• Neck gator
• Two jerseys
• Arm warmers
• Plastic trash bag pieces over socks
• Covered holes on aero helmet with tape

Nobody warmed up much.
Too darn cold.

I stayed in my light down jacket as long as possible.  Still, I was shivering as we waited for our wave to roll off.  Surfergirl took it from me with 2 minutes to go.

Like everyone else, I was anxious to get it on...

... get that blood pumping.

We hit the first few hills pretty hard.

It felt good.

Well, I felt nothing.

The one thing that was way better than I thought was pullng that neck gator up over my face as we raced along the lumpy terrain before bombing down hill for 4 miles...

... at 30+mph in our underpants.

The racing?

Chaotic as usual.

Lots of free agents, like me, rolling the dice on attacks.  A handful of teams willing to pull it all back.  This carried on for 2 and half of the 3 laps, 60 miles, we'd race...

... then, the madness.

We turned right to go down the hill, I was in second position and let a gap open.  These breaks were going nowhere...

... but, this opened up a bit.

The teams weren't working at all.

Then a bigger dude I thought had no chance to hold us off on the hill went.

2 guys up the road.

I waited for the teams.

The Adam went, and I thought for sure the race leader, Gerry, and his team would pull him back.

Nothing.

So I took a flyer, got within 5 seconds, could see the group was coming hard and waited for them...

... nothing.

The gap kept getting bigger and bigger.

They were gone.

3 guys up the road.

No teams working.
No free agents rolling the dice.

The only hope was they'd blow.

They didn't.

At the bottom of the 4 mile climb to the finish, my friend Gary took the front and really put it down.

Nobody could come around him.

He pulled off, everybody was gassed.

He went back and kept the heat on.  
Heroic stuff.

Honestly, I thought I'd have something for the finish.  Even though the time bonuses and lots of time were gone...

... it's still good to sprint across.

I had nothing.
Something, but not enough. 

Adam won by over a minute, and picked up 13 seconds in time bonuses.

Impressive.

He has 53 seconds on Gerry, and a minute twenty on little ol' me who...

... somehow is still 5th overall.

Madness.

Tomorrow, I predict, is going to be lit.

The teams will have plans and the free agents got nothing to lose.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-hats/products/black-skull-cap

This skull cap is so nice

Made from the same luxurious Italian fabric we use on the front of our #1 and PRO jerseys this is breathable and moisture wicking.

Use promo code: CmonTodd!

to save 20%, ships free

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-hats/products/black-skull-cap

----

163ish
7ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
40 minutes recovery 
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

TIME IS A CONSTRUCT WE ALL AGREE ON, and can be very real for us humans.  For all other creatures there is day and night.  Measured or not, seconds can mean the difference in another construct...

... winning and losing.

Aren't you glad you have me making mistakes so you don't?

This is a great one.

I thought I was being so smart and clever.  Earlier in the week, I pasted all my start times into my calendar on Outlook.  For some reason, I thought to share them with Surfergirl.

Good thing.

This morning, after a solid night of sleep in the van, we popped down to the Waffle House.

I love Waffle House.  
She'd never been.

It's one of the reasons I come to this race.  
I really look forward to it.
It's a time machine.
Backwards.

Fueled up, I doublechecked my start time:  11:40:30 AM

It was 830ish.

Plenty of time to get to the start, 30 minutes away, and relax before a 60 minute warm up.

Everything was according to plan.

9:40 AM

Why aren't you getting ready?

Still have 2 hours.

Are you sure?

Yep.

It says 10:40 start.

What?

Right here.

O. M. G!!!  Arizona is on MST, Outlook updated all the times!!!!!

That's a pretty big mistake.
Rookie!

I hustled.
She pinned numbers.
No time for proper warm up.

On the line, I had another genius idea.  

My new TICKR HR monitor from Wahoo, had finally connected yesterday and was working great.  During the warm up it was working great.  On the start line, I decided to stop  the ride, which it deleted I later learned, and start a new Ride so I could look at the miles and exact time.

It read 128 as the official counted down.  This is normal for me, my HR gets pretty high right before...

... ready for battle.

As I rode away, it started to drop.

120
112
104
98

Yep.

98 bmp, as I'm getting after it in a 10 minute time trial.

I don't use a power meter.
I raced on feel.

This isn't totally new for me.  Short MTB XC races, I often put my Wahoo in my back pocket so I can concentrate on the racing and terrain and ignore what my body is telling me.

Who knows what the difference would have been with the HR data?

I'm 5th.

27 seconds off 1st... 5 seconds off 3rd, 1 second off 4th.

Want to know what else I did wrong?

Why not...

... I didn't crank my shoes down and had to do that within the first 100 yds.

3 mistakes.

How much time did it cost?
Who knows?
Who cares?

It's just racing.
Good times.
Fun.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Inventory is dwindling on the GIANT RaceDay Calendar...

... with magical properties of

• Increased Focus
• Superior Planning
• Dreamlike Results

The calendars ship FREE.

Order Now

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

If you like the blog, you'll LOVE the podcast version:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

163ish
7ish hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

RACE TRAVEL IS IT'S OWN THING, and if you're like me and don't do it much it can really be a roll of the dice.  While I have generally had good luck...

... not so this round..

I should have known it would be amateur night when I had to meet the owner for the key.

After a brief run through, and assurance the place will heat right up, he was gone.

A few minutes later we discovered there was a major roof leak, water soaking down the wall and dripping all over the only toilet and puddling on the floor.

While he circled back we went to dinner at Reilly for "craft" food and drink.  We ordered a giant salad, meatballs and a small pizza...

... it was excellent.

Upon returning, the heater was making all kinds of heater sounds and pushing all kinds of arctic air.

We took hot showers while we waited for the owner.

It's not heating up.

Let me get my mechanic down here tomorrow.

Don't worry about it, we aren't staying.

Ok, I'll refund everything.

Great.

The thing is, I didn't want a refund.  I wanted a little place, central to the races, where I could relax and stretch and generally enjoy a bit of racing and time away with Surfergirl.

Here's the good news:

• We have a van, 
• A comfy bed
• A heater

And I'll have something to be pissed off about tomorrow, which is requisite for...

... putting down a blistering time in a short time trial.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Inventory is dwindling on the GIANT RaceDay Calendar...

... with magical properties of

• Increased Focus
• Superior Planning
• Dreamlike Results

The calendars ship FREE.

Order Now

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

If you like the blog, you'll LOVE the podcast version:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

162.8
7,5 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

DO YOU AHVE A FRIEND LIKE MINE?  He's younger than me, was a standout athlete in high school, and...

... is in terrible shape.

I took him on a bike ride once.

Three miles of flat ending with a slight incline at the end of about 20 feet spread over about 100 feet.

Nothing.

At the top, poor fella, he had to get off the bike and lay down.

I literally thought he might be having a heart attack.

Over the years, among other attempts to regain some health he has...

• Hired a trainer at the gym
• Hired a chef
• Intermittent fasted
• Considered surgery

... and here's the latest:  a diet suppression pill.

Speaking of hills to die on, I will die on this one...

• pick an event
• make a commitment
• be as ready as possible.

... this is the way.

The trainers, chefs, coaches, diets, surgery...

... are crutches.

Catalysts at best.

He will continue to fail and struggle and decline.  It's rather sad.  I would love nothing more than to see him return to being...

... an extremely capable, high-performing athlete.

Cut the crap.
Pick an event.
Get his butt in gear.

Yes, I've told him that with all the love and kindness and encouragement I can.

I know you're doing the same with your friends.

Keep inviting, 
Keep showing the way,
Keep being the awesome person you are.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Inventory is dwindling on the GIANT RaceDay Calendar...

... with magical properties of

• Increased Focus
• Superior Planning
• Dreamlike Results

The calendars ship FREE.

Order Now

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

If you like the blog, you'll LOVE the podcast version:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

163
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE SIMULATION, then you've got to consider the reality of NPCs.  Christians know the verse In the beginning was the Word, coders use words and text...

... to create virtual worlds.

 Today, I was an NPC.

For gamers, NPCs are non-player combatants.  Their threat is real, they are easily killed, there isn't a human player controlling them...

... they are part of the simulation.

I had every intention of doing the local group ride today.  It's been months, and I needed a final beat down before the racing starts on Friday.

Up early.
In the van.
Rain started pouring.

I was easily taken out of the game as the road soaked and the tires hydroplaned. While I generally enjoy the occasional ride in the rain...

...not this one,
not on my race bike, 
not right before I'll need it working perfectly.

And why ride soaked for 3 hours?

Maybe I'm not an unconscious NPC?
Maybe we are in a simulation?

Either way, I'll be back out later today when the clouds clear.  Gotta get that final hardy ride in...

... no NPCs are showing up at the races.

Are they?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/join-the-pedal-posse-monthly-subscription 

If you're feeling like an NPC,
if you need a weekly kick in the lycra,
if you thrive hanging out with players IRL...

... today is the last day to join us who are playing the big game.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/join-the-pedal-posse-monthly-subscription

----

162.8
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I'M GONNA PUT MY HEART OUT HERE, because I think you ought to know.  There is one thing driving PEDAL Industries... 

... it's not you, and it's not me.

It's us.

Not just you and me, all of us.  The planet.

I realized this the other day.  I've been inviting people to ride bikes for as long as I can remember.

Why?

Because it's fun, and a great way to do the cardio side of in shape.

There are 3 things necessary for this nefarious plan of ours to truly work wonders:

• Pick an event, 1 a year will do
• Recruit or join a Posse.
• Get RaceDay Ready.

Let me explain.

Having 1 event a year to train for is invaluable for those looking to stay in reasonable shape annually because it's always out there...

... reminding us to stick to the plan, however loosely.

Knowing our posse is going to meet us at the proverbial corner each week is integral to staying on course.  Training can be lonely, and for many of us...

... our deepest friendships often start and strengthen via the hours we ride side by side.

Being RaceDay Ready is all encompassing, it is much more than having a low resting heat rate and putting out big watts.  Being truly ready means we are growing not just physically, but socially, mentally and spiritually.  

The most fulfilled racers I know really are well-rounded squares.

They have an event or two on the horizon, a good group of riding pals, and both wheels on the ground...

... unless they're purposely shredding the gnar.

This what drives me to make the products we make, and to make them all customizable for each of our riding groups, teams, etc...

... there is something special about a uniform.

We showcase the colors and shapes and words that inspire and bond us into our unique tribes.  For us, those tribes are made up of 

• athletes 
• adventure
• camaraderie

Want to make something amazing for your tribe?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/add-more-custom-products-to-my-store

Everything we make I've had a hand in creating and tested the heck out of...

... you can be sure it's quality.

Click here to set up a FREE design consultation.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/add-more-custom-products-to-my-store

https://pedalindustries.com/products/join-the-pedal-posse-monthly-subscription

----

163
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT one of the insights from the book Into The Headwinds which I'm reading and how it applies to going fast on a bicycle by tapping into...

... our inner elephant.

Not a circus elephant on a bike.

We are primarily the products of thinking that is below the level of awareness.  

That's the elephant.

Here's how it applies to bicycle racing.

New racers are like the rider, hyper aware and nervous and desperately trying to take it all in...

... think will power.

Experienced racers are like the elephant, much more relaxed...

... like daydreaming while driving home after work.

The rider has finite reserves.

The elephant has limitless energy.

Why is it so hard to establish a new habit?  Because the elephant is in charge of the routine events in our lives.

Want to eat better?
Sleep better?
Train regularly?

The elephant is hard to overcome.  Too much inertia.

However, the authors state...

If we do something with our rational/conscious self (the rider) long enough, we can train our intuitive/unconscious self (the elephant) to take over the task.  The boundary between the elephant and rider is not static or impermeable.

I see it so clearly now.

In the beginning racing, particularly off road, required massive amounts of emotional energy.  After years of riding and racing, instead of being nearly panicked during tense and technical racing...

... I slip into a state of flow.

Do you see it now?

Have you had that feeling or sensation on or off the bike?

The caveat, of course, is long enough.

What is long enough?

I've read it takes anywhere from 21 days to 60 days to establish a new habit.  Personally, I think it's impossible to eradicate bad habits but infinitely possible to...

... instill good habits.

We're all riders and elephants.

The idea of sitting atop an elephant and trying to get it to do anything seems impossible in my mind...

... good thing I'm a persistent sunuvagun.

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If you're looking for a way to get control of your elephant, join our Posse...

... you have until the end of the month, 2/28, then enrollment is closed.

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163
8.4 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

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SINCE THE WEATHERTHINGY SAID RAIN ALL DAY, I slept in.  The plan, a few days ago, was to make this Saturday my last very hard day before next weekend's races...

... I did the next best thing.

Out in the chilly garage, I got down to business.

Threw the race bike up in the stand,
pulled out the race wheels,
mounted new tires,
lubed the pulleys,
waxed the chain,
race readied,
the bike.

Once done, the rain ceased for a few minutes.  I took it for a brief spin...

... the bike felt amazing.

There's something about being able to do my own wrenching that is both...

... satisfying and energizing.

The investment of time to learn what and how to do the basics, and a few dollars in equipment...

... is one of the best returns we'll ever get.

Confidence.

I felt so good, I bundled up and took a shot at dodging the storm clouds coming in off the ocean.

Ninety minutes later a soggy and cold mechanic rolled home on the Frankenbike...

... ready as I'm gonna be.

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It's been good to have The Posse keep me on track...

... we start a new month next and there are a few spots available.

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163.3
9 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

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IT'S REALLY HARD TO HAVE DISCIPLINE.  For those who do, the results are amazing.  For those who don't, like me...

... we have a secret.

We get all the benefits of discipline while having none.

What?

Yes.

It's called habits.

We don't think about habits, we do them.  According to Duke University...

... 40% of our behaviors are habits.

We all have the habit to hop our bikes.  
Meet the group at the corner.
Weekend morning ride.

We don't question Will I ride?, and our significant others think it's weird or something is wrong if we aren't on the bike at our normal time.

There's no decision,
no discipline.
We do it.

I was thinking about this because on the lightly attended due to heinous cold and blasting wind group ride someone said...

... I don't know what you're doing, but keep doing it.

You know exactly what I'm doing, I post it all every day.

I know.

Then do it.

It's hard.

It's not, it's just a few habits.

Personally, I wish I'd been practicing them my entire life.

They aren't complicated.
Easy to remember.
Effective.

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----

163.1
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I DO ALL WEEK is to check in with The Posse.  We review how the previous week went, how this week's going, our progress for the next big race...

... it's magical.

To listen how these other athletes are juggling life and fitness goals, their approaches and secrets, is incredibly powerful.

I learn so much.

Something stood out to me tonight.  Their energy and enthusiasm is unmistakably youthful.

I had to ask...

How old are you in your head?

22

17, maybe 23

32

27

... nothing remotely close to our actual ages.

It shouldn't be surprising.  

All of us are in phenomenal shape, with real health and performance goals...

... that make us stretch.

Are we stretching out our lives?
Going to live longer?
Who cares?

It's not about how many days we have,
it's about how good the days are.

We're approaching a new month, which means we are opening up membership in The Posse again.

You have until 2/28 to join.

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163.7
8.2 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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THE WIND CAME THROUGH AS PREDICTED.  25-30 mile an hour gusts, mostly tailwind on my way south to meet the group.  I expected the turnout to be light...

... only the brave, crazy and stupid would show.

Which one was I?

You be the judge.

Normally, the group is 30-40 strong.

Josh and I rode down to meet...

... 4 guys?

4?

6 total.

Once we cleared the first hill and got up on the mesa the headwind was blasting us.

Everybody took a pull.

One guy bailed out.

5 of us.

On the mesa, the road snakes and the wind shifts from the right side to the left side and back to the right...

... we lost another.

4 of us.

The thing about the wind is it's just annoying.  

• You really have to wrestle with the bike because it's weaving all over the place.
• It's so noisy you can't talk.
• Literally a drag.

The fact is, it's not really any harder than riding up a steep grade in terms of effort.  

I'm used to that from all the mountain biking.

A lot of roadies aren't.  They are used to taking a pull and relaxing, or just sucking wheel the whole ride.  When the wind blows, suddenly they are super defensive.  

The fact is, most of the ride was high tempo to low threshold.  Comparing the effort to previous weeks on the same ride I actually spent less time in threshold.

It was easier.

But, the wind is so annoying it feels a lot harder.

Consequently, Josh and I did 90% of the pulling while the others sat in.  I didn't care, I came for the workout.

At the turnaround, it was just me and Josh.

2 little piggies battling the big, bad wind.

What's the best way to ride in the wind?

If it's a huge group, and a headwind, it's pretty easy to just sit 15 riders back and hide.  However, the moment that wind turns to the side it's a lot easier to be in the top 5-10 rotating.

In fact, I'd say it is almost always easier to be at the front doing short pulls because you're only in the wind for a brief moment then you are generally right back to being protected.  

The farther back we get, the more squirrelly the riders get and the more difficult it is to conserve energy - physical and emotional.

It's just wind,
take a pull,
it's not a wolf,
get up front.

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Train up front,
finish up front,
see the checked flag first.

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163.3
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:  You have less than 6 months until the Leadville Trail 100.  That is for my friends...

... who think they have plenty of time to prepare.

They don't.

Neither do we, regardless of what we're planning to attempt this year.

We don't have plenty of time.

We have very limited time.

Every day we wait,
we have less time.

This isn't golf.

We don't have lucky days after not riding for months.

We have results of our preparation,
of our work.

I played tennis all through high school.  Worked my way up to varsity.  We were the worst team in the league, and I never made it out of round one at the championships.  I played because my mom's boyfriend played and he kindly spent time with me.  I didn't love it, I loved him. As soon as I left home, I quit playing.  But...

... I'm always surprised how well I can hit the ball the first few swings.

Kinda like the first few pedal strokes after taking a lot of time off.  It feels great...

... then it doesn't.

It hurts.
We wheeze.
Fire engulfs our legs.

The only way to avoid that on the day of reckoning is...

... training consistently.

Every day.

For the next 170ish if you're doing Leadville.

I'm not.

If was here is what I'd do:

• Every Saturday would be a long ride with big climbs at tempo.  If I had children at home, I'd leave before sunrise and get home by 9ish.
• During the week I would begin with 1 intense group ride or hard interval session.  Later in the season, I would up that to 2x per week... back to back, Tues/Wed.
• My volume would be 8-15 hrs/week.  Maybe higher once or twice in July.
• I'd find 2-3 long races to do, or make my own, to simulate race pace and race day

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163.9
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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SURFERGIRL POINTED OUT THE CRAZY WINDS slated to hit us in two days.  We get them this time of year.  They'll be blowing hard Wednesday morning...

... and I can't wait.

That's the difference between us.

She's looking for calm winds and glassy water.  I like that, too.  But I also...

... live for nasty weather.

Not always.

For example, today was just incredible.
Green everywhere.
65 degrees.  
Perfect.

So perfect, in fact, I felt better on the bike than I have in months.  

What's too look forward to then?

A legit battle with the bike and wind,
jockeying for position in the group,
vigilantly watching the players,
and working together while,
others are spit backwards.

Yeah, that's fun.

What makes it even more entertaining is knowing how so many riders loathe it.  Skip the rides... 

... and struggle when it happens in a race.

But, not us!

Am I right?

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Races and rides that are nasty make the checkered flags and finishes something to truly relish.

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164.1
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE: There is only one way to be great.  Nowhere was that better captured than this week when the great Wout van Aert said...

...  I hate it, but I love it.

Was it interval training?
Intermittent fasting?
Bike hygiene?

Nope.  

It was his loss at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships, to his arch-rival Mathieu van der Poel.

Why would he love it?
A stinging loss at the line?

Because as the great TS Eliot penned, The journey, not the destination matters...

So, how do we achieve greatness?

We go on a quest.

If we're lucky, we find a worthy adversary who extracts not the very best of us, but...

... all of us.

That is why Wout hates it, but loves it.

When we go on a quest, it's a helluvalot more than 

• Just finishing
• Standing on the podium
• Being the winner of a crapshoot sprint

The finish line is already known...

... what we are willing to do to get there is the journey.

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This design reminds me of the checkered flag and the victories that await those who put in the time.

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164.3
9 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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BE HONEST.  Look over today's ride, the previous week, month, quarter and year.   Next, look over your results.  PRs, KOMs, Podiums, Titles.  Now, here's the question...

... do you have talent?

Before you answer that, let me tell you about today.

My goal was a shockingly fast group ride.  Pain.  Humiliation.  Complete exhaustion.  I wanted it all because my fitness is lagging...

... and the races are fast approaching.

I chose Swami's.  

It's habitually nasty.  

This edition was extra saucy with Jess and Sam in town.  Sam, who rides for Legion, and his henchmen, got after it from the start.  While they take over the front and start spitting people out the back, the beautiful Jess sits in.  Barely breathing...

... like it's a day at the spa.

Me? 

Gassed.
Gapped.
Gone.

While Sam and Jess certainly have talent...

... there was a less obvious talent on display today.

Think about this.  
They live in Montana.  
400' deep in freezing snow.  
They've been here for less than a week.

My fitness is lagging because we've had a bit of rain and I had the sniffles...

... they are in great shape to lay down serious training in our perfect clime.

The takeaway for me is to further develop...

... the talent to work hard.

We can all do that.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-limited-edition-special-hoodie

This design reminds me of the checkered flag and the victories that await those who put in the time.

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162
7.6 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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HARDTAILS ARE GREAT FOR MTB TRAINING.  Not because of fewer moving parts to maintain, not because they can be picked up cheap.  Those are good reasons...

... this is a great reason.

Hardtails feel fast.

Going all out on a hardtail is a lot rougher than a fullsuspension bike.  We are bounced around significantly more, making the bike harder to handle at racepace.  It feels like we're going really fast, but... 

... we are really going slower.

That's okay.

We get the rush of riding on the ragged edge while being forced to pick cleaner lines.  The result on raceday is we are picking cleaner lines and the fullsuspension MTB makes it feel slower and safer even though...

... we are really going a lot faster.

Oh, one other benefit to having an inexpensive hardtail to train on is a lot less wear and tear on the racebike.

One of the few cases where we can have cheaper, better, faster vs picking between two of the three.

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Whereas with this hoodie you only get to better and faster.

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162.4
8.6 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, I've probably raced on the road about 10 times.  With what has become a personal tradition, the Tucson Bicycle Classic, happening in three weeks...

... it's time to dust off the one skill needed to win a road race.

Assuming it comes down to a sprint, likelihood 90%, there is really only one thing to remember...

... be the last one to lead the race.

If you really want to win on the road, you have to be a villain.
Be patient.

Fastfriendships and alliances will be short lived.
Be patient.

This is no time for chivalry.  
Be patient.

Wait.

Wait.

Wait.

It thou desirest to win...

.... thou shalt not put thy nose in the wind.

The problem of course is training like this leaves us unprepared, weak, ineffective.  

We must train on the front.  
Take the pulls.  
Burn.

We get used to the feeling, the respect and leadership that accompanies shredding the group to pieces and to our detriment...

... when the gun fires we want to display our readiness.

Resist.

There is one big risk.

It's always possible there is a brave, heroic and welltrained sunuvagun who can deliver the goods...

... and ride away solo to victory.

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Superheroes where hoods...

... and this hoodie is one of my favorites for the athletic cut and perfect weight.

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161.4
8.6 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

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WHEN I SHOW UP TO THE RACES, a mess of guys pile out of the van with me.  No sense in taking on the competition solo...

... I roll with a badass posse.

Each one of them took a special part in prepping me.

It matters.

There's...

• Get plenty of sleep Sam
• Eat whole foods Ed
• Stretch and recover Guru
• Read and Write Sensei
• Lift weights Wanda
• Checklist Charlie
• Custom kit design Ken
• Weigh daily Danika
• Sargent Strava

... when I prep with the POSSE, anything's possible.

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I made this hoodie just for the posse, so we look sharp...

... it is a Limited Edition hoodie inspired by The Specials.

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161.7
7.3 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
75 minutes reading + Journaling 

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THE GODFATHER OF ZONE 2 IS THE GREAT PHIL MAFFETONE.  I learned about Phil while studying the great Mark Allen, aka The Grip...

... who destroyed his competition, staying in Zone 2.

Mark Allen was a devastating competitor who's epic battles with the great Dave Scott at Ironman are legendary.

I wanted that for the type of racing I was doing at the time. long distance MTB events.

The idea of chasing my competitors down who always went out too fast continues to captivate me.

According to Phil, Zone 2 is 180 - your age.  It's based on the idea most people have a max HR of 180 in their prime.  At the time, my max was 198 and I was 40.  

Was my zone 2 158bpm?

No, of course not.

Was it 140?

Probably.

There are many systems and ways to come up with our zone 2 range.

• 60%-70% of Max HR
• Resting HR x 3
• 180 - age

There is the Power world, where HR is somewhat disregarded and zone 2 is based on a percentage of max power.  

Or, the Perceived Exertion method, where any pace that is conversational is zone 2.

While these methods are based on the traditional 5 zones, there is also the 3 zone camp where zone 1 is the hero zone. 

What I'm currently using, and think is quite accurate are the ranges generated by Strava.  For me, that is 107-142.  That is based on my max hr I hit last year at the Tucson Bicycle Classic TT.

Last night's Zone 2 MTB ride

How do I know this is my Zone 2 pace?

• I can easily converse at that pace,
• ride all day long,
• and survive on fewer calories than I need when racing or training hard.  
• Also, I never feel sore after riding in that zone.

The biggest hurtle those new to Zone 2 training will face is the feeling of riding slow, not doing enough and wasting time.

Which is great because it keeps our competition in our grip...

... just where we want 'em.

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It takes a special, committed athlete to achieve Zone 2 greatness...

... this is a Limited Edition hoodie inspired by The Specials.

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163.5
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

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I'VE BEEN TOLD A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT MYSELF.  Some selling on me on my potential, some telling me I plain suck.  Sound familiar?...

... it's tempting to believe.

But, it never sticks.

Good,
or bad.

As the great Matteo Jorgenson said today after his first big win.

I didn’t even believe I deserved to be professional. It was a process of convincing myself and doing races and being up there enough to believe it. Today, finally my dream came through.

I get that.

I miss that part of my cycling journey.  

Starting out at the local team training race:  C to B to A

Going to my first USA Cycling event as a Cat IV and shaking on the startline...

... to battling my way for three years to Cat II.

The great Henry Ford exclaimed...

... Whether you thank you can or you think you can't, you're right.

However, too often I forget it's not a switch I just turn on,
it's a process.

Doing,
Being,
Believing.

The great Tom Watson repeatedly taught...

... The fastest way to succeed is to double your failure rate.

You can take it from here.

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163.9
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

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PHYSICAL SUFFERING IS ADDICTING.  Endurance athletes love it.  We thrive on it, mile after mile.  Onlookers are shocked...

... we are high, in our glory.

But, greatness depends on choosing to live with a different kind of suffering:

• The pain of discipline
• Or, the pain of regret 

Choose wisely.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Seeing the entire year at once, with Saturdays and Sundays at the end of the week (like our racing)...

... is just the reminder we need to stick with the plan.

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162.3
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

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https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO is try something new on raceday.  The outcome could be great.  It's very risky though, because... 

... we don't know how we'll react.

Right up there is discounting something new without a longterm trial.

Most rats, wild or captive, live about two years...

... lab rats a little longer.

I'm not saying we need to do our own madscientist experimentations for two years, but...

... it takes real time to know of particular training method is working.

After over a year, I'm 100% convinced my polarized training combined with the Cowboy Strong weight lifting method are extremely effective.

Props to Todd Udall for reminding me what the great Stephen Seiler said... 

... training methods that work survive.

The rest fade away and become extinct.

Regarding Zone 2 training, where I spend 70-80% of saddle time, has other benefits besides simply training the heart.

• Pedal stroke efficiency
• Mental freshness
• Adventure

Today, was a big Zone 2 ride.  

My only agenda was to do something different.

Along the way, I found a trail completely new to me.

It turned out to be a hoot.

The great Dan Sullivan said we should be engaged in something with which we are endlessly fascinating...

... for me, that's getting faster.

How about you? 

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

I cover most of my breakthroughs here.

It's free.

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162.8
8.5 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I SPENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING IN BED.  Nasty cold/flu laid me out.  I rode this morning because of Rule #1...

... of my 2 cold rules.

The rules rhyme.

1. Above the neck, ride like heck.
2. In the chest, zone 1 best.
3. Feel dead, get in bed.

I thought there were two?

There are.

I see three.

There are two for riding with a cold and one when we feel awful.

Why did you list the third?

Because that's the one nobody wants to hear, myself included.

Ahhh.

Exactly.

The problem I have, and I'm sure you don't because you're smarter than me, is I don't want to listen to my body.  Probably because I often ignore it when things get saucy in a race.  In fact, it took everything I had not to ride at the end of the day yesterday.

I really wanted to.

Then, I sat down...

... and fell asleep.

Dead.

As you know, I'm not a doctor.  This is just my rule of thumb.  

Personally, I have found a zone 1 or 2 ride often speeds recovery.  That and a hellahot shower.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Missing a few days of training isn't going to change much during an entire year, especially if you have your A race training blocked out months in advance.

The calendars ship FREE.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

Please check out the live versions and extra riffing on what inspired the post:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

162.7
10 hrs Sleep
.5 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED BY MYSELF AND NEARLY ALL MY FRIENDS, right after a terrible outing we all say the same thing.  Never again.  Once in a lifetime experience...

... with the idea of never repeating the same mistake.

But, time heals all wounds.

Inevitably, after a few weeks we start replaying how things went and realize we could do better...

• Training
• Recon
• Logistics
• Bike set up
• etc

... and those wretched memories of terrible cramping or bonking or strategy or hotel are no longer nearly as tender like cactus thorns in the knuckles.

Then, the promoter sends out their schedule for the following year.

Months have passed.

Like a prize fighter who was knocked out, we are ready to take another crack at the champ who beat us.

We put down our money and register.

At that point, we realize just what we've done.  

We're mad.

Embarrassed.

Even, ashamed.

And, here is where we can really screw it up...

... we forget how we got knocked out in the first place.

So, for all of us contemplating returning to the event that laid us out...

... don't get mad, get even.

Here is what I do:

Write everything down immediately after an A race,

before, during and after...

• What went well 
• What mistakes were made
• Training files
• Accommodations
• Food strategy
• Equipment set up

... be extremely detailed.

It's important to really dig, and really document, and to do this immediately after the race while the wound is fresh and still bleeding.

I don't think I've ever finished an A race where I couldn't think of something I could have done better...

... even if I think it went absolutely perfect.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

The moment you have the date(s) of the big event(s), take out a Sharpie and fill out your calendar.

This takes guts, and is extremely empowering.

The calendars ship FREE.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

Please check out the live versions and extra riffing on what inspired the post:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

164.5
7 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

ONE THING IS FOR SURE, on raceday there is a lot of attitude.  Some good.  Some bad.  The question is...

... what is the best attitude to have?

In the case of turning, attitude is the angle of attack, the way we approach the corner, and it directly determines how well we exit.

Lean in too far,
or not enough,
Weight the outside foot too much,
or not enough,
Arms bent but too taught,
or not enough
Body too rigid, 
or not enough..

... if our attitude isn't proper it's impossible to corner with max speed and safety.

It turns it's that way with everything...

... attitude is everything.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd 

I have found the most successful people with RaceDay Ready start with an open attitude to try something new...

... and a commitment to finish.

If you've started, have you finished.

If you haven't started, have you checked out the testimonials?

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd 

Please check out the live versions and extra riffing:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

164.7
8.2 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO FASTER ON OUR BIKES than we are currently going.  We can try and force it all we want...

... it just doesn't work.

Pathways to failure include:

• Tensing up
• Brute force
• Holding breath

Then, what works?

• Relaxing
• Slowing down
• Enjoying the moment

How do we achieve maximum effort and stay loose?

This was on my mind as I drove home from Saturday's race.

I felt so much more confident and in a state of flow on the all of the fast downhills than I did 3 months prior on practically the same course.

The main difference between then and now is rather than ride my MTB once a week, I'm riding it 60-80% of the time.  

Saddle time matters.

Most of that riding is on the dirt, and when it's not there is still a fair amount of throwing the bike around and jumping curbs, etc.

Where and how we ride matters.

Actually, I'm riding a rather oldish hardtail that I set up to exactly mimic my race bike's fit.

Set up matters.

The bottom line, the more we ride the same bike over similar terrain the more we relax and going for it in a relaxed state...

... always yields max speed.

Practice => Flow => Max Results

The above formula works in all areas of life.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Current Weekly Training on my calendar:

Monday MTB
Tuesday MTB
Wednesday Road
Thursday MTB or Off
Friday MTB
Saturday Road
Sunday Off

The calendars ship FREE.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

Please check out the live versions and extra riffing:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

166ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

I LOVE STRAVA.  There I said it.  It's true.  Even though hardly any of the latest updates, for which they are raising the overall subscription price, are useful...

... I love the data.

Here's why.  At the end of the year, they give us all the totals for miles, time, etc.

But, that's not the best part.

I know I'm going to ride about 600 hours a year.
12 hours a week.

I can plan on that.

I know tomorrow, for example, I'm slated to ride 2 hours and probably need lights for at least part of the ride...

... sometimes that doesn't happen.

That's okay, because one of the beauties of Strava is keeping me accountable...

... helping me track the weekly goal(s).

After tomorrow, I have 5 more days to get my weekly plan completed.

Now, if they'd enable effective communication with each other ala Facebook Groups and Messenger...

... that would be a truly useful upgrade.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Speaking of weekly training and annual planning, have you noticed that the Giant RaceDay Calendar starts on Monday and ends on Sunday?

That was one of the main reasons I created the calendars, so

• I could view my weeks how a train
• and see my weekends how I race

The calendars ship FREE.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™ 

Please check out the live versions and extra riffing:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

165ish
8 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

HOW DO I EXPLAIN THIS?  I've discovered a massive secret to improved performance.  It will work for anyone...

... if they'll just commit.

Here's the dill.

Once we commit to an A race, for example, everything changes.  

We are no longer wandering from race to race, or thinking about maybepossibly doing a particular race like a typical consumer.   We now have what the great Napoleon Hill called...

... a definite major purpose.

On such and such a date, I will do X.

I was thinking about this today, my first race of the year, because it was a chance to check if my own definite major purpose was working.

MTB Marathon Nationals.

Once I made that commitment, a number of ideas regarding training came cascading into mind.

• Ride MTB almost exclusively, even if on the road.
• Go harder on the strength training.
• Build a massive Zone 2 base.

In practice this meant, no more gravel riding.  I really need to be training the MTB position almost exclusively.  I'm only riding the road, when I want/need to do really competitive group rides or races.

I've also increased my RaceDay Ready Cross fit from 12 minutes to 24 minutes by adding a few other exercises along with adding more weight. My baseline is now, 10 pullups and 30 pushups in a row, and deadlifting my body weight 10 times.  Daily, or a minimum of 5 days a week.

Mondays and Fridays used to be 60ish minutes in Zone 1.  No more.  Now, I'm shooting for 2 hours Zone 2.

What I've noticed so far, is my Zone 2 efficiency is increasing.  I'm going faster and faster at a relatively low heart rate.  I'm never sore from the daily lifting, because my body now thinks that's normal. (Do bodies think?).  And... AND... my MTB skills are coming back which means I can go much quicker with the same physical exertion.

None of this would have happened without that commitment.

But, why?

Without the commitment I never would have seen all the areas I could make tiny little improvement...

... which were on display today.

That's a pretty steady effort and all my lap times were within a minute except the last, which I'm attributing to knowing I had the race won and it being my first real race in about 6 months.

There's more to discover, and it will be a lot easier...

... because I'm committed.

https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r

I covered this similarly in the first chapter of my book.

The book is free, just cover the Shipping and Handling.

https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r

Please check out the live version of this post:

• YouTube 
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• Apple

----

164ish
7 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

FIRST RACE OF THE YEAR FOR ME TOMORROW.  Woohoo.  It'll be fun to see friends, feel that start line energy...

... and unleash.

Part of that, of course, is unleashing the training I've done.  Saddle time.  Strength training.  Good eatin'.

But, that's not all.

There is much more than just the setting our physical fitness free on the course.

What about our minds?

Not the made up angst about a certain competitor.

The other stuff.

• The pressures to perform
• Weather concerns
• Pre-race routines we didn't get to
• Who we can or can't follow
• Work responsibilities
• Relationships that are misfiring

All that stuff up there, takes all kinds of emotional energy to maintain and there is absolutely nothing we can to about on the course.

Unleash the mental distractions to truly...

... unleash all the physical potential.

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

You know I'll be lubing up with this this secret sauce.  If purchased a RaceDay Bag™ recently you should have a small sample pack and a promo code.

This code saves you 25% of PR Lotion: PRsMadeEz

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

Please check out the live version of this post:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

164ish
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

OUR APP IS POWERED BY AI.  We use machine learning.  These claims by more and more companies in and out of cycling, while true, might be...

... completely useless.

For example, I asked ChatGPT, who is the greatest cyclist ever:

Determining the "greatest" bicycle racer ever is subjective and can be based on various criteria, such as number of wins, longevity, impact on the sport, and more. However, several cyclists are often mentioned as contenders for the title, including:

1. Eddy Merckx: A Belgian cyclist widely regarded as one of the greatest riders of all time. He won 11 Grand Tours and numerous other races, setting numerous records in the process.

2. Jacques Anquetil: A French cyclist who was the first rider to win the Tour de France five times. He was also known for his time-trial prowess.

3. Bernard Hinault: A French cyclist who won five Tour de France titles and was known for his aggressive riding style and overall versatility.

4. Miguel Indurain: A Spanish cyclist who won five consecutive Tours de France and was known for his ability to excel in time trials.

5. Fausto Coppi: An Italian cyclist who won two Tour de France titles and numerous other races, and is considered one of the greatest climbers of all time.

It is important to note that these riders all dominated the sport during different eras and had unique skills and styles, making it difficult to definitively declare one as the greatest ever.

I'm no scientist, but even I can see that the AI is only as good as the data it has to work with.  The data comes from the people who program the AI.

So.

If ChatGPT is only considering winners of the Tour De France as contenders in the greatest ever contest...

... what does that tell ya about AI?

I asked ChatGPT what is the best way to prepare for Mountain Bike Racing.  There is some good general advice, a nice summary.  I went narrower and asked the best way to prepare for Leadville 100 MTB race, and was provided more general advice particular to the race..

In neither case, was it suggested I to learn how to focus on the trail not the obstacles.

It might be one day,
if programmed.

No different from the Intelligence under our helmets.

It matters who's doing the programming, and the width and depth of the data considered.

For me, one of the greatest cyclists ever is John Tomac.  ChatGPT couldn't get that right either, only scant highlights.  Here is my version of his excellence on two wheels:

• BMX professional
• MTB National and World Champion in XC and DH
• National Crit Champion (best race I ever saw)
• National Team TT Champion
• Raced Pro on the road for Motorola in Europe
• ... AND Outstanding Father of the amazing Eli Tomac Supercross superstar.

Just like our own training of our bodies, AI outputs depend on the inputs.

That sticker photo above is from my tool box, we send those stickers out with every RaceDay Bag purchase...

... because I want you to rip on RaceDay!

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/bags-for-every-sport

Check out the live version of this post:

• YouTube 
• Spotify
• Apple

----

164
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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

https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries

https://twitter.com/pedalindustries 

THERE IS NO GREATER TEACHER than a twisty, technical singletrack at speed.  Or, the last corner of a sprint finish of a downtown crit course.  We are forced...

... to sharpen our focus.

Anything less could be disaster.

Do not look back.
Don't glance to the side.
Focus only on where we want to be...

... and we magically get there.

I was reminded of that this morning on a charging group ride.  

The final 5 miles, three of us were in a break.  All out.  It was looking good until the final 1/2 mile when one of the guys looked back and soft pedaled rather than pulling through...

... we were swallowed up with 150 meters to go.

So close. 

You know who I always cut off midway through a sentence?  

Isn't that dangerous dude.
Aren't you scared girl.
Shouldn't you
I've heard

There is no place for irrational fear.

I was reminded of that on page 148 of The Shack.  Good book.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

One of the things I like about the Giant RaceDay Calendar is blocking out time to spend with those I love.

Check that video out.

#worthit

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™

Check out the live version of this post:

• YouTube channel
• Spotify
• Apple

----

164
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

MY FAVORITE LOSES ARE WHEN SOMEONE BEATS ME A NEW WAY, a tactic or move I never thought of, or cannot follow...

... it's illuminating.

Especially when it's something I think will not work. 

• The attacker, who just relentlessly attacks
• The early move, destined to fail
• The impossible to follow, downhill missile
• The never at the front, until the last meter
• The ride everyone off the wheel, until nobody remains

To name just a few who've recently thrashed me into submission.

Thinking these racers are stupid is risky.  Understanding them isn't.

Oh how I would love to pop a drone into their training rides for a week, or month, or year.

How did they do what they did?
How often was practice?
Could I master it?

I never enjoy losing, but when I do, I hope it's by someone teaching me a new way to win...

... keep racing my friends.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

Here's my favorite way to get ready to race.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

Listen and watch the riffing version of this post

Search for the PEDAL Industries podcast on Apple or Spotify

Watch on our YouTube channel.

----

163.3
8.25 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS TO GET OUT AND RIDE, rain or shine.  Today it was rain.  I knew there was a chance...

... some would say I was risking it when I left.

Not me.

I committed to be outside for at least 2 hours every single day of 2023.  The only risk would be...

... letting myself down.

The curious thing about commitments is they almost instantly separate us from everybody else.  

Mudflap mounted, I rolled out.
Threatening clouds.
Wet streets.
No rain.

Neighbors shook their heads.
Drivers thought I was outta my mind.

I keep reading that being comfortable while being alone is a sign of mental health.  For me, it's necessary.

You can call it another lonely day...

... welcome to my world.

https://pedalindustries.com/posse

Maybe that's why I love the PEDAL Posse so much.

https://pedalindustries.com/posse

Listen and watch the riffing version of this post

Search for the PEDAL Industries podcast on Apple or Spotify

Watch on our YouTube channel.

----

163.6
8.25 hrs Sleep
2 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT YOUR CALENDAR wondering what event or two will fit in well with family, work and life, consider this...

... When in doubt, go big!

Pick the bigger event, 
choose the impossible goal.

Because if you're going on invest
in the time to train,  
a diet worthy of a Spartan,
money to perfect your race bike...

... nothing will give you a better return than a big event and a big goal.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

I have 4 slots left for the accountability group.  

Check it out.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

----

164.5
7 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
150 minutes reading + Journaling 

WHETHER IN A TIGHTLY BUNCHED ROAD GROUP or slicing and dicing the explosive start of an XC race, I never trust the riders ahead...

... I'm always looking as far ahead as possible.

It's a habit and it has kept me out of a lot of trouble because the riders ahead don't always call things out, even if they see them.

I've found the racers who are the most successful look the farthest ahead.  Not just in the race...

... in everything, especially the calendar.

They aren't just looking at next week's race or next month's.

Six months out, for sure.
Often a year,
or more...

... because that is how long it takes to achieve greatness.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

I have 5 slots left for the accountability group.  

Check it out.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

----

164
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

A FRIEND OF MINE WAS COMPLAINING RECENTLY that he always finds the time to ride, but...

... never finds the time to do strength work.

I made him a promise, if would do one thing just one time he would easily find the time to be a lot stronger.

Not only find the time, but get all the benefits of being strong on and off the bike.

• Increased stability and power
• Better bike control
• Stronger bones

Who doesn't want that?

So, here's what I asked him to do...

... Next time you do your pushups, pullups and squats, time yourself.

Here's the honesttotodd's truth.
It takes about 10 minutes.
That's it.

In that amount of time, I can easily do

10 pullups
+ 30 pushups
+ 5-7 heavy squats

... and catch my breath in between.

If there is one thing I wish I'd done my entire life, it's that.  Every day.  Sometimes more than once.

In just 10 minutes, you can get amazing results.  That you can see.  And feel.

10 minutes.

He knows that, but he'd never timed it.

Timing it makes it real.

That's my minimum, pullups and pushups and squats.  I have a few other things I do to stay strong, but even that only takes 22ish minutes.

So, like this morning, when Surfergirl has an early flight and I've got 30 minutes to get out the door, it would have been soooooo easy to blow that off.  Instead, it's 10 minutes...

... make it happen.

Every day, but Sunday (my day off).

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

I have 5 slots left for the accountability group.  

Check it out.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

Check out my riff on this post... search PEDAL Industries on Apple Podcast, or Spotify 

Or the video version https://youtu.be/mcZfAB5povg

----

165 (ugh!)
7.7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
50 minutes reading + Journaling 

THE GREAT KATE COURTNEY was on a podcast with Ryan Holliday discussing the benefits of discipline.  It's harder than it sounds if you love to ride.  Her coach asked her..

... Do you want to be fast today or at the races?

It's Either/Or.  
We can't have it both ways.

She went into the benefits of a legit offseason.
Cooling things down.
Reduced saddletime.

How do we know we're doing it right?
When can we ramp things up?
How hard should we go?

I was thinking about this yesterday, because I felt so darn good on the bike.  For months, I've been having a pretty legit offseason myself.  Reduced intensity and saddletime.  

Now that the first races are approaching, with an A race in March, I'm aching to cut loose.

Oddly, and this could be weird for some of you, during this period of building base on the bike and strength in the gym, it feels a lot like dating.

Hear me out.

Proper dating doesn't start with a full makeout session on the first encounter.  No.  We dress up, we go out.  Movies.  Dancing.  Dinner.  A hike. A bike ride! Etc.  Later, down the line...

... a kiss at the door is like hanging on to a group ride.

We keep putting in the time.
On the bike.
In the gym.
Eating well.

If we don't rush things,
if we are patient,
desire builds,
we wonder,
we know,
ready.

Ya can't race all the time, every weekend, all year long, without losing interest and burning out.

The C races, first dates.
The B races, meeting parents and friends.
The A races, absolutely magical if we've waited to unleash all our potential.

Too much?

For those of you into the data, you may not need the dating analogy.  For the rest of us...

... that's pretty much how it is.

And, it's a lot of fun done right.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

If you're lacking some self-control, the accountability maybe just what need.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

----

164
8.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

---

Listen to the podcast version (sometimes it's delayed) https://anchor.fm/raceday-ready-with-todd-b
Check out my YouTube riff on this post: https://youtu.be/6myCAC5E9fg

THIS GEM REALLY HITS HOME.  It came during a conversation with one of the RaceDay Ready Accountability crew.  It is so good...

... because it is so true, for us.

Nothing tastes as good as being lean feels.

That is gold.

Nothing tastes as good as being lean feels.

Write it on your bathroom mirror,
on your scale,
on your hand.

We are athletes,
born predators.

I was thinking about that doing a local climb.  

My scheduled group ride through Camp Pendleton was nixed because they are doing training exercises.  So, I turned around short, hit it hard coming back...

... and attacked the climbs.

PRs.

Yes, PRs in January. 

Granted, the main segment, I haven't climbed it a million times, there's room for improvement.  It's a solid 20 minute effort...

... aptly named Bahia Pain Cave.

I'm not lighter than the last time I PR'd.  But, I'm most definitely stronger with all the leg work I'm doing nearly every day:

• Sled
• Squat
• Nordic
• Box Jump
• Toe Raise
• Heel Raise

The original phrase was Nothing tastes as good as being skinny.  Skinny can be good...

... it can also imply weak.

Athletes, predators aren't weak.
The are lean.
Strong.

One more time...

... Nothing tastes as good as being lean feels.

Especially, when getting after it on a climb.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

Need some accountability?

It's just a call away.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life-subscription

----

164
8.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
80 minutes reading + Journaling 
Check out my YouTube riff on this post: https://youtu.be/ZB6SdvE83Gw

IT'S WINTER, most of us are training indoors or outside solo.  Some of it is top secret, some of it is posted on Starva.  Meanwhile...

... will getting back to leg shaving make me faster?

Or, is it like Samson's hair?

Neither.

But, here's a short list of pros and cons.

Pro leg shavin'

• Looks cool
• Signals, I know what I'm doing
• Easier to clean up after taking a tumble
• Saves .2 seconds over a 100km time trial at 30mph

Pro leg hairyin'

• Looks wild
• Signals, Give me room I'm new
• Taking a tumble isn't even a consideration
• Saves hours over the course of a year of shower time

Diesel, do you shave your legs?

Why yes, I do.

Why are they hairy, then?

Because I'm not right now.

When do you shave your legs?

When I wanna feel fast and sexy.

When is that?

Which reminds me of the first time I got in the ocean after shaving my legs.
I felt naked.

Which reminds me of the first time I climbed in beg with Surfergirl after shaving my legs.
I felt nakeder.

But, I digress.

Showing up with wild legs is a legit tactic I've used when racing in strange lands...

... the disrespect is drenching.

And their isn't anything like disrespect to get me fired up.

Shallow, I know.

But, it works.

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

You know what else works?

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

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164
8.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

YOU CAN'T DO THAT.  That seems hard.  Don't be so unrealistic. Don't you want to enjoy life?  Isn't time to take it easy?...

... this is Devilspeak.

The road we ride into hell is not paved with good intentions, it is paved with what appears to be helpfulness.

In the end, it creates uneasiness because in our souls we know we could have done better if we simply...

... shut out the naysayers and easyroaders.

If you are struggling to be RaceDay Ready, I get it.  I take steps backwards myself, fall victim to the hoopla and shortsightedness of parties and visitors and what appears to be their well-meaning sentiments only to wonder if...

... they are subconsciously jealous, even malicious.

Pulling me down to their reality.

Fuhget that.

We are not looking for average, realistic results.  Living below our capabilities is hell...

... heaven is full of unrealistic believers.

Let's go!

How can you be unrealistic this week?

Tell me one commitment you have made.

I'm pulling for you, always have been, always will be...

... supporting the unrealistic racer.

---

Recording our daily stats is good.  A weekly checkin is better, because...

SOME SAY WE SHOULD TRAIN OUR STRENGTHS others say we should train our weaknesses.  Who's right?  Why do we even have weakness?  What's your take?...

... Here's mine. 

It all depends.

If we're trying to actually win a race:

• Pick an event that suits our skills.
• Take those skills to their highest level.
• Go for the win.

If we're in it for the shear challenge:

• Pick something outrageous.
• Take the skills required to their highest level.
• Go for it.

For all it's glory, I've found winning to be hollow.

There is nothing like picking something outrageous, especially if nobody thinks we can do it, and getting it done.

Whether we are momentarily or permanently weakened is irrelevant...

... what we're doing with it is what matters.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

Personally, I'm enjoying more than ever the effects of being RaceDay Ready...

... especially the results of the Cowboy Strong philosophy.

So much so, that I'm testing out a new twist to my training.  

I'll be sharing the results in the coming months.

They are promising.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

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165ish
8.5 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery 
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

I'M A SUCKER FOR ANYTHING THAT SAYS SUSTAINABLE, even if my spider sense is yelling Scam Scam Scam I'll do what I did today...

... and risk being semi-disappointed.

Yes, the salad with sustainable salmon was good, however is it sustainable just because it is such a tiny piece of salmon?

All I can say is it wasn't nearly as thrilling as using my sustainable power...

... to drop my friends on a hilly 45 minute grind.

What is sustainable power?

Like the salmon in my salad, sustainable power isn't a hugehuge effort.

For me, it's the racepace I can hold all day.  Not really all day, but for a longlong time...

... it's tempo.

150-159 beats a minute.

It's not a pace you use that much in road racing, where we have to hit it hard to hang on.
It's not a pace that will drop anyone immediately.

If that's true how did I drop my pals?

• honestly, I'm a little fitter at the moment
• I relentlessly kept the pace high
• One by one over the final 20 minutes they popped off.

How does this fit into polarized training?

Well, I'm still laying lots of base miles in zones 1 and 2 for most of my rides...

... which leaves 2 rides a week to get after it.

But, doesn't that mean the 2 hard days should be all out with lots and lots of intervals or a group ride at race pace?

Yes, and no.

Yes, we need the 2 hard days.

But, if the upcoming races are likely to leave you alone for long periods of time, like a MTB race...

... one of the two hard days can certainly be sustainable power.

Done right, it will feel a little too easy at the start and super challenging towards the end.

I was hungry all afternoon after my sustainable salad...

... fortunately, my competitive spirit, was veryvery satiated.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

Another way to improve sustainable power, is to do offthebike strength training, like the kind we do with RaceDay Ready.

Have you started it?

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

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164
7 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery 
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE 1-3 A RACES THEORY.  It's just impossible for me to get up for more than 1 or 2 races a year, maybe 3.  So I hone in on a few because...

... most races suck.

Not that the promoters are bad or competition unworthy or courses weak, that's not it at all...

... they're really just fine.

But, as the great Derek Stivers says...

... If it ain't hellyeah, it's no.

Because, when we turn down the other races we are left with the much bigger challenges.  And, with big challenges comes big magic...

... we are forced to rise to the occasion.

Do I do more races?

Yes, for sure.

However, if I focus equally on them all they end up sucking the life out of me.

Choose wisely...

... Our A races define who we are.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

Which makes it easy and wise to practice Race Day Ready every day.

Have you started it?

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd

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165
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING BOOKS I'VE READ was the confession of Tyler Hamilton.  It's been a while, but I was very much reminded of it today...

... as I clicked off the final minutes of my ride.

It wasn't good.

In fact, it was a total rookie move. But, for Tyler, it would have been a very pro move.

Among the many things he did to reach the top levels of the sport was to ride all day long on limited calories...

... then rather than eat he would sleep.

He complained about getting so lean it hurt to sit on anything but very padded surfaces because his butt was gone.

I'm in no danger of that, however I did really mess up my food.

I didn't bring enough and I bonked.

30 minutes from home.

Which for me means I get shaky, pretty fast.

I walked in, 
helmet on
gloves on
shoes on

... and finding sugar,
calories...

... it was on!

Chocolate covered macadamia nuts.
Check.
Frozen cookie hiding in freezer.
Check.
M&Ms.
Check.

The problem with a serious bonk is it can take you muscles weeks to recover.

This was a minor bonk, and I was delirious...

... making all kinds of bad decisions.

What I should have done is marched in, sans shoes, and mixed up a 150% of my recovery drink.  Then, waited it bit until it took effect.

What I also should have done was take more calories when I rolled out, but one turn lead to another and I rode beyond my planned 90 min...

... even then, I was traveling too light on carbs.

Time to get off my augmented cushion of a derrière...

... and do some extra pushups before I hit the hay.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/all-marble-supertech-t

Use promo code TODDSFAVET to save 20%

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/all-marble-supertech-t

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164
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
80 minutes reading + Journaling 

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOOD THING ABOUT EBIKES, transportation.  Getting from A to B, especially in hilly terrain and if you're a pre-driving teen.  On the aporty side..

... they are also good for people with health challenges.

That's it.

I do admit to having been inspired by ebikes, not to clap some edork upside the head...

for destroying our trails during the rain
blowing through all the turns of our tight, fragile singletrack
hitting 30 mph on a bike trail, hands off bars, staring at phone

... no, none of those daily inspirations.

Ebikes have inspired me to get back on a dirt bike, probably a Honda 450X, and return to race Baja because...

... if you're gonna get a motor, it better be loud and overwhelmingly powerful.

Otherwise, all these overdressed underworking "athletes" are shortchanging themselves.

In true bandwagon fashion, USA Cycling, our governing body of competition which is constantly losing it's grip on local promoters due to their own silly policies and often surly officials, has determined esports Nats is a good idea...

... It's on the calendar, with a date and location.

Unlike many of the traditional National Championship events which have still yet to merit location and date announcements.  Unlike almost every other promoter who has had their 2023 schedule and details up for months...

... these clowns, like their new esport love, can't be bothered with tradition.

Call me old.
Call me a blind...

... I prefer my suffering to be self-made, just like my power.

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

Today, being in the low 40's a ebikers donned snowgear...

... all I needed was our thin Skull Cap.

It is the perfect layer to take the chill of your dome and still fit comfortably under your helmet.

Made from the same luxurious Italian fabric we use on the front of our #1 and PRO jerseys this is breathable and moisture wicking.

Save 20% with Promo Code: MANPOWER

On any of our headwear.

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

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162.6
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling