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Todd’s Journal
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Get RaceDay Ready
WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GOAL SETTING
WRAPPING UP THE YEAR, is a lot like wrapping up Christmas presents. We have these memories and milestones...
... to look back on later.
Gifts to ourselves.
What if we knew what gifts we'd be wrapping up for ourselves next year?
Would we plan our 2026 calendar differently?
Change up our goals...
... if their accomplishment was a given?
Now that you've done that little thought experiment, I'll share this with you.
The biggest accomplishments in my past were never concerned with...
- little details
- strategies
- tactics
... only What.
From there it was just a matter of making it real.
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
510 Anti-Oxidant Score
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
180 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/84/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
HR TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE the joy of climbing with friends to a distant peak and poking through the clouds. Summiting is like having...
... the top of the world to ourselves.
All is calm.
Bombing down the mostly unfamiliar other side...
... not so calm.
Heaven forbid we'd let a gap open and get left behind.
Already on the edge of grip, I came into a sweeping lefthand turn...
... a negative radius, sloping downward.
I drifted all the way wide to the soft bulldozed berm.
Exiting, it was nothing but steep with ruts and rocks competing for my attention.
It wasn't looking good.
Somehow I managed to wiggle through the gauntlet.
My HR now sky high.
Only one thing to do, let out a huge...
... WOOOOHOOOOO!!!
Sheesh, my heart skipped a beat just reliving and writing this.
It.
Was.
Awesomeness.
Had I gone down,
I wouldn't have died.
But, it woulda been a bloody mess firshur.
Glad I kept my eyes open
and arms relaxed,
the tires held...
... just another reason to be grateful this time of year.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
480 Anti-Oxidant Score
7ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/96/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
WHO KNEW WE WERE THAT BAD?
THE PROGRESS WE MAKE can be kind of embarrassing. We don't know it at the time. In fact, we're having so much fun those early pics and vids...
... can be kind of embarrassing.
There's hope.
Bad athletes,
can get good.
Good athletes,
can be great.
Great athletes...
... know the secret.
Keep doing it.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
480 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/82/3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
THE OTHER 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
A LOT OF US plan to do some superspecialsecret training when nobody is looking in the coming days. Some are going so far as to...
... do the outrageous.
A gift to ourselves.
Which reminds me of one my pals who each year would ride a century 12 days in a row.
That was his goto way to start the year with a bunch of base miles.
Of course, the family and friends all thought that was...
... akin to getting coal for Christmas.
Personally, my overarching diabolical (counter season or counter intuitive?) plan is to...
- play around on jumps and technical stuff
- catch up with friends
- have fun
... make the training count.
What are you planning for 12/25 thru 1/6
While you're thinking about that...
... I'm sharing this kit with you in the off chance you're looking so spoil yourself with something outrageously sexy...
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Or, 50% savings here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
7ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/84/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
IS IT TOO LATE TO GO PRO?
THE SALARIES of the tops pro seem fantastic. The lifestyle unbeatable. Who doesn't want to get...
... paid to train and travel the world?
Sign me up.
But...
... it's too late, you're too old, you lack talent, you don't have time, you're too young, your equipment sucks, your friends and family won't approve, you'll nevereverver freakin' make it...
... SILENCE!
Though we may not get paid,
our travel will be less exotic,
we can still focus on...
- a specified activity
- honing our craft
- doing our best
... it's never to late to be pro.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/89/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
WE WON THE LOTTERY!
WE DON'T DREAM enough. At least most of us. When we do, and I'm not talkin' 'bout shut eye...
... we change our state.
Great things are suddenly possible.
I was reminded of this yesterday...
... my son was going to buy a lottery ticket.
He does this when it's over a billion.
I told him how much...
- it allows us to dream
- things we'd change
- do or never do
... I love and hate the lottery.
Name one thing you'd do?
I'd never get up to an alarm clock again?
Later, I reflected on my greatest day on the bike.
In 2022.
The insane Leadville goal of...
- a PR
- sub-8 hrs
- at age 60
... and how I did it.
The dream of sub-9 at sixty started years prior.
Always in the back of my mind.
But, there.
How it would feel to be in that kind of shape.
The closer the date got,
the more real it became.
Until I believed I could not only go sub-9,
but shatter my 6 previous efforts.
We can win our own lottery...
- crystal clear
- detailed
- belief
... if we'll just start dreaming.
===
166lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/91/-4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
IS IT THE SACRIFICE?
WHY DO SOME OF US stick with the endurance thing year after year after year and others check in for a season or two then check out...
... never to return?
There is something unseen happening.
I think I know what it is.
Sacrifice.
For better or worse...
- could be skipping a new car for a better bike
- an hour later out at night for an early run
- a quick swim instead of a tv binge
... we've sacrificed something.
That sacrifice produces the faith necessary to really go for it,
go for that insane physical goal we've set.
It gives us hope.
And, we love that...
... in everything we do.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
7ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/93/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
YOU'RE GONNA SAY THIS IS IT
THINGS AREN'T GOING to go according to plan. Everything is going to go south. Everything. And you're going to say this is it..
... This is how I end.
You can accept that,
or you can get to work.
That's all it is.
You just begin.
Solve one problem.
And then the next.
If you solve enough problems...
... you get to cross the finish line.
Adapted from the closing scene of The Martian.
It's a long movie,
about solving problems,
which is what we do the moment...
... we register for a race or commit snagging that elusive PR.
(highly recommend the movie)
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8sh hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/95/-7 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
IF WE'RE REALLY LUCKY, and we (you n me) are, we'll stumble into something that keeps us endlessly fascinated. No matter how much we do it, or how long we put it on pause...
... it is always, ALWAYS, a ton a fun.
How can we do it forever?
At a high level?
Before I tell ya the answer...
- age
- friends
- failure to progress
... we gotta accept the challenges.
1. If we aren't on point with our health choices, age may ravish us...
... and not the sexy kind.
2. As the playground circles the sun...
... many of our friends will hang it up (see #1.)
3. Failure to progress...
... leads to boredom.
Today, I hooked my sassy grin...
- rode with younger cats
- picked up a new trick
- pushed my limits
... up to the firehose of youth.
1. Lucked into shredding a lot of single track with Steve and Brian...
... the schedules aligned, the conversations vibrant.
2. Coming in hot to a corner, Steve locked up the rear wheel...
... Why did you do that? To vector the turn and change trajectory.
3. Brian, did you launch off that rock?...
... Yeah, came around the turn so fast I had to.
The real secret to the fountain of youth...
... making and keeping young friends.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
THE HIDDEN ADVANTAGE
WE'RE BUSY. We work. Raise families. Participate in communities. Do our duties...
... what's our hidden advantage?
Just that.
We know how to...
- schedule
- pacify
- lead
... and we have perspective.
Which is what sets us apart,
keeps us in the hunt...
... 'till we cross the finish line.
===
164 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
DARE OR DARE NOT
SOMEWHERE AROUND 8 YEARS OLD, we learn of daring. Someone gets dared. We don't even know what the word means and, yet...
... we do.
Because there is tone.
An unsaid judgment.
I dare you.
Our response...
- bold
- calm
- weak
... means everything.
Later in life, that cat in the mirror still dares us...
... if we are lucky.
What are you daring yourself to do in 2026?
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
7.75 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHOW A FRIEND AROUND TOWN?
GETTING A LONG-DISTANCE FRIEND TO VISIT is mostly rare, for most of us. We post to Starva, talk up our locale...
... to the point of bragging.
Then, the friend shows up.
Suddenly, we're wondering...
- will they be impressed
- can they keep up
- will they crash
... how this is gonna go down>
There was a time when Surfergirl would take such visiting friends aside and whisper...
... Be careful, he's kinda crazy.
Couldn't blame her as more than a few returned bleeding,
one with a broken bone.
It wasn't on purpose.
- I'd just forget
- be in the zone
- having a blast
... thinking they were doing the same.
The local, me...
... could rip the trails blindfolded.
Everyone else was riding blind.
Anyway...
... Tim did great today.
(I knew he would, and didn't really back it down at all.)
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
7.75 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/91/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GOOD NEWS: THERE'S HOPE!
THIS TIME OF YEAR, the schedule gets crowded. The company parties, family get togethers, community events...
... we want to attend 'em all.
It eats into the training time.
And, that's good.
Just yesterdee, Surfergirl reminded me of our date to see Gentry.
Her favorite trio was in town for a Christmas concert.
Driving down, we wondered if we'd run into any friends,
walking in we saw my brother and sisterinlaw...
... seating, we were astonished.
We were exactly right behind them.
Couldn't have planned it better,
total surprise.
But, that's not the point.
We were carried away in the spirit of the night...
... all the world's nonsense, forgotten.
When we returned home, there was a package on the doorstep.
Incredible...
... a customer had hand made classic ornaments for each of our family members.
As a gift.
The real point is if we'll shut off the news, the pointless socials and get out to events and people we love we find...
... there's hope!
Hoping you'll find plenty of time to share your love for others in the coming weeks.
===
162.2 lbs/12.2%
7.5 hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/86/-1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE BEST FREE ADVICE YOU NEVER PAID FOR
WE ALL GET ACHES AND PAINS. Mostly, we just blow 'em off knowing in a few days things will right themselves. At least that's the idea. But, we are organic...
... our equipment is not.
It won't self heal,
like our miraculous bodies.
No matter how much positive energy we send it...
... those creaks won't go away on their own.
We gotta respect and inspect 'em.
I mean really figure it out.
Lemme splain it.
I've had an annoying creak for a couple of weeks.
Finally, last Friday...
- removed cranks
- checked, cleaned bottom bracket
- found a broken bolt on the chain ring spider
... thought that'd solve everything.
Mostly, kinda.
However, last steep climbs at end of Saturday's ride indicated problem not resolved.
Took into the shop for professional treatment.
Ace mechanic gives me a call.
It's not good.
How bad.
Axle in hub is cracked.
Yikes.
Yeah, it coulda been bad.
How bad?
Well, if it broke while riding it would have destroyed the hub innards, and...
And, what?
... and possibly locked up the wheel.
Now, I dunno how things are where you live, but on that ride I'd just finisihed...
... I hit 35 mph over a rocky, gravel fire road.
Had that wheel locked up...
... I'd be dead, at best.
Consider this the best free advice you Never paid for...
- bike
- bones
- muscles
... Fix thy creaks!
===
162.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/89/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HAVE YOU HAD A CLASSY SMOKE, LATELY?
CELEBRATING AN EPIC EFFORT is, can be, a powerful factor in repeatability. You know, whether or not we ever do it again and...
... gain the associated benefits.
Old time movies we so classy.
In black and white.
Couple meets,
goes to dinner and dancing,
the very next scene we see...
... they are covered up, smoking in bed!!!
Here's how we do it most Saturdays.
Meet up at the corner,
hit it hard for 3-4 hours,
the next thing we know...
... we're at the country store.
Cokes, RedBulls, chips, even had Zingers yesterday...
... our version of smoking in bed.
===
Now, here's the diabolical brainwashing science...
- guaranteeing many repeat performances
... celebrating with lots of sugar and caffeine burns those good feelings in.
===
165.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
APPRECIATING A ROUGH START
FOR SOME GETTING STARTED is easy, for other it's hard. Even messy. So, what's better...
... an easy start or a tricky start?
Take today.
We'd climbed 4141', 13.4 miles.
The start, though steep, was pretty smooth.
The final 4.5 miles, were quite a bit rougher.
Lots of rocks.
I really suffered that last 2ish miles.
After a bit of a break,
it was time to plummet back down.
We pushed the pace pretty good those first 4 1/2 miles...
... over terrain I've flatted on many times.
I knew the next 9 miles were smoother, but...
... after the previous beating they seemed like a freeway.
We screamed down.
Surprisingly, I posted my 3rd fastest time ever.
(In case you're wondering if that was my 3rd time down, it was my 44th since 2012, per Starva)
This served as a good reminder...
... if we push through a rough start, we gain the skills to go much faster.
===
Further update on the Conti Dubitals...
- they roll reallyreallyreally fast
- corner dependably at high speed
- seem to be pretty darn puncture resistant
... I'm loving 'em.
Looking forward to playing with pressures,
I think I can run lower than the 16 and 17 I ran today.
(that was in the cold garage, before the heated up on the actual ride which would increase the pressure by a few pounds)
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
0 PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/107/-18 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE WE RIDING SATURDAY?
WE ALL HAVE A RHYTHM TO OUR TRAINING. We have a favorite rotation of workouts, training partners, intensity...
... just like the goto dinner schedule.
When all else fails, I know spaghetti and meat balls is a winner.
No matter what I have planned.
When it comes to Saturdays, the...
- crew
- pace
- route
... I have a few defaults.
If I've had two hard sessions during the week,
I'm leaning towards a longish sweetspot/tempo ride.
If the week only had one high intensity completed,
I'm gonna wring it out on Saturday.
This week's Wednesday Worlds was kinda hard, therefore...
... tomorrow I have a nasty 1ish hour uphill TT planned.
The younsters are gonna make me hurt.
Can't wait!
How do you do it?
===
165.6 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TACKY, TORQUEY TESTING... CONTI DUBNITALS
GETTING NEW EQUIPMENT is always fun. Usually, it is preceded by all kinds of Kool-Aid drinking. You know, the marketing team laying it on thick...
... and our friends laughing at our antiquated ways.
This week, I bit.
Finally jumped to wider tires.
From 2.2 RaceKing in back and 2.2 CrossKing in front to...
... 2.4 Dubnitals, front and rear.
My testing took place on our local single tracks...
... while doing low-cadence, torque climbing in Zone 2.
I'd rip down,
ponder performance on way back up.
Going from 2.2 to 2.4 doesn't appear to be much,
the tires are a bit lighter than the 2.2s
My initial...
- they go from edge to edge much quicker
- seem to roll very fast
- traction is great
... reactions.
I think they're gonna be a great upgrade,
will test on the smoking fast downhills, Saturday.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/93/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION
IF IT TAKES A VILLAGE to raise a child, then, for us, it obviously takes a group to train us up proper. The right gaggle...
... has countless benefits.
Number 1 being speed.
Which is why I did the Wednesday Worlds today, and rolled right into...
... Pain Cave.
When we're on form,
this is an hour segment of riding just below detonation.
Today was much easier...
- the group was slowish
- BBB and I cruised Pain Cave
- catching up and discussing next year's goals
... we were 5 minutes off the PRs.
That will come down because we committed to some rather outlandish goals.
Which means, we'll be pressing the pace on the WW ride,
then duking it out on Pain Cave.
Leading to our mutually assured destruction the rest of the work day...
... and, what we hope will be a massively successful 2026 campaign.
===
If we do it correctly, we'll sprout wings.
Deal below.
Use promo code: VELOBONES
To save 20% on any t-shirt in the collection.
Expires on 12.5.25
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all
===
165.4 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/95/-9 (fitness/fatigue/form)
420 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
OTB OR OTB?
WE HAVE ALL THESE CODE WORDS and acronyms in our culture. The deeper we get into it...
... the cryptic they become.
Here's the mechanic's favorite...
... I was just riding along.
His eye's roll and he scribbles on the notes...
... JRA.
I heard another from a shop owner who was barely hanging on and his "loyal" patrons were constantly asking for discounts and free stuff...
... he called them Freetards.
I've been guilty of both of those and quickly cleaned up my evil ways once I got the hint.
But, this one...
... it's been hard to stay away from.
OTB.
This one is a two-fer,
I can't get it out of my mind lately.
Off the back...
... which is where I seem to be finding myself a little more than my liking.
Over the bars...
... luckily, my recent wipeouts have been on solo rides.
===
165.8 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
390 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU CHOPPING WOOD?
WE ALL HAVE A FAVORITE MOVIE, book or story. One that inspires us to be more than we currently are, or return to a place we once dominated. These myths are important because...
... they can lead and guide us to a better future.
Truly powerful.
One of my all time favorites is Rocky IV.
Rocky, seeing his once enemy, the great Apollo Creed, who became his friend and mentor, get crushed by a Russian giant...
... decides he must do something completely different.
He must go...
- runs
- pulls a sled
- carries logs
- throws boulders
- chops down a tree
... to snowy and freezing Siberia.
Maybe it's winter,
maybe it's cold...
... maybe they only way to get nasty fit is chopping wood like Rocky.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
00 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
390 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EARNING VS LEARNING
LIFE IS LIKE AN EPIC CARD GAME. We're dealt our genetic hand. As little children, we have no idea...
... we're just running around having fun.
Somewhere around the age of 8 or so we realize...
... we're not all created equal.
I can throw,
my aim is woeful.
I can run,
my friends are faster.
I can swim,
holding my breath is a struggle.
Most of us here, found we love to endure...
... persistence and suffering are out super powers.
We can't earn our way to a sub-4 minute mile, but...
... we can learn how to be faster and more efficient.
That's the journey we are on.
Learning how to be our best.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/93/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TRAINING BLOCKHEAD
FOR MANY OF US, this is the time to back things down. Pick up a sporty side hustle. Hit the weights...
... do something different.
Makes sense.
The next season is a long way off.
Just one problem.
Physics.
You can't shoot a cannon from a canoe.
Meaning, when the season does come around, we're going to need a good base from which to start launching our hard efforts.
So, whatawee 'posed ta do?
Personally, I'm gonna...
- have fun
- be more socisl
- challenge my skills
... while logging some solid base mile.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
6.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/107/-20 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU COMFY?
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT comfort zones. How we want to avoid them because they hold us back, lead us to settling for...
... more than we can be.
Who wants that?
Things I think about after a less frightful drop down one of my all time favorite descents.
I held the KOM at one point,
still top 11.
Back than, I was really, really at ease on that screamer...
... in a state of flow, relaxed.
Comfy.
The good kind.
Yesterday, on the same segment, I was a hot mess.
Smiley on my rear wheel, showing his front wheel, asking...
... Are you riding cautious?
I wanted to say...
... Heck no, and Screw you!
Things were not flowing,
I was gripping.
Hard.
It was very uncomfortable because I haven't been on my MTB much the last year or so.
Practice leads to comfy,
comfy leads to flow,
flow leads to ripping.
Effortlessly.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/94/-9 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE'S A LEGENDARY CLIMB
SOARING 5600' ABOVE SEA LEVEL, we have access to a legendary climb. A gravel fire road. It's the kind of challenge we can sink our teeth into, get a baseline for our fitness...
... set legit goals.
The mountain ain't movin'...
- 9 miles
- 3000'
- 6.3%
... but, we are.
The KOM is held by current world tour pro Kevin Vermaerke,
which he probably set in the NICA days.
53:10
The next 9 are local legends...
... the legit kind, not the goofy Starva thing.
There are two ways to view...
- I'm slow, and I suck
- I'm slow, and I can improve
- I'm slow, and I'm dawgawn grateful to be ripping with my pals
... today's traditional Thanksgiving effort.
One more takeaway.
When I set my PR, we lived much closer to the mountain and I'd ride it 3-4 times a month.
It was a goto.
And, it got me thinking...
... if I wanna slay like that again, I gotta do it more.
Maybe every week for the rest of 2025,
and chop 18 minutes off today's time?
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
84/90/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I NEVER LIFTED WEIGHTS UNTIL I GOT INTO THE NFL...
MOST OF US ARE PROBABLY HEADING OUT for the local turkey trot or some sort of holiday ride. It's tradition, followed by the traditional...
... Did you ride or run today?
Which deserves...
... Yes, and the sun also rose this morning.
Earning an...
... I bet your hungry!
Usually followed by a...
... I didn't know you could eat so much pie!
At some point someone will turn on "the game".
As full as we are,
as much as that lycra gonna be stressed tomorrow...
... we realize endurance training doesn't favor or create massive muscles.
Which brings me to one of my all time favorite athletes...
... the Great Hershel Walker.
Dude was devastating in college and NFL.
This quote must have been so humiliating to those left flattened on the field....
- 2000-3000 pushups/day
- 3000-5000 crunches/day
- hundreds of pullups/day
- hundreds of dips/day
- air squats and lunges thousands
- 20-50 yard sprints
... I never lifted weights until I got into the NFL.
Damn.
We may not be - ok, never will be - built like Hershel, but...
... kinda makes ya wonder how much stronger we could be.
Dedicating little time,
from home.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
20 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/82/0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
STRATEGY VS THE DREAM
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR yet? Maybe it's too early, I mean jeez it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But, almost...
... so, it might not be too soon.
There's no rule on that.
I was thinking about this on my ride yesterday.
What comes first...
... strategy or the dream.
Especially with all the InfooIncers on the socials.
You know which ones kill me....
... literally saw this one today...
... Download My 47 Points To Master Advertising Now!
hahahahahah
But, you get the idea.
We can get so hyped up on a new (to us) strategy...
- Single-legged box jumps while hula-hooping for explosive sprinting
- One million grams of carbohydrate from bonking to crushing
- Sleep like a grizzly and maul the group ride
... we start looking for a race to unleash.
I've done it,
still do it.
We can all be suckers,
the cons are as appealing as the conmen.
Anyway, what I concluded after zonetwoing my way around town was...
... The Field of Dream if we build it, they will come...
... is kinda right.
The players, errr strategies, don't show up until the field is built.
In other words, once we identify the...
- A race
- impossible PR
- unconquerable route
... then, and only then, will the strategies we need be apparent.
Let me say it differently.
We can quickly toss aside...
- techniques
- strategies
- hacks
... the worthless dross.
Because the really good stuff that works is easy to see...
... once we have our dream/goal/desire firm and clear in our minds.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
82/74/7 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
NOT AS GOOD?
JOURNALISTS ARE SO MUCH SMARTER than us fans, they have incredible insights we just can't fathom. Why it's a wonder we even...
... bother seeing with our own eyes.
This is gold.
A journo says...
... MVdP is nowhere near as good as Tadej.
On the heels of saying...
... MVdP beat Tadej on the races he wanted to win.
He being MVdP,
and he being Tadej.
Wait,
what?
He's not as good,
but he beats him?
Oh, journo.
Here's the dill, and...
... it's a good lesson for us lowly amachuros.
On certain courses...
... certain riders are unbeatable.
The challenge is to find our course.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/12 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
MY VICE IS TERRIBLE, MY CULT IS WORSE
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
165.4 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/70/11 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HOW WE SOLVE PROBLEMS
SOME PROBLEMS ARE HARDER than others to solve. It can be frustrating when the answers just aren't coming. This is...
... how I solve my problems.
It's a question of time, right?
The truly unsolvable problems need marinating...
- clearly identify what needs to be solved
- set aside time
- get outside
... during a very lazy ride, run or swim.
The only goal is to solve the problem.
A stop for a pastry and drink is often required...
... I carry a journal and a pen to help me flush out ideas.
The best problems take require more...
- miles
- creativity
- "fuel" stops
... 3 or 4 or a lot more sessions.
Just today I was trying to figure out what to focus on...
- goals
- events
- milestones
... for next year.
Went for a ride,
had a brainstorm,
came home to the Giant calendar.
And they think we ride just for fun and fitness!
===
165 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
0 PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/81/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BECAUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL
WE ALL HAVE A WAY to perform. Whether it's vanquishing, showing off, sufferfesting, truly enjoying every moment, our individual efforts...
... leave a lasting impression.
On others,
on ourselves.
Is there a best way?
Right way?
Only way?
Let us not gaze into our own navel but...
- racers
- promoters
- business leaders
- matriarchs and patriarchs
- community and governments
... appreciate for better or worse.
It is what it is.
I was recently struck by a singer...
- unknown by most
- unwilling to submit to label demands
- who died without much fame or fortune at 33
... sold more than 10,000,000 records posthumously.
What?!... how? who?
The great Eve Cassidy sang as if every song was a gift to the listener,
with uncommon love and passion.
Nothing more.
May we all do our thing with such beauty.
===
Pull down her tracks on your music app... good wrenching vibes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C1_oNzhU7U
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/65/16 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ON THE GAS
A LITTLE KNOWN SECRET to not falling over is going faster. It's counterintuitive. But, it's the first thing we taught the kids when they started riding motos in the desert...
... speed is our friend.
Then why did I suffer so badly last weekend in a desert-bound gravel race?
You didn't have a motor Dingdong!
No, it's more than that...
... and I've thought about it a lot this week.
The 92-mile race
- low gradient climbs and descents
- long, long straight roads
- mostly flat
... provided very little coasting.
We had to stay on the gas.
It's not like the terrain here,
most of my ride profiles look like a lumberjack's saw blade.
Anyway, I'm thinking about that this week because I'm starting to do sweetspot training...
... 90% of FTP, without coasting.
I've got to stay on the gas (the pedals).
It's hard to do when we have so many punchy climbs and lots of turns.
But, I'm a committed fool when it comes to this stuff.
===
By the way, you might be one of the horde who loved this jersey...
... which means you'll probably love the kit.
If you wanna rock this awesomeness click here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
There's an insane offer, so don't forget to click here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
82/67/14 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
>
TAKE TWO, AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING
GETTING A COLD is annoying. Can't train like we want to, can't sleep well, hard to be productive. If we get near our lover fingers are raised in an X...
... so, what do we do?
To speed it up.
There are my goto...
- Zicam at first hint
- Pollo Loco tortilla soup
- Insanely hot and long showers
... rider's tales.
Then there's what I did today...
... which could massively backfire, tomorrow.
I woke up,
it was cold.
I had a cold,
and hemmed and hawed.
I consulted my alter ego Dr. Goforit, who said...
- raise your body temperature
- the nose will start to flow
- blow that gunk out
... Put on a kit and get on two wheels.
Torture.
I've had mixed success over the years.
I'll either be on my way to pneumonia...
... or good as new tomorrow.
===
165 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/23 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE GODLY CONNECTION IS STRONG IN THIS ONE
BEING OUTSIDE and unplugged is more than just an escape from "the real world". Most people in "modern society" rarely experience what that is like. We do because...
... that's where we thrive.
And, we're moving fast.
Even if we're practicing our craft daily,
and the whether is good,
we could use more.
Not less.
I experienced a snippet of much more on our road trip.
We took time to visit the land my greatgreatgrandfather homesteaded 100 years ago.
No one else was there but us.
Access is via a gravel road,
10 miles from a 2-lane highway.
No cell service.
The only inputs,
each other and nature.
The peace and solitude remarkable.
Over night, the temps dipped low enough to freeze the rain puddles from the prior evening.
We were cozy,
the van has a heater.
Still, when we rose to stretch and visit this hallowed land filled with childhood and parenthood memories...
... we were shocked by the reality of nature.
Not in a negative way,
one that makes you feel alive,
connected to more than a paycheck and bills.
To God.
To acquire the land...
- the extreme temps at 7000'
- the distance by horse or wagon to town
- the loneliness during the months no one came to visit
... E. M. Whiting had to stay on it and not leave, for two years.
How else could he make such a sacrifice if not feeling a closeness to his creator?
I feel it when I'm...
- there
- in the surf
- on our local trails
... and love it.
Need it.
And so...
- walk
- hike
- ride
- run
- surf
- swim
- camp
... we keep inviting and encouraging our friends to join us.
Outside.
===
164.2 lbs/12.6%
9ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/23 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE...
DISNEY CREATED AN EMPIRE animating fairytales. Because the appeal is so strong, with little to no cultural barriers we have to ask ourselves not just why, but...
... which is our favorite.
Then, why?
Personally, Cinderella is my top choice.
Not just the story arc,
the snappy dances,
or catchy songs.
There's an orphan in all of us.
Often we don't see who we really are,
out talents lying dormant.
Could be naysayers,
could be something else.
It's nice that Price Charming is a price,
it's charming that he sees Cinderella as she really is.
The point isn't...
- Where's my prince charming?
- Who will save the day for me?
- Why am I not picked?
... to wallow in our sorrows.
The point is for whom are we Prince Charming?
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
9ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/67/16 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT’S IN OUR DNA
TOO FEW OF US know our family history. Some barely know cousins. Great-grandparents? Forget about it. It’s just not a thing. And, yet…
… what could be more important?
To know their stories,
is to know ourselves.
Which is why we drove hours out of our way after the bike race.
Here in eastern Arizona, to soak of our roots.
Surfergirl’s great-grandfather helped settle Snowflake,
my great-great grandfather helped settle Saint Johns.
They are neighboring towns,
about 20 miles apart.
And the communities were quite friendly with each other.
You’d think we grew up out here,
and that’s how we met and married.
Not so.
I was born and raised in SoCal,
she was raised in Hawaii.
Maybe somethings are meant to be.
But, that’s not really the point.
This is hard country,
the high desert.
To carve a life and community out of nothing took strength, smarts, and massive cooperation…
… the same qualities it takes to complete very challenging endurance events.
Who is an ancestor that inspires you?
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/87/-0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I WANNA PUT A DENT IN THAT GIRL
IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE we can say and do the craziest things. You know things we might not normally say or do. And, at the time...
... they sound/seem totally normal.
Like today.
I had the awesome opportunity to flat 15 minutes into the 92 mile race...
... suddenly I'm swearing like a sailor.
It wasn't horrific,
still, glad no one was around.
Spent the next 50 miles basically riding by myself.
Doing my best.
Jumping from group to group.
I roll up on one of the female leaders,
bridge across to another badass Barbie.
And, I hear her say the funniest thing...
... I wanna put a dent in that girl.
Speaking of the other racer.
I visualize a halloween scene,
hatchet stuck in the helmet.
Hahaha.
Then the crass, neanderthal in me thinks...
... that sounds like something I'd like to do on date night.
Not the hatchet...
... if you know what I mean.
These crazy thoughts are birthed in our very depleted states, as we...
... do our best to stay upright and moving forward.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/89/-2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY WOULD ANYBODY GO TO DOUGLASS, AZ?
RACING VENUES ARE HARD TO COME BY, especially in big cities. Almost impossible. The result is the bigger the race, the more likely we are to travel...
... someplace we've never been.
Would never go.
Here I am,
two hours south of Tucson,
on the Mexican border, in Douglass, AZ.
This gravel race has the same vibe as my first Leadville,
back in '99.
Small town,
somewhat forgotten.
Which makes it a perfect place to stage a gravel race...
... surrounded my endless gravel roads.
I decided to sponsor the race for three reasons...
- Mike, the promoter, is hella nice and persistent.
- He's a huge fan of our products
- I'm a huge fan of gravel races
... which are the only reasons to sponsor anything.
Passion and admiration for what each other are doing.
Funny story.
I have actually been here before.
Back in the 80's.
I was doing missionary work in Mexico and our visas needed to be renewed. Five us youngsters piled in a van and hit to Agua Prieto, MX. The plan was to walk across to Douglass, wait five minutes and walk back with new visas.
We were greeted with...
... No, no gringo. No se puede asi. (Not so fast whitey, you can't do it like that.)
So we...
- spent the night in Motel 6
- chomped Pizza Hut
- watched ESPN
... forgot all our Spanish.
And crossed back the next day.
I'm guessing Borderlands gravel will be slightly more challenging.
Good night now.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/64/18 (fitness/fatigue/form) ... somebody is tapered!
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HURRY UP
IN OUR EFFORTS TO GET FASTER, we often think of the many benefits. Mainly health, youthfulness. And truth is...
... we are better than most, not as good as some.
Who's better?
By that, do you mean...
... how could anybody be better???
We are aerobic machines, and that is a key to longevity.
Mostly.
Here are...
- Sprints
- Weights
... the missing ingredients.
I know, I know...
- sprinting sucks
- weights can be dangerous
- and, for the weenies in the back, who wants to gain weight?
... what you're thinking.
According to research, when we lift weights not only do our bones get denser but there are intra-muscular gains to be made that we cannot get any other way.
You know what else is weird, most people in our culture never sprint again after their early twenties.
So, here's the main takeaway from all scientific facts do 'em and...
... move faster, age slower.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/71/13 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVERS
THERE ARE THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER selflessly and those who volunteer selfishly. Both are admirable. In fact, when I was a race promoter it blew my mind that...
... people just reach out and offer their assistance.
Just giving where there's an obvious need.
I ran into a selfish one tonight.
The sun had set,
my headlight was on.
I was making my way cautiously because the ruts on this particular trail are bad and...
... there's an enormous sinkhole that might kill ya.
As a get there...
... did I say it was pitch dark?...
... a man is standing with a shovel in one hand and a trowel in the other.
Creepy?
Scary?
Nope, I knew what he was up to.
Not burying bodies...
... prepping the trail so when it rains this weekend the ruts will fill in.
I stopped.
Introduced myself.
Thanked him profusely.
No need, I just moved here and can't believe how lucky we are to have these trails right here. Just wanna make 'em perfect for my kids and me to ride on.
To which I could only say...
... Bro, you gotta let me make you a custom RaceDay Bag.
Is there a better gift?
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I THINK I VOIDED THE WARRANTY
LIVING IN THE ACTION SPORTS MECCA of the world, I'm surrounded and influenced by all manner of creative, ingenious athletes. We all feed off each other. My friend Kody...
... started making super aero computer mounts.
3D printed gloriousness.
My new MTB was in need.
I reached out.
Got a mount for Roval bars?
Yes.
Cool, I'll get one.
We haven't tested for lights yet.
He thought I was asking for my road bike.
So yeah...
- the road mount is super aero
- looks freakin' awesome
- supports a light
... survived and thrived on first MTB ride.
Did my evil test void the warranty?
I dunno.
But, this is...
- come up product ideas
- make it
- test it
... what we do around here.
Here's a ink to his site: https://nanoworx.shop
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/85/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOLDILOCKS NUMBER?
WE ARE ALL SEARCHING for that magic number of hours to maximize our training. You know, the Goldilocks amount. Not too little. Not too much...
... the perfect amount of work.
I know where it is.
You do to.
Look back over the year.
Find the week that didn't wreck you, the...
- hours
- distance
- intensity
... I can do this every week.
Bonus/verification if you had any...
- Segments
- PWR
- HR
... PRs the following week(s)?
That's your Goldilocks number.
Mine's about...
- saddle time
- bit of strength work
- some sort of other fun
... 13 hours/week.
What's yours?
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/86/1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU GET 1 WISH
2026 WILL BE HERE soon enough. Many of us are already planning work, vacations, family time...
... and, yes, races.
You get 1 wish.
Here it is...
- lay out your Giant RaceDay Calendar
- scour the interwebs for races
- pick one, and do it
... no limitations.
Imagine it...
- Anywhere on this giant blue marble.
- Any time of the year
- Dream equipment
- Fantastic lodging
- Clear schedule
... and ask yourself.
If not this year...
... when?
'Cause here's the deal, if we only did one race next year...
... we could probably make it happen.
It's just a mental game, play it out, and let me know...
... where, when and why.
Me personally, my top choices...
- Gravel Burn, South Africa
- Oregon Trail
- Rebecca's Private Idaho
... are gravel stage races.
Gravel Burn looks insane.
===
You do have a Giant RaceDay Calendar, right?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
===
164.4 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/91/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE REBEL ALLIANCE IS GROWING
EVERY NOW AND THEN a new format or race or course or piece of equipment comes along with promises to change everything. Except hardly anything changes...
... until something sparks.
How does that work?
Like this.
About 10 years ago, I purchased my first gravel bike.
My friends, like me, were roadies and mountain bikers.
A gravel bike seemed like the worst of both worlds.
I got it,
understood where they were coming from.
Except, I was having so dang much fun...
... I didn't care.
I just kept riding gravel,
inviting my friends,
enduring their
mockery.
It wasn't overnight,
more like overdecade.
The last two Saturdays, most telling.
Eight days ago, an absolute shredder on a mountain bike shows up on a spanking new gravel bike.
30 minutes in, he's grinning and shouting...
... This looks so wrong, but gadang it's fun!
Today, another pal shows up for his first group gravel ride.
He's gifted off road, we spent years riding motos in the desert...
... We're going 30+ miles an hour, I can't believe how much ground we can cover!
Does that mean you should be riding gravel, too?
Maybe.
But, really, it's just a lesson in how things that are worthwhile spread.
Then again...
... What did the gravel bike say to the road bike?
I am your father.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
90/105/-15 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FAMOUS COACHES ARE GETTING FIRED RIGHT AND LEFT
IN PRO SPORTS, or high level amateur, there is always a spot light on the coaches. At some point, blame or credit lands...
... squarely on their shoulders.
Should it?
I do love to follow college football...
- the emotional swings
- the athleticism
- the stadiums
... so much energy and unpredictablity.
Who would have thought so many megamilliondollar...
... coaches would be punted this year.
Mid-season.
The great Seth Godin wrote The Gap.
The idea behind the book is when we find ourselves unable to close the gap to our goal...
... the sooner we decide to quit and move on, the better.
It might be a pro gambling tactic as well...
... but, the only gambling I do is putting my heart, soul and cash into this business.
Anyway, would you have/have you had the guts...
... to change directions, and how quickly would you do it?
===
163.6 lbs/12.4%
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CHOOSE WORTHY ADVERSARIES
WHAT IS IT ABOUT LOVING UNDERDOGS? It's so uniquely American. Is it our origin story, the DNA of our culture...
... to cheer for the fighter with no chance?
Honestly.
Who can't feel a bit of their own soul being crushed with every blow the awesome Apollo Creed delivers to a...
... bloodied, bruised, crushed Rocky Balboa?
We've all been in that arena.
Had the bell ring.
Still standing.
Somehow.
We humans thrive against overwhelming adversaries...
- inspiration
- desperation
- exasperation
... oozing with confidence and power.
When our all is required,
we discover who we really are.
As the great Kierkegaard said...
... What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/88/-1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY TOP 5 SPEED HACKS
FOR MOST OF US, going faster, getting better, has less to do with a fancy new gizmo or the latest training fad. We know that...
... but, what are doing about it?
Like the Mastercard ad says...
... some things are priceless.
Here are five...
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Strength
- Maintenance
- Consistency
... anybody can do.
These are my hacks.
Sleep.
Figure out when we want to wake up. Get in bed 8 hours prior to that. Stay there until it's time. Eventually, our bodies get the hang of it, and boom... we're sleep doping.
Nutrition.
Eat clean. No packaged foods. If we can't identify the ingredients, we don't consume it.
Strength.
Do the basics, at home. We don't have time to drive to the gym. No need to do all the sets at once, break 'em up throughout the day. Hardly any equipment is needed: pull up bar, a few dumbbells (adjustables for the win).
Maintenance.
New equipment is so nice because it is all tight and precise. Flawless maintenance will keep that new equipment performance for years, and we'll always be race ready.
Consistency.
If we always train at the same time magic happens. Those around us learn and appreciate our commitment. We get it done. Always.
A final word.
I was never the best athlete. Not among my friends, and certainly not at school or among the general population.
I was never picked first, couldn't aim or hit anything regularity.
I wasn't the bravest or most daringist.
I did have one thing going for me...
... I freakin' loved being outside and being challenged by nature.
Today, I'm probably better than almost all my contemporaries.
That's not a flex, it's just happens.
They quit.
Which brings us to the top two hacks of all time...
... commitment and passion.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3(fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU'VE LOST THAT AWESOME FEELING... GET IT BACK!
THERE'S A CERTAIN SOMETHING we feel during the early days of picking up our passion. It's tangible. We can taste it. We love it...
... that's how we got here.
I'd lost it.
Over the last couple of years, drunk with stupid stats from Training Peaks and Starva...
- more time
- more miles
- more climbing
... I found myself wallowing in fatigue.
Don't get me wrong.
I'd line up, or roll out with the pals, and, though I might be quick to drift back...
... the ability to endure for hours was ridiculous.
Something snapped.
Or, lightning struck.
I dunno.
But, a few weeks ago, I woke up and said...
Screw it!
I'm cutting down the long slogs...
... and bringing back sprint days.
2-3 hours became 90 minutes.
With 10-15 VO2 max efforts,
lasting 10 seconds to 5 minutes.
I'm super fortunate to live close to trails with a lot of straight up and straight down...
... I let the terrain dictate how long the sprint lasts.
Then, focus on my DH skills...
... coasting, staying off the brakes, carving and carrying speed.
The upshot, after 90 minutes and 10+ solid efforts?
I feel amazing,
not pooped.
Sprinting engages all our muscles and focus...
... a total mind, body soul work out.
Soul?
Yeah, trust me.
Do 'em right, and you'll see stars and feel God's presence could be imminent.
===
164.3 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3(fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU CAN'T GROW A BEARD OVERNIGHT
WE WANNA BE FASTER. Right now. Not this season, not this month, not this week, not today. Right now...
... 300 meters from the finish line.
Houston, we have a problem.
Go ahead.
We forgot to add fuel to the return booster.
Sucks to be you.
Yeah.
We can't grow a beard overnight.
A good one, for some of us...
... can take months.
If we wanna be fast in the final sprint,
if we wanna negative split the course...
... we gotta put in the work before we need the result.
===
164.3 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CULTURE WARS
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF TRAINING groups. Both extend invitations...
... the similarities stop there.
One culture assures...
- everyone is ready to start together
- there are plenty of stops
- nobody gets left behind
... fairness and concern.
The other demands...
- leaving on time
- no stopping
- no waiting
... rugged individuals.
The group we...
- join
- create
- help grow
... depends on the result we are looking for.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
180 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/86/1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ROOKIE MOVE 45
Jan 04, 2020
by TODD BROWN
HOW MANY ROOKIE MOVES CAN THERE POSSIBLY BE AT THIS POINT? This one is so not pro.
Ugh.
So there we are, carpooling down to the start of today's most excellent ride. It's a beautiful morning, and I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends in San Diego. The fellas are all geeked up, and we're covering topics I shan't never write about.
Innocently (or was it?), MG said last time he did the ride his shifter battery failed.
Note: not the derailler batteries, which I check every night before I ride... because I'm not a rookie on that anymore.
The shifter battery?
Yeah, the one in each brake lever. (we are both running SRAM wireless)
Hm... didn't even know I had one. Going on 3 years, and I've never touched it.
Yeah, I was surprised... I've only had the bike a short time.
I'll have to check that out, I say to myself...
... you know where this is going right? Can ya feel it? Well, I couldn't. I was in my happy place, with my pals about to get destroyed on the most vicious ride around - Swami's Long.
Sure nuf, one mile in and my shifting is nil. Well, not nil... it was just like MIke's only working on the right shifter and every time I tested it I'd go down a cog and never up.
At least I was stuck in the small front ring, and small back... no that does not make it less of a rookie move. It's just a consolation prize for being the loser of the day.
Shyte! I gotta turn around guys.
I splain the sitchyashun.
They go on to play... shedding tears as we part.
I go on a tear, nabbing PRs all the way home. Grab my gravel bike, HVY MTL, and hit it hard.
Is there light at the end of my rookie tunnel?
Probably not.. good thing, 'cause if I wasn't out making these mistakes you might make them too.
---
One of the reasons I was PRing the rest of the day - yes there was just a little anger in the legs - is the wider tires I'm running at lower pressure.
Threw the 28s on my road bike and the 40s on my gravel bike.
The science says wider tire with lower pressure is not only faster but more comfy...
... the Old Diesel says Yep, based on perceived exertion these wider tires are more better...
... guess we better do a BOGO so y'alls can test me on this.
Use promo code CONTIBOGO to get 50% savings on Continental GP 5000s and Terra Speed when you buy 2 or more tires.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/continental-tires
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/continental-tires
The code CONTIBOGO expires Monday, the 6th, I'll put the big order in on Tuesday and your order will ship in about a week.
---
164.4
0/0
6 hrs sleep - no bueno
https://www.strava.com/activities/2981813822
https://www.strava.com/activities/2982564991
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
FASTER, NOT EASIER
Jan 03, 2020
by TODD BROWN
"IT DOESN'T GET ANY EASIER, YOU JUST GO FASTER"
- Greg LeMond
Does this really need an explanation?
How about a challenge then?
What blondie is trying to say there is that the effort we put forth doesn't get any easier... meaning we are just into riding hard... and with more training that same perceived exertion sees us going ever faster.
My challenge is this... not only doesn't it get easier - the racing and such at higher levels - it actually gets harder because the quality of the racers is that much more better.
It gets harder, and you go faster, and it's awesome
- T.O. Diesel
---
One of the reasons we go faster is we get smarter about our equipment choices, and I gotta tell ya... I'm really digging the wider tires I've been riding.
Threw the 28s on my road bike and the 40s on my gravel bike.
The science says wider tire with lower pressure is not only faster but more comfy...
... the Old Diesel says Yep, based on perceived exertion these wider tires are more better...
... guess we better do a BOGO so y'alls can test me on this.
Use promo code CONTIBOGO to get 50% savings on Continental GP 5000s and Terra Speed when you buy 2 or more tires.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/continental-tires
The code expires Monday, I'll put the big order in on Tuesday and your order will ship in about a week.
---
164.8
10/30
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2978756786
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
KOM WITH EAGLES
Jan 02, 2020
by TODD BROWN
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY... ride with eagles, KOM with eagles.
Or... you're the average of your 5 fastest friends
Or... birds of a feather race together
Or...
Well, it's only total BS when a an old diesel like me KOM's a segment ridden and raced by thousands.
THOUSANDS!
True, I was racing right along with birds of a feather.
But, I was more like the sum of my 5 fastest friends.
Further, I see order has been restored to the Stravaverse and an actual pro, John Janneck, has unseated me... if only by a second, it is more juster for him - more jester for me.
Or is it?
I mean, it was me.
On my bike.
Under my own power.
Whipping up on the Nation's Number One Beast and his Legion teammates and a quiver of other national and state champions.
Therefore, let it be known that for about 2 minutes yesterday I was a total badass on my bike due almost entirely to the presence of my most excellent and fast friends... even if they weren't trying I was blowing away my previous times.
Let it also be known... this truism is a real thing.
The faster our friends, the faster we ride.
The better our friends...
The kinder our friends...
The wiser our friends...
... the more 'er we are.
---
Or was it the Jailbreak kit?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/jailbreak
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/jailbreak
Want to see a great finish by the Nation's Number One Beast?
164.8
back in the gym
6.66 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2977227707
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
INTROVERT ON THE LOOSE
Jan 01, 2020
by TODD BROWN
TAKE ME TO A PARTY AND I'M A WALLFLOWER. Take me on a bike ride and I'm like...
Hey I'm Todd, what's your name?
That's weird, right?
Fact is, I'm just not that excited to meet most people... I don't know why.
But, I love meeting bike riders... and I do know why. We're just cool people, at least I meet a lot of cool people out riding. It's easy to break out of my natural introverted self.
On the annual Newyearsdaytakeovertheroads ride, I saw a bunch of my riding friends from LA area, where the ride starts, and made some new friends.
I had no problem grabbing a Gatorade and seeing the 2for$3 asking a guy to join purchases with me. He knew my name, I was embarrassed not to know his. Then he refused my offer to Venmo him the $1.50.
I stuck out my hand, and got his name... Robert.
Thanks Robert!
When the ride got back to the coast and the LAs headed north, a new rider joined us heading south.
Stuck out my hand...
Hey, I'm Todd.
I'm Brian.
Turns out Brian works at the Canyon USA Showroom in Carlsbad with my "bro" Freddie JMZ - you ever meet Freddie and you'll get the bro ref. Brian's somewhat new to our riding locale... we traded numbers and I added him to our local chat group.
---
Aside from breaking out of my social shell riding... I made the ChainGang kit because this is going to be a breakout year for PEDALindustries.
I was surprised how many people were digging it on the ride, but more so when I stopped for a snack. Dude that could be a body double for Hulk Hogan comes out and says...
Man, I love that outfit!
No, I didn't educate his Hulkness that the proper term is kit because that would be uncool... and bike riders are cool peeps.
---
One thing is for sure... when you're breaking out you want to be as light and fast as possible. The Mini-RaceDay Bag is perfect for holding the bare necessities tight and aero under your saddle.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-mini-raceday-bag
And this is your chance to break our bank because for some reason the shipping is free on these right now... can you believe that?
A killer storage solution for $19.99 that ships free?
Yikes... I better get that changed, but until I do... have at it.
---
165.4
0/0 (lazy)
6.66 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2974157112
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
BIGGEST FAILURE OF 2019
Dec 31, 2019
by TODD BROWN
TONIGHT, ON THE EVE OF A NEW DECADE... I'll be depriving myself of my much needed handsomesleep.
I'll wake up too early.
Stumble around.
In a fog.
And that is my biggest failure of 2019 - not getting enough of this free magical elixir.
Will be 2020 any different?
It's not gonna be off to a good start.
I will for sure rise early to ride with 500 of my closest friends as we take over Pacific Coast Highway.
Want to go faster?
Sleep more.
Want to react quicker?
Sleep more.
Want to be smarter?
Sleep more.
Want to lose weight?
Sleep more.
Want to look better?
Sleep more.
Want to....
...sleep more.
---
This is the point where I include some sort of cool product I've found to enhance the riding experience... you know that.. and you're probably wondering how's The Old Diesel gonna work that in...
... well, I just did my darnedest to sell myself (and you) on sleeping more...
... and it's free.
No promo code needed.
---
165.4
0/0 (lazy)
7 hrs sleep
Quickie - https://www.strava.com/activities/2971162086
Family Ride - https://www.strava.com/activities/2971810449
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
WALLPAPER GIVEAWAY!
Dec 30, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I CHANGED MY WALLPAPER YESTERDAY. Not in the house, on the phone. Scrolling through the many options, I chose two recent pics... my wallpaper gives me away.
No family shots.
Or goals for the year.
Just images I dig.
The home screen (above) uses a background from a recent betweenthestorms quickie, where I found a new "Closed To Public Access" road that gave me great access through town. I chose it because it reminds me to be aggressively adventurous, it has a lot of black and the app icons are easy to read.
The lock screen is from a recent day on the local single track. I edited the crud out of it on my phone, and though I have no skills or training I like the way it turned out. It makes me smile.
Taking pics has been a pleasant addition to my riding and writing as I think they help tell the story of this crazy sport we all love... many of the people I follow take really cool pics as well and inspire the heck out of me to ride new places.
---
One of the things you want to have when traveling to a ride is our changing poncho... makes it easy to change any where, and makes for a nice way to wipe the mud off bike and bod.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
I have this fantasy of pulling up to a race and seeing an entire team changing into their kits while wearing matching changing ponchos.
Send us your art and we'll mock your team changing poncho.
-tb
167.2 (high of the year - not good)
0/0 (lazy)
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2968567228
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
IF YOU'RE LIKE ME
Dec 29, 2019
by TODD BROWN
IF YOU'RE LIKE ME - which you aren't because I'm totally into riding, racing and socializing on bikes in the reverse order I just spouted them off which is really weird - then it's time to put down the biggiantunattainable goal for 2020.
If you're like me - which you aren't because I took fattening up for the winter literally for all 12 of the Christmas Days starting on Thanksgiving never skipping a day until today - then your first goal might be to start carving off the lard by eating less and riding more.
If you're like me - which you aren't because I blew off the training and the stretching and the gym work the moment the kids pulled into town and can't touch my knees let alone my toes - your second goal might be to take a yoga class.
If you're like me - which you aren't because I spent my meager xmas funds on everybody else forgetting to save a couple a bucks for myself - then you might be dreaming of a new bike.
If you're like me... wait... what... you're like me?
Really?
You're gonna set some ridiculous goals?
Let's do it.
Today...
... 'cause the ruckus is gonna start early on 12/31, and we'll be worthless on 1/1, and probably back grinding on 1/2...
Personally, I'm leaning towards some big gravel event - not sure which one - and a stage race - either Gila or Cascade Classic.
How 'bout you?
---
Whatever I end up doing, the main focus is always about feeling fast - doing those things that make me feel fast on a bike. The old standards are weighing less, looking sharp, and having a clean rig.
Which is why I always say: Feel Fast, Ride Fast.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/feel-fast-ride-fast-available-in-5-colors
And why I think you really ought to try out Smoove chain lube... so much so, that if you buy the t-shirt you can get the lube for 50% off using code FEEL SMOOVE.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/smoove
Buy a Feel Fast. Ride Fast t-shirt get Smoove for 50% savings use promo code FEELSMOOVE.
-tb
165.6
0/0 (lazy)
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2966945663
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
Dec 28, 2019
by TODD BROWN
TODAY WAS JUST LIKE MOST SATURDAYS when we were a young family. Up before the sun for a quick ride and back for breakfast with the kids then off to do something fun.
In fact, it's been that way all week with everybody in town.
It's nearly impossible to have a routine.
All my stuff is missing, and I'm sure it's the kids fault.
How the heck did I get anything accomplished back then?
On our hike, we reminisced about all the winter weekends in the desert camping and riding motos. These were the maintenance months and years. Winter bike riding was mainly Monday-Friday, very early. In the summer, I'd usually have one big mountain bike race to train for. It was good life balance and kept me in decent shape.
I notice the kids' routines are similar, but their things. Hitting the gym or surf early on a Saturday morning before breakfast and family time.
Some of them even ride bikes... my favorite rides.
---
Since they've been visiting I think I've worn the Wild Child kit at least 3 times. Inspired by having them home? I dunno...
...but, I do know the socks are in production and they're going to be really cool.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
I'll post pics as soon as they're done.
Ride your bike!, tb
164.6
0/0 (lazy)
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2963104924
https://www.strava.com/activities/2963781698
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
I'M AGOG!
Dec 27, 2019
by TODD BROWN
OF ALL THE PLACES ON EARTH, I have to imagine this is one of the easiest places to be AGOG.
We have miles and miles of wide roads with wide bike lanes, bike paths, dirt roads, and lots of single track.
All of which has a tendency to produces riders like me: decent road racer, pretty good mountain biker.
What I mean by AGOG is this...
You take the pretty good skills many of the riders have around here and put them on a gravel bike and all of the sudden their prettygoodness turns them into A God Of Gravel - AGOG!
Just give 'em a gravel bike and they are instantly at the top of the food chain.
---
I was thinking about that, how when we develop talent in a variety of areas and combine them often we get 1 + 1 + 1 = 4 or 5 or 6.
Most top performers have developed a number of talents that when put together give them super powers.
For example, I remember Hakeem Olajuwon crediting growing up playing soccer with his fantastic footwork as an NBA All Star.
Once you learn how to see it, it's everywhere...
Anyway, it's just something I was thinking about on my ride today...
... which is why it's necessary for me to carve out the time to ride regularly.. and I have no problem saying Can't make it, gotta ride!
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gotta-ride-t-shirt-avail-in-2-colors
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gotta-ride-t-shirt-avail-in-2-colors
... cause who knows, maybe I'll take my passion for cycling gear and combine it with my manufacturing skills and my design skills and start company called PEDALindustries?... ya never know.
164.6
0/0 (lazy)
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2960633013
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
BRETT, BERNARD AND BURRITOS
Dec 26, 2019
by TODD BROWN
BRETT AND I MET UP TODAY FOR MEXICAN FOOD... We meet up most years for a Christmas lunch, where he regales me with his latest meeting with cycling big shots.
Today he shared the crazy story of scheduling a $4,000,000 print press for a very small run of limited lithos on paper that cost $12/sheet.
The plan was to print them early then have a nice trip to Europe where Bernard Hinault and Roger De Vlaeminck would then personal many of them and sign the rest... as would the original photographer.
Ah plans... in a nutshell, they printed a month behind schedule and the planned working vacation turned to a world championship race against time.
One offshoot was asking Hinault who he admired as a kid racer... his answer: Merckx. Another was discovering cycling gear openly hanging to dry in Hinault's house. In other words, the gods are a lot like us... fan boys (and girls) who wash their own clothes - just a helluva a lot faster.
Want more proof of their humanness?
They also have their spouses do their bottle handups.
In this heretofore unpublished photograph, De Vlaemicnk's wife is caught in running in high heels extending a bottle of champagne. Roger's reaction when he saw the pics: Nice legs!
https://pedalindustries.com/products/roger-de-vlaeminck-1971-tour-de-france-limited-edition-of-500
If you want one of these beautiful lithos, I'll cover the shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/roger-de-vlaeminck-1971-tour-de-france-limited-edition-of-500
_____
166.6
0/0 (lazy)
8 hrs sleep
no ride today
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
SURPRISE WARS
Dec 25, 2019
by TODD BROWN
INSERT WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR, now imagine you're totally into the thing you're into, and your dear one has been trying to get you just the right gift for a decade or so... and pretty much given up.
Sound familiar?
Surfergirl gave up getting me just right bike gift long ago, in a decade far away.
As I result, I've been known to put a package or two under the tree for me from her.
But this year, she rolled the dice and made something really cool... that I would never do for myself.
She hijacked my Instagram and made these cool tiles representing highlights of my year on wheels: winning Tahoe, PRing Leadville, along with a few others.
They are really cool, and have double stick tape for hanging/placing on a wall... which I shall do at the PEDALindustries lair.
The other surprise was Collegegirl insisting on getting in the water... not a surprise like, I'm shocked, but more of a Wow, she's finally hooked and that's gonna make Mamma very happy.
I hope your celebration was a hit too.
---
That thing for me?... Fizik foul/cold weather booties.
TBH, we can get away with toe warmers nearly always... but there is the occasional low 30's morning which these would be perfect for.
Gave 'em a test this morning... and Toddystoestoasty.
Even managed to get caught out in the rain... and Toddystoesdry.
They're mostly sold out at the moment, as soon as we have good stock we'll round up a sweet deal on 'em.
We have have most things back in stock in a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, if you're wanting to give the gift of PEDALindustries but not sure what to get may I suggest the gift cards?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
Keen shoppers will use SAVE10 through the end of the year.
_____
167 - oops
0/0 (lazy)
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2956198846
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
DEFINITELY ISN'T THE NEW 50/50
Dec 24, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THE FELLAS RIBBED ME PRETTY GOOD THIS MORNING. For the past month or more, every Monday night in our group text I confirmed I was a solid 50/50 for our Tuesday morning ride.
I missed 'em all.
We've been busy.
So last night, figuring we were shutting down the office for a few days, I confirmed I was definitely in.
Stayed up late dusting off the road bike,
fixing a flat,
affixing the lights,
making my drinks,
stacking my snacks,
laying out all the layers,
going down my list and checking it twice.
Yep, I was geeked to see the freaks...
they are ya know,
for sure...
up every Tuesday well before the sun,
40ish strong in the fair weather months
20ish stronger in the dark and cold winters
... you get the idea, these are my guys (and occasional gals) and I was looking forward to a long ride and talking about the holiday plans and who's in town and what they were looking forward to and you know...
Up at 520, out the door at 540.
Right on time.
Half a mile from home... did I mention it rained all night and the roads were still slick and it was dark?... I hit the lone piece of glass in the road. Sliced my new tire.
Tsssst, tsssssst, tsssssssst.... I came to a stop.
Rats!
Turned around, coasted downhill, rushed inside, through everything on the gravel bike and gave it all I had.
Caught the fellas half way through the ride.
It was just what I needed.
At the finish, we gathered and wished each other well... and one of my pals said...
Ya know, I'm glad you finally made it back out... we were afraid Definitely! is the new 50/50.
---
The house is quite now. We've been to Gramma's and back. Our marrieds are with the outlaws and those still here are a sleep, like babies.
I'm up, doing my Santa thing... definitely!
---
It's hard, well impossible, to see the new KOM Windbreaker I wore this morning. It was perfect. No wind gets through, all I had on underneath was a jersey and arm warmers.
This video is pretty cool where I show how it neatly fits in my back jersey pocket.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-wind-jacket-black
If you can ride now, this jacket is made for you... if you're snowbound for a bit, this jacket will get you out sooner.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-wind-jacket-black
_____
164.6
0/0 (lazy)
6.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2954015303
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
SEPARATION OF BIKE AND STATE
Dec 23, 2019
by TODD BROWN
IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION SOMEWHERE, or it oughta be.
Jefferson clearly wrote:
“Believing with you that bike riding is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of bike riding, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between bike & State.”
"the free exercise thereof"...
... the key to such free exercise, in my experience, lies in the hour a man, woman or child is willing to rise...
... which reminds me of what fun I've been having annoying my college girl. Such a sleepy head.
She made a good point today, though I doubt the schooling had any baring on the observation:
Dad, you live to annoy me.
Yes, yes it does bring me great joy. Especially since my ride was rained out this morning.
Which basically means, I'm keeping you alive.
---
She's partly right, but what really keeps me a live is feeling fast and riding fast.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/feelfast-deal
And when you're riding fast it's wonderful to have the very tactile feel of our superlight race gloves
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/feelfast-deal
To give ya a little inspiration, use promo code FEELFAST and when you buy the t-shirt you'll save 25% on the gloves.
Both the gloves and the t's come in lots of colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/feelfast-deal
_____
165.6
0/0 (lazy)
8.5 hrs sleep
rained out
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, AND I WANT TO GO FURTHER
Dec 22, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THE LAST BOOK I READ - RESONATE - said this book would change my life: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.
If you're into life changing books, stay with me as I critique myself in a bike riding way.
What I learned: generally, I had no idea how far we'd come as a nation nor did I have an inkling of where we'd been.
Sure I read Tom Sawyer, and ate popcorn watching A Time To Kill. But, those stories allowed me to sit comfortably in my chair and be entertained.
Maya's book is different.
First, she writes with immense creativity and economy... and I love that style.
Second, she set me right down in the eyes and heart of an innocent and beautiful child who is witness to too much ugliness.
Third, she changed the way I understand and feel the history of many of my friends.
Collectively we have remade our country. There is still much to do, but at this point it's personal work that needs to be done. The heavy lifting is largely complete.
Let me bring it back to our bikin' world... I was shocked at myself yesterday.
It is seems so easy to be provoked by a stranger who is just being a tool rather than let it go. And I wasn't alone. This stranger got under a lot of skin in a couple of turns.
How?
He was slower and our group was roaring through a dicey singletrack. I asked to pass he said No and then clogged the trail. Just a dude being a tool. Elbows out, I made a less than dainty pass.
It didn't have to be that way.
I was quick to react terribly.
Others did the same.
It happens with cars on the road... guy passes too close and I'm ready to kill. It's nasty... and I'm not sure where it's coming from.
I'll spend more time meditating on this as I ride... making a conscious effort to be more forgiving and loving.
Because in the end, we are all caged in some way... and we'd be a lot better off singing.
---
Rather than sell ya some nifty cycling gear, I'm going to gift 10 of these books. If you'll read it, get it. On me. Free.
It's not a Festivus gift, just a gift from one cyclist to another.... and no, I'm not going to pay you $20 for a book report like I do my kids. However, I'd love to read your thoughts when you're done.
It's short.
Here's the link:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/why-the-caged-bird-sings
Peace.
LONGISH RIDE, SHORTISH DAY
Dec 21, 2019
by TODD BROWN
MONTHS AGO ME THOUGHT, Diesel ya oughta ride all day on the shortest day of the year. Right? If you're ever going to ride all day - sunrise to sunset - this would be a good one.
Things were lining up with spectacular weather before a week of solid rain.
So, for sure this is gonna happen.
Up at 530.
Rolling by 630.
7am is the official sunrise today, but the ride I'm doing starts at 8, twenty miles up the coast.
On the way up this cat whips around a corner and soon we are chatting about the glory days... the mighty Ziggurat loop with world class regulars like Gold Medalist Steve Hegg, RAAM winner Pete Penseyres, and many state, national and world champions.
We lament the bland all black bikes and kits that dominate the scene today... which he very obviously was fighting back on.
I made it to the start with 20 minutes to spare. Which was cool, as it gave me time to make a few adjustments to my rig and unload some of my pre-dawn hydration.
The new tires I'm testing out are surprisingly fast on and off the road. For example, aside from arriving early, later in the day I managed to PR a massive and steep dirt drop called Mathis - locals will be impressed that I did it on the gravel machine.
... okay, so let me tell ya about the group I was meeting up with:
1. The invite clearly stated: we're riding tempo, download the course, we love you but we ain't waiting.
2. The supreme leader's Strava handle is Bikenut. He's a beast on the road and on the dirt. And while I was rolling giant 40s, he was on his road bike with 25s. #skills.
3. The followers are all certified nuts with huge talent and huge nuts for going fast.
With a touch feely welcome, 30 or so set off.
The first climb 20% were gone.
Another 30% either flatted, dropped off or quit by mile 19.
Meanwhile, I'm constantly asking myself when we are going to ride tempo, or if I even know what riding tempo means anymore.
About 30 miles in (50 for me) some trail bunny stops Bikenut and the flirting begins. Next thing we're all in a group picture and they are trying to trade phone numbers.
This is also a literal highpoint on the ride and as we crest P.I.D. I can see home. And I come down with a case of Seeyafellasitsbeenfun, because I'm thinking my daughter is home for the weekend and the other kids might be around too.
It wasn't all day, but it was plenty: 80ish miles, 8000ish of vert.
Next year!, or maybe sooner... I'm addicted, and not recovering.
I am addicted to other things... and just yesterday learned something you should NEVER do.
I love Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle
https://pedalindustries.com/products/chamois-buttr-eurostyle-8-oz-jar
But I did a BozoNoNo and put their Embrocation on my knees before applying the Butt'r. If ya didn't know, the Embrocation is meant to heat up your skin for cold weather riding. And well, if ya put it on then apply the Butt'r to the region of your special purpose... uh, FIRE!
TMI?
Probs... but back to my other addictions.
I'm also addicted to AMP PR lotion... which should also NOT be applied before the Butt'r
https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion
and Honey Stinger waffles
https://pedalindustries.com/products/honey-stinger-variety-pack
Which you can apply to your watering mouth at any time, as long as you have washed your hands after appling Ebrocation and PR Lotion...
... to celebrate the fiery start to my weekend, you can join my addictions with this extraspecialspiffy offer:
Buy Chamois Butt'r and PR Lotion and get the Honey Stinger's Free... use promo code TODDSADDICTION.
Ride your bike!, tb
_____
164.6
0/0
6 hrs sleep (wife's fault : )
http://strava.com/activities/2947798036
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
TERRAIN SURFING & A FIERY START TO THE DAY
Dec 19, 2019
by TODD BROWN
FIRST THERE WAS CHANNEL SURFING... in it's original form was Grampa asking me to get up and change the channel for him... then websurfing... then liking and swiping... and it finally hit me why gravel riding is so very hot right now...
---> this is a subliminal message, pay no attention: Buy Chamois Butt'r and PR Lotion and get the Honey Stinger's Free... use promo code TODDSADDICTION <---
... the reason it's so dawgawn popular is because of what the internet (a worthy post on the topic) is doing to our brains...
... we can't focus, can't finish what we start, can't remember a thing....
... a gravel bike lets me (and you, too!) start on the paved road, connect to a dirt road, poach a single track, jump a curb...
... it's truly a terrain surfer... and like all surfing it's muy addicting.
If we have to be addicted to something, I can think of worse.
But, I won't.
I am addicted to other things... and just this morning learned something you should NEVER do.
I love Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle
https://pedalindustries.com/products/chamois-buttr-eurostyle-8-oz-jar
But I did a BozoNoNo and put their Embrocation on my knees before applying the Butt'r. If ya didn't know, the Embrocation is meant to heat up your skin for cold weather riding. And well, if ya put it on then apply the Butt'r to the region of your special purpose... uh, FIRE!
TMI?
Probs... but back to my other addictions.
I'm also addicted to AMP PR lotion... which should also NOT be applied before the Butt'r
https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion
and Honey Stinger waffles
https://pedalindustries.com/products/honey-stinger-variety-pack
Which you can apply to your watering mouth at any time, as long as you have washed your hands after appling Ebrocation and PR Lotion...
... to celebrate the fiery start to my weekend, you can join my addictions with this extraspecialspiffy offer:
Buy Chamois Butt'r and PR Lotion and get the Honey Stinger's Free... use promo code TODDSADDICTION.
---> this is a subliminal message, pay no attention: Buy Chamois Butt'r and PR Lotion and get the Honey Stinger's Free... use promo code TODDSADDICTION <---
Ride your bike!, tb
_____
165
20/60
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2945299709
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
YOU MAKE IT EASY
Dec 18, 2019
by TODD BROWN
IT'S LATE. I'm tired. Just wanna chill. Put my feet up.
But, I don't.
I change.
T-shirt. Board shorts.
And I slowly start my work out. Don't want to at all. Not even a tiny bit.
But, I do it because of you!
Knowing for a fact that you have resigned, that you're resting... it gives me energy.
My push ups are deeper, my pull ups cleaner, my kettle bell kettler...
Oh yes Father Time... you ain't gonna catch me!
...
Hey PEDALposse... you're not on the couch are ya?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/off-off-off-on
Please, please, please say no... but, just in case y'all need some inspiration get this t-shirt.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/off-off-off-on
_____
165.4
Gym Work
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2942399225
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
THE MOST RIDICULOUS BET I EVER MADE
Dec 17, 2019
by TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND KEVIN IS A NUT. He bet me $300 that his combined time at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race and LoToJa - the 200 mile road race from Logan UY to Jackson Hole WY would be better than mine.
First, who makes bets like that?
Second, who would do those 2 events back to back?
Third, what made him think it would even be close?!
But, that's Kev. Volume cranked to 11 all the time... and I love him for it. He's always getting me thinking.
One day he said to me, I'm going to write a book and be a best-selling author. And he did it.
He crazy.
Today he texted me, Wanna ride in the morning?
Well, how could I pass that up... haven't ridden with him for at least 10 years. We got some catching up to do.
No doubt there will be some new whacky bet.
Which is probably be a good thing because generally I'm cooking up some diabolical race plan by December - and I got nothing at the moment.
... My favorite part about what they call an "A" race is the process. The planning. The equipment choices. Specific training. Lodging. Race kit. It's endless, and I love it when it all comes together...
For sure I'm planning to wear this kit at Sagebrush Safari... the idea of slipping off the front never to be seen again is just too appealing, even if I fall off the back.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/military-camo
Maybe I can get Kevin to come down and do it?
Ride your bike!, tb
_____
166.2
0 pull ups/0 push ups
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2939171491
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE
Dec 16, 2019
by TODD BROWN
MY BUDDY HAS BEEN BANGED UP ALL SEASON. When he texted last night to ride... I thought, Heck yeah!
We met at 7am.
So good to see him on a bike after 8 months... after all, he was my No. 1 Stravamate last year.
The downside of his back injury is he's got a long road to get back to destroyerstrength. The upside is he's decoupled from the pressure to be in tiptopshape and finding a lot more time to spend with his young kids.
The physical therapy is helping... might need surgery.
Bro, this a blessing. You're at the time of life to lock in on your kids. That's what I did at your age.... I still rode, just not as much. Enough to stay in shape, and race once a year.
I'm not sure he believed me... the blessing part nor the I dialed it down part. But, I did it... and though I know he's super discouraged, I'm sure this is all for the best.
Never quit riding... the health benefits are monumental - physical, mental and social - and we need to maintain them order to best serve those we love.
Facebook shows me this picture every year about this time... it's a nice reminder of all the winter weekends we spent in the desert.
Now, the childrens are well into their careers... and I have time to ride as much as I like.
One thing is for sure, my bangeduponthemend pal sure could have used some PR Lotion this morning...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/accessories-1/products/amp-pr-lotion
... he was suffering... huffinandpuffin like no other... and I loved it! 'cause he was crushing me last year and he'll be crushing me again soon enough
... come to think of it, he's the one that introduced me to this miracle product. I distinctly remember the hot summer night in '18, out at OverTheHump, and he was lathering up praising it's magicness...
... ahhh, he'll be back before he knows it.
Did I mention we stock and ship this product for free?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/accessories-1/products/amp-pr-lotion
Ride your bike!, tb
_____
165.4
20 pull ups/60 push ups
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2936959885
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
FUEL FOR FIGHTING
Dec 15, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND IT, I need an enemy to stoke my fire. That's me.
Others need a challenge, a seemingly impossible ride to finish.
Some just need an invitation to sign up.
I knew one guy that always had to win.
But me, I do my best work when it's me against X.
Sometimes it's a real person, other times it's an avatar.
It gets me out of bed, makes it easy to skip desert, find the time for an extra loop.
There's just something about having an enemy...
Is it healthy?
I dunno.
Don't care.
Part of the game is doing my best to be underestimated. To line up all friendly and humble... my fangs covered, guns holstered... that kinda thing.
So, I reckon I'll line up kitted out for peace...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child/products/peace-speed-jersey-short-sleeve
You know that'll throw the competition off, right?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child/products/peace-pro-bib
Especially if they catch me pulling it out of this
https://pedalindustries.com/products/wild-child-raceday-bag
_____
164.4
0/0
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2935940065
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
HAVE TRAVEL, WILL BIKE
Dec 14, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I KNOW IT'S A TERRIBLE HABIT, BUT I CAN'T SHAKE IT.
Last night/this morning we were out at Joshua Tree for the Geminids meteor shower. Everyone was all geeked up, but me.
I mean, it was cool because I love our high desert. There's nothing like it. And it was great to be with our friends.
But the whole time I'm thinking...
This full moon is perfect for night riding
These boulders are so grippy, like Moab slick rock
There's got to be some sweet single track out here to ride
Paul is an amazing camp cook and grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushrooms and jalapenos, followed by delicious tri-tip.
Camping food always tastes better, this was way better.
And I'm thinking...
This is just the kind of meal I'd eat before a huge ride
I wonder if we'll get a ride in or just sleep and sleep in the morning
The moon is like a giant spot light. To really see the meteors we'd need to wait until it set around 2am. The fire burns hot, so does some political banter.
Bright streaks eventually arrive. Beautiful and mysterious heavenly motions. Totally worth the wait.
I doze off.
We all do.
8am... and I'm thinking
The fellas will be in full gallop on the group ride.
I'm here. Unplugged, and digging it.
The Surfergirl says C'mon, let's ride!
(Staged photo)
Breakfast
Desert flowers
Campsite
I want to do more of these camping/hiking/stargazing/mtb/gravel weekends... can you dig it?
Am I a Bonehead for see the potential for riding no matter where I go?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/bonehead
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/bonehead
The problem with the RaceDay wallet is it holds a lot more than you'd think... which means, if I'm not careful I could easily ding those credit cards outfitting the van better for camping.
Just in case your tempted to do these kinds of things... buy the Bonehead T-shirt, and add a RaceDay Wallet to your cart for free... no promo code needed, I did some fancy programming for this offer.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet
Friday night, sunset hike
Ride your bike!, tb
_____
164 est.
0/0
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2933008856 - ride with her
https://www.strava.com/activities/2933417753 - rode the last bit home
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
THE LIFE WE CHOSE
Dec 12, 2019
by TODD BROWN
BEFORE WE BET THE FARM.
Before we propose marriage.
Before we sign the dotted line.
Before we shoot our mouths off.
Before, before, before.
Go for a ride for heckssakes! Take 'er for spin. Get the wind on our beautiful faces. Sweat it up some, and then some more.
It ain't just a bike.
It's therapy.
It's bike life.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/bikelife-grey
It's the life we choose.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/bikelife-grey
Just in case your contemplating a big, end of year purchase... buy the Bike Life T-shirt, and add a RaceDay Wallet to your cart for free... no promo code needed, I did some fancy programming for this offer.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet
Ride your bike!, tb
_____
164.2 lbs
20/60
7.5 hours sleep
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
DRESSED FOR (FUTURE) SUCCESS
Dec 12, 2019
by TODD BROWN
AREN'T YOU GOING TO FREEZE?
(I love it that she still has interest in my best interest.)
No, not gonna freeze. I dress for the riiiiide,
not the rollout.
I've seen many a rook kitted up for a polar express only to wonder where to stash the parka and mittens 20 minutes into the ride.
Been there done that?
Hopefully not lately.
I get it.
It's so tempting.
First, we have to escape the grips of our covers.
Then strip and put on cold lycra.
Stumble to the garage.
Cold helmet.
Cold shoes.
Cold gloves.
Wo. Wo. Wo. WO!
You don't do that last part do ya? Hellmet no!... the lid, shoes and gloves are in the house... and even if you're as chincy as me with the thermostat set low, it's still a lot warmer than the gair-auge.
Sometimes, when she's not looking, the bike is even in the house.
Yep.
Anyway, it takes practice and guts to dress for the ride vs the rollout.
Part of my practice is the Weather Channel app, the hourly updates for the coldest parts of the ride I plan to hit.
The guts... well, sometimes ya gotta kit up with something inspirational like Team Big Banana.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/team-big-banana
This man of confidence jersey is designed by Joe... a stud if ever there was one.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/team-big-banana
With matching bibs
Whatever takes... get out there... awesome stuff awaits like this gem I found waiting for me this morning.
Ride Your Bike, tb
_____
164.2 lbs
20/60
8.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2928568421
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
WAR AND PEACE - A TALE ON TWO WHEELS
Dec 11, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I WAS FINALLY, FINALLY!, CAUGHT UP ON WORK AND SLEEP and planning to head south and catch the evervicious Swami's Ride.
When I say evervicious, I mean it.
There is no flat group ride that comes close to sustaining the speeds we manage.
28-30mph, the whole way.
The plan was to get on down south and catch the group as they clear the southern entrance to Camp Pendleton, then roar on back up the coast and home.
Twasn't to be.
War games.
A young man met me with a nasty road block and a winning smile politely blocked the way.
Sorry sir, road is closed.
No prob. War games?
Yes sir.
Where are you from?
Texas, sir.
Stationed here?
Up north in Seal Beach, sir.
Is that a carrier out there, it looks weird.
Yes sir, it's a carrier. Smaller, though. It carries helos.
Do you work on it?
No sir, I work on a ship designed to hunt mines.
Fantastic. Thank you for your work.
Merry Christmas, sir.
Heading back, I was grateful for this young man.
There's always next week.
He'll be gone.
And we'll continue to enjoy the peaceful fruits of his work.
Peace.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/wild-child-raceday-bag
These are in stock now. Can't promise how long quantities will last, but we'll make more.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/wild-child-raceday-bag
Also, the glove order is going in tomorrow to ship Monday... use promo code BADDIESEL to save 25%.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/100-brisker-gloves
https://pedalindustries.com/products/100-brisker-gloves
Ride Your Bike, tb
_____
164 lbs
20/60
8.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2926486413
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
SKIP TO THE LATE MY DARLIN'
Dec 10, 2019
by TODD BROWN
A COLD SLIDER WAS WAITING FOR ME (that's a miniature hamburger) on the lonely counter.
I'd blown it.
Ugh.
But, she shoulda seen it comin'... afterall, when a rider known as The Gentleman calls with tickets to the KROQ Christmas Concert on Sunday night and we go 'cause she loves concerts... and I gotta a very early start Monday... and I'm down 2 guys at work... and training a new guy... and we run a seasonal business that crescendos in December... and I sleep past my Tuesday 515am alarm and miss the morning ride... and work all day, skipping lunch... and she invites me to ride at 4pm... and I get home at 530... thinkin' I can get a quick ride in while she is out walking, 'cause I'm late... well, she shoulda seen it comin'...
There wasn't a snowball's chance I'd be home by 4pm, or dinner.
A cold slider, on the lonely counter.
I shoulda seen that comin'
What rotten husband...
... and not feeling bad about it, because I've learned if I don't take care of my health first, then I'll soon have nothing to offer her or anybody else...
... plus, I'll make it up to her, take her tree shopping tomorrow. She likes that. When she asks to surf this week, I'll go. She loves that.
If she had to make it up, well, I'd like to see a new pair of cold weather gloves like these...
https://pedalindustries.com/products/100-brisker-gloves
But, you're partner is probably perfect so you won't be seeing these anytime unless I make you a devilish offer... use promo code BADDIESEL to save 25%.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/100-brisker-gloves
Ride Your Bike, tb
_____
164.2 lbs
0/0
8.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2925321012
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
THE COYOTE SHUFFLE
Dec 09, 2019
by TODD BROWN
OUR WEEKLY SOCIAL RIDE IS PERFECT FOR PRACTICING THE COYOTE SHUFFLE, named after Mr. Wyle E. Coyote.
New riders have the opposite of this move mastered so well, it's a miracle they ever come back.
Old wily vets practice the shuffle so stealthily it's hard to even notice.
And in between those two are the cats who get stronger.
The Coyote Shuffle is demonstrated best on our 4-5 minute climb dubbed The Wall. It's a real screamer. Starts out easy, gets steeper, then pitches straight up to a pinnacle before plunging down the other side.
Timid/Lazy/New rider thinks...
I'll start in the back so I'm not in anybody's way,
tries to hang on but as riders are slipping off the back gets discouraged and eases up before the top of the climb.
Wily vet thinks...
Perfect place to practice the Coyote Shuffle
goes to the front forcing riders to come around barely making it over as the last straggler.
Cat who gets stronger thinks...
It ain't over, 'til I'm over
bares down hard on the pedals pushing all the way over and down the other side, perfect position for what comes next.
As I write this, I realize I'm a little of each depending on the season.
Sometimes I'm just plain lazy.
Other times I'm feeling wily and want to do the least amount of work and still stay in the game.
Then there are the times when it counts, when I'm putting in the efforts to be in toptopshape and I'm yelling to myself...
IT AIN'T OVER, 'TIL I'M OVER!
When I'm strong, I can always execute the Coyote Shuffle in a race to conserve energy.
It's a stealthy move, like the Stealth RaceDay bag:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-bag-2-0-stealth
And steatlhy moves like the Coyote Shuffle have been known to win a race or two.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-bag-2-0-stealth
_____
164.8 lbs
Gym Work
6 hours sleep
no ride
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
RESONATE
Dec 08, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I DON'T ALWAYS GO TO TEAM MEETINGS, but when I do it's because they resonate with me.
Some teams are so good at getting their message out... what they stand for, people naturally want to join.
In the case of ThinkMTB, the founders' lives all changed when they discovered mountain biking.
The team started as a company wellness program, and although the owner sold the business he's kept sponsoring the team.
That's passion.
I dig that.
It resonates with me.
It's what inspires me to write each day... to know that maybe some slothful soul will conquer Rollover Disease and get out and ride.
It's why we're "the girl" or "the guy" everybody in our family and on our street turns to for all their biking questions.
We are resonating with them when it comes to bikes and health.
It's why soakingwet-Bryan replied to my Dreaming of Hell and High Water message confirming he got it done.
We may not be any smarter, but at least we're healthy.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/higher-education-importanter
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/higher-education-importanter
_____
164.2 lbs
0/0
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2920739406
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
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BIG FEAT, SMALL MILES
Dec 07, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THANKFULLY, I WASN'T FORCED TO BRAVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL'S PREDICTED DOOM. The chill was even gone, roads on the drying side of wet.
From my perch, I could see squalls to the north and south.
It'd be a HVY MTL day, close to home.
Lotsa climbing.
The big feat would be how much vert in 2 hours.
My metric, in case your wondering or comparing (never a good thing), is feet gained/miles ridden... anything over 100'/mile inmyhumbleopinyun is an honest climbing day.
What I didn't count on was finding a new path/road/trail... right above my dawgawn office. Jake probably knew (in answer to who knew?), but I didn't... and it made the feat that much better.
There's just something about HVY MTL... it's a bloodhound for new routes.
... which I freakin' love.
Along with all the lovin' was a whole lot of huffin' and puffin... I managed
4000' in 24 miles <- 166'/mile
My Florida friends couldn't do that if they hit the big overpass over and over.
My Rocky Mountain friends could do it on one big climb.
Took me 8 climbs, but that's how our town is...
...wildly challenging, dirt or road, like the Wild Child kits...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
a wild place to ride... which probably inspired these designs.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
Ride Your Bike!, tb
_____
165 lbs
0/0
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2917867153
Ride with us: click for info.
TODD brown 888-308-0005 PEDALindustries
We specialize in custom gear - No minimums – 3 to 4 weeks production time.
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DREAMING OF HELL AND HIGH WATER
Dec 06, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I KNOW IT'S GONNA BE HELL TOMORROW, for the Weather Channel tells me so.
Don't care.
Really.
I'm riding.
I'm gearing up.
Even if it's only 15 awful minutes.
For sure I'll ride until...
... my socks are soaked and my toes are drowning.
... my knees are red with hyper blood flow.
... the wheel spin has blasted through my chamois.
At least that's what I'm telling myself tonight...
... maybe it's because I wore this shirt all day today (which you can have delivered for twenty bucks)
https://k9aew5n3se3t3ej4-24897792.shopifypreview.com/products/ride-your-bike-t-shirt
Or was it this one? (also twenty bucks with free shipping)
https://pedalindustries.com/products/ride-your-bike-t-shirt
Honestly I can't remember... I just hope I remember my commitment to get it done when I wake up.
Ride Your Bike!, tb
_____
164.4 lbs
20/60
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2915299682
Ride with us: click for info.
YOUNG KID SEEKS WISDOM FROM OLD DIESEL
Dec 05, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I VOLUNTEER MENTOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLERS. One of the kids has taken to riding his dad's waytoobig bike - dad 6'2", kid 5'6".
But, he loves it anyway.
Today he asked, How do you ride in the winter?
I rattled off... I bundle up and ride early or I commute to work and take a long route home for lunch or I bundle up and ride late.
His look said it all...
Kid, what do you wear when you ride?
Board shorts and a t-shirt.
Oh man... we gotta fix that. Git over to the office so we can get you kitted up.
HAHAHA... I said to myself as he walked out. Another day and another dollar...
Just kiddin' y'all!
I know we've got some older style gear we are closing out that will fit him perfectly... and I'm stoke to givvit to him.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/close-outs
Why? you ask?
Well, once upon a time we used to have a slow production system so we'd order a lot of product and hope it would sell.
That's a tough way to operate.
Now we are fast.
Kits take about 3 weeks to make - your custom design or one of our designs.
We keep our inventory lean and are constantly replenishing.
Consequently, our closeouts are almost sold out.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/close-outs
Which is a very good way to operate.
Maybe you'll get lucky like the kid and find something in your size, too?
_____
164.4 lbs
0/0
7.5 hours sleep
http://strava.com/activities/2914151333
Ride with us: click for info.
LAME DUDES KNOW HOW TO WIN
Dec 04, 2019
by TODD BROWN
NOBODY'S LOOKING WHEN WINNERS WIN. Occasionally we see the results.
But, the winning happens...
On the trainer in the garage.
Fighting the pull up bar in the bathroom door jam.
Saying no to the Girl Scout gangsters at the grocery store.
Up at silly o'clock to get secret miles in.
Winner's are winning all the time...
... and occasionally they get to climb the podium.
Few make it without the support of the partner... many a lame dude has worn this Love My Wife shirt heading out to race, and returning home.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear/products/love-my-wife-v2
Smart dudes.
_____
163.6 lbs
Gym Day
7 hours sleep
No ride, rain.
Ride with us: click for info.
BRING IT ZOMBIE!
Dec 03, 2019
by TODD BROWN
WHEN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE HITS, we'll be ready.
Fitness? Check.
Bike? Check.
Food? plenty of drink mix and bars... could easily go a week.
Lights? lights? oh no!...
There I was tonight, ripping along a pitch black gravel road... zombies lurking in the shadows... my Niterider shining all 600 watts... and then not...
The glow of the blue power indication a pure lie.
It died.
I hit the brakes.
Flashing red taillight...
'cuz this is Thriller!'
... my eyes adjusted and I rode on, fast as I dared.
I'm may not be brave, but unlike most of my neighbors and family... I'm zombie ready.
Just one more great reason to be a bike rider!
A prepared one with camo gear... this kit is in production, but I'm to geeked to wait for the proper pics
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/military-camo
... planning to race this camo at XC races next year, especially marathon nats...
what do they say...
Outta zombie's sight, outta zombie's mind
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/military-camo
_____
164.2 lbs
0/0
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2909778979
Ride with us: click for info.
NO DISC CUSSING
Dec 02, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO HAVE AN 'OH SHYTE' MOMENT ON THE ROAD?
Honestly, might not happen.
Rarely happens with rim brakes, unless it's rainin'.
But, I've noticed that on HVY MTL - my gravel machine - I seem to PR a lot of paved downhills without even a minor fret. or butt pucker.
Those disc brakes deliver juicy confidence... unlike the weak, coy braking on my carbon rims.
But today's fickle braking on the road is nothing compared to what it was on MTBs a hunnert years ago.
If it wasn't the dust or the mud, just guessing when the red hot rims would decide to grab was a form of roulette... one I learned to love, and coldly dropped for my first disc-equipped lady.
The first Turner 5-Spot changed EVreethang for me'
So predictable.
Dependable.
Soon 'nuf, I was pushing the boundaries of the lugs more than anything.
Anyway... enough histree.
The point is there's a lot less cussing with discs.
I'm all for cutting down the cussing... which reminds me...
If yer in the market for one of the many fine products make and yer concerned yer secret Santa is gonna blow it, just have 'em get ya a gift card.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
It's a lot safer for you and for them.
Ya know what I mean?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
_____
165.6 lbs
quick gym
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2907133280
Ride with us: click for info.
THE MASTERPIECE THAT IS RACING.
Dec 01, 2019
by TODD BROWN
"BE PERSUADED THAT THE FIRST QUALITY THAT IS NEEDED IS AUDACITY."
- Winston S. Churchill
Yes, the Winston Churchill.
The same one who was a gifted painter, and promoter of painting.
Kinda like us.
Fighting the good fight at work each day, and finding joy on two wheels.
Which brings me to my point... each A race or epic ride is like a painting, and the only way I've found success is by being audacious from the start.
Months out, sometimes even years, I target an event.
I start with a blank canvas.
Time and equipment and diet and all that goes into prepping for the big day are my brushes. I paint each day, revealing to myself and the world a more clear picture of who I am.
It's the truly audacious goals that have produced my most vivid days on the bike... of recent... to podium at LoToJa, to PR at Leadville, to finally climb with the leaders at San Luis Rey.
The lesser goals, the lazy ones, have lead to the most miserable races and rides. When my heart and soul aren't in it. The goals which on the surface seem so ho-hum, turn out to be quite ugly... cramping so bad at Nosco I wanted to cry, getting shot out the back at San Dimas with miles to go, heck I even started with the wrong group at Dirty 30.
Audacity doesn't guarantee success, it only promises an unforgettable experience.
As I wind up this weekend of thanksgiving and prep for the final, busy push to 2020, I'm thinking about the kind of picture I want to paint... the brushes I'll use not just on the bike, but at PEDALindustries and with my family, and socially and spiritually.
How audacious can we be?!
---
You may notice I've turned the comments back on... praying the spammers won't find us... and looking forward to what's on your mind.
What should never be on your mind is wondering how you're going to change at the next race... because we've go you covered with the changing poncho.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
_____
167.2 lbs
0 pull ups/0 push ups
8.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2905334106
Ride with us: click for info.
BROWN v LASAGNA
Nov 30, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THIS IS KINDA GROSS, but it's true.
After losing the battle at LeBigfamilyholidaydinner #1, aka Thanksgiving, I noticed a new way to measure my blubber.
Rather than hop on the scale, I just stare at my belly button. What was once a button hole is now more like a sink hole.
To think, a year ago I was the lightest I'd been in decades. I even set a PR up The Wall.
Now, I'm a tired slug.
I keep telling myself, Oh it's all the weights you've been liftin', all the pull ups and push ups.
But, then I see it.
Staring at me in the mirror.
Like a mini mouth... feed me, feed me, feed me, feed me.
Well, just like Carroll Shelby in Ford vs Ferrari, I'm heading back to LeBigfamilyholidaydinner in 4 weeks. And I'm brining a Ken Miles attitude with me... we're gonna start chucking parts overboard!
First up... politely let my stillvisiting mom know that candy all over the place has gotta go.
Second... Surfergirl is outta town for a week so that should curb my enthusiasm for lasagna at 9pm.
Third... more water, got off that somehow.
Fourth... wear more clothes on and off the bike. I have this unproven, psuedo-science theory that if I get cold my body wants to fatten up. And, it has been cold lately especially in our warehouse.
Fifth... remind myself, it's okay to be a little hungry for a few days because soon my tummy will shrink and that feeling will go away.
Sixth... go ride Swami's next Saturday and get dropped, which will get me ticked off, especially when Andy is singing while I'm seeing stars.
Seventh... is there a better gift to give myself this year than waking up on 1/1/20 knowing I won't have some stupid NY resolution like turning my sink hole into a button hole?
---
I guess this means I really gotta ride with purpose... probably a lot of zone 2, the sinkholefilling kinda pace.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gott-ride-t-shirt-avail-in-2-colors
_____
166.2 lbs
0 pull ups/0 push ups
6 hours sleep - I know, but that movie was so good last night
https://www.strava.com/activities/2902386654
Ride with us: click for info.
WORST SON EVER
Nov 29, 2019
by TODD BROWN
BE CAREFUL, IT'S WET OUT THERE! said the voice in my head.
It's hard to shed the mom's voice... at any age.
But, it wasn't in my head...
... her concerned pronouncement shrieked down from her room... in our home.
Shyte!... next thing I knew I was wondering if my jersey matched my bib and if I needed to get her permission to be home late after playing at the office all day.
... and worst thing is... she's going to read this between now and the time I get home from tomorrow's ride. She reads them all. She's my No. 1 fan for heck's sake.
I'm doomed.
Which only means I'm going to ride even crazier, and be home later.
Just kidding, because...
Our daughter also has a room at our AirBNB... which she will be vacating at approximately 2pm to drive back to school - 2 states away.
... ya know what I'm gonna say...
Be careful... blah, blah, blah.
---
Can't wait to load up my new Wild Child RaceDay bag... they're in production now.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
It's gonna go perfect with the kit... and I don't even need my mama to help me pick it out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
_____
165 lbs
20 pull ups/60 push ups
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2900172782
Ride with us: click for info.
I AM COZY, I AM COZY BUT THE RIDER STILL REMAINS
Nov 28, 2019
by TODD BROWN
AS PREDICTED, A POWERFUL DRIZZLE TAPS THE WINDOWS, and a light breeze viciously whistles.
Cocooned in bed, I surf the interwebs... drooling over the Pivot Vault, and wondering if it would be the perfect tool for the Belgian Waffle Ride?
Who am I kidding?
If I ain't brave enough to weather this pitiful "storm" how could I ever attempt a ride like that, even on such a capable bike?
My daughter joins me with a book... Surfergirl brings us pancakes and hot cocoa.
It's like Kryptonite for The Old Diesel.
I sink even deeper.
Cozier.
I am warm and dry and weak...
... not worthy of the machine or event of which I dream...
... or am I?
Maybe.
Perhaps if I don our new KOM jacket, designed specifically for days such as this... it's wind and water repellent membrane would easily protect even one such as I.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-wind-jacket-black
It's taken all Fall to perfect the pattern. The stretchy membrane fabric is snug enough not to be a parachute, yet easily slips over layers of warm clothes.
It's brand new... just released.
Which means I guess I'll have to cave into the societal Black Friday pressures and make this offer...
The first 25 people to order a KOM jacket using this code will save 25%... the code is BLACKKOM
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-wind-jacket-black
Send us your art and we'll design one in your team colors... and if you're one of the first 25 to send your art I'll extend the offer to a custom KOM jacket
_____
164.2 lbs
heavy duty carving
7.25 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2897962344
Ride with us: click for info.
SOUTH BY ZWIFTWEST
Nov 27, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I KNOW IT'S BREAKING OUT HERE IN THE SOUTHWEST - as it does every year... but I'm wondering if it is in Zwiftlandia as well?
The early symptoms are presenting themselves on a frighteningly regular basis.
So much so that I instantly said No to my dear friend from Arizona who wanted to ride this morning. I didn't want to be anywhere near him. He had to be infected.
Alas, with a little pestering I broke my self-imposed quarantine.
It was risky.
Friends.
I hoped he wouldn't be showing the tale-tale signs of the malady.
The reason so many southwestern racers fall into the grasp of DHS is that it's detrimental effects don't show up for many months.
They flirt with DHS until it's too late and the season is lost.
Which brings me back to Zwiftlandia... is it happening there too? It must be, with all the almost real racing they do.
Are Zwifters finding themselves lured into December Hero Syndrome?
Are they riding like maniacs in November, becoming heroes in December only to be total zeroes...
When the racing is on?
In the summer?
Lordy, I hope not.
I love it when my competition is just killing it this time of year, because I'm deadly certain who will be killing it when it counts.
Fortunately, Markell is a wise young man who enjoyed a gentlemanly pace with The Old Diesel.
The season will be here soon enough... and we'll all be popping up our canopies and looking pro.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/10x10-canopy-1?variant=5307583201316
We probably have your team art, if you'd like us to mock up a canopy for you we'd love to do it. Just reply to this email... and remind us to give you the Pro Canopy Special pricing.
Here's the link:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/10x10-canopy-1?variant=5307583201316
_____
164 lbs
20/60
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2895293448
Ride with us: click for info.
FREE ADVICE
Nov 26, 2019
by TODD BROWN
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, but this is so much more.
Darren looked back at me... You okay?
I wasn't choking, but it was a nasty and juicy hack.
Wouldn't go away.
I'm okay... just got some a the bar down the wrong pipe... coughing all over 'im n 'is bike.
Which reminded me of earlier in the ride when notyounganymore Tim shared this rhythmic jewel... which thou shalt not forget, ever.
Above the neck,
Ride like heck!
In the chest,
Get some rest.
To what doth he refer?
To thy desire to ride when thou hast a cold.
I know you... you'll probably get a cold - 'cause cold and flu season ads remind you to do that every year, I don't watch TV so therefore I am immune mosta the time. Anyway, back to you.
First off, if you feel a hint of cold coming on go get some Zicam. Stuff works.
Second off, if you fell for the dumb ads and didn't get the Zicam immediately, well the cold is coming. And, like all good little addicts you're gonna be tempted to ride... scratch that you're gonna ride. And the cold will continue to run its course, probably getting worse. And then you'll really be tempted to keep riding.
So repeat after notyounganymore Tim.
Above the neck,
Ride like heck!
In the chest,
Get some rest.
Post it on your team's place for posting things. In bold!
And while you're posting things... remember we have gift cards...
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
... for your too-nervous-to-pick-something loved ones wondering what to get your very-deserving-self for the holidays...
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
... can't blame 'em, right?
I mean, how do they know the difference between another cheap and lame and boxy and poor fitting jersey vs an absolutely stunning kit designed by pros like us and made from imported Italian fabrics right here our beautiful country?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
Sometimes I feel sorry for the people that love me and give me gifts I don't deserve as much as they think I do... they want so badly to give me something I'm stoked about... and they know that's either got to be something cycling or surfing or a great book... but they have just no clue... so I get a gift card.
But, some years I have pity on them and just send a link like this...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
... with a picture like this...
... because I want them to be successful in life. And does anything say success more than giving a good gift and seeing our broadening smiles as we envision how great we are gonna look next year?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
You might call this a rambling message, but I have executed a psychological Ginsu allowing you to cut to the chase multiple times. Something I learned somewhere I can't remember while dreaming of really standing out in a crowd...
... and letting the world know, I stand for peace.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
Do you?
_____
165.6 lbs (I know, too much)
0/0
6.5 hours sleep (I know, not enough)
https://www.strava.com/activities/2893097455 (but, this was beautiful)
Ride with us: click for info.
I NEED A HUG MR. BROWN
Nov 25, 2019
by TODD BROWN
MATT PARK. I met Matt on a cold, dark night. We were the last crazies doing the circuit ride over in Irvine. He was about 13 or 14.
I stayed out, concerned for his safety.
He stayed out, because he loved riding.
... I can't even write this...
My young friend is gone.
When Matt left for NYU, we stayed in touch. He kept riding, I kept loving his sweet and fearsome spirit... encouraging him, as any old fart would do, to make good choices.
On his visits back to CA - home is Korea - he always made time to do our Tuesday ride and we'd catch up on the way to my house where he'd grab water and keep riding.
One day he texted... Mr Brown, my team is doing RaceDay bags!
He was so excited.
He had joined Veselka and Ron Restivo and I were indeed working on designs.
... this is so hard...
A few months ago, Matt asked if he could intern here.
Of course!
What a joy. Always happy, and kind, and looking out for the customers and the company. He took care of shipping and customer service.
At some point, each afternoon he'd come over and say I need a hug Mr. Brown.
We talked about his family, love life, studies... his volunteer work at church.
He never missed a chance to remind me how old and worn out I was on and off the bike... and I loved it!
C'mon old man.
One day, I was all geeked up about Kanye's new album... Jesus Is King. Figured it would be good common ground for us. He laughed, and said it had been out forever... reminded me how out of touch I was. I had to check. It was released a month ago today - 10/25/19. Kids.
When Ron Restivo emailed this morning with the heart-breaking news I couldn't believe it.
Matt's little red Benz, wrapped around a tree.
I cried.
I'm still crying.
I put on Follow God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivCY3Ec4iaU
I need a hug, Matt.
God, I need a hug.
-----
Readers... I'm sorry this isn't the usual make you go ride your bike post. I love our community so much. We all touch each other in ways we may never know.
If you're local... I plan to slow ride TMWC tomorrow.
XOXO, tb
A KNIGHT'S TALE
Nov 24, 2019
by TODD BROWN
WE KNOW EVERY RUNNER IS A BIKE RIDER IN THE MAKING, but not every business is a giant in the making.
These are the the thoughts that haunt and taunt Phil Knight, founder of NIKE, in his book Shoe Dog.
You run because the alternative, stopping, scares you to death.
- Phil Knight
The man who moves a mountain, begins by carrying small stones.
- Confucius
You are remembered for the rules you break.
- Douglas MacArthur
He was the first college coach in American to emphasize rest.
- referring to legendary coach, NIKE co-founder Bill Bowerman
Somebody may beat me, but they're going to have to bleed to do it.
- Steve Prefontaine
When we did fail, we had faith that we'd do it fast, learn from it, and be better for it.
- Phil Knight
Nine times out of ten, the difference from one shoe to another is the factory
- Jerry Hsieh
But, my favorite echos my thoughts on PRs vs KOMs and came from a young ad exec...
There is no finish line.... Beating the competition is relatively easy. Beating yourself is a never-ending commitment.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
HOW DO YOU KEEP CHARGING?
Nov 23, 2019
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF MY ADVISORS, DR DAVE, ASKED ME How do you keep charging?
Huh?
How do you keep charging on the bike, work, life?
... silence...
It's all I know Dave.
Ludi, my sister-in-law... When you retire, then you can stop racing.
Huh?
...
When you slow down.
It's who I am Sis.
A portly friendforlife shuffled over... Still riding that bike?
Yep.
I wish I was.
Start.
Such were the unexpected conversations today.
All I could think was...
Stay wild. Find peace.
Exactly what I advised the kids. And off the went.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
_____
163.6 lbs
0/0
8 hours sleep
Ride with us: click for info.
COLD FEET
Nov 22, 2019
by TODD BROWN
AT OUR CHILLY BOARD MEETING THIS MORNING we asked Trevor if he had cold feet.
Present: Me, my baby bros Matt n Brandon... and Trev, my oldest.
Occasion: Tomorrow Trev ties the knot.
Seems like we just yanked off the training wheels... I remember his skinned knees and unquenchable grin...
I can do it Dad, let go!
It ain't easy.
To let go.
I doubt I ever really will.
There is a link that can't be broken.
Biological, yes.
But, the experiences we've shared frame the way we approach life. Together and apart.
We've ridden boards, bikes and motos... done some racing, too...
My very favorite, the one that says who he is as a human, man, spouse?
I can do it Dad...
I reckon that's my toast tonight... to a wild and peaceful ride!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
_____
164.2 lbs
8/24
6 hours sleep
Surf sesh
Ride with us: click for info.
THE MUSIC OF THE RIDE
Nov 21, 2019
by TODD BROWN
JUST BECAUSE I SHUN THE EARPODS WHILE RIDING don't mean my brain's not a rockin!
I rose to the Stray Cats Rumble In Brighton... no doubt I'd been dreaming of a fast-finishing crit.
Promptly pulled it up on AppleMusic, shot it through my baby Bose.
On repeat.
Got to the office and hung the Skull Candy Crusher with bass turned up.
... there ain't a damn thing that the cops can do...
On repeat!
It's a productivity hack. Put the same music on repeat and my brain quiets down and I grind out work. Lots of glorious work.
I'm chomping at the at the cleat to release it all at once.
Take the new kits, Wild Child and Peace. I can't decide which one I like better.
Knowing me, I'll mix and match.
Like this...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
Which do you like better?
Or maybe not.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
Kits, for me, are part of the music of the ride - the driving bass, ripping guitar, bombing drums.
Ironic that Rumble In Brighton rushed me to release this kit today.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/wild-child
_____
164.2 lbs
20/60
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2881428940 (commute in)
https://www.strava.com/activities/2881915289
Ride with us: click for info.
20/60
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2881428940 (commute in)
https://www.strava.com/activities/2881915289
Ride with us: click for info.
THESE ARE NOT THE DROIDS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
Nov 20, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I DON'T KNOW WHERE DAMION GOT THE IDEA to put a bunch of Storm Troopers on road bikes.
But it's really funny.
And, that's why he'll never be sued by George Lucas or Disney or whoever Darth Vader answers to these days.
It's parody law.
But we didn't know jack about that when we had our first t-shirt hit: Strava Made Me Dope. So, when those nerds sent us a nasty letter we pooped our pants and nearly quit the business all together.
All we knew was we liked bike culture and that Damion could design and I could print.
It makes me wonder how many businesses have been started on a bike ride?
For sure, the vast majority have nothing to do with riding bikes other than the founders enjoy bike riding.
That's the cool part, right? Go for a ride, and you really get to know people. It just happens naturally.
I asked Damion if we could get a deal... 'cause why not?
So here's the deal... buy 2 shirts, get 3.
Use promo code DHDwear
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear
The code DHDwear actually saves you 33%, so you could use it on as many shirts as you want.
There are more designs here:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dhdwear
_____
I DON'T ALWAYS GO TO THE GYM
Nov 19, 2019
by TODD BROWN
I DON'T ALWAYS GO TO THE GYM, but when I do I prefer the home gym.
My gym workout takes 20-30 minutes, depending on how much time I want to spend.
It's pretty simple, and pays dividends.
How do I know?... well, I don't.. except I was voted Mr. Universe just before waking up this morning.
Note: never take workout advice from cyclist, no matter how sincere.
Other than my daily pull ups and push ups, 2-3 times a week I use the equipment above + my pull up bar and my stairs.
I do curls and shoulder presses on the Bosu ball.
Squats and lunges with the kettle bell.
Bent row with the 52.5 lb dumbbell.
Burpees with the 15pounders... but not just any burpee, I do a row on each side then shoulder press when I stand.
Some leg opening and closing with the Pilates ring.
Throw in some core work.
Plus the stairs... I do a number of sets, jumping 3 at a time... to get to the pull up bar and start all over again.
I've tried going to the gym... and I always end up quitting. This, this I've been able to be consistent with... it's quick and convenient.
With all the scientific training I don't have, based on hearsay and whatnot, I can tell you this... it doesn't suck to feel stronger.
Strong like bull?
Yeah!
Strong enough to wear hi-viz pink socks that ship for free and are made right here in the United States of American by Americans who love what they do and are damn proud of their work when they go home at the end of the day?
That strong?
Heck yeah!
https://pedalindustries.com/products/hi-viz-sublimated-sock
_____
163.8 lbs
0/0
6.5 hours sleep (not enough)
https://www.strava.com/activities/2876557581
Ride with us: click for info.
0/0
6.5 hours sleep (not enough)
https://www.strava.com/activities/2876557581
Ride with us: click for info.
ATTACK OF THE BADGER
Nov 18, 2019
by TODD BROWN
BRETT HORTON TAUGHT ME TO SPRINT. He claimed he was a badass with San Jose Bicycle Club... and swore he was Specialized's first factory rider, on track bike serial number 1.
All true.
But, all I knew was I wanted to get a helluvalot faster.
And since he knew how to score with the ladies, he probably knew how to win on bikes.
Whether or not he taught me how to sprint I'll leave up to you... but this is indisputable:
Brett learned how to score cycling memorabilia, the very best, and built one of the world's largest collections.
His personal connections allow him to acquire the unobtainable.
For instance, Friday he's going to sit down with Bernard Hinault, the Badger... the freaking BADGER!...
... to sign 297 lithos (99 of 3 different images)...
... with personal inscriptions...
Want to impress the heck outta your cycling father-law? Blow away your big customer? Put the bow on your man cave?
Go here:
Don't delay... orders must be in by 6pm Thursday.
I talked to him this afternoon. He's in France, going to 6 day races before Friday's signing with Hinault... and he's pretty darn confident this will sell out.
I'll cover the US shipping on this... ping me if you are out of country.
_____
163.8 lbs
Gym Work
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2874053497
https://www.strava.com/activities/2874594122
Ride with us: click for info.
Gym Work
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2874053497
https://www.strava.com/activities/2874594122
Ride with us: click for info.
THE ANTIDOTE
Nov 17, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL, not if... but what the internet is doing to our brains.
The quote that impacted me most: "We shape our tools and thereafter they shape us."
Therein lies the potential beauty of our two-wheeled antidote.
I refuse to hook up my phone to my bike computer.
I do not listen to music or podcasts while riding.
My phone is on, so I may snap a quick pic. That's it. On, but on airplane mode.
I ride to escape, to free myself of the net.
To hear my heart and feel my thoughts.
To smell the sky and taste life's entire analog spectrum.
To see freedom.
The bike is my tool, my counter measure to distraction and sloth.
May my mind rest and my blood flow fast, forever
-----
When the seductive call of the net beckons... politely decline, Gotta Ride
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gotta-ride-t-shirt
_____
163.8 lbs
0 pull ups/0 push ups
6 hours sleep
ELBOW ETIQUETE
Nov 16, 2019
by TODD BROWN
THE MEATHEAD ELBOWED HIS WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
He gloated to his companion... Did you see how I got us right up front? then loudspeaking I hope we make our train.
I patiently waited to place my order, standing on cleats to peer over his enormous ego.
Yes, I'll take a coffeecake muffin please.
I settled into "my" preferred chair in the back and elbowed the aforementioned negativity...
... preferring to review the thus far glorious morning which I'd spent riding with some of the county's best riders.
The pace had been steamy in a locomotive sorta way, and unlike 2 weeks ago I was able to hang on...
... the difference?
Heck, I dunno. Well, I do know I got a solid 8 hrs and lathered up with PR Lotion.
Elbows... yes, elbows!
Elbows were flying as our choo-choo of 30 railed through town.
The flick kind. You know. Where you do your turn, slide over and flick the elbow.
Early elbow flicking is gentlemanly thing, lady-like too. Kind of a Yoohoo, c'mon through, I could pull more but I know you want a workout too.
By the time we got back to the coast, things were serious. 5 rolling miles up the road was the sprint.
Late elbow flicking is generally humiliating... more of a Crap, I'm cooked, pleasepleaseplease come around for I fear I might die should you delay.
There was a lot late elbow flicking going on. Gasps turning to gaps. I love that kinda effort, right on the edge of blowing up...
... the final bite of my muffin was a good as the first. I reveled in my amazingly good fortune and with no rush to be home rode some more.
On third thought, I did wear this hat all week... does subliminal advertising get the credit?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/ride-fast-curved-bill?variant=10683321516068
_____
163.6 lbs
0 pull ups/0 push ups
8 hours sleep
TOP 6 REASONS NOT TO BE A BIKE COMMUTER
Nov 15, 2019
by TODD BROWN
YOU SHOULD NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE TO WORK, if...
1. You want to save money.
2. You want to get in shape.
3. You want to help the environment.
4. You will use it as an excuse to get a "gravel" bike.
5. You want to skip the insanity of traffic.
6. You want to increase your cognitive skills.
The only reason to bike to work is it's a helluva a lot more fun!
My buddy Seth has been bloggin' about getting rid of his car for about 45 days. Following his conversion reminded me of the other years I've been a bike commuter.
Today marked my return.
It was awesome.
Got there in 10 minutes - I live close... but apparently 50% of US lives within 5 miles of work, so there.
Peeled off my gear.
Wiped down my special purpose area with hand sanitizer - TMI? Followed by some de-ode.
Stepped into my jeans, tshirt and flip flops and got down to business.
At lunch, I took a lovely and dirty 1 hour route home.
Drove back, 'cause need the van for shipping.
All in a days work.
Should you be so inspired you can get the stylish and powerful Knog bell and lights throughout thee weekend at 25% savings using code COMINGTHRU.
Order here:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/pedal-posse-proven
Be sure to use the code COMINGTHRU to save 25% through the weekend.
_____
163.6 lbs
20 pull ups/60 push ups
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/2866857961#kudos
https://www.strava.com/activities/2867233390#kudos
Ride with us: click for info.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2867233390#kudos
Ride with us: click for info.
Can't do this from a car
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