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Todd’s Journal
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Get RaceDay Ready
HE'S MAKING HIS LIST
THE POWER OF A CHECK LIST is awesome. Not ticking the boxes, for that quick hit of dopamine, there is something even better than...
... getting it done.
Which is the point.
For me, the real power is in the creation of a list.
Exploring and considering...
- each and every angle
- what is needed
- what is fluff
... and building an empowering list.
It's harder than it looks.
But, done correctly...
... discipline is replaced with love and urgency.
Checking the box is dessert...
... one we can enjoy each and every day.
===
165lbs/12.5%
470 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
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/86/0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
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
>
60/40... WELL PUNK?
Jan 08, 2018
by TODD BROWN
AM I 60 OR 40? WAS THE QUESTION WHEN I ROLLED OUT THIS MORNING. Ya gotta love the rainy season and the nebulous percent predictions. When the app says 60% chance of rain, I always wonder...
Will I ride in the 40% or soak in the 60%?
FunFact: when the app says 60%, it means 60% of the time with conditions like today it's going to rain... it doesn't mean it's to be dry on 40% of the ride.
I opted to go, and took my MTB. My road bike is too perty, and I want to keep it race-ready. The MTB has awesome disc brakes, and I am not going to be racing it any time soon.
But, all that got me thinking... I really should have a back up road bike, a "cheapo" that's the exact same fit as my race bike. Fortunately for me, and a lot of riders, the bike I ride actually comes in a really affordable version. If that's not on offer, just find a Craig's List Special. I think I'll order one up.
I've always wanted to have a back up bike,
it's weird that I've never had one,
not that I deserve it, or I'm pro,
but, it did rain on me.
Just my luck...
(right before it poured)
_____
171.2
CODE WORDS
Jan 07, 2018
by TODD BROWN
MY BUDDY MIKE ASKED HOW MY BLOG WAS GOING. Before I could answer, he said he wanted to do that LaJa ride.
My look kept him trying...
LaRa?
And trying...
LaTa, it's a ride from Wyoming to Colorado.
Oh, LoToJa... It's Logan, UT to Jackson Hole. 200 miles.
Yeah, I want to do that.
Well, you better start riding.
But, what do I do?
Read my blog (he asked). Start with Base Miles. Do you have a bike?
Yes, I do.
I could tell he was doing and mental inventory of his vast collection of bike gear. He mumbled... bike, attach cleats to shoes, helmet, shorts... not shirt with long zipper...
I don't have one of those shirts with the long zipper.
We sell those (he asked, again). So we went to our site on his iPad. I showed him the blog. He subscribed, which reminded me I need to start emailing posts to subscribers.
He clicked on the dropdown menu and then I realized...
How guilty I am of using code words instead of English.
Here's his interpretation of our shiny new website:
Kits... what are those bike parts? No Mike, that's what we call the jerseys and bibs. (Jeez, that was a huge miss on my part).
Bibs, the suspender thingies? I'm not wearing those. You will, once start riding and want maximum comfort. (Another miss, not explaining how nice bibs are... and also not having shorts without braces as an option to get guys like Mike started.)
RaceDay Bags... I won't need that. You will, if you to be organized and make your life really simple. (Another miss?... should we re-name the bag, or just the category?)
Canopies... what are those? He clicked and said, Oh EZUPs.
Should I ditch the code words?... I don't think so. I think it's cool when people like Mike figure out the code words. They feel in the know, part of something special...
The coolest code word is the one we'll work on first,
because Lo-To-Ja is code for I'm a badass,
and to be a badass on a bike,
You need to start with,
Let's go for a spin.
_____
169.8
BIG CV & HUNKR TRAINING
Jan 06, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I DON'T ALWAYS POST 2X A DAY, but sometimes when you are a man AND you wear stretchy pants...
10 of us met at the corner.
7am, Golden Lantern and Dana Harbor.
It was warmer than it has been, fog had rolled in.
Our mission was to try out a newish route, something to get us ready for HUNKR OC.
We picked up 3 more riders in Laguna Canyon... I say "riders" to hide the fact that we're all dudes. C'mon ladies we need more of you on the road.
The talent level of these 13 riders is exceptionally high, but our fitness levels are quite varied: from a current pro MTB racer in his prime to an athlete coming back after an achilles tear and 18 months off the bike, with a couple of old diesels in between. That said, the ride up the coast and up the canyon was full gas for some of us and a nice warm up for others.
What were we warming up for? C.V. Canyon Velo.
CV is a ride that has turned so nasty most of the original guys don't even do it. Not nasty in a bad way, nasty in a good way. Nasty fast. Nasty hard. Of the 2 main Saturday group rides in South OC, CV features more hills and longer climbs.
Our plan was to make it even nastier.
When we got to Sand Canyon and Trabuco we had a 8 minutes to spare. This was due to my Nervous Nellyness which kept the pace a tad erratic... and probably was the cause of us shedding some of our posse a little early in the ride. Whoops.
From this point, the hills start hitting then clobbering with unrepentant velocity. One by one, the weak are knocked off. The final hill of the first section is La Paz. La Paz was the featured climb of the '84 Olympics. It's not steep, it's the speed that kills. 1 mile, 5%... all out. Peter Stetina holds the KOM at 3:22. You won't be close to that... too judgmental?
The good news is the original CVrs put in a still-respected rest stop at the top of La Paz, at the ball park. This is the 2 hour mark for us, which is a perfect time to re-load the bottles and unload _____.
Now for the nastiness.
The next 50 minutes the group covers 17 miles and 1300' of elevation gain... 20.4 mph, pretty darn good.
We go all out up the final 4 miles of climbing including The Wall a heinous, 1/4 mile at 9%. At the top of Santiago everybody cruises down to the big oak tree to re-group...
...but we don't!
We turn right, and go up Old Mojeska. 1/2 a mile, average gradient of 9% and the steepest section is 20%.
That's nasty!
but that's what some do
when it's HUNKR time,
and you wear stretchy pants.
__________
169.8
Previously posted on HUNKR.com
3 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TRAINING FOR HUNKRS
by Todd Brown
1. First off, remember HUNKR is about your personal best over 100K. Sure, we all want to win and we’ll have cool awards for the category winners and cash for the top finishers. But, even the winners will be looking at their finishing times and comparing it to what they thought they could do, what they did at the last HUNKR, how they compare to their friends.
This means…
You should try and get some good group rides in. Group rides will help you with bike handling, cooperation and riding in a pace line. With a good group, you’ll go much faster than on your own. It’s quite common for HUNKR riders to find themselves in great groups of guys and gals of similar ability. The result is a lot of fun and friendship. You can find groups on TribeFindr, Strava and other platforms… or start your own.
2. Remember a HUNKR course is about equal in distance to most longish weekend road rides. If you can ride your bike easily 30 miles, you’ll do great at a HUNKR. You don’t need to do a bunch of crazy miles.
This means…
You should look at your HUNKR course and work in some similar terrain. If it’s a flat HUNKR, work on your flat speed, if it’s a climbing HUNKR work on your climbing. Get as specific as you can in the weeks leading up to your event.
3. Remember to test out your food. For the faster riders, they’ll be fine with 2 bottles. Some of you will need to make a stop, and we’ll have aid stations for you.
This means…
If you think you’ll be needing to refill your bottle, be sure to check out our drink sponsor and try their product in advance. We’ll also have quick snacks for you to munch on.
4. Remember to get your FUNKR team of 5 together and registered.
5. Have fun! You’re going to do great out there.
HEY TODD: WHAT ARE BASE MILES?
Jan 05, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I'VE GOT TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST, BECAUSE 90% OF BIKE RIDERS ARE PLATEAUED OUT: they simply haven't grasped what constitutes base miles. While I hate to give away my hard earned secrets, I know for a fact that 90% of the 90% won't apply this no matter how simple I 'xplain it.
Most of us start here - short and low... easy efforts, and it's lots of fun... as it should be.
We progress to here - fat middle... we realize if we ride a little more and a little faster it's even more fun... plus we can keep up and even be faster than our friends.
The problem is we get all geeked up and go here. This is just human nature, being greedy... just because a little more riding and a little more effort made you faster, it does not mean more of each and none of what go you here is better. In fact, it's worse, a lot worse.
Because you wind up here - broken pieces... and outta the sport, fat and on the couch again.
What you want to do is this... spend the vast majority of your time at conversational speed, cruising with your friends, feeling the pain of a hard day spin right out of your legs.
You'll add some tempo without trying... and I heartily recommend you do all you can to avoid tempo. You're going to get it anyway, and it's not very useful.
See what this gives you?... a great big giant base of easy, pleasant miles. You're rested, so that when it's to time get after it you can really get after it in ways you never thought possible.
I know what your thinking... trust me, you're going to screw it up anyway and ride too much tempo and too much intensity. I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible for you... so you can get a lot faster and KOM everything in site... I believe in you, do you?
That's what base miles are,
the foundation for greatness.
No base, no greatness
__________
Corollary: You can apply this to anything: work - clean up lot more, get organized then execute on the good stuff; dating - romance a lot more, open doors, bring flowers, just talk into each others eyes, then the special times are truly special.
__________
169.8
(For those who want my drama too)
CONFIDENT ZOMBIE
Jan 04, 2018
by TODD BROWN
ON OUR WEEKLY SOCIAL RIDE, THE TMWC, THERE ARE A FEW INCLINES GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU CRY. The killers come and go through the years, those riders that rip your heart out, but the dead keep coming back - zombies lead to slaughter.
As a zombie, my confidence ebbs and flows... as it does for the entire TMWC Zombie Nation - did I mention we ride year round at 630am?
But, occasionally one of us will do something and gain some confidence... which is what is happening with Big Mike On The Mic...
... which I find quite disturbing and upsetting
Who does that zombie think he is?!...
He's Big Mike because he's gigantic, not for bike a rider but for a man. He's well over 6' and 200+ lbs of pure muscle. His broad, college swimmer shoulders push through the wind like a real diesel and his massive, college swimmer lungs suck the air out of the neighborhood.
... he has no business blowing passed me on the climbs ...
When I first came back to the road, Mike and I would duel on the Thursday night RnR shop ride. But, then I lost weight and committed to the road mainly to see if I could stay ahead of him. And for the last 5 years, it's gone my way.
... now, I'm not braggin... I'm just sayin' ...
He's On The Mic, because he's been shooting video for the last 4 months or so and documenting how the group is doing with very insightful comments: look at HUNKR guy spin, Jorge always wears pink socks, etc.
... But, the comment that really gets me... just irks me
is
There's Todd ...
It didn't used to bug me. It pumped me up, because it followed with me disappearing up the road. But not now, now it's...
... There's Todd going backwards ...
Somehow that damn mic has given him confidence. First, he confidently hung on until the A Loop. Then, he hung on over The Wall, Now, he's riding the A Loop and making it over The Wall...
... and my confidence is shattered.
Kinda,
and, kinda not shattered.
I'm stoked for BMOTM to get faster...
... and confident, if he can do it so can I ...
Which is why I love being a Zombie.
_______
168.8
(For those who want my drama too)
IT WASN'T NECESSARILY A RESOLUTION
Jan 03, 2018
by TODD BROWN
I RODE MY BIKE YESTERDAY.
The 250 or the 400?, I asked my moto-loving little bro.
The pedal one.
No way!... What the heck? (he got married, had two kids since our last ride) Must have been a New Year's resolution?
It wasn't necessarily a resolution. I was driving and saw a guy on a Ritte... sped up and it was Mike. I told him to head to my house.
How was it?
I'm fat and slow.
But, that can change..
I know, and it's going to!
We chatted some more, and it got me thinking...
if my brother starts riding again,
and my son starts riding again,
and your friends and family are riding again
well, Happy New Year!
_______
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
168.8
WHAT'S INSIDE CHRIS FROOME'S RACEDAY BAG(tm)?
Jan 02, 2018
by TODD BROWN
BY TODD BROWN | PEDAL industries
January 2nd, 2018
AS NEWS SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD OF CHRIS FROOME'S MASSIVE OVER THE LIMIT TEST RESULTS OF THE DRUG SALBUTOMOL, fans and haters alike want to know where is his race bag and what does he keep in it?
We took extraordinary results to contact the Froome/SKY media machine and we received the following statement.
The contents of Mr. Froome's bag are classified. Our team of professionals as well as Mr Froome himself are in complete control of what goes in the bag and what comes out of the bag.
However, there are times when all of us forget what we need to pack and so we are researching the market place for a new bag for race day.
Upon reading such news, this reporter selfishly, self-servingly and shamelessly shares the following link -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-bags.
Like all cycling clubs and teams, Team SKY is highly encouraged to send their artwork to PEDAL Industries in for a free mock up of a RaceDay Bag (tm). Upon doing so, Team SKY and Mr. Froome would see that each pocket of the bag is clearly labeled thereby averting a disaster the likes of these professionals now face.
Rumor has it many teams even get their first bag free.
THAT WAS HARD
Jan 01, 2018
by TODD BROWN
LAST WEEK I SET A GOAL TO RIDE 20 HOURS FROM CHRISTMAS DAY TO NEW YEAR’S DAY. I had seen the Rapha challenge 500 kilometers in the same time period. Kilometers are a tad silly in ‘Merica, but I’d say a distance goal is even sillier. The equivalent distance goal is about 300 miles. For.. More More
LAST WEEK I SET A GOAL TO RIDE 20 HOURS FROM CHRISTMAS DAY TO NEW YEAR’S DAY. I had seen the Rapha challenge 500 kilometers in the same time period. Kilometers are a tad silly in ‘Merica, but I’d say a distance goal is even sillier. The equivalent distance goal is about 300 miles. For a pro, that’s 15 hours or less. For average Joe, it’s more like 20 hours. But if you’re a mountain biker it could be 30 hours, and if your snow bound it could be… 3 months ’till you ride outside again.
Hours are so much better.
20 hours, however, turned out to be pretty darn hard. That’s about double what I’ve been riding.
What did it take?
First, it took a ton of time… obviously, but it’s less obvious than you think if you’re already busy. I already work hard to carve out my ten hours. The only way it worked is it was a light week work-wise.
It took commitment. There were days I didn’t want to do the time. Thursday was particularly hard, I just looked at my mountain bike arguing with myself for an hour on whether or not to go. At that point I’d ridden 8 hours from Mon-Wed and I was tired. But, today, New Year’s Day, was the hardest. I was really sick of riding having ridden 18.5 hours from Mon-Sat. To make up for spousal neglect, I’d promised Surfergirl to take her paddle boarding first thing… we paddled 6 miles in 2 hours… heading out for the last 90 minutes of bike time was dreadful.
It required a singular focus for the week. No time for lifting weights, which I really missed. No time for TV. No time for surf… and there were some good days. No time for resting.
What did I learn?
I learned I could do the Swami’s Wednesday ride no problem even with nearly 7 hours the previous 2 days. I learned the Bus Stop ride is a fun ride in Newport. I learned 20 hours is too many hours in a week for me. Even though I made every effort to ride easy it was still very tiring. Mainly, I learned I prefer 10-12 hours.
Did I lose any weight? Nope. Woke up heavier today than last Monday. NYE!
What did I gain?
Well, I’m not entirely sure. That’s why I’m going to have to deconstruct the week with Coach Paul… stay tuned for that.
(the pic up there… that’s my shadow, about all that was left of my passion for 2 wheels.)
YOUR MOVE
Dec 31, 2017
by TODD BROWN
THE COLLEGE KIDS ARE HOME. But, not our kids. Our kids are gone, but their friends are down from the frozen north for New Years… and AirBrownNBrown is always open. These kids are so fun to be around, happy and energetic and on the cusp of life. When I graduated high school, I remember making a.. More
THE COLLEGE KIDS ARE HOME. But, not our kids. Our kids are gone, but their friends are down from the frozen north for New Years… and AirBrownNBrown is always open.
These kids are so fun to be around, happy and energetic and on the cusp of life. When I graduated high school, I remember making a promise to myself not to be old. Having young friends certainly helps.
Steven is sharing his family custom of writing down things they are ashamed of from 2017. He blurts out… crashing out myself, my dad and my brother at LoToJa is definitely on the list!
… bike riders
and our secrets…
All of them have been willing to play a round of chess on my new magnetic board. The best part about this is they have no idea how the game is played and I’m undefeated, #winning.
We’ll be watching YouTube Live so we can go to bed early, and they can arrive at the real party knowing how the night ends.
We’re gonna rise early with the sun,
Load up the paddle boards,
and paddle south.
It’s a New Year,
Make it count.
_______
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.2
ENTER TITLE HERE
Dec 30, 2017
by TODD BROWN
EACH DAY AS I SIT DOWN TO WRITE I SEE “ENTER TITLE HERE” IN THE BLOG SOFTWARE. Sometimes the title hits me when I wake up, others on my ride, and a few exit my brain when I see that command. Many of your ride titles this week on STRAVA have referenced the end of.. More
EACH DAY AS I SIT DOWN TO WRITE I SEE “ENTER TITLE HERE” IN THE BLOG SOFTWARE. Sometimes the title hits me when I wake up, others on my ride, and a few exit my brain when I see that command.
Many of your ride titles this week on STRAVA have referenced the end of the year with accents like Great Year!, Mission Accomplished!, Made My Goal of X Miles or Y Vertical.
You inspire me. Flicking through your posts, is always motivating.
Early risers who finish at dawn.
Mid-day lunch blasts,
Snowbound Zwifters,
Young parents getting it done after bedtime.
Squeezing in the rides from Monday to Friday, often alone, staying fit and sane. Weekends turn into rolling meet ups and life updates, and occasionally legs are ripped off… but, what are friends for?
I ride alone often, mostly on the “easy” days, at a ponderous pace. This is precious time to reflect on how our kids are doing and if the trophy wife is becoming a bike widow (this has been a super selfish week – so yeah, guilty). It’s also time to think through what I’m reading… and I read a lot.
This year I read more to learn than be entertained, and I think I’m better for it. Here are the top 4: Basic Economics. It’s a giant book that breaks down how our economy works and why it is so efficient vs a centrally planned economy. I read two autobiographies: Steve Jobs and Walt Disney. These books helped me better understand creativity and the importance of perfection. The most profound book of the year was A Short History of Nearly Everything. It’s hard to put into words the effect this book has had on me. Let me try in one sentence: whether we are here on Earth by chance or providence, our being here is fragile and miraculous.
There are a lot of good titles out there. What’s your favorite?
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Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
169.4
For those who prefer to watch
IT’S THE ENDO THE YEAR
Dec 29, 2017
by TODD BROWN
WELL, GOTTA SAY I’M JUST SUPER STOKED ON 2017. We made a lot of new friends and created some new game changing products. I hope you can feel the stoke in this video. Ride with us tomorrow, if you’re around: https://www.strava.com/clubs/294012/group_events/256203 More
WELL, GOTTA SAY I’M JUST SUPER STOKED ON 2017. We made a lot of new friends and created some new game changing products. I hope you can feel the stoke in this video.
Ride with us tomorrow, if you’re around: https://www.strava.com/clubs/294012/group_events/256203
WE CARE MORE
Dec 28, 2017
by TODD BROWN
THERE’S NOBODY LIKE YOU GUYS. I hear that a lot. It’s not a huge mystery, it has a lot to do with our history. We make stuff, and we’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s the focus of the last 5 years on cycling that has us where we are today. It’s saying.. More
THERE’S NOBODY LIKE YOU GUYS. I hear that a lot. It’s not a huge mystery, it has a lot to do with our history.
We make stuff, and we’ve been doing it for a long time.
It’s the focus of the last 5 years on cycling that has us where we are today. It’s saying no to the projects that take us off mission… this is much, much harder to do than it looks because those off-mission projects can be sooo profitable. It’s staying true to cycling. It’s creating what we want to use ourselves and not trying to compete. It’s caring more about you and how we can best serve you.
But, that’s also the best way to bring out your ultimate cycling self.
You do it for a long time. It takes 3 years to find out what kind of rider you are.
You focus. You say no to activities and food that take you off mission… this aint easy, heck I’ve put on 3 lbs this month by letting my guard down. It’s staying true to cycling. It’s creating your vision of how you want to ride. It’s caring more about you, not to the detriment of all other relationships and pursuits but to enhance your entire life by being the ultimate physical specimen you can be.
Without our health we are nothing.
With our health we can do anything,
If we care more.
_____
Our new website is so close I can’t even sleep any more… just days away from fully operational, I just had to post a screen shot.
Here’s the link for Tomorrow’s Ride
I’d love your thoughts on this video… y’all are awesome!
THIS SPARROW CAN FLY
Dec 27, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I’LL NEVER HESITATE TO INVITE A FRIEND ON A BIKE RIDE. The part I question myself on is Will this ride be good for this friend? As a good host, I try and match the pace and route to my friends’ abilities. But, when I post up a ride we’re doing on social media I have.. More
I’LL NEVER HESITATE TO INVITE A FRIEND ON A BIKE RIDE. The part I question myself on is Will this ride be good for this friend? As a good host, I try and match the pace and route to my friends’ abilities. But, when I post up a ride we’re doing on social media I have no idea of the ability a rider who wants to join us possesses.
So… when Sparrow said he was joining us this morning for the jaunt down to Oceanside I was stoked to meet him in person, and hopeful he’d be able to hang on the return.
Here’s what he was getting himself into…
The ride down is about an hour and a conversational pace. Very lovely.
At the end of Camp Pendleton we meet the Swami’s group. This is not just any group ride, this is the fastest, mostly flat ride you’ll ever do. Ever. Should you venture towards the front of the 50+ riders and take a turn you’ll be lucky to pull off fast enough and have the strength to get back on at the back. It’s common for the group to average 30 mph on the flats. But it’s not all flat. There are a few punchy climbs which the group will attack, trying to get rid of the chaff. Why are they trying to get rid of you? Because you most likely are not a Pro or a Cat 1 or a Cat 2… they are, and there are lots of them and one of you. Got it, they aren’t trying… they are just crazy fast.
Knowing all that… when I post up a ride I try and make it sound as terrible as possible. Because I’m a firm believer in the No Drop rule – don’t get dropped.
How’d Sparrow do? … hahaha… his ride is called Ego Check, and he got 65 Cups. But, the real story is he hung on fine. Got to the front a few times, went backwards so fast it reminded me of two guys parachuting and one opens the chute and disappears. This is the cool part… he clawed his way back on each time.
This Sparrow can fly.
I asked Sparrow how long he’d been riding. About 5 years.
How’d you get into it? When I graduated college I was living in L.A. without a car. I had $300, so I bought a fixie. Then, 3 years ago I bought a road bike and really fell in love.
What did you get your degree in? Graphic arts and Kinesiology. I work at Two Wheels One Planet and get to use my degrees doing all the graphics for the store and fitting people properly to their bikes.
That’s awesome. Thanks. You know what else is awesome?
What? The RaceDay bag. I love it.
How’d you find out about it? You posted it, and I had to have one.
No way. How’d you find my post? I follow all the guys I ride with and we rode together on Food Park.
… Is there a moral to this story?
Yes, invite people to ride with you.
Try and tear their legs off, or not.
And after swap stories.
_____
I’m still playing with the live reading…
TIME TO BURN
Dec 26, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I HAVEN’T DECIDED WHAT TO CALL THIS WEEK OF CRAMMING IN 20 HOURS ON THE BIKE: Go Big, Go Fast? Twensanity? End With A Bang?… ok, I’m lying. It just hit me: Fatness To Fitness Because, that’s the goal… to take that thickening winter coat and burn it off this week. One week, to go.. More
I HAVEN’T DECIDED WHAT TO CALL THIS WEEK OF CRAMMING IN 20 HOURS ON THE BIKE: Go Big, Go Fast? Twensanity? End With A Bang?… ok, I’m lying. It just hit me:
Fatness To Fitness
Because, that’s the goal… to take that thickening winter coat and burn it off this week. One week, to go from fatness to fitness.
Today we added a bunch of miles and vert to the TMWC.
Everyday is going to be big-ish. I’ll post ’em here the day before. Tomorrow is the famous Swami’s Wednesday ride… lots of big names show up on that ride.
Bonus… if you complete 20 hours from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day you get a 30% off promo code for the new HUNKR Jersey. Join the HUNKR club so we can track your time.
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Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170
MERRIER
Dec 25, 2017
by TODD BROWN
THE CHILDRENS ARE ALL GROWED UP. For the first time in 30 years, I woke up on Christmas Day and went for a bike ride. Mrs Claus was getting a little extra beauty sleep… like she needs it!… so, off I went on my two-wheeler. The MTB seemed most appropriate. More playful. More options. All.. More
THE CHILDRENS ARE ALL GROWED UP. For the first time in 30 years, I woke up on Christmas Day and went for a bike ride. Mrs Claus was getting a little extra beauty sleep… like she needs it!… so, off I went on my two-wheeler. The MTB seemed most appropriate. More playful. More options.
All the Whos in Whoville were sound asleep. The streets were empty.
But, I was awake and my heart was full.
How could 30 years pass so fast?
When our family was little I thought it would last and last.
A Christian greeted me and the sun and the homeless,
With cookies and cocoa and a warm smile.
Good morning kind sir, How’s business?
Quite well, quite well… replied the Witness
The waves to my right swept across the sand,
memories of countless Eves of assemblin’
surfed through my soul’s twinkling eye
Of times when I played the white-bearded guy
I couldn’t pedal any more, I slowed
My heart was too full to roll on
The ride of my life is going fast,
It’s Christmas, and I believe it will last and last.
Little pressed for time on this one.
THIS IS NOT A PRODUCT REVIEW
Dec 23, 2017
by TODD BROWN
THIS IS NOT A PRODUCT REVIEW, BUT I AM GOING TO REVIEW A RECENT ACQUISITION. Since none of our loved ones dare venture into our obsession I feel pretty safe sharing this beautiful truth on the interwebs. Because, if you’re at all like me you already bought yourself a Christmas present… … and you had.. More
THIS IS NOT A PRODUCT REVIEW, BUT I AM GOING TO REVIEW A RECENT ACQUISITION. Since none of our loved ones dare venture into our obsession I feel pretty safe sharing this beautiful truth on the interwebs. Because, if you’re at all like me you already bought yourself a Christmas present…
… and you had to, right?
Who in their right mind would pay what we pay for the things we love most, not the people we love most – they are priceless – but the things. Specifically, the bike things.
Just like I would never tell an outsider that I rode my bike 80 miles yesterday because that’s just sounds so completely insane. It’s like riding from here to Pasadena, which I would never drive in my car unless life hung in the balance…
… I also would never, ever share with someone what I paid for my new ENVE wheels…
We have this very conspicuous consumption, in plain site, and only our secret society of cyclists has the vaguest notion of what we’re up to.
Which is exactly why when your friend/mom/dad/grandparents/sibs/coworkers ask you what you want for Christmas you say either:
I’d just like to spend time with you
or
A new shirt would be great.
NowayJose am I, or you, going to let on what we are coveting at the local bike shop. What I am going to do… is, I’m going to sneak down there sometime this month and pick up my new ________ when nobody is looking, swap it out on my bike, and pray I don’t get busted…
… Santa knows I’ve been a very bad boy…
I snagged a pair of magic ENVE wheels from RockNRoad. It’s a fairly long story of how these wheels found themselves on my bike. But, hot damn, I rode ’em yesterday on Swami’s Long and…
… now pay attention y’all, this is me not reviewing the product. Why don’t I review product? Because I don’t believe in science, I believe in the spirit of the product -> the way it makes me feel, the way it sounds, the way it handles, even the way it looks. Some like numbers, I like results…
I rode ’em yesterday on Swami’s Long, and for the first time ever in my 30+ attempts on that most vile ride, I made it to the store/regroup with the leaders, pinging off PR’s along the way…
… maybe I have been a good boy?
… maybe Santa knew?
… maybe ______ won’t notice?
… hopefully, you scored something too?
_____
For the non-readers
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.2
SWAMI’S LONG T’DAY
Dec 23, 2017
by TODD BROWN
ME AND THE BOYS HEADED DOWN TO SWAMI’S TODAY. Swami’s is a terrible ride. Fast, fast, fast. But, there are a few added bonuses for guys like us. First, I’m the only one of the 6 of us that’s done it enough to vaguely know the route. So there’s the bonus of finding yourself at.. More
ME AND THE BOYS HEADED DOWN TO SWAMI’S TODAY. Swami’s is a terrible ride. Fast, fast, fast. But, there are a few added bonuses for guys like us.
First, I’m the only one of the 6 of us that’s done it enough to vaguely know the route. So there’s the bonus of finding yourself at the front of the group as you rotate through and they go left while you go straight… yep, we had a rookie pull that move.
Second, not knowing who the players are you can get gapped out pretty quickly. I spent the first half of the ride battling Team Openthegap.
Third, and this is the best one. No respect. You’ll get none from the regulars. You have to fight and claw for every single position. If you’re not careful you’ll be spit out the back wondering What happened?
And that’s what makes it so darn fun.
The battle.
If you manage to make it to the store, occasionally one of the regulars might actually – accidentally – say Nice riding bro. But, to get that you’ll have to go full asthamafroometatcular. There’s no other way… unless you’re actually fast. You earned it… so way You too dude.
The other thing you earned was the rollercoaster back to the coast. It twists and turns and rolls up and down for miles on end. One of the funnest, fastest 20+ miles ever.
Sooooo… join us next time. (We post the rides in the Pedal Industries Strava Club).
My deets: https://www.strava.com/activities/1324654999
_____
For those of you who can’t read
Did you ride your bike today?
LEGIT
Dec 22, 2017
by TODD BROWN
HEY, WHAT KIND OF BIKE DO YOU HAVE? It came from high on the hill on the opposite side of our street. A man, unknown to me, had yelled it. Harmless enough? I wasn’t so sure. We’ve had a number burglaries in our neighborhood, and we have a few “halfway houses”. Plus, not long ago.. More
HEY, WHAT KIND OF BIKE DO YOU HAVE? It came from high on the hill on the opposite side of our street. A man, unknown to me, had yelled it.
Harmless enough?
I wasn’t so sure. We’ve had a number burglaries in our neighborhood, and we have a few “halfway houses”. Plus, not long ago people were being stalked on Strava after posting their amazing bike pics only to have their garages broken into. Strava makes it so you can hide your home now, where your rides originate. I recommend that, regardless.
Cautiously I yelled back, It’s aluminum.
No need to say I’m riding The Marvel, or Specialized, or give any hint of value.
He yelled, Pinarello Dogma.
Not, I have a Pinarello Dogma. He knew what he was yelling was code for I’m legit.
Which followed with, We should ride some time.
Are you on Strava? I queried.
Yes.
What’s your name?
Peter Frampton (that’s not his name).
I quickly looked him up on Strava… sho ‘nuf. He’s there. And, I’m thinking… nice Eyetalian bike, active Strava profile…
Yeah, let’s ride some time.
I’m going for the first ride in 3 months tomorrow. Had back surgery. Doc cleared me today.
That’s awesome, have a great ride!
UP AND ADAM
Dec 21, 2017
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE WATCHING THE SUNRISE. Why sunsets are so popular escapes me. It’s the sunrise I love. The pre-dawn darkness that greets me and my bike lights this time of year is cold. And, dark. Not unfriendly, but not welcoming. It’s me and The Marvel, and since nary a soul is up, it’s.. More
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE WATCHING THE SUNRISE. Why sunsets are so popular escapes me. It’s the sunrise I love.
The pre-dawn darkness that greets me and my bike lights this time of year is cold. And, dark. Not unfriendly, but not welcoming. It’s me and The Marvel, and since nary a soul is up, it’s just us.
The first man and woman on earth.
Adam and Eve… kinda.
Mounted, we roll into the quiet. In time, we see other early human shapes. Mostly joggers. Some walkers. Dogs.
The air chills my cheeks, fills my lungs, and brings my brain to life.
I’m alive!… and the world sleeps.
I’m working out… and the world sleeps.
I’m invigorated… and the world sleeps.
Dawn comes. The sky brightens. But, before the sun shows forth there is this gigantic wave of hope that comes over me.
Hope for warmth.
Hope for things to work out well.
Hope for the sun to rise and bless us all with a beautiful new day.
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Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.6
I KNOW…
Dec 20, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I KNOW I’M AN OKAY CLIMBER, DESCENT SPRINTER AND RIPPING DESCENDER. I know what type of courses suit my bag of tricks. What’s weird is I rarely work on my sprint… and a lot races come down to a sprint. There are two parts to sprinting that I could work on: one is science, and.. More
I KNOW I’M AN OKAY CLIMBER, DESCENT SPRINTER AND RIPPING DESCENDER. I know what type of courses suit my bag of tricks.
What’s weird is I rarely work on my sprint… and a lot races come down to a sprint.
There are two parts to sprinting that I could work on: one is science, and one is art.
The science part is pretty simple and you can do it alone. Figure out how far you can sprint. Then, just practice that a lot… the wind up and the knock out punch of it all. You can lift weights and do plyometrics to build power.
But, it’s the art part that makes a winner a winner and everybody else… losers. The art is feeling the wind, smelling the angst, sensing the posers and clawing onto the players.
The artful sprinter uses all six senses and unleashes an elegant fury at just the right moment.
Doing it with ease and calm.
All others are winded,
the artful one is the wind.
…wake up Todd, quit dreaming. Do what you love to do, long epic rides… ride yourself into ecstasy…
… oh, wow… what a dream… which reminds me of the nightmare I have planned for Saturday:
Swami’s Long. It’s a terrible ride. Horrifically fast. With fire breathing demons who give no quarter and spare nobody… specially outta towners.
Click here if you want to meet your maker.
CLIME ABOARD
Dec 19, 2017
by TODD BROWN
WHATCHA GONNA WEAR TOMORROW? Today I layered up perfect for the weather, and so I thought I should write it out for the winter is here. >70 Jersey and Bibs, gloves optional 60-70 Jersey and Bibs, gloves 50-60 add Knee Warmers and maybe Arm Warmers 40-50 add Vest.. More
WHATCHA GONNA WEAR TOMORROW? Today I layered up perfect for the weather, and so I thought I should write it out for the winter is here.
>70 Jersey and Bibs, gloves optional
60-70 Jersey and Bibs, gloves
50-60 add Knee Warmers and maybe Arm Warmers
40-50 add Vest and Toe Warmers
30-40 add 2nd Jersey and Skull Cap, insulated gloves
If you use The Weather Channel be sure to check the coldest city you plan to ride through. For us, it’s always more moderate than where we are headed. Today it was mid-40’s, but low 30’s where we were headed. I was super comfortable with me entire ensemble.
When it’s time to climb,
Be ready for the clime.
EYE DO
Dec 18, 2017
by TODD BROWN
EYE DO DECLARE, THESE NEW OAKLEY’S ARE TRE RAD. Eye know eye’m late to the party, BST is how I roll. But, eye’ve finally arrived with the sweetest pair of Jawbreakers. Why so sweet? Eye love the massive field of view, way bigger than standard dual-lens set ups. The full-frame wrap keeps the lens in.. More
EYE DO DECLARE, THESE NEW OAKLEY’S ARE TRE RAD. Eye know eye’m late to the party, BST is how I roll. But, eye’ve finally arrived with the sweetest pair of Jawbreakers.
Why so sweet?
Eye love the massive field of view, way bigger than standard dual-lens set ups.
The full-frame wrap keeps the lens in place and protects my beautiful skin… eve’ve seen a naked lens turn into a slice-o-matic on impact.
Airflow was awesome this morning, no fog build up… plus, plus, plus more of my handsome face was covered and protected from the 34 degree wind eye battled.
Even eye can easily swap out the lenses, which means they’ll stay pristine.
And get this, the stems are adjustable for misshapen heads like mine.
K, best part -> Eye got the polarized PRIZM lens. Which means eye can head out early in the dark, cold, lonely morning… ride through a stunning sunrise… into a beautiful California day… with the same pair of glasses.
Wouldn’t call ’em cheap
They’re perfect for
Daybreakers and Rulebreakers
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Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
169.6
ALL I SEE IS RED AGAIN
Dec 17, 2017
by TODD BROWN
All the Ghost of Christmas Past shows me is red. Red sells. Red looks fast. Red is… RED! My trike was red. I remember it well. Red paint, white stripes. Solid rubber black wheels. Just the thing to escape over to Jamie Figueroa’s. My scooter was red. It was a forerunner to the Razor. Red platform,.. More
All the Ghost of Christmas Past shows me is red. Red sells. Red looks fast. Red is…
RED!
My trike was red. I remember it well. Red paint, white stripes. Solid rubber black wheels. Just the thing to escape over to Jamie Figueroa’s.
My scooter was red. It was a forerunner to the Razor. Red platform, silver steerer. Air filled white tires. Stupid as it sounds, I was known as the Steve McQueen of Gnat Park.
My Big Wheel was red… I was like 14, way to old, but we’d found this giant hill planted with that crazy long grass. First we bombed it on cardboard, but then we realized a Big Wheel was much more fun. It lasted about a week.
My Schwinn Sting Ray started off red. Probably put more miles on that bike than any other… rode it to school, to the store, to the beach, to my friends, to the orthodontist (hated that), to the huge drainage ditch we’d drop into and pop out of… and ride through in pitch black… and every Saturday morning to the new home construction sites with the terraced plots to jump off. It died silver I think… we took those things apart and sanded and painted them constantly.
My Schwinn Le Tour was red. This one was over $100, and I begged and begged for it. I wanted to be able to ride the 8 miles from home to the tennis club, I wanted to get places. I had no idea what “Le Tour” would come to mean later. It was so light, and fast… even with my canvas back pack filled with tennis gear.
My final kid Christmas bike was not red. The unicycle was silver. I was 17, and wanted a toy. Even though I had a red Honda Civic, I’d still ride the uni 2 miles to Sonora High School just because I could.
Pre-kids, the Trophy Wife surprised me with a red Cannondale… aluminum with giant tubes. Rode that thing from Cat IV to Cat III. So fun.
___
I first posted this last year,
right here.
Seemed like a good way,
to share some cheer.
____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
169.6
IT’S HUNKR TIME
Dec 15, 2017
by TODD BROWN
YEP, IT’S TIME TO HUNKR DOWN AND HAVE YOUR BEST 100K EVER. HUNKR IS A 100K bicycle challenge. HUNKR IS FOR athletes focused on their personal best. HUNKR IS NOT for winning for the sake of winning… though winning is always nice. HUNKR IS SPECIAL because its’ a shared experience. We all start together, race.. More
YEP, IT’S TIME TO HUNKR DOWN AND HAVE YOUR BEST 100K EVER.
HUNKR IS A 100K bicycle challenge.
HUNKR IS FOR athletes focused on their personal best.
HUNKR IS NOT for winning for the sake of winning… though winning is always nice.
HUNKR IS SPECIAL because its’ a shared experience. We all start together, race the same distance, and celebrate afterwards: great food and great awards and prizes.
HUNKR EXPOSES enthusiasts to friendly competition and reinvigorates experienced racers with a new goal – to be your best.
HUNKR IS FUNKR because when you get 5 or more friends to register as a team you have a race within a race.
HUNKR COURSES are iconic, beautiful and challenging.
HUNKR IS CHANGING bicycle racing forever.
It’s HUNKR time!
IT’S A BIRD!
Dec 14, 2017
by TODD BROWN
THIS REALLY HAPPENED. Finally, after years and years and miles and miles… it happened. How many times have a thought it would? A gazillion. But it never had. There had been close encounters. Near misses. But no hits. Until today… Just before dawn, in the chilly shadows, I was riding along the bike path above.. More
THIS REALLY HAPPENED. Finally, after years and years and miles and miles… it happened.
How many times have a thought it would?
A gazillion.
But it never had.
There had been close encounters. Near misses. But no hits.
Until today…
Just before dawn, in the chilly shadows, I was riding along the bike path above Salt Creek. Out the corner of my right eye I see a flash of white. Then something hits my head. There’s a golf course to my left, but nobody is that bad this early. Plus, a golf ball would have really rung my bell.
It was a flipping seagull.
Little feller bounced off my helmet, corrected it’s flight and kept on going.
You got a long way to go Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
… now, if you follow that link you can read the plot to a famous and mostly forgotten book. It’s worth it because of nuggets like this: begin by knowing that you have already arrived.
What else is worth it?… giving a few bucks to my favorite website, Wikipedia.
_____
HUNKR registration opens tomorrow.
169.6
GO BIG, GO FAST
Dec 13, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I’VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST, and it works. There’s no better time than between Christmas and New Year’s to get out and put some time in the saddle. Here’s the challenge: 20 hrs from 12/25-1/1. We’re doing hours vs miles, because it’s time in the saddle that counts… and that’s Time Moving, not elapsed.. More
I’VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST, and it works. There’s no better time than between Christmas and New Year’s to get out and put some time in the saddle.
Here’s the challenge: 20 hrs from 12/25-1/1.
We’re doing hours vs miles, because it’s time in the saddle that counts… and that’s Time Moving, not elapsed time.
I’ll post all ride details in our Strava club. Check that for updates and details. https://www.strava.com/clubs/pedalindustries
If you want to join us send me an email and you must post your rides on Strava and join our club. If you email me by 12/15, you just might get a surprise for the New Year’s Ride.
You don’t have to do any of these rides to participate, but it would be fun to have you along.
So eat up, spend time with family and friends!
Here’s my itinerary:
CHRISTMAS DAY
Spin with my son Trevor. (1-2)
TUESDAY
TMWC of course… plus some extra credit then wrap up at Ellie’s Table in San Clemente. (3+)
WEDNESDAY
Ride to Oceanside with the Swami’s ride. (2-3)
THURSDAY – Special Guest speaker Paul Ruggiero will explain the training benefits after a week of training like this.
Cruise up the San Juan Trail through the campground and up to the Trabuco trailhead. (3+)
FRIDAY
Tentative… Bus Stop ride in Newport Beach. (2)
SATURDAY
Big Food Park (4+)
SUNDAY
Rest
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Ride towards the big, giant crew coming down the coast from Long Beach and ride till we’ve got the 20 hours. (?)
https://www.strava.com/clubs/pedalindustries
IF I EVER CATCH YOU DOING THIS AGAIN!
Dec 12, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I KNOW IT WAS BRISK, AND I KNOW YOU WERE FEELING FRISKY, BUT THAT WASN’T A RISK… THAT WAS PURE ROOKIE MOVE. I mean gadzooks, What were you thinking? Was it… I know this has never worked before but I just have to try it one more time? Or… I know this is the silliest.. More
I KNOW IT WAS BRISK, AND I KNOW YOU WERE FEELING FRISKY, BUT THAT WASN’T A RISK… THAT WAS PURE ROOKIE MOVE. I mean gadzooks, What were you thinking?
Was it… I know this has never worked before but I just have to try it one more time?
Or… I know this is the silliest move ever, but I really want to do this so I can get dropped sooner?
Or… ah, crud!… I’m not even going to keep listing because the reasons I would come up with would just be so ridiculous. But, not as kooky as actually doing what you done did.
I mean do it, if you’re just feeling like Superman. Maybe you were? No you weren’t because you dropped anchor as soon as you’d done your foolish deed.
Not me, I was dangling like a piece of dry dung on a fat cow’s swinging tail. My jaw dropped so hard it dislocated. Surely, y’all weren’t doin’ what ya was doin’?!!
That move… it breaks my heart reliving it again… that move played right into the hands of the Monster and Red Devil.
How could you do it?
HOW
How
how…
How could you pull the those beasts up to the first breakaway in months that had a shot of breaking their stranglehold on the TMWC podium?
FUNK #49
Dec 11, 2017
by TODD BROWN
IT WAS A WICKED 48 DEGREES (that’s Fahrenheit for all my international readers), but when you roll out in just a jersey and bibs, in the dark… well dawgawnit, that’s pretty damn cold. So why do my friends up the Rocky Mountain Way gotta be calling me wimpy on my STARVA feed? I was cold.. More
IT WAS A WICKED 48 DEGREES (that’s Fahrenheit for all my international readers), but when you roll out in just a jersey and bibs, in the dark… well dawgawnit, that’s pretty damn cold.
So why do my friends up the Rocky Mountain Way gotta be calling me wimpy on my STARVA feed?
I was cold enough to Turn To Stone on my bike ride, poorly dressed as I was.
At least I didn’t Walk Away.
This isn’t A Life of Illusion after all. My toes and hands were freezin’.
Honestly fellas, Life’s Been Good… and I’m just glad you’re checking up on me.
Maybe it’ll be a Funky #49 tomorrow.
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170
OUR TOWN
Dec 10, 2017
by TODD BROWN
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ROADS WITH NO BIKE LANES, DON’T RIDE HERE. If you’re looking for snowy winters, don’t ride here. If you’re don’t want to be tempted by sweet single track, don’t ride here. If you’re not interested in fun group rides, don’t ride here. If you don’t like riding with world class riders, don’t ride here... More
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ROADS WITH NO BIKE LANES, DON’T RIDE HERE.
If you’re looking for snowy winters, don’t ride here.
If you’re don’t want to be tempted by sweet single track, don’t ride here.
If you’re not interested in fun group rides, don’t ride here.
If you don’t like riding with world class riders, don’t ride here.
If you don’t like racing down the coast with the wind at your back, don’t ride here.
If you don’t like punchy climbs with endless views, don’t ride here.
If don’t like short drives to Hor’s Categorie climbs, don’t ride here.
If you don’t want a velodrome nearby, don’t ride here.
If you don’t like being close to Felt, Shimano, 3T, Fox and the epicenter of action sports, don’t ride here.
If you don’t want to be in the best place in the world to ride bikes…
by all means…
don’t ride here.
TIME AND DISTANCE
Dec 09, 2017
by TODD BROWN
IN THE BEGINNING WAS DISTANCE, AND THE DISTANCE WAS GOOD. All that mattered was distance, and distance was all that mattered. We’d ride far, so it seemed, just to ride far. Let there be time, and the time was good. Time gave meaning to distance, and distance gave meaning to time. We’d ride far, it.. More
IN THE BEGINNING WAS DISTANCE, AND THE DISTANCE WAS GOOD. All that mattered was distance, and distance was all that mattered. We’d ride far, so it seemed, just to ride far.
Let there be time, and the time was good. Time gave meaning to distance, and distance gave meaning to time. We’d ride far, it seemed, just to see how fast we could do it.
Let there be mountains, and the mountains were good. Mountains divided the flat land, and flat land separated the mountains. We’d ride high, it seemed, just to see how high we could ride.
Let there be aluminum, and the aluminum was good. Aluminum begat Titanium and Titanium begat Carbon. We rode them all, it seemed, just to show them off.
Let there be aero, and the aero was good. Aero was faster, and faster was aero. We’d ride aero, it seemed, just to feel aero.
In the end, there was only time,
time it seemed,
for friends.
TIME TO RIDE #2: AUTOMATION
Dec 08, 2017
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL WANT MORE TIME TO RIDE… this last quarter of the year we have made an effort to constrain our work time instead of letting it slice into the morning and then bleed all over the afternoon and evening. The best thing we have done is focusing on automation. The biggest step towards automation.. More
WE ALL WANT MORE TIME TO RIDE… this last quarter of the year we have made an effort to constrain our work time instead of letting it slice into the morning and then bleed all over the afternoon and evening. The best thing we have done is focusing on automation.
The biggest step towards automation has been upgrading our order management software and fully integrating it with Quickbooks. We went from complicated Excel documents to a beautiful and powerful online software. This has saved us countless hours and allowed us to provide better service as well.
Next, was batching our email. The automation here is to set the email to Out Of Office. When people email for the first time they get an instant response that says “To better serve you we respond to email several times a day. If your bike is on fire, call us.” Then, we click Work Offline in Outlook and go through emails several times a day. Click Work online, and the emails go out and new ones come in. This allows us to focus on the bigger tasks of the day vs. wondering what the heck we got done at the end of the day.
Because we are constraining our work time, we all start at the same time and try and finish by the same time. This means there is NO time for social media, hanging out, long smoke breaks, etc. We are jamming full gas, but it’s more efficient because were all on the same program. Get in, get it done, get out.
Working with a time constraint allows for massive action, kind of like that last day before going on vacation. It requires real discipline. It’s harder than it looks, but it actually allows us to be more productive.
Being more productive is a lot more fun. It’s more of a game… trying to figure out various ways to get more done in our constrained time.
I won’t go so far as to call it play,
because that’s what we do the rest of the day.
CRITICAL MASS
Dec 07, 2017
by TODD BROWN
HAVE YOU REACHED CRITICAL MASS? Do your friends and family understand your commitment to a healthy life and having fun? Have you blocked out time to ride X days/hours per week to ride? Is that time sacred? Is your diet reflective of an athlete? Are you getting enough sleep? Is your bike clean and properly.. More
HAVE YOU REACHED CRITICAL MASS?
Do your friends and family understand your commitment to a healthy life and having fun?
Have you blocked out time to ride X days/hours per week to ride?
Is that time sacred?
Is your diet reflective of an athlete?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Is your bike clean and properly tuned?
Do you know how to fix a flat?
How many riding buddies do you have?
Can you ride all day in your bibs and still have your special parts in good shape?
Do you have a big goal or cycling trip on the horizon?
Have you reached critical mass?
Will you ride your bike ’till you can’t ride no more?
I will.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Dec 06, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I JUST LOVE THE CREATIVITY MOUNTAIN BIKERS HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO NAMING TRAILS. Tonight we rode up Black Death, Passed 6 Kids No Brains, To Necessary Evil. Down Car Crash, To Ricky Bobby. Took Butch’s Connector, To Grinduro, Back up Black Death and Necessary Evil, So that we could drop into Hole In The.. More
I JUST LOVE THE CREATIVITY MOUNTAIN BIKERS HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO NAMING TRAILS.
Tonight we rode up Black Death,
Passed 6 Kids No Brains,
To Necessary Evil.
Down Car Crash,
To Ricky Bobby.
Took Butch’s Connector,
To Grinduro,
Back up Black Death and Necessary Evil,
So that we could drop into Hole In The Fence,
Took Sloppy Seconds,
To Frank and Beanz,
And down Drop It Like It’s Hot.
Then we rode the Cheetah Connector
Up to Dog Park,
Across Blue Chair
back to the office.
A typical MTB WDNSDAY with a Big Foot siting.
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
169.4
TALK ABOUT A DOPER!
Dec 05, 2017
by TODD BROWN
ALL RIDE THIS MORNING THE TALK WAS ABOUT OUR LOCAL DOPER. I’m going to leave his name out of it, but he is mighty fast… so, I’ll just call him MF. From the 630am start to the pathetically late finish at 740, the words blew around the pack… Man, this is an MF kinda day... More
ALL RIDE THIS MORNING THE TALK WAS ABOUT OUR LOCAL DOPER. I’m going to leave his name out of it, but he is mighty fast… so, I’ll just call him MF. From the 630am start to the pathetically late finish at 740, the words blew around the pack…
Man, this is an MF kinda day.
For sure, MF is going to get out today and smash it.
I’ll bet MF went to bed early last night, dreaming of KOM hunting.
MF isn’t a drugstore doper, he isn’t a mechanical doper, he’s a Wind Doper. When the Santa Ana’s blow, that’s when he flies out his cave to attack STRAVA segments. No KOM is safe because MF – no doubt – prepares through the summer doldrums for days like today.
For sure he has a route laid out.
If the wind is out of the East, he’s going to seize every West facing KOM on his list. It’s not if he’ll get the KOMs, but how many email notifications STRAVA will send. The great howling across the county as in-boxes deliver the terrible news to the once proud is what drives his wind doping frenzy and what inspires his precise course.
And so as the bits and pieces of our once strong and valiant group washed into the finish and began chattering, all ears were filled with the legend of MF.
The uninitiated could only admire the wisdom of wind doping,
The experienced could only drift homeward…
ruined by the Santa Anas,
… again.
THE TOP TWO REASONS YOUR DUFFLE BAG IS RUINING YOUR RACES AND RIDES
Dec 04, 2017
by TODD BROWN
IF YOU’RE LIKE I WAS, YOU HAVE A TRUSTY DUFFLE BAG FOR RACES AND RIDES. Basically, a big open hole with a side pocket for shoes. Everything goes in there, and depending on the importance of the race you may or may have a checklist when you pack. Which is the reason your duffle.. More
IF YOU’RE LIKE I WAS, YOU HAVE A TRUSTY DUFFLE BAG FOR RACES AND RIDES. Basically, a big open hole with a side pocket for shoes. Everything goes in there, and depending on the importance of the race you may or may have a checklist when you pack. Which is the reason your duffle has the potential to be the difference between success and failure.
Reason #1 Wasting cognitive energy.
The old school duffle bag may be working, but it’s also robbing you of energy. Because after you’ve loaded it up you put it in the car or by the door only to wonder… do I have everything packed. Well, do you? You better check, and double-check, and triple-check…
Just like your legs only have so much energy, the same goes for that computer between your ears. That’s why you need to sleep before a big race, and that’s why you probably perform your best work when nobody or nothing is distracting you.
Reason #2 Stress.
You arrive at your destination grab your bag and everything is a mess. You can’t find your glasses or your gloves or your Advil or whatever it is you’re looking for. You go through the entire contents, multiple times… and sadly there are times you can’t even find your… bibs!
Can you afford to miss a key move in a crit? What if you react a little too late on a fast and rocky single track? It’s hard to know, but we’ve all been there at the end of day wondering how we missed something so simple that wound up costing us the victory we were seeking.
Which is why I created the RaceDay Bag.
Because I’ve pulled my car over to go through that unsearchable mess hole and be sure everything was loaded.
Because I’ve raced in my surf trunks and a t-shirt, borrowed a sweaty and stinky helmet, raced with one glove, purchased $350 shoes halfway to Leadville, etc.
Because I’ve returned from the big day and found my nasty bibs smothering the inside of my helmet.
With the RaceDay Bag, 6 clearly marked and separate pockets act as a check list. All my gear is easy to locate when I need it or just want to be sure I have it.
My mental energy is saved for the fun stuff, the racing and riding.
I have no stress, because I know I have all my gear and it’s easy to find.
Learn more: http://pedalindustries.com/store/raceday-bags
WHY I WALK ON SUNDAYS
Dec 03, 2017
by TODD BROWN
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN A DAY OFF. My body, mind and soul need rest, and I find a walk to be best. Each step, massages my feet. Each step, eases my mind. Each step, cleanses my soul. No riding, no shopping, no working… not a disconnect, but, a reconnect. With myself, my family,.. More
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN A DAY OFF.
My body, mind and soul need rest,
and I find a walk to be best.
Each step,
massages my feet.
Each step,
eases my mind.
Each step,
cleanses my soul.
No riding, no shopping, no working… not a disconnect,
but, a reconnect.
With myself, my family, my friends
on the sands of our town.
TOO FAST by I.M. SMOKED
Dec 02, 2017
by Todd Brown
THE STORY OF I.M. SMOKED IS A SHORT ONE. It begins on a beguiling Saturday in December, 2017. Why was it beguiling? Because, December in Southern California is a beautiful time of year to go for a bike ride: the air is clear and crisp, the sunrise is a little later and the roads are..
THE STORY OF I.M. SMOKED IS A SHORT ONE. It begins on a beguiling Saturday in December, 2017.
Why was it beguiling?
Because, December in Southern California is a beautiful time of year to go for a bike ride: the air is clear and crisp, the sunrise is a little later and the roads are tourist-free. The short days mean there’s pent up energy and fitness for the weekend.
Because, I.M. had a particularly rough week. There was work stress and family stress that needed to be released… and what could be better than a spin with the posse?
And so it began.
The weekly Big Loop, 80 miles and 4000′ of vert.
It started with the fellas riding to meet the Food Park group ride, I.M. and the others moved along at a good clip up the coast. The ocean on the left, the mountains on the right. Normally I.M. would wheel suck all the way up, but not today. Today I.M. was feeling frisky and leading the charge.
The 19 minute majestic ascent to the top of the world was chopped to 17 minutes… PRs for I.M.
Now the Food Park group ride isn’t just any group ride: it’s the most nastiest, the most adrenalinist, the most elbowrubbingist group ride in the county… maybe the state. It started out tame enough this fine morning until the group hit the new Tesla To Tesla Loop.
Previously, Tesla to Church was the most terrible 3 mile segment known to man. It’s not steady, it’s pitchy and will pop a rider off the back quicker than a finger-tweezing teenager in front of a mirror. Terrible, terrible, terrible…
Tesla To Tesla is a whole other kinda terrible: 11 miles with 500′ of gain and a surgey group averaging 25mph.
But, I.M. was still chugging… and truth be told, this is the perfect loop to fit I.M.’s weak super-powers. The runaway train up the canyon was shedding cabooses over every bump, pitch and turn… until it was just the big engine from CBS Cycling and a couple of little engines that could, including I.M. Steam was shooting straight up and bolts were flying off, but they were clear… long gone.
It was the kind of glory only a cyclist in need can appreciate,
Just a few moments at the front of the train,
With the lead cars,
Taking pulls.
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170
REAL VS VIRTUAL
Dec 01, 2017
by Todd Brown
MY SON STOPPED BY TONIGHT ON HIS WAY HOME FROM SANTA MONICA TO HIS IN-LAWS IN TEMECULA FOR A GAME OF CHESS. I said Bring it on, I’ve been playing the best players in the world on Chess.com since you moved and I’m ready to whack you. That’s the kind of love we share… he..
MY SON STOPPED BY TONIGHT ON HIS WAY HOME FROM SANTA MONICA TO HIS IN-LAWS IN TEMECULA FOR A GAME OF CHESS. I said Bring it on, I’ve been playing the best players in the world on Chess.com since you moved and I’m ready to whack you.
That’s the kind of love we share… he drives out of his way to console me and I want to give him a beat down.
There are a number of weaknesses in my BeatMySonAtChess Training Program:
1. I’m playing 10 minute chess, so my moves aren’t too well thought out because we are rushing.
2. In 10 minute chess you can win just be having more men left when time runs out.
3. I rarely win. Mostly I get annihilated by faceless players in the ether, learning nothing in the process.
And that’s why virtual playing is virtually worthless… because my son is a very strategic thinker, with lots of patience, and he can read me like a book when I think I’ve got him cornered.
Tonight he won 2 out of 3 games… which sounds better than he won the two games we played. He told me to take solace in having a smart kid… I never get that kind of wisdom on the app.
If you’re going to be good at racing your bicycle, get out and race.
Zwift is convenient.
Strava is social.
Racing is real.
HOW TO MOVE TO FAST
Nov 30, 2017
by Todd Brown
TO GET FAST, you have to ride slow. Slow down. Slower. Softly pedal. Let your legs spin smooth and free. Beach-cruisers cruise by. Skaters skate by. Walkers walk by. Peace. Power. Strength. Flow in… … and then you’re free to soar, forever more. Bye Dad.
TO GET FAST, you have to ride slow.
Slow down.
Slower.
Softly pedal.
Let your legs spin smooth and free.
Beach-cruisers cruise by.
Skaters skate by.
Walkers walk by.
Peace.
Power.
Strength.
Flow in…
… and then you’re free to soar,
forever more.
Bye Dad.
AWE-SOME
Nov 29, 2017
by Todd Brown
WANT TO SEE SOMETHING REALLY COOL?… Go shave your legs. The lower leg is easy, peasy. Just go crazy, whipping that blade quickly up and down. The upper leg is pretty simple to. You can see 80% of it, and what you can’t see is smooth with no sharp points – like the shin or..
WANT TO SEE SOMETHING REALLY COOL?… Go shave your legs.
The lower leg is easy, peasy. Just go crazy, whipping that blade quickly up and down.
The upper leg is pretty simple to. You can see 80% of it, and what you can’t see is smooth with no sharp points – like the shin or achilles.
But those knees… oh boy!
Shaving the knees is so revealing. Here you can kinda get a grasp at how marvelous our bodies are: there’s the knee cap that seems to sink as you straighten your leg and rise as you bend it… trying to shave this area is tricky, yet I’ve never nicked myself there. The skin in this area is so pliable and wonderful.
I prefer the shower shave, but when I was a newb I was a bath shaver.
I don’t always shave my legs, but when I do…
… I shave in awe.
AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WEIGHT LIFTING…
Nov 28, 2017
by Todd Brown
SO, I’VE BEEN LIFTING WEIGHTS AT 6AM 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, M-W-F. Here’s what I know so far: My muscles are very tired the day after… but less tired if I can get in an afternoon spin the same day I lift. I’m climbing seated more. I think that’s due to all the hamstring, butt,..
SO, I’VE BEEN LIFTING WEIGHTS AT 6AM 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, M-W-F. Here’s what I know so far:
My muscles are very tired the day after… but less tired if I can get in an afternoon spin the same day I lift.
I’m climbing seated more. I think that’s due to all the hamstring, butt, back and core work… but it could just be that I’m too tired to stand.
I feel very stable and powerful in an aero position, going all out in group rides.
I’m stronger, definitely. I’m lifting more weight than when I started, which isn’t saying much… but it’s true, I’ve maxed out my dumbbell set.
I’m spinning more, but I think that’s the soreness.
My endurance seems to be increasing.
I’m not too big on data. I don’t use a power meter. My battery in the heart rate monitor died, so I’m not tracking that either. It’s all just anecdotal so far… except, I’m definitely a pound or 2 lighter.
What I still want to learn, is the best way to do the big Tuesday and Saturday rides I love and keep incorporating the weight lifting?
Time to see Kal.
TOO EARLY?
Nov 27, 2017
by Todd Brown
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN A GREAT RIDE. This year I really wanted to ride Eric’s BLACK FRIDAY ride – 97k of country roads. But, it just wasn’t in the cards. Stuff happens. And, it may happen again. But, what I’ve found is if it gets on the calendar it’s likely to happen… and epic..
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN A GREAT RIDE. This year I really wanted to ride Eric’s BLACK FRIDAY ride – 97k of country roads. But, it just wasn’t in the cards.
Stuff happens.
And, it may happen again.
But, what I’ve found is if it gets on the calendar it’s likely to happen… and epic rides like Eric’s Black Friday need to be on the calendar as early as possible.
So, there… I’ve planned my last big ride for 2018, Black Friday.
The first big ride will most likely be the Santa Barbara Road Race.
Then, HUNKR OC in March.
April is gonna be big: Sea Otter, San Luis Rey Road Race, and possibly Whiskey 50.
May will be CBR.
June will be HUNKR GMR.
July is always the unOFFICIAL TMWC.
Maybe, just maybe, September will be LoToJa.
November the final HUNKR of the 2018 series.
I love having big stuff on the calendar. It keeps me looking forward and keeps me taking care of my body.
Basically, the big stuff makes the small stuff easy…
… and the small stuff makes success at the big stuff more likely…
… like burning off the stuffing and pie.
DAD SPEED
Nov 26, 2017
by Todd Brown
I HEARD A FUNNY TERM ON THE ASK A CYCLING COACH PODCAST: DAD SPEED. Dad Speed is what happens to racers when the kids come along. Your slower because cycling is suddenly a lot lower on the priority list. Single Speed, was in the 20’s for me… and I won a lot of races. Newlywed Speed..
I HEARD A FUNNY TERM ON THE ASK A CYCLING COACH PODCAST: DAD SPEED.
Dad Speed is what happens to racers when the kids come along. Your slower because cycling is suddenly a lot lower on the priority list.
Single Speed, was in the 20’s for me… and I won a lot of races.
Newlywed Speed was fast, too.
1 Kid Speed, I was still riding with the crew and racing occasionally.
2 and 3 Kid Speed, I still rode socially and tried to stay fit… but I gained weight with every pregnancy.
Teenage Kid Speed, I put that blubber to use and snagged a couple of stars and bars jerseys racing Super-D.
Empty-Nester Speed, has been really fun… there’s so much cycling information to read and listen and learn from, the schedule is mostly wide open, and the CoCo Puffs are gone from the pantry.
Whatever the speed, enjoy the ride.
AND THAT’S PRETTY COOL
Nov 25, 2017
by Todd Brown
THERE’S A LOT OF ANGST ABOUT THE INTERWEBS RUINING THE PHYSICAL WORLD, but it aint all bad. Check it out. We’ve been building two amazing group rides: one for about a year (Big Food Park), and one for 15 years (TheTMWC). Both have them have grown because of the digital connections we can make. Both..
THERE’S A LOT OF ANGST ABOUT THE INTERWEBS RUINING THE PHYSICAL WORLD, but it aint all bad.
Check it out. We’ve been building two amazing group rides: one for about a year (Big Food Park), and one for 15 years (TheTMWC). Both have them have grown because of the digital connections we can make. Both Facebook and Strava make it easy to share what’s happening in a group, who’s part of the group, and encourage us to join groups.
For us cyclists, this is really cool. We can find rides and be included in groups of like-minded bike addicts. We can easily give each other digital high-fives, share pictures and videos, and include news and comments germane to us.
Are Facebook and Strava altruistic? Not really. They are making money off the service they provide. But, I’m down with that because we are making lasting real-world friendships and connections.
This morning Brennan joined us for the first time..
Hey, I’m Todd.
I’m Brennan.
Nice to meet ya. How’d you hear about our ride?
On Strava.
… and that’s pretty cool.
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.8
I GOT WAXED TODAY
Nov 24, 2017
by Todd Brown
I GOT WAXED TODAY, NOT THAT KIND… my bike got a brand new, waxed chain from WEND. I picked up the chain when I ran into Ryan Dahl at the Swami’s team meeting. He had a handful of his newest creation and I had to have it. Why, because waxed is faster… watts faster. He..
I GOT WAXED TODAY, NOT THAT KIND… my bike got a brand new, waxed chain from WEND. I picked up the chain when I ran into Ryan Dahl at the Swami’s team meeting. He had a handful of his newest creation and I had to have it. Why, because waxed is faster… watts faster.
He only had a few chains.
They aren’t even available on the website, so I can’t even tell you how to get one.
What I can tell you is this… my chain is a top of the line SRAM chain, professionally stripped and waxed at the WEND factory then shrink-wrapped and sealed.
With some assistance from my friend Jon, we cut the chain to the proper length… It had been a while since I cut a chain and I was a little hesitant, but I’ve decided it’s time to start being more self-sufficient with my wrenching and asked for some help.
Ryan told me it takes a good ride to break in the chain, so I spun 25 miles around town.
One thing I noticed right off is how quiet the chain runs. It’s nearly silent.
What does a waxed chain promise… 2-5 watts in power saved, or 15 seconds in a 40k TT.
Do I need it?… I need every advantage I can find… Don’t you?
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.8
THANKFUL FOR HUBS
Nov 23, 2017
by Todd Brown
TODAY I’M THANKFUL FOR HUBS. Hubs are the center of the wheel. They are the things that connect all the spokes and actually makes a wheel a wheel. Without hubs, we wouldn’t get anywhere on a bike. There are 3 hubs I’m particularly grateful for: Our family… the five in our little tribe, my 7..
TODAY I’M THANKFUL FOR HUBS. Hubs are the center of the wheel. They are the things that connect all the spokes and actually makes a wheel a wheel. Without hubs, we wouldn’t get anywhere on a bike.
There are 3 hubs I’m particularly grateful for:
Our family… the five in our little tribe, my 7 siblings, 3 parents, 4 grandparents, gazillion cousins, and the awesome in-laws. It’s always a party, even when it’s just two of us.
Our company… we all get along great, work very hard, inspire each other, and in the process make products we love to share with our amazing cycling community.
My friends… my friends make me smile.
What hubs are you thankful for?
_____
Do you recognize the hub above?
_____
Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.8
GOBBLE TILL YOU WOBBLE
Nov 22, 2017
by Todd Brown
HOW THANKFUL WILL YOU BE ON FRIDAY? I know you’ll be grateful tomorrow, you’ll probably post some cool pics with the family out playing or around the table. Lots of us will head to someone kind soul’s home who is willing to host the feast. The rest of us will bring all kinds of goodies…..
HOW THANKFUL WILL YOU BE ON FRIDAY? I know you’ll be grateful tomorrow, you’ll probably post some cool pics with the family out playing or around the table. Lots of us will head to someone kind soul’s home who is willing to host the feast. The rest of us will bring all kinds of goodies… I’m holding out for the trophy wife’s scalloped potatoes.
In the morning, we will get out and ride our bikes… sometimes really far. A good portion of my family will do a Turkey Trot, or go for hike, or a surf session. When we get together, it’s likely there will be some sort of Turkey Bowl where it’s also likely there will be some over stretched hamstrings… we’ve even had an achilles tendon burst.
Then we’ll eat, and talk, and eat, and talk, and eat, and talk… such good and wonderful feelings will be flowing and sharing.
BUT, there’s a good chance that when I jump on the scale Friday morning I’ll be 5 pounds heavier…
… and, I’ll be really grateful Thanksgiving only comes around once a year…
… I hope you’ll join me in a belt-bursting manner, too…
… we’ll all be so grateful!
#gobbletillyouwobble
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Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
172.2
BOB FROSTY
Nov 21, 2017
by Todd Brown
IT WASN’T REALLY THAT COLD THIS MORNING, BUT IT WAS COLD ENOUGH TO SLUR WORDS. Brett asked, Where’s Bob Frosty? Who’s Bob Frosty? (It’s kinda early for Christmas… well not really… but still, who or what is Bob Frosty?) Is that the Snowman’s name? No, you know who I’m talking about… the guy in the..
IT WASN’T REALLY THAT COLD THIS MORNING, BUT IT WAS COLD ENOUGH TO SLUR WORDS.
Brett asked, Where’s Bob Frosty?
Who’s Bob Frosty?
(It’s kinda early for Christmas… well not really… but still, who or what is Bob Frosty?)
Is that the Snowman’s name?
No, you know who I’m talking about… the guy in the red.
In the red?… that’s Santa Claus, not Bob Frosty.
What are you talking about Santa Claus… are we doing a Christmas ride?
No, it’s Thanksgiving this week… and we might do the Harding Turkey Climb.
Yeah, he’s the guy that can climb super fast.
Santa?
No, Steve Bobrofsky. Where is he?
WHY YOU SHOULD RACE NOW #1
Nov 20, 2017
by Todd Brown
RACING MAKES YOU A BETTER RIDER, ALWAYS. Let me show you just one simple way. Tonight I picked up my spanking new frame – more on that later… it’s so purty. The shop put my parts back on, but I still needed to mount a few things: the Garmin, the RaceRepair Bag, and the lights. ..
RACING MAKES YOU A BETTER RIDER, ALWAYS. Let me show you just one simple way. Tonight I picked up my spanking new frame – more on that later… it’s so purty. The shop put my parts back on, but I still needed to mount a few things: the Garmin, the RaceRepair Bag, and the lights. Once pedaling, I realized my rookie mistake.
My headlight was pointed down at too sharp of an angle.
I see this mistake all the time this time of year. Guys are riding with the beam of the light pointed about 5′ in front of the front wheel. It looks great in the garage, it’s terrible when you’re up to speed. How terrible?… Well, check it out what Kyle calculates:
At 20 miles an hour you travel 29.33 feet per second.
20mph is nothing on a road bike. Most days I come back with a max speed approaching 50 miles an hour. If your beam is pointing straight down you have no time to react to any road garbage you’re likely to find.
But, there’s another huge advantage to pointing your beam down the road.
A beam that is pointed down will not show you any shadows. Shadows are what give you depth perception when it’s dark. So, if you point that beam farther ahead you’ll get a much better feel of the terrain. On a road bike you’re good with one solid light.
I learned all this racing mountain bikes through the night.
On a mountain bike, you much better off with two lights.
My preference is a very powerful wide beam, mounted as low as possible on the bike. This will light up the terrain and cast all kinds of shadows. The second beam is a helmet light. I want this light to be more of a spot light, with a weaker beam than the light on the bike. This spot light allows me to see around corners on single track sooner by turning my head quicker than the handle bars which typically lag. Keeping the beam power down and concentrated on the helmet light allows me to keep seeing all those shadows which so I can quickly adjust to fast changing terrain.
You’ve been enlightened… now go ride your bike Grasshopper.
WHEREVER MY BIKE WANTS TO GO
Nov 18, 2017
by Todd Brown
PETER AND SEAN SPLIT OFF FROM OUR GROUP AT DIFFERENT TIMES THIS MORNING. Each had the same sentiment upon parting, it’s one I share… often, not just on bike rides. Which way are you heading? Wherever my bike wants to go. Peter explained that having no plan is a great way to get to know..
PETER AND SEAN SPLIT OFF FROM OUR GROUP AT DIFFERENT TIMES THIS MORNING. Each had the same sentiment upon parting, it’s one I share… often, not just on bike rides.
Which way are you heading?
Wherever my bike wants to go.
Peter explained that having no plan is a great way to get to know a city. He’s totally right about that. He also shared that sometimes you find something cool… a view or shop of some sort… only to realized you can’t get there the same way by car.
Roads are awesome and efficient, but they also determine the only way you’re going to see the city or the country side. The paths our ancestors laid down, have become wagon trails and then dirt roads and then paved roads and in some cases highways.
And so, we go on seeing the world as they saw it.
We climb Palomar from the South side or the East side, but we’ll never climb it on a bike from the Southeast because there is no road or trail. Sometimes that’s a great thing, sometimes it’s quite stale.
It is what it is… just remember that it is because someone did it that way first.
I’m reminded of this as I’m guided through the history of science in Bill Bryson’s book, The Short History of Nearly Everything. Standout thinkers, such as Newton, ruled thought for generations until a better thinker came along and gave us a new way to understand just what’s going on here.
It is what it is… just remember that it is because someone figured it out that way first.
Which is why it is so fun to go wherever your bike goes… down a sidewalk and through an alley, on a bike trail to secret beach, and so on… you’re guaranteed to find something most of your friends will never know.
It is what it is… because you figured it out, and now it’s all yours.
One of the things I figured out once was what a pleasant place Kaylani’s is to hang out after a bike ride. The ocean breeze is fresh. An occasional train rolls through picking up and dropping off people so different from me in my lycra. Inside, you’ll find a very non-corporate, non-cookie-cutter experience: coffee and pastries and weird “energy” bars and shave-ice.
It is what it is… because a local family figured out just the things people like me and beachgoers are searching for.
If you don’t go wherever the bike wants to go you risk only see the world through a cars eyes. And sometimes, these treasures like Kaylani’s disappear forever.
It is what it is… let’s just hope Starbucks doesn’t move in.
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Save the dates: HUNKR 3/17, 6/9, 11/10 – TMWC 7/10
170.6
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