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JUST BECAUSE IT'S FREE MEANS...

SO MUCH INFORMATION, and so much of it free.  Free is a weird price, because we know it's gonna cost time and there's probably...

... an ask down the road.

Don't be fooled.

Sometimes the really expensive stuff is great,
sometimes it's terrible.

Same for free.

Price is a signal.

Should we be swayed?

I recently got an offer to save 30% on a $6000 frame.

6K!!!...

... must be awesome.

Maybe.

But, how do we know?

Really?

The glossy magazine ad?

The pro riding it to a win?

It can be frustrating.

When it comes right down to it, most of us...

... are swayed by our friends' reviews.

Like these -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/reviews...

... which I'm extremely grateful for.

---

168.3
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
69

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

DOES YOUR DOG BITE?

THE GREAT INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU encounter with a dog is classic.  The dog is off leash, he asks Does your dog bite? The answer is, No.  He bends to pet the dog...

... only to have the dog viciously latch on to his hand!

I thought you said your dog does not bite?

That is not my dog.

I thought about that since Surfergirl has...

  • demanded
  • pleaded
  • asked

... that I let her track me on my rides.

I feel like a dog on a leash.

The Jason Bourne in me wants none of that.

There's nothing to hide,
when I ride.

But, really?

She does have a point.

I often venture into the wild.

Signs with warnings of mountain lions and snakes about.

Trails are often treacherous to the bike, 
and potentially me.

Humans few and far between.

If, if, if I should need a rescue,
which I never have...

... I'll just need two things.

A cell signal...

... and a friend who cares.

It's kinda romantic when ya think about it,
guess we're doing all right. 

---

168.2
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
69

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

HOW MY LITTLE PRACTICE LOOP TOOK ME DOWN

I SET OFF TO POUND MY PRACTICE LOOP.  The profile is jagged, lots of single track, and...

... I'm trying to crack 90 minutes.

Today's failure is why it's so important to practice racing.

Here's the dill.

This course is very hard to stay fueled on...

... almost impossible to drink, forget about eating.

Which meant I was tuckered out, with 4 miles to go.  The last 30ish minutes are pretty dern steep.

With about 20 minute warm up,
winging it on 1/2 bottle and 100 calories was a weak effort.

Just not enough.

Strava called a Massive Relative Effort, 
giving the workout a score of 192.

I'll try it again in a couple of weeks.

This time with 400 calories, 
and 30 ounces of water,
in a Camelbak.

There just isn't time to suck on a bottle,
the bladder hose is easy to grab,
and once in my mouth,
handsfree.

Ya can't figure that out without simulating what ya might be racing...

... in real world conditions.

---

169.1 lbs (dropping some of these will speed things up, too)
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
67

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

SPEED AND BRAKES, NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS

THERE'S A TECHNICAL, ROCKY SECTION on part of a local trail.  First-timers walk it, new riders use a slow approach, locals...

... let it rip.

They know something.

Speed makes it much easier to glide over the the treachery.

It's counterintuitive.

Disc brakes are the same way.

They rub.

We pry 'em apart and reinsert the wheel.

Soon into the ride they are rubbing again.

Why?

The pads are worn out.

You'd think they would stop touch the disc or barely work when running thin.

That's the way rim brakes work when the pads are worn down.

Not discs.

Counterintuitive.

Which why we alwaysalwaysalways check our brake pads before a race...

... so we hit the tricky stuff with speed.

---

167.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
66

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

DO YOU D.H.T.?

 WE MAY NOT BE PRO.  Our equipment may be lacking, our preparation woeful, our  focus far from singular...

... which makes it all the more impressive.

When we, you and me...

... Do Hard Things.

Just like the pros,
but on a whole other level.

They level up,
get a pay check.

Our objective has nothing to do with money, and...

... everything to do with commitment.

Here's the cool part.

People see it.

Our family, friends, work associates, neighbors, etc.

They get inspired.

Maybe not to ride 100 miles or run a marathon or do an Ironman.

Doesn't matter.

The ability to D.H.T. can be applied to anything...

  • changing diapers in the middle of the night
  • studying instead of clubbing
  • making 100 cold calls/day
  • working 80 hrs a week for a season
  • pushing a car off to the side of the road
  • leading volunteers to repair after a disaster strikes

... once we learn we have it within us.

---

169.1 lbs
8.5 hrs sleep
No strength work today
10 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
66

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

WE NEED A METRIC FOR THIS

THE FIRST TIME I SAW SHIMANO'S INTEGRATED SHIFTING, dubbed SIS, I knew there was no chance in a sprint without it.  Sure we'd perfected the lost of art of...

... sprinting, letting go of the handlebars with one hand to shift.

But, what was the point?

It was useless.

Shimano changed the game, all because...

... Gripshift had changed the game.

Gripshift morphed into SRAM.

Shimano gave us electric shifting.

SRAM did it better with wireless.

How is that my new Kindle got me thinking of this?

Simple.

Kindle changes the reading game.

Which got me thinking about another game changer, Training Peaks.

It's pretty cool.

All kinds of data.

But, one metric is missing and would...

... be so funny to have.

A measurement for how bad a ride sucks...

  • Freezing rain
  • Frying pan heat
  • Mile long hike-a-bike
  • Gail force headwinds
  • Countless mechanicals

... indicating our badassness for getting it done,
not quitting.

For example, we rolled the dice this morning on a 38% chance of rain.

No big deal, right?

3 hours in, we face another hour of driving headwind and relentless rain...

... the suckometer was needling past halfway.

  • Hands were edging towards inoperable.
  • Too wet and involved to eat carbs
  • Feet sloshing

Not terrible.

But, somewhere on the ride data it woulda been nice to see...

... the badassometer read out.

Just fer fun.

See where the day's suckiness ranked against other such rides over time.

Time to go back the Kindle...

... under the blankies.

Me still cold.

---

167.9 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
Just pull ups and push ups
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
67 

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

LEARNING TO RIP FROM MARCH MADNESS

BALL AND STICK SPORTS are typically concerned with, and built around, offense and defense.  How do we...

... apply that thinking to our endurance addictitions?

Do we have offense?

Defense?

Yep.

Offense

  • Riding, running swimming time
  • Weight lifting
  • Racing and competitive group rides
  • Upgrading equipment - new, shiny stuff
  • Hiring a coach
  • Fine tuning the bike fit
  • Developing our handling skills

Defense

  • Recovery work
  • Sleep
  • Proper nutrition
  • Accountability partner(s)
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Stretching
  • Allies to work with when falling behind

And before you say I've misplaced one of those, we all know...

... the best defense is offense and visa versa.

That's not the point.

The point is to figure out...

... how to incorporate a great offense and defense in our limited time.

---

167.8 lbs
8.25 hrs sleep
Just pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
62

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

TWO OF LIFE'S MYSTERIES

THERE TWO MYSTERIES THAT SCIENCE can't explain.  AI doesn't have the answer, either. But's they are facts just the same.  For example...

... why do beginners get all the flats?

Riddle me that one LycraMan.

You know it's true.

You know if you invite a new, excitedtobethere, rider along, there's gonna be a flat.

Waywaywayway more often than the experienced riders will experience.

Makes no sense.

Just like why more bike shops don't have a comfy couch to wait for that...

.... just a few more minutes...

repair.

Maybe a coffee table showcasing

  • A colorful catalog of their favorite products
  • Samples of their go to sports drinks or things to chomp
  • Gotta have tools to check out

I was thinking of another mystery as I swapped out my worn disc brake pads...

... why more of us don't learn the basics of maintenance. 

---

168.7 lbs (the struggle is real)
8.25 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
63

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

THE PRIDE CYCLE QUEST

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT YOU'RE PROUD OF?  Could be anything, but let's stay on point with athletic endeavors because it's important...

... to harness this concept.

The Pride Cycle Quest.

It's also dangerous,
if we let it get the best of us.

For me, at least, it's all about the quest.

Can I do it?

And, it's a cycle...

  • Pick the outrageous result to chase
  • Train for it.
  • Do it.

... and pick another quest.

I don't really care if anybody else thinks it's cool,
so few understand us anyway.

It's internal.

Am I proud of that result?

It's only dangerous if we are chasing likes and kudos and cheers...

... from the world.

It's not about that.

It's about the quest.

It's personal.

I'm happiest when I have at least one per year.

That's my cycle of pride.

---

167.9 lbs 
7.25 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
62

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

CHASING GHOSTS

PATHS BECOME TRAILS, trails become roads, roads become highways.  It's evolution, and underneath it all are the ghosts...

... who got it started.

We think we're blazing a trail,
when we are really just going along with the crowd.

I was thinking about the day my longgone granpappy came to watch me race a criterium.

It was all new to me.

We wizzed past him every lap.

But, the laps were long...

... and he could barely see at that stage.

Afterwards, he told me how it was years before, when he was young.

I thought it would be in a velodrome and I'd be able to see you entire race.

Clueless me had no idea velodrome racing was the only bicycle racing 100 years ago.

Prior to that, it was racing bicycles long distance, on dusty...

... gravel roads.

In other words, we gone from...

  • gravel
  • to velodrome
  • to road
  • to bmx
  • to mtb
  • to gravel

... so why is gravel "new"?

It's not.

We're all just chasing ghosts who've gone before.

---

168 lbs 
8.25 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
62

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

THIS AIN'T NO TIME FOR FOOLING AROUND

WHAT IS THE BASELINE?  The minimum effort to do and consider the week a win?  It's important to have the least acceptable effort in mind...

... and make it happen.

Riding in the rain will make you think things like that.

Like, why the heck am I doing this?

Which is exactly what I was thinking as the skies opened an hour away from home.

Because I made a plan.

A public commitment.

Accountability.

Yesterday, in the sunshine and 72 degrees I committed to do the following this week:

  • 15 pull ups, 50 push ups, 10 squats daily
  • Ride 14 hours this week
  • Drop 3 lbs 

Easy to do when the weather is good, 
and the day lazy.

The public commit was to the RaceDay Rippers,
who also hold me accountable each week when we check in.

I'm two months out from my next quest, the SurfNSummit.

The plan is on my RaceDay Calendar. 

Some say Show me your calendar and I'll know what important to you...

... and yes, Date Night better be on there each week.

We have a few of the Giant RaceDay Calendars left, and you can save 25% since a quarter of the year is nearly past by using promo code:

CAL25OFF

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2024-giant-raceday-calendar

Here is the code:

CAL25OFF

Nod to the great Talking Heads for the inspiration

This is ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no time for foolin' around

---

168.9 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
59

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

HOW TO STAY SLOW...

IT'S SUPER EASY TO STAY SLOW, and just as easy to stay fast.  To stay slow, do what your slow friends do and...

... expect to get fast.

The problem with actually getting fast,
nobody gives you credit.

For the most part, they can't see or appreciate, and will never know...

... how hard we work.

And, we've got to be okay with that.

To commence,
recognition be damned.

To be fast, do what you fast friends do...

... and expect to get fast.

Do.
Expect.

---

168.4 lbs 
7.5 hrs sleep
Push Ups and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
58

Rip On Raceday

 


>

WWDGD?! - 25 WEEKS TO GO

I FELT GOOD ENOUGH THIS WEEK TO DREAM of getting my fitness back and setting unrealistic goals.  Is there anything better than that?  Getting to a place to...

... dare to go for it.

After pushing hard for nearly 3 hours, we had a choice.

Take it easy or do the hurtful climb?

500' in a mile doesn't sound like much...

... unless it's the last climb of a fast day.

We were gonna skip it, and then Love Watts yelled...

... WWDGD!

Huh?

What Would David Goggins Do?!

There was no choice at that point, because all of us have streeeeeeeeetch goals this summer.

It was fine.

Slower than I'd like...

... but, compared to last week waywayway better.

And so the journey begins.

The countdown to Gravel Nationals.

Here's where I'm at.

You can see my fitness score at the very bottom.
Down from over 50%, 18 months ago.

Weight, 168ish.
Up 10 lbs, 18 months ago.

Vision is still messed up.
Way off from what I considered one of my few advantages racing off road.

Can I be ready September 8th, 2024?

It's gonna be fun, 
and frustrating.

WWDGD?

Go for it.

Every
single
freakin'
opportunity.

---

168.2 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
60

Rip On Raceday


>

WHEN THE RACE PLAN GOES TO HECK IN A HANDLEBAR

IT WAS A ROUGH START, things weren't going smoothly at all.  It was causing a lot of stress and internal turmoil.  Energy I'd hoped to reserve for...

... more important sections of the event.

Ayyyy, what to do?

What I always do... 

... but, forget to do.

Think of of the things going right...

  • I felt good
  • I'd started on time
  • My prep was perfect

... other words be grateful for the good.

My energy shifted.

I calmed down.

Focused on getting down to business.

Wound up having a spectacular day...

... at the office.

Tomorrow's race should go a lot better, and if it doesn't...

... I know what to do.

---

168.2 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery 
600 minutes reading + Journaling 
56

Rip On Raceday


>

YOU INSURED FOR THAT?

WELL, THE BILLS ARE COMING and I'm thinking about you and me.  For years I've looked at health insurance as lame. Struggled mentally, sometimes economically...

... to pay that everlarger bill.

Why?

I never get sick.

Rarely, and I mean rarely, do I see a doctor.

I'm already doing all they would recommend to get better...

  • eat good
  • skip sugar
  • get plenty of rest
  • and workout regularly

... why would I spend the $ on insurance?

It feels like I'm being duped.

Well, there are these events called...

... accidents.

They happen,
and are almost completely unplanned.

So, yeah, my bills are coming in and I'm happy as being at the to of the podium at my A race...

... 'cause it looks like almost all of it covered.

Sucks to be out 1000s...

... but, way better than being out 100s of thousands.

Just putting this out there 'cause I love you...

... get covered, if ya ain't.

====

Side Note:  has anybody tried insurance for bike like BikeInsure?  Asking for myself, just found out about 'em

---

167.2 lbs 
7.8 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
56

 


>

DO YOU LET POWER OR HR DETERMINE YOUR HARD VS EASY DAYS?

I HADN'T WORN MY HR MONITOR FOR DAYS.  It wasn't working consistently, so I left it parked in the drawer. Until today, I gave it a shot and it actually worked...

... it got me thinking about the levels of easy.

There's so easy...

  • I can barely feel the pedals
  • I can sing a song
  • I can easily talk
  • I am not sure

... and maybe a few more levels.

My goal today was to ride as close to the top of my Zone 2 as possible, without going over...

... the I'm not sure range.

I wasn't sure, because my heart rate was bouncing at the top of the range.  Meanwhile...

... my power was definitely over into a higher range quite often.

This is how I trained for decades, when I just had a HR monitor.

What's more important then...

... HR in Zone 2 or Power in Zone 2?

I'm gonna say, for me at least, HR is more important.  It is more reflective of how all systems are working given the effort and absorbs the little efforts when the terrain or other elements require a few more watts.

Here's a real world application.

When I'm racing something epic, like Leadville, I'm going off heart rate for my pacing, and using the power meter to keep things in check when I have to dig a little deeper to close a gap or clean a technical uphill section.

The reality is, for peak performance on the long efforts...

... it's good to have both.

If it's a short race, under an hour, well, you know...

... put the dadgum gadget in the back pocket and race on feel.

Same for a long day of adventuring, who cares about the data when we're out there.

Enjoy the ride.

We can analyze later.

---

168. lbs 
7.8 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
57

Rip On Raceday


>

SHOULD WE DO A HUNDRED RACES IN A YEAR?

YA WANNA GET GOOD, be a boss, strike fear in your frenemies, be the maker of things that happen...

... instead of wondering what happened?

Race.

A lot more.

100 times/year.

Think I'm crazy?

Think it's immmm po siiiiii ble?

Then don't do it.

Don't even try.

Keep wonderin',
misreading the moves.

Or, commit.

Do:

  • 2 zwifties 
  • 2 local races
  • 2 group rides 
  • 2 of your own personal courses for PR

We all have 52 chances a year,
to race twice a week.

No excuses.
Nothing but upside.

Heck, even a brain-damaged guy like me can do it.  

This week...

  • hammering my xc race loop Tuesday
  • group ride on weekend

... slaying myself today, getting crushed by the fellas Saturday.

Gotta start somewhere.
Gonna do what hurts and what I'm comfortable with.

Twice a week.

Oh... I know you're askin'...

... Why 100 times a year?

Because, every race is different.  

We'll see a lot of different situations.  

We're trying to see 'em all, or have a reallyreallyreally good feel for what is going to happen.

Simple as that.

Experience counts.

Get some.

It's free.

---

168.6 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
55

Are you ready to Rip On Raceday?


>

NOT GONNA LIE

WHEN I FINALLY CAME TO, I had one thing on my mind.  Not after first being knocked out, not after the morphine and other meds wore off, days after being home...

... I wanted to say one thing.

Not gonna lie.

I was hurting.

Stunned.

How could my crazy good health take such a drastic turn in seconds...

... this wasn't what I had planned for 2024.

8 weeks later, I'm improving.

I'd leave it there, but...

... not gonna lie.

I'm nowhere near where I was just prior, nor 12 months ago, nor 2 years ago.

I'm off.

I can work 4-5 hours,
then my brain needs a break.

I can ride my bike,
but I have no power,
off-road vision is shift.

I can talk to friends,
until I can't.

Something even more weird happened though.

Something few will admit or acknowledge or maybe even notice...

... when I took that blow to the noggin' it felt like my spirit left my body.

There's a disconnectedness.

I know things aren't quite right.

Will they return or is life just going to be different?

Not gonna lie...

... this is new territory.

Now, I'm being as honest and transparent as possible in all I do.

My friend battling cancer taught me that,
the freedom of being honest.

Yes, I hid it from Surfergirl that on one of my first bike rides alone I was going down the road and thought I saw 4 ducks crossing the road in front of me...

... it was just two,
that's troubling.

Not gonna lie.

I kept riding.

Lying to myself it was all good,
hiding the truth if asked.

What is easier, being honest with ourselves and those around us or pulling the lycra over our eyes and theirs?

To remind myself of my new commitment...

... I made a special kit, see above.

That's the kind of thing I was looking forward to in 2024.

New designs, 
new patterns,
new fabrics.

The good newsy stuff.

If you're into the rawness of honesty, maybe you'll like this too.

It's patterned after one of my all-time favorite Porsche's.

Check the full kit here:  https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ngl-collection

Use this promo code on this kit to save 30%: NGL30

Code expires on 3.15.24.

---

168.6 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
54

Rip On Raceday

 


>

HE SWITCHED TEAM, AND IT...

TODAY AN AMERICAN WON PARIS-NICE, an 8-Day stage race in France.  A youngun, 25 years old.  He'd never done it before, and wasn't picked as a favorite...

... except he picked himself.

A long time ago.

When riding for a less professional, less scientific team he was spending his own cash on equipment and training to up his game.

Something the top teams covered and pursued relentlessly.

He jumped at the chance to upgrade to the current dominant force in European road racing this season.

Would it matter?

I'd say it is clear.

What's interesting is how many of are trapped like a monkey...

... failing to let go, when we know we should.

Not only did he upgrade his team and training, but placed a huge bet on himself in a daring and startling breakaway with fellow US racer Brandon McNulty.

When you are a pro...

... winning actually is everything.

Way to go Mateo Jorgenson.

---

168.4 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
20 minutes reading + Journaling 
53

Rip On Raceday



 


>

HOW TO GET FASTER FOR DUMMIES

APPARENTLY, LOVE WATTS FORGOT our commitment to go easy on the way up the coast.  Which meant we had time to do the biggest climb I've done this year...

... 2 hours and 2000' of climbing for our "warm up".

At the usual time, riders flocked in and we were off.

It felt good to do my first group ride of the year...

  • to see the guys
  • get whooshed along
  • and see some higher power numbers

... until the first overpass.

Where I was off the back.

Caught on at a light.

Off again.

On again.

My breathing and wheezing needed a muffler.

On the next power climb, normally 2ish minutes...

... I needed an extra minute or three.

They were gone.

Yeah, they are nowhere near as fast as I am...

... they're a heckuvalot faster.

Am I good with that?

Yeah, they've always been faster than lit'l ol' me.

Now I just need patience to close the gap to where...

... they are less faster.

So, here's the plan that I've used many a year...

... pick a spot beyond where I got popped today.

Make it just a little further each week.

Corner by corner,
Hill by hill.

Progress > Perfection

--- 

167.6 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
54

 


>

IT WAS ABOUT THE TRUTH, NOT ARMS RACE

I HATE TIMETRIALS.  I mean, I like 'em, but, yeah, I hate 'em.  It's not because I'm not great at 'em, and trust me I'm not.  It's because...

... they hurt so dang bad.

Not only that, it's...

  • lonely
  • painful
  • humbling

... is there anything more truthful than getting passed by your minute man?

No drafting.
No wily cunning.

Nothing matters except...

... who is the strongest,
and who can suffer the most.

Oh, wait, one more thing matters...

... who's got the most money to afford the most advanced gear.

When everything tiny thing adds time and seconds matter...

... it can turn into an arms race.

I'm okay with that to a point.

Butttttttttt, don't ya think participation would rise...

... if we raced Merckx-style?

At least at the amateur level?

On our road bikes vs tt bikes?
With road helmets?
And "normal" road wheels?
And... you get the point right?

As much as I hate/love a tt, I truly appreciated Tucson Bicycle Classic for making their tt be done on road bikes the last to years.

It's just a lot more fair/approachable/inviting...

... and equally miserable for all.

That's the truth.

Side note:  I think I love XC MTB racing because it's basically a mass start time trial.  The terrain naturally and quickly separates us.  

--- 

168.4 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
51

 

 


>

WERE YOU AS DORKY AS THIS?

WHEN I WAS JUST GETTING INTO THE SPORT, I was such a dork.  A small percentage of you will disagree, maybe even swear at me, but nothing says...

... stay clear, like a mirror.

I know, I know, some of us are damaged and can't look over our shoulders.

Too stiff,
crap balance.

I was neither of those.

I was a spry young newb.

Excited to ride and race.

And my girlfriend of the time wanted to get me something cool.

I quickly mounted the mirror to the end of my handlebar - see pic above.

I thought it was rad.

Perfect for the high speeds and shoulder banging of crit racing,
which I loved.

Rather than turn my head and telegraph my plans,
I could take a peek at my mirror.

Nobody else thought it was cool...

... and they made an obnoxious and clear point of it.

If my hairy legs,
questionable bike handling,
roadrashed arms and legs weren't a give away...

... the mirror, made it clear.

I was not to be trusted in the bunch.

Here's the dill.

They were right.

Because let's face it, anybody focused on the past...

... doesn't have a shot at a winning future.

--- 

167.8 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
50


>

I DON'T ALWAYS RIDE IN THE RAIN...

I COULD SEE THE STORM BREWING.  Like a crazy fool, I rolled out anyway even though I was certain to...

... get caught in the rain.

Trust me, I am a fair weather rider.

Gimme 70 degrees,
and a lite breeze.

So why ride?

Two reasons.

One embarrassing.
One legit...

  • Poorly executed work day
  • It rains on raceday
  • Commitment

Yeah, I had all this work scheduled and a timeline to follow....

... and, well, ya know, things didn't go as planned.

That's 1.

Since it does rain on raceday, and I've never let that stop me from lining up...

... it's good to practice from time to time.

That's 2.

And I committed to myself to get my slothful self back in shape.

That's 3, a bonus.

So which one's embarrassing?

  • crap planning
  • useless prep
  • silly commitment

Well, I dunno about you...

... but, I'm cool with

  • keeping my commitments,
  • being prepared for all conditions,
  • even when things don't go as planned.

--- 

167.4 lbs 
7ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
50

 


>

IT FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME!

I WOULD CLIMB ANY MOUNTAIN, ride across the stormy sky.  It seemed like I'd waited a lifetime, spent so much time in recovery...

... it felt like the first time!

The MTB.

Like it never did before,
like I'd opened up the door.

Finally!

What is it?

I guess it's just the rawness of nature,
bringing out the rider in me.

Dawgawn I'd missed it.

Carving turns,
wiggling up technical sections,
brushing the thistles,
hanging my lycra off the back in the steeps.

Why today?

Well, to be honest, today was a breakthrough on my vision.

The double-vision I've been dealing with was greatly diminished.

Partly time.
Partly exercises for my eyes.

One of you loyal readers,
one of us,
took the time to share with me a gift for everyone.

Tools for increasing our eyesight,
the kind we need to quickly assess the best way to rip it up off road (on road, too).

You can check the tool out here: https://www.readbetweenthelions.org.  Go to the K-12 program.

It's free.

Thanks Rick!

Makes me wonder what else we can learn from each other?

Speak up y'all!

Let's get betterfasterstronger...

... together.

Have you checked out https://pedalindustries.com/pages/rip-on-raceday-network?

(yeah, this post is a nod to Foreigner)

--- 

168.2 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

WHADAYA THINK OF UNDULATING TERRAIN?

WE HAVE SOME WEIRD LINGO.  Have you ever heard any body, ever, use the phrase undulating terrain?  Why would they?  When you're motor-powered...

... who cares about the terrain!

Human-powered,
totally different story.

Every bump in the road and trail counts.

The longer we're out there,
the more it counts.

Sooooooooo...

... whadaya think of undulating terrain?

Do you love it?

Or, do you prefer...

  • flat
  • downhill
  • tailwinds
  • straight up
  • headwinds

... lots choices when we roll out.

Me?

Well.

There are times when I'd give my chamois pad for a flat road with a tailwind.

Days when I feel so amazing I just wanna climb and climb and climb.

But, faced with a choice...

... give me undulating.

Ups.
Downs.
Lots a turns.

That's the ride I choose.

--- 

169.2 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

ACTION WINS EVERY TIME

WHY WAS IT SO MIND BLOWING?  Yesterday's Strade Bianchi race was so shocking to me.  Because, to me, all the pundits...

... missed the point.

Sure, the favorite won.

This was the inspiring part...

  • he told everybody where he'd attack in advance of the race
  • made a decisive attack 81 km from the finish
  • never looked back
  • and won

... who wouldn't want to be able to do that?

What blew my mind 
was what the talking heads missed.

This athlete,
is a racer of action.

He had a plan,
and went for it.

Could it have failed?
Most definitely.

Could he have looked foolish?
For sure.

Could he have lost the race outright?
Absolutely.

Did he?
No.

Because he took action.

You miss 100% of shots you don't take.
- Wayne Gretzky

--- 

167.2 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
No strength work today.
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

QUESTION: IS THIS A HIGH DEMAND SPORT?

I WAS LISTENING TO SOME GUYS ARGUE about whether or not was their religion was high demand, and it got me thinking is ours?  Are endurance sports...

... high demand?

Yes.
No.

For me, and maybe for you, too...

... its high demand.

Just consider...

  • Training
  • Fueling
  • Resting

... these are the biggies.

They are priceless,
in a sense.

Which is why the are so easy to screw up,
and so misunderstood by lookers on.

We can't put...

  • Training time
  • Good fueling choices
  • Proper sleep and recovery

... on a credit card.

We've got to demand it from ourselves...

... but, is it really demanding when we love the results?

--- 

166.2 lbs 
7 hrs sleep
No strength work today.
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

THE UNCORKED ZONE

 

IF YOU'RE INTO HOT RODS, then you know what uncorked means.  In simple terms, all that junk that keeps the exhaust quiet and lawful is chucked...

... giving us that ultra loud and mean sound.

We have that racing and training, too.

And, if we're smart, we only hit it every so often.

You know what I'm talking about, right?

Zone 2 is corked.

  • easy to breathe
  • talk while riding
  • and go forever.

Today was not Zone 2.
I was uncorked, a bit.

Allowing myself for the first time in 2 months to stretch the legs was amazing.

The accompanying wheezing and gasping for air…

… I don’t know if it was hot rod mean, but it was loud.

Hadn’t heard that in too long…

… ain’t gonna hear for 5 or so days.

Time to add some intensity the smart way.

Polarized.

If ya wanna solid refresher on this approach,
take a listen to this: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-fast-podcast-triathlon-ironman-cycling-coaching/id1400770015?i=1000596124366

Simply, 80-90% of our training should sound like a Tesla...

... cruising through the neighborhood.

That way we are fresh and ready to get after it like the pic above.

Let the rubber...

...  burn, baby burn.

--- 

166.9 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
No strength work today.
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
56

 


>

RESULTS DON'T MEAN SHIFT

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ON THE JOURNEY, but I can tell ya this: whether you're just starting out, coming back from injury, at the top of your game, you're gonna fail...

... if results count.

Trust me on this.

I'm rebuilding.

My fitness is shift.
the skills, off.

I've been at the top and the bottom and there is one reason I was able to climb to max fitness and performance...

... I don't care about results.

I mean I do,
but they aren't the motivator.

Optimizing my ability,
having a blast.

Way more important.

Results are nice.

If they are everything... 

... quitting, giving up, and failure is on the horizon.

Don't let that happen.

How?

Relax.

We can't see...

... the great results in the making.

They're coming.

Guaranfreakingteed.

--- 

166.9 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
57 


>

ARE WE REALLY DOING THIS?

FOSTER GRANTS ASKED ME Are we really doing this? What kinda question is that...

... Dern straight we're doing it!

Was he hoping we weren't?

Was he doubtful we could do it?

By we, I mainly mean me.

Could you?

I mean, we're gonna have a brain damaged grampa who's been off the bike for months do it...

... can you keep up?

Finish?

What's he referring to?

Oh, just the most life changing ride in Southern California...

  • 100+ miles
  • 15,000+' of vertical gain

... some might consider it hard.

Others a challenge.

Most an adventure of a lifetime.

So, if you wanna support the old sack a lycra,
if outrageous calls to your soul...

... sign up.

It's free.
and fun.

Click here for deets and pics.

--- 

167.4 lbs (safe to say, it's time to get seriouser)
9 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
57 

Rip On Raceday

 


>

HOW NOT WHAT

LEARNING TO RIDE A BIKE is filled with excitement, fear, and lots of scrapes and bruises.  We press through because everyone we see on a bike...

... has a great big smile.

We want that,
the teacher wants it for us.

Finally we get it.

And, at least in my case, it stopped there.

Hall-ah-freakin-lu-yah!

What
and when
and who with

... were left up to me.

I'll be forever grateful for learning how...

... and the freedom to do it my way.

--- 

168.2 lbs (safe to say, it's time to get seriouser)
8ish hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
56 

Rip On Raceday


>

YOU DON'T NEED AN ALARM CLOCK TO WAKE UP, YOU NEED...

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES I HAVE with our local morning group ride is that it starts at 6:30am.  If it was out my front door...

... not that hard.

It's not.

Takes me 50ish minutes to ride to the start,
which means I'm up at 5am.

Also...

... not that hard.

However, getting to bed at 9...

... is not my standard.

I'm more of a 930-10pm guy.

Therefore, if I don't hit the hay early...

... I'm foggy, at best, the rest of day.

Plus, slower on the bike.

Oh, there's a long list of shift that results from lack of sleep.

What's an athlete to do?

Before I tell, 
you are forewarned...

... this won't make you popular.

You might lose touch with friends, 
or lose them altogether.

We all have a choice...

... live our best lives or live a lower version.

This allows to tap into our superpower...

... set you alarm clock for bedtime.

Every.
Single.
Night.

Or suffer the consequences:

  • Inhibited ability to perform
  • Decreased handling skills
  • Quicker exhaustion
  • Decreased reaction time
  • Difficulty learning and decision making
  • Increased risk of injury
  • Increased risk for illness
  • Poor recovery
  • Memory issues
  • Weight gain
  • Poor balance
  • ... Low sex drive

Like I said,
it might be socially unpopular but...

... wouldn't you rather operate at your optimum?

I would.

---

166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

MILEMARKERS FOR DUMMIES

ONE OF THE KEYS TO RIPPING LONG RACES is remembering where you are.  Yeah, you're racing.  Yeah, you're clicking off the miles.  But...

... where the heck are you?

And, there's more than that.

  • Are you on track?
  • When is the next stop?
  • Does your support know when to expect you?

So, I always write down on a piece of tape with a sharpie my goals to be at certain locations at certain times...

... and stick it on my top tube.

This keeps all of us coordinate.

More importantly,
it keeps me focused.

The long races, 6+ hours, can be grueling.
They can wear us down to the point...

... of forgetting why we even signed up in the first place.

Looking down at the humble piece of tape,
seeing my goals...

  • engages my mind
  • re-centers my effort
  • keeps me on the pace

... snaps me back to the present moment.

I don't just use this practice for racing...

... I write down everything I plan to do,
and when I plan to have it done.

---

166.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No strength work
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

IS IT HABIT OR RITUAL?

THE SATURDAY MORNING RIDE.  We work all week, and with a little planning and luck we carve out some time to ride.  In the beginning...

... it takes some discipline.

Not the riding.

The commitment.

We are working to establish a habit.
For the most part, a good one.

But, that changes over time.

It becomes a ritual.

  • A set time to leave
  • An expected amount of time to be gone
  • The proper dress code observed
  • A dedicated place to meet
  • A consistent slaying of trails, gravel, pavement
  • A flogging of the sinners who are not as fit as they shouldcould be.

Yep, this is our ritual.
Our practice.
Our faith.

We made the jump.

We are far beyond
discipline and habit.

---

166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
12-0 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

WHAT DOES AI SAY ABOUT TRAINING METHODS USED 100 YEARS AGO?

I PINGED CHAT GTP AND SEVERAL OTHER AI regarding training methods of Belgians 100 years ago.  Why not?  A lot of knowledge is refined, regurgitated or plain ol' forgotten...

... maybe there's something to be rediscovered?

Oddly?
or, maybe not.

The answers across the AI were eerily similar.

I say eerily because who wants to live in a silo?

Anyway, 
here's the bottom line:

It’s important to note that these training methods were not as scientific or structured as they are today. Cyclists often relied on their own experience and intuition to guide their training. However, despite the lack of modern technology and scientific understanding, many Belgian cyclists were able to achieve impressive results using these methods.

Shocking!
I mean, shocking?

When it comes right down to it, is there anything better than...

... relying on our own experience and intuition to guide our training?

I don't think so.

Not when were really into it,
when we really know our bodies.

Me, for instance, I'm rebuilding my fitness.

I realized what a distraction it is to look at the data pouring across my little Wahoo screen.

  • Maybe I should put out more power?
  • Gosh, my heart rate is ____!
  • I've only gone X miles?

So, I fire up the Wahoo,
put it in my jersey pocket.

Time to ride on just experience and intuition...

... same thing I do when racing.

---

166.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

THE MOST HUMBLING RACE OF MY LFE

MY PAL PETE AND I DECIDED WE WERE REALLY FIT and that we could do anything with just a hint of training.  Racing bikes was kina ho-hum...

... so we signed up for a 10k running race.

We were so arrogant,
we rode our bikes 15 miles to the start.

We lined up in the back, 
because, you know, we were going to
squash these runners.

Gun goes off.

We quickly move forward.

Up to the top 50-100.

Really running.
Hard.

Suddenly, I notice I'm breathing way too loud.

Uh-oh.

My legs hurt,
my hips hurt,
everything hurts.

And, I'm moving backwards quickly.

Chubby guy cruises by.

Oldish lady...

... did she elbow me out of the way?

Kids are skipping and laughing and disappearing up the road.

But, it was the guy in flip flops who said...

... Hang in there, only 3 more miles...

... that really did me in.

Here's the dill.

On the outside, at the start,
looking at these racers,
I would have bet $10,000 on me and Pete.

Looking at competitors is a poor way to pass judgement...

... it's the inside, the heart, that counts.

 ---

166.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

I KNOW YOU'RE NOT A LOSER LIKE THIS CAT

I was going to post this and then I went for a ride and decided it was too mean, whadaya think?... 

THERE ARE THREE MAIN THINGS LOSERS DO.  I say losers, in this case, meaning they are literally losing out.  If they persist, then, yeah...

... the other kind.

It always surprises me when people make these very basic mistakes.

Even if they are new, 
I find it,
perplexing.

I think you do, too.

Because, for us,
it's just second nature.

Probably because we have learned the hard way.

Not only that, we try and pass this basic knowledge along to every new rider we can.

Still, they...

  • Forget gear when going to a ride or race
  • Completely foul up their nutrition and bonk
  • Neglect the bike prep only to have mechanical difficulty

... and, we shake our heads.

They are losing out on a more excellent ride.

We deal with it,
they are our friends.

However, if it persists one of two things is gonna happen...

  • We don't invite them any more
  • We leave them behind

... because, well, you know they are....

How's that for setting up a shameless plug on why we do what we do?

  • The RaceDay Bag™ has a built in checklist to make sure we bring everything
  • It comes with a RaceDay Bike Check List, too, so bike is properly prepped
  • And an insane Never Forget Anything guarantee.

... that way my friends are always invited,
and never left behind.

 ---

166.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

I USED TO LOVE RAINY DAYS

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN RAINY DAYS were awesome.  Mostly, around here, it meant nobody was riding.  Not me, not anybody else.  Which was perfect...

... if I couldn't ride anyway.

You see the selfishness right?

If I can't ride,
I'm stoked you can't either.

It means nobody is getting in the secret miles.

But, that's hardly true these days.

It's not the trainers,
those have been around forever.

It's the virtual racing,
that is a game changer.

In fact, I know plenty of people who do a fair amount of their riding virtually.

  • It's available 24-7
  • Not hampered by weather
  • All the social connections of a group ride (with right equipment).

Can you blame them?

I can't.

But, I still blame the weather for my own lack of getting it done.

 ---

166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

CODDLED VS THROTTLED?

YEAH, THE RECOVER IS GOING PRETTY GOOD.  Spoke to my neuroscientist pal, who confirmed my suspicions.  It's good news for me...

... is it good news for you?

Well, yeah, if you taking the Rip On RaceDay 30-Day Challenge.

If you're not, then sit up and pay attention.

Here's what he said.

You're probably doing so well because...

  • you're exercising every day
  • not eating bread
  • staying away from grains
  • not drinking diet drinks or artificial sweeteners
  • eating plenty of veggies and protein
  • getting outside in the sunshine
  • lifting weights
  • getting plenty of sleep, 9-10 or more hours

... right?

I sheepishly said Yes.

Which was mostly true.

But, I gotta cut out all grains and all bread, even my beloved chips and salsa and special sour dough bread.  I've backslid on the diet drinks, those gotta go.  Other than that, I'm mostly on track.

Main thing I need to add is a lot more fish oil.  
Not a problem, I love sardines.

in other words, it's time to practice ALL that I preach.

So, how're you doing?  Yes, you my loyal reader.  How. Are. You. Doing?

Could you tighten things up a bit?

Or, do you need a serious crack in the head like I got to up your game?

Which brings me back to the title of this post, Coddled vs. Throttled?

Here's the dill, for me...

... I prefer to be throttled.

Put me on a ridiculously difficult course, in with the heavy hitters, tell me the honesttogosh truth...

... make me suffer!

Then, and only then, I might merit some coddling.

Maybe it's time for a serious challenge...

... and little coddling 30 days later?

Rip On RaceDay 30-Day Challenge

 ---

165.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

I WONDER IF GIRLS DO THIS?

FOR THE MOST PART, we are a healthy lot.  We skip cigars, pass up the bars.  Well, then, where's a cyclist to go to share our struggles, solve our problems...

... shoot the shift?

Dudes,
we ride together...

... and we share, solve and shoot.

That's where we get it done.

What about the lady riders?

Where are they bonding and supporting?

There are so few of them, 
mostly they ride with guys...

... don't think I've ever see an all, or mostly, female group ride.

Is that why so few ladies ride, compared to men?

Are they missing what the guys are getting?

Is that the main reason guys ride?

 ---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

Are You Ready For A Hero's Journey?

I DID A POLE OF THE RACEDAY RIPPERS.  I asked them If they had to pick just one bike what would it be?  They had 4 options to pick from.  What would you answer be...

... you need the options first.

Here they are:

  • Road
  • MTB
  • Gravel
  • One of Each (acceptable though hard to explain to family and friends)

It came down to a tie between two options, evenly split.

33% for each.

Gravel and One of Each.

Why?

Well, what would your choice be?

Back to Why?

I think it comes down the basic human nature...

... we want to go on a journey.

Not just any journey.

One where we are heroic,
in our own minds at least.

That, I think, is the true appeal of "gravel" (such a dumb name)...

... the appeal of a bike that can handle mixed surfaces.

On that type of bike we have incredible freedom combined with the high likelihood of finding ourselves...

... in place far, far away from our predictable existence.

With luck we'll...

  • Shed some blood without breaking bones.
  • Find out we can do much more than we thought.
  • Gain new confidence, skill, and special experience.

... acquire our own superpowers.

Is it any wonder these bikes and events with mixed surfaces are exploding?

 ---

164.8 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

WHAT TO ASK A PROSPECTIVE COACH

THINKING OF GETTING A COACH?  Good.  You can get better faster by learning from an expert.  Be it a book, a video, a podcast.  Only a human can...

... answer this question.

The answer will instantly tell you if this relationship is gonna work out.

After small talk, after the coach's spiel, when the conversation stalls...

... ask this:

If we were meeting 3 years from now, looking back, what has to happen for you to be happy with my progress?

Trust me, conversation is gonna stay stalled.

Don't say a thing.

Wait for the answer.

Listen to what is said.

Ask yourself...

... Is this the kind of person I want to have a relationship with?

That's it.

I've used the question many times over the years, usually when hiring somebody.  There are lots of variations.

It works.

Learned it from the great Dan Sullivan.

---

162.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
150 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

How To Build Volume 101

IMAGINE YOU'RE STARTING FROM ZERO.  How do you build volume? Are there rules of thumb?  When do you introduce intensity?  Does it matter?...

... can you wing it?

Good questions.

Short answers:

  • Build volume as fast as you can, which isn't going to be very fast if you are starting from zero.
  • There are no rules of thumb, it's ruled by legs and lungs.  Do what you can.
  • Introduce intensity as soon as you want, it ain't going to be much.
  • Yes, it matters.

Long answer.

There are a number of good books on the subject.  Anything by Joe Friel will give you a good plan.  

You don't need a power meter, mainly because you're will not be putting out much power early on.  

But, you do need a heart rate monitor.

In the beginning of the first rides, the heart rate monitor will be exciting.  Then after a few miles, it will dim.  Reality will set in as that heart rate gets lower and lower because you have no stamina built up.  After a few weeks or months, the HR monitor will serve as a governor...

... holding you back.

This is good.

Because if you're tired, you can't do intensity properly.

Introduce the intensity one day per week.  

Don't look at the HR monitor too much, instead get after it.  Could be a group ride you want to desperately hang on to, a Zwift session with same obsession, or simply chasing that mystical PR you want to breatk.

Check the HR data when the ride is over.

Important answer:

  • Pick an event far in the future - you need time.
  • Set an insane goal.
  • Get registered.

Nothing exceptional will come with your training without a date with destiny...

... that's paid for!

---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

Do I Really Love It This Much?

SO, IT'S GONNA WIND UP BEING 8 WEEKS OFF THE BIKE since the noggin took a hit.  If I do the ol' traditional math, that's 8 X 3 (weeks to get back the fitness for every 1 week off the bike)...

... 24 weeks, errrr 6 months?

That's hella long time.

The big question is...

... do I love it that much?

And by it, I do not mean the obvious...

... riding my bike.

I mean being in shape and the...

... feeling of being fast.

If I'm being honest, and I always am with you...

... I've forgotten what that feels like.

Surfgirl said Let's go on a ride today...

... and I jumped at the chance to ride with her support.

How'd it go?

Well, even though I was on my MTB...

... I still easily dropped her.

Nothing new there.

What was new was how hard I had to work to catch her,
huffing and puffing and legs burning...

... at a pace I recall doing for hours, endlessly.

This time it was for about 2 minutes.

Was I surprised?
Disappointed?

Let's just say I laughed out loud when I saw what Training Peaks was showing for my fitness.

37.

Yep, nearly 100 points lower than my all time max fitness just 18 months ago.

Lesson:  fitness disappears, fast.

Lesson:  I'm gonna bring it back, patiently (not my superpower, but a lesson to learn).

Who's in?

---

164.8lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

TOP REASONS NOT TO LIFT WEIGHTS

THERE IS A LOT OF BANTER about weight training.  We should do it in the off-season, shy away from in the race season.  Frankly...

... I couldn't disagree more.

Weight training is for those who want:

  • stronger bones
  • to build muscle
  • put out more power
  • improved core strength
  • better grip strength

Who want's that?

Year round?

Oh,
well,
me.

You?

Top 3 exercises we should all be doing?

Takes just a few minutes to do a set.

Very little equipment needed: pull up bar, some dumbbells...

... or skip the minor investment.

  • have weak bones
  • look like a T-Rex
  • less power
  • weaker core
  • pathetic grip

It's your body...

... and I'm just a dude, not a doctor!

 ---

164.8lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

CONFIDENCE, WHO'S RESPONSIBILITY IS IT ANYWAY?

IN GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH THE LATEST BREAKING CYCLNG NEWS, I saw an article title and it's bugged me ever since.  Maybe I'm heartless, from a different generation...

... or maybe this guy is just weak.

The title of the article is, They Lost Faith In Me.

Honestly, I can't believe I even bothered to read it.

But, after a week of it percolating as a top article...

... it got me like a slow moving train wreck.

As expected, featured racer blamed his lack of success on the team losing faith in him.

Bro, it's not the team's job to have faith in you.
They are paying you.
Faith is there.

That's my first reaction.

Bro, them's fighting words.
Now go prove 'em wrong.
Create the failth.

Earn it.

That's my second reaction.

What happened to good ol'...

... if it's to be, it's up to me!?

Or... 

... fake it, 'till ya make it!?

In the end, I couldn't decide if I should feel sorry for a grown man having such a pathetic excuse...

... or be ticked off that such lameness made the front page.

Bottom line,
like it or not...

... it's our responsibility to be confident,
and to infect all those around us with such assuredness.

Life,
racing,
everything...

... is more fun, and, oh, ah, successful!

 ---

162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

WHAT HAPPENS IN SIN CITY...

THERE ARE SINS, and then there are things we personally consider sins.  Either way, 'Vegas promise that what happens in 'Vegas stays in 'Vegas...

... is a big fat lie.

Not a big deal.

We are only letting ourselves,
and those we committed to...

... down.

For example, the second Friday in January is known as Quitter's Day because by then...

... most people have thrown in the towel on their resolutions.

Like I said, 
not a big deal...

... unless you want to
improve,
make changes,
stay true to what matters.

If that's on the line,
we can't afford to sin,
and if we do we've got to...

... repent right away, 
and keep moving forward.

So,
how are those resolutions doing?

I had two:

  • Get to bed around 9,
    start day before 6.
  • Get back to race weight,
    under 163.

The only reason I'm mostly on track is due to putting myself in the hospital on Jan 8th...

  • appetite disappeared
  • needed a lot more sleep

... otherwise, I'd be struggling.

Which is better than quitting.
A lot better.

Struggling,
good.
Repenting,
good.
Never quitting,
Best.

Keep up the good fight.

 ---

162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

THE RACERS CREED

WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT, we stand for a few things.  And, it matters.  Because this is...

... how we roll.

The Racer's Creed

  • Access to bicycles - and anything that makes you stronger and better - should be unlimited.
  • Always yield to the In Real Life Imperative.
  • All racing should be free.
  • Mistrust tradition, government recommendations - promote bro-science.
  • Racers should be judged by their racing, not by bogus criteria like KOMs, USAC Category, age, color or gender.
  • You can be free and forever young on a bicycle.
  • Bicycles change your life for the better.

Agree or Disagree?
Lemmeknow.

 ---

165.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups, presses, squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

IT AIN'T EVERY DAY YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THIS

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED RIDING?  For most of us, it was a magical time.  Each ride a little further, a little faster.  Each effort...

... a little easier.

No wonder we got hooked.

Still, 
some wonder off.

Is it because the day comes when going further, faster, with less effort is no longer predictable?

Shoot, forget predictable...

... sometimes those days have months between them.

Even years.

I can tell you this, as I impatiently wait for clearance to get back on my bike and start riding again...

... knowing I'll get better every ride keeps me hanging on.

Can you relate?

 ---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups, presses, squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

IT'S SO MIXED UP

ROAD BIKES use road tires.  Most of us find a favorite, and that's what we run day, night, rain, shine.  For MTB, it's basically the same formula.  Find a tire we like, run it regardless.  For gravel...

... ugh.

First off, gravel ain't just gravel.

It's gravel and asphalt and single track and rocky terrain.

So, a gravel tire needs to be fast on asphalt, tacky on gravel turns, nimble on techy stuff and rugged on the rockies.

What's the ol' saying?

There's fast, cheap and quality...

... you can only pick two.

But, we're racing.

We want fast, light and rugged...

... and we want all three.

Not gonna happen.

Me?

I'll take fast and light, banking on my handling skills to get me safely through the rugged stuff.

Is that enough?

Probably not.

If it really matters, 
gotta pre-run the course,
then pick the very best option...

... not easy,
but, that's what make it fun. 

 ---

164.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups & squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>
I TRIPLE THAT EMOTION

I TRIPLE THAT EMOTION

Feb 06, 2024 TODD BROWN

ON THE START LINE there is always a lot of emotion.  Some are scared, some are anxious, some are seething, some are just happy to be there.  And...

... it's all good.

Well, kinda.

Facts are facts.

The more emotion we have the more productive we will be.

There's just one problem.

It might not be positive productivity.

Personally, I prefer to make up some story in my head regarding an innocent competitor...

... that ticks me off.

Take that manufactured angst,
turn it up all the way to 11...

... and let emotion do it's thing.

It is nearly a lock that I will race better,
be more and better calculating...

... and not give a hoot about what others think.

So, yeah...

... I triple that emotion.

 ---

163.9 lbs
8 hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

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WEATHER OR NOT YOU LIKE IT

WEATHER OR NOT YOU LIKE IT

Feb 05, 2024 TODD BROWN

ROCK COBBLER 11 IS THIS WEEKEND.  With all the rain we've had, and a little more forecast this week, it's all set up for an epic adventure...

... for at least 50% of the riders.

We are at deer in the headlinghts point.

Some are wondering if they should go at all.

Others are relishing the epicality.

Whether racers ride through someone's house,
see some knucklehead get skewed by a bull,
need ropes to make it up the hikeabike,
have mud so thick they grind to a halt...

... one thing is for sure.

The weather just makes it so much more of a quest.

Here's the mantra, whatever the weather...

... it's going to be perfect for me,
and rotten for everyone else.

It's selfish, 
I know.

But,
it works.

Which is why I prefer riding outdoors to indoors...

... weather I like it or not.

 ---

162.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery 
30 minutes reading + Journaling 

 

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ARE YOU SOMEBODY?

ARE YOU SOMEBODY?

Feb 03, 2024 TODD BROWN

THERE ARE LEGENDS, and then there's the rest of us.  The difference isn't obvious if we're walking down the street or eating an ice cream cone...

.. it's clear when nobody is looking.

As hard as we may be struggling to regain our health,
or to reach a new level of performance,
you'd never know...

... just by looking at us.

To really know if we are a 
nobody,
anybody,
or somebody...

... we'd have to be followed 24/7.

This quote hit me hard today.

"No matter how hard you train,
Somebody will train harder.
No matter how hard you run,
Somebody will run harder.
No matter how much you want it,
Somebody will want it more.
I am Somebody."

—Steve Prefontaine

Are we going to be Somebody?

 ---

162.8 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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THE TALENT REVOLUTION

THE TALENT REVOLUTION

Feb 01, 2024 TODD BROWN

WHAT COMES AROUND, goes around.  Some call it karma, others call it fate, maybe it's just...

... wages earned.

We can have all the talent in the world, 
but, if we aren't spinning the pedals around who'll ever know?

Not us.
Not anybody else.

Talented racers are spinning more,
a lot more.

The spinning brings up the talent,
the talent doesn't make the racers spin.

The old timers knew it.

AEddy Merckx, Piles of miles.

The current crop knows it.

Dr Stephen Seiler, 80% of your training is to be easy, and only 20% hard.

We know it.

Want more talent, spin (ride) more...

... a lot more, 
talent will increase.


 ---

162. lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Push Ups, Pull Ups, Squats, Nordics, Shoulder Presses - a little more every day.
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH

Jan 31, 2024 TODD BROWN

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, too few of us can handle the truth.  Our flabby arms, soft as a baby'sbutt hands, round shoulders and bent necks...

... belie the truth.

We were born for more.

Proof...

  • Do pullups, grow calluses
  • Do pushups, grow muscle
  • Do squats, improve stature
  • Ride far and easy, drop resting heartrate

... is what we easily observe given just a short amount of time.

When nurses rushed in to my room during my lovely stay in the ICU...

... they scared the crud out of me.

Are you okay?

Yeah, why?

Your heartrate dropped into the 30's.

Oh, it's finally getting back to normal.

What?

Yep, that's normal for me.

And that's the freaky thing.

We, the fit, are a rare breed.
The pros aren't quite sure what to do with us.

It shouldn't be that way,
but, it is.

In A Few Good Men, Col. Jessup is badgered and cornered into exclaiming the famous line...

... You want the truth?  You can't handle the truth!

The truth about our bodies' capabilities is all around us...

... yet, is it rarely explained or shamed.

With just a little effort, in a short amount of time,
we can easily see that not only can we dramatically improve things...

... we were born to do such,
the life force is stronger than we think.

This is the way.

 ---

162.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Push Ups Pull Ups Squats Shoulder Presses - a little more every day.
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling

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MY FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD THAT STARTS WITH 'F'

MY FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD THAT STARTS WITH 'F'

Jan 30, 2024 TODD BROWN

THERE ARE LOTS OF FOUR LETTER WORDS.  Just saying that connotes negativity and degeneracy. Clarifying the ones that start with 'f' and...

... you've got to cover your ears.

But, really... 

... is F-E-A-R all that bad?

Yes,
and no.

Depends on how we use it.

One of the reasons a public declaration is so powerful is the fear that...

... we will F-A-I-L.

 Which, is why most of us never make public declarations.

Too scary.
Too much commitment.
and way too much chance for ostracization.

Nobody wants that,
so we skip the declarations.

But, what if we didn't?

What if we tapped into that power?

Besides...

... who gives a shiFt what others think?

I ain't a FEAR to FAIL..

... I'm way more a FEAR to not FIND out what's possible.

 ---

161.6 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Push Ups Pull Ups Squats Shoulder Presses - a little more every day.
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling

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IF THERE REALLY WAS JUST ONE THING HOLDING US BACK?

IF THERE REALLY WAS JUST ONE THING HOLDING US BACK?

Jan 29, 2024 TODD BROWN

I JUST FINISHED, for the third or fourth time, The ONE Thing.  The joke of the book (ie: the main point) is that there is1 thing above all others that we need to focus on...

... to get results quickly and easily.

If that's true, 
there is just 1 question...

... what is the 1 thing when it comes to ripping on raceday?

I can think of 100 things,
or more...

  • Ride
  • Polarized training
  • Diet
  • Sleep
  • Recovery
  • Stretch
  • Intervals
  • Race simulation
  • Bike maintenance
  • Rest
  • Race logistics
  • Team game plan
  • Travel plans
  • Pick an A race/event

... there's a few.

Once the 1 thing is figured out...

... where is it time blocked?

  • Early morning
  • Lunch time
  • Afternoon
  • Evening
  • Which days of week

If it ain't protected,
treated as sacred...

... it will likely be sacrificed.

This year, I planned on testing out a new work schedule.  Which is why I picked this book up again.

The schedule, once I'm cleared medically, that I want to test is...

  • 7-11 my ONE Thing for work
  • 11-2 Go for a ride, get some lunch
  • 2-5 return calls and emails

... just need to get back to 100%.

Today's trial was hit and miss.  It was my first day trying to work.  Not easy.  The most challenging thing is to mentally hold and concentrate on fairly complex projects.

I'll get there.

In the meantime...

... what's your ONE Thing?

 ---

160.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Push Ups Pull Ups Squats Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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DID YOU PICK THE RIGHT PATH?

DID YOU PICK THE RIGHT PATH?

Jan 28, 2024 TODD BROWN

WE HAVE A CHOICE.  A quick and easy win.  A long-range, outrageous goal.  Most of the time...

... we make the wrong choice.

The quick win feels good,
it's easy to snag.

And that's the problem.

The quick and easy wins usually lead us off the path to long-range and outrageous goals.

But, why?

Because the long-range goal is so far off in the distance, it looks small...

We forget,
get discouraged,
grow too impatient.

... it's actually massive, just a long ways off.

 ---

162.3 lbs
8.5 hrs sleep
0 strength work
20 minutes recovery 
240 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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NURSE RATCHET IS TICKED OFF!

NURSE RATCHET IS TICKED OFF!

Jan 27, 2024 TODD BROWN

WHEN PEOPLE STOP BY TO VISIT they inevitably want to check out the garage.  Oddly, they aren't impressed by the stacks of surfboards, or the quiver of bicycles...

... there is one thing that sticks out.

Over in the corner is a somewhat rusty, cobwebby and neglected unicycle.

Can you ride it?

Maybe, it's been quite a while.

This is just me goofing on them.  I know perfectly well, that even if it's been over a year, I can get on the uni and...

... make it look easy.

But, first I pretend to really struggle.
Several fake and shaky starts.

It's like riding a bike,
put in the time and you'll always be able to do it.

Which is probably why Nurse Ratchet is so pissed at me today.

Bored out of my mind,
easily skipping down the stairs in the house,
doing lunges and walking backwards with zero issue...

... I couldn't wait until she left.

The second the garage door shut, I hustled upstairs and threw on a kit for the first time in 3 weeks.

I'd secretly lubed and checked out the MTB the night before.

It was go time.

Kitted up,
aired up...

... there was only one thing left to do.

Throw my leg over the saddle, and pedal.

Gotta be honest, 
I was a little scared to clip in and go.

But, I couldn't take another day of lethargy indoors.

The first few strokes were glorious.

I was free,
at last.

There was no need to hurry, she'd be gone at least 2 hours.

I chose the MTB because of the fat tires and full suspension, figuring it was the bike least likely to jostle my noggin.

My balance was fine.
My ability to process information was still slow, and dull.

After 20ish minutes, I reached the top of the local trail system.

I stopped.
Gave thanks.
Took in the view.

It felt so good to...

  • hear my breathing
  • feel the sweat
  • be outside

... things we think we are grateful for, but have no clue until we can't access them on demand.

I stood and coasted ever so slowly down the trail.

An hour later I was home, after more stops and moments of appreciation.

Refreshed,
encouraged.

I knew my recovering brain needed oxygen flow,
my body need to be taxed,
balance tested.

A quick shower,
change of clothes,
Nurse Ratchet would never know.

One problem.

She has Strava,
she follows me,
I was busted.

She stormed in pissed,
didn't want to talk about it.
Said I'd been stupid and reckless.

As usual,
she's right.

But, you know what they say...

... it's like riding a bike,
you never forget.

How do I feel?

Well, I took a catnap.  So it musta been challenging.
My head seems fine.

Will I ride again?

Def.

How soon?

Unsure.

How long?

Lesssure.

Am I all better?

Not even close.

Because my ability to process information is diminished, I'm riding very slow.  Another reason to stay on MTB and off the roads.

It's gonna be a minute, I'm predicting 3-6 more weeks to restore confidence.  I'm cool with that.  Spring goals have been tabled.  Time is on my side.

Am I getting better?

Fo sho.

Will she forgive me?

Yeah, in a few days or weeks.

Am I upset about that?

Not even.
She cares,
and that's all I care about.

 ---

162.3 lbs
8 hrs sleep
A few pullups, pushups and air squats
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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SLIVERS ARE GOOD

SLIVERS ARE GOOD

Jan 26, 2024 TODD BROWN

WE HAVE A HIGH SPEED TRAIL NEARBY.  It's lined with cactus, lovingly waiting to give the uncontrolled a great big bear hug.  Most escape... 

... a few get a gentle reminder.

But, it often doesn't show up for weeks.

One day, you wake and think...

... dawgawnit, my knuckle really hurts.

We can't remember why until a few days later...

... a sliver of cactus prickly starts to surface.

Oh yeah, I musta brushed some cactus a while back.

Here's the real lesson in that...

  • not to slow down and scrub some speed
  • not to wear hard plastic knuckle savers
  • not to change a thing

... to remember slivers count, too.

In fact, sometimes they're downright painful.
Most of the time, forgettable.
Unimpactful...

... or so we think, 
until they resurface.

If we're smart, 
and I know you are...

... we realize the real gains
more often than not...

... come in slivers.

Unnoticable,
unmemorable,
unremarkable, too...

... so we think they don't count,
that no progress is being made.

But, they do.
And, we stack 'em.
Gather 'em, store 'em...

... unleash 'em when it matters.

Competitors be thinking,
How the heck did he/she do that?!

We be thinking the same thing,
How the heck'd I do that?!

Then we be rememberin'...

... one sliver at a time.

 ---

162.4 lbs
8 hrs sleep
Got in a few more pullups, pushups and air squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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OUR BUCKET LISTS ARE KILLING US

OUR BUCKET LISTS ARE KILLING US

Jan 25, 2024 TODD BROWN

UP UNTIL WE ARE ABOUT 18 YEARS OLD, we don't have bucket lists.  We have something quite different and significantly more powerful and dangerous.  Cover your ears kids... 

... this is about the less famous, Phucket List.

You know the one.

You're, 13, at the top of a big hill and challenged to go brakeless and see if you can not only make the corner at the bottom, but carry enough speed to clear the 15' jump across the stream.

Or, you're 15, on the shore watching huge, mountainous waves wipe out every surfer in the water and challenged to not just paddle out, but get beyond the breakers and then somehow catch one of the monsters back to shore.

The young don't say, Oh, I can't make it today but it's definitely on my bucket list to do...

... there's too much shame in that.

Instead, the young say Phucket...

... and go for it.

Why?

Because the young know two things:

  • They will live forever
  • They can't get permanently hurt

Of course, neither is true.

The only thing that is true is that not going for it is despicable.

Around 20, we aren't verbalizing bucket list, but we are assembling it with thoughts like these:

  • I'm gonna find my soulmate
  • Have some kids
  • Build a cool career
  • Travel to exotic places
  • Do back flips off bridges

Of course, making those things happen requires, again, two things:

  • Living forever
  • Not getting permanently hurt

Neither one of which is true, or likely.

Which is why bucket lists are for losers.

They allow us to dream, and put things off for Some Day I'll...

... slowly killing us in the process.

Then, one day, we do something really stupid, like I did...

  • Cause my pull up bar to fail
  • Knock myself out
  • Spend days in ICU

... and just like that, life changes in seconds.

Which is why we need to kill the Bucket List and... 

... live with a phucket list.

  • Any question of what is possible
  • Any criticism of how we are doing things
  • Any doubts about our plans
  • Any postponing of what we want to do 

We need to have one, and only one, response...

... phucket..

I'm doing it,
now!!

 ---

161.4 lbs
10 hrs sleep
Snuck in a few pullups, pushups and air squats
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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FIRST, I WANTED TO CRY

FIRST, I WANTED TO CRY

Jan 24, 2024 TODD BROWN

WHEN I FINALLY WOKE UP, 3 days after the accident, I wanted to cry.  Not because I was alone in a cold, dark hospital room.  Not because my head was pounding. I ached...

... for the less fortunate.

Regardless of how I got there, I still had everything going for me.

Family,
friends,
children.

Visiting,
praying,
buoying me.

Incredible medical facilities,
wonderful, caring
staff.

I felt, and feel, overwhelmingly blessed and looked after.

How did I merit such goodness in my life?
How could I do better supporting those in need? 

Even though my brain had been scrambled, 
as difficult as it is to process information quickly...

... I never doubted I'd recover.

I'm so grateful to be alive...

... taking courage from the Grateful Dead's Touch Of Grey.

I will get by,
I will survive,
We will get by,
We will survive.

Because my brain is broken and there are little to no visual cues, it's hard to appreciate what thinking and doing and conversation feels like to me.

I look mostly fine.

This is the best I could come up with...

... asking me to engage is like asking me to run a 5k two to three weeks after breaking my leg.

Where I'm at now.

Starting last week, 8ish days post accident, my body started to hurt a lot.  Way, way worse than my head ever did.

When the pull up bar broke loose and cracked me in the forehead it must have knocked me out.  My buns and upper hamstrings and lower back were tremendously painful, indicating to me I had probably just had fallen straight backward on my tush then smacked my back of my head.

That body pain is mostly behind me.

My secret?

Taking a very hot shower 5-6-7 times a day, loosens everything up.

I'm off all meds during the day, and only taking Tylenol 2-3 times during the night.

This is great.

I had been really nervous to take the heavy stuff for a prolonged period of time.  I'd done that 30 years ago, and subsequently suffered migraines for almost 10 years.

Fortunately, the PEDALindustries crew is awesome.  Things are flowing as they should.  Just wonderful.

Your messages, and kindness, and support have been a great lesson to me...

... it's okay to cry tears of gratitude. 

 ---

159.4 lbs
10 hrs sleep
0 strength
40 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling

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DEFEND YOUR LIFE

DEFEND YOUR LIFE

Jan 15, 2024 TODD BROWN

THE LAST WORDS OUT OF MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN'S MOUTH were shocking and memorable. Once I had caught him up on my situation, he said...

... Defend your life.

- Todd

---

Hey everyone, this is Shane, Todd's son. On January 8th, Todd had an accident at home, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and multiple skull fractures. He spent 5 days in the ICU.

We happily welcomed him home on Saturday and he's in good care with Surfer Girl. He's on track for a great recovery! For an athlete like Todd, we know he'll be (RaceDay) ready to rip as soon as he can.

First, he'll spend 10 more days in a dark room being the most boring person on earth.  Then he'll slowly, very slowly, return to his passion: writing the blog, developing cool new gear, and shredding the local trails.

Stay tuned!

Shane

P.S. Yes, it was his idea to share the photo :)

 ---

159
1,000 hrs
0 strength
1,000,000 minutes recovery 
0 minutes reading + Journaling

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NEW TERRITORY

NEW TERRITORY

Jan 07, 2024 TODD BROWN

I'M GOING DOWN THE INTERVALS RABBIT HOLE, and I'm not sure I like it.  There are a number of reasons, not the least of which...

... the social angle.

Committing to a structured interval program is for losers...

... I mean loners.

And that's not all.

It hurts.

It's one thing to be on the group ride, going all out, and tell myself...

  • Well, I'm just not feeling it today
  • or, It's ok those guys are faster
  • oh, if only I was lighter

... pull the plug, and drift off the back.

It's quite another to be hitting high power numbers easily on this first go...

... and watch those numbers sink as the efforts repeat.

Why?

Because the numbers don't lie.

I saw this last week.

4 efforts, 8 minutes long.

The first time, I ran out of road and had to take a turn to keep going...

... by the end, there was plenty of road left.

Just not enough Todd.

Do I like intervals?
No.

Do I like training hard efforts alone?
No.

Am I going to quit?
No.

I'm intrigued.
I want to see what I've got...

... and how fitness changes with new methods.

New Year,
New Methods.

---

164.5
7.5 hrs
No strength
0 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling

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THE POTENTIAL DANGER WITH HERO DIRT

THE POTENTIAL DANGER WITH HERO DIRT

Jan 06, 2024 TODD BROWN

SO FUN TODAY.  I thought it would be a lot dryer, hadn't rained since Wednesday.  No puddles.  Definitely extra friction, that velcro feeling of...

... sticky lugs.

Hero dirt.

It's called hero dirt because we can carve the turns with confidence
just like our heroes.

Those tires aren't slippin',
they're grippin'.

The longer we ride it,
the more we lean and defy gravity.

The result?

Sometimes,
over confidence.

You know what comes with rain, right?

Ruts.

Towards the end of today's adventure, about 3 hours in, we were really feelin' it.

Laying down PRs.

Naturally, we'd need to hit the steepest,
and less well known trail...

... last.

What do they say about the last run?

Don't take it!

The segment is fittingly titled,
Dragon's Back Proper.

I'm not going to say it's the gnarliest trail ever,
still, there's a 0% chance I'm taking Surfergirl down it.

Anyway, with 30+ miles of hero dirt fresh in our minds we hit it.

Like any good friend, I neglected to tell Love Watts about what we'd face...

... knowing he'd be fine.

Butttt!, when we came around one of the turns which lead to a steep, straight shot of about 50 yards...

... there was a new and nifty rut straight down the middle of the trail.

Like a dragon, 
waiting to gobble our tires...

... and pitch us down its throat.

Here's the beauty of hero dirt...

... normally this would be a controlled skid section at best,
instead we were on the binders hard,
easily avoiding the doom...

... and snagging yet another PR.

Heroes for a day.

---

163.8
8 hrs
No strength
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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WELL, THAT'S A STRETCH

WELL, THAT'S A STRETCH

Jan 05, 2024 TODD BROWN

ARE YOU AS FIRED UP ABOUT 2024 AS ME?  Five days in and I'm still holding strong on all 520 of my New Year's Resolutions.  I got more than a good feeling about this...

... I got one word.

This year's word for the RaceDay Rippers: S-T-R-E-T-C-H.

Yeah, it's good to stretch.
Be limber.
Flexible.

That's part of it,
but there's so much more...

... when we stretch regularly.

In everything.

And, here's what I'm talking about...

... forget the resolutions.

They seem static.

What can we stretch...

  • athletically
  • mentally
  • spiritually
  • socially
  • financially

... because if we ain't stretching,
it's hellalikely things are gonna tighten up.

Take another look at your calendar.

What can you do by the end of this year...

... that is such a stretch,
it would blow your mind?

I know what I'm going for, 
can't wait to share it here.

---

162.4
7 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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WHO IS THE GREATEST ATHLETE?

WHO IS THE GREATEST ATHLETE?

Jan 04, 2024 TODD BROWN

GREATNESS IS ONE OF THOSE HARD TO DEFINE characteristics.  Like beauty or skill or talent we often have differing opinions and struggle to explain the why leaving us with the simple...

... I know it when I see it.

Here's my definition of a great athlete.

Someone who knows what the are capable of achieving...

... and then wringing every ounce of their being to achieve it.

Sometimes they win something, but for most the greatest athletes...

... the ones who inspire me...

... winning is rare.

It's the daring to dream,
the untold hours of solo training,
the battle to overcome the impossible...

... and finish with nothing left and no regrets.

That is greatness.

It takes planning,
and dedication,
and courage.

The highest VO2 max or most ridiculous powertoweight output in the world won't make us great...

... commitment,
persistence,
focus
will.

Nobody's watching you can skip the workout, eat the donut, stay up partying...

... be common.

Nobody's watching you can do an extra set, up the protein, hit the sack early...

... be great.

Nobody's watching,
but you.

---

162.5
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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LACTIC LYCRA

LACTIC LYCRA

Jan 03, 2024 TODD BROWN

LACTIC LYCRA will be served at 815am on Saturday, per my pal Doug's text message.  I can't wait.  It's been too long since I've had a...

... really good beat down.

The first one always hurts the most.

There's the shock to the system when we hit the first climb.  

I know it well.

About 30 seconds at 8%,
followed by 2 1/2 minutes of rolling up a false flat...

... all out.

If I make that,
it only gets more vicious.

Of course, the route can change from time to time, which means I might have no idea whatsoever of what's coming up.

Sometimes that's better,
often it's worse.

Why would I do this to myself?

Because, we are 8 weeks out from the first A race of the triple crown.

It's time,
to clear the cobwebs.

---

163.6
8.25 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling

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THOUGHT FOR FOOD

THOUGHT FOR FOOD

Jan 02, 2024 TODD BROWN

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO FUEL the training.  We can go from all water and solid foods to no solids and all sugared up liquid, with a million combinations in between...

... racing I'm a little more sciency.

The special mixes and hi-tech prepackaged foods can be a challenge...

  • Sometimes hard to acquire
  • Often hard on the budget

... so, what's your answer?

Me,
as long
as I'm logging miles,
I don't care too much.

My favorite find of last year is an imported treat from France...

  • Easy to find at Costco
  • Inexpensive 20 for $8
  • Super yummy
  • Burns up fast in the gut

... individually-wrapped chocolate crepes.

Sometimes, I go with just water.  Others, longer rides, I'll put CarboRocket in the bottles.

Speaking of CarboRocket, you can get 25% off your first order here: https://racedayripper.com/posts/special-offers-carbo-rocket

---

163.8
7.5 hrs
2 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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HOW MANY RACE SEASONS ARE THERE?

HOW MANY RACE SEASONS ARE THERE?

Jan 01, 2024 TODD BROWN

Read Online And Post Comments Here >>

BIKE RACING IS YEAR ROUND.  No matter where you live, with the means, you can jump on a plane on in a car and be racing tomorrow.  The pros, have one discipline...

... and one season.

Except for a select few who just can't get enough of wreaking havoc on two wheels.

For the rest of us,
we need the rest.

But, I was thinking about the upcoming year.

As usual, I've got a packed March through early May.  

Not as usual, I have nothing after that until September.

I'm thinking this year will be my first two season year. 

Take a solid break at the end of May,
keep it pretty chill in June,
on it July/August.

Put me down for 2 seasons this year.

___________________________________________

Did you know?
All active PEDALindustries/Riders:

  • Save 30% On All Purchases
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  • Unlock all Exclusive Courses and content

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---

164.4
7 hrs
No Strength Training
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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THE RESOLUTION

THE RESOLUTION

Dec 31, 2023 TODD BROWN

Read Online And Post Comments Here >>

IT'S TIME FOR 2024, another turn around the sun.  Most of us have been warming down, as we should.  Thinking about how the last lap went...

... we've got questions.

Could we improve?
  • What went well?
  • What went wrong?
  • Where did we shock even ourselves?
  • Where did we miss the mark?
  • How could we be smoother?
  • How could we have made such blunders?
  • When can we hit our next high?
  • When can we do less?
  • Why were we able to accomplish X?
  • Why did we fail so miserably a Y?
  • Who helped us the most?
  • Who kept us back?

Answering those questions answers the first question...

... Could we improve?...

... only
if we commit
to make changes.

What's the most exciting change you plan to make in 2024?

  • Gear?
  • Training?
  • Nutrition?
  • Recovery?
  • Type of racing?
 When the road ahead
seems hard and long...
... look back to see how
far you have come.
- LinesByLoes
___________________________________________

All active PEDALindustries/Riders:

  • Save 30% On All Purchases
  • Have access to Race Reimbursement
  • Unlock all Exclusive Courses and content

Click Here For Details_______________________

---

164
8 hrs
No Strength Training
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling

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NEVER SAY THIS IN PUBLIC

NEVER SAY THIS IN PUBLIC

Dec 30, 2023 TODD BROWN

DURING THE METEOR SHOWER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I heard one of my friends lamenting the exceptionalism he was brought up believing.  I can't think of anything dumber than...

... thinking we are average, unexceptional.

Do you think for one second any champion of any sport, OR CAUSE, thought he or she was average, unexceptional?

Here's the tricky part, and a new meaning of an old word.

The tricky part:

  • Never, ever say in public you are exceptional or better than everybody else
  • Always think it
  • Believe it
  • Own it

 Can you imagine telling a child...

You really aren't anything special.

... talk about a way to shut down each individual's unique talents and abilities.

We each have different talents when it comes to physical performance, if that weren't the case...

  • the same person would win over and over
  • the sports prognosticators would always be right

... but, that's not how it works.

We know that inherently.

The new meaning of an old word:

I recently discovered the original meaning of the word meek, which is important because some dude once said the meek shall inherit the earth...

... how can the meek win anything?

Because meek comes from the greek word praus, which means...

... strength under control.

Now that,
is my kind of exceptional.

---

164.4
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling

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WHAT SHOULD A ZONE 2 RIDE LOOK LIKE?

WHAT SHOULD A ZONE 2 RIDE LOOK LIKE?

Dec 29, 2023 TODD BROWN

TODAY WAS MY FIFTH BIG RIDE IN A ROW.  Seventeen hours in the saddle, 210 miles, 22,000' of vertical...

... and my legs feel great.

How is that possible?

All Zone 2 + Good Sleep + Good Nutrition

Take today's ride.

Nearly 5 hours,
60 miles
6329'..

... Strava called it a Massive Relative Effort.

I called it a fun adventure.
Never did any heavy breathing.

  • Ave HR 131
  • Normalized Power 212 Watts

Above you can see the HR is very steady, so are Watts dropping down mainly due to rough terrain and stop lights.

The key...

... to pulling that off is starting out easy, which means going based on power more than HR because it takes (for me) a while for the HR to rise.  About 30 minutes in I start looking at HR and Power...

... riding as fast as I can without letting the HR go out of zone.

The benefits...

  • ride all day, as long as nutrition is on point
  • push upper limit of Zone 2 higher
  • develop insane endurance

... easily recover and do it again the next day.

The reason most people don't do it...

  • they start out too hard
  • under eat because effort seems easy
  • ride with friends and get caught up in keeping up
  • fail to recognize the hidden benefits for those with limited power
  • rather than back down cadence and power they blast up the short stuff 

... is because they don't have the discipline.

If you don't generate a lot of power, and I don't,
then the next best thing is to be able to deliver the power you have
for longer than your competitors and recover faster than those around you.

Skip or skimp on Zone 2 rides...

... or feast on them.

---

164.2
7.5 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery 
75 minutes reading + Journaling

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DO YOU HAVE A TAGLINE?

DO YOU HAVE A TAGLINE?

Dec 28, 2023 TODD BROWN

AS AN ECOM MARKETER, I love studying the greatest brands.  One thing they have in common is a great tagline, like Nike's...

... Just Do It!

Why?

They are designed to create an emotional response for the consumers...

... to make us identify with what they're selling.

In the heat of race or chasing a PR or just plain ol' dying to finish the impossible...

... it's good to have a tagline of our own.

Because sometimes we have to sell ourselves on getting it done...

... usually,
right before we quit
and go on to conquering the impossible.

---

163.8
7.75 hrs
No Strength Training
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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THIS AIN'T JUST FOR HEMORRHOIDS

THIS AIN'T JUST FOR HEMORRHOIDS

Dec 27, 2023 TODD BROWN

WHAT A DEMONSTRATION of how to do it well.  If you missed it, if you don't follow it, if you listened to the prognosticators, then you didn't witness...

... what happens with preparation.

I'm down to following one sportsball team, and it's been a dismal year for the fans of SC football.

When things aren't going according to plan, it is so easy to give up.

To quit.

24 players did just that,
either sat out the game 
or transferred to a new team.

The rest kept practicing,
and kept preparing,
for their chance.

The quarter back had never started a game,
had only played a handful of minutes...

... came in prepared.

Confidence oozing.

He left with...

70% pass completion
372 yards
6 TDs

... a record setting night.

Because he knew how good he was and kept preparing for his date with history...

... that is the Preparation H we should all aspire to accomplish.

---

162.9
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling

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DATA DON'T CARE 'BOUT YOUR FEELINGS

DATA DON'T CARE 'BOUT YOUR FEELINGS

Dec 26, 2023 TODD BROWN

MY SON IS A PROFESSIONAL FINANCE NERD.  He constantly reminds me to know my numbers vs the ol' gut feeling.  It's a good practice and reveals the truth...

... sometimes confirming what I thought to be true,
others showing how off I can be by winging it.

We all have a lot of data available now.

So, while I was feeling discouraged this week regarding...

  • my current weight
  • the lingering cough
  • the drifting fitness score

... I decided to look at the data.

2 years ago...

  • same weight
  • 3% better fitness
  • and got covid just after Christmas
  • hadn't perfected my strength routine

... had my best year ever on the bike.

1 year ago...

  • slightly lighter
  • same exact fitness
  • battled a similar cold
  • had just added the sled and nordic curl

... had a great spring racing campaign

In other words, it's quite normal for me to be at my lowest fitness this time of year,
and you know what they say...

... December hero = race season zero.

Am I still apprehensive?

Yep.

But, that's the point of the data...

... to kick the feelings to the curb.

They aren't helping.

Instead,
by looking at the numbers
I can relax and stick with my plan... 

... I'm right where I want to be.

---

164.8
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
 60 minutes reading + Journaling

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WOULD YOU SAY THIS?

WOULD YOU SAY THIS?

Dec 25, 2023 TODD BROWN

ONLY OUR OLDEST WAS IN TOWN, so we met midway.  At the bay. Unloaded paddle boards.  Set out for some mansion gawking, and sunshine...

... and paddled for 6 miles, 2ish hours.

Not the traditional Christmas morning for most,
on par for us..

Something weird happened all day, 
never seen it before.

When we got home, there was still enough sunlight
for me to spin the pedals
and Mrs Claus to walk.

Every single person I saw,
on the water and on the dirt, 
had the exact same thing to say.

We live in an area with lots of people from around the country, and around the world, representing all kinds of cultures and beliefs. 

Which is why I thought this was odd.

The last person I talked to was a kid in his 20's from Michoacan, Mexico.

New bike?

No speak english.

No problemo.

I learned Spanish a long time ago, and can still get along pretty good.  I asked where he was from, told him how much I loved the famous ice cream sticks La Michoacana, from his state.

He was on a really sweet Giant Trance.  Said he'd just picked it up on FB marketplace, and how much he loved it.

A common language, we all understand.

We talked about how long he was here and his main objective to learn English.

It was time to part ways before sunset, and say the thing I'd over and over today.

Merry Christmas.

Feliz Navidad.

---

165.1
8 hrs 
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling

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IGNORING THIS CHRISTMASY MESSAGE WILL MAKE YOU CRASH

IGNORING THIS CHRISTMASY MESSAGE WILL MAKE YOU CRASH

Dec 24, 2023 TODD BROWN

I CAN'T STOP THINKING of the silliness I've practiced over the years.  Not the Christmasy stuff, which was personally a tough season for many years, but...

... ignoring the real point of it all.

Whether you're a belieber or not, doesn't matter, the principle is true...

... you can't ride your bicycle while looking backward.

Oh, you can go a ways, however the penalty of not facing forward will be paid.

Which is the message that little babe came to deliver...

... look forward with hope and faith that good things await.

He gave instructions on how to live.
He knew all would falter from time to time.
He gave a simple formula to get back on track. 

Repent.
Start anew.
Don't look back,
focus on forward.

I don't know why that is so easy to practice on a bike,
and so difficult when life's blunders serve up a shouldawouldacoulda sandwich.

Pedal on.

---

163.8
7.5 hrs 
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling

 

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THE RIDING ART OF LOST

THE RIDING ART OF LOST

Dec 23, 2023 TODD BROWN

I WOKE WITH A FROG IN MY THROAT.  Not surprising, Surfergirl has been coughing for a week.  There was only one thing to do, and it wasn't going to be easy...

... with all the rain this week.

No, I wouldn't be meeting up with the fellas.

However, since the onset of my cold was above the neck...

... I could ride long as heck.

Most people don't do this,
and decline my invites.

Where are we riding today?

I don't know.

You have no plan.

Nope.

Okay, I'm gonna do a group ride.

See ya next time.

The idea of getting lost,
aimlessly wandering,
is too vague.

I get it,
I also get this.

Every great adventure,
the ones we tell over and over,
are epic because at some point...

... the unexpected happened.

  • We got lost
  • Found a new trail
  • Discovered a forgotten road
  • Ignored the Private Property sign
  • Had a massive mishap and lived to tell the tale

None of this happens on the group ride,
or in the man cave zwifting,
or at the races.

For me, It's almost a lock
I will discover something worthy
nearly every single time my objective is big zone 2.

It's an art,
to get lost and enjoy it.

Nothing new is ever discovered
on the road most traveled

---

166.2 lbs (more lost rides needed)
7.25 hrs 
Push Ups and Pull Ups.
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling

 

 

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DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL SIGNAL?

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL SIGNAL?

Dec 22, 2023 TODD BROWN

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF WAYS to signal to your mind that it's time to shift gears.  Gurus, like Tony Robbins, might call it shifting states or moods... 

... and this shift matters.

Because if we don't get our helmet in the race,
we're destined to get shelled.

For racing, I cycle through till I find the right jam on my...

... special a playlist.

Sometimes the pump up music isn't getting it done for me and I have to...

... wait until the first cat cuts me off or won't let me through.

Other times...

... simply seeing a frenemy can raise the HR.

Another one I like for racing or hard training is ...

... lathering up with PR lotion.

For work, I turn the volume super low and hit repeat for...

... one goto song.

Butttttttttttt...

... what's the signal for a new season
or legit off-season
or mini-break?

Before I get there,
why does this work?

Why do preachers and motivators play music before the message is delivered?

Why do bands drop the lights before electrifying the audience?

It's all signals,
that things are changing,
and we mentally shift and become a different person...

... and love it.

The opposite is also true,
no definitive signal,
no change...

... and before we know it,
the race is over,
the day done...

... and nothing accomplished.

So, what's the signal for a new season?

Mine,
shave my legs.

---

166.1 lbs (might be time for the razor)
7.25 hrs 
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more.
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling

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YOU CAN SPRINT SOME PEOPLE SOME TIMES

YOU CAN SPRINT SOME PEOPLE SOME TIMES

Dec 21, 2023 TODD BROWN

SPRINTING IS SO FUN, especially alone.  Down clear road with a tail wind, out of a turn and into the next, up a short hill...

... It's so energizing.

Then why not sprint all the time?

The answer's obvious,
because we can't.

It's not physically possible.

The next best thing is...

... if we do it right.

The great John Wooden preached...

... Be quick, don't hurry.

Quick is 

  • precise
  • error free
  • looks effortless

Hurrying is

  • looks atrocious
  • mistake laden
  • sloppy

We sweat with both...

... we win, PR, achieve greatness with one.

The difference?

  • Practice
  • Planning
  • Routines

So, when the shift goes off the trails on the bike, in life...

... slow down,
be quick.

Oh, I almost forgot,
if you're hurrying to get a gift for your favorite cyclist, triathlete or runner...

... here's a quick and awesome idea.

---

164.9 lbs
8 hrs 
PushUps and PullUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

 

 

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IF I COULD RACE EVERY RACE

IF I COULD RACE EVERY RACE

Dec 20, 2023 TODD BROWN

APPARENTLY, POSTING ALL THE RACE PLANS is a bigger thing than ever for the pros.  Imagine being paid to race, then telling your sponsors and team...

... which races you'll do.

It's one thing to say I'm going to X, Y and Z races, it's quite another to say...

... and I'm going to win.

For some racers, it's probably a requirement.  For sure...

  • the team wants to know
  • the journalists want to know
  • the competitors want to know

... if they're going to be there.

It gives everybody a chance to promote and hype and draw in the eyeballs and the money...

... which is exactly not what most amateurs do.

Most of us...

  • no plan
  • no calendar
  • can be easily swayed
  • find committing can be tough

... because, well, we are amateurs.

Or,,,,, are we amateurs because we...

  • find committing to be tough
  • are too easily swayed
  • have no calendar
  • and no plan

... not that there's anything wrong with that.

It's just the difference between pro and amateur...

... getting results,
and the ability to call our own shots (wins, PRs, quests).

It starts here.

---

164.8 lbs
8.5 hrs 
Push Ups Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

 

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I HEARD SOMETHING RIDICULOUS TODAY

I HEARD SOMETHING RIDICULOUS TODAY

Dec 19, 2023 TODD BROWN

ON THE RIDE THIS MORNING I was assured that pedaling in circles is wasted energy and that the studies of one bike fitter in England done on pros are conclusive...

... I sprint to differ.

While it may be true that mashers have just as much power in certain situations, I'm 100% certain that is not true of all situations.

For example, any mountain bike rider can you tell you that on technical climbs it is critical that the power you put down is even and steady.

Why?

Because mashing will likely cause 2 problems...

  • slipping the rear tire
  • stalling out and falling over

... mountain bikers are generally really good at putting power down all the way through the pedal stroke.

You know who else?

Track sprinters.

I learned this from the great Gibby Hatton when I went to him for a bike fit.

After watching me spin warming up...

Have you raced on the track?

No, mostly MTB.

Oh, that explains it... trackies and offroaders are the most efficient at putting out power.

Why, is the question.

And I think I know why, because when traction is required and when explosive power is required the hamstrings are engaged.

I learned this a long time ago when sprinting with my friend who easily beat me.  He taught me to extend my stride and pull myself forward.  Sure enough, I got a little faster.

Sprinters of all types spend time developing their hamstrings for this very reason.

Which brings me to my next thought.  The reason most cyclists don't have any power on the upstroke is because they are pathetically weak.

If they weren't, they'd engage the hammies more in certain situations:  sprinting, climbing loose terrain and...

... cruising on the flat.

Lately, with all my Nordic Curl work, I've noticed I can cruise faster on flats and let my quads rest a bet by more fully engaging my hamstrings.  

I'm just practicing bro-science, so take it or leave it...

... but, Joe Friel practices real science.

When I flew him out to speak to us a few years back he pulled up charts which definitively demonstrated the small gains to be made by learning how to pedal correctly.

Yes, mashers can go fast.
Yes, there are times to mash.
Yes, you should experiment with this in the off-season.

---

165.5 lbs
7 hrs 
PushUps and PullUps
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling  

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OLD GUYS RULES

OLD GUYS RULES

Dec 18, 2023 TODD BROWN

YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THE SHIRTS AND HATS, usually on old guys who are kinda pudgy and unreasonably confident.  I get it, but don't done it...

... more about that later.

I bring this up because lately the interwebs be chiming that old guys shouldn't be advising young guys...

... according to medium guys.

And really Peter Sagan brought it home on the latest The Move podcast discussing today's racing... 

... versus how they used to race.

I tell them young guys, why going so fast.  No need.

Whatever old man.

We go down hill and young guys crashing, all for nothing.

Another GenXer on X, was even harsher on old guys trying to help young guys.

Old guys are irrelevant. 

I thought about it all day...

... probably because I'm of a certain age.

I think when it comes to tactics, yes, the old guys' rules are probably outdated and useless.

But!,
when it comes to strategy I'll take the age-old wisdom of the old-age guys every time.

In business, a tactic would be knocking doors.  I did that.  Almost pointless to do these days...

... the wisdom is to hustle and get out there and be seen.

In training, a tactic is use a heart monitor.  I did that.  But, there's a lot more tech to be learned and mastered for improvement...

... the wisdom is to ride piles of miles.

Anyway, if you're into improving...

  • old guys have the strategies
  • young guys have the tactics

... those are the rules.

I love looking for the timeless ones...

... and ladies still love flowers.

---

165.3 lbs
8 hrs 
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

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HOW DO YOU SPELL FAST?

HOW DO YOU SPELL FAST?

Dec 17, 2023 TODD BROWN

THERE ARE COUNTLESS WAYS to get faster on the bike, which is why it is endlessly fascinating.  They range from physical to mechanical to mental to social to spiritual and...

... help us on our quest to get fast.

Some think that the best way to get better is to fail faster, which sounds great until...

  • we come up short on a jump
  • or, slide out in a high speed turn

... mmmmmaybe we ought to temper that a bit.

So, I don't spell fast F-A-I-L.

The fastest people I know are relentless and pay attention to all areas where speed can be gained.

They experiment,
practice,
tinker,
study,
train,

... they do the W-O-R-K.

Usually, a lot more work than most are willing to do.

---

We're getting pretty low on Cycling bag inventory, but still have a good amount we can ship for Triathletes & Runners

---

164.9 lbs
8 hrs 
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

 

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I THOUGHT I WAS SO SMART

I THOUGHT I WAS SO SMART

Dec 16, 2023 TODD BROWN

A BEAUTIFUL DAY WAS ON TAP, and I was meeting two of my fave riding pals.  Always good and uplifting conversation, plenty of shredding on the downhills...

... and Love Watts had planned a fun route.

After the first segment of goodness we had a problem.

Sure, I'd...

  • checked all the batteries 
  • pumped up the tires
  • adjusted shock pressures
  • lubed the chain

... what could go wrong?

Uh, what about them brake pads bro?

There we were 47 minutes in to a 4ish our ride and my rear wheel was not spinning...

... which explained why I'd struggled on the first climb.

This is how good my friends are.

Rather than let me slog home with my chamois between my legs...

... we got to wrenching.

The calipers were all kindsa messed up.
The pads were smoked.

Again, I tried to wo-is-me my way home...

... no dice.

Construction Kev...

My house is nearby, and I have a set of new pads.

... les go!

Never seen this before, look at the retention clip in pic above.
It is destroyed.

15 minutes later,
we're back on track,
hootin' and hollerin' and PRin'.

I love these guys.

On the suspension set up, I aired up a little higher than my normal, which is still lower than factory setting...

... 90lbs up front, 180lbs out back.

Perfect, 
much cushier,
still tracking the corners really well.

When Love Watts started charging a long, twisty and steepish singletrack I cut loose...

... figuring he'd clear the way.

Normally, with so many blind turns and a stunning day, there is just too much traffic to go for it.
I'm cautious that way.

It was a gamble,
total blast.

---

I have too much PR Lotion inventory.

This promo code: FRENS

It is buy one, get one free.  You MUST purchase TWO bottles, discount will be applied when you check out.

Code can be used 15 times, so use it new before it sells out.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion

---

164.5 lbs
7 hrs 
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

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YOU KNOW WHY THE BANNED TURNING IN THE BRAKE LEVERS, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW WHY THE BANNED TURNING IN THE BRAKE LEVERS, RIGHT?

Dec 15, 2023 TODD BROWN

THIS JUST IN, UCI figures out how to squash another innovation and has the innovators crying foul.  Was it for safety reasons?  Worry over racers suffering carpel-braking syndrome...

... or, something much darker?

In these cases, as in all news...

... it pays to follow the money.

Now, just who really cares?

You and I, the fans, who have seen these micro adjustments...

  • levers
  • socks
  • rider position

... to name a few, burst onto the scene then be smothered?

We don't care because...

  1. It's cool to sees these clever, committed racers explore the fringes of speed
  2. and, escape into a breakaway that is never caught

... we like that, because we dream of doing the same thing.

Follow the money...

  1. Fewer sponsors logos being flashed during hours long races, when a handful of racers are off on their own.

... and we get the only logical reason.

Money,
nearly always the #1 reason.

The conspiracylover in me says the big component manufacturers have already  begun developing a brake lever/shifting system that is designed to give these aero benefits while leaving the levers inline with the bars.

Nahhhh, 
they wouldn't be involved, too?

Personally, never tried it.
I'm also still running "standard" width bars.

I've seen the set up on local rides,
as well as the very short bar widths.

Looks cool,
seems faster.

What's wrong with that?

---

163.8 lbs
7.5 hrs 
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

 

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I LOVE IT WHEN THINGS BREAK

I LOVE IT WHEN THINGS BREAK

Dec 14, 2023 TODD BROWN

When making a purchase I always go for the best quality available.  I like things that last a long time and are extremely reliable.  Given enough time and wear and tear...

... nearly everything breaks.

Here's the truth I've discovered, and it's not just bike parts...

... the replacement is almost always way better.

I was reminded this on a ride recently with a heartbroken friend.  The love of his life...

... had left.

Having had my own share of love gone wrong, I could relate.  I could also share the big picture, everyone of those girlfriends was replaced with someone better...

... and finally with Surfergirl.

Just this week my bookkeeper let me know she was retiring.  If you're looked for a good one, reasonably priced bookkeeper lately, you know they are hard to find.  I asked my CPA for a referral...

... not only does he offer that now, but at a much better rate than I was paying..

My chief designer moved on 2 years ago, best thing that happened to the business in a long time.  Forced me to rethink the entire process and put what is now, I believe...

... the finest experience in the industry.

Of course, we've all hit a nail, had the tire go flat, and realize there's just no way to proceed without getting...

... and brand new bike.

The real question is...

... should we wait until things break?

---

164.5 lbs
5 hrs (Surfergirl had to watch meteor shower until 2am)
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
0 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling  

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HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TODAY?

HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TODAY?

Dec 13, 2023 TODD BROWN

I (ALMOST) ALWAYS SCAN THE RACE PHOTOS when the promoter sends out the link.  Yes, I like to see myself in action.  Who doesn't?  The thing is...

... they aren't always outstanding.

Which makes it even more important to purchase the pretty good ones.

Take last Saturday's race.

There were photographers all over the place, and I was really hoping one of the guys on the downhill would post his pics.

Instead, I got this one.

I like it, but for something you might not notice.

Before I get there, I'm just making a public service announcement...

  • Buy the pics, unless they just muffed the shot
  • Do NOT lift the pics and post without paying 

... we gotta support 'em for the days they nail the shot.

Like this one...

Now, about that shot at the top.

The thing I like is it looks to me like the weight training is paying dividends...

... which gets me kind of excited for next season,
and hitting the weights a lot more.

---

164.9 lbs
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more 
0 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling  

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DO CYCLISTS REALLY NEED TO COLD PLUNGE?

DO CYCLISTS REALLY NEED TO COLD PLUNGE?

Dec 12, 2023 TODD BROWN

COLD PLUNGE IS ALL THE RAGE, and I've yet to do it.  But, I'm wondering if today's ride counts as a cold plunge, which was prognosticated to be in the high 40's, yet on some devices...

... registered in the low 30's.

I'm still cold.

Because I dressed like a rookie...

  • Decided my summer gloves would be sufficient
  • Left my awesome KOM jacket at home
  • Couldn't find my toe warmers

... I froze like a rookie.

Which gets us back to the original question:

Does not feeling anything in my hands for at least 20 minutes, wondering if I still had toes, and being cold 12 hours later count as a cold plunge?

Another bonus was we recorded very slow times on the main segments even though we were giving it everything to get home as quickly as possible...

... low hr,
low power,
complete exhaustion.

Now I know this is the point where all the armchair zwifties chime in on how dumb it is to ride in the cold, and the snowbound chide me for wearing arm and knee warmers, a base layer and skull cap in such balmy weather, so before you go there...

... can some heat me up so cocoa?

---

165.1 lbs
7.5 hrs
No strength
10 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling 

 

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FAVORITE NEW TECH OF THE YEAR?

FAVORITE NEW TECH OF THE YEAR?

Dec 11, 2023 TODD BROWN

DID YOU FIND SOME CRAZY NEW TECH in 2023, or something you want to try out in 2024?  I did, and it's not on my Christmas list because....

... it's priiiiii-ceeeeey.

In this case,
it's way better to give to myself
than to receive a look of shock and awe.

Oh, I'm gonna get it because... 

... I think it will be a game changer for me.

First, my gravel bike will get it since that's my focus for 2024.

Here's the problem it solves.

If you run a 1x drivetrain, like I do, you either have to run a mullet cassette (10-52) so you have a wide range or run a smaller range of gears so you have narrower jumps.

The obvious solution is to run a 2x with a front derailleur, but that's not possible because of tire clearance.

Is it really a problem?

Well, it sure was last weekend at the Hardman Classic.  I really wanted a few in between gears on the climb for maximum efficiency...

... and then on the return with 30 mph gusts blowing me at top speed.

The solution?

The Classified Hub which has a planetary gearing system in the rear hub effectively turning the drive train into a 2x system.  

The result...

  • Wider range of gears
  • Narrower jumps between shifts

... a minor weight gain, with big efficiency gains.

You can read more about here: https://www.classified-cycling.cc/en_us/

Once I get one, I'll report it.

Anyway, that's best product leap I've seen this year.

How about you?

---

166 lbs
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Ciruit + more
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

 

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DO WE HAVE AN OPERATING SYSTEM?

DO WE HAVE AN OPERATING SYSTEM?

Dec 10, 2023 TODD BROWN

I'M FASCINATED WITH AI, not that I'm using it much, more with the implications of what it means to be human.  And the question...

... do we have an operating system?

For example, just yesterday bombing Coal Canyon, a rough and tumble dirt road, on gravel bikes it was clear....

... some of saw a playground, others saw a torture chamber.

From an OS perspective, I think it's pretty clear we see what we want to see.

  • I wanted to see clean lines and the fastest way down
  • Others, moving much slower, could only see the jagged rocks and harsh terrain

Can we control that or are we born with it?

Consider the Troxler Effect.  

Stare at the red + sign above, and you'll see blue dot's randomly disappear and reappear. 

Why?

Some say it's our Operating System no longer rendering them because they aren't novel.

I suspect something like this is happening when we bomb a mountain.  

Some of us can focus on the red + sign - the clean line down the mountain - while others are trying to take it all in and remember all the danger points instead of editing them out like the blue dots.

If we are focused on the red +, the clean line, we don't need to render all the blue dots, the dangers...

... which frees up processing speed for us to go faster, and safer.

If this is true, that it is just an OS issue, can we improve that...

... rewrite our code and go faster?

I think we can, especially when we are young.  And, I think the best way to do that is not to go as fast as possible all the time but to go slow and be playful and  assess the options and pitfalls in slow motion...

... then speed that up.

Which brings up the question of what is happening as we age?  

Why do we slow down over time?

I don't think it's the OS as much as it is the hardware, the gray matter, not being able to process as quickly and efficiently as it once could...

... take in the data and send signals to the body.

What does this really have to do with ripping on raceday...

... I'm not sure.

But, I never thought about this before observing AI.

---

164.9 lbs
7 hrs
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

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THAT WAS HARD, MAN.

THAT WAS HARD, MAN.

Dec 09, 2023 TODD BROWN

AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT, I opted for the long route of the 8th annual Hardman Classic.  The head wind was brutal for the first hour.  If it had flipped for the return, which often happens...

... I would have cried.

Why did I go the long route?

Well, because Tatt!...

You doing the race Saturday.

I reckon, but just the short version.

C'mon, we're all going long.  We'll ride together and just cruise.

Ok.

In other words, I knew that he knew that I knew he was totally full of bs, but...

... who doesn't want to ride with their pals?

The only reason we stuck together for the first hour was the brutal headwind.  Nobody wanted any piece of the front.  Once the climbing began...

... it was every racer for themself.

Let me just insert this odd piece of wisdom...

... I always suffer the most on the races I care the least about.

No disrespect to the race, or the promoter, or competitors.  But, if I'm not totally into pushing myself I can count on the usual rookie blunders...

  • Not eat enough
  • Not drink enough
  • Forgot to start computer until 20 minutes in (hard to know how much torture is left when you don't know how many miles have been covered.)

... those got me today, but I've also done these...

  • Stayed out late the night before
  • Lazy bike prep leading to failure
  • Changing a tire the night before to wake up to a flat
  • and more

... I actually did put on a new tire last night, and it sealed perfectly.

I told the network yesterday I'd be going for a PR on Skyline, and I was pleasantly surprised to get it done.

Not that it helped me ride with my much faster friends.

The downhill was a pretty rugged gravel road that had clearly been battered by all the rain earlier this year and the hurricane we had a few months back.

I let it rip and had a blast, so glad I had the new tread on the back.

The Conti Terra Speed 45s were flawless even though I rimmed out numerous times.

28lbs up front, 30lbs in the rear.

At the bottom I caught up with the Assassin and Out Of Africa.  I was ready to pull the plug and head back vs doing all of that a second time.

C'mon, go with us.

Nah...

It's just that one climb.

For reference, long coures is 8300' of climbing over 70 miles... 

... 6000' of it in a scant 35 miles.

Anyway, they talk me into it and I swear, the first little bump in the road was like dropping anchor...

... leaving me to ride alone for 2 1/2 hours.

I have the best friends.

I really do...

... and I saw lots of 'em today.

All I can say is the Hardman...

... is hard, man.

---

Because I accomplished my PR goal, and persevered I figured it was time for my typical splurge.

---

166 lbs
7 hrs
No strength work
00 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

---

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MY BEEF WITH GRAVEL BIKES

MY BEEF WITH GRAVEL BIKES

Dec 08, 2023 TODD BROWN

GRABBED MY "GRAVEL" BIKE THIS MORNING.  The only objective was to get to the cafe for some sipping time and take a breather from the rush of holidayness.  Why that bike?...

... I wanted an adventure.  

And, I got one.

Yeah, dirt and single track and pavement with no preset route...

... but, the best was the lovely gentleman I encountered whilst sipping outside.

Do you ride much?

Oh, yes, as often as I can.

Will you be around here Saturday?

Probably.

We'll be performing a Dixieland Christmas Concert over at the museum (downtown San Juan Capistrano).

Sounds wonderful.

By the way, you look strong.  Could you help me out?

Sure.

We need to put up the tents today.

On the way to the museum to set up the tents, he pulled out a painting his great granddaughter had made for him, knowing how much he also likes to ride...

... with a perfect quote.

If there is a fork in the road, take it!"
Yogi Berah

And, well, honestly this is my beef with "gravel bikes"...

... nobody wakes up wishing for gravel.

We want an adventure.

Let it be known that from this day forth all road bikes with fat tires shall hitherto be referred to as Adventure Bikes.

---

164.6 lbs
7.75 hrs
Pushups and Pullups
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

---

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THE BEST BOOK I READ ON RACING THIS YEAR

THE BEST BOOK I READ ON RACING THIS YEAR

Dec 07, 2023 TODD BROWN

OF THE TWENTY OR BOOKS I'VE READ THIS YEAR, one stands out.  It shouldn't really, it's a book for ages 8-12.  I've applied it's teachings on raceday...

... but, story of our heroin drives home the point so well.

I couldn't stop thinking about it.

You might consider yourself much too wise to learn from an 11 year old girl.

I did,
and, mostly, still do.

However, the story of Pollyanna is a gem.

It is set in the early 1900's and there are all kinds of culture norms to consider, and ponder upon.  

Plus, all the changes in technology and science that we take for granted.  

Then, there's the language.

It's english, with a larger and more complex vocabulary than we use today, mixed in with all kinds of slang along the various social statuses.

I said the story is a gem, because Pollyanna plays the glad game...

... whatever happens, she finds a reason to be glad about it.

Which, when it comes to racing, is a mighty fine attitude to have...

... almost a superpower.

Lots can go wrong over the course of a season.  Once we cross the start line and we have to adjust our plans, looking for the benefits of the challenges we face as the race unfolds is significantly more empowering than whining and complaining...

... the energy we have is limited.

We've to focus that energy on one thing only...

... getting across the finish line as quickly as possible.

Over the course of a season...

... Pollyanna would be tough to beat.

While we might complain about the weather, our equipment, lack of time, etc...

... she would be advancing every day.

 

--- 

Did you know PEDALindustries/riders are eligible for race reimbursement?

Check out here: https://pedalindustries.com/pages/pedalindustries-riders-gear

---

164.1 lbs
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

---

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ARE YOU THIS SELFISH?

ARE YOU THIS SELFISH?

Dec 06, 2023 TODD BROWN

THIS IS HOW SELFISH I AM.  I was very apprehensive about attempting the Surf N Summit by myself.  At 122 miles, 15000' of vert, with 10's of miles on desolate gravel roads...

... I was too scared to go it alone.

So, I invited and invited and invited until...

... I had a small group of warriors to take it on with me.

For most of these brave souls, 
it would be their farthest ride ever.

By a long shot.

Which meant I'd be doing a lot of the pulling across the flats, 
and I was totally down with that, as well as...

  • Putting together a training plan for those who needed it
  • Buying dinner the night before (though they all wound up paying me back)
  • Teaching some of them how to download routes

... basically all I could think of to make sure they'd make it with me.

That's how selfish I can be,
just to get a few hearty gents,
to do more than they ever thought possible...

... and accompany on my personal quest,
because I had to get it done.

Have you been that selfish?
I bet you have.

---

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---

163.8 lbs
8ish hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

 

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THE RIDER WHO DARES GREATLY

THE RIDER WHO DARES GREATLY

Dec 05, 2023 TODD BROWN

SOMETIMES IT HELPS TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.  We see our heroes, the pros with big contracts, the local pros with endless free and amazing gear...

... and then there's us.

Doing our best.

Tight budgets.
Family to clothe and feed.
Pressed for time in every direction.

Then, when we are mocked for our endeavors,
chastised for our dedication,
misunderstood.

It can hurt,
if we let it.

But, we don't because we know...

... without our health we are nothing.

So in honor of the great Teddy Roosevelt...

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the busy and committed man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who actually crosses the start line...

whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.
who strives valiantly,
who errs,
who gets dropped again and again...

because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;...

who at the best knows in the end the triumph of the podium, 
and who at the worst, if he fails,
at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be
with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat.

Dare greatly my friends... 

... it matters to those who look up to you.

---

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---

164 lbs
7 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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DO YOU KNOW THE MATH FOR SUCCESS?

DO YOU KNOW THE MATH FOR SUCCESS?

Dec 04, 2023 TODD BROWN

LOOKING BACK ON THE BUSINESS YEAR is always a little more fun after the Christmas rush.  The investments in inventory and ads start to pay, just like our fitness...

... it's simple math.

The problem is figuring out the equation.

The basics are:

  • Increase Sales
  • Reduce Expenses

No body argues that...

... but they sure as heck do argue this.

Weightloss basics:

  • Increase training
  • Reduce calories

It's not always + and -, 
sometimes it's + and +

Fitness basics:

  • Increase training
  • Increase recovery

Sometimes it's just a feeling

Stress basics:

  • Definitely gotta do that!
  • No.

I use the last one a lot when I'm feeling overwhelmed or over committed...

... If it ain't Definitely gotta do!,
it's No.

---

165.6 lbs (uh, oh)
8.5 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pushups, pullups, squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

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BABY STEPS TO BEING STRONG

BABY STEPS TO BEING STRONG

Dec 03, 2023 TODD BROWN

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY STARTED, you've most likely started thinking about it some sort of cross training to do now that it's dark and cold.  Great!...

... being strong pays dividends on and off the bike.

You're not alone, 
and there's no need to over think it.

There are 3 basic must exercises, but I'll bet my helmet most of ya are over thinking squats.

I was reminded of this yesterday at the park with our grandsons...

... if you're around toddlers, just watch.

They don't bend down to pick things up...

... they lower down by doing an air squat.

All the way down,
@$$ to the gr@$$.

Whether or not you invest in weights start here,
air squats.

How many?

Well, here's my formula.

It starts with pullups.  For every pullup you can do, do 3 times as many pushups and 3 times as many squats.

5 pullups -> 15 pushups -> 15 air squats

Like a toddler,
do these EVERY SINGLE DAY.

How to remember?

Well, I have an inexpensive pullup bar I purchased a garage sell decades ago.  It resides in my bathroom's door jamb.  When I go to take a shower...

... I knock out one set of all 3 exercises.

We're busy,
We want to ride,
not change clothes and drive to gym.

This takes 5 minutes, and will astound you with...

... how weak you are
and how strong you will get.

Want bonus points?

My pullup bar is in the bathroom so any time I'm going to the bathroom...

... I'm knocking out a set.

Something quick.

3 pullups, 9 pushups, 9 air squats.
1 pullup, 3 pushups, 3 air squats
4 pullup, 12 pushups, 12 air squats

Nothing magical, just mixing up and getting on with life.

At the end of a typical day I've knocked out 10s of pullups and 3 times as many pushups and air squats...

... in no time.

Add the other accessories like dumbbells, jump box, sled, nodic curl fixture over time...

... this is a lifelong pursuit, not a sprint.

---

165 lbs
8 hrs
1 set of pushups, pullups, squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

 

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THIS IS NOT A CHEAP COUNTERFEIT

THIS IS NOT A CHEAP COUNTERFEIT

Dec 02, 2023 TODD BROWN

THE GENTLEMAN AND I met up some dirt today.  It was perfect after a few light rains in the last 48 hours.  Tacky, ripable...

... hero dirt.

Is there anything better?

Maybe fresh, new asphalt.
Or, a real gravel road.

Stringing together a bonanza of trails, some well-know to us and some completely knew, it occurred to me that some of today's dazzling tech...

... is just a cheap counterfeit.

We were IRL.

Not VR glasses,
on a stationary bike leaning over,
with a fan giving the sensation of speed.

This was the real thing...

  • My arm was bleeding after being stabbed by unruly shrubbery.
  • More than once, I felt the strain of the knobbies giving way and regaining their perch as we carved down the steep stuff.
  • Hard-earned sweat dropped onto my lens, then sizzled in my eye

... and we were loving it.

But, the best was the ol' lady heckling us as we battled a loose, 25% pitch...

If it isn't 90%, it's not a real climb.

It was like a cackle from with Wicked Witch of The West.

We ride bikes.
They can go fast.
You will likely get hurt...

... and have a great story to tell about a lesson you learned,
in real life.

---

164 lbs
6.5 hrs
0 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
10 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling 

 

 

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