RACELAX
SOMETIMES PRE-RIDING the course can get a little too real. I'm just gonna say right now, the following is not...
... for those in denial.
Of the way things are.
On raceday.
'Cause this morning, YoungScott and I met up to pre-ride the biggest climb on our upcoming 'A' race.
We jump in the PEDALvan and head through town to the mountains.
It's his first time to Leadville and he's excited.
I've been here a bunch and I'm excited for him,
and to show him the secrets.
Then it hits me,
just like on raceday.
Kid, we gotta make a pit stop.
I pull in to CircleK to take care of business...
... the ragged creatures of the night are lined up to use the can.
Now, it's like waiting outside the portapotties on raceday.
We bounce to the next gas station...
... just in time.
Now, I'm not saying we need to practice station hopping on raceday, but I am saying...
... it pays to practice on those early morning rides where the group isn't gonna wait.
Get up early...
- to do what we gotta do
- before we reallyreally gotta do
- and there ain't time or place go git 'er done
... on raceday.
===
164.6ish lbs
7.5ish hours sleep
5500 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
176/207/-31 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TAPERING
WHEN AND HOW TO TAPER can be a mystery for the new and experienced. Over time we can get better at knowing out bodies. But...
... doing it right isn't just a physical thing.
IMHO
I like to look at...
- mind
- body
- soul
... three areas.
What I'm aiming to do when I taper is to bring each of these areas back up to full strength.
Because let's face it...
... two weeks out from the 'A' race we're feeling pretty taxed.
Of course, I'm going to cut back on the volume.
The week before the week before, my volume is usually around two thirds of my biggest week.
And the week of the event, I drop it down another third.
If 18 hours is the biggest week,
then 12ish hours,
and 6ish.
While the volume drops,
it's much more polarized.
Super easy,
or very short spikey efforts.
For the mind,
the goal is to have all of work squared away by Wednesday the week of the event, and major projects off the table the week before the week before.
For the soul,
it's really about resting, getting enough sleep, unplugging from all the nonesense of the world at large.
That's the intention...
... to feel really fast and fresh and confident.
Usually, I'm able to arrange things so most of that happens.
And, if it doesn't, well...
... it's just a bike race.
===
164.6ishlbs
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/185/-13 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
POSITIONING
WE PAY THOUSANDS for just the right equipment, yet often skimp on getting the position perfected. Because...
... it's an extra cost and takes time.
We aren't sure it's worth it.
The thingaboutitis...
... get it right and the results make everything mo' bettah.
Lemme share two stories with ya.
One bike.
One biz.
My recently eversoslightly adjust cleat position quest was worth all the effort and extra travel...
... I haven't seen my legs register 50/50 balance on output.
Ever.
Always slight off.
And, I could tell...
- more efficient
- more comfort
- more confidence
... at the end of a ride.
Businesses spend a lot of time, effort and money to position themselves in the market place.
So, today, when I realized I was basically out of my favorite chain wax from Ceramic Speed...
... I got online to order more.
Out of stock everywhere.
But, I'm in Park City UT and I know...
- a legit pro shop
- always high end, drool worthy bikes
- and super excellent service department
... a Contender Bikes shop here.
Knowing it was a long shot, but not, because of who they are, I called up.
You got Ceramic Speed UFO All Conditions?
Yep, 3 bottles.
See you soon.
That's called brand positioning.
===
164.6 lbs
8ish hours sleep
490ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
173/191/-19 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IF I HAD TO GUESS
FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS, all our very specific preparation for the demands of the racecourse might be for naught. The race will go on…
… just not as we’d planned.
Adjusted.
Usually because of…
· Weather
· Social strife
· Permitting issues
… safety concerns.
I’m looking at just that for my ‘A’ race in Leadville.
Part of the course burned down.
They tried an alternate route, more…
· singletrack
· climbing
· rocks
… during the stage race.
Logistically those stages probably won’t piece together cleanly.
They’ll have to come up with something unique for the hundred.
If I had to guess…
…the mileage will be a little less,
and the time a little longer.
No matter how they put the course together…
… we’re all gonna PR.
Which is perfect because PRs are better than podiums.
===
163 lbs 12.5%
6ish hours sleep
490ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/182/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DOWN 6 LBS + A HACK
RACING AT ALTITUDE has challenges all on it's own. Besides the obvious, the weather can be extremely unpredictable. There really is...
... no substitute for just being up there.
I've tried 'em all.
Altitude tent,
√.
Sauna or smokin' hot baths,
√.
Riding when it's a million degrees,
√.
That last one, I did today.
Laid out a pretty challenging route to simulate the 'A' race...
- 80 miles
- 8000' of vert
- 90º w/high humidity
... and boy, was I suffering in that heat.
Context please.
Okay...
- I rolled out weighing 163.6
- Drank 6 bottles + a popsicle
- Got home, ate a ton of frozen acai + 20 ounces Liquid IV + 16 ounces chocolate milk
... then, got on the scale en route to shower.
157.8!
Was it good altitude training?
Well, it was hot.
More importantly, I was forced to push through when I just wanted to quit.
HR high,
Watts low.
Was it a good readiness test?
Yes, I think so...
- 100'/mile elevation gain
- Blistering heat
- 13 mph ave.
... exactly the speed I need to turn in two weeks.
Time to recover and taper.
Oh, about that hack.
The pic above is a 3-gallon container...
- frozen Sambazon acai
- 100 servings
- $161
... Walmart.com ships it with dry ice.
Couldn't wait to get home and start scooping to my hearts content today and cool my core while getting in carbs.
===
163.6 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
490 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
181/251/-70 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SCREEN MANAGEMENT
STARING AT GLASS all can be a fools errand. We think we're productive only to find out we're just busy. And...
... it can leak over to our training.
We think we're fast,
only to find out we're just fit.
Some context for ya.
While I was killing time waiting two hours to see my bike fitter (look, LA traffic on a Friday is a bear - better to drive up early for a 4pm appt)...
... I popped into a local coffer shop,
busted out my laptop.
The keyboard cowboy quickly slipped into flow and got a whole bunch of endo the week clean up done.
It occurred to me...
... I think I'm more focused with a single, small screen vs the 3 display set up in the office.
And if that's the case...
... how does that transfer to the growing screens on our machines?
Back in the day...
- Avocet - time, miles speed
- Cateye - same but cooler
- Polar - same with HR
... ittybitty screens, which weighed nothing.
Here's the dill.
While increased computer size and weight ain't nothing...
... the cognitive load might weigh us down.
Or, worse...
... keep us focused on all the wrong things.
Thinking we're making headway...
... vs just gettin' after it.
Maybe that's why, as I've shared before, races under an hour...
- XC
- CX
- Crit
... I prefer to just put the little beggar in my jersey pocket.
And rip.
===
164 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
710ish anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
1681/135/25 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE OVERNIGHT SUCCESS
WE'VE ALL HEARD OF THE OVERNIGHT SUCCESS. In fact, we've probably seen more than a few and wondered...
... how they did that?
Might have even been us people are wondering about.
Well, here's the dill...
... nobody understands the overnight success like the athlete who navigated the dark hours.
The...
- predawn workouts
- post kids-to-bed gym
- back at the desktop because we hit the blacktop during the day
... efforts nobody sees.
I was thinking about that today because we've had some remarkable breakthroughs this month.
From cracking accounts that took years to get to setting up collaborations with brands who previously turned us down.
It's exciting stuff, and a reminder the overnight success...
.. is just an athlete or human or business who persisted.
Even when they didn't want to,
when it looked hopeless,
exhaustion a constant.
Or, as the great Dylan Thomas wrote....
Do not go gentle into that good night...
... Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
===
164 lbs 12.5%
8ish hours sleep
650ish anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
168/155/9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BREAKING UP THE VISUAL FIELD
AT SOME 'A' RACES the field is comprised of 1000s of competitors, and if we want to make things super easy for our support team it's helpful to have a kit that...
... breaks up the visual field.
Like caution tape.
I learned this design cue way back when I was doing some work with Intense Cycles.
Their found Jeff Steber had a background in graphic design, and shared why he liked to include a caution tape-like look on some of the bikes and jerseys.
It stands out.
Getting ready for Leadville this year, I thought I'd do a twist on the jail break kit from '22 and go with stripes on the sleeves and socks.
It should stand out, and help the crew see me.
To see them, I've designed some fancy flags...
- black background
- yellow text
- 12' tall
... which should stand out among the chaos at the feedzones.
I learned the yellow on black trick back when I was running check cashing stores.
What a life!
===
164.6 lbs 12.5%
8ish hours sleep
650ish anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
168/174/-7 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DRIVING ME CRAZY
ONE OF THE TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES of an A race is not getting there. We've mastered all forms of travel...
... or have we?
I bring this up because even though the Stravathenian's app said my form was 26, a super high value indicating...
... big rested, look out world I'm gonna uncork one.
My legs were trash this Tuesday morning.
It actually started last Wednesday, on the drive to Show Low.
10 hours behind the wheel, while Surfergirl rode shot gun or slept in the back.
They felt like trash most of the long weekend.
Driving home Sunday,
same result.
Or worse.
But Diesel, just get out and walk around.
I hear you.
And that kinda helps...
... except it was well north of 105º.
Blazing.
All I wanted to do was be hauling gas across the desert.
Which brings up a very salient point...
- air
- sea
- land
... travel can suck the life outtuv us.
Whenever possible, we need to buffer the big day with some big recuvry.
As I look forward to my trek to Colorado, and anticipate the same rotten sensations...
... I'm askin' How soon should I leave?
===
I should also point out...
- hitting the bano
- food intake
- sleep
... travel can mess with all kinds of our "regular" inputs and outputs.
Plan accordingly.
===
165.2 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
650ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
169/181/-13 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SHIFTING UP UP OR COPING DOWN?
GET CLOSE ENOUGH THE 'A' RACE and sooner or later we've got to make a choice. Whether we've publicly declared our intentions or not doesn't matter as much...
... as what we tell ourselves.
And, others.
Before ...
- on the start line
- after the finish line
- and all points in between
... and after.
I was thinking about this because...
- things are not going perfect for my prep
- life is extra superduper busy
- the race course changes
... and it would be easy to start lining up the excuses.
Cope.
Maybe cancel going altogether.
This pretty much happens to all racers.
But not us.
We stay focused on what we committed to...
... we shift up.
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/135/26 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GRATITUDE
AFTER THE 'A' EVENT, regardless of the outcome, the most important thing we can do is...
... deconstruct what could have gone better.
Or, so we're told.
Heck, I've shared those exact words in the context of selling...
... every great sales professional reviews the process to better prepare for the next sale.
So, yeah, that would be the obvious thing with racing.
As well as reinforcing what did actually work.
After pulling off the family reunion for the last 4 days...
... I def had a list of things I wish we'd done better.
Then I tucked it away.
Because just like at the end of the race,
when we cross the finish...
- our health and abilities
- the competitors who challenged us
- the promoters who risk blood and treasure
... aren't we just darn grateful we were in on the action?
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/148/16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PREAPARING TOGETHER
ONE OF THE MORE FUN THINGS we can participate in is preparing for the A race together. From the cold morning meetups, to the long chats about…
… how it’s all going to go down.
This time.
I was thinking about that today because I’d massively discounted Surfgirl’s insistence that we not only cook all the meals at the big family reunion…
… but, we’d bring all the food for 40ish people for 3 days.
The van groaned whole way.
Our son pointed out…
… Dad you don’t care about food, you eat sardines and beans from a can.
He had a point.
Which is not the point.
The point is what I witnessed the last 3 days…
- · slicing
- · cutting
- · cooking
… preparing anything together is a socially beautiful and bonding thing.
Which is why we love getting into the nitty-gritty of race prep…
- · training
- · geeking out on equipment
- · hashing out all the logistics and travel
… almost as much as racing.
Sometimes, all times?, even more than pinning on the number and towing the line.
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
168/171/-3 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE CAVE
THE ANALOGIES we come up as endurance athletes can be so disconnected from reality because, if we're being totally honest...
... it's hard to explain to the uninitiated.
Let alone those closest to us.
They're things only we understand, and as soon as we hear it, we're like...
... Yeah, totally!
I thought about this today as we dropped into one our weirder family traditions...
- from 5 on up to 78
- wiggling into the openilng
- crouch crawling the first 30' in pitch black
... slithering down into Harris Cave.
Once we're far enough in, the lava tube opens up into a cavern, then...
... pinches down again for another cramped effort.
Before opening up to yet another cavern where we can stand and feel slightly less threatened by claustrophobia and...
... whatever might be lurking down there to get us, should our lights fail.
Which is analogous to ...
- forcing ourselves in
- adjusting and relaxing in the darkness
- before doing it all again to find out how far we can go
... the pain cave we all love and loathe.
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
169/171/-11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LIFE IS PRECIOUS
TAKING RISKS these days ain’t what it used to be. Most of us live close to civilization. If we were to take a tumble, emergency medical services…
… would be helping us, whisking us a away.
Within minutes.
I thought about that, plummeting down a lonely dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Life and death.
About 90 years ago, my relatives were working a sawmill they’d built (see pic).
A young cousin was manning a large log,
the timber bucked,
catching him.
His leg was gashed.
The others gathered to try and help…
- · 50 miles to town
- · horrendous dirt roads
- · no communications, no helicopters
… but there was nothing they could do.
He was dead in minutes.
Prior to stopping at the sawmill site,
I gotta ping on my cell phone.
Service is spotty at best out here.
Our daughter had gone into labor,
they’d easily made it to the nearby hospital,
doctors and nurses and all the supplies were ready.
===
Update: mother and baby are happy and healthy!
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/168/-2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE DIFFERENCE
KNOWING THE ORIGIN of things can be empowering if we can tie it into who we are and how we operate. But, in today's connected world...
... it's easy to operate unconsciously.
Asleep.
Which is why I've sold my rather large extended family on the virtues of trekking...
- no cell service
- rustic cabins
- tents
... out to the homestead.
Land my great great grandpappy lived on for 3 years to secure the title...
- where my grampa rode out the Spanish flu epidemic
- where my dad spend his summers cowboying
- where I spent a few days every other year
... over 100 years ago.
Some of the distant cousins still ranch,
most of us are city slickers.
Soft.
Unacquainted with the land.
How it...
- feels
- smells
- sounds
... when we're living unplugged.
You know what I'm getting at right?
The feeling we have when rolling with a group,
talking and sharing...
... because plugging in would distract from the experience.
Living.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/193/-23 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOOKING BACK AT TRANSFORMATIONAL
[as I prep for my A race, I thought I'd look back how I felt the last time I did it, in 2022]
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
175/223/-49 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BAKING CAKES
HOW DO WE KNOW it's time to bring the high volume phase to an end, when preparing for the A race of the year? It's a lot like baking a cake...
... at some point we gotta put it the oven.
And, wait.
If we stretch out the build phase too long,
we run the very real possibility of over cookin' it...
... winding up burnt.
Crispy.
If we stop too far out from the A race,
well, then our training ingredients...
... might never rise.
Leaving us flat.
I'm sure there's some real science we could tap into,
or the wise voice of a trusted coach.
Barring those options, I lean toward...
- feeling exhausted
- not wanting to get outside
- residual, never-receding muskul pain
... as my top indicators.
I'm officially there.
Couldn't come at a better time.
I'll be spending an extended weekend...
- mainly talking
- hanging out
- relaxing
... at the family reunion.
Oh, that cake analogy...
... now is the time to give the training into deliciousness.
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/201/-32 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE STRONG
THE TOUR DE FRANCE took a big tumble today. Jonas, running in 2nd place, a previous winner and excellent bike handler failed to navigate a very tricky turn...
... and broke his clavicle.
Sucks.
Before the news hit, enlightening us all to one potential factor in causing him to go down...
... I was already thinking about why some crashes happen.
More importantly, why some hit the deck and shatter, while others...
... pop back up and keep racing.
My thoughts were self-centered of course.
The effort to do hundreds of...
- pushups
- pullups
- squats
... building up my body's ability to handle what is thrown at me, late into a ride or race?
It feels like it is,
as I feel in complete control 5 hours into a stout offroad ride.
At the same time,
am I putting body in a state where it is more likely to bend vs break?
These thoughts were going through my head as the skin and bones Jonas was clearly in massive pain.
Then, I heard the unthinkable.
After traveling hundreds of kilometers from yesterday's race to today's,
arriving very late in the evening...
... he was awakened for a drug test at 2am.
No matter what we are doing to keep our bodies in top shape to handle the demands of racing...
... missing sleep when we are already exhausted is a formula for disaster.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
174/228/-55 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY, IT'S ROUTINE
IN THE QUEST TO SQUEEZE IT ALL IN, we learn to develop and rely on routines. Do something consistently, and it becomes rote. Boring in the sense that...
... we don't have to think about it.
Saving us all kinds of mental energy, as well.
Here are a few examples that made today's ride, much better.
20 minutes into my 2 hour sprint to meet Smiley, I felt my rear tire losing a ton of air...
- added air with CO2
- noticed a leak
- plugged it
... took less than 60 seconds to diagnose and repair.
Thought I'd better text him to confirm my ETA, and noticed I'd left my phone at home.
Doh!
But, I have a reputation for being on time and it's routine for me not to wait, so...
- I pressed on
- arrived at Cook's at 9
- didn't see him there, waited 2 minutes at the trailhead
... and we blasted the climb together.
Mostly together,
he always starts out hotter than me,
becoming my top rabbit to chase and pace.
When I rolled up to the general store for my Saturday fix, 4.5 hours into the ride, parched and empty, without my phone to pay...
- popcicle
- Mexican Coke
... I didn't have to beg, because they know my m.o. and that I'm good for it.
And, that's just a smidge of routine evidence for operational mastery.
Carry on.
Oh, and in case your wondering...
- a mini tool
- 2 CO2s + 1 nozzle
- Dynaplug RacerPro (4 plugs)
... what's in my mini raceday bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-mini-raceday-bag-2-0-isd
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/263/-86 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
PRUNE, FOCUS, EXECUTE
HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPETENCY is a matter of choice. And, that's the challenge. In a world where we can do anything...
... it's easy to reach the end of the day having done nothing.
We know better.
Starting with pruning the options...
- uplifting
- challenging
- beneficial to others
... leaving only the good stuff.
Then, we focus...
- attracting
- believing
- feeling
... with the blinders on, seeing only our end goal.
Executing daily...
... continuously improving.
Very nice you say,
but make it practical.
Ok.
Here's an example.
I really enjoy racing and riding my XC mountain bike.
Knowing that, I've built up a race-ready rig...
... and taken it to the next level.
Most recently, that meant rebuilding the suspension...
- removing the Brain
- replacing a bunch of parts
- and all new lubes and fluids
... which now is supremely supple and plush, fork and shock.
When we are unwilling to prune, focus and execute...
... we are in our comfort zone.
The case there would be comfort with absolute crap vs...
... demanding the best performance we can aquire.
Got it?
===
165lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/169/-9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY?
AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, the set up of our equipment is highly personal. The reason is simple, we are putting in a massive amount of time. And, the minutest adjustment...
... can muck it all up.
A lot.
Leading to anything from a niggle to a...
... Screw it, I'm done with this sport.
So it was with great care that a swapped out my cleats today.
They weren't completely warn out, but they were a little sloppy and replacing them now vs a week before my A race seemed prudent.
I scrubbed up...
- pictures had been taken of the current position
- the area around the cleats taped off
- tools and lube lay at the ready
... put on my operating apron.
The procedure went as expected,
no complication.
The patient was warned to take it easy the next few days,
and expect to feel some initial discomfort.
Physical therapy, in the form of bringing a torque wrench on the next few rides, was presribed.
Like the idiot I am, I promptly headed out for 90 minutes and a fair amount of climbing...
... stopping for many adjustments.
Got close to the old position,
gonna take a few more rides to reach nirvana.
PS... if this seems dramatic, or overkill, blame my dad burning this lesson into my young impressionable mind. his first lawyering job was as a malpractice attorney and the first case was defending a doctor who cut off the wrong leg.
===
163.6 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
6800 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SCREAM
DURING THE LARGEST BUILD PHASE, the miles and hours are waywayway bigger than our norm. It can be daunting, overwhelming...
... we need a reward.
Beyond kudos.
Something to see us through.
Which is exactly what I was thinking today,
halfway through what will like be my biggest week of the year.
Building for Leadville.
The route would be much longer than my usual Dirty Wednesday...
... and it hit my like a icy bolt from the Silver Surfer.
If I stayed on the pedals,
I'd have time to stop by the General Store.
A hundred year old building I usually only visit on Saturdays.
The point being...
... the always have the best selection of Mexican popsicles.
I was flooded with a memory of my dad, and his favorite saying...
... I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
And that was all I needed to get me through the summer heat.
Today.
What will it be tomorrow?
165.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 110 push ups, 22 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 110 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/217/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS 'A' SUPER COOL CAT
MOST OF US DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY of the famous group rides. I'm not talking about the one 5 locals started a couple of months back...
... I'm talkin' the legendary loops.
And, their morphing iterations over the years.
I was reminded of how our heralded TMWC...
... took it to the next level by adding some extra credit.
Called the A loop.
About 10 years ago, Super Dave Koesel made a great suggestion.
We should add on to the ride.
Why?
So we have something to do vs waiting for the guys at the regroup.
It took us a few iterations,
carving our way through a neighborhood,
adding on two punchysprinty climbs.
Finally, we had it perfected,
arriving just in time to meet the crew...
... and keep rolling full gas.
Plus, since we had just started cracking the hour on the original TMWC, back then...
... now we had an updated hour goal.
We've hit it on the A loop multiple times,
even got closer than we've been lately today, 1:02:54 (for me)...
... could it be because Super Dave was back in town, after years of being gone?
===
ICYMI... Super Dave is an aero genius... Remember when 3T came out with their aero gravel bike, years before that was a thing?... yeah, that was Dave's project.
Here's a link to his current company... look to see top secret versions of these bikes at the Olympics.
===
167 lbs 12.7% (I keep telling myself I'm 10lbs over goal because of all the strength work, but we all know it's because
7ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/216/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT SONG!
WE AIN'T SERIOUS if we don't have a our own battle song. The one we can count on when...
... well, all the time.
Could be a playlist.
Mine, current fave for firing up...
... Born To Run, Frankie Goes To Hollywood version
On repeat.
Now Chuck shared a forgotten gem with me for raceday...
... Kickstart My Heart, by Motley Crew.
Surfergirl on vacation...
... Don't Disturb This Grove, by The System
To get pumped for motos in the desert the kids loved...
... Animals, by Nickleback
When I head off to the pearly gates, my beatbox will be humming...
... Low Rider, by War.
What's yours?
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
5900 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/181/-22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT THE EFFORT THAT COUNTS?
WHEN TRAINING FOR THE 'A' RACE, if we're really all in, it's imperative that we prepare by doing the work demanded by the course. That means we have to nail the pace...
... we can sustain.
Or do we?
Lemme splainit.
Say, I'm training for a punchy event with lots of power climbs...
... short 1-5 minutes, repeating.
I could do intervals at a specified power output...
... or I could go for the burn I know I can barely handle for 1-5 minutes.
Or, take my upcoming Leadville MTB race, I know the pace I need to sustain to meet my goal finishing time.
Training the effort required...
... is part art and part science.
The science might say we need to put out an average of X watts...
- getting over a steep, short pitch
- hustling to catch a group
- tucking a long downhill
... the art is knowing when to go above or below the power needed.
Being intimately aware of the effort > callous commitment to pace.
===
165 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/209/-46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS POLARZING
THE DEBATE RAGES ON, whether or not polarized training is valuable for the unwashed or is it just for the uber elites putting in bigbig hours. To really get a grasp on the argument...
... let's look at from other perspectives.
Take marketing.
In marketing, we tout what makes us special, unique, desirable...
... while pointing out the enemies of our awesomeness.
For example, when it comes to bags I might communicate dome bags with everything piled inside are just complete trash and chaos...
... where as our RaceDay bags make raceday smooth, easy and successful.
In politics, the party we align with makes the others out to be stupid, incompetent and evil...
... where our party is full of benevolent geniuses.
It's the same with...
- religion
- sports teams
- abortion, climate change, guns, borders, etc
... topics never to be brought up at Thanksgiving dinner.
What does this have to do with training and us?
I'm just trying to set the stage....
- too much time in tempo
- not enough aggregate training
- inadequate or non-existent recovery
... polarized training has enemies, too.
I was thinking about that today,
because I had a great day with the fellas.
Here's how I set it up...
- Monday Z1
- Tuesday romping group ride, all zones all out
- Wednesday high Z2
- Thursday low Z2
- Friday Z1, barely tapping the pedals
- Saturday, 6 hours at Leadville pace with nearly 2 hours at threshold or above
... finishing the final ride, feeling pretty darn good despite 9000' in 80 miles.
If you disagree...
... then, I have succeeded in providing you some polarizing thoughts on polarization.
===
165.4 lbs 12.7% <- this blubber has got to go!
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/241/-74 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GOING TO BE HIDDI
TRAINING FOR AN EPIC ride or race is always tricky. It's so easy to over do it on the preparation when we want to be confident that we are ready...
... to go the distance.
Battle hardened.
So, when I put together tomorrow's route and added...
... It's going to be hideous.
I had to ask myself...
... What the heck are you thinking?!
This goes against my plan to prepare for Leadville this year by staying under
- 5 hrs
- 8000'
- 80 miles
... fresh and not torched.
Aiming for more power,
and efficiency.
We're going to over every one of those metrics tomorrow,
plus it's a group of hitters and we'll be hitting it.
Yes, I could pull the plug,
or just not show.
But, who are we kidding when we say stuff like that?
(Hideous rides call to my soul. How 'bout you?)
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/152/-1 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING WHERE WE WANT TO GO takes great discipline. Not to be distracted by the lady in the red dress is...
... a skill that deserves mastery.
It's not easy.
Time and time again, ripping the course, we have to ignore the obvious perils and...
... stay focused on our goal.
Going as fast as possible,
error free.
Oddly,
limiting our vision to the best path forward is relaxing.
Calming.
Requiring less energy.
Ultimately, a heckuvalot faster.
So, we practice the skill all the time and when we have those Oh shift! moments...
... we forgive ourselves, and reset.
Perhaps the great Emerson said it best...
... What we are, that only can we see.
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/98/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
THE SLIGHT EDGE
BECAUSE WE USE OUR GEAR every day, we don't always notice the performance is degrading. It's gradual, and we are...
... more concerned with our own numbers.
But, the gear matters.
If we remember anything from the dominance of Team Sky it's...
... marginal gains.
They matter.
Not necessarily individually,
collectively they stack and become game changers.
So are the marginal losses.
I share this as a cautionary tale.
While in Park City a few weeks back,
bombing miles and miles of sweet single track...
... my fork went from finicky to very funked up
My pal Chad helped me get it working enough to enjoy the trip.
As soon as I returned, I rang up the local suspension whiz Mike and gave him the situation.
He ordered parts from Sram to rebuild and improve the fork by replacing the Brain.
Simple enough,
and 7 weeks before Leadville.
Dropped off the bike Monday, planning to have it back for the weekend and continue to perfect my oneness with my steed.
Hey Todd.
Hi Mike.
We gotta small problem.
Uh-oh.
Sram sent the wrong parts.
Dang.
Yeah, it's gonna be another 10 days.
Is the suspension torn to pieces?
Yes.
Ok, I understand.
Now, here's the part we all need to understand...
- we need to stay on top of the maintenance
- allow plenty of time for parts to arrive
- and for the mechanic's schedule
... in order to have the slight edge we need on raceday.
===
165.8 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 125 push ups, 25 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 125 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/103/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
2026 TUESDAY MORNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE LIT
ABOUT THE MOST FUN we can have is upping our game for the weekly group ride. The good ones all have memorable names. Just saying them sparks...
... anything from fear to fun.
Like The TMWC.
A ride we started 24 years ago...
- 30+ riders every Tuesday at 630
- most wearing the ride's kit
- with an annual throwdown
... and is still ripping today.
Today wasn't any ol Tuuzdee...
- the regulars
- the outta towners
- the first timers hoping to hang on
... it was the unOFFICIAL 2026 Championships.
4 categories...
- Women
- U35
- U50
- U100
... racing for glory.
Bragging rights for a year.
The course has never changed, but...
- fullgas from the start
- even paced 'till The Wall
- saving it all for the Corkscrew finish
... the raceday never plays out the same.
Today unfolded with bouts of massive power,
dropping to conversational,
and back at it.
The only thing that was the same was Alessandro...
... pulling off the first Threepeat.
He was so far off the front the camera crew mistook him as some cat who happened upon the course...
... except he raced up The Wall with god-like speed.
Put over a minute on lil' ol' me,
and nearly everyone else.
Insane.
Priscilla crushed the women's field,
snatching longstanding, legit QOMs.
It's not all about the wins, though.
Juan was voted most-improved,
and Eric picked up rookie of the year.
These aren't participation trophies ...
... they represent outstanding effort, week after week.
Congrats to these cats....
Overall
Alessandro
Kody
Andrew
Women
Priscilla
Maria
Vi
U35
Andrew
Eric
Scott
U50
Kody
Drew
Alfredo
U100
Alessandro
Rob
Mani
Still reading?
Wondering how we pull it off?
Our 4 rules are key...
- Leave on time
- Obey the law
- Make a friend
- Have fun
... plus, always be inviting.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/2024-tmwc
Use Promo Code TMWC2026 To Save 20% On The Gear
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/100/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHO HAS THE BEST TdF ANALYSIS?
THERE ARE A LOT of professional pundits pontificating the particulars of each stage of the Tour de Frants. Then, there's the amachurs. Us handlebar hams...
... handing out our homemade takes.
Who's best?
Certainly it's not Velo's...
Jonas Vingegaard was left choking in Pogi's exhaust and came to the line two seconds back after the 1.7km hilltop kick to Les Angles.
... latest retarded hyperbole.
Cycling News' take...
A devastatingly-long and sustained acceleration by Tadej... with a two-second advantage.
... wasn't much of an improvement.
Jonas said it better...
It's a shame, of course. But when we started the Tour, we expected to lose time... so it's a good starting point that I'm tied on time with Tadej.
... and more accurately.
But, he's not selling ads for eyeballs.
My eyeballs and ears like to take in...
- Chris Horner for pointing out the knucklehead moves of the day
- Lance's podcast for the entertainment
- GCN's breathy and breasty euroness
... if I have the time.
And then there's NBC's crew...
- I do feel for Brent and TJ having to educate the unwashed with silly cartoons and goofy bets
- No way I could ride the sissybar like Christian or do the man on the course stuff like Steve
- Amid correcting, Bobke does a good job as the straight man
-
Phil may miss a few deets, but that voice is still gold to me
... collecting a solid paycheck.
Nothing wrong with that.
For actual, pure analysis...
- concise
- relatable
- insightful
... I think Tom Danielson does it best.
He delivers it via blog, vlog and podcast.
You're probably thinking Nice job taking potshots at people just trying to do their jobs...
... to which I'll counter, I'm grateful we have so many real human points of view vs the AI slop sure to come our way.
Links to Tom's work:
https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/tour-de-france-stage-3-tadejs-boxing-match
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/81/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING
MOST OF US have a test course, a segment that is our fitness barometer, where we lay down a valiant effort, then upload it...
... to see where we're at.
Sometimes years of data points.
When we're prepping for the A race we'll hit it hard.
The results are instructive...
- PR'd it
- on track
- woefully wanting
... from elation to devastation.
Gratefully, it's usually good and confirming info.
But, what about when it isn't?
Like my Leadville prep test up a similar climb to Columbine...
- 1:10 in May
- 1:14 in June
- 1:15 in July
... which is honestly, quite discouraging?
The May effort I was waiting for my friends,
in June I was chasing all the way,
in July I went alone.
July's effort was the shortest
June's was much longer,
May's the longest.
Big takeaway...
... my fitness is going backwards.
So, find the positives...
- I'm descending better than I have since the TBI
- the nutrition plan seems to be on point
- the bike is nearly complete
... and make adjust ments.
I still have 7 weeks to turn it around...
- stop shredding my legs with weight training
- get back to throttling Saturdays
- stack the Zone 2 miles
... and I have some definite ideas on how to do that.
Will it work?
I dunno.
What won't work is quitting.
Thoughtful, calculated perseverance is always the right answer.
===
165.6 lbs 12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/87/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HALF THE FREEDOM
WE KNOW where the 50% mark is on the course. The distance. The estimated time it takes to get there. The food we'll need to arrive and...
... finish with good energy.
But, is that enough?
Knowing vs doing,
totally different things.
The first half of 2026 is gone.
For some, it flew right by.
Others...
- bored
- unengaged
- beset by challenges
... had a different experience.
We are free to stay the course, or...
- 10x goals
- Committed mindset work
- Severing whatever is holding us back
... recalibrate and blow everyone's minds (ours included).
God, bless America.
===
Nowza good time to crack that journal open and document the amazing things we've accomplished to date.
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
Let's rip!
===
164 lbs 12.6%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/88/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GUITY AS CHARGED
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, there is no defense for the flagrant violations of society's norm...
... we've got a problem.
And, we don't care.
It's who we are...
- city limit sign? let's race
- KOM within reach? let's race
- event 700 miles away? let's race
... we're constantly on the lookout for our tribe.
We rarely watch sportsball,
we'll watch a TdF stage start to finish.
We do find comfort in the couch,
after an absurdly long day outside ripping.
We do devour ice cream and cookies,
but only when the calorie deficit is irredeamable.
We aren't normal...
... we're race junkies.
===
If that resonates,
you might want this shirt,
which I'm pretty sure we priced wrong at $20.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
I'll fix the price after the holiday.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
===
165 lbs 12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/96/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BROKE OR BROKEN?
IT'S AMAZING what we're willing to put up with. I suspect it's just in our nature and probably why...
... we thrive at the endurance game.
We tune it out.
And, here's the dill.
Pretending things aren't the way they are...
... can be demoralizing.
Yesterday, I had my cracked front windshield replaced on the van.
It wasn't huge,
but it was slowly growing,
ever since our trip to Sea Otter.
Neighbor Rick came out to chat and asked me why I replaced it.
Honestly?
Yeah.
It was making me feel poor.
The thingaboutitis, if I'd had the rock chip fixed immediately...
... the cost would have been minimal.
Which begs the question...
... what are we allowing to languish and bring us (our performance) down?
===
166.4 lbs 12.4%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON PEPTIDES
THE TEMPTATION to tap the pharmacy is getting realer every day. Call it the effects of the human genome project or clever marketing...
... lotsa people on the train.
I've been surprised.
Just in the last month or so, some of my much younger (30s and 40s) and generally healthy friends...
- trimmer
- slimmer
- sexier?
... have let me know their results from peptides.
They aren't athletes who compete,
just dudes wanting a better bod.
My response is always the same.
Dang...
... I can't do that because I'm a racer.
I know...
- the likelihood of getting tested is practically nil
- the evidence of peptides disappears quickly
- the help they deliver is real
... but, I'll know.
So I push on in the land of...
- working hard
- eating clean
- getting rest
... and I'm quite okay with that.
===
165.8 lbs
7 hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RIDE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU WOULD RIDE WITH YOURSELF
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we get an insight that touches our hearts and when we try and explain it to others they just don't get it. Not their fault. We just need an analogy...
... we can all relate to.
Try this one.
I'll do my best to share the change of heart I had recently...
- a homeless woman sitting on the corner of a busy sidewalk in front of a food court
- people, me included, waiting for the light to change
- ignoring her sad, red eyes like they didn't exist.
... it wasn't my finest moment.
We're all rich.
I'm on a stupidly expensive bike,
but no cash on me,
gazing ahead.
Ignoring the obvious hurt and loneliness.
I was ashamed...
... of my inability to see the once beautiful baby at my feet.
What would it have cost to acknowledge her?
And it hit my heart so hard...
... Love they neighbor as thyself.
Finally I got it,
and I'll do my best to share it with you.
If we really loved our neighbors as ourselves we might...
- be a little nicer, kinder more patient
- genuinely ask how they are, if they need a hand
- we might hold the bar a little lower or a little higher, out of love
... not the awkward, stumbling empathy that paralyzes us.
Genuine desire to help others as ourselves out knowing that...
- if we were raised differently
- made regrettable choices
- had terrible experiences
... but for the grace of God go I.
It reminds me of my good friend Todd Darley, a better Todd than I, who always rolls out with food.
One day we're ripping up Mulholland with a spicy group, gonna PR it...
... and Todd disappears.
Where'd you go?
Stopped to talk to the homeless hiker?
What?
Yeah, wanted to make sure he was okay. Gave him a bagel I had.
Last Saturday, a dude in a pick up with a trailer full of tools pulled up to me and Chad and flipped us the bird...
... I laughed and asked myself Now why would I do that? Having a bad day? PTSD from cyclists?
I'll never know that dude's literal problem...
... just hoping this change of heart stays with me forever.
===
165.4 lbs
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/91/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THIS CODDLING?
WE'VE ALL HAD to face the unbearable hot situations. Sometimes in training, others in a race. But, that's the thing...
... we've all had to face them.
That's life.
So, when the geniuses at Velo led with Extreme Heat Could Force Radical Rethink of the Tour de France...
... I sighed.
Stop the coddling.
They're professionals.
Then Surfergirl chimed in...
- 2013 Tour of California
- 4pm finish
- 114º
... But, remember Palms Springs.
We started early and rode the stage ahead of the pros.
Dropping down into the desert floor was like riding into a giant hair dryer.
Oppressive and awful.
My son and I staggered into a 7-11 and chugged giant Slurpees...
... finally lowering our body temps to be able to ride to the finish.
The pros came in and literally collapsed on the sizzling black and gooey tarmac.
She had a point.
It was horrific.
After wading through the Velo clickbait I discovered the "radical rethink" just meant considering starting the races at 9:30 vs the typical much later starts that finish in the hottest time of the afternoon.
You know the real tragedy isn't the coddling, it's that...
... I won't be able to go for an early spin and watch the race finish live.
I'm sure I'll find a "radical rethink" of my entertainment consumption.
===
163.4 lbs
9 hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/99/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING THE COMFORT ZONE
IT CAN BE PERPLEXING to know a truth from personal experience, to share it because we care, and see it not be received...
... because it's scary.
Like ripping downhill.
I have a few friends who are training for a big event with me.
There will be a fair amount of climbing,
followed by a fair amount of descending.
None of it...
- steep double-track
- wide open hardpack
- a bit of chunky rocky stuff
... will give most mountain bikers any trouble.
Unless we're racing,
really going for it.
Even then, most will be fine...
... but, they could be so much better.
And here's the headscratcher...
... I can't get them to ride much harder trails in preparation.
They protest,
avoid,
skip.
Because I'm absolutely failing to ride home the point that learning to rip more challenging trails now...
- steeper
- chunkier
- twistier and slicker
... will move the comfort zone.
Moving the comfort zone means we are...
- more efficient
- relaxed
- calm
... saving all kinds of physical and emotional energy.
While others bog down with Oh shift! moments, we can turn those sections into...
- recovery
- relaxation
- moments of bliss
... something to look forward to, and potentially gain/make up time.
If we're into that.
I am.
You?
(Where else are we too fraidy catty to move the comfort zone?)
===
163.6 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/114/-23 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, DOES HE REALLY CARE (NOW)?
ON RACEDAY it's fair to say nothing else matters but the race. The training, the fine-tuning, the sacrifices...
... they're all coming together.
We need to rip.
But, when it's all said and done...
... should anybody, ourselves included, really care?
Take a dude I heard about...
- inspired and helped millions of cancer patients to believe they had a chance
- single-handedly lifted a dying sport getting legions to pedal
- operator of a massively popular podcast
- successful investor and businessman
- father of five children
... does he really care that he's not recognized as winning 7 TdFs?
For all you haters that are now triggered, the unsubscribe button is above and below.
For the open minded, contemplating our own mortality and personal achievements...
- family
- race wins
- inspiring and helping others
... what would you prefer?
===
164 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/93/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of The Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all things marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INNOVATION THROUGH IGNORANCE
IGNORANCE AND IGNORANT are such ugly words. And don't even speak ignoramus. Referring to anybody with those words...
... is just plain mean spirited.
Ain't gonna make ya friends.
Yet, the truth is, many of personal innovations come from ideas...
- never heard of
- never thought of
- never been exposed to
... we were completely ignorant to.
Here are a few of mine...
- swimming to control breathing
- lift heavy, low reps
- sprints for power
... that have helped improve over the years.
The swimming one I came up with on my own when training for Leadville in the early days. I wanted to control my breathing and keep my breaths deep.
The lift heavy, low reps I learned from one of the great Phil Mafetone books. He only pioneered Zone 2 training coaching Mark Allen to become the most complete and dominating triathlete of his era.
Lift heavy, low reps was also heavily preached in the fascinating book Underground Secrets To Faster Running, by Barry Ross.
Sprints for power came from the awesome Fred Duncan, a premiere track coach.
The idea that we are born to be athletic and should treat our bodies as such came through loud and clear in Christopher McDougall's book Natural Born Heroes.
I could go on...
- crusty old curmudgeons calling me out
- lessons learned through experience
- defeats whose sting was wicked
... but that's not the point.
The point is we've got to continually expose ourselves to new ideas and concepts and experiences in order to...
... keep innovating and growing.
Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Socially.
===
1664 lbs
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/102/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE VISION BORED
VISION WHILE RACING isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen. We gotta breathe, we gotta see...
... to move forward.
I was thinking about that today while zipping down a twisty trail.
If I let my eyes start to focus on what's up close...
... my speed drops and I become much more reactive.
When I'm focused far ahead...
... I go much faster, slipping into a state of flow and things are magically easier.
The thing I was thinking about was my vision board.
Mulling over the things already accomplished, as well as what is in the works.
The vision board seems to work the same way...
... focusing on the outcome, not how I'm going to get there.
Some of you may be thinking Dude is nuts,
others nodding your heads That's right.
Either way, I'll leave you with this thought from King Salomon...
... Where there is no vision, the people perish.
===
166.2 lbs
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/108/-19 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TUCK AND ROLL!
AERO. The term is like a science fiction blob that oozes it's way into everything, eventually killing everything in sight and taking over the world...
... with no end of it's pervasiveness in site.
Can we escape the creepiness?
The thingaboutitis, once we go slip down the aero tube...
- positioning
- equipment
- apparel
... it's almost impossible to stop.
That list falls short of the whackiness...
- hands on the mtb fork crowns at Leadville
- hydration bladders stuffed in front of jersey
- dropper seat post for bombing road descents
... which actually works.
I was thinking about that this morning as I crested The Wall, about 15 seconds behind the leaders.
Pedaling till I was spun out...
- butt hooked on end of saddle
- hands next to the stem
- chin on the Wahoo
- elbows in
- knees in
... I assumed the position (I'm not a butt on seat tube believer).
Would I, could I catch before the bottom?
Being on my lessthanaero gravel bike...
- spun out with gravel gears
- rolling shallow depth road wheels
- rockin' a well ventilated KASK helmet
... I needed every aero advantage I could get.
After rolling up on the 3 in between the two leaders...
... we rotated, taking short and speedy pulls.
It took forever to catch,
all the way to the final curve.
I'm already thinking about next week...
- actual aero helmet
- clean shave on the legs, face, arms(?)
- and, yeah, gonna bust out the Speedsuit
... what else I can do to improve my aeroness.
On my previous road bike, I clocked 51 mph...
... today's set up shows 47.4 mph.
Tuesday can't some soon enough.
===
168 lbs
7 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs
89/113/-24 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CUI BONO?
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEALS that get cut on the race course. Some are obvious, some hidden. Many between competitors...
... for money, glory and pride.
The worst deal of all?
Well, that depends on Cui bono?...
... Who benefits?
Deals between competitors kindasuck, but...
- hang on for camera glory
- work to stay in break
- straight cash
... we can usually tell who benefits,
and who pays.
No, the most insidious deals...
- staying up late
- backing off the finishing sprint
- starting the new diet "tomorrow"
... are the ones we cut with ourselves.
Because nobody benefits,
'cepting our competitors.
===
167.4 (Happy Fatter's Day - sheesh!)
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
85/90/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ALL MY LOVIN'
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH LOVE?
My Surfergirl reminded me there was a time when I wouldn't make time for "making time" before a big race.
Ahhh... the superstitions.
No doubt inspired by some Rocky-type movie... Ya gotta stay away from the girls!
But, is that really a thing these days?
Does it matter?
Honestly... at the risk of no loving for a long time... love makes the world AND wheels go 'round... So I always pack my pink nighty into my RaceDay Bag.
How 'bout you... love or no love before a big race?
_____
165.8 lbs.
20 pull ups/60 push ups
Ride with us: click for info.
SCARED: TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE
LET'S BE REAL, sometime you really, really, really, really, really gotta pee during a race. What's a racer to do?
My friend Kevin, perfected the stand up and pee off to the side for LoToJa... which is fine for some, certainly not for the ladies... and no matter what sex you are, impossible during a mountain bike race.
Such was my dilemma Saturday at Leadville.
I was too scared to stop and pee because I was chasing a time goal... and well, the pressure ain't what it used to be. Who knows how long I could be... stage fright and all?
I know we have amazing chamois' in our bibs and that peeing in the bib wouldn't be the end of the world... in fact, it could be a big relief!
Gross, I know...
but sometimes, you gotta go!
So tell me...
Have you ever let it flow, warm and yellow?
To pee or not to pee?
_____
167.6 lbs.
16 pull ups/48 push ups
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THE GOTTA CONTINUUM
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF RACERS, one has gotta win and one has gotta do their best.
Neither is more virtuous than the other.
Neither can exist without the other.
Which one are you today?
How 'bout tomorrow?
_____
166.8 lbs.
0/0
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7 THINGS I'D DO DIFFERENT AT LEADVILLE
I KNOW, I HAD A RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME TIME AT LEADVILLE. But, the racer in me can't help wishing I'd done a few things differently. That's a good thing. To review, while it's fresh.
So, here's what I'd do different.
7. I would have pre-driven the course with my crew (Surfergirl) on Thursday so I could rest more on Friday.
6. I would have her meet me at Pipeline with a bottle then scoot over to aid station at the bottom of Columbine. This would allow me to carry less at the start. More importantly, it would give her more time to get back to Pipeline... she only made it with 6 minutes to spare. That could have gone real bad.
5. If possible, I'd get to Leadville 10 days early and pre-ride some or all of the course at a race pace... then head somewhere else to taper and play on the resort runs with lift access.
4. I'd rent a house for Thursday-Saturday nights in Leadville. We stayed with my sis' in Breck. They have an exceptional place, but turned out to be a lot further than I'd imagined. I've stayed in Leadville before, the houses are a little ramshackle, but being close saves a lot of energy.
3. For my prep, I would do more long days on the MTB with enough food and water to go 6 hours non-stop. These would be adventure rides, on technical trails. The past few years I've done so much road riding my MTB skills were still not quite primed. Big Bear would be great, so would Mammoth.
2. The altitude is still the biggest killer for us sea levelers... leaving for the mountains a month early, I have to imagine, would be a true game changer.
1. I would hustled my butt across the Finish Line instead of coasting in and enjoying the fanfare... because, if I'd gone a mere 32 seconds faster (which I could have easily done) I would have qualified for the Silver Corral!!!... a dream come true, and a lot closer to the front and the fastest guys.
Just little things. The big things I got right: awesome bike, my body weight down 7 lbs, lots of upper body and core strength, my food was spot on. In no way am I complaining, just doing the wise thing... review and improve.
Who knows... maybe there's another PR out there?
_____
unknown lbs.
0/0
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WE NAILED IT!
WE NAILED IT!
I like it when you say that.
Hmmm...
Yeah, it makes me feel part of the race.
Oh you are... there's no way I could do it without you.
I'm pretty sure I've cried every year I've raced Leadville. For various reasons. It's that kinda race. Everything is required: body, mind, soul.
I rounded the corner, there was the van as planned. Perfectly stationed was my trophy wife. I skidded to a stop. Dumped my empty gear. Like a pro, she gave me my supplies. Loaded my water bottle into the cage. Made sure I took a big swig of pickle juice.
I was off.
Overcome with emotion.
She was so kind and patient and pro.
That's really nothing to cry over, right? But, you see... that's 2.5 hours into the race. By that point, I'd...
... wondered what the hell I was doing the race for as my lungs and legs burned a whopping 10 miles into the 100.
... been shocked as every hill, which I'd pre-ridden, seemed longer and steeper and meaner.
... intensely contemplated what was I trying to prove by chasing a PR?
Then there's the whole self-talk... can I even do it? will the bike hold up? the body? the weather?
And it's a weird cry... a wounded animal whimper. No tears.
Soon enough I was on Columbine. Emotions gone. Hungry Like A Wolf blaring in my mind.
Let me just say, of all the climbs I've done for fun or racing... this is by far the worst. Straight up to 12,500'. The top so steep I have to walk. It's shameful. But, I gotta do it.
I made a few friends on the climb. That's always fun. One was Coach Jonathan from Trainer Road. A great podcast. I could tell he was focused on metering out his power. We rode together most of the day. Mainly because he took a few bathroom breaks and I, somehow, had the prostrate of a 20 year old.
But, that's Leadville... emotional. challenging. friendly.
This annual gathering comes together to find out what we're made of.
Behind every effort is an extraordinary amount of planning, investment and support from the crew.
Nobody does it alone.
Together.
We nail it!
... oh, and yeah, I got that PR. 19 years after my 8:20, I posted 8:15. I crossed the line. Hugged Ken, the founder. ... clutched my Surfergirl, and hustled to the potty to empty my screaming bladder, like a 20 year-old! (mighta been a tear there, too)
CLEANLINESS. GODLINESS.
I'M NOT SURE IF CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS... but I am sure if we expect to uncork our full god-given powers on race day we better have clean, race-ready equipment.
I'm not sure if having a clean bikes guarantees victory... but a dirty bike can lead to a helluva lot of problems.
I'm not sure if a clean bike is virtuous... but meticulously going over each part can expose future trouble.
I'm not sure of a lot in life... but I'm sure glad my drivetrain ready to shred.
... don't for get to wash behind your gears.
_____
163ish
0/30
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WELCOME HOME.
THE ROAD TO LEADVILLE IS COLORED WITH WELCOME SIGNS. Welcome to Dinosaur is a real thing. But, the We <3 Leadville mural with it's Great Living @ 10,200' stood out. Long and low, the white sign stretched 200 feet.
Pulling into town I realized it was gone. Replaced with houses. I wondered how welcome I'd be, and how much I'd love this trip... little superstitions are real.
We ambled around the lower roads at set on riding Hagerman's to Power Line. This is my favorite part of the course. From the summit, it is a very fast Jeep road.
As I was geeking and gearing up, I heard Susie chatting to a solo rider outside the van. He said he used to live in California. Susie asked if he knew me.
Todd Brown?!
I jumped out.
Nate Whitman!
Oh man... my fears or riding alone at sunset were blown away with memories from Nate's first Leadville, which was also my PR year.
Nate has finished top 10 and sub-7 hours multiple times, over 18 go's. That's world class.
But, he didn't start that way... in fact, I gave him a 25% chance of finishing at all.
Somehow we'd met on AOL or something pre-social media. He lived in Venice. He was a semi-pro soccer player. He wanted to see what he'd gotten himself into. I'd done the race once, which made me the local expert back then. He drove to meet me and Peter Vidmar at the bottom of Harding on a sweltering July afternoon - weeks before the event.
I'll never forget it.
Nate.
In a heavy black soccer jersey.
Uh, you sure about that jersey?
Oh definitely. Soccer guys know this is best.
Ok.
It was a long day for all of us. Pete and I cruising, Nate nowhere in site. The afternoon heat scorching our backs.
Two of us howled with laughter about the black jersey.
I could tell Nate was discouraged at the top.
At the bottom, he asked Do you think I'll be okay?
My response, which he remembers to this day... You're fit right?
There is no other place like Leadville to find out if you're fit. It's an obviously infectious quest... one that Nate has answered and mastered.
Seeing my friend Nate was a great sign of being welcome, which would get added to at dinner.
Dinner.
How things have changed up here! There is finally, really good food. We sat at Treeline. Out of town owners who brought their out of town talents and out of town prices. Well worth it.
Clearly, the locals love it... as in walks the legends themselves. Founders. Creators. The spirt of Leadville... Ken and Merilee.
I popped off my chair.
Gave them a big hug.
They welcomed me like an old friend... I wondered how could they remember so many people, imagined it was impossible and didn't care as Merilee embraced Susie and whispered...
Welcome home.
_____
The legend, Nate Whitman
Side story... we met a real life Leadville Trail runner. Mark. 64. 1 artificial hip. He's in for his first LT100 running race. Got in via lottery. Has no idea what he's in for... and I mean that in a good way. Good Luck!
TRAVELIN' FOOL
SATURDAY WAS THE LAST BIG RIDE, and it was way bigger than I'd planned. That's the problem with an epic event that requires travel. On the way, I always manage to wind up on an amazing trail or road and just can't resist going longer than planned...
... and I'd say returning 4 hours after I'd planned to return shows an incredible lack of self-restraint.
But, who cares?
When the posse is solid, the temperatures pleasant, and the dirt loamy, I'm gonna ride.
Bryson put this together, and Jeff and I joined. 20 of us rolled up and away from PCMR (Park City Mountain Resort). Normally, this would be a terrible decision. But, this wasn't your average group. These were all riders who'd planned and qualified for Leadville. Utahns, used to altitude. Committed MTBr's with the skills to carve any trail.
The only person they had to wait for was The Old Diesel.
By the end of the day, my 4 hour ride had expanded to 8 hours (6 riding). . 50 miles, 5000' of vert. All of it sweet, sweet single track. The group dwindled to 3 of us.
Then it was me.
At The Canyons.
Double patty cheeseburger did nothing to curb my hunger.
It was a big day, possibly too big. But, I didn't care. The trails, the air, the beauty, the friends. Worth it.
Takeaways... my chain fell off and wedged impossibly hard into my frame. Shouldn't have taken my chain catcher off months ago... now I have to hope my daughter can find it and overnight it to me - plus get a new chain and cassette. My lube didn't not make it through the day - not sure what to do on that front for PbVille. Everything else, perfect!
_____
Gettin' ready
And we're off
Dream-like
Best burger ever?
Post-burger, this did the trick
163
0/0
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WE HAVE THIS SAYING
'ROUND THESE PARTS, IF SOMEONE SAYS IT'S JUST A SOCIAL RIDE most of the time it really means you're about to get slaughtered... have limbs slowly yanked off one at a time. This slow dismemberment starts out nice enough, and terminates apologetically enough that we keep coming back for more.
But, a funny thing happens over time.
We get to know each other... not just our weaknesses and strengths on the bike, but in life as well. We learn to recognize more than slobbering suffering, but internal suffering.
We become friends.
For life.
And we celebrate our victories and our birthdays.
Shout out to Johnny B for the party hats for Ursula's bday.
And, another to Chris Hill who picked me up some sardines in Barcelona.
Yeah... we know each other, and we know you wanna be part of this... whether in person or in spirit. If you don't have a local social ride, build it... your peeps are counting on you.
(Chris knows I love sardines and black beans before every big endurance event.)
? lbs forgot to bring my scale
0 pull ups (gotta find a park with a bar)/30 push ups
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SYNCHRONICITY
HOW DO WE END UP ON THE SAME PATH, AT THE SAME TIME? I entered the bike path at just the wrong time to miss Jim heading inland. I could see him, but I wasn't going to catch him. Then I passed a man who is most likely mentally ill, only to round a corner and have my buddy Patrick - who's visiting from Vegas - yell my name.
We stopped.
Said ill man joined us.
Track bike.
Ancient.
Shirtless.
Jeans.
Tennies.
Heavy metal cross hanging about his neck.
Explaining his tough decision to choose from his quiver of 20+ bikes.
Through the sweet breath of what I guessed was a rough night - or woulda been rough for me.
He was different.
I was uncomfortable.
Our paths had crossed and joined for a moment. I doubted we were going the same direction.
But, we were on bikes. Talking about gears. Our divergent paths one, for a brief moment.
To my shame, my discomfort didn't wane. It grew. Kinda like a dinner party among strangers when the conversation turns to the weather... but, rougher.
We rode away.
Patrick and I on the same path.
Me thinking, There but for the grace of God go I.
Me wondering, should I have acted differently? More accepting? More loving? More concern? More empathy?
Later, I went to the office.
To fight my own battles.
The ones I'm comfortable with, whether I know it or not.
166.2 lbs
10 pull ups/30 push ups
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SPLITTING THE GLORY
AS INEOS PROCEEDED TO TURN THE BEST TOUR DE FRANCE IN YEARS FROM THRILLING TO BORING, I realized how happy I am to be racing Leadville on my own terms. There's no GC to protect and no concern about how I place amongst my peers.
Unlike Bernal, I won't be playing it safe at the finish.
The only safe playing I'll be doing is making sure there is absolutely nothing left at the end.
Unlike the runners up, I won't be trying to hold on to my standing.
The only standing I'll be holding onto is my own time splits.
No race radio in my ear giving me updates.
My race radio will be SurferGirl swapping out my bottles.
No team car to bail me out of a mechanical mishap.
My old, weak hands will have to bail me out if needed.
No teammates to protect me from the wind.
Just sprinting to the riders ahead, surfing one group to the next.
After reviewing all the time splits for my age group for the last few years, I realized my buddy Jeff's time from 6 years ago was almost exactly what I was shooting for. That was Jeff's 10th and fastest year.
On my top tube will be Jeff's time and my goal splits. I think I'll go out a little slower than him, and I hope I can come back a little faster. And it's just a hope.
My mission is to beat my PR set 19 years ago - 8 hours and 20 minutes. The other 4 attempts are between 8:32 and 8:36 - which is weird when you consider the weather is never the same, I've flatted, I've jammed my chain, etc.
On the surface it seems completely unreasonable given the time span and the unpredictable nature of racing on a given day, but... I'm the lightest I've ever been for the event. My bike is top notch. My training best ever. And, the course is constantly getting faster. Plus, Jeff and I are pretty even most of the time.
Whatever happens, it won't be boring.
165.2
0/0
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SO PRETTY, NOT
THEY WERE NORDIC, HANDSOME AND LOVELY, WITH HEAVY ACCENTS. I admired their beauty, right up until I didn't. There was this moment when the lady ruined it all.
How you ask? What was this repulsive sin?
Well... it was kinda like when you see someone unload a brand new, glamorous carbon rig. They mount it wearing their elegant super euro kit. With that first pedal stroke you know... this is gonna be ugly.
Shaky on the straight lines.
Horrendous cornering.
Bowleggedness that begs for a Wide Load sign.
Arms locked straight.
... ah, it's an inexhaustible list.
Where is that person's friend?
Silent, no doubt.
Maybe aghast!
Just like I was this morning as the adorableness of said Nordic offended all in site with a bite of croissant. Bite is not the right word... it was more a rip of a hunk, mouth open wide in the approach... staying wide, chomping a few times with a colossal gulp.
Ruined it.
Friends don't let your friends ride ugly.
Be light on the hoods.
Cut the apex on the turns.
Tuck those knees in.
Bend those arms.
... this is a good start.
164.4
10/30
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SO MANY RIDES
MASSIVE GROUP RIDES, WEEKDAY AND WEEKEND RACING, PERFECT WEATHER... around here you can pin it 24-7. Worse, it's Tour time and everybody just wants to race!
Hard.
Everyday is a new opportunity for Zone 5.
Put it in the big ring, and leave it there.
That's all we want to do.
Ride 'em all...
...soon you won't be able ride at all.
164.4
20/60
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HOW TO INCORPORATE OAT ROOTS INTO YOUR DIET
TONIGHT, AFTER A RATHER LARGE SNACK, I TORE INTO ONE OF MY OAT ROOTS. Man, I love these things. Can't have 'em everyday or I build up a tolerance. You're probably the same.
Oat roots are after all...
... Haute Routes.
Haute Routes are super cool events, that I used to pronounce hot route... thinking it meant super cool cycling route, then I met the crew over there on a work project.
But, that's not my point.
My point is I work Hot Routes into my weekly regimen.
A hot route to me, is a loop that brings me pleasure and that I can really rip around on. I might go out and just spin it a few times, then jump on it for a smokin' fast lap... or I might start our slow and go faster each lap... or I might rip the first lap and go slower and slower as I exhaust myself.
Typically, Tuesdays are the same Hot Route - The TMWC.
Wednesdays, I like to rip a loops off on the MTB
Fridays... I think of new ways to end up at the same old spot for a cup and some journal time.
Fun + Fast = Hot Route
165.4
20/60
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THE 3 STAGES OF LIFE
MY DAD HAD THIS JOKE ABOUT THE 3 STAGES OF LIFE. It made no sense to me when I was in my 20s. Now that he's gone, it's just more evidence he was a genius... so, let me try and screw it up while applying it to me 'n Jefe.
Stage 1
Young guns, falling in love with girls and bikes. Dude, I pooled all my shekels and I'm pulling the trigger on a Gios with Campy Super Record.
Stage 2
Young families, and we reconnect the friendship and epic endurance mancations. Dude, have you heard of the 24 hours of Moab?... let's do it!
Stage 3
The sprocket of life showing some serious wear. Hey, is there a bathroom on the route?
Jefe, aka Dr. Sumsion, was one of the first cats to get a road bike in the college days. I think it was to help his ski racing. He had this cool Italian rig. I had a Cannondale touring bike, because surely 3 rings in front must be better than 2! All I knew then, or know now, is that he's always on the forefront of what's cool... proof: he's been begging me for 10+ years to do a gravel race.
We lost touch after college, but somehow reconnected. It was over the 24 hours of Moab. We grabbed PViddy and McKay and trotted out to see what we could do. I'd never had so much fun suffering through cramps, dark and snow. So began my re-entry to racing and the world of heinously hard endurance events.
These days, he pops down to SoCal a couple of time a year and if I'm lucky he carves out time to go for a ride... usually spending the night at my place and hitting TMWC. The rest of the time I'm longing for, and occasionally pulling off, the amazing riding in Park City.
What came first, the friendship or the bike? Who cares!
166.4
0/0
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WELL, THAT SURE DIDN'T WORK
I WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT EASY SATURDAY. And I did, on the bike. But, it was Family Weekend and the team wanted to do the old hike.
I was never winded.
Barely broke a sweat.
5 miles later my legs were wrecked. They were still wrecked today when I went for an easy lunch spin.
Why?
1. Off the bike I don't wear shoes, ever. I'm a flipflop kinda guy. Sand got in my shoes and ground the balls of my feet raw.
2. I walk a lot on the sandy beach. That is not the same as over rocky, uneven terrain. I've got shin splints.
3. I didn't to any recovery stretching or rolling because it wasn't a strenuous. Rookie move... ain't I too old for that?
Life Lessons:
1. Shoulda just hiked in my Rainbows, but it also wouldn't kill me to wear shoes occasionally.
2. Nor would it kill me to go back to hiking the many trails nearby.
3. Always do the stretching and rolling... always.
It was worth it to spend time with these two, and think back 19 years.
166.6 (food and family, a lethal combo)
20/60
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A GAP IN NINE = HOPE
EVERY SINGLE TEAM IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE IS AT LEAST 11.2% WEAKER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS, and I'm digging it! Some even more. When it was announced there would be 8-man teams vs 9-man teams I figured it would open up the racing, and WOW! this the most fun I've had watching the Tour de France in decades.
30 years ago American Greg LeMond electrified the world with his stunning come from behind victory on the last day of the Tour. It was a short time trial, and he trailed Fignon by 50 seconds. There was little hope, yet he won by the narrowest victory every: 8 seconds.
Sometimes all we need as competitors is a little hope.
It's weird, isn't it?
We've seen it in ourselves, the tiny bit of hope flourishes into a towering tree of confidence.
It happens one pedal stroke at a time.
And they build.
And we change.
We become new again.
Fresh.
Ready to take on much more than we'd thought possible.
We're seeing it in this tour with the super stylish racing of Julian Alaphillipe, with the attacking climbing of Thibaut Pinot, with the metronome pace of Steven Krusijswijk... and I believe it's building in the slow starting defending champion Geraint Thomas.
A mere 2 minutes separate the top 6 racers after 2 weeks of climbing. The evenness of their talents is unreal, hard to comprehend. On a typical group ride or race, I can lose that much time on one climb.
Who will win?
The man who's hope continues to grow.
Who is that?
Thomas or Pinot, I don't know...
but my heart goes with Julian.
164
0/0
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SCREEN TIME
I HAVE 3 SCREENS I LOOK AT ON MY GARMIN.
First is always the screen I'll need at my next "A" event. Right now it's set up for Leadville 100 MTB race.
I'll be watching my h.r./power to try and hold reigns on the way out, and to kick the spurs on the way back... if all goes well, it should be a negative split - less time for the last 52 as the big summit is midway.
Cadence is not an issue early on, but can be when I get tired.
Elapsed Time... this is crucial because the clock doesn't stop until we finish, but I will stop 3 times to refuel... maybe 4.
Distance will help me stay oriented as things can get a little funky at 10000' above my home.
Second, is my screen for road/gravel riding.
No power on the those bikes. Power doesn't really matter in a race. Either you're in it, or not. So, I just watch my h.r.
Speed and Grade help me gauge the effort as well.
I track actual time here, because I generally have time in the saddle as my goal for a particular ride.
Third is my mtb screen.
Here I track power first, since mtb races and rides are more like mass start time trials.
H.R. still counts.
Cadence counts more, the longer the effort.
Ride time, not elapsed.
What are you tracking?
_____
Road/Gravel screen
MTB screen
163.6
10/30
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IMAGINE THINGS WERE DIFFERENT
HE WAS A BEAR OF A MAN. The kind of guy you wouldn't want to play flag football against... an accidental swat might fling you and me to ambulanceland.
I blew by him, just on a nice tempo.
He was panting hard.
His lithe lady like a butterfly ahead.
I've seen it before. I'll see it again.
I popped up a nifty climb, snagging a PR. Dropped down a daring single track that had me walking, hoping no kids with big travel bikes mowed me down. Soon I was riding back up the the main dirt access road.
I'd forgotten about him.
But, there he was.
Stopped.
Sweaty.
For a moment I imagined what it would be like to push a massive 300ish pound body up that road.
Lady barely breathing.
Skinny, endurance dorks like me flying by.
Not only is that an amazing physical effort, but possibly quite humbling.
I wanted to high-five him... then I realized he might snap my skinny twig of an arm in the process.
164
20/60
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NEVER, EVER SAY...
I WOULDN'T SAY HE FOUND ME ON THE TRASH HEAP OF LIFE, but my trajectory at the time wasn't the best. Back then, he was an internationally famous '84 Olympian with 2 gold medals. I was a retired high school varsity tennis player on a bad team, trying to learn how to race my bike.
We started riding together. Him, to nudge me along the right path. Me, enjoying being a voyeur on his giant life.
We became the best of friends.
The wives became friends.
The kids became friends.
We kept riding together. I dragged him down to the original Coffee Crew. He dragged me to higher places. Along the rides, we shared the trials of raising a family, losing parents, career choices, finding faith etc.
We were neighbors in Irvine, riding a lot of road.
He moved to Foothill Ranch, we followed and we all got really into mountain biking - eventually doing Vision Quest.
He moved to Coto, suddenly we were there too and with no good group ride we started The TMWC.
Then off to San Clemente, ... but didn't follow them to Australia for 3 years.
This week, freshly back in the States, he jumped into The TMWC with his characteristic I'm in terrible shape... and did just fine. Which is proof, that I finally taught PViddy something after nearly 30 years...
... never, ever say I feel great when heading out for a ride... even to your best friend.
166
25/45
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KOM's ARE FOR LOSERS
I RECKON SOME OF YA ARE GONNA BE PISSED, but I really do think KOMs are for losers - PRs are everything.
Who cares if I get a KOM? I mean, it's cool... for sure. But, stay with me.
If it's a bunch of 10 year olds I stole the KOM from? If the wind was howling from behind? If I started at the back of a big group and surfed my way to the front? If, if, if...
If it's my KOM, it just means I'm the fastest guy who's been recorded. That's it.
If you've got the KOM? If you're a pro, any kind of pro? if you used any of the above mentioned tactics? If you're just a hell of a lot faster? If, if, if...
I honor that effort and I use it to inspire myself to dig deeper. But... that's all.
Because I can't control you. I can control - delusion or not - myself. Therefore, I think PRs are always better than KOMs.
I know the conditions when my effort is recorded. I know the work I've put in. I know whether or not it's a legit PR. I know whether or not to celebrate.
Comparing myself to others weak.
Comparing myself to yesterday is all that matters... starting with Am I having fun?
166.2
20/60
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ABOUT 5 GUYS THOUGHT THEY WOULD WIN TODAY.
WHEN 700 PEOPLE LINE UP AT A 100K MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE, only a few think they will actually win. The rest of us have our own metrics to ride by. We start in mass. Other than our number plates there are no indicators of racing category.
We collaborate with older and younger and opposite sex.
We ask ourselves, How old is that cat?
Less than 90 seconds separated 1st-3rd in my race. Here's how it went down:
At 4am, I got up and enjoyed my race-proven, possibly superstitious, sardines and beans breakfast. That's 3 hours prior to the start. Failed at more sleep.
530am, warmed up my engines in a hot bath.
615, drove to start with one awesome trophy wife for support.
650, line up in 3rd row.
7, we're off.
705, I'm at least 50 guys back. Do I like it? Hell no, I love it! I tell myself it's all according to plan.
8ish, no more people are passing me. I'm settled in, and I ask myself...
Can you ride this pace 2.5 hours from now?... that's about how long it's going to take me to do a lap and be right back here.
I'm also asking myself, Why do I do this? Why didn't I sign up for the 50 instead of the hundred? Why am I so slow? How come that lady, who's my age, on a single-speed passed me? ... because these are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves at this point.
And the answer is always the same: to find out what I'm made of. Specifically today, I want to see if I can get into Leadville. That's the same thing at least 100 of the racers want to know.
90 minutes in and I think I'm on pace, but I'm not sure. We are starting to shred the amazing single track, and The Old Diesel is in the zone. All the fools who started fast - too harsh?, no because I've been there many times and will be there again - are starting to come back to papa. I'm not sure if I'm on track because a fast section I relished has been replaced with a snappy, zigzaggy section. It adds time, but how much?
2 hours in and a silver fox eases on by on the final climb of each of 2 laps. He looks awesome, and I'm pretty sure he's around my age.
At about 2 hours 34 min I complete lap 1. Surfergirl, aka Trophy Wife, is resplendent in her Tour de Donut jersey. We swap bottles, she jams food in my pocket, I lube my chain - lots of dust and water crossings take a toll up here.
Typical of this style of racing is to form alliances with people about the same speed, trading pulls and chatting a bit. I rolled with Singlespeedguy from Utah and Mike from Edmonton enough to chat. The rest either passed me or I passed them too fast. These alliances break up the mind battle, and really make it fun.
Lap 2, and the answer is YES! I can go as fast as I went the first lap. In fact, I go about 3 minutes faster. Some of this is due to holding tight to the reigns on lap 1 and some is that the course is just wide open... nobody to slow me down. So fun!
330 in. I've got 90 minutes left, and I'm daring to cut loose. Outta the saddle jamming up the little stuff, and steadily grinding the bigger climbs. This allows me to use different muscles in my legs.
Cramps threaten - forgot to mention I pounded a good amount of real pickle juice when I stopped to reload - but yes, cramps threaten and I'm downing Salt Stick chewable tablets. They abide, and ride like hell. It's on.
430 in. I see silver fox... and damn!... another silver fox. We've got the final, hideous climb... the one I fell over on 6 years ago because both my legs cramped simultaneously - took me 37 minutes that day, the same climb I went hellalot slower on the 2nd lap 3 years ago. There's no mailing it in today, these two racers are the real deal and I can only hope I don't crack.
This is what it's all about. Amir attacked hard, got a decent gap. I ground on. It's an undulating climb, and each steep ramp I stood. We battled, then I slowly opened up my own gap. There is no way I would have ever ridden that climb that fast, that hard if awesome athletes like these two weren't pushing me.
I took just over a minute off my PR, 21:26.
Here's the point dear rider: As a dude, I need these silly contests in my life... cause when all the shiz goes down at work, or things aren't copacetic at home, I can look back at today and remember I can do hard stuff.
_____
All these guys and gals hope they can lottery in to Leadville.
These 3 got in
Time to rest, recover, reload
Ride with us: click for info.
TOP 10 THINGS I DO TO FEEL FAST, RIDE FAST.
IN LESS THAN 72 HOURS THE GUN WILL GO OFF AT THE TAHOE 100 MTB RACE. Everything I do between now and then is designed to make me feel fast. There's no heavy duty training to be done.
Time to ride fast.
... and riding fast, starts with feeling fast. Here's my Top 10:
1. My bike will be detailed, lubed and ready.
2. I'll get a ton of sleep the next few nights.
3. I be super strict on my diet to keep lean while not exercising much.
4. My bottles will be marked, and filled with goodness.
5. My food will for the day prepped for easy access.
6. My helmet washed and all the sweat salt removed.
7. Glasses super clean.
8. The Racing playlist will be rocking on the drive.
9. The race kit, the special one that says I'm here to kick ass!, lovingly folded.
10. My special RaceDay bag with the winged wolf, packed and double checked.
Do I do more?... yeah, but stick with the top 10 rook.
164.4
10/30
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ACTUALLY I DID IT...
NO, SUSIE DIDN'T MAKE ME DO IT, nor the kids dissing.
Not my moms' (both of 'em) subtle cuts.
Not my boring friends blunt hints hoping to restore my conformity.
That's the kinda stuff that makes me rebel on. 'Cause that's what I am. If I wasn't, I'd be...
golfing
donutting
driving a sedan
riding an electric bike, if ridin' at all
But, that ain't me.
I did it because I'd done it.
Same reason I do anything.
To do it!
What's next!
... just going all freakin' out at Tahoe this weekend.
165.2
10/30
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TIME TO FIND OUT
IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT IF I'M FAST ENOUGH FOR LEADVILLE. I mean, I think I'm fast enough, but they don't. Why would they? They don't follow me around, they don't know the work I've put in. But, I do.
Today I realized, it's time. It happened on Harding. I put down my fastest time this year, and finished it off very strong vs limping in. I knew right then, it's as good as it's gonna get and I oughta just get it done.
Change of plans.
I'm going to go back to Tahoe next weekend vs doing the stage race qualifier at the end of the month. It'll be my 3rd time racing that course.
My first Tahoe race was terrible. I cramped so hard I fell over and couldn't get back on my bike. The second time was magical... I just looked at my splits from that day: 2:26 on the first lap, 2:27 on the second lap.
I'm banking on magical again... then on to Leadville.
... felt so confident I ate the last donut...
... hope I'm right.
164.6
0/0
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YOUR 5 BEST FRIENDS
A LOT OF SMART PEOPLE HAVE NOTED, we are the average of our 5 best friends. But, due to a bolt falling off my bike today I had a little deeper insight on that subject.
Here it is...
We are only as good as our network. In other words, our ability to get things done is determined by how good our network of friends is.
For example, today I'm riding along and a bolt on my spider falls off. I instantly stopped riding, knowing from previous experience how easy it is to destroy the chainring when a bolt is missing. I search for the bolt. No luck.
Call my wife. No answer.
Call my buddy Justin. Answer. Explain. He'll meet me at bottom of the trail. He gives me a ride home.
Call power meter dealer I purchased the bolt from. They're closing early.
Call John at Velofix. He'll be in the neighborhood. Stops by and fixes it within 2 hours.
I'd say my network is freakin' awesome.
It's something to think about, right?
Is my network at work top notch?
Am I cognizant of my kids' (when they were at home) network?
Is my social network uplifting?
etc...
How good are my networks? is worth asking, so is how much value do I bring to my network?
As I write this a massive earthquake, 7.1, hits Ridgecrest CA and rocks us hard in San Clemente.
I hope my network is okay.
I wonder if our 72 hour prep is in place? Food, yes. Water, I'm not so sure.
Maybe that's what was meant when He said, Love they neighbor as thyself.
_____
164.6
10/30
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THE MOST FRIENDLY RACE I'VE EVER DONE
AS A PROMOTER I GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK... it's expected, it's the things I don't see and probably don't appreciate. The result: we get a little better every year.
Yesterday's unOFFICIAL TMWC was my favorite to date. It wasn't my fastest day. It wasn't the biggest turnout. But...
We had the results in real-time.
We had plenty of interlopers, the folks who show up once a year and really blow it out... dragging our posse to new PRs.
We had donuts!
We had PVidmar, one of the OGs, back after 3 years down under.
We had our first timed KOM from the bike trail to the top of Live Oak.
We had our largest turn out of ladies.
We had an abundance of happy people.
We had a rider take an early flyer that would probably have stuck had he known the course... doh!
We had guys from Utah and Arizona in town just because... and a cat from New Zealand!
We had great sponsors: TwoHubs, Stage21, Sariol Legal, Monster Energy, Sejuicedbar and PEDALindustries.
We had on bike video and a drone - check 'em below... they're awesome!
We had the best volunteers ever: Susie, Shelby and Dawn.
We crowned John Janneck unOFFICIAL Tuesday Morning World Champion of 2019!
But for me it was extra special because I got a chance to ride with my son Trevor from the Wall to the Dragstrip. We reminisced about his first TMWC 10 years ago, when he was in high school... and all the fun racing he did while in college. Honestly, there was nothing better than being with my best riding buddy on my favorite course on an absolutely beautiful morning surrounded by my posse. He's moving out of state in August, and I'll miss him... but every Tuesday when we hit the final miles I'll think back on this day and smile.
As the day wound down, nice messages came in thanking me for putting on another unOFFICIAL, but I think Jorge's text summed it up best:
The most friendly race I've ever done.
#itsjustasocialride
unOFFICIAL TMWC TOMORROW - 7/2
FRIENDS... tomorrow is the annual unOFFICIAL Tuesday Morning World Championships.
3 things you need to know for tomorrow:
1. You need a timing chip, so get to the start early. We'll be ready for you by 6:10am. We start at the park off of Antonio and Oaktree. Parking is limited. If you're driving, there's plenty of parking at the church on Oso and Antonio.
2. We have a KOM from the start of El Toro Bike Trail to the top of Live Oak. This will be chip timed, which means the fastest person on that segment wins - not necessarily the first person over the top... why?, because we want to keep things together as much as possible until we hit the bike trail. There's $50 to the top male and female riders sponsored by our friends at Sariol Legal.
3. We have a code, and EVERYBODY is expected to abide by it:
Have fun.
Obey the law.
Make new friends.
GRUELING?
IS IT FAIR TO CALL TODAY'S MTB RIDE GRUELING? It was 97 miles. Nearly 10,000 feet of climbing. Just over 7 hours. Strava called it an Historic Effort... which began at 440am.
But is it grueling if we choose to do it? Nobody forced me. Quite the opposite, I was invited. And I leapt at the chance to ride with my kindred soul from AZ, Markell, on the old Blackstar Racing Leadville training ride.
We live to find out what we've got physically. How far can we push? Just what exactly What is in the tank? is more important than what's left... because when we do it right, nothing is left.
But, there's something else. There's this thing where we tell ourselves I'm going to do X, X being something crazy, and our bodies usually perform to expectation. Could be a spritely 90 minute circuit with a pack of animals or an unfathomable endurance metric. Most of the time, the body is game to play.
Right up to the end, I felt great today.
Sure, there were moments of severe distress but I backed it down a bit and the power came right back.
Then, I got home.
Dismounted.
Truly struggled to open the front door.
Nearly collapsed on the floor.
Covered in sweat. Panting. In desperate need of something, but failing to form the commands to myself necessary to regain my bearings.
I made my way to the kitchen. Grabbed blender. Poured in fruit, protein, water. Stabbed at the Smoothie setting.
Drank it.
The cold. The sugar. The feeling of coming back to life.
Made another.
Chased it with 44oz of ice water.
Showered.
Napped.
Groggily blogged.
Was it grueling or satisfying?
_____
Bonus surprise, Markell's OG brother Mike joined us for the most savory portion from Whiting Ranch to the top of Harding. He is an out of shape legend, who's ridden scant miles this year... and still clobbered me on Harding.
_____
164.6
0/0
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DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO SAY IT?
THE CULTURE OF OUR RIDE:
While the ride itself is an eyeball-gouging, hair-pulling affair... it's all in jest, an effort to push and applaud each other.
But, what happens when someone breaks one of the the pillars of our culture? Once, or every now and then... hey, we all mistakes. I'm taking about a consistent offender.
We can say, do nothing.
But, at what cost?
The cost of saying, doing nothing is losing the culture of the ride. Lose the culture, lose the ride. The cost of saying something is an unknown... so remember, a spoonful of sugar hopes the medicine go down.
What are you going to do?
It's your ride...
or team,
or family,
or business,
or community,
or _______
_____
166
20/60
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WE BELIEVE
We believe racing is the best way to find out how good we are.
The goal is not to win, but to develop a system that brings out our best on and off the bike.
Success is in the friendships with whom we share this glorious ride.
_____
166.4
20/60
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BEAST BEATS
MY FRIEND CHRIS BEATS ME MOST OF THE TIME. Beats me on training rides. Beats me at the races. But, what I really like is the way he beats me.
He goes beast.
Like today. . (actually yesterday, no service at resort)
Gun goes, he goes… and I’m thinking… will the beast make it to the finish?, because every now and then he blows and I catch and pass him.
Off he goes with the lead pack… which included Tinker Juarez.
Through the dust I could see ‘em, but they were getting smaller and smaller.
I wasn’t dogging it… Strava shows I PR’d the opening climb. (yeah Todd)
After a very fast descent, I was a handful of seconds behind. The next long climb, I had to settle in… we still had 3 and a half hours of racing ahead of us and there was no way for me to continue that pace.
Fast forward to the second 24-mile loop. It’s hot. We’re at 9000’. Not a cloud in the sky. I’m in my groove and I’m thinking Chris will be suffering. I’m gonna roll up on him. The beast will blow.
Riders from the shorter events appear on the trail ahead of me. So many black jerseys – just like Chris’s. I keep thinking there he is and uncorking short efforts. But, it’s never him.
Trail starts to run out. The long 10-minute enduro course to the bottom is peppered with riders in black. I blow by.
Then I finish.
There he is.
The remnants of beast slowly receding,
Dust filled lungs hack out Todd, got a Coke in van?
Yep.
... and I think to myself beast and beats, same letters different order... if only I could've summoned my beast maybe we'd have finished in a different order? Someday he'll have to teach that to go beast, maybe over a Coke.
_____
164.6
0/0
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IT'S JUST A BIG FAT LIE
AS I SLOWLY BEND MY BODY AND TOUCH MY NOSE TO MY LEG, I realize what a big fat lie is told. And then, believed!
You can't get better after a certain age is just a steaming load of...
But, people believe it.
And give up.
Don't.
That's all I can tell you... wait, I can tell you more.
After 3 months of stretching every night, I'm more limber than I have ever been in my entire life.
That's just one example of many, from my own personal experiences.
Are there things I can't do that I could? For sure. But, letting that be my guide for what is possible is a huge mistake... one that I will no longer make.
Instead, I grind. I work. I practice. I improve. Every. Single. Day.
How 'bout you?
_____
164.6
20/60
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https://www.pedalindustries.com/pages/fantasy-raceday-bag-giveaway
RUMOR HAS IT
SOME IDEAS DON'T WORK. Like my idea to make The unOFFICIAL TMWC Invite Only. What a FAIL!
It wasn't to exclude anybody, but to make sure the crew got a personal invite before it sold out.
My thinking was it would sell out super fast.
It didn't.
And... a bunch of people think they aren't invited. The opposite of what I'd hoped.
Ay carumba!
Registration is now open to ALL, no invite needed.
Here's the link: https://replaytiming.com/register/2019-tmwc/
So fellas... pass the word along por favor... or Toddy's gonna take this one in the chorts.
IT'S A MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR
YES, YES, YES... it's that time of the year. No matter what, there's no way to skip rides now. The season is on us. The big events just around the corner. Now is when PRs are set, podiums are climbed and the victory we are after makes us do things we wouldn't do 6 months ago.
If it's raining, we're going any way.
If we're busy, we're going early.
If it's hot, we deal with it.
If everybody bails on us, we don't care.
Because we know the competition, be it ourselves or our mortal enemy (so dramatic, I know, but for some that's how it is), might skip it... and just knowing we got it done...
GIVES. US. SO. MUCH. POWER!
... and confidence and fire...
Today, is when our minds get so much stronger. Sure the body will be a little better from the workout, but the mind... oh, the mind... that's what counts today.
I don't mind, if you skip it... if it's too hard... too early... too time consuming... it's okay. You rest up.
I'll be riding.
LEADVILLE TRAINING: THE CRAZY TRAIN
THERE'S A KINDA PACE WHEN YOU RACE LEADVILLE THAT YOU'VE GOT TO FEEL, because your heart and brain are going to lie to you. It takes more than a few outings to feel it, but when you do... hot damn!
To me it feels like I'm a tank or a loaded semi or a bulldozer or an outta control train... yes a crazy train!
Un. Flipping. Stoppable.
It doesn't happen on the road, because road racing is much more about 1-5 minutes of pain. It doesn't happen in XC because that's about holding your breath until you heart explodes. Not gravel because... is that racing? : )
Only at a truly long mountain bike race do I have to become that crazy train. The training for it goes like this: Figure out that pace I can hold for hours and hours. Then train it every Saturday. That's it.
If I listen to my heart in August, I could completely blow it on the first climb by going out way too fast. I'll be so fresh and antsy. If I listen to my brain on Powerline I might just pull over and quit. At Leadville your heart and your brain are your enemy.
Your friend is that feeling of unstoppable. Let the kids go hard early, laugh at them when they pull over and puke or quit or cry 6 hours later.
So, when my assignment today was to hammer Harding this morning, I decided to hammer it at Leadville pace. I wasn't super stoked on my time, 1:10. It was a minute slower than a few weeks back. But... here's the kicker. I took a full 5 minutes off last week's time up Maple Springs, 1 hour flat.. which came after Harding. Then, I proceeded to keep putting out solid power for the entire 6 hour ride.
62 miles, 10,000' of elevation gain.
Nothing wrong with that.
Every week I'm laying that track, stoking that fire. The big choo-choo is coming together. Soon it'll be...
ALL ABOARD!
_____
164.2
0/0
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YEAH BUT YOU'RE NOT
EVER HAD THIS HAPPEN?
Me: Hey, I saw So-n-so is doing X. I'm going to do it.
Them: Yeah, but you're not So-n-so.
Me in my head: Damn right!
Naysayers... what are ya gonna do? Listen to 'em? Agree with 'em? Let 'em bring ya down?
Not me.
The real question is, should they even be part of our future? It could mean death by a thousand cuts.
Which brings me to that pic above. I plowed down a local single track . It's overgrown with thistle bushes. I persisted and pushed until it became impossible, impassable.
It was a long ways.
I should have turned back sooner.
But, I hoped it would get better.
Ever hear of old man power? That's where young guys quit and old guys ride on after riding the youngsters into the ground. It's not really an age thing, it's an experience thing. Like me in the thistles. I rode on. Way too far. Because I have old man power.
Is it really for old men?
No.
Old men can do it because they have experience. Kids don't. Old men know there's life after pain. There's strength. There's confidence. That pain, makes power.
Which brings me back to the naysayers... the moment you realize they are mental thistles and there's no getting through, turn around... never go back down that trail.
Only a fool would do that.
_____
165.4
0/0
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MY MONEY TALKS
WHEN I TRULY COMMIT TO SOMETHING, I put it on paper. I write about it every morning. Then I post it where I can see it.
Advertising works.
I advertise to my mind. Brainwash myself. Remind myself.
It's the only way I can get it done, stay the course... keep from freaking out when it actually starts to happen... hope turns to expectation.
So, I made myself a custom RaceDay Wallet. Because I'm committed to busting a PR at Leadville this year.
Want one for yourself? Click here.
_____
166.4
20/60
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THE BEST
THE BEST WORKOUT I DID TODAY? The pullups and pushups... because I hate doing pullups and pushups. But doing them...
... when I don't want to makes me stronger, mentally.
... to failure makes me stronger, physically.
The best food I ate last night? It was not eating the 2nd cookie, skipping the ice cream and still thoroughly enjoying dessert with my family... because I hate skipping the social sweets. But skipping them...
... when I want to indulge makes me stronger, mentally.
... and that second and third round I skipped makes me strong, physically.
Riding the bike is easy.
Being my best requires more than pedaling.
166.2
20/60
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OMG I'M NOT RDY
IF TODAY IS ANY INDICATION OF MY READINESS FOR LEADVILLE... we in big trouble mister.
Let me count the ways:
1. My sleep patterns have been stinky. Stenchy actually. Like a child I've been binge watching a ridiculous show every night this week... staying up late only to rise with the birds every day at 530. That aint gonna cut it bro. Sleep = speed.
2. My pacing, ugh. Rookie at best. We had 4 major climbs today. I set PRs on the first. Dangled off the back on the second. The third... I was pedaling squares while vultures circled.
3. My food. Well, I wasn't hungry. But dawgawn if that VMO didn't cramp so hard I nearly fell off my rig. The climbs were large, the sun was burning. I knew this yesterday... no salt tabs?... c'mon man get, it, togetha!
Was there anything good? Only a fool doesn't find the goodness to go with the badness.
1. I rode with a Camelbak for the first time in years. And, it was great! So easy to sip while the terrain is rough. And... and!... I parceled it out perfectly.
2. The new Maxxis Ikons: rad. Great traction, super cornering.
3. My spider-sense-MTB-oneness is coming back. Yep, faster downhill every ride.
4... that 4th climb. Only Chris and I did it. It was after I cramped. After Charlie threw me 2 Salt Stick tabs. And I felt great. There's a lot of confidence to gain by continuing to ride and work through the challenges.
Leadville will present a lot of problems. I found 3 today. Easy to address.
I got 8 weeks to find 'em all.
Start to Finish
THIS AWESOME APP
THERE'S THIS REALLY COOL APP ON MY CELL. It's almost as good as a ride with the posse.
It's limited to audio, but it rocks.
Just like when we ride, we can talk. Actually converse and share stories. Learn from each other. Get inspired. Or, just listen when listening is what's needed.
Better than iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, and way better than email.
The icon is a green square with a tilted C thingy... it's great for the times we can't ride together, I'm trying to use it a lot more.
163.4
11/33
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WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BIKE?
WHEN SOMEONE ASKS WHAT'S MY FAVORITE BIKE, it's on the heels of do you ride street or dirt. Yes, of course, before they get to that question I gently correct them and say You mean road or mountain?
My answer?
The short one... always the same.
The bike I'm riding.
My long answer?
It's still the bike I'm riding, but then I'll go deeper. The last couple of years it's been much more about the road. My oldest got into road riding and brought me along. He's out now. I'm still very in... until lately.
Looking for a new challenge, I decided to take another run at Leadville - the 100 mile bike race at over 10,000' in Colorado. I just had to get a new bike. Oh man, the new MTBs are amazing: faster, lighter, better suspension, better shifting, better, better, better.
I'd forgotten how much better mountain biking is compared to road riding. The solitude. The oneness with nature. The lack of cars and congestion and noise. The long, long climbs. The feeling of flying once the bike is pointed downhill.
Yep, mountain biking is my favorite... unless I'm on my road bike, or my gravel bike, or my unicycle, or my motorcycle.
So... what's your favorite bike?
164.4
10/30
Ride with us: click for info.
FEELING IT
UGH... IT'S SO DANG EARLY.
I'm staying here.
Under the covers.
It's too cold.
I'm too tired.
I've ridden a lot already this week.
I should have left earlier.
I don't have time to do it all.
I forgot to get my gear ready last night.
Get your sorry butt outta bed.
Right now.
You can rest after the race.
Then you'll...
Feel fast and ride fast
on race day.
... how most mornings start for me. How 'bout you?
_____
165.4
10/30
Ride with us: click for info.
TRAIN WITH RACE WITH
FIVE US HEADED UP TO THE RACES SATURDAY. We train together most Tuesday mornings. All of us managed to climb atop the podium.
Which got me thinking...
We're all on different teams.
We're friends.
Are we weird?
Or, have we figured out some sort of secret sauce?
And what came first?
Do we race together because we train together or do we train together because we race together?
Join us sometime or every time... together we're better... thetmwc.com
_____
166.4
20/60
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THE BEST TUESDAY OF THE YEAR
4 MORE WEEKS TO THE BEST TUESDAY OF THE YEAR
You can register here https://replaytiming.com/register/2019-tmwc/
New for 2019
- We'll have a KOM from the Start of the El Toro Bike Trail to the Top of Live Oak. We'll time you based on the Winner's Time and based on your Chip Time.
- Everybody gets a T-Shirt! If you register by June 10th.
- The first 10 U23 Registrants are free!!
-
The Lottery. You don't have to be fast or slow, you could win The $500 Lottery, or invite someone who wins The Lottery. If you invite The Lottery Winner, you'll be splitting the pot with them. But it doesn't end there...if you are within 5 generation of invites, you'll be sharing the pot.* For example, if I invite Tim, who invites Lori, who invites Pete, who invites Kim, who invites Cheyne, and Cheyne wins The Lottery...we ALL share in the pot.*
*Note: if multiple people invite the same person, the person the Invitee enters will get the credit.
Any questions can be directed to todd@pedalindustries.com.
We look forward to seeing you!
The PEDAL Industries Team
YOU CAN HIDE BUT YOU CAN'T RUN
SOME OF MY PREDICTIONS COME TRUE, they just take a while. Like today's winning break. The actual break was hoped for, the makeup of the break was predicted.
Post race, I got a chance to chat with Chris.
I've raced with Chris a number of times the last few years. As I'd been away from the road scene, he and many other new faces filled the ranks. Today was the first time I really got a chance to hear his story.
First, let me describe his race style. He attacks, gets brought back, and attacks, gets brought back, rides on the front, attacks, rides on front. He's relentless. And I love it. He keeps the pace up, and keeps everybody honest. Some might call it fool hardy, but from time to time it works and he scores the big V.
And, that's how it went down today. On his 200th attack, Jon and I shot across. The three of us then got a smooth rotation going and opened up a really nice gap on the field. Chris, so far, has no interest in the sprint. He works hard and makes the break stick.
Jon taught me a lesson in patience. I had visions of soloing in for the V. Then, I had just a vision of his back wheel. Doh!
Chris snagged 3rd and moved up on the overall as well.
Cooling down, we spun around the alternate course and here's what I learned.
Chris used to be a runner. Not a jogger. A certified badass runner. Sub-15 min 5k, 31 min 10k. Now he's been racing bikes for a handful of years.
10ish years ago I predicted the masters racing ranks would start to swell with ex-runners and triathletes. Eventually, they would have to quit and move to riding and racing bikes.
That hasn't exactly been born out.
I suspect part of the reason is the vicious nature of bike racing, particularly the road. A lot of athletes can't wrap the mind around the tactics of the road. The drafting. The sitting in. The decisive nature of one well-timed attack. The runners that move to MTB racing fare better, usually.
That's what's cool about Chris. He has succeeded in spite of his nature being to work hard all the time. This year he won at least one road race using that tactic, and many podiums.
If he ever figures out how to hide... I hope we can run him down.
_____
164.4
0/0
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WHAT THE CALENDAR DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT IT
9 DAYS OUT, and I'm fairly pooped.
Calendar says I be racing in 9 days.
Calendar doesn't know I'm gonna sneak in a race on Monday too.
What will that form be then... -1,000,000?
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164.4
30/90
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R IS FOR REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION. The moment of truth. Before you register the race is just an idea, an I might do. Which means it's nothing. It also means if you're talking about it, it's just talk. Some might even call it BS.
I know this first hand.
This year I had planned to do the Whiskey50. But, and you might think this is weird, the closer the event got the less sure me going seemed to be. Right up until the week of the race, when I went to register and it was sold out.
Yep, I was that guy. A big, fat loser.
You can't win if you're not there. You can't PR if you're not there. If you aren't in the race, you're out... you're that guy, too!
Conversely, also on my radar was the Santa Barbara Road Race. I signed up 2 months in advance. In this case, the closer the event got the better I got. My diet was stricter. My training was better. It all fell into place and I had a great weekend of racing.
When you register magic happens. The sooner you register the sooner it starts. Your focus changes. It's easier to say no to distractions and yes to what moves you closer to your goal.
To make your registration more powerful, share it with the world. Post it on social media. In 2016, I blogged every week about a 200 mile bike race called LoToJa and how I was prepping for it. Trust me, when you put it out there it is like having a super power. It takes that initial registration and multiplies the goodness by a million.
But, the real pros... the ones who really know how to harness their ambitions, build a posse. My posse is my group of friends who I train with. Not all of the posse race the same races, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that the posse knows my plans, and I know theirs. The posse becomes like a board of directors. We share ideas and secrets. We plan rides to do. It's a whole other level of accountability and motivation and fun!
Yes, fun! In the end, the registration and the sharing and the posse are meant to bring a whole lot more fun to the racing. The racing is hard. It takes everything we've got. Keeping it fun carries us through the challenges and disappointments bound to come our way.
If we weren't challenging ourselves, if we weren't going for it, there wouldn't be any disappointment and there wouldn't be any growth. We'd be static at best, most likely going backwards in terms our physical abilities.
That is what Registration is all about. Finding out what we're made of and how far we can go.
What are you registered for?
INTRO - THE RACER'S Life
I'M NOT A GIFTED ATHLETE, AND YOU PROBABLY AREN'T EITHER. Few are. The rest of us compete knowing our weaknesses, and sometimes we win. We beat the blessed, we pummel our PRs... because we have to, it’s who we are.
We are racers.
We are passionate.
We are determined to improve.
The RACER’s Life is the approach I have used to win 2 National Championships, finish Leadville sub-9 on all 5 attempts, and rest my head at the end of the day battered, beaten and satisfied that there was nothing left to give.
What more can we ask of ourselves than everything?
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165.6
0/0
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MOUNTAIN BIKING FOR DUMMIES
DON'T TRY THIS ON THE ROAD.
It's for off-road riding.
When you're solo.
And wanna learn.
Podcasts.
Expand your mind.
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0/0
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