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
>
unOFFICIALLY
unOFFICIALLY, WE MIGHT BE ONTO SOMETHING. When 20 somethings text each other, Hey, my favorite skate company Welcome just posted this picture... Isn't that your dad's event? And when kids as cool as these two cats ride with us each week I gotta think...
nah, we totally are.
Getting together each Tuesday for our little social ride keeps most of us mostly sane and mostly fit year round. We depend on each other to be there, and we are.
But, making it special once a year with an unOFFICIAL timed ride and unOFFICIAL prizes and unOFFICIAL raffle and unOFFICIAL gear gives a lot riders who otherwise don't officially race a goal for the summer.
And that's really what it's all about... giving ourselves permission to have some fun and celebrate each other's talents and friendship.
This year was the first time a true "regular" has won the unOFFICIAL. We've had pros drop in and win and we've had up and coming high schoolers join us off and on and win the day. But, today Cheyne, with some help from his good friend Kevin in the finishing straight, got the win like he does most weeks.
It's been fun for me to see these two growing up, getting their careers going, buying houses... being men... and being very humble about their talents.
Yeah, we're onto something...
I don't know what it is,
but it is,
and I dig that.
Results for today: https://replaytiming.com/results/2018-tmwc/#1_83769B
Special shout out to Kevin Wayt for getting up early and handling the timing chips, and for Steven and Shelby for handing the swag. Bowl of Heaven was super tasty, Replay Timing got the results up in real time... and we had some great gifts from Monster Energy, a local sunglasses company, Rock N Road, Two Hubs, G2... and cash for the top ladies from PureRide.
The final mile is awesome, can't way to see Jim's entire video.
Pete's Video
Big Mike's Video
_____
I'M TAKING TUESDAY OFF WORK
SUPER DAVE, THE HARDEST WORKING MAN AT THE BIG "S" SLOTTED IN NEXT TO ME.
Todd, I'm taking Tuesday off next week.
Woohoo!
Because next Tuesday is the silliest, easiest, socialest ride of the year: The unOFFICIAL Tuesday Morning World Championships. It's just a bunch of clowns, clowning around who want a free t-shirt.
So, of course Dave's taking the day off.
Which is probably what we both should have done vs shattering speed records up Laguna Canyon this morning.
Wind-aided? A touch.
Pack-aided? If you call the few that made it a pack.
Did we KOM? Did a group of men, aided by wind go fast enough to snatch the KOM from...
Even though the research on pack dynamics (that's a very worthy link from Frank there) show the peloton is much more efficient than perviously thought? MUCH! Did we beat Brandon's time?
We are not worthy.
But we are worthy of some fun...
so we're taking Tuesday off.
Are you?
Think about it here... https://pedalindustries.com/collections/tmwc-registration
_____
STRONG ENOUGH TO BE MY SPOKE?
I'd be the last to help you understand
Don't let me be alone tomorrow
'Cause you can't change the way I ride
_____
THE GREATEST
MAN, THAT DUDE IS TALL! Wait. No way. That's Reggie Miller. On a mountain bike. Racing!
I was star struck. Here was a guy I loved to watch play basketball. A guy my dad and I cheered for at UCLA. Here he was tonight at Pedal Fest.
Hey Greg, that's Reggie Miller right?
Yeah!
Is he cool about meeting people?
Totally. Super nice guy.
So I strolled over, put my hand out and introduced myself... and we talked about bikes and racing.
Me and Reggie.
Something in common.
Bikes.
I thought about telling Reggie how much we loved to watch him play, especially the greatest 9 seconds I've ever seen... and watching him taunt Spike Lee. But, it's pretty clear he'd rather talk about bikes.
Some days I miss my dad more than others. Today is one of them. He would love this story.
___
Side Notes: We spent the day in Santa Clarita meeting with city council and facility managers about our next HUNKR and Revolution Bike Fest... I think it's going to be very special. Pedal Fest, Greg Flanagan's weekly MTB race, was our last stop... Greg has been a great help up there. His race course looked really fun... I wish I'd been prepared to race with Reggie.
IT'S WAS NEVER ABOUT THE RIDE
BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL, LONG-RUNNING GROUP RIDE IS A CORE GROUP OF FRIENDS. There's joy in riding together, in the meet up.
No one asks what they can do for the group, they just do it.
They figure out where they can make their contribution, and make it.
Whether on or off the bike if there's a need, they fill it.
Through life's ups and downs,
week after week,
ride upon ride,
friends.
_____
OH MY EPICALITY
ANYTIME YOU RIDE OVER 100'/MILE YOU'VE HAD A HILL OF A DAY. That's my barometer. 60 miles, 6,000' of elevation gain... that's a heck of a day.
Lots of guys are training right now for Leadville... 100 miles, 12,000' of elevation... 120'/mile. That's tough.
But, tomorrow's stage of the Tour is going to be insane.
40 miles.
10,000 feet.
250'/mile
I can't wait.
Look at that course. Straight up, straight down, little flat, straight up, straight down, straight up.
That's 3 hours of hell for all but one rider tomorrow.
The winner will have had a hill of a day.
Who will it be?
_____
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DRIVING
I had countless drivers safely move on by today and the day before that and and the week before that and the month before that and the year before that and the decade before that.
Just like the driver that scared the crap outta me, they hustled on by never to be seen again. I can't thank them, can't high five 'em, can't thumbs up 'em... Heck, I don't even know if they saw me!
And those drivers that cut it a way too close...
Did I give them the benefit of the doubt?
Was I wearing bright enough clothing?
Were lights flashing on my bike?
Was I obeying the law?
Dehumanizing each other leads to the worst atrocities known to human kind.
It's not about the who's right.
It's about us.
All of us.
Hey man, thanks for giving me plenty of space.
I really appreciate your driving.
VIEWS
ON A STUNNING CLIMB HIGH ABOVE LAGUNA BEACH, ONE OF THE CREW COMMENTED: I'd have to win the lottery to buy a house up here.
Silently, I doubted anyone with a million dollar view up here had actually won the lottery.
Another commented: Want a million dollar view? Buy a bike.
I guess that's what is so addicting about the bike. The simple pleasure of pushing up a climb and the satisfaction at the summit.
We get there.
We stop.
We view.
It takes work.
_____
I WANNA PUT ON MY, MY, MY...
DAD, I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOU SPEND ON YOUR BIKING CLOTHES!
Really...?
Yes, really!
Well, if you're going to a big dance how much is a dress?
Uh... a few hundred dollars... I guess.
And the shoes?, And the hairdo?, And the nails?
Well, see here kid... This is what I wear to my dance:
my dress.
The helmet,
my hairdo.
The gloves,
my nails.
And these fine I-Tal-ian shoes...
These are my BOOGIE SHOES!
_____
JUST FOR FUN
MY FRIEND KIM PUTS ON A HUGE ROLLING PARTY EVERY YEAR CALLED BIKE VIRGINIA. She's just a plain fun person, plus she rides and she surfs... so yeah, we're friends. But, the thing that really sticks out to me is the way she's arranged her life. It's unlike mine, probably unlike yours.
Is it doable?
Yes, she's doing it.
Could you do it? Could I?
Check it out.
She and her husband live in an RV at a top surf spot on the East Coast. In the winters they come west and live in a smaller RV - tiny, really - and surf and ride in our sunny warmth. He just needs a laptop, she just needs a phone. It's a lean lifestyle, and it's also very liberating. They rented their house out years ago, with the idea they'd try it for a while. It's been a while. And they love it.
That gives her plenty of time to think of new, fresh ways to Bike Virginia. It's not a race at all. Everyday is fully supported with riders choosing multiple routes - long and short, spunky and leisurely. Lots of food trucks to fill 'em up. Great camping or lodging. Sounds like a customizable party to me.
Could I do that lifestyle?
I think so, my lady not so much. Maybe one day I'll husband up and try it out.
How 'bout you?
_____
A GARAGE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS
WHAT'S IN YOUR GARAGE COULD CONVICT YOU. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
A few that might shrug the evidence of their life.
But me?
You?
Probably not.
It's bikes and boards,
helmets and wetsuits
shoes and fins,
lube and wax...
We're guilty,
we play.
That's our garage above. It's tiny and packed.
Sometimes I get garage envy.
Some of my friends, oh man. Their garage floors you could eat off. Their toolsets match the best bike shops. And their quiver of rides... exquisite. One friend has a walk-in washing bay for his bikes.
It's not coveting so much as admiration for my friends' creativity in building out their garages. It's also admiration for their contributions to society; each one has done something amazing in the marketplace. I truly appreciate what they've accomplished as I struggle along building my own dreams.
How do you plea?
Guilty your Honor: of playing, of staying active and strong, of maximizing our body's potential.
... and the best part?
It's that you're my peers, and I couldn't think of a finer jury to go through life with.
GIRLS ON FILM
LOOK IT'S GIRLS, ON BIKES, IT'S PRISCILLA AND URSULA! Yes, the girls are starting to do TMWC again. I don't know if these are shake down runs for the unOFFICIAL that's coming up in two weeks or just coincidence.
Maybe it's because PureRide Cycles is putting up cash for the top 3 ladies?
But who cares?...
It's just great to have them join us for our little social ride. They bring balance to the World.
We're gonna have some fun in 2 weeks.
CeeDub will be using his active chips to time us,
Bowl of Heaven will be feeding us,
and the winners will be getting new awards this year.
Ya never know... maybe you'll make it to Peter's video.
_____
AN OLD TRICK
I DON'T HAVE MUCH, SO IT'S NOT SAYING MUCH WHEN I SAY IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD... but, It took everything I had to leave it in the small ring this morning.
I had to.
My legs felt great.
4 days on Catalina left 'em fresh,
but I wanted to save that feeling for tomorrow's TMWC.
Leaving it in the small ring is a great reminder to take it easy. You start shifting that chain down in the lower cogs and it takes a lot of shifts to go fast. Which is when the reminding comes in.
...
It's funny how I really can't get away from the bike even when I don't have a bike. We were off on a family reunion with water and snorkeling and paddling and sailing on our minds.
On the way out of Peedro (localspeak) the domes atop PV reminded me how fun the Donut Ride can be and that I need to get back up there.
On the Island you can rent bikes to get around. You can also ride on all the fire roads, going from one end to the other... but, bring your own bike would be my recommendation.
On the way back, the lady across the row started talking about Brian and Joy McCulloch and the Redlands bike race. We're doing some gear for their Big Wheel Coaching... small world.
...
So, we're back.
I'm rested, and fatter.
It'll still hurt tomorrow.
PS It was my first time camping on Catalina, it won't be the last.
PSS if you're planning on doing the unOFFICIAL TMWC please sign up now or we'll have to pull the plug.
_____
2018 unOFFICIAL TMWC Fundraiser
JOIN US ON 7/31/18 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO BECOME AN unOFFICIAL Tuesday Morning World Champion!
Most weeks "it's just a social ride" Once a year, it's a fundraiser... and a chance to have some fun before work.
We have a 4 rules:
1. Have fun!
2. Obey the law.
3. Make a friend.
4. Have fun.
... if you can abide by that, then come on out.
Entry and details are here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/tmwc-registration (kids are free)
Meet us at the park on the corner of Oaktree and Antonio in Rancho Santa Margarita.
We ALWAYS leave on time, 6:30AM
MASTERY
IF YOU CAN'T MASTER 1 WHEEL, how can you master 2?
Most of us start with a two-wheeler plus 2 training wheels, then yank 'em off as soon as we can.
Once we get the 2 wheel thingy figured, we start ridin' wheelies... riding as far as we can on just the back wheel.
A few learn to ride a unicycle
I bought one summer when I was 15 and bored. It took a week to master, hanging onto the raised garage door and going back and forth. Some days I'd ride it 2 miles to school with my backpack. It did not help me with the ladies as I'd hoped - shocker! But, I did learn it's easier than it looks, it just takes practice and patience.
There's a lesson there,
somewhere,
somewhere between 4 and 2 and 1,
to keep it simple:
Practice and Patience.
_____
TIMING THE CARBO LOAD
IS IT TOO SOON TO CARBO LOAD FOR SATURDAY'S RIDE? It's tour season, and I'm as geeked up as the next guy. Saturdays are the days when I roll out with Phil and Paul playing Jiminy Cricket. I can't afford to fall flat or bonk.
Proper prep involves a lot of TV watching, website reading, social media fomoing. Which requires a lot of brain power. But, at the end of the day... well, it's the end of the day. I'll need sugar to keep the synapse snapping.
Then, we've got the actual night before. Friday night. Whatever carbs I've burned with the above activities combined with the immense concentration required to properly taper will have to be further counteracted and overloaded with even more sugar.
It's Monday night.
Too soon to crack open the pink cookies?
_____
THE ANYWHERE RIDE
TODAY'S RIDE WAS JUST WHAT I NEEDED, AN ANYWHERE RIDE. We met at 7am, like normal. But we really didn't have a plan. And that was the point, to ride anywhere the guy on front chose to go.
So often we get in the rut of "this route" or "this ride". There's nothing wrong with a rut, unless you're on an MTB and don't know how to get out... then things can go bad, not that you'll die... but, it is true that a rut is like a coffin with the ends kicked out.
Anyway, off we went with no particular place to go. All we really knew is we wanted to stay on the coast where it was cooler.
Turns out, when you ride anywhere you can end up everywhere. I didn't know there were so many back alleys and underpasses to wiggle through, away from traffic. For some it was all new, for others a chance to share secret stuff.
Sten took over through Laguna on the way back and pointed out every sweet surf spot in town.
We should do more of this in the future... see you at 7 for...
A few hard efforts,
and whole lot of JRA*...
to anywhere.
* JRA = just riding along
_____
WATER
MY HEART BROKE AS HE TRIED TO SHARE THE WATER WITH ME. I encouraged him to drink more. All of it. The ice was melting fast inside the insulated bottle.
I was the idiot on a bike ride.
He was trying to survive,
collecting cans and bottles.
No english.
No spanish.
But sounds,
yes, sounds for sure.
I rode home.
a fire burns in the distance
_____
WEIRD.
FIRST THIS HAPPENED: HEY, TODD BROWN! The sun was behind him so I paddled over and he said, It's Bobby G.
Oh man!... it's been so long.
Yeah, I wouldn't have recognized you except I see you on FaceBook. Social media is so weird. I thought you lived in Colorado because you always post bike riding?
Nope, right here.
Still surfing.
Yep, but mostly riding bikes unless it's good like today. The bike is always good (always plugging the sport!)
We caught up on life after high school - family, kids, work. I told him I always think of him when I surf this spot because of a terrible crash he had on his skateboard on the trail that leads to the beach.
(I didn't tell him I think about him at least once a week when I ride my bike past that corner... that would be weird.)
Actually, what would have been really weird is if you told us way back when that we'd still be surfing and riding bikes and skiing (he's a big skier) when we were this crusty.
Next, I texted SurferDan thanking him again for the magic surfboard he made me. He replied he was in town. Get over here! He stopped by, checked out our current set up met some of the crew.
In the process, Dan said he quit riding his bike.
If you know Dan you know that's just silly. Then he clarified it, It's been a week and it always seems weird when I don't ride for a week... as if I gave it up.
I wrapped up the day with a very windy spin. It was a spindy, I guess.
Sometimes weird things happen,
other times nothing happening is weird.
____
BEYOND BEHOLDIN'
MY BUDDY BRETT IS A VERY UNKNOWN BIG SHOT IN THE CYCLING WORLD. When he comes to town, I listen. His stories about past and present cycling, the ones you will never read, always deliver. They are backed up by his massive collection of memorabilia: The Horton Collection.
Last night he told me of one of his projects to have 4 custom steel frames made by 4 famous builders. It was a collaboration with Campy, showcasing their newest 10-speed group set.
That's cool, but this is the juicy stuff.
He's had many famous and not famous riders come by and sent them around the test loop which features a down hill, a flat, a climb and a roller. He's then asked each of them, Which is your favorite?
There is no clear cut winner.
From Adams to Zabel, the answers are as wide ranging as the riders themselves. Which got me thinking...
If beauty is in they eye of the beholder,
Then so are the solutions to our challenges as a country.
Dividing ourselves between us and them is not going to deliver the best answers.
Let us behold each other,
Appreciate each other,
Love each other.
Honor each other.
Listen to each other.
____
THIRD TIME'S A CHARM
I'VE WRITTEN TODAY'S POST 3 TIMES. The first two were all about me. This one is about us. You and me. We have this pact. We've agreed to ride bikes together.
Some of that riding is racing, most of it is just riding along.
We hold each other accountable with unsaid, silly goals to be the first to the City Limits sign. And that's why I love you, because you make me better.
Tomorrow we celebrate the 4th,
our freedoms are real.
Today Iet's celebrate the 3rd,
You, me and our community.
____
THE unOFFICIAL... WILL BE... 7/31/18
YOU'VE GOT 4 WEEKS TO GET YOUR BUNS IN SHAPE. On 7/31/18 The unOFFICIAL Tuesday Morning World Championships will be held.
You may ask what happened to doing it on the 10th?
.... Life.
Mainly my life happened.
Brownie been busy.
So, you may ask what's magical about the 31st?
Here's what's magical, whether or not you admit it, LayTurDayFranz is going to get you geeked up.
If you're like me, you'll pay for the app to watch it in the morning live, at lunch on repeat, in the background at the Interplanetary HQ, and fall asleep to it at night.
If you're like me, this is your favorite time of year to ride road because the weather is warm and the sun rises early and sets late.
If you're like me, it's fun to have an event on the horizon that's not too close and not too far away and not too hokey and not too serious.
What makes the unOFFICIAL different from the regular every Tuesday social ride?
The unOFFICIAL is a fund raiser for local high school MTB teams.
We time it.
We eat acai bowls after.
We have awards... because who doesn't like awards.
All that takes time to plan, and I've got some now.
Why do I have more time now?
Because we've finally got our US kit production up and running, cutting our production time from 6-8 weeks to 2-3 weeks.
Is it really all about you Todd?
Heck no, it's all about you.
So get your buns in shape.
Let's get geeked up and have some fun!
... stay tuned for registration, it'll be open soon.
____
SHOULDA, WOULDA, COULDA... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH
I'M SUCH AN ARROGANT DORK! Because I was leading the series, and because I was undefeated, and because I was too lazy to check the points system I totally disrespected my competition today. The result: I lost the championship by 1 measly point.
I deserved to lose, and they deserved to beat me silly.
Even the above is arrogant... so let me try and sanitize the scent, like I did at the finish.
Fellas, great racing today and congrats on the fast finishes.
Was something wrong with you Todd?
Nope. You guys were better today.
That's the truth.
It's also true that I rode too hard the last 10 days, didn't taper. And it's true that I had a rough night. And it's really true that I didn't bother to check how the scoring went, thinking it was like other series where wins count so heavy that my lead was unassailable.
I should have:
Rested,
I knew I was tired after the 6 races at OverTheHump.
Pre-ridden the course a few times,
it's technical and I lost a lot of time being cautious.
Looked at how the points are awarded,
That alone would have set up the previous 2 weeks.
It's arrogant to think that would have mattered, but if I'd taken those measures I'd at least know I gave it my all. I did give it my all today, but I have those little things nagging at me... making me wonder and thinking... I coulda, woulda, shoulda.
I'm also really grateful. I'm grateful to the Non-Dot crew for putting on a really fun race series. I'm grateful to have good health, and to have friends that are also healthy and able to race and still have fun. I'm grateful to do as good as I did, 'cause I had no aspirations when it started... these guys are animals. I'm grateful for the County of Orange for allowing the races. I'm grateful for all the volunteers.
But, I'm most grateful to have been served up a big slice of humble pie.
I was starving for it.
Everybody ready to play.
Come on turd, get those wheels off the ground!
Cool shot.
Pizza never tasted to good!
____
IT'S NOT MAGIC
IT WAS TRULY MAGIC TO WATCH HIM PLAY. Friday nights with me and Chick Hern and Magic Johnson... Showtime! But, for me the magic wasn't the winning, wasn't the teamwork, wasn't even his unbelievable skills.
For me, it was watching a man maximize his talent. Magic was doing what he was born to do. You could tell he loved it, you could tell he worked at it every single day. And, WOW, was it fun to watch.
It's no different than watching a kid take off the training wheels and take those first few unsteady pedal strokes. Soon, little Betty rips around the street smiling from ear to ear. And, WOW, is that fun to watch.
What's magic?
Practice.
Passion.
Do it, make your magic...
... we all want to see it!
____
WHICH CAT ARE YOU?
MANY YEARS AGO USA CYCLING, OUR SPORT'S OVERLORDS, CREATED CATEGORIES FOR RACERS. We start as Category 5 on the road, 4 off-road and work up to Category 1, then on to Pro. I have immensely enjoyed the competition and "catting up" over the years.
You probably have a few of your own. I'd love to know what they are... it's always good to try and cat up some more.
____
THAT'S RELATIVITY
AT ABOUT 7AM THIS MORNING MY ENTIRE BODY WAS SHAKING. Failure was near. Time... the more I looked at the stopwatch feature on my phone the slower time went.
It was just 2 minutes in the plank position,
It seemed like an hour.
At about 5pm this afternoon we rolled out for MTB WDNSDY. It was 80+ degrees, we were moving slow, gaining over 1700'.
It was 6 miles straight up for an hour,
It seemed like 2 minutes.
That's relativity.
----> Side note: I definitely should have gone to Santiago Oaks today to pre-ride Saturday's race course. There's a pretty tricky down hill that I haven't ridden since last year. Oh well, now I have a relatively good excuse.
____
WHO ARE YOU?
THE BEST PART ABOUT THE KID IS HIS ENTHUSIASM. Frankly, that's the best part about all my riding buddies: EN-THUS-EEEEASM! It's a greek word meaning "possession by a god", and there's one thing for sure... we are all part of the cult of two wheels. It's more than hooked, more than into it, we are religious in our observance of daily practice.
Like any recent convert the kid is on fire and you know what the say... people will come from miles around to watch a man burn. I predict he'll bring a ton of kids into the fold.
Like any old diesel, I'm willing to share all I know. So when I got this text after this morning's TMWC ...
I had a to share what another old diesel told me early on...
It really is the best advice I ever got from a salty old man in his mid-30s. Not only does it take 3 years to figure it, but... in three years you can actually mold yourself into a different kind of cyclist.
At some point I'm gonna encourage the kid to shave his legs. NOT because it makes you faster, not because it's pretty, but at some point his skills are going to be on par with is fire... until then, that hair is a good signal to the initiated that he deserves a little extra space and tender loving care.
He's new.
Be patient with him.
He's the future.
Teach him.
____
IS IT FINALLY SUMMER?
SUMMER HERE HAPPENS WHEN IT'S SUNNY ALL DAY LONG, when we push past maygrayjunegloom. Tomorrow is looking like it'll be one of those days when I get to wear the sunglasses, not the photochromics. I love the nerdy look of the photochromics, and I love not needing them even more.
It means it's warm and sunny at 530 am, a beautiful thing.
It means soon we'll be geeking out to the tour.
It means the unOFFICIAL TMWC is near.
It means a jersey and bibs will suffice.
Now that's a potent list of awesomeness, which is why I love summer. So much daylight to get out and play. So get out there!
____
BUT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED
EVERYBODY HAS A FIRST TIME, a day they are baptized into the bloody brotherhood of San Juan. It's a day they will never forget, a trail they will always remember.
Miles of slippery decomposed granite, infinite switchbacks, steep drop offs and lots and lots of poison oak all competing with striking views across the West Coast to the ocean blue.
Once you've done it, once you realize that yes you will most likely give blood every single time and yes it's likely there'll be some mechanical failure along the way and yes it's nearly two hours to the top... once you've done it and lived to tell your tale then you can't resist inviting a friend.
That poor friend will be just like you were and you don't care.
You try and warn but it comes out so weak because after the blood is dried and scabs are healed and the lingering itch of the poison oak is no more all you can remember is those huge vistas, the exhilaration of conquering the climb and a long, long smile-filled drop back to earth.
You have been baptized,
but your friend hasn't...
yet.
What are friends for?
_____
It's starts off so innocent.
Beautiful above the clouds
The least of his new tattoos
... and some for the rest of us too ...
Don't forget to wipe.
CLOSING TIME
SO, YOU'VE BEEN WORKED TO THE BONE. Whatta ya do now? When you feel like you're nothing but a skeleton, like there's no more energy to give, but you know the work is done?
I feel the energy swelling in my chest as it prepares to suck up massive amounts of oxygen. My legs tingle with eagerness. My eyes close and I see glorious single track being gobbled up as my knobbies scratch and claw across the decomposed granite.
With friends like that, how can we ever get old?
I ain't no skeleton!
It's closing time,
Time to ride!
_____
-
make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.
_____
NO, WHAT DO YOU DO?
LET'S CHANGE THE CONVERSATION... next time someone asks you what you do? reply with I ride my bike.
It's not that work isn't thrilling and exciting and fulfilling, it's that being in amazing shape and feeling wonderful is all that and more. And, if you are feeling all those things people can see it.
What they are probably wondering is how do you work and still look great?
Every now and then you'll find a cycle mate, then you can really geek out.
gravel,
dirt.
Kansas,
Moab.
Been doing it forever,
Just love to ride.
What do you do?
THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW HORST'S FACE
DUE TO THE RECENT FIRES IN ALISO WOODS MANY TRAILS ARE CLOSED. So, I found myself at the bottom of Rocket and decided to head on up as the lower portion of Coyote is verboten. Rocket is a difficult trail to ride down and nigh impossible to ride up because of a quarter of mile section of rough rock (the pictures don't do it justice). But, 25 years ago, on our rigid MTBs, Surfergirl and I stopped in awe as a 50 year old man (FIFTY!!!!) was riding his bike UP! Rocket.
He introduced himself and his incredible machine. Horst Leitner was a myth to me, and the bike a whisper. Somewhere out there was said to be a full-suspension mountain bike with a disc brake on the front. We'd only seen pictures up to this point. And here we were with the man and the machine himself.
Here was living proof that full suspension mountain bikes were coming and they'd change the way we rode forever. Someone I considered way beyond his riding years was riding up an impossible trail and making it look easy.
As I picked my way up the trail tonight two things bounced around me noggin: one, I'm older than Horst was 25 years ago... so maybe 50 ain't what it used to be; two, why in the heck am I riding a hardtail!
Here's a great example of that amazing bike. I wanted one so bad, but it was out of my range. Something I could only dream about.
Horst sold the patent to the rear suspension to this little company called Specialized. It's still in use.
Here's a link to more of his amazing inventions
... I love capitalism.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WINNING
THOMAS WATSON FAMOUSLY TOLD HIS SALES TEAM, FAIL MORE. Thomas Edison famously said, I haven't failed I have found 10,000 ways that won't work. Mike Tyson famously said, Everybody has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth.
Want to win a bike race? Sign up.
Haven't won yet? Sign up for more.
Still haven't figured out how to win? Now you know what doesn't work for you.
Stick with it, one day you'll learn how to "punch someone" and take home the prize.
Whether your signing up for a formal race or just hitting the local group ride or racing virtually, racing is a great teacher.
Figuring out how to win is fascinating. It's a never ending game. Someone is nearly always better. But, we keep coming back like Pavlov's dogs because every now and then it pays off. We add a new strategy or technique and a little confidence to our quiver.
After you've won some, share the knowledge. Help someone. It's a different kind of winning.
ONE FOR EACH FINGER
HERE IN CABO, I’ve seen a total of 5 dudes kitted up on race bikes. Three were sprinting for grupo supremacy Sunday morning. Another was 50 kilometers out of town on a Tri bike on a road to nowhere but great surf. The last sported a Tinkoff Jersey on a gravel bike with a flat tire.
IS IT REALLY SATURDAY?
SATURDAYS AND BIKES AND FRIENDS STARTED OUT WHEN I WAS ABOUT 10. Me and the gang ‘d ride all day. Nobody missed us.
As soon as someone could drive, surfing pushed the bikes to the side. But surfing is a fickle lover and the bike is always good, always ready.
When the family was young I rallied the crew to get back from riding by 830ish. Just as the kid’s cereal and cartoon sesh came to an end, I’d romp in grab the youngins gear em up and go for the second ride, like a hobbit’s second breakfast.
Now they’re all growed up and the only way we can get the band together and unplugged from work and school is taking a trip.
It’s Saturday and I’m not riding and it’s perfect.
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170.6
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HAHA, YOU'RE SO DUMB!
I USED TO LAUGH AT BIKE RIDERS WITH FLATS AND THEIR SAD FACES.
Then I started riding bikes and got a flat.
Lots of flats,
Taught me to fix flats,
Now I stop and help riders with flats and enjoy their glad faces.
You can't help no one,
if ya can't help yourself.
I used to get mad if I got a flat,
sometimes I still do,
but mainly I think,
meant to be,
because I've many a time I've been late to a mishap,
I've seen the damage,
and thought,
that could have been me.
You can't help no one,
if ya ain't around to help.
COURAGE
COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH BUT SADDLING UP ANYWAY. A famous man was known for that saying, and nobody doubted he had plenty of courage.
The more we saddle up, the less courage we need.
Bar-to-bar racing in a screaming pack, dropping down a skinny single track, starting a 100 mile race across dirt roads... the terrifying becomes common, we gain confidence.
Be scared,
Saddle up,
Confidence and skills
are just around the corner.
I learned that from my daughter. I'm glad she's home.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
WHO DOES THIS?
Who takes the time to carve cleverness into rocks and dot the trails?
Who stops and scoots glass out of the bike lane?
Who rides with a $20 to give a "bum"?
Mike Franze (Fullerton Bikes) tracked me down at OverTheHump: Todd, I've been so lifted up by the calls, texts, and posts regarding my crash and subsequent surgery....
... But Todd, why don't we do that all the time?
RACING TO RACE
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF RACERS: those who race to win and those who race to race.
Racing to win might lead to win at all costs thinking.
Racing to race on the other hand might lead to a deeper view of how winning is defined.
I'm not sure which approach yields the most podium finishes, but I'm pretty sure one produces more wins.
Knowing I'm a little off,
having the leg marker gal confirm it,
I line up anyway,
to race my race.
WHO MOVED MY TRAIL?
AT SOME POINT YOU'RE GONNA BE LEADING. Not leading the race, but leading humans. You have been, are and/or will be leading. Being the person people look up to aint easy, if it was everybody would do it. You will do it, because you have to. Because something inside is telling you to stand up and make a difference.
Whether it's putting together a birthday ride for a friend or a skills clinic for new riders or giant charity ride you're going to do it and your "name" is gonna be on it. Most people will have a blast and not say a word, a handful will gripe. It's up to you who you want to listen to and how you want to react. I know you're going to do your best and that's all you can do.
So do it.
... the preceding was on my mind today as I came upon a bike trail washed out by giant surf. I thought Who moved my trail? which made me think of the book I have yet to read Who moved my cheese? I don't know what that book is about, but I imagined it was about talking responsibility for one's own actions and for deciding to lead and to make a difference and to keep inviting people to get out and ride their bikes and I wondered if the headlining suicides of my generation would have been avoided if a little more bike riding was done, if a little more leading were on the menu and I resolved to up my game.
Do it, now.
Hung on his wall.
Let's get busy,
and give our all.
IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
THERE WAS A PILE UP TODAY, and my friend is very hurt. He'll need surgery on his neck. He should be okay. Whether or not you're the praying type, now would be a good time to fire one up on his behalf.
My spider sense gave no warning. Very, very unusual - normally I have a really strong advance feeling. I've done this ride many times and there was nothing special about the pace. In fact, other days on this particular section - La Costa - have seemed much sketchier.
Less than a minute before I was joking about having him bring some of his awesome WEND product to me on the ride. He was jazzed to go Long with a group of us from OC.
It was supposed to be fun.
But, it wasn't.
Emergency professionals were quickly on location. First a doctor who was driving by, then paramedics. Quickly he was rushed to a fantastic medical facility. Diagnosed. Scheduled. What a country we live in!
Many others went down, but he was in the worst shape. His forks sheered off at some point in the crash - not the cause. Of those I know, all were able to go on about their day.
It's terrible for this to ever happen to anyone,
it seems extra awful because Ryan is such a nice dude.
Always happy.
A truly sweet demeanor.
The kind of guy you just like to see and hang out with.
If you're so inclined, today would be a good day to try out his products. I can't go without his Wax Off Chain Cleaner. If you use any kind of wax lubricant, Wax Off has got to be in your tool box.
Follow up: Someone didn’t point out a pot hole, someone hit it launching their bottle into their wheel and the wheel locked up. From there all hell broke loose. There's not much anybody can to to prepare for that.
WARMING UP MY APP
Is that even AI?
I love watching the last 30-60 minutes of each stage of the race while I'm stretching after a ride and/or eating breakfast. Me, Phil, Paul and Bob together. Watching those youngsters - all skin, muscles, and bones - fly on their bikes motivates me to eat a little better, sleep a little more and to take advantage of the long summer evenings.
If haven't had enough, those 3 talking heads are great at night too... kinda like a bed time story, and I'm out in no time dreaming of riding and racing and dreaming.
Wake up, and the cycle repeats.
This cycle is what makes the group rides so fun this time of year. Everybody is geeked up from watching and dreaming and watching. Consequently, the rides are bigger than ever, more animated than ever, more fun than ever.
June is fun.
July is better.
SWAMI'S LONG - THE OC INVASION
I DON'T WANT TO SCARE YOU, AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO BAIL OUT. I just want you to know what you've gotten yourself into and how to get yourself out of it... because I'll be focused 100% on me.
We're bringing a few friends along. Nothing new.
You, that's what's new.
Riders who have braved Long before know it's kinda like TMWC meets SHOP Ride. The start is a beautiful site seeing cruise down the coast to meet up at Nytro where the ride originates. From there, it will be the ugly offspring of our 2 weekly throwdowns to "the church".
Think about it... ask yourself... truthfully ponder... can I hang with the best of the best on our 2 hardest rides?... because I guarantee you will be praying for it to end well before it's over. Maybe that's why it lets up slightly at the church?
There used to be a regroup at the church. Not any more for regular Swami's, kind of for Long. You probably won't make it to the re-group, but there is a short cut and with any luck you'll be there to see the discarded and aborted take it. This will require everything you've got, just to make the short cut.
After the church we ride 8 miles of tempo over to Wollford Road. You know how Live Oak is less than a mile? This is 2 miles, followed by rolling terrain. There is a stop sign where you must turn left or you'll be on your way to the reservation - literally. Assuming you're having an amazing day and somehow made it to Wollford, you might have a chance... might... to latch onto the slowest guys which will increase your odds of getting to the store regroup before the group leaves.
If there is any doubt at all, go straight to the store. At the store, really a liquor stop for locals, we re-water and grab a snack and take a leak. You'll thank me later if you chose to skip Wollford, because West Lilac is up.
West Lilac is an amazing, twisty-turny-rolly bundle of speed. So fun if you're in the group, still fun if you're not. This connects into the downhill portion of the San Luis Rey road race. All fun, fun, fun.
Here's an example of why you'll get lost... we take an abandoned bridge over to the worst "paved road" I've ever ridden on that cuts through a flower farm with chickens running wild.
The next 12 miles the group steamrolls into a stiff headwind all the way back to the coast, where we finish and go to In-N-Out.
Coming unhitched from the group at any point after the store can easily put you 20-30 minutes behind because of the wind and jagged-zigzaggedness of the route. Don't worry, we'll still be near, but you'll miss the burgers and fries and shakes reward.
Now I told you all that to see if you'd read this.
Swami's Long is about the best group ride I've ever done. Brutal pace. Scenic, beautiful roads. Shoulder rubbing with San Diego's best, and in the winter it's not uncommon to see Tour De France pros on the ride. When you're done, no matter how far you managed to hang on you will be a better rider. You will have discovered new powers, and uncovered unknown flaws.
You've got nothing to lose, because I've already told you you're not going to finish with the group. Download the ride onto your GPS. Upload the UBER or LYFT apps to your phone, which you better have in your jersey pocket. Bring a few 20's and a credit card just in case.
One last piece of advice, do not go to the front of the pack and be that guy.
I'll see you at the back of the pack,
but not off the back,
I hope.
Ride Details:
We are LEAVING the parking lot across from Joe's Crab Shack in Oceanside at 725 - we will not wait for you if you're late, but you could leave as late as 740 and still make it.
It's 80 miles - 20 mile warm up, and 100k of full gas - yes, it's a HUNKR.
Here's a link you'll want to know well: Swami's Long
Two shortcuts:
-- at mile ~30.7 the ride will turn left at Country Club Dr for a newer KOM section (the pink line)--if you're in doubt stay on Harmony Grove Rd. (The dark line) - this will save you 90 seconds
-- at mile 39.0 the ride turns right to go up Lake Wohlford Rd. Yes, this is a two-mile hill at 6% -- also at the top of the hill [after you got dropped] the next 7.5 miles of rollers with 300' of climb are fast (24+ mph) -- if you're in doubt continue straight on Valley Center Rd for four miles.
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
CELERYBRATION
I TOLD THE COACH, COACH I'VE BEEN CRAMPING A LOT. She thought about it, went down the usual check list: drinking plenty of water, electrolytes, etc. Yes, yes, yes, yes, I responded.
Try eating more celery.
Really?
Yep, more potassium than a banana. But, you'll have to eat a lot.
Not a problem for me. I love celery, and I really love celery with peanut butter. So, I've been celerying it up, gnawing through half a stalk a day. I think she's right... far fewer cramps off or on the bike.
Celery, celery the magical green
The more you eat the less you cramp
The less you cramp, the faster you spin
So skip your celery and let me win.
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
PEAS AND ADVIL
I COULD TELL HE WAS GOING TO CRASH AS SOON AS I HEARD HIS SIDEWALLS SLIPSLIDING AWAY. But, there was nothing I could do because I was right on his rear wheel. I hoped he'd scrape away from me or bounce off the trail. Instead, I landed on him and on my right wrist.
Not a scratch on me.
Adrenaline spiked.
I popped up, mashed my cleats into the pedals and went all out for 5 minutes to get back up to the leader. Slowly the wrist's signals broke the news to me...
Hey Pal, it's me, your right wrist. We got a problem.
You mean, you gotta a problem because me and the rest of The Old Diesel are racin' so shut up and hang on!
Oh, I see what you mean. Well, I'll suck it up. But you'll be sorry-er, late-er.
Whatever Right Wrist, just do your job.
Sucks to go down, but it happens.
Sucks worse to not race, don't let that happen.
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
HOW DID THESE BIBS GET SO SMALL?
OF ALL MY FRIENDS WHO RIDE, this friend's weight swings the most wildly. You know that question on the insurance forms or at the doctor's office... Have you lost or gained 30 lbs in the last year? You know, the one you don't have to think about, ever. Neither does he. It's a yes.
Right now, he's running around grabbing his gear, changing in the buff with the garage door wide open.
How'd these bibs get so small?!... oh, boy, I bet you're going to write about that.
No way... I say.
Eventually, after he wiggles and jiggles into his clean kit we get riding. And we see this giant rattle snake. I didn't get a great pic, but you can get an idea of how huge he was by looking at his tail. And it got me thinking, isn't it great that modern cycling fabrics are so stretchy and they don't slough off mid-ride when we've out grown 'em?
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
ANGER
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
ATTACKS AND FLATS
but names will never hurt me.
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Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
THAT'S PRETTY STALE, MATE
IT'S NO SECRET, ENDURANCE ATHLETES ARE ADDICTS: addicted to endorphins, pain, competition, etc., often to fill our time and keep us on the straight and narrow, away from the destructive.
Right now, I've got a new addiction: Chess.
Drop by for a visit, and don't be surprised if the board gets whipped out. That's easy to control. What's not so easy is playing online. I just love it, the challenge and strategy and learning. There's always someone, somewhere on the planet ready to play.
There's a probablytrue urban myth about teaching inner city kids to play chess. The kids who learn chess go on to much more productive lives because they learn that what they do today effects what happens tomorrow.
Which brings me to my main addiction - riding bikes.
There is no way you can expect to be good on race day if you've made bad decisions leading up to race day. There is no way you can be fresh for the sprint finish if you've made bad moves in the final miles. The great champions plan their winning moves many months out, years out.
They plan.
Work.
Win.
Chess has this cool ending, where you can keep from losing simply because the player who is annihilating you doesn't close out the game effectively and can't Check Mate. It's called Stale Mate. On the ride tonight, I was trying to think of an equivalent in bike racing.
The only thing that comes close is getting the equal or faster competitor to burn themselves out. Mark Hoffenberg is the best I've ever seen at this. Somehow, he gets his competitors to work harder than he is working. It is so weird to watch, be subjected to. He just completely out thinks his competitors, then gets the W. I'm not even sure that is a Stale Mate, as I write this it seems more of a Check Mate.
Maybe that's why we let other positive addictions creep in,
they present new challenges to conquer,
require new ways of thinking,
and in the process,
riding is renewed.
_____
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 11/10
TRAIL GOATS
ECTOMORPH I'M NOT. Ectomorphs climb with ease. They are skeletons. They haunt my pre- and post-race thoughts. They make it look so easy.
My friend Colin is an ectomorph. He's a bike rider. He's a brilliant artist.
He sent the Trail Goat design to see what we thought. Hell yeah, let's make 'em.
Maybe it will give me some discipline.
You are what you eat,
mostly.
Upcoming Events: HUNKR 9/29, 11/10