7 hrs
10 Pull Ups 20 PushUps
HyperVolt & Stretch
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6310602266
THE LAST SUPPER, AGAIN...
FOR SOME OF US, the night before the big quest can be rough. Tossin' and turnin' and bathroomin'. Will we ever get to sleep, followed by...
... oh crud, what is that annoying sound.
The alarm,
ya dummy.
But, just before that all goes down...
... is the last supper.
Let that sink in ya (me) religious weirdos.
Frankly, some dinners are better than others...
- good food
- geeking out on the prep
- filling in the gaps for the uninitiated.
... and tonight is one of my all time faves.
When faced with the biggest ride of the year...
- 123 miles
- 15000' of vert
- 12 hours to beat the sunset
... there' really nothing like.
A convo stuffed...
... with passion and angst.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
8ish hours sleep620 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
84/73/11 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: HIdden Order, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FOR THE LOVE OF IT
THE BIGGEST, CRAZIEST CHALLENGES we go after are generally fueled by our truest passion. The accomplishment happens...
... because it calls to our souls.
We've gotta do it.
Which is how the Surf N Summit came about.
For years, I'd dreamed and schemed of how to ride from Dana Point to Big Bearlll
- gravel bikes happened
- discovery of a 40 mile bike trail
- connecting an abandoned logging road to a gravel route
... while keeping to a minimum using public roads.
It's the same thing with our super fun business...
- Italian fabrics
- Patterns we designed - printed, cut and sewn here
- On demand with no minimums.
... making the apparel and gear I always wanted.
Because that allows us - you and me - to get our create juices flowing and create special designs that mean something to us...
... and inspire and memorialize our adventures.
Take this year's Surf N Summit kit in pic above...
- hi viz camo jersey because it's literally hunting season in the mountains
- dark green bibs to compliment the forest environment
- hi viz accessories to complete the look
... which is honestly one of my all time favorite designs.
If you've got a hankering to make something special for your upcoming quest,
let's make it happen.
Click here: https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
Katie wanted a suit to train for Ironman
Kurt wanted a kit for Good Dirt
Kimberly wanted a bag to match her kit.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
8ish hours sleep620 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
87/87/0 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: HIdden Order, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
AFTER READING THE REVIEWS and listening to the infoolencers, we pull the trigger on a new gizmo...
... hoping it's all it's cracked up to be.
Making us better.
Faster.
Which is exactly what I did with the new Silca Protocol gravel tires.
I went with the RCG-1 50mm, which is about as knobby as my Conti Terra Speed 45mm on the center...
... with much bigger knobs on the sides.
Here are my initial impressions...
- super lightweight
- very thin casing
- easy to mount
- aired up to my usual 20lbs, very smooth and fast
- noticeably better grip turning in the loose stuff
... after one ride.
Tomorrow, I'm going to test the Silca recommended pressure...
- Rear 25.5 lbs
- Front 24.5 lbs
... per their online calculator.
Distilling it down the tires...
- feel very fast
- need to explore their limits cornering
- a little nervous about durability over nasty rocks
... could be a significant improvement over the Terra Speeds.
It's always a little nerve-racking to leave behind a tested, proven product that has led to much success...
... which is what makes searching for our limits constantly fascinating.
===
165 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
87/87/0 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, THE WEATHER...
WE'RE ALL ALWAYS LOOKING at the predicted weather for our upcoming event. Some us of with angst...
... some of us with lust.
Where do you land?
Asking because Chicago Marathon just announced less than ideal conditions for raceday.
Now, for those looking to...
- to finish their first marathon
- complete Chicago
- PR
... that means something.
For those looking to:
- win
- podium
- beat their friends
... it might mean something altogether different.
Depends on what where made of,
what we know about ourselves,
more importantly...
... what stories we tell ourselves.
Me personally, tell me it's gonna be awful and...
... I think of what the great Jocko Willink would say.
Good.
Gonna be hot, good.
Others will wilt.
Gonna be cold, good.
Others will freeze.
Gonna be muddy, good.
Others will bog down.
Why is that my goto response?
Probably because at this point I've faced it all,
plowed through the truly sucky.
Attitude counts, for sure.
But, experience,
that's like building an asset.
Still looking to be heinously hot for the SurfNSummit on Saturday...
- 123 miles
- 15,000'
- 12 hrs
... Good.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
570 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
88/92/-5 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
REFRAMING EASY DAYS
WHEN THE EASY DAY is on the schedule, we kit up, check ourselves out in the mirror and wink...
... time to go easy.
Most of us,
most of the time,
utterly fail to hit the mark.
We go way beyond.
Why?
Because we are endure-ance athletes,
and if we ain't enduring,
we aren't satisfied.
Some of us could use a reframe, and as the great Scott Adams taught...
... a reframe does not need to be logical or fully true. It only needs to work.
Here's one that works for me.
Usual frame: Easy days are a waste of valuable time, so...
... Imma gunna go sorta kinda easy.
Reframe: Easy days done properly set up the hard days for maximum execution and benefit, so...
... Imma gonna go super easy.
===
163.4 lbs/12.3%
8ish hours sleep
570 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
86/82/3 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BEWARE THE SELF-COACHED ATHLETE
WHEN SOMEONE "comes outta nowhere" we interested in where they came from, for sure. But, what we're really dying to know...
... is how the heck they did it.
Take Vinny Mauri.
Never heard of him?
Of course not, no one in the marathon world had either...
... until he recently put down a 2:05 marathon.
His first crack it...
... fourth fastest time by an American, ever.
How?
Well, he's self-coached...
- most of his training is on a Planet Fitness treadmill
- clipping along at a 5 min/mile pace
- for hours at a time
... with a very unique approach.
Like, insanely unique.
That 2:05 was at a small time event,
no competition,
no pacers.
What does the future hold for him?
Better yet...
... where are we delivering sub-par performances because our training and thinking is stuck in tradition?
Get the details here: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2026/10/after-one-of-the-most-insane-marathon-buildups-ever-how-fast-can-strava-legend-vinny-mauri-run-at-the-chicago-marathon/
===
163.4 lbs/12.3%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
90/103/-14 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
HOT IN, SO HOT IN...
WHEN WE KNOW SOMETHING WORKS, it's hard to imagine a completely different pathway yielding the same results...
... even when we see them in real life.
Take altitude training.
Athletes from all kinds of sports go to camps high in the mountains to gain the benefits of training high in the mountains...
... mainly, more red blood cells delivered to working muscles.
Today, I was deep into suffering through the heat wave plaguing us right now...
... miles from home.
Dying.
Not dying...
... wilting a slow, agonizing demise.
Why?
Cuz I'm an idiot, and cuz...
... the heatwave is gunna last all week.
Potentially, into our epic SurfNSummit...
- 123 miles
- 15000 of vert
- 12ish hours of adventure
... next Saturday.
I wanna try and heatproof myself.
The other reason is purely inspired by our current World Road Champion Brandon McNulty...
- expand blood plasma
- lower HR and core temps at a given pace
- with a rise in hemoglobin mass similar to short camps
... who shuns the altitude days in favor of the blistering Arizona summer heat.
===
I wasn't a total idiot...
... stopped twice for a popsicle and ice in my bottles.
Still smoked when I arrived to our airconditionless casa.
===
161.8 lbs/12.3%
7.5ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 1 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
90/103/-14 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HOW'S EVERYTHING GOING?
WE QUESTION SO MUCH when focusing on getting the most out of our efforts to improve. The infoolencers on the socials, the clickbait ads...
... the local hero dropping hints of how it's done.
But, here's the real question.
And, I bring that up because I was inspired to reach out to a number of friends with a simple text...
... How's it going?
It's a heart felt question,
and it solicited answers like...
- Let's chat, it'll be good to talk
- All good, working through challenges with aging parents
- Howdy! Everything is good... just taking a break after a busy summer of racing
... to Dude just calling me right back and yakityyaking for 20 minutes.
I posted this on X...
... Is logging time on social media essentially infidelity in my marriage?
'Cuz honestly...
... are we (me) paying attention to what's going on in the lives of those we profess to love?
Before you reply How's it going Old Diesel?...
- connecting with God often
- family is amazing and growing
- biz is up 18% on the year, but I gotta up my value delivery to hit the annual goal I set
- I'm still a ways off from: sub-160 lbs, 10 pullup and 50 pushups in a row, but I'll get there
... consider this your invitation to let me know how things are going for you,
and check in on a few friends.
Sometimes we get to ask in person, like today when I ran into...
... "young" Kevin Vermaerke in his UAE kit on the road.
How's it going?
Great, just got back from Canada.
Which reminds me, a lot of are feeling extra patriotic after Brandon's killer V.
... this kit is rad in person, and when you purchase Jersey and Bibs you save 15%.
WE QUESTION SO MUCH when focusing on getting the most out of our efforts to improve. The infoolencers on the socials, the clickbait ads...
... the local hero dropping hints of how it's done.
But, here's the real question.
And, I bring that up because I was inspired to reach out to a number of friends with a simple text...
... How's it going?
It's a heart felt question,
and it solicited answers like...
- Let's chat, it'll be good to talk
- All good, working through challenges with aging parents
- Howdy! Everything is good... just taking a break after a busy summer of racing
... to Dude just calling me right back and yakityyaking for 20 minutes.
I posted this on X...
... Is logging time on social media essentially infidelity in my marriage?
'Cuz honestly...
... are we (me) paying attention to what's going on in the lives of those we profess to love?
Before you reply How's it going Old Diesel?...
- connecting with God often
- family is amazing and growing
- biz is up 18% on the year, but I gotta up my value delivery to hit the annual goal I set
- I'm still a ways off from: sub-160 lbs, 10 pullup and 50 pushups in a row, but I'll get there
... consider this your invitation to let me know how things are going for you,
and check in on your top 3 friends.
Sometimes we get to ask in person, like today when I ran into...
... "young" Kevin Vermaerke in his UAE kit on the road.
How's it going?
Great, just got back from Canada.
Which reminds me, a lot of are feeling extra patriotic after Brandon's killer V.
... this kit is rad in person, and when you purchase Jersey and Bibs you save 15%.
===
162 lbs/12.4%
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
87/92/-5 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
CLARITY AND DISCIPLINE
WHEN WE ARE NEW to endurance sports we start off with a lot of enthusiasm. Learning all kinds of new skills and tricks, wanting to...
... go as far and fast as possible.
Our commitment shocks the onlookers.
We aren't just new to the sport...
... we are new.
Comments like, You sure have a lot of discipline are common.
Flattering.
But, do we?
Have a lot of discipline?
Discipline is for children...
... we have clarity.
We don't say No to cake...
... we say Yes to ripping on raceday.
===
163.2 lbs/12.5%
8sh hours sleep
640ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 96 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
88/98/-10 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
NOW THIS IS BEAUTIFUL
THE BEAUTY OF THE UCI WORLD CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS is a combination of things which I really appreciate and enjoy, and...
... one thing stands out among all that is different.
Communication.
No race radios.
It makes for way better racing, and we can understand the challenges because...
... it's exactly how we race on the amateur level.
Be it the local group ride or pinning number on.
We have our heads on a swivel, and we're paying attention to everything that's happening and...
- no update from the car
- no teammate telling us they are otb
- no braintrust analyzing all the data points for us
... we are making decisions based on intuition and experience.
Which makes the USA's win...
- Simmons setting it all up early on going in a long range break
- Jorgensen sucking the life from all contenders
- McNulty soloing in for the win at 32k to go
... a truly beautiful thing.
Oh that all pro racing was that way.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
8sh hours sleep
640ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
89/101/-13 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE WE EATING TOO MUCH?
IN THE MAD DASH to fuel for, and the recovery from, the next heavy training session, is it possible we might overdoing it...
... to our detriment?
I mean, look around.
For a herd of endurance athletes...
... are we gazelles or elephants, or somewhere in between?
The reason I'm asking is today, after a fairly rigorous start...
- 5:30 am start, as always underslept, normal rise is around 6am.
- 60 miles, 5000' of vert, 225w Normalized (good for me)
- over an hour at threshold or above
... I felt unusually awesome.
What I did was...
- Ate light dinner vs a bunch of extra carbs
- Pre-ride skipped the oatmeal in favor of 3 Trader Joe's peanut butter cups.
- Got home, pounded a Fair Life chocolate milk vs. a pile of Kodiak cakes and a smoothie.
... not on purpose or as a test.
Just life.
Hanging out with one of the grands all evening before.
Getting home to a work crew taking over the downstairs and clearing out amidst the chaos so I could get some work done.
Results are in...
- slept amazing
- had awesome energy all morning
- and cranked out a buncha work before noon
... and I'm asking a legit question.
Am I eating too much?
===
163.8lbs/12.5%
7sh hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
89/109/-20 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT IS AN EVENT SO GOOD WE WOULD PAY TO HOST?
THE BEST EVENTS OFTEN START WITH NEED AND PASSION, or both. They grow organically from there until...
... they are famous and selling out.
What would be one so good we'd be willing to bankroll it ourselves?
Free entry.
That was the question on a recent Founders podcast.
It got me thinking the...
- lots of people I'd want to hang out with
- and be challenged and stimulated by
- share the experience with
- add in some killer eats
- outrageous awards
- swarm of vendors
... things that would be worth it.
That's the kind of event I'd be interested in putting together.
In the meantime...
- parting with our cash to help finance it
... isn't that what we are basically doing when we register for any event?
===
163.8lbs/12.5%
8sh hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
86/90/-5 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TWO NOTEBOOKS
DOCUMENTING OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS is something many of us do. Whether it's a framed race photo, or race numbers with medals on the mantle...
... if it matters, keep it memorable.
What about the future?
Do we document that?
Each morning I bust out two notebooks...
- just after reading something uplifting
- meditating on it
- before all else
... one for imaging the future, one for the todos.
The dumb ideas get axed,
the good ones have a shot at life.
The tasks get completed and crossed out,
the survivors either get done or killed.
What does that have to do with racing, life?
Everything.
===
Deeper Dive
To image the future is to deliberately build a picture of what has not happened yet so that picture can shape what you do now.
It is not fortune-telling and it is not daydreaming. It is the constructive work of taking pieces of memory, observation, values, and desire and assembling them into a scene, a feeling, or a story of a possible tomorrow.
How the mind actually does it
Your brain uses the same machinery for remembering the past and picturing the future. It pulls familiar people, places, objects, and emotions out of storage and rearranges them into events that have never occurred. Neuroscientists call this constructive episodic simulation. People who lose the ability to recall personal memories often also lose the ability to vividly imagine their own future.
There are at least four related modes:
- Simulation — constructing a specific scene (“I see myself finishing the climb, breathing steadily”).
- Prediction — estimating likelihood.
- Intention — deciding what you want.
- Planning — laying out the steps.
They usually operate together.
Why the pictures matter
Sociologist Fred Polak argued that the images a person or a culture holds of the future are a driving force of history. A living, attractive image of a better world pulls people forward; a decaying or purely catastrophic image produces paralysis or decline. The pictures are not just reflections of reality—they help create it by directing attention, effort, and courage.
That is why practices such as writing a “best possible self” letter, running scenario workshops, or simply sitting still and seeing a concrete good outcome in detail can change mood and behavior. The image becomes a reference point you can steer toward.
Two common mistakes
- Treating the image as a rigid prediction instead of a working sketch that can be revised.
- Only imaging disaster. A mind that rehearses only collapse has less material with which to invent alternatives.
Imaging the future, then, is the act of making the not-yet visible enough that you can start living toward it today.
===
162.6 lbs/12.4%
9ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
87/98/-12 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SOMETIMES PRE-VIEWING IS JUST A HECKUVA A GOOD REMINDER
THE FIRST WE EVER RACE A COURSE, taking the time to recon from parking to finish, even if it's just the first 5 miles...
... can pay oodles and oodles.
If we have the time,
pay the dime.
Pre-view it all.
But, what if we've already raced it?
Trust me on this...
- the turns
- the sunlight angles
- how the herd responds over undulations
... we'll never have the course as dialed as the locals.
I was reminded of this today
- 36 miles
- 4500' of vert
- most of it off road
... pre-riding the first 33ish miles of our upcoming epic SurfNSummit.
The reminder wasn't the route so much as these specific issues...
- check your batteries - the one day I don't check the shifter batteries the night before and my casual spin to the start turns into sprinting home to replace a 2032 and then pin it to meet the crew - we don't wait, ever.
- respect the pre-ride like we'd expect the race day - I went low on my calories/bottle and extra gels in the pocket and really suffered for it on the way back
- if at all possible - have the cold/icy water if it's going to be hot vs the "room temperature" free water that was as warm as the outside air of 100º. this made eating the NutttrButtrs during the last 90 minutes impossible because my stomach wasn't loving the hot water
- have the bike in the finest working order - that fouled rear 2-speed unable to access my 3 lowest gears made the 50 minute climb unnecessarily challenging
- pace to race - in this case, while grateful to have 4 of the posse join us, they weren't doing the whole thing and rather than high zone 2, we were bouncing between tempo and threshold for the first 90 minutes, which is not the plan for the epic adventure
... that said, it was great to push the pace and be reminded of such idiocy.
Interestingly, while the big climb was a definite grind, and with the superlow cadence I couldn't put out as much power...
... my time was only 7 seconds slower than during the event last year.
Go figure.
No.
Go preview,
as much as possible.
And if we can't in person,
we try and dig up some YouTube intel.
===
165.4 lbs/12.4%
7ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
89/113/-24 per Strava Power &Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SHARPENING THE EDGES WITH ANGER
HAVING CONTROL OF OUR EMOTIONS on race day doesn't mean just playing it cool. Some emotions are better than others...
... for those who know how to harness them.
Like anger.
I'm not ashamed to admit, below that happy go lucky, come what may demeanor...
... is one hacked off dude.
If I have to/I've been known to...
... conjure up the most heinous reasons to crush the least deserving, most innocent competitors on the line.
Don't worry,
they never know.
Anger works for me.
I had a business partner say...
... you're so mellow
and
... dude, you have authority issues
... during the same meeting!
lol
Here's the real dill.
When I was younger it was uncontrollable and cost me a lot of points on the tennis court and life in general.
These days, if I'm rejected, disrespected, doubted, stomped on...
... that rocket flame of anger is powerful stuff.
Suddenly, I have this amazing laser focus combined with get outta my way energy.
I love that.
- heck no I don't want cookies
- heck yes I'm doing that work out
- heck no I'm not staying out late
- heck yes I need that upgrade
It's way better if I can get it going months, sometimes years in advance, but...
... making it up on the start line is a great way to lock in and race.
You might be askin' What the heck is wrong with you Diesel?...
... let's just say getting rejected on a home we were trying to buy has me pouring jet fuel on PEDAL industries.
Yeah,
harnessed anger is lit.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
155/138/17 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
REAL VISION
ALONG THE WAY to a glorious A race we face a lot of decisions. Some are micro, others macro. How we handle them...
... depends on our vision of how it will end.
What are we seeing?
I've long been fascinated with visualization techniques.
Once I learned of the concept via the great Denis Waitley's Psychology of Winning...
... the pieces began to fall into place.
Things I was underconciously aware of suddenly made sense.
The question that remained was...
... Could it be mastered and controlled?
From a practical standpoint, I can confirm that having a clear vision of how I want to cross the finish line...
- good food choices
- commitment to excellent sleep
- making time for and executing the critical workouts when desire is flat
... has given me the strength to accomplish the steps necessary along the way.
Which lends immense and undeniable confidence as the A race approaches…
… because we approach all the prep as if the finish has already happened.
We literally see everything with new eyes.
But, what if it works in all areas of life, not just racing?
What would that be worth,
what does it tell us about our present circumstances...
... what are we going to do about it?
===
162.8 lbs/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
158/156/2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SPRINTING FOR THE WIN
UNLESS WE ARE ACTUALLY sprinters, racing events on the track or crits, it's unlikely we'll ever sprint for the win. We might race our pals to the city limits sign or...
... bang bars with other pack fodder.
So, why practice sprinting?
Here are my top reasons...
- to maintain, increase strength
- as a supplement to weight training
- to cement in neuromuscular connections so I can harness said power
... I have one dedicated sprint day per week.
This is not an interval session,
with efforts lasting minutes.
Yuck!
This is all out getting after it,
in bursts of 5-15 seconds,
spaced with full recovery.
I like to do 'em offroad.
Tonights was particularly fun.
Yes fun!
On the downhill sections, any time I had a chance to get on the pedals hard and keep my speed up, I went for it.
Not only was I recruiting the sprint muscles...
- legs
- butt
- core
- back
- arms
- shoulders
... I was reinforcing how it all works together over rapidly changing terrain.
Which is, in a sense, sprinting for the win.
The win being staying strong and coordinated.
===
163.4 lbs/12.6%
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 60 push ups, 14 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 20 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
161/170/-10 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE F-WORD NOBODY WANTS TO USE
IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE the amount of reasons we can come up with when we find ourselves OTB (off the back)...
... whether it's dropping anchor or slipsliding away.
Bring on the excuses.
Like today's TMWC stacked with visiting hitters...
... we were pinning it something vicious, all the way..
Until I started spinning the slowslide of shame,
with five miles to go.
Giving me plenty of time to think of all the reasons...
- haven't shaved legs since July
- got to bed to late
- creatine made me put on 5 lbs
- my Classified hub is dying and dragging
- upped my box jumps and other leg stuff Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday
- walked 3 miles in the sand Sunday (normally just 2)
- left a little late and had to hustle to meet group
- gravel pedals and shoes vs road
- unaero gravel frame
- somewhat shallow road wheels
- less than aero helmet
- extra weight from lights now that it's dark
... while gimping to the finish.
But.
We all know the truth...
... and it starts with F.
FATIGUE.
It's offseason fur cryin outloud!...
... what the heck am I doing?
Well, just the most lifechanging, epic adventure on SoCal...
- 120 miles
- 15k of vert
- around 12 hours (including stops)
... the SurfNSummit on 10.10.26
Sooooooooo... 1 more extralarge Saturday,
then two weeks to taper,
and feel fresh.
Might have to skip the legwork the week of,
or sooner?
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
7 hours sleep
630ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
162/179/-18 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SPY
WE LIKE TO SAY this is my escape, to ride/run/swim for an hour or few per day. Our happy place isn't a pain cave as much as it is...
... a world without staring at glass.
Is it novel?
There was a pithy post on X this week...
... I'm inviting a bunch of people over this weekend to doomscroll together.
My other non-scrolling/glass moments are reading.
Ingesting something uplifting in the wee morning hours has been a goto for years.
But, then this happened.
The wind down used to be watching "just a few minutes" of TV,
then onto binge watching...
... now it's a full-on addiction to reading spy novels.
They're all basically the same character...
- ex-special ops dude with skills his government needs
- always going off the range to get the job done
- while mixing in some lady-drama
... and I can't seem to get enough.
It started after my TBI,
as therapy.
Who knew staring and scrolling glass was bad juju for brain function and ocular wellness?
In about 30 months, I've read...
- all of Jack Carr (10)
- all of the Gray Man series (15)
- all of the Pike Logan series (20)
- and I'm on book 11 of 25 in the Scot Harvath (series)
... with no end in sight.
From a therapeutic standpoint, my ability to rip downhill on my MTB has returned to about 90% of where I was.
From Oh crap! every ride,
to Heckyeah! this is fun!
Is there any connection between being a spy and racing?
Well, yeah.
If being resourceful, able to adjust on the fly, and see the mission through to completion is how you like to rip on raceday...
... this is your genre.
===
166.2 lbs/12.6%
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
156/144/12 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOW FOR THE REST OF OUR SHOW
WE'RE WRAPPING UP THE 3RD QUARTER, heading into the final three months of the year...
... but not the end of the racing the calendar.
Am I right?
We aren't going to...
- hang it up for 2 months
- watch games
- eat chips
... because we know the truth.
Now is the time to...
- bank strength
- build base
- hone diet
... for springtime cometh.
That's what I'm doing.
Shoot, tonight I passed on cake an icecream.
It wasn't hard, once I gave up sugar, the cravings were gone.
In years past, I'd say Bring it on, it's offseason...
... to the point of friends saying It's good to see fatTodd is back.
Imagine that.
Actually, don't.
Imagine ripping it up next spring, right on through the summer.
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 20 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
159/163/-4 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TORQUE TRAINING... STILL?
SOME OF US ARE WILLING to take chance with our equipment. Opting to go with the yet to be tried and true...
... can lead to great advantages.
And, big challenges.
As I struggled mightily up a rather steep pitch today...
- 52/42 chainrings
- 13/26 6 speed cassette
... I remembered how tall the gearing was back in the day.
It was brutal.
But, one of the benefits we didn't realize back then was forced torque training...
- high power
- low cadence
- in place of gym time
... something coaches preach in today's era of super wide gearing.
So, why was I doing it today?
Because my super niche 2-speed rear hub from Classified, which replaced the front derailleur dual chain rings...
... has been acting up for the last 2 weeks.
And died today.
Leaving me with the lowest gear of a 46 in front x40 in back.
Manageable on most road climbs...
... swear-inducing on the dirt steeps I faced throughout today's epic URBN GRVL ride.
I've had the system for just over 2 years,
and it has been great.
Superior, I think, to traditional 1x most cats are running offroad.
Because the Surf N Summit is fast approaching...
... I'm in a real pickle.
Classified is based in the Netherlands...
... which is much father away than the hinterlands.
They have few dealers in the states.
Hopefully, they'll get back to me in time to get the system functioning like the racewinning force it has been.
It was a risk when I purchased it,
and I don't regret it at all.
It's that good.
===
166.2 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
630ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
163/186/-24 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS CHAING HURTS
STAYING ON TOP of the maintenance game never seems like it's gonna pay off. It's a constant steady drip on our time and wallets...
... until it's not.
Then, it's chunky.
I was reminded of this today by reader Roberto (not his real name).
Here's the chat transcript:
Are wax chains supposed yo make any noise when shifting? When i freshly wax it shifting into the lighter gears, sounds smooth, but sometimes when I shift to the harder gears a little bit of a clink
hmmm usually it's the opposite. noisier in the larger rings. generally, they are super quiet until they need more wax. I prefer Ceramic Speed UFO. Is your chain new and the cassette old?
Yes chain is newish first rewax cassette is year old got a new tri bike last year
that's probably the problem. old chain was probably stretched and the old cassette is so worn it doesn't play nice with new chain. get a chain wear tool so you can stay on top of the changes in the future and extend the life of the cassette and front rings, too.
Ok will do. Im sure there is videos on how to use one
it's super easy. this is a good reminder for me to change my gravel bike chain... blog post inspo received.
Getting a new roadie soon so im gonna order a kit to match look out for order here soone
You might see a good match here: https://pedalindustries.com/pages/insiders ... haven't released these just yet.
Did you notice how I slyly worked in a shameless promotion to the convo?
There's like a million color options.
===
165.4 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
153/128/24 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
SHIFT I HATE
DO YOU KNOW WHY WE SAY If it was easy everyone would do it? It's not just because it's true, it's also because for those of us who are doing the hard stuff...
... we need to know there's a reason.
We do things we hate to do.
Here's a few of mine..
- pullups
- pushups
- box jumps
- stretching
- going to work after a glorious morning riding
- hanging on the back of the group until I literally see stars
- skipping the cookies and cake and ice cream
... and I could go on.
If we are doing things like the above so much,
if it really is that hard to be consistent...
... what is driving us?
A couple of things.
One, it gets easier once we get started.
Two, it becomes habitual, part of operating system.
Three, the really big one...
... we know.
We know this is the path to mastery...
... and few are we, the willing and committed.
To arrive at our stated destiny.
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 55 push ups, 11 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 20 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
157/148/8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
THIS ONE CHANGE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
WE ALL HAVE THAT FRIEND who we train with, who is about the speed, or even a little slower. Then, all of the sudden, seemingly out of the blue...
... they are a lot faster.
Leaving us in the dust.
What gives?
Just yesterday I was on the war path with one of these cats.
We'd opted to take a gravel route of the usual group ride, and if we reallyreally got after it...
... we'd meet/beat the group at the finish.
And romp we did.
I knew we had a shot because of his newly found powers.
And, I knew how he got them.
Because I asked.
Bro, your a lot faster and leaner.
It's my wife's fault.
Howso?
Well, she changed up her diet and she does most of the cooking and we're eating a lot cleaner.
If it's that easy then...
... why aren't we all doing it?
Maybe we don't know what eating clean is?
Here's my super simple rule...
... If I can identify the ingredients it's clean.
Steak,
easy.
Mr. Bachan's Japanese Teriyaki Sauce Surfergirl wants to smother it with,
not so much - probs not clean.
Corn on the cob,
easy.
Dorito's corn chips,
impossible - def not clean.
What is the one change we can make today that would make a huge difference in our performance?
Do it.
Then, stack it...
... with the next change.
Yes, it's that easy.
It just takes a bit of time for the results to show...
... fortunately, most of our competitors don't have time for that.
===
165.8 lbs/12.7%
8 hours sleep
790 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 105 push ups, 21 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 40 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
160/168/-8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE ARE SOME DOOZIES OUT THERE
THERE ARE SO MANY INFOOLENCERS yaking for our attention on myriad platforms. It creates all kinds of noise and...
... makes discerning the truth challenging.
Impossible even.
I was reminded of the dangers of expert opinions today listening to The Marketing School podcast titled...
... How McKinsey Helped Nike Lose $223 Billion.
With a B.
TLDL: they hired a guy who didn't understand the business, and he leaned into all the new fangled, cool kid ideas, in the process destroying the brand.
Some were so stupid it was stunning.
Which reminded me of the Time-Crunched Cyclist podcast I'd listened to the day before...
... The Five Self=Coached Cycling Mistakes That Keep You Stuck.
TLDL: he states we're too unenlightened to coach ourselves, hire his firm.
Along the way apologizing for being so harsh. Except I didn't find it as harsh as it was condescending and self-serving.
I shared the above, so I could share this...
- we need to expose ourselves to new ideas
- test them out well before it matters
- implement the best
... using our common sense, listening to our inner voice, for the win.
Are there good coaches and consultants.
Absolutely.
As the great Charlie Munger said...
... Show me the incentive, and I'll show you the outcome.
===
166.4 lbs/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, 0 box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/172/-12 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FAMILY FIRST. REALLY?
LOOKING AROUND AMONGST OUR FRIENDS we often see what really drives them. It's not at the races or the slaying rides where this shows up...
... it's at the events they miss.
Huh?
Yeah.
You know, we have this epic ride coming up.
It's not race, it's a social adventure.
From the beach to the mountains...
... the kind of thing you wanna do for the pure challenge.
And.
To blow your friends' minds...
... Yeah, I rode from Dana Point to Big Bear last Saturday.
WHAT?!
Yep, really fun.
No way!
Here's the dill.
A few have shared...
- planning Xterra with daughter
- family half marathon with most of family in Long Beach
- flying to Chicago to support daughter at Chicago marathon
... their reasons for missing this year.
Here's what I can tell ya about each one of these cats...
... they have grown awesome, loving families.
Nothing better.
In case weekend of 10.10 is open for you...
... it's an open invite: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit-collection
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 105 push ups, 21 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 50 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/168/-8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ANY SYSTEMS READY TO GO?
WE ALL WANNA BE BETTER, at least that's what we tell ourselves. Anybody listening to us drone on about the initiatives we're gonna take...
... might possibly be convinced we really want the prize.
But, do we?
Could our actions convict us?
Better question.
What's it gonna take?
Not the big crazy actions,
that's for sure.
We'll never get those done,
because they are big and crazy.
The real secret...
... having a system to be a little better every day.
And, sticking to it.
One of my systems is to weigh myself each morning. I get instant feedback on the previous day(s) nutrition choices. It's a simple way to stay in tune with any changes I may have/have not made...
... like I'm thinking my adding 5lbs in the last month is a direct result of the predicted 2-3% gain predicted by consistent creatine intake.
Worth it?
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 105 push ups, 21 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 50 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/168/-8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SIRMIXALOTS GRAND MASTER GRAVEL
DEPENDING ON THE LOCALE, there can be a lot of ways to get out and cover some ground. Some areas are all paved, others all single track, others lots of gravel...
... they're all a blast.
Which is best?
I dunno.
But, I can tell you this, where we are, mixing it up on a gravel bike is a great way to get out...
... and skip most of the lights, and traffic.
Like today.
The first 90 minutes were mostly dirt...
... with nearly 30 minutes at threshold or above.
Meeting up with a slaying group ride on the road...
... pushed me to my limits and stacked on the intensity.
From there it was a JRA road, gravel and single track.
I love rides that...
- mix up the surfaces
- skip most high traffic areas
- and traverse lots of interesting terrain
... for the pure adventure.
The biggest and best one of the year is just 4 weeks away...
- Sunrise to sunset
- from Dana Point
- to Big Bear
... and you're invited.
All the details are here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit-collection 
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit-collection
===
166.8 lbs/12.8%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, 0 box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-29 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
JRA
BEING THE DEDICATED ADDICTS that we are, we eventually learn the jargon that sets us apart from the commoners who consider themselves in the know, but...
... are actually far from it.
Neophytes.
Anybody who's worked in a bike shop, particularly the service area has heard the phrase...
... I was just riding along.
And, said to themselves under muffled breath, while inconspicuously rolling their eyes...
... JRA.
What follows JRA...
- my X broke
- my Y stopped working
- my Z fell off and disappeared
... is always entertaining.
Not that it hasn't been heard before,
but the way it is camouflaged...
... as if it is somehow the shop's/mechanic's fault.
Yet, I digress.
Because what I really wanted to point out is how much fun it is to move about the country...
- breathtaking sunrises
- quiet, forgotten roads and trails
- daylight giving way to a moonless, star-filled sky
... and see so many amazing sites.
While we are...
... JRA.
===
167.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, 0 box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/144/11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostle, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT FEELING
SOMETIMES when we're out riding, the feeling is just right. Like we could just keep going forever...
... and never stop.
Why is that?
I honestly don't know.
It just happens.
And, when it does it's magical.
Like this evening.
There I was, about an hour in.
On my gravel bike, connecting the...
- trails
- roads
- single tracks
... and missing all the traffic stops and lights.
Slipping into the zone...
- HR 130ish
- PWR 220ish
... slicing through town with nary a stop.
And loving it.
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 30 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/175/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY TIME THINGS LOOKED HOPELESS...
FOR BETTER OR WORSE, as athletes we are really, really good at enduring. When things look absolutely hopeless...
... we press on.
Is that a good thing?
That's an honest question...
... with an unknowable answer.
Because choices stack.
Accumulate.
Tangent: when I had my pager business, my landlord, an old sage and jeweler by trade, told me the worst thing he ever did was keep switching careers. That it was best to lock in, and go in search of mastery.
Welp, I could see the writing on the wall and sold the pager business.
After that, I took his advice,
and can honestly say:
If I had a dollar for every time things looked hopeless and gave up...
... I'd be broke.
In sports...
... we be _____?
In relationships...
... we be _____?
As students...
... we be _____?
There is, of course, a point where things are hopeless, and we gotta/outta sell, but, if there's anything most of us can bank on it's that...
... there is such a thing as a second wind.
Reaching the finish/the goal usually just takes a little more than we initially thought we could give.
And, so, we endure.
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 30 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/175/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT PERSONAL, IT'S...
SOMEHOW WE FEEL IT'S OKAY to do whatever it takes to win, even if it means clobbering our friends. Ok, not all of us, but...
... definitely some of us.
We might feel, think, say...
... It's not personal, it's racing.
Shoot, one of my frenemies said this to me after a recent race post sucking my wheel for miles...
... Sorry about doing you dirty back there.
All that to say, It's okay to make things personal.
Not all things.
But, I'm definitely making The Wall personal.
It's the next to last climb...
- .88 miles
- 7.1% average grade
- my PR is 4:16, Kevin Vermaerke (yeah, the UAE one) owns the KOM, 3:06
... on our Tuesday Morning World Championships.
While I'm not sure I'll ever best my current PR, set 8 years ago on a perfect day...
- weight down in the 150s
- great pace set by Zach Lloyd
- amazing road bike I shouldn't have sold
... I do wanna get back to regularly hitting 4:40ish vs the 5:24 I did today.
When we set personal challenges like this,
it's motivating only to ourselves,
but pays off everywhere else.
It's fitness and mental fortitude we can tap into on demand.
===
166.6 lbs/12.6%
6ish hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, 00 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/176/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S TOO HARD TO EXPLAIN
DO WE KNOW WHY we do really hard stuff? I mean, really? We keep doing them. Like a young mother who, during the midst of labor, swears she'll never go through childbirth another time...
... and choosing to do it again.
There's something we know,
but can't put our fingers on.
As the great Carl Jung put it...
... Man needs difficulties. They are necessary for health.
It's not the difficulty that repeatedly pulls us back...
... it's the joy we experience on the other side.
Like the insanity of starting a gravel ride at Dana Point, in predawn hours...
- pavement
- to gravel
- to singletrack
- to gravel
- to pavement
- to single track
- to gravel
... and clearing the final summit above Big Bear, as the sun drifts away.
If we did alone, it would be courageous...
... if we did it with friends, it would be the memory of a lifetime.
As the great Terry from Mesa told me today...
- it's your 6th year
- I'm feeling fit
- I'm coming
... I'm always busy.
I'm in.
Are you?
===
Do you know any of these cats?
Previous Finishers
Henri Kavaja (1)
Michael Gould (1)
Richard Brown (3)
Mike Maderos (1)
Richard Ramsey (3) <12 (1)
Josh Wolff (2)
Chris Hill (1) <12 (1)
Spencer Roundy (3)
Michael Foster (4)
Ron Barrett (1)
Todd Brown (4) <12 (1)
Terry Butler (1)
Brennan Sizemore (1)
(times finished)
<12 - completions under 12 hours elapsed time.
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 00 box jumps, heel and toe raises
154/139/15 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
AN ADVENTUROUS PACE
A TRUE ADVENTURE requires a pace that is fast enough to get to the destination, yet slow enough that all can...
... make it to the finish.
It's a fine line.
Shackleton had is crew on a boat.
Pacing wasn't the issue...
- hazardous journey
- low wages
- bitter cold
- long hours of complete darkness
- honor and recognition in event of succeess
... so much as outright danger.
In this case,
all the men needed was the hope of success.
Which is what a proper pace should be...
... given an adventure of epic proportions.
The Surf N Summit may not be a novel exploration of the Antarctic, but it does require...
- manageable heart rate, low power
- lots of food and drink
- solid equipment
... because, it's a legit journey from the sands of Dana Point to the peaks of the San Bernardino mountains above Big Bear.
If you're in, go here now: https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-california-10-10-26
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 30 box jumps, heel and toe raises
156/153/3 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SELLING ADVENTURE
WE SHOULDN'T NEED TO BE SOLD on adventure. It's in our DNA. Yet, often we are distracted and timechallenged and thinking...
... we are way too busy.
But,
life is short.
And,
as the great Ferris Bueller said...
... it comes at you fast.
Adventures, however...
- can be daunting
- involve the unknown
- create lasting memories
... which is why we go for them.
Especially, if we are/have...
... enlisted our posse.
On October 10th, we'll be riding the Surf N Summit for the sixth time this year.
The first two times...
- massive heatwave
- crazy early snowstorm
... we failed.
Last year, for the first time, everyone made the summit before sunset.
it's not for the timid,
those afraid to fail,
the unprepared...
... it's for the adventurous souls who dare what others fear to dream.
https://www.strava.com/activities/16111728104
===
165.2 lbs
7.8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
1560175/-15 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE RING LEADER
EVERY COMMUNITY has a ringleader. The cat who's constantly inviting to do some ride or run or adventure or race. They're usually mostly fun...
... and sometimes absolute slayers.
Even that's fun.
Why does the ringleader lead?
Because, literally, the more the merrier.
Who appoints the ringleader?
Nobody, it's more of an inner calling.
Who supports the ringleader?
Those looking for a good time.
Who pays the ringleader?
Everyone,
just by showing up.
Somecommunities don't have a ringleader...
... they're waiting for us to show up.
And lead.
===
164.8 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
151/122/28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
WHEN IT GETS ROUGH
IT DOESN'T TAKE A GENIUS to know we can go faster over a smooth surface than we can over rough terrain. That's why the most powerful sprinters...
... race on the track.
Indoors at the highest levels.
The rest of us get it done over...
- new tarmac
- gravel roads
- rowdy single track
... whatever we get served up.
Where we still need to put down the power,
whether sprinting or just plain ol' racing.
Here's the dill.
If we only ever train our sprinting on the most perfectist of surfaces...
... we're probably gonna stink it up, when it gets rough.
Practicing stomping on the pedals when it's...
- chunky
- slippery
- torn to pieces
... is a skill worth honing.
We've got to be able to perform excellently over all conditions.
When it gets challenging lower pressure in the tires is better...
- roll faster
- better grip
- faster cornering
... just like is in our souls when life gets topsy turvy.
Lower the pressure.
Which reminds me of a dear friend, the great Fritz Tomasello. who insisted we add backpack straps to the RaceDay bag...
... so he could carry his bike from the car to the track.
That's how pristine the indoor tracks are.
===
164.8 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 55 push ups, 11 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/138/16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CHALLENGES CALL
THAT MONUMENTAL CHALLENGE calls to us, challenging us to prepare and be ready and we answer the call with all we've got. Not just going through the motions...
... this time.
Willing to do the impossible.
We've tried before.
Many times.
Only to fail.
Shattered.
We reconstitute.
To vanquish.
Yet again.
Not trying, doing...
.. the impossible.
===
165.6 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
157/151/5 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN
MIND CONTROL is a thing. Especially on the start line when the energy is sky high due to...
... a cocktail of tapering and caffeine.
It
takes
real focus.
Just look at your "resting heart rate"...
... pumping like an outta shape donut eater on an outta control treadmill.
We aren't even moving,
because we are thinking about everything.
How do we calm that down,
achieve serenity?
This is important because if we don't get control our emotions we're going to be leaking all kinds of energy we're going to need later on.
Here are my top 5...
5. breathe deep, breathe slow
4. take in the craziness in the competitors' faces and just laugh - cuz it is funny
3. sit on the top tube, rest on the bars
2. close your eyes and trust your training
... and drumroll
... 1. race more so these feelings are welcomed
Oh, one more.
For hecksakes...
... get to the venue early.
Like 2 hours early so we can go through our launch sequence calmly.
Which brings up the ohso obvious.
Have your raceday bag loaded the night before, with everything you (could) possibly need.
Ok.
There's a lot more,
but those are the basics...
... before we unleash our mighty fury.
===
165.6 lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
158/157/0 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THERE REALLY AN OFFSEASON?
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN FITNESS if there are offseaons? It's a fair question and one that deserves...
... a fair answer.
I have my theory.
And it goes like this...
- get after it 2x/week
- keep stacking the base
- never get out of our routine
... there is no offseason.
But, there is an onseason.
What's the difference?
Look, we have to have a baseline of fitness.
For me, that means being somewhat respectable on the group rides.
If I let my fitness drop the point where I'm getting dropped quick,
that's dialed back too much.
When it's onseason, that means...
- I'll be charging the group rides
- stacking more endurance miles
- perfecting the every aspect of the routine
... everything gets dialed up.
Yeah, I thought of this as I yanked the gravel wheels off,
and mounted the road wheels.
Sticking with my commitment to hit the Tuesday Morning World Championships tomorrow...
... and shoot for a respectable sub-5 minute up The Wall.
===
166.2 lbs
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 20 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
153/123/29 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT'S NEXT?
THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL. Things haven't changed much. Some sit in back semicheckedout...
... others up front and eager.
Just like a new race season.
As we head into fall...
- there's still a mess of events calling out to us
- bombarding our inboxes
- popping in the socials
... we still have choices.
Before we choose what's next...
- goals accomplished
- unforgettable memories
- regrets of missed or untaken opportunites
... reflecting/celebrating/acknowledging might be the best next event.
===
165.2 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 60 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
156/142/14 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MORE AI SLOP?
UNDERSTANDING AI QUERIES, for most of us, is like understanding pig latin. If we don't have the key...
... it's meaningless.
Want proof?
Ok.
Rider X is a fast,
and uncoached.
Prepping for an upcoming, highly competitive gravel race...
... he had a sit down with Coach ChatGPT.
The recommended protocol?
Mostly endurance, but per ChatGPT I should as some higher zone work at the end of the ride to simulate race conditions.
Am I the only one who sees a problem with that?
Other than the fact that every romping gravel race I've ever done has started out like an XC race...
- completely pinned until the selections are made
- threatening to settle in before hitting it hard, again
- to the eventual war of attrition where riders finish mostly alone
... I'd say it's spot on.
lol.
So, yeah, as long as everyone agrees to save it to the last 30 mins then Coach Chat has it nailed.
In training...
- most of roll out,
- then, gradually warm up
- finally put in some good efforts
... which is probably why things unfold as they do.
Look, there are certain people I ping for their opinion knowing that whatever they suggest...
... the opposite is the best course of action.
With Coach Chat, it's not Be careful what you ask for as much as its...
... Be careful how you ask.
===
164.6 lbs
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/163/-3 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GETTING DESTROYED FOR THE WIN
SINCE IT'S SO TEMPTING to sandbag, we should never be surprised that it goes on. At all competitive levels...
... it's a thing.
But,
why?
To get an easy V.
Where's the victory in that?
For the day to day group rides and non-A races...
... we should be lining up the monsters.
Who are going to push to our very limits...
... destroy us.
That's winning.
Ya know what else it is?...
... putting ourselves in position to win the ones that matter.
===
164 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish 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, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
153/120/33 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
WHY DO BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS to get stronger on the bike. Whether we want to climb better, fly on the flats or lay down obscene sprints...
... we need more power.
How do we get it?
Akshully go to a gym,
lift heavy at home,
body weight.
They all work.
Lately, I've been in love with the body weight stuff.
Not just the pullup an pushup stuff...
... but, high rep leg work.
Till.
It.
Burns.
Yeah, it produces the same I can barely walk feeling...
... after rattling 'em off.
And, I'm rightly winded to prove it.
The reason I'm really digging these is...
- plain ol' grinding up a long climb
- pushing hard the final minute to the top
- poking my nose in the wind for way longer than normal
... the fatigue resistance it seems to be building.
I feel the fatigue building,
and I seem to be able to deal with it better than high weight, low rep.
It feels so good,
I love it.
===
163.8 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 50 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/128/27 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING
MOST OF US, all of us, learned to run, swim and ride a bike at an early age. It came naturally to run, the bike a little coaxing, swimming a few pointers...
... and we were off.
Am I missing something?
Oh, yes.
Faith.
It took faith to put the coaxing and pointers into play and...
... realize we weren't gonna drown or fall over.
If, we'd just keep moving.
===
Designed this t-shirt, and realized why I love it so much.
Every successful racer begins with...
- 0 Starts
- 0 Wins
- 0 Fans
... the only difference between them and everyone else is they keep showing up.
Moving.
===
164.6 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 30 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
158/138/19 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DOORS BLOWN OFF?
OCASSIONALLY, after an A race we might back it down for a few days. Then, think to ourselves...
... we really outta do something with this fitness and rest.
But, usually there's a problem.
Most of us, especially me, think we are resting and therefore recovered and hence ready to slay it.
I mean, if the metric are indicating it like mine were this morning...
... by golly let's get after it.
Welllllll, a funny thing happened on the final seven mile stretch.
Rather than romping like a renegade,
I limped like a lost loner.
It hurt,
I pulled the plug.
How could I have so misjudged my freshness...
- 81 mi
- 11 hrs
- 9,665'
... because last week 4 rides were far from restful.
I should been spinning the flats rather than grinding the climbs.
When I finally managed to make it home,
I thought might as well upload and see how badly my doors were blown off...
... Your highest power output for 30 seconds in 2026!
Oh...
... now what if we actually rested?
===
164.6 lbs
7 hours sleep
540ish 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
152/97/54 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CAUSING EFFECT
MAKING PLANS for the upcoming event can be nerve-racking because there is so much unknown. There are really only...
... two paths forward.
It's gonna tricky,
it's gonna be awesome.
I was thinking about this, watching the highlights of Leadville.
There was our PEDALindustries flag,
right on the course,
where I imagined it.
Not just any part of the course, but a part of the course which was only open to racers who qualified much faster than me.
But, I really wanted to be there, too.
At Lost Canyon.
In my mind, it was a superior location for my feed zone.
So, made the 12' flags weeks prior to traveling.
Figuring it was gonna happen,
seeing them on course in my mind.
How'd we get the flag there?
First, I applied for a lottery to gain access.
Next, a blog reader and customer reached out and invited me to use his access to the area.
Then, I was informed I'd lotteried in to the zone myself.
That my friends is a magical way to live called...
... causing effect.
===
164.8 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 50 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/97/54 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ONE REASON EATING HEALTHY MATTERS
SOMETIMES WE'RE ON POINT with our food choices, other times, for a variety of reasos...
... we fall off the wagon.
What's the damage?
Over the course of a lifetime,
probably nothing.
If it's occasional.
As the great Tim Ferriss advocated in The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman...
... having a cheat day once a week won't kill us.
Might be helpful.
Honestly, I'm not 100% sure about that.
Here's what I do know.
If my cheat day is Sunday, and I go all in on the cheating...
... I'm likely to wake up a few pounds heavier on Monday, than I was on Friday.
Which is not really the point I wanted to share.
When I whipped up a salad today, with fresh veggies and Safe Catch tuna...
... all I could think about was how good this was going to be for my body.
That kind of thinking matters,
more than some might think.
===
165ish lbs
9sh hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 50 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/108/46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE IMPORTANT THINGS
RETURNING HOME after a weekend or week(s) away on an adventure is usually awesome. The trip may have been amazing...
... but, not as much as what we left behind.
I was reminded of this today.
On a sweltering summer day,
we pushed through LA traffic...
... in time for a little family get together.
There really is nothing that compares.
===
164ish lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish 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
159/125/34 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THREESY DOES IT
DESTINATION RACES AND RIDES always bring their own challenges. One of them can be altitude, and the big question there is...
... how soon do we need to go up?
Give us a rule.
Oldtimers have a saying...
... three weeks or three minutes.
Anything else is subpar.
On the extremes, the very best I ever felt was after 6 weeks.
The worst was driving 15 hours from sea level on a Thursday,
then racing on Saturday.
Which got me thinking after yesterday's final ride above 10,000'...
- sprinting
- climbing
- bombing
... I finally felt pretty darn good.
Confirming the broscience...
... threesy does it.
===
164ish lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish 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
159/125/34 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DO YOU LISTEN TO YOUR CYCLESENSE?
Nov 26, 2021
by TODD BROWN
LATE LAST NIGHT MY CYCLESENSE WHISPERED You oughta put that 3rd cage on your bike and take 3 bottles tomorrow. I ignored it because I'd specifically planned today's DJ Diesel's MixAlot 100k to stop at a store 2ish hours in...
... too bad it was closed.
The cause wasn't the holiday, but high winds created a power outage. That's the thing about Cyclesense...
... if we listen.
We get warnings all the time, at least I do.
Usually it is obviously practical, but sometimes it's mystical...
... even spiritual.
Like when my Cyclesense told me not to roll through a green light.
As I stood there, bewildered, a car screamed though the intersection...
... it would have killed me.
I've found the more I heed, the more I receive.
Hopefully, this isn't a big set back.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
You know what would be a big set back?...
... getting busted changing au naturel.
Which exactly why we make changing ponchos... lots of colors to choose from, or if you like, we'll make them to match your team designs.
Use this promo code: cyclesense
and save 20%, this weekend only.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
---
168.4 lbs. heaviest I've been in years, yikes!
THE THREE R'S OF RIDING
Nov 25, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF RIDING STYLES THESE DAYS. No, it's not pro, fast and slow. It doesn't have anything to do with speed or fitness or contracts...
... it has to do with style.
Roadies are refined.
MTBrs are rugged.
Gravelers are rakish.
Dress accordingly.
Or, don't.
I don't care...
... I'm rakish by nature.
How 'bout you?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
Speaking of which, we're having a little Black Friday fun. It starts now. Quantities are limited.
30% savings.
Use promo code BF
On these products -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
---
167.2 lbs
7.5 hrs
10 Pull Ups 20 PushUps
no HyperVolt & Stretch
10 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6306492647
WELL, I'M NOT GRATEFUL FOR THIS
Nov 24, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WE'LL BE RISING EARLY THURSDAY, 9 mile, 3500' dirt climb to take the annual group photo. I've seen a Burley full of coffee and donuts hauled up and pack of lunatics hauling down. But, I've never seen...
... a happier group.
Some years are balmy, others bitter cold.
It doesn't seem to matter.
We still go.
But, why?
Partly to humblebrag at the family dinner about our exploits, partly to see old friendly faces...
... mainly out of tradition.
At some point, someone will suggest we go down Joplin vs the easy road up. it's a nasty trail, plenty of options to hesitate...
... hesitation is never good.
If they sell it hard enough, I might cave. It'll take an extra 30 minutes, and be 10 times the adventure...
... I'm getting weak just thinking about it.
And, that character flaw is one I'm not grateful for...
... neither is Surfergirl.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
Speaking of which, we're having a little Black Friday fun. It starts now. Quantities are limited.
30% savings.
Use promo code BF
On these products -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
---
166.7 lbs
7 hrs
25 Pull Ups 50 PushUps + gym work
no HyperVolt & Stretch
60 minutes reading + Journaling
no ride today
THE TURKEY BURNER
Nov 23, 2021
by TODD BROWN
YOU'VE GOT TWO OPTIONS, big ride before the feast or big ride after. Then, we can really to town on the feast. Frankly, neither approach has worked well for me...
... but, I am a weak soul.
If I do the ride before, inevitably it ends long before the feast. I get hungry. Binge all the candy and appetizers...
... before anybody arrives!
If I opt for the day after, I skip breakfast. Get hungry. Binge all the candy and appetizers...
... then, with sweet tooth completely reactivated and demanding go big on the meal, the second serving, and all of the deserts.
This year, I'm bookending the nonsense with big MTB before and big gravel the day after.
But, that's not all.
We aren't hosting, going to the son-in-law's. Which means I'll have to reign things in quite a bit...
... gotta maintain that reputation.
Hypocrisy, I know.
But, at least you know the truth.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
Speaking of which, we're having a little Black Friday fun. It starts now. Quantities are limited.
30% savings.
Use promo code BF
On these products -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
---
166.7 lbs
7 hrs
20 Pull Ups 40 PushUps
HyperVolt & Stretch
80 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6297517493
WHAT DOES OFFSEASON MEAN TO YOU?
Nov 22, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE OFFSEASON, but I am pretty sure we all have a different view of what that means. Does it mean off the bike or off the training regime or...
... off to do something else?
For me, the most important thing is to turn off the rigidity.
If I race,
I wing it.
If I go for a ride,
I wing it.
In other words, take the stress out of the training and monk like living.
Frankly, I think it's good to have many offseasons during the year.
But, do not, under any circumstances, let offseason turn into off-the-diet season.
We are still athletes.
- We want to perform at a high level at all times.
- We want to return to training at our "fighting weight".
Just a little reminder to prep before the upcoming holidays.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
Speaking of which, we're having a little Black Friday fun. It starts now. Quantities are limited.
30% savings.
Use promo code BF
On these products -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/black-friday
---
165.3 lbs
8 hrs
20 Pull Ups 40 PushUps
HyperVolt & Stretch
70 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6293436029
ON THE ROAD TO MASTERY REMEMBER THIS
Nov 21, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WHEN THE RACE GETS BLOWN TO PIECES IN THE FIRST 5 MILES, you have plenty of time to think. Some of it is nonsense, daydreamy stuff, that if you don't snap out of it could see you plummet down the ranks...
... some of it is pure gold.
Check this one out.
The best racers are all great bike handlers...
... not all great bike handlers are great racers.
What makes the difference?
- Mindset
- Physical strength
- Endurance
- Discipline
- Tenacity
- Willingness to embrace risk
- And other factors beyond a simple understanding of how to race.
Each one of those, when developed, become a super power.
Today, I needed tenacity.
With 25ish minutes to go, I finally had the leader of our category in my sites. He'd opted to run MTB tires on a very challenging gravel course. Because of gusty winds, the sand was covering the tires tracks of the overall leaders. But, I could see the MTB pattern was getting more clear
Even though I couldn't see him, I knew I was getting closer.
Then, I caught him.
He sped up and managed to hold my wheel.
But, a curious thing happened.
No more than a minute or so later, I realized the cleat in my left shoe was very loose.
I had to stop.
I grabbed my tool, sat down, and started tightening. I was anxious, and fumbling. It took about 2 minutes, seemed like 20.
If it had happened just before I caught him, I would have pulled over without him ever knowing how close I was.
Instead, he knew it was on and really got after it.
So did I.
About 15 minutes later, I saw him again. This time I passed as hard and fast as I could, and he couldn't latch on. It was right at the top of the final climb and we raced all out to the finish line.
Got him by 30 seconds.
Sure, I'm bragging a bit, but only to share my thoughts.
You see, I know I'm a slow starter, and I legit count on my competitors cracking before the end.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
I wore red gloves and socks today... going for that Spartan look.
Did you know Spartans wore red because it's the color of blood and when the were wounded it wouldn't show. This gave them a look of invincibility.
You may not know this, but our socks are made on the same machines as the socks Tadej Pogacar wore when he won the 2021 Tour de France.
Here in the USA.
I only source the best for you.
And, when it comes to gloves nothing fits better or breathes better what you see here.
Right now, it's Buy Gloves, Get Socks for free.
Just pick out the color and size you want and the discount is automatically calculated at checkout.
Go here:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
165?
8.5 hrs
0 Pull Ups 0 PushUps
HyperVolt
https://www.strava.com/activities/6290084468
WE NEVER RISE TO THE OCCASION, INSTEAD...
Nov 20, 2021
by TODD BROWN
TODAY WENT AS EXPECTED. Our jumbly mass of racers hit the bottom of the 4.5 mile climb and instantly splat out like giant bug on the PEDALvan's windshield. Within 10 minutes the fastest were high, high above. Me...
... I settled in.
By that I mean I dropped anchor and watched 'em go. It's a mere 27 miles, but it's only gets harder. Pacing would be key.
The single track, fast and flowy off the top, turns twisty and techy. So much so, the Ol' Diesel looked a lot like John Muir, hiking a helluva lot more than he'd like to admit.
Which brings me to my point...
... we don't rise to the occasion, we fall to our training.
While we do have trails within a short drive that provide this kind of challenge, I haven't ridden them for nearly a year.
And that long gas climb? Yeah, we have that too, but same thing. Ain't ridden it in many moons.
Which brings me to my other point...
... the moon was outstanding last night, camping at the venue.
Probs the same tonight. Highly recommend ya check it out. So put the screens away and get outside. Hold your lover's hand, and just soak it in.
Which brings me to my final point...
... the best one...
... TJ stopped to help a fallen rider out. He'd clearly taken a good whack to the helmet. That's cool as hell, the stopping part. I suspect it was because TJ himself had a real doozie this summer and nobody stopped...
Bro, you ok?
No, I'm not. I need help.
They kept racing.
TJ stopped.
His story brings me back to my original point...
... because he is a young man who's clearly received good training.
For me, TJ wins the day.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/training/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
TJ told me a second story.
I love your book. I read it in 45 minutes, but I can't stop thinking about it.
Really?
Yes, and then guess what?
Do tell.
I gave it to my girlfriend and as soon as she was done she signed up to run a 1/2 Marathon.
So, If you're looking for just the right gift to give this holiday...
You can get it on Amazon for $20...
... or here for free:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/training/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
---
165?
7ish hrs
0 Pull Ups 0 PushUps
HyperVolt
https://www.strava.com/activities/6285012079
THE SIMPLE WAY TO TRAIN AND RACE
Nov 19, 2021
by TODD BROWN
TONIGHT I'M DRIVING TO A RACE, where there will be two kinds of people lined up in the morning. One will be calm and relaxed, confident. The other, stressed because they know...
... shift about to get real.
The reason for their differing emotions, of course, is how they prepared.
I'm gonna make it real simple.
Train hard, race easy.
Let me break it down for you cats new to racing.
Those who train hard,
who see stars at the end of their intervals,
who are in tip top shape...
... they will find the race easy.
It won't be anything harder than their prep, it won't be mentally confusing nor physically overwhelming...
... easy.
Everybody else...
... it's gonna be a helluva day.
Train hard, race easy.
When I say Every Day Is RaceDay™ˆ, I mean it's cumulative. Eat crummy food for a week, and it's gonna cost you. Skimp on your sleep, you're gonna pay.
If you feel weak, maybe you need this hat as a reminder.
Use promo code: EVERYDAY
---
164.7
7.5 hrs
15 Pull Ups 30 PushUps
HyperVolt
No ride today - man's gotta work.
IT'S NOT THE LACK OF FITNESS
Nov 18, 2021
by TODD BROWN
YESTERDAY, I JUMPED INTO THE MOST FEARSOME GROUP RIDE IN THE LAND, the Swami's Wednesday ride. Littered with state and national road champs plus taut pro tri riders, it's known for holding a blistering pace...
... and heavy duty trash talking.
One must be prepared for exceptional physical and mental abuse.
This, I know.
So, for me, it's like water spraying my seat tube.
No big deal.
For others, the trauma of holding wheels and ignoring insults can be too much and they never return...
... missing on the finest training they'll ever get.
Poor souls.
It's not the lack of fitness that stops them,
it's the lack of focus.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion
The thing I really like about groups like this is how hard they push me... because it gives me fitness to really get after my PRs.
Which is why I love the name of this product so much.
Winning is nice, but PRs... oh, PRs... those are pure gold.
Just like this offer... use promo code PRS4LIFE and get 20% off.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion
164.7
8 hrs
10 Pull Ups 20 PushUps
no stretch
https://www.strava.com/activities/6275529089
GET YOUR SHIFT TOGETHER!
Nov 17, 2021
by TODD BROWN
SOME PEOPLE YOU CRINGE TO INVITE ALONG FOR THE RIDE. You know the ones, they are needy, bike is always slightly lacking, forgetting to bring the essentials. I just wanna scream...
... Get your shift together!
But, I don't.
I have mercy.
I use to be like them.
Then, I had an epiphany.
What if I had a bag that was also a checklist and would keep me super organized...
... I'd remember to bring, and could easily find, everything!
Yep, that's how the RaceDay Bag™ was born, out of pure necessity to make packing easy...
.. and raceday a calm affair.
Nary a day passes I don't get a message that goes like this...
Diesel, my buddy forgot his ______. I just looked at him in disgust, he's seen my bag at least a million times.
Thanks for making my life easier.
To which I always respond, This makes me so happy.
Because it does bring me great joy to make life easier for cats like us.
I know I should make a pitch to get the bag here, but you already have one.
You might, however, need a green t-shirt for the upcoming holiday season...
... and have I got a deal for you.
50% off, use this code: GREEN
Code expires Friday.
Here's the link:
165.8
8 hrs
Gym Work
Stretch/Hypervolt
60 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6272204878
SHOULD TECH BE PART OF RACING?
Nov 16, 2021
by TODD BROWN
SERIOUS QUESTION: Should we have more and more and more tech in racing? I've just reading this article about Froome being all geeked up on a realtime glucose measurement tool...
... It will change racing more than power meters, he exclaims.
But, is that a good thing?
I think the tech makes racing less interesting. Less chaotic. Less dramatic.
The biggies I've seen:
- HR monitors
- Radio comms
- Power meters
Think on that.
HR and Power meters to tell you how hard to go. Race radios to tell you what's happening in the race and what to do. Glucose meter to tell you when to eat...
... imagine some dork whispering, Drink 2.5 ounces.
Rubbish.
Let them race on feel,
make them read the race themselves,
let 'em bonk...
... keep it real, keep it human.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2022-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar
It's getting time to start thinking about next year...
... and get your giant wall calendar.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2022-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar
166.2
6.7hrs
20 PullUps 40 Pushups
Stretch/Hypervolt
80 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6262086622
---
167.2
8 hrs
10 PullUps 20 Pushups
Stretch/Hypervolt
75 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6266586562
GET BETTER SOON
Nov 15, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I JUST BOUGHT A "GET BETTER SOON" CARD for one of my racing friends.
He isn't sick...
... I just think that he needs to get better.
The end.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2022-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar
It's getting time to start thinking about next year...
... and get your giant wall calendar.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2022-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar
166.2
6.7hrs
20 PullUps 40 Pushups
Stretch/Hypervolt
80 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6262086622
THE INTERSECTIONS THAT MATTER
Nov 14, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WE STOPPED BY TO SEE A LONG LOST FRIEND TODAY. Way back when, we'd all lived at the Whiting Ranch trailhead. The ladies joined the Trail Angels, the dudes joined the Warrior's Society...
... we rode, we raised kids.
We learned of the recent tragic and sudden passing of their grown child.
An unimaginable situation, the kind where you wish you nearby...
... today we were traveling through.
She was alone, spouse off to work trip.
It's hard to explain the bonds that form along our rides. Kindred spirits, intertwined. Miles down the road, we pick up where we left off.
We listened,
we hugged,
we wept.
We may never fully comprehend or accept unanticipated hardships as we ride through mortality...
... but, we keep pedaling and loving and being loved by those we meet along the way.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2022-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar
It's getting time to start thinking about next year...
... and get your giant wall calendar.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2022-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar
166?
8.5 hrs
0 PullUps 0 Pushups
no stretch
0 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6258804298
AWESOME 4 MILE HIKE AFTER SHREDDED SIDEWALL
Nov 13, 2021
by TODD BROWN
IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN A NICE RIDE THROUGH THE DESERT IN LATE FALL? Not really. The first 90 minutes with Surfergirl was perfect. Fast, flowy, rolly, fun. Then came the ol'...
... You don't mind if I ride a little more, right?
What could go wrong?
75 and sunny.
2 bottles.
See ya!
I wanted to hit the Zen trail.
Last time I rode was 6 years ago, the True Grit 50. It's a helluva trail. Lots and lots of sharp jagged rocks. Massive desert vistas. Some cactus. There is nothing like it back home.
It's slow.
Like a chess match,
the ancient rock is constantly checking our momentum.
One must be calm,
unhurried.
Strong,
yet flexible.
I love it!
However, one outta put some extra PSIs in the tires. I'd already rimmed out a few times ripping the fast stuff on the desert floor. Up here on the mesa I was keenly aware of the vicious rocks and keeping things in check...
... picking my way, nimbly.
But, it wasn't enough.
All it takes is one jagged rock at just the right angle and you can be just like me...
... hiking 4 miles in stiffsoled MTB shoes over rugged terrain for 90 minutes.
Pros
- Plenty of time to rethink my tire set up
- Cross train the shoulders to burning point by lugging the bike
- Have something to write about
Cons
- Feet hurt like hell
- Miss an excellent dinner
- Nearly miss the concert as well
I like a good memory as much as the next cat. And, a greatly prefer a catastrophic sidewall tear on play day vs raceday.
Chalking this up as a win.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
For sure, today's ride is the kind you want to protect you fingies, and still be cool. Take me up on this offer...
BUY THE GLOVES, THE SOCKS ARE FREE.
Mix and match your colors. I went black gloves, red socks last weekend and looked so sharp the promoter featured this pic.
So, if you dig looking sharp and demand killer gloves and sock performance click this link below... no promo code needed, it's automatically applied at check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Those dots you see are the perforations all along the top of the glove. Superduper breathable.
---
166?
8.5 hrs
0 PullUps 0 Pushups
no stretch
0 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6254138570
BIKING VAGABONDS
Nov 12, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO EAT LUNCH, and by happenstance it was an MTB trailhead. A crusty, ripped ol' dude pulled up on a super sweet Ibis Mojo. He was wasn't wiry...
... as much as he was sinewy.
A lifetime of adventure radiated his countenance. Flame and snake tattoos added charm, beginning at his fingers and flickering up to his biceps...
... he'd ridden a few miles, for sure.
Just got this bike.
It's a beaut.
My first full suspension.
Do you love it?
Yes, it just knows where I want to go. Telepathic control.
Amazing.
But, to be honest, I love all the bikes. I started riding in the 60s, Schwinn cruisers. We rode all over these hills. And just never stopped.
He could have been 60, or 70, or 80.
I couldn't tell.
Before he left, he looked at us and said...
... It must be nice to be biking vagabonds...
... then drove off in his fancy truck, dream bike inside.
I thought that was funny. He's aspiring to be like us, who he thinks we are, and we've spent a good portion of the drive to UT trying to figure out how to do these trips more than a few times a year.
New goal: Biking Vagabond.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
It's important to hang on to our dreams as much as our bars.
Our Black Friday special is BUY THE GLOVES, THE SOCKS ARE FREE.
Mix and match your colors. I went black gloves, red socks last weekend and looked so sharp the promoter featured this pic.
So, if you dig looking sharp and demand killer gloves and sock performance click this link below... no promo code needed, it's automatically applied at check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Those dots you see are the perforations all along the top of the glove. Superduper breathable.
---
166ish
6.5 hrs
0 PullUps 0 Pushups
no stretch
0 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6249294776
HOW MUCH LONGER CAN THE TUR D' FRAWNZ HANG ON?
Nov 11, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WHAT A PARADOX! The biggest bike race in the world is by far the most boring. Sure it has drama, but it takes 3 weeks to play out. Of course it has the best athletes, but it takes 20 days of attrition and luck. They're trying to remain relevant...
... while gripping hard on tradition.
It's the fringes where we have real action and excitement.
Certainly, this year, for me, has been a big come to Merckx moment with races that are novel...
... requiring a much larger skill set.
Drafting is nice,
drafting on gravel and sand is rad.
Carving tarmac is swell,
carving on a banked dirt berm is exhilarating.
Single track is fun,
single track on drop bars is trickylicious.
Mixed surface racing is bomb!
Of the 3 biggies, the Vuelta has been the most exciting. They've had to be different, to stand out. Now they are on the leading edge of stodgy...
... I think they can do better.
Imagine.
One bike.
A stage race.
One, maybe two, tire choices.
Every day a different type of terrain.
Now that, that my PEDAlposse, would be a helluva race and give us...
... and helluva champion.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Of course, they'll be wearing superlight fullfinger gloves. And you should, too!
Our Black Friday special is BUY THE GLOVES, THE SOCKS ARE FREE.
Mix and match your colors. I went black gloves, red socks last weekend and looked so sharp the promoter featured this pic.
So, if you dig looking sharp and demand killer gloves and sock performance click this link below... no promo code needed, it's automatically applied at check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Those dots you see are the perforations all along the top of the glove. Superduper breathable.
---
166.9
7.5 hrs
20 PullUps 40 Pushups
Stretch + Hypervolt
60 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6243739019
WOULD YOU ACCUSE ME OF STEALING YOUR JOY?
Nov 10, 2021
by TODD BROWN
KEVIN WAS IN TOWN TODAY. He's a long-term thinker. Like 10 and 20 year plans. And, unlike most of us...
... he accomplishes the impossible.
So, when he reminded me of his 20+ year goal to go under 9 hours at Leadville at the spry age of 65 I looked at him and said...
Bro, we've got some work to do.
I know.
No, really.
I know, it's just the JoeJoe's from Trader Joes...
You're not going to make it.
Yes, I will.
I don't think so.
Don't steal my joy.
Don't steal my joy, that is a profound statement. It was almost a command.
Is it stealing his joy to point out the obvious?
Not, if it's honest, loving and supporting his ambition.
He's got to drop at least 30 lbs, probably 40, by radically changing his diet. That's the opening, obvious move. Then start lifting, and stretching. And, get on his mountain bike.
This is going to be so fun to witness, because I know he can do it. I'm sure of it. Plus, I'm on a similar quest to go under 9 hours.
We'll be checking in with each other often...
... and that is the secret to accomplishing big shift.
Having a buddy.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Of course, it's also important to have a firm hold on your goals and your grips.
Which is why our Black Friday special is BUY THE GLOVES, THE SOCKS ARE FREE.
Mix and match your colors. I went black gloves, red socks last weekend and looked so sharp the promoter featured this pic.
So, if you dig looking sharp and demand killer gloves and sock performance click this link below... no promo code needed, it's automatically applied at check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Those dots you see are the perforations all along the top of the glove. Super breathable.
---
165.3
8 hrs
25 PullUps 50 Super Pushups + Kettle Bells
Stretch + Hypervolt
55 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6239546029
DID MUHAMMAD ALI JUST WIN OUR LITTLE BIKE RACE?
Nov 09, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I PUT MY MONEY ON BRETT TO GET THE V TODAY, and I was correct. As usual. I saw him go to work early, doing fake attack after fake attack. It was a master class in subterfuge...
... and reminded me of the famous rope a dope fight with Foreman.
So many similarities.
The good looks, the brash swagger. It was all there, but it had been so long since he'd decimated the ride nobody recognized him.
Instead, they surely wondered what this chunky brute was trying to prove with his weak and unmanly attacks...
... then he was gone.
Just like what Ali did Foreman, hypnotized him into thinking he had everything under control...
... then lights out.
10 miles from the finish line.
That's a helluva long range attack, considering you've got a fairly frothy bunch of cats all looking to score and PR.
A few more attacked, but none could catch the bull on the loose.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are just looking around to see if anybody in our respective categories is gonna make a break for it or if things will be fairly tame...
up The Wall,
down the canyon,
Nobody made a move of substance until we hit the bottom of the corkscrew.
This is the final effort.
.71 miles.
195' elevation gain, most if it the first .35 mile.
It stings.
A lot.
Many weeks, I pull the plug and cruise across the line.
Not today.
We were all vying for a strong finish. Even with Brett up the road, plus those other cats.
'Din't matter.
It was on.
What started as a ball of energy at the bottom, resembled a strung out line of old jalopies clunking across the line...
... gasping, and wheezing.
All in the name of fun, and a little cash.
Full results are below.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
And yes, you're almost outta time to get a custom RaceDay Bag™ for the holidays:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
167.4
6.5 hrs
0 PullUps 0 Super
Stretch + Hypervolt
45 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6234464375
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
| Cat 2 | Race # | Racer | Ovrl Finish | Cat finish |
| M / 35-49 | 43 | Brett Bylund | 1 | 1 |
| M / 0-23 | 38 | Rayan Jamshidian | 2 | 1 |
| M / 35-49 | 1 | Nicholas Bishop | 3 | 2 |
| M / 35-49 | 26 | Joseph Edmonds | 4 | 3 |
| M / 35-49 | 24 | Eric Bierman | 5 | 4 |
| M / 0-23 | 32 | Isaac Gould | 6 | 2 |
| M / 35-49 | 23 | matt smith | 7 | 5 |
| M / 50+ | 44 | todd brown | 8 | 1 |
| M / 35-49 | 33 | Michael Gould | 9 | 6 |
| M / 24-34 | 31 | Brian Lawler | 10 | 1 |
| M / 35-49 | 6 | Brent Thielke | 11 | 7 |
| M / 35-49 | 30 | Jacob Miller | 12 | 8 |
| M / 50+ | 19 | Joe Bowman | 13 | 2 |
| M / 35-49 | 20 | Michael Foster | 14 | 9 |
| M / 35-49 | 21 | Nathan Adams | 15 | 10 |
| M / 50+ | 13 | Mark Christopherson | 16 | 3 |
| M / 50+ | 14 | Brian Fitzpatrick | 17 | 4 |
| M / 50+ | 39 | MIKE ZANIO | 18 | 5 |
| F | 23 | Kristen smith | 19 | 1 |
| M / 24-34 | 15 | Adrian Leon | 20 | 2 |
| M / 24-34 | 22 | Cody Iverson | 21 | 3 |
| M / 35-49 | 2 | David Whalley | 21 | 11 |
| M / 50+ | 41 | Stephen Lind | 23 | 6 |
| M / 50+ | 7 | Jim Bishop | 24 | 7 |
| F | 17 | Maria Benson | 25 | 2 |
| M / 50+ | 34 | John Ramirez | 26 | 8 |
| M / 50+ | 3 | Richard Reimers | 27 | 9 |
| M / 50+ | 37 | Steven Donahoo | 28 | 10 |
| M / 50+ | 25 | Mireya Sanchez | 29 | 11 |
| F | 27 | Charlene Yarnall | 31 | 3 |
| M / 50+ | 5 | Scott Moncrief | 32 | 11 |
| F | 9 | kristiina beary | 33 | 4 |
| F | 10 | Ursula Carter | ||
| M / 24-34 | 12 | Jonathan Wilson | ||
| M / 35-49 | 4 | Tyler Dunigan | ||
| M / 35-49 | 8 | Michael Quito | ||
| M / 35-49 | 16 | ROGELIO LUNARIA | ||
| M / 35-49 | 29 | Sai Yeung | ||
| M / 50+ | 11 | James Carter | ||
| M / 50+ | 18 | Christopher Hill | ||
| M / 50+ | 36 | Richard Meeker | ||
| M / 50+ | 40 | mani Motamed | ||
| M / 50+ | 42 | Anthony Reguero | ||
| M / 50+ | 45 | Paul Iverson |
| Cat 2 | Race # | Racer | Ovrl Finish | Cat finish |
| F/ 0+ | 23 | Kristen smith | 19 | 1 |
| F/ 0+ | 17 | Maria Benson | 25 | 2 |
| F/ 0+ | 27 | Charlene Yarnall | 31 | 3 |
| F/ 0+ | 9 | kristiina beary | 33 | 4 |
| F/ 0+ | 10 | Ursula Carter | ||
| M / 0-23 | 38 | Rayan Jamshidian | 2 | 1 |
| M / 0-23 | 32 | Isaac Gould | 6 | 2 |
| M / 24-34 | 31 | Brian Lawler | 10 | 1 |
| M / 24-34 | 15 | Adrian Leon | 20 | 2 |
| M / 24-34 | 22 | Cody Iverson | 21 | 3 |
| M / 24-34 | 12 | Jonathan Wilson | ||
| M / 35-49 | 43 | Brett Bylund | 1 | 1 |
| M / 35-49 | 1 | Nicholas Bishop | 3 | 2 |
| M / 35-49 | 26 | Joseph Edmonds | 4 | 3 |
| M / 35-49 | 24 | Eric Bierman | 5 | 4 |
| M / 35-49 | 23 | matt smith | 7 | 5 |
| M / 35-49 | 33 | Michael Gould | 9 | 6 |
| M / 35-49 | 6 | Brent Thielke | 11 | 7 |
| M / 35-49 | 30 | Jacob Miller | 12 | 8 |
| M / 35-49 | 20 | Michael Foster | 14 | 9 |
| M / 35-49 | 21 | Nathan Adams | 15 | 10 |
| M / 35-49 | 2 | David Whalley | 21 | 11 |
| M / 35-49 | 4 | Tyler Dunigan | ||
| M / 35-49 | 8 | Michael Quito | ||
| M / 35-49 | 16 | ROGELIO LUNARIA | ||
| M / 35-49 | 29 | Sai Yeung | ||
| M / 50+ | 44 | todd brown | 8 | 1 |
| M / 50+ | 19 | Joe Bowman | 13 | 2 |
| M / 50+ | 13 | Mark Christopherson | 16 | 3 |
| M / 50+ | 14 | Brian Fitzpatrick | 17 | 4 |
| M / 50+ | 39 | MIKE ZANIO | 18 | 5 |
| M / 50+ | 41 | Stephen Lind | 23 | 6 |
| M / 50+ | 7 | Jim Bishop | 24 | 7 |
| M / 50+ | 34 | John Ramirez | 26 | 8 |
| M / 50+ | 3 | Richard Reimers | 27 | 9 |
| M / 50+ | 37 | Steven Donahoo | 28 | 10 |
| M / 50+ | 25 | Mireya Sanchez | 29 | 11 |
| M / 50+ | 5 | Scott Moncrief | 32 | 11 |
| M / 50+ | 11 | James Carter | ||
| M / 50+ | 18 | Christopher Hill | ||
| M / 50+ | 36 | Richard Meeker | ||
| M / 50+ | 40 | mani Motamed | ||
| M / 50+ | 42 | Anthony Reguero | ||
| M / 50+ | 45 | Paul Iverson |
IT'S JUST A SOCIAL RIDE
Nov 08, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF THE BEST TRICKS YOU CAN PULL ON AN UNSUSPECTING FRIEND is to invite them on a ferocious group ride under the guise of it being just a social ride. It's just so fun, and entertaining...
... which is why we all cave to the temptation on occasion.
Tongue in cheek is always a good time.
Take the name of our local group ride a few of us started 18 years ago: The Tuesday Morning World Championships. It's mainly a bunch of cats that like to ride and have actually only raced a handful of times.
To us, the name is a joke.
To the uninitiated the name is intimidating, frightening.
Which is exactly why we tone it down for our annual shindig...
... the unOFFICIAL TMWC.
We'll do the same course, sprint for the same 15mph sign, come back and do the annual awards.
For most of us, it's the only race we'll do all year...
... other than every other Tuesday in between.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
And yes, you're almost outta time to get a custom RaceDay Bag™ for the holidays:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165.8
9.5 hrs
20 PullUps 40 Super PushUps + Kettle Bell
Stretch + Hypervolt
60 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6231909589
DEFUND THE TIME CHANGE
Nov 07, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF THE GREAT DEANDRE COLE this time of year and his classic What's Up With That? Because really!, what is up with the time change...
... and why is DST not ST?
Is it me or wouldn't y'all much rather ride the morning from dark to light than kiss your afternoons good night...
... so dang early?
I reckon it depends on where ya live. But, where I live I'd much rather be on DST all year long.
Which reminds me of Deandre who always haD to cut his shows off with...
... Well, we outta time!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
And yes, you're almost outta time to get a custom RaceDay Bag™ for the holidays:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165.1
8 hrs
13 PullUps 26 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
120 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6227416398
A NEW WAY TO RACE BICYCLES - CRITCROSS
Nov 06, 2021
by TODD BROWN
RELUCTANTLY CROUCHED AT THE STARTING LINE. Hearts pumping and thumping in time. The 30 second sign turns, the green flag waves. It's a full drag race for the first banked 180 degree turn...
... on go-cart course!
The energy of that start, into the first turn, was electric because the next 1/4 mile was a chicane, a short straight then onto a banked dirt turn to another banked turn and up the finish line jump...
... nearly impossible to pass.
Then back onto the smoothsmooth tarmac for good ol' crit racin', and what a crit course it was.
A perfect surface.
No road debris.
No cars or trucks.
Just bikes.
Racin'.
And, about two minutes later right back onto the 20ish seconds of dirt again.
That is my friend Eric's creation...
... called CritCross.
Crit and Supercross.
But, not just for the finish line jump.
We all raced 2 "Motos".
20 minutes + 2 laps.
Here's how it went for me.
I stuck with my gravel bike, only a few of us did that. The rest rode road, and I think that was clearly the fastest set up...
... but, i didn't want to soil the new roadie.
The first Moto my technique was terrible. I haven't raced a crit in years, and I just wasn't confident leaning the bike over. Plus, those gravel tires are really slow on edge...
... grippy, but slow.
I wound up 7th.
Totally cool, since it's off season for me, and I had zero interest in racing. Just wanted to check this new thing out.
Moto 2, different story.
First off, I felt racy.
Still had a slow start. That bike is just tough to get up to speed. Fortunately, this one was clean. No crashes in front of me. Within 3 laps I'd worked my way up to the leaders.
Second off, the rust was off the crit skills and I was leaning hard on those tires. Super grippy.
Wound up third in a three-man break, 35+...
... totally stoked.
Final thoughts...
the format of multiple heats,
the go-cart track,
the dirt section,
and finish line jump...
... made for some of the funnest racing I've had in years.
Oh wait, almost forgot...
... world class announcing,
terrific viewing for all trackside or up above,
and excellent food and drink included...
... Can't wait for the next one!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Yes, I'm still running this promo because we're almost out of time to get for the holidays... and because people keep buying 'em:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165.2
8 hrs
0 PullUps 0 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
0 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6221804628
IN THE PRISON SHOWER OF RACING...
Nov 05, 2021
by TODD BROWN
FIRST TIME RACERS SOUND A LOT LIKE FIRST TIME PRISONERS TAKING A SHOWER. And, well, are we surprised? I mean, who hasn't felt a little bit of What the heck is a nice cat like me...
... doing in a place like this?
All of the sudden whatever bravado we had typing in our cc info for registration is gonzo. The confidence we oozed after smokin' our outta shape neighbor up the back hill has evaporated.
We lose our minds...
How was the race?
It was great until the end.
Whadaya mean?
Well, I was riding really hard and feeling really good, leading most of the time until the last lap.
Yeah, then what?
Then a bunch of guys that I'd never seen jumped me and I finished dead last.
And riding like that my friends is like that first prison shower...
... don't drop the soap.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Yes, I'm still running this promo because we're almost out of time to get for the holidays... and because people keep buying 'em:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
164.8
7.5 hrs
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
50 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6217500613
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZONE 2
Nov 04, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ZONE 2, MYTH OR MAGIC? I do a lot of zone 2 training this time of year. The benefits are undeniable. But, only if you know what you're doing...
... few do.
It's a lot more than riding in a zone, and every single, married, and partnered up tri-athlete knows the secret...
... yet, we still often make fun of them.
There's a lot to make fun of, but perfecting zone 2 ain't one of them. Nope...
... we should worship the ground the run and ride on.
Most cyclists think of zone 2 as a heart rate training zone, and it is...
... but it is much, much more.
What the tri-cats do is they get in the zone...
... and this is the part most cyclists completely miss...
... then focus on going as fast as they can without getting out of the zone.
Do you see the difference?
It's not riding between 120-140, my zone 2...
... it's riding as fast as I can at that rate.
It's about efficiency...
pedal stroke
cadence,
position,
aeroness,
carrying speed,
tire pressure,
fueling,
comfort,
... you got it?
What results is a feeling of being a giant steamroller... immense momentum and power produced with ease and confidence.
I had that exact feeling last Saturday at the Filthy 50. I started 15 minutes behind everybody, due to a mechanical. Rather than hit and try and catch, I steamrolled in zone 2 and 3 and spend the next 3+ hours saying...
... on your left.
That my fine young cannibals is the benefit of zone 2 training from yours Diesely...
... who learned it racing triathlons when I was a wee lad.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Yes, I'm still running this promo because we're almost out of time to get for the holidays... and because people keep buying 'em:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165.2
7 hrs
20 PullUps 40 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
45 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6211252872
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
WHICH CAT SHOULD WE CHASE?
Nov 03, 2021
by TODD BROWN
FIGURING OUT WHO TO CHASE IS PRETTY TRICKY. Choose correctly and things can end well, choose poorly and it could mean finishing far behind our capabilities...
... or, not finishing at all.
There are basically three kinds of people you can chase in a big endurance race. Assume all three are leaving you behind...
... who's your target?
- The cat who's quickly going up the road, and riding off into the distance.
- The cat who's also ripping away, but comes back as the terrain changes.
- The cat who's slowly easing away.
For me, it's cat #3, the slow easer. That's the one that is going to make me stretch, but not to the point of blowing up.
Next best is #2 because I'm probably equal or better in certain areas. The key is to capitalize on those areas and slowly let go.
The worst is #1. Those cats are on a totally different level, what works for them will not work for me...
... to the point I'll be worse off if I try and match their speed.
Pick wisely.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Yes, I'm still running this promo because we're almost out of time to get for the holidays... and because people keep buying 'em:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165.4
8 hrs
20 PullUps 40 PushUps + Kettlebells
Stretch + Hypervolt
75 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6208912300
DON'T LET YOUR CATEGORY DETERMINE YOUR AGE!
Nov 02, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I HAVE 2 OLD FRIENDS. They are quite different. Both are super accomplished racers. Both are over 30, fer cryin' outloud. But, as they say age is just an age group category...
... or is it?
One, stopped by to see me. Moseyed around, picked up a few cutting edge products, passed judgement...
... and left emptyhanded.
The other called me up.
Bro, I'm putting on a race.
Tell me about it.
Well, I rented a go cart track.
Cool, I like a lot of turns.
Yeah, there's that... but, the coolest thing is we are going off the tarmac and onto the dirt.
Really?
Yeah! A bunch of berms and a finish line jump.
Sounds rad.
Plus, we are racing heats to determine winners.
Like Supercross.
Yep.
I love it!
One of these guys is actually old, the other forever young...
... don't let your category determine your thinking.
Try new things.
Like this race, if you're around these parts.
It's called CritCross, get it? Crit and Supercross.
Website is here: https://www.critcross.com/
And bring your RaceDay Bag™.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Yes, I'm still running this promo because we're almost out of time to get for the holidays... and because people keep buying 'em:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
168.4 (nooooooooo!)
6 hrs
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
15 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6201998987
HIGH LEVEL BIKE RIDING
Nov 01, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WITH ANY LUCK YOU'RE GOING TO MEET SOME COOL PEOPLE. Especially, if you really get into this endurance bicycle riding and racing thing. I was looking at my recent text messages...
... and thinking Damn.
Because we have this sense of We're all in this together, and because our community is extremely passionate, it's easy to meet and connect with new people.
But, that's not the cool part.
The cool part is we (all of us) are some really accomplished and awesome people. We just don't often recognize each other.
Helmets.
Glasses.
Skintight lycra...
... none of that helps.
Next time you're JRA (just riding along) or standing on the start line or hanging around afterwards...
... smile, stick out your hand, and introduce yourself.
Who knows, you might find yourself like me texting with a rocknroll drummer, an NBA star, and a grand tour winner...
... I'm telling ya, this community of ours is rad...
... and wants to meet you, too!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
And just in case you all wind up bunking in the same cabin you might want:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
167.4
8 hrs
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
50 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6197650285
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
THE SUBTLE ART OF READING THE RACE
Oct 31, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I WATCHED A BUNCH OF GRAVEL RACING VIDEOS TODAY. Simon, from GCN, talked about positioning himself up front at the start to allow for sliding space. Rather than making up ground...
... he prefers to slowly slide back, all day.
But, that got me thinking about the subtle art of reading a race.
You know, how it's unfolding.
Where the energy is.
The move to watch.
The kind of things coachy and racy people pontificate upon.
I shall do the same with this insightful view to what I see <- I say shift like that just to see if you're paying attention.
How the race unfolds is rarely dictated by the terrain. Instead, it's the competitors that matter.
Which, in my unhumble and cocksure opinion, is the point most of ya miss.
Amateurs and rookies worry about how to conquer a race's features.
Pros and victors focus on crushing their foes.
They aren't reading the terrain, they are reading each other. Which is just one reason I read a lot of books...
... rarely on bike racing.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Most races are won long before the final sprint. Here are two things you gotta have:
- a personalized RaceDay Bag™
- and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
166.4
10 hrs
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
100 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6193790795
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
ARE YOU CLIMBING THE RIGHT HILL?
Oct 30, 2021
by TODD BROWN
TODAY DIDN'T TURN OUT AS PLANNED. What was supposed to be a ride with my pals, turned out to be 50 miles of soloing, all because I disrespected the course...
... and didn't pre-check my bike!
The Filthy 50 is always challenging for me. It's late in the year and I'm ready to play, not ready to slay. We were committed to do it and ride together and enjoy the beautiful course and see the peeps.
But, someone didn't check his electric remote wireless shifter and a full 1/4 mile into the course realized...
... I got no shifting.
Fortunately, in my RaceDay Bag™ I carry a few extra batteries: the 2032 that powers my chest strap also powers my shift lever. I hustled back.
12 minutes later, after hundreds left the start line,
I finally left,
which left me with a clean and clear course.
I could have been hacked off at my mishap. I wasn't. There was zero intention to race today. Honestly, I think it made my day even better.
That was the hill I set out to climb, a nice day on the bike.
All that to ask this question...
... are you climbing the right hill?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
You could gift a friend the 2032 batteries... inside
a personalized RaceDay Bag™
and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Should out to Wrench House for helping me swap batteries!
1
Changing poncho in the wild
Yeah, I ate two of these.
---
165ish? slept at race
5.5 hrs Sleep got their late
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
10 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6188963413
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO IT?
Oct 29, 2021
by TODD BROWN
IT'S A MIRACLE I'VE SURVIVED THIS LONG. How many times did I attempt to jump the gap? Or sprint before, through, and out of the corner? Risking life and lycra...
... fearlessly?
Being fearless doesn't take courage.
Courage is when you are completely aware of the sitch, and you know dern well...
... this could end really badly.
Courage is when you state your commitment publicly that you'll be winning or placing or finishing in a certain time, and failure...
... could bring a heap of mocking.
It's cool to fearless.
It's rad to act with courage.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
You know what else is rad?
a personalized RaceDay Bag™
and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Get on this before it's too late->
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
164.5
8 hrs Sleep
25 PullUps 50 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
50 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6181166132
RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
Oct 28, 2021
by TODD BROWN
HENRY KISSINGER IS ALIVE. He's 98. That blows my mind. Seems like he's been 56 for a hundred years. He still gets up, works hard all day, has dinner, keeps working. If you want to be forever vital...
... never stop working.
As we ease towards winter, it's tempting to back off. Quit all together.
Check these stats.
We usually have 30-40 guys on our Tuesday morning ride.
We had 15.
Same on Thursday evening.
We had 4.
Don't be that cat,
under the covers,
sipping hot cocoa.
My friend Frank reminded me of the great Dylan Thomas poem.
Do not go gentle into that good night...
... Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
We're getting close to the holiday season, get on this before it's too late->
a personalized RaceDay Bag™
and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
164.5
8 hrs Sleep
25 PullUps 50 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
50 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6181166132
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
WHY ARE WE SUCH A SEXY LOT?
Oct 27, 2021
by TODD BROWN
LOOK AROUND. Who are the sexiest people you know? And, Why are the so dang attractive? I know you know what I'm talking about, but if you don't you will soon...
... as soon as you see your kin during the holidays.
Someone gunna say, Dang you look good.
You wanna know our secret?
We all know,
it's the blood flow,
that gives us our glow.
That, plus getting outside as much as we can.
Sunshine is a happiness drug, and we get it a lot more than most folks.
Oh, and one more thing...
... which I hope you're practicing.
We unplug when we ride.
No podcast.
No music.
While we give our bodies a good wringing out,
we give our brains a chance to uncouple,
from everything.
So, when they ask let 'em know...
... It's the blood flow that give me my glow.
Oh, and eating like an athlete...
... yeah, remember that when y'all sit down.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
How about this for a holiday gift for one of your supersexy friends->
a personalized RaceDay Bag™
and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
164.5
8 hrs Sleep
25 PullUps 50 PushUps + Kettle Bells
Stretch + Hypervolt
75 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6176726368
MY HYPOCRISY KNOWS THE END
Oct 26, 2021
by TODD BROWN
OVER THE WEEKEND I REALLY SCREWED UP. I broke rule number one, don't ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever skip eating after the big ride. But, things came up and there I was 5 hours later starving...
... which lead to massive binging.
Now I know I preach a lot about eating whole foods, but this was next level considering the narrow time window of my fall.
Whole double-patty hamburger, whole pint of ice-cream, whole bowl of fries, whole rack of ribs...
... and a whole lot more.
Finally I drifted off into a food coma...
... waking up a whole lot heavier.
Shift!
But, it was just one day and in a few days that will all be purged and I'll be back to where I wanna be...
... less of me.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Time is running out for this superprimo Holiday gift->
a personalized RaceDay Bag™
and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165
7 hrs Sleep
20 PullUps 40 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
5 minutes reading books + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6169792854
CHECK YOUR FORM
Oct 25, 2021
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU EVER CHECK YOURSELF OUT RIDING BY RETAIL STORES, all of you reflecting back from their large and shiny windows? In sophisticated circles we call this checking our form. The rest of us just call it what it is...
... does this kit make me look fat?
This off season, I've added quite a bit of weight training to my schedule. At least for me it's a lot. The key is...
... to have good form.
Good form means we won't get hurt.
But, we can sure fry our legs without even riding. This has made it much easier to stay in zone two.
Concurrently, I've been hyper focused on my riding form when on the bike logging these easyish base miles. Specifically, my pedal stroke. The proverbial...
... pedaling in circles.
Pushing forward along the top,
pressing down,
scraping mud off my shoes across the bottom,
pulling back up to the top.
I've also been working particularly hard at getting my ankles back involved. Somehow I'd lost a lot of flexibility and was just mashing down. Hence, I've been doing all kinds of exercises to get them back in the game and whipping across the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Anyway, consider this a public service announcement. While everybody else is just pedaling...
... check your form.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
And check out this superprimo Holiday gift->
a personalized RaceDay Bag™
and, a dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you because you've been around here a while.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
166
7 hrs Sleep
20 PullUps 40 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
65 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6164923987
MY FREAKY FORMULA FOR FEELING FAST
Oct 24, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I DISCOVERED THIS FREAKY FORMULA FOR FEELING FAST by accident. And, let the record show feeling fast is a big part of riding fast. But, the weird part is this feeling...
... comes for going way slower.
Then, it manifests itself in a PR fest the likes of which are on par with NYE 1999. I got a lion in my pocket...
... and baby he's ready to roar!
It happened yesterday.
Due to time constraints, I cut the 50 mile version of the Good Dirt Ride and hit a number of the single track sections I've been riding on my gravel bike while trying to piece together...
... The Grand Master Flash Sir Mixalotta Surfaces 100k.
But, that's another story.
What happened was I hit all single tracks on my superbadass fullsuspensionrocket.
Rather than bouncing all over the trail and feeling like I was riding on the limits of physics, as I have been on the gravel bike...
... it was smooth, and in slow motion.
A feeling of serenity and calm control...
... ripping faster than ever the same exact trails.
So why the PRs?
- Gravel bikes force me to pick the cleanest lines.
- Gravel bikes require a firm grip and a loose body (see Zen and the Art of Archery book review.)
The result is refining of the dirt skills via gravel bike...
... and ripping freakishly fast on the MTB.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Holiday gift of the year-> a personalized RaceDay Bag™ + dedicated Way of The RACER book.
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden to the unwashed masses, but I'm sharing it with you because you've been around here a while.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
166.7
9 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
Stretch + Hypervolt
120 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6162024657
OH BOY... DO I HAVE SO GOOD DIRT ON A LOCAL HERO!
Oct 23, 2021
by TODD BROWN
DOUG GRANT CELEBRATED HIS 65TH BIRTHDAY by putting on the Good Dirt Ride and raising $101,652 for charitable causes. He's that kinda guy. Effective. Efficient. A servant leader...
... people naturally rally behind.
For his last time putting on the event, we had a light rain and the resultant hero dirt...
... the kinda dirt that is a moist and tacky.
It gives the feeling of riding like a hero.
So much grip.
Stand up and pound the pedals,
and the tires just dig and launch you forward.
Lean over and carve,
and it's like every turn has a perfect berm.
Of course he would conjure up just a morning.
As the riders came in from the 10, 25 and 50 mile courses, I could tell many of them had been challenged. There were a few nicks and bruises...
... but mainly smiles.
Happy to be done. Happy to have played a part in a worthy cause.
Doug was happy, too.
His final words, after many years of putting on the event, were a call to action...
... for all of us.
Isn't it wonderful that we able to set aside our differences and come together in harmony and do something good? Remember this, and keep building our community.
And that my friends, is the real dirt on a local hero: Doug Grant.
Few of us have what it takes to put on a ride of that magnitude...
... but, we can all invite a friend to join our next ride.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Wouldn't it be a wonderful gift to give a great friend, a personalized RaceDay Bag™?
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden, but I'm sharing it with you because you've been around here a while.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed The Way of The Racer book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
165
7 hrs Sleep
0 PullUps 0 PushUps
Stretch
10 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6155974192
THIS IS HOW TO FEEL ON RACE MORNING
Oct 22, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WHEN I'M TRULY READY FOR RACEDAY THE FEELING IS AMAZING. It's unlike all the other starts. Not hectic, not nervous. A quiet lake vs chaotic rapids. And that's how it should be...
... like going for an easy spin out your front door.
Routine.
Ho-hum.
Ready in every sense of the word.
Spirit.
Body.
Mind.
Are you feeling me?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
For me, it starts the day before loading my RaceDay Bag™...
... the confidence I have everything I need to slay the day.
Mine has my name on it.
Wouldn't that be a wonderful gift to give yourself or a dear friend, a personalized RaceDay Bag™?
I have a special link for our Stock Designs with a personalization option... it's hidden, but I'm sharing it with you because you've been around here a while.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
Whatever name you type in will be printed... so be creative!
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Custom bags require about 3 week, so order now to have in time for the holidays...
... we'll do our magic...
... and you'll have one extremely stoked friend that is blown away by your very personal generosity.
You are that kind of friend, right?
Trust me, there's nothing better.
Use this promo code to save a few bucks -> PERSONAL
Plus... I'll also add a signed book to your gift.
Go here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/custom-name-bags
---
164.7
7 hrs Sleep
20 PullUps 40 Super PushUps + Kettle Bells
HyperVolt & Stretch
80 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
TOP 8 REASONS NOT TO LIFT WEIGHTS
Oct 21, 2021
by TODD BROWN
AFTER FULLY AND COMPLETELY COMMITTING MYSELF TO A STRENGTH PROGRAM, I can confidently let you know there are some excellent reasons to stay far away from such activities...
... but you be the judge.
First there are the obvious reasons;
- You prefer the sexy look of small shoulders, arms and chest with accompanying t-shirt stuck on belly.
- You prefer to be weak, unsteady and prone to fall off your bike.
The lifestyle reasons:
- You hate going to the gym when you could be riding.
- You don't have room for weights.
- You don't have time.
The silly reasons:
- You're afraid you'll gain weight - true for a scant few, but not you.
The real reasons:
- You don't know what to do
- You don't want to get hurt.
Those are legit.
I had the same concerns.
Figure it out, it doesn't take much time and the benefits are wonderful.
Then let the celebrations begin with your new found powers.
You might need a fancy, high-quality tool like this. Truly hard to find, and always impressive when your posse is over for a visit.
Retails for $48, but with this code...
... it's 50% off.
The code is GETSTRONG.
There is only one of these in stock, so act quickly.
---
164.7
7 hrs Sleep
15 PullUps 30 Super PushUps
HyperVolt & Stretch
90 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6146493961
YOUR BIG SECRET AIN'T SAFE WITH ME!
Oct 20, 2021
by TODD BROWN
AT THE RACE THIS WEEKEND, a bunch of cats will show up. Fancy kits, shiny bikes, niiiiice legs. But, there's a huge problem in diagnosing who the players are...
... even if you know them by name, like your friends.
Because what you don't know...
... will kill you.
The shift you can't see....
... the secrets.
What's in them bottles?
What'd ya eat for breakfast?
How well did you sleep last night?
What workouts are you doing off the bike?
Who's your coach and what did they tell you to do?
Are you even recording all your rides on Starva or hiding some?
If you think you know your enemy, think again...
... think hard.
Do they know you?
What are you doing different?
Have you added to your arsenal?
Deleted some of that mass we call flubber?
Now, all them blingy thingies you see at the start should and most likely do have a purpose...
... to keep you distracted from their Dr. Evil plans.
Shoot, I used to...
... and sometimes still do
... show up with a filthy bike and stenchy kit
... glasses askew
... grease on my calf.
And, my all time favorite don't mind me question...
... Do you know where the course goes?
Meanwhile, I'm running black chains and cassettes that are purrrrfect, silky smooth. Ceramic bearings and ceramic lube, a drive train prepped for annihilation.
I'm that kinda kat.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/secret-stuff
Here's an example of the secret stuff I use that can't be seen. Everything you see here has been battle tested and proven.
I wouldn't race without them.
Ever.
Too crazy.
Who doesn't want their legs to feel magical?
Who doesn't want their chain to be silent and smooth and seemingly completely free of drag?
Don't let all that training you do go to waste.
I can promise you,
there are very crafty cats scheming all kinds of ways to leave you far behind.
But, you wisely have me on your side.
If I had to choose just two of these products it would be these two, because of their startling performance gains.
So, here's the deal
Go here:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/secret-stuff
Order at least 1 of each because supply chain issues are real,
And I'll include, the extra luscious and protective DZ Nutz... for FREE.
So, go here and be sure to purchase all 3 and use this code at check out
BIGSECRET
and DZ Nutz will be free
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/secret-stuff
---
165.4
8 hrs Sleep
25 PullUps 20 Super PushUps + Kettlebells
HyperVolt & Stretch
75 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6143776855
GRUPPETTO STYLE CUE'S FOR 2022
Oct 19, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I GOT PAID A NICE COMPLIMENT TODAY and it occurred to me it was most undeserved. Because in this case I've done everything possible...
... to copy the best.
Ha!... because the best let me know in clear (often foul) language, I had it all wrong.
From Nelson Vails teaching me how to hold my bars to the local honcho mocking my gear selection.
Ever been there?
Are you still there?
Would you rather be here?
I was riding behind you last week and man, have you got good form.
Shut up!
No really, I was and I could tell every single effort was efficient and aero and beautiful.
Stop!
I mean it.
Well, gauldarnit... that's a mighty fine thing to say. Thanks man.
Whether or not it's as true as he said, I'm sure my form is a lot different from those early days for one reason...
... I didn't take it personally.
Well, I might of. But, then I got over it and paid attention because I wanted to improve...
... a lot.
So, if you're lucky enough to have someone ruthlessly,
or lovingly,
or mockingly,
comment on your form...
... be humble, and take action.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights
Speaking of taking action, this morning was gnarly...
Even with all our bikes lit up
with the sun in our faces
with bright clothes on
... we had the closest call in my life.
Some crazy person passed a lumbering truck, across the double yellow...
and came head in into us, too damn close!
... get lit my friends.
Life is a helluvalot better in one piece.
Use promo code: GETLIT to save 12%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
165
7 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
HyperVolt & Stretch
15 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6136628049
WHY I KEEP IT SIMPLE
Oct 18, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I TRY AND KEEP THINGS SIMPLE, as few cycling goals as possible. Like 2 or 3. It's not for everybody, but it works stunningly well for me. That's it...
... the rest is just putting the process in place.
The process revolves around the perfect week, and it's something I'm constantly fiddling with and adjusting.
Nothing big,
just little tweaks.
The big idea I set up a long time ago...
... figure out a process, that if followed, will deliver me as fast as possible to the finish line...
... with the least amount of time required.
It's like baking a delicious apple pie, you just need to know the recipe and have the ingredients. Then, put it in the oven and enjoy when ready...
... on raceday.
If you don't have a process or if your process sucks...
... get started here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/training
... or don't and just keep doing the same shift you've always done.
... get started here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/training
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
164.7
8 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
HyperVolt & Stretch
100 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6131804925
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
THINGS I'LL NEVER DO AGAIN ON A BIKE
Oct 17, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE THINGS I WILL NEVER DO AGAIN ON A BIKE, involving skills I had honed over time and with much practice. I don't miss them...
... the present is so much better.
I'll never...
have a pinch flat
snap a shifter cable mid-race
experience brake fade on a long descent
... because
disc are reliable and powerful
shifting is electric.
tubes are dead
... and I'm feel dawgawn lucky.
On the rare occasion sealant isn't enough, I whip out this magical tool and quickly plug a whole.
It's truly incredible.
Highly recommend.
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
164.7
8 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
HypberVolt & Stretch
100 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6128167358
GRAVEL RIDES ARE SO DUMB...
Oct 16, 2021
by TODD BROWN
BY CHANCE, we met up with some of our other dropbar pals halfway through our respective group's rides. Grabbing Mexican Coke's and snacks at the country store, we chatted for a bit...
... then our little group continued on the gravel roads...
They'd traveled on asphalt,
we'd traveled mostly on dirt.
They'd dealt with cars,
we'd dealt with dust.
They'd paused at many lights,
we'd crossed a few streams.
They'd avoided road hazards,
we'd sliced single track.
... and that made all the difference.
I'd dragged, cajoled... nah, just invited a few of my gravleros to check out this route because after riding it last week I was worried it was too hard.
Turns out it's not...
It's challenging.
It's climby.
It's fun.
... according to them.
The question I have now is...
Can we do it under 4 hours if we're really getting after it?
Don't think so.
Really?
62 miles, 5000' of vert, some techy trails.
Yeah, it'd be hard.
You'd have to average just over 15 mph.
We averaged 14.
Maybe a pro, or some young stallion.
I left it that, ready for the challenge. But, first I think we need a few more practice runs and some much cooler temps.
Who's in for a dumb gravel ride?
I was wishing I had this tire on the back today. It was a little dusty and loose and climbing outta the saddle was tricky.
These are pretty hard to find.
Use promo code: CONTI to save 10%
or
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
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164
7.5 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
HypberVolt & Stretch
15 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6123007604
I WAS ROBBED, LESSON LEARNED.
Oct 15, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF RACERS, I've been robbed by each. One is flashy, loud and intimidating. The other a sneakybastard. One is easy to spot and track. The other...
... a thief!
Let me tell you of a most glorious and disturbing race.
A few years back I trained all year for an epic 200 mile road race. I was really, really ready.
Fit.
Light.
Fast bike.
Altitude adjusted.
Superior support.
Everything was unfolding according to plan, until I flatted with 45 miles to go.
What followed was one of my most heroic (too much?) efforts ever. A reasonably fast tube change, and a 35 mile chase. 90 minutes on the limit, alone and in the zone.
I attached to the back, took stock of things, calmed my beating heart.
There in plain site was public enemy number one. Multi-time winner of the event, master's state, national and world champ, with the stripes to prove it...
... who'd beaten me soundly the previous spring when I'd ventured up to his territory to feel him out.
As we neared the finish line, I was in perfect position. On his wheel, and he was 2 guys back. I was feeling extremely confident. I had my quarry, I could see the line, I'd practiced specifically for this kind of long, straight, wide-open sprint...
... I was gonna win.
But, there was one problem...
... we weren't going fast enough.
This allowed the robber, in a plain unassuming kit, to slowly roll off the front. I watched the gap open, confident I could still catch and win. But, it kept opening, getting larger and larger until it was too late...
I beat the champ, and finished first loser...
... because I had been distracted by the flashy.
Each style will cut your heart out. One by intimidation, the other by stealth.
Which means two things...
... we have to protect our hearts and...
... we have to choose our own style.
But, don't leave it there. We must be flexible and not hard-hearted. Different racers, terrain, weather...
... require different styles.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Speaking of thievery and style...
... you, too, can rip me off right now!
There are all kinds of colors to choose from...
... and it's BOGO, buy one get one.
Our gloves are superlight. All mesh top, real leather palms.
The socks are made with FastMax compression tech and EZBreathe yarns.
Trust me, they're awesomee!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
162.7
6ish hrs Sleep
30 PullUps 60 Super PushUps + Kettle Bell
HypberVolt & Stretch
55 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6118128353
IF YOU ONLY KNEW, YOU'D WISH YOU WERE IN MY SHOES
Oct 14, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN A COLD, dark morning. And there's plenty of that on the way. We had our first one this week. In the 30's, and humid. Bone chilling. Just knowing most cats are tucked in and cozy...
... brings me joy.
Yeah, I know I'm sick.
But, dayem if it ain't glorious on those mornings. My breath, hot and steamy. The streets empty...
... the suns splintering rays fracturing across the retreating dark.
I live for that shift!
Most rollover.
Most put on the winter coat.
Then spend all spring taking it off.
vs. rolling out.
Isn't it awesome, getting a big head start on the rest of cats?
Takes some discipline at first.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets
And, the proper gear... like the KOM jacket.
This is one of my all time favorite creations. We make it using a very technical membrane fabric I import from Italy.
It is extremely wind and water resistant.
I named it the KOM jacket because it's perfect for tucking away on the giant local climbs and whipping out for the return trip down.
Watch the video, and see how it packs up.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets
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---
163.6
7.5 hrs Sleep
15 PullUps 30 PushUps
90 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6112486032
YOU'LL PROBABLY TAKE THIS PERSONALLY...
Oct 13, 2021
by TODD BROWN
YOU'LL PROBABLY TAKE THIS PERSONALLY, not you... you're too wise and deep... I'm talking to the average smack talking, chest puffing Strava hero who doesn't know...
... KOMs aren't kool.
And trust me on this, I'm the first to admit I was once a KOM hunter. And the second to admit my helmet straineth mightily when I get one...
... and I still get 'em.
Real ones, with hundreds of attempts. Nearly always on the DH section of something fast, flowy and fun...
... that's my jam.
But this KOM jam is evil.
Capital E evil.
It deceiveth.
It lieth.
It pointeth in the wrong direction.
The point of our fitness isn't to kick the krap out of the other kids...
... our first focus should always be about discovery.
What can I do to improve?
How fast can I go?
Me.
Not thee.
Once I unlock the secrets of my fitness, I help others up...
... and that's a metric we can never measure...
... that gives real pleasure.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/training/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
If that resonates with you... get this book!
If it doesn't... get this book!
It's free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/training/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
---
164.5
8 hrs Sleep
20 PullUps 40 Super PushUps + Kettle Bell
HypberVolt & Stretch
90 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6109957119
SOME THINGS ASTOUND ME
Oct 12, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ON THE RIDE TODAY I HEARD AN ASTOUNDING COMMENT. Well, I asked for it. But, still, I was quite surprised because I know this cat has had some real challenges...
... to the point of being forced not to ride.
Who wants that?
Now, I'm not doctor, but I do play one here on the blog. Since the last time I saw him he was hobbling tenderly through Costco, I just had to know what had changed.
It's good to see you're riding again.
Thanks, it's great to be back.
Did you do anything different?
Yep, I quit playing tennis, quit walking and quit riding for 2 weeks.
Wow, that's a lot to give up.
I feel good.
This is where the doctor in me gently plants a seed.
Do you ever stretch?
Never. I hate it.
Do you think it would help?
Definitely.
Personally, I have experienced many aches over the years and I've found if I just go back to stretching they all go away pretty quickly. My little is easy...
... and takes no more than 15 minutes.
15 minutes.
Everybody's got 15 minutes.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
Everybody also has cold weather creeping in.
For me, that means grabbing a stylish bean to cover my silver and gold locks.
We have this in 4 gorgeous colors: army green, navy, black and charcoal.
Right now, today, and maybe tomorrow...
... if you act quickly...
... they are shipping for Free. $20, gets one delivered to you...
... with the winged-wolf logo. Our spirit animal.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
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Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
---
164.7
6.3 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 20 PushUps
HypberVolt & Stretch
20 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6102876423
I SCREWED UP 2 MAJOR GOALS FOR THE YEAR.
Oct 11, 2021
by TODD BROWN
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR I PUT 3 'A' RACES ON MY CALENDAR. They all seemed outlandish and outrageous. I accomplished one, DNS'd one, and blew off the last. I'm not exactly sure where I went wrong...
... but I'm feeling like a loser, quitter.
LoToJa, I got the coveted lottery.
Paid the princely registration.
Blew it off.
Marathon Nats, didn't even bother signing up.
Pretty weak.
But, it happens...
... at least it happened to me.
Honestly, looking back on it I think the gravel races messed me up. And, I think they messed me up for a couple of reasons.
First, I treated them as B races. Didn't taper. Didn't train specifically. Totally winged it...
... and that was a mistake.
Because, once I got on the start line I had a real Hellyeah! attitude and just went for it. Raced way beyond my prep, and went very deep.
Rock Cobbler was terribly hard. Crushar In The Tushar massively masochistic. And BWR, was super fun but weeks away from Nats.
In each case, though I had some surprisingly good results, I came out mentally drained. Physically, I was probably fine. In fact, looking at my numbers I had big fitness gains...
... but, I couldn't shake the belowthesurface dread of peaking again.
So, here I am.
Calendar in hand.
A few MTB races out there.
They're C races at this point. I'm going because I'm a sponsor. Maybe I should call them See races, instead.
See the country.
See my friends.
See how I feel.
There is however one, gigantic takeaway.
It is incredibly powerful to post your 3 main goals, on a humongous calendar. There is no denying that fact. Seeing it in Sharpie. Large. It works on your mind. Conditions you to believe. Forces you to take charge of your schedule.
That 3rd place and Silver Corral at Leadville, blew my mind.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
For sure, I'm shooting for a podium at Leadville. For sure, I'll go to Nats.
I'm not sure what if there will be a third A race... though I suspect it will be something gravelish.
What do you see in your future?
If you order the 2022 Calendar now, I'll include a 2021 calendar and ship it right away.
And yes... we can make calendars in your team colors... with your team events pre-populated.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
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---
165
8 hrs Sleep
20 PullUps 50 PushUps
HypberVolt & Stretch
50 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6097838073
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO DIE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR
Oct 10, 2021
by TODD BROWN
SOME SAY DEATH GIVES LIFE MEANING. I say racing gives training meaning. In each case, we are confronted with what we have made ourselves into. Therein lies the magic...
... our ability to change over time.
I register early for my A race(s), because I want all the time possible to prepare for the day of reckoning.
Change takes time.
Repetitive work.
Training.
Motivationally, here's nothing like knowing your going to die...
... errr, having an A race on the calendar.
What a way to keep our base fitness in a state of readiness! Kinda like being perpetually ready to meet our maker...
... except, more to our choosing.
So, choose your A race early. Mark it on your RaceDay Calendar, in red...
... and make the changes necessary to slay the day!
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
We are born athletes after all, and athlete's thrive in competition.
Registering for racing is the first and great principle of The Way of The RACER.
If you're into that sorta stuff, get the book.
It's free.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
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---
165.1
8 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 30 PushUps
HypberVolt & Stretch
120 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6094086065
I GOT MIXED UP IN A LOVE AFFAIR
Oct 09, 2021
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU EVER FEEL GUILTY TELLING YOUR RIDER'S STORY? Does your lover feel your heart rate's rise and fall, does she see your raging glory? Did you neglect to reveal...
... my life, my lover, my lady...
... has wheels.
I feel that way sometimes.
Only worse, lately.
It started at BWR, two weeks ago.
Everybody's huffing and puffing, and I'm grooving to the sweet beats, horns and spot on lyrics of Brandy, by Looking Glass... which I shamelessly tweaked for this post.
It's a truly mixed up affair I'm caught in..
... this gravel thing.
Today's ride went from pavement to fire road to pavement to fire road to single track to fire road to pavement to fire road to single track and so on...
... I love it.
All my passions rolled into one glorious adventure.
I hope she doesn't ask about it, 'cause I'm an honest man...
... and she doing her best to understand.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
I cover some of this in chapter 3 of The Way of the RACER.
Part of doing all we can do as racers is taking care of those who support us, first.
If you're into that sorta stuff, get the book.
It's free.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
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---
165.1
8 hrs Sleep
10 PullUps 30 PushUps
HypberVolt & Stretch
90 minutes reading + journaling
https://www.strava.com/activities/6089438423
THE THING I LIKE ABOUT WEIGHT TRAINING
Oct 08, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ONCE I REALIZED I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO THE GYM TO WEIGHT TRAIN, I got a regular plan going. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to go to the big box and hear the clanking and see all the preening. But, we aren't lifting for entertainment...
... we're going for results.
I get it done with adjustable barbells.
They quickly adjust from 20 lbs to 62.5 lbs, while taking up minimal space. Plus, a kettle bell. And, of course, the pull up bar. Oh, and my stairs.
Wednesdays are my designated day for weights year round. But, this time of year I also "lift" on Fridays, and sometimes on Mondays.
The thing that's great is it really taxes my legs, along with everything else. So, when I go for a ride I'm in no mood to put down the power...
... zone 2 rules the day.
And you know it feels like, doing this for a few months?
It feels like I'm doing a complete overhaul of a race car, down to the paint-stripped frame. Making everything stronger than before.
Better.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-tires/products/cinturato%E2%84%A2-gravel-h
With no training agenda, I'll be rolling on the gravel bike a like.
Have I told you how much I enjoy these tires?
They roll extremely fast, and still have a good edge for ripping the corners.
Made by Pirelli.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-tires/products/cinturato%E2%84%A2-gravel-h
SAVE 25% Join The PEDALindustries POSSE.
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
Click here -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-membership
---
164.2
7.2 hrs Sleep
30 PullUps 60 PushUps + kettlebell and shoulder presses
HypberVolt & Stretch
75 minutes reading + journaling
no ride today - rain.
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