THERE ARE A MILLION TACTICS FOR SUCCESSFUL BIKE RACING.  It would be impossible to know or practice them all.  A fool's errand.  I have a handful of strategies that have served me well...

... here are four of them.

• Be strong.  On and off the bike
• Eat real food.  If you can't identify the ingredients it's not food.
• PRs > KOMs.  It's nice to win prizes, it's everything to know you did your absolute best.
• 1 big event per year.  Have one big challenge every year and you'll always be fit.

Some day I'll write a book about those.  In the meantime, I'll finish up the book I've nearly completed.  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Here's another:

• Drink water.

And yes, you can get two of these tall Purist bottles delivered to your mailbox for less than a new Tesla.

Use promo code: 4rules

And you'll save 10% and get free shipping.

---

166
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4985341222

OUR DOG HAZEL USED TO DRIVE ME CRAZY.  Now you may wonder how a sweet, loving, little Beagle could get under The Old Diesel’s lycracovered skin... frankly I wondered the same thing many a time.  But, I think I figured it out on my ride today...

... by simply following my nose.

Ya see, sometimes for lesser developed humans such as I, it’s the personalities most alike that clash the strongest.

What was our family treasure’s greatest sin?

The moment that front door opened, she was gone.  Full speed.  Up the street.  Gone for hours.  She had no control over her nose’s call of the wild.

Alas, I am no different.

The moment I dropped Surfergirl off at the airport last night was like leaving the front door open.  For sure, I would ride all day and simply follow my nose...

... starting with a very hot pursuit after my first query, meeting the crew at the corner.

They were off to a horrendous hundred.  They begged me to keep on... but that was never my plan, hence the gravel bike.  

I simply wanted to say Howdy and get a towed up to the wild that was calling me.  From there...

... just followed my nose.

If done correctly, as today was, you're bound to find a few new paths and options.  These really are my favorite rides.  Alone, on the hunt.  Phone off.  Just me and my thoughts.  This is how we rejuvenate our superpowers.

Sometimes I feel for the suckers who can't be a moment without some sort of distraction... running, riding, hiking with crud plugged in their ears.

Dogs don't do that.

Nor should we...

... better to tap into our disobedient, singleminded, slave to our nose, sense of adventure.  Much better.

So here's a little challenge for ya...

... get out your calendar, and pick a date to just roll out with no particular place to go.  All day.  Just grab your wallet and get out that front door.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

Need an excuse?

Pick your b-day.

We have a limited number of calendars left.

With events starting to solidify, you'll definitely want one of these to remind you and those who see it that a healthy you is a productive you.

Use promo code RIDELIKEADOG

To save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

165.5
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4980858143

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE'D BEG, EVEN PAY, SOMEONE TO RIDE A MOPED OR SCOOTER IN FRONT OF US.  It was called motorpacing.  The motorized rider would ride about 27 miles an hour...

... just fast enough to make your eyeballs bleed.

But that was then, and this is now.

That's the odd thing about the future.  What we paid for in the past and now get for free is frowned upon.  Cursed out.  Simply because it's being used different.

The result is the same.

We're pedaling our buns off, trying to hang on, and some of the younger riders are genuinely hacked off about it.

Do you know how fast an electric bicycle can go?  Unmodified, about 27 mph.

Now we've got a gentleman rider who is injured.  He's rehabbing a bum leg.  He's a decorated racing legend, wanting to get out with the fellas.  Be part of the bunch.

Me, I feel fortunate to have my health... and a friend who'll show up on an obviously electric city bike to keep the pace high and burning.

Maybe I'm old.

What must have been old for y'all yesterday was trying to get in on this wonderful offer which I fouled up some of the coding on.

It works now.  The coding.  The products have always worked.  Excellently.  Just like my friend's leg will be doing very soon.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

These gloves.  Made from leather, forming to your hands.

There are lots of color combinations.  When you order a pair of gloves and socks

use promo code: DONTTELLHR

The socks will be free, and so will the shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

166
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.75 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4973724397

HEY, WILL YOU HOLD THIS AT MY CROTCH?  There is just so much wrong with that statement, and to make matters worse it was the boss asking a co-worker to take said delicate measurement.  Yikes!...

... but sometimes when you are a rider you gotta know your inseam.

Which is exactly what this cat needed to know in order to purchase a bicycle from us.  

There was an awkward silence on that end of the line...
... we were dying on our end.

I don't know why, but that got me thinking about other awkward silence sitchyations in our sport...

... the most difficult of all being the silence after this question.

So, how much is a good bike?

Uh..................

Should we be embarrassed?

I dunno.

I have a friend who just purchased $1300 earbuds.  He's totally into music.
Another told me about her new $1200 snowboard.
One friend works for a place that sells used purses... for upwards of $15k.

Now, my point isn't to justify these purchases or point out any potential irrationalities.   It's simply this...

How much is a good bike?

Not much at all... but a bike that will thrill you for years, take you places you only dreamt of, and bring you back in a state of exquisite bliss... well, those are priceless.

Speaking of priceless, how about that skin that covers your fingers?

Did I ever tell you the story that convinced me to always ride with gloves?

It's short.

We were ripping along this nifty singletrack trail.  It was a bit slippery, and a tad rocky.

All good.

Until my friend lost the front wheel, stuck his hand out and peeled the skin from his thumbnail down to that crease opposite the first knuckle.

What a gusher!

So, yeah, I'm a fullfinger glove lover.  But not just any fullfinger glove.  It's gotta be lightweight and breathable.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

Like these gloves.  Made from leather, forming to your hands.

There are lots of color combinations.  When you order a pair of gloves and socks

use promo code: DONTTELLHR

The socks will be free, and so will the shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

164.1 lbs -
Stretch and HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4968076614

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A HEAPING DOSE OF CONFIRMATION BIAS TO MAKE ONE FEEL GREAT... am I right?  You know, when you figured out by dumb luck or maybe osmosis or reading some forgotten book and developed a method and preached it...

... and the choir was like, yawn.

But Hotdarnit! Joe Friel has been tweeting about 2 hard days a week.  All week.  Same thing yours Diesel has been hellfire and damnationing for years...

... 2 days, hard.
no more, no less.

Now that I'm writing this and searching my cavernous library of filed wisdom fragments... I think it was the great Eddy B. who said...

... If you're not feeling awesome twice a week, you're doing it wrong!

But in a thick eastoeuroaccent.

Just remember,
what you're reading here is unadulterated Diesel anecdotes...
forced through the mighty cycling echo chamber...
lavished with exquisite confirmation bias from 2 of US cycling's pillars of coaching.

In other words, you might want to try it out if you haven't already.

2 hard days - 72 hours apart
Joe says the rest are mostly recovery
I still like a good tempo day thrown in as well.

Because I do at least half of my rides from the shop, I load my RaceDay Bag™ often.  It just part of my routine, can't imagine doing things the old way.  Wondering if I packed everything, fumbling to find things...

... and I'm guessing a few of you love the bags as much as I do.

So I have a favor to ask...

Would you shoot a video on your phone...

... with your bag...

... answering this question...

... Why do you love your RaceDay Bag™?

Keep it short and sweet.  First thing that comes to mind.  Less than 15 seconds.

Don't worry about the background or looking pro... just an honest to goodness message would be terrific!

All who send me a video will get a little gift of appreciation mailed out.

I'd love to get your videos this week.

I think it will be super fun to see what you come up.

Y'all are awesome!

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

Here's a little video for inspiration.

By the way, these changing ponchos have become quite popular.  

If you'd like one use promo code LOVEMYBAG

To save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

---

165.1 lbs -
50 PullUps, 60 SuperBurpees, 40 Pushups, 50 Goblet Squats, 20 Box Jumps
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4965334684 

PS  Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values.

THIS RIDE HAS ONLY BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE TURN OF THE 7TH DECADE OF THE 20TH CENTURY, so you'd think all the pot holes and debris and whatnot would be memorized by now and easily pointed out...

... but that's not the case.

Unlike most rides around these parts the Market Ride goes on hiatus from time change to time change.  I reckon it's the same way with a good chunk of our united states.  

Most of ya's actually have seasons,
ergo actual riding seasons.

I'm feeling ya tonight.

In fact, I'm wondering if the first group rides of the season are going to be even more of a cluster than normal thanks to the fitness gains of digital dungeons set up for Zwifty and Pelotaunt...

... without any of the actual skills required to participate properly being used or honed or, crud!, even developed?

Because if your first ride of the season is anything like ours was tonight, well keep you peepers popped, your head on a swivel...

... and trust no one!

I was shocked at how little pointing out of hazards was happening,  There was even some downright squirreliness.  And these guys and dolls are solid riders, that ride year round.  Outdoors.  I'm sure things will be all settled in a just a few rides.

Anyway, you'll be thawing out soon... so consider this just a friendly reminder from the Diesel who wants ya back with a smile and only good tales to tell.

Speaking of good tales to tell, I warned Kevin about his new bike.

He purchased a long travel BMC 4 Stroke.  It's the same bike that I pounded out a million PRs on last weekend in AZ, except it has a little longer travel.

Kevin, be careful on your first ride.

What do you mean?

Well, your face is really going to hurt.

Huh?

You'll see

.

Yep, new bikes always make my face hurt.  

This morning, we spent a good hour on BMC's unveiling of 2022 new products.

TBH, my face was hurting... there's a bunch of good stuff coming, guaranteed to make you smile.  Details will be coming forth.

In the meantime, if you are around 6' tall and looking for a most excellent gravel bike.  We have 2 of these bikes in size Large.

Yes, they'll make you smile... and your bummy will be happy too because there's 20mm of travel built into the rear triangle.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three

I'm not allowed to post the price available, so ping if you're interested.

Oh, one last thing... I was on my gravel bike for the group ride tonight, and that extra cush for my tush was most bueno.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three

---

166 lbs - just a little celebrating after Cactus Cup
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4959659466

DON'T TELL ANYBODY BECAUSE IT'S JUST OUR LITTLE SECRET... we can learn about riding and racing from well outside the sport itself.  Take my ongoing interest in economics sparked by a visiting professor who opened up with...

... monopolies are great... if you're the monopolist!

Little ol' brainwashed me was captivated from that point on.  My brain had been opened.

Well, consider this quote in How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life from the great Milton Friedman and apply it to your bold ambitions as an athlete:

The sum of negligible forces,
need not be negligible.

Ride on that thought for a moment.

Aren't our 10 pullups and matching 20 burpees a negligible force?  What does it matter if we get in an easy spin for 45 minutes?  Where can we attribute passing up a harmless chocolate chip cookie a day?

Taken by themselves, these are all negligible forces.  But sum up a month or quarter or year of these choices and we fundamentally transform who we can become.

Who's down getting some negligible work done today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and... ?

All in favor say Aye!

Did you know KASK means Kick @$$ Steal KOMs?

Well, it doesn't... but that's how you feel when you wear one.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

I keep seeing more and more of these KASK helmets at the races and on the rides.

Use promo code THESUM

to save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
RestDay - 20 PullUps, 30 PushUps, 10 Supermans

WE WERE HANGING OUT AFTER THE RACE TODAY WAITING FOR THE FINAL RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED.  I ran into Adam and his wife who were kind enough to show me the sweet line for today’s Enduro.  Jimmy introduced himself as the guy tacked on my wheel and thanked me for offering him my salt tabs yesterday.  Sweet Sage, the promoter, and I were chatting when Mike walked up and said...

...  I read the blog every morning!

Which was real nice, but not as nice as what he wanted to talk to Sage about.

Mike races 70+.  

Now, if you're not racing 70+ yet I have two things to share with you.

The first is you can race at 70.  Yes, people do that.  It takes some good genes and luck for sure  But, when you see these athletes you realize it's not an accident.  They are fit and committed to maintaining their health.

It's the second that always touches my heart.  The septuagenarians  all know each other, and more importantly they care about each other in ways I've never seen amongst the other ages.

I've seen them wait for each other on the start line if someone is running late.  I've seen them give health reports on the missing.  I've seen genuine love between them, and it's always moving.

Today was no different.

Mike was there to pick up the bike of his only fellow racer from yesterday.  His friend had crashed.

Sage can I pick up the bike?

Yes, was it only a collarbone? 

No, 12 broken ribs.  He's in ICU.

It wasn't a teary moment, that's racing.  However, as I write this and reflect on the blessings we all share of health and friendship riding the roads and trails of life...

... and how fleeting it can be

... at any age

... I'm verklempt.

Yep, there are a lot of nice people in our community.  It's always a joy to make a new friend on a ride or at the races.

Thanks for being nice y'all.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/cactus-cup

We made some real nice gear for this year's cactus cup:  RaceDay Bags™, Changing Ponchos, and Wallets.

Why? 

Because it's such a dawgawn fun event.

If you have an event, ping me... let's make you some gear.

If you have a team, ping me... let's make you some gear.

If you want to make something custom to give a nice gift to friends or customers... ping me... let's make you some gear.

Our minimum order is 1... yes one (1)!

Get it done.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/cactus-cup

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4947282977

Still reading?

Some stats:

8 dudes, one friend that's a girl, and 2 dogs.

1 busted spoke on day 1, that held up the entire weekend.

1 bloodied knee and bruised hip.

1 punctured tire a mile from the finish and ridden in sloppy as it wouldn't seal.

1 First place in the enduro

1 Third place overall.

9 smiles.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS UP, but never ever do that when racing.  Racing is when you apply all your hard earned training, all the lessons on nutrition, all the things that have worked in the past...

... not the time to chuck it all out the window.

But, that's what I did.

And, it's a long list of nonos.

Breakfast
For years I've had good luck getting up 3 hours early and eating a can of sardines and half a can of beans.  Pinch your nose if you must, but there was gold with them tactics.

Today, lots of carbs.  Rice cake, 2 tangerines, 1 1/2 Honeystinger waffles, a few macadamia nuts.

Warm Up
For decades all I've done to warm up is soft pedal and do some hard accelerations. 

Today, and yesterday, I slowly ramped my HR up to 160s and held it there for 5-10 minutes.

Food
I had my strategy of 2 bottles with 2 scoops + 4 waffles and 2 gels.  900 calories for 3 hours.

But, then I saw Victor Sheldon.  He reps Hammer Nutrition and suggested I go with their flask and fill it with 7 gel packs.  It's way easier than tearing a gel pack open!  More importantly, he always annihilates me and everybody in our age group.  

As I rolled out, thinking how bad I wanted redemption after such a poor showing last year at this event I consoled myself with these nuggets... 

... the only way to know something works better in a race is to test it in a race...

... isn't amazing how the best secrets are revealed racing.

Due to Covid, we went off in 2 waves of 25 or so.  I was in the second wave, my friends in the first.  The race overnight leader was in my wave.  We took off and the leader towed about 6 guys off into the distance.

I committed to ride my pace and stuff my face with gel from the flask, double scoop bottles, and my Salt Sticks.

It worked.

I felt absolutely amazing all 3 hours.  Best I've felt in years.  Even power throughout.

So, yeah, you'll be seeing a promo here for Hammer Nutrition very soon... 

... the meantime I'll tell the dirty secret of Salt Stick.

First, as noted in the book Waterlogged that I reported on:  one, as long as we don't over-hydrate we don't need more salt; two, cramps are more neurological than chemical; three, the salt tabs and the pickle juice etc confuse the brain and the cramps stop.

I'd never race without Salt Stick, and I love the chewables.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/saltstick-fast-chews

Use this promo code: ROOKIE

It'll get ya free shipping and save 10%.

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4941302379

REVIEWING THE START LIST OF ANY RACE CAN BE DEFLATING.  Last year's winner is here, the previous year's winner is here, the cats you know are always good on RaceDay have been putting in the time...

... and then there's us.

If there are seeds of doubt, looking at the list is like adding water and sunshine.  Here, at the Cactus Cup, those seeds grow into giant saguaros whose prickly pads are waiting to embrace all who lack the discipline to control their thoughts...

... all that's missing is a pile of dung for fertilizer.

Which is exactly what those thoughts are.  Pure shyte.

In a race like this, 40 miles with a million turns and drops, 96% of us will be riding alone at some point. The other racers could be 30, 60, 90 seconds ahead and we won't even see each other.

We'll be solito.

With our thoughts.

Those damn seeds of doubt will be aching to sprout.

There is only one countermeasure I've found to be effective, remembering what helk I'm doing here.

Changing those feelings of What was I thinking? sure to arise on the start line is easy if we can just find a reason and a reasonable goal...

... one reason, one reasonable goal.

Protect them, viciously.

At all costs.

At the blistering start,
when the gaps start to open,
when we're all alone with no one insight...

... one reason, one reasonable goal...

... will win the day.

Of course there are other little tricks of the trade, like PR Lotion.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

I know, it seems insane that a lotion applied before a race could make a big difference...

... but, at this point all of us here think it would be insane to line up without PR Lotion.

So, here's the dealio.

Use this promo code before Midnight on Sunday and save 20% when you purchase 2 or more of the above.

The code is PRESSON

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

---

Of the 8 of us out here racing... we fared pretty well today.  Top 10 times, and only one busted spoke and scraped up knee.

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4931942586

DO YOU EVER GET THE FEELING THAT OUTSIDE IS AN INSIDER'S GAME?  Take today, we woke up to an outstanding view.  Gawwwl... I love the desert in the winter!  It can be cold and windy, for sure.  But the views, the sky...

... well, you gotta be here.

A lot of the time, it seems like society has forgotten how awesome outside is.  And maybe that's okay.  Because it leaves more of outside for us, the adventurous.

While the digital dorks may have won the battle...

... they haven't won the war, not yet.

As long as we keep heading outside and returning rejuvenated I think we have a chance to course correct.

I'll drink to that.

These Purist bottles are awesome.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

$20, delivered to your door.  Including shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4931942586

WE'RE STAGING RACING THIS WEEKEND.  3 days in Aridzona, Fri-Sun.  A TT, an XC, and an Enduro.  Something for everyone.  But this is better than a pro road stage race...

... or even an amateur one with a team. 

Because it's MTB.  There isn't really any teamwork to be done.  No drafting, no leading out.  No pacing back to the front.  So, it's way better in the sense we can all battle for our own results each day.

That's the first thing that's better about MTB stage racing - fighting our individual battles.

However, it's the second thing about stage racing, in general, that I enjoy the most.

Piling in a couple of cars,
Buzzing gas stations and fastfood joints,
Taking over a rented house in a new town,
Geeking out over course maps and last minute gear choices,

Rolling up to the start line with the posse,
Racing our guts out,
Licking our wounds that night,
... and doing it all over again the next day.

That's why stage racing rules.  The camaraderie.  The getting away... whether camping like tonight, hoteling it, or VRBO.

Pull up your race calendars, look for a stage race.  You might have to look out of state.  We are in AZ for Cactus Cup, then I'm planning on Leadville Stage Race in CO, and finally Sea Otter in NorCal in October.  Sea Otter isn't a stage race, but it is a bunch of races spread out over a 5 day weekend.

Find a few and see if one fits in with the other parts of life.  If it does... by all means make it happen!

The best way to do that is write it down in Sharpie on one of these giant calendars.

We added more designs.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

Click on these images to check 'em out.

For a few bucks you can have a super rad calendar - either one of these stock designs or with your team graphics and dates important to your team highlighted.

$30. Delivered.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

165.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
no ride today.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I'D TRY AND CONCEAL MY UPGRADES.  Not now.  That evil has been replaced with a much more sinister deceit.  Apparently I've developed a nasty habit of story telling...

... kinda like this:

Is that a new helmet?

Oh, this?

Yes, that shiny red helmet.  

Right, well you see Chris was telling me that we should never wear a helmet more than 3 years old.  Apparently all the shocky absorby stops working after a while.  Degrades.  And, you know I figure I need to protect what little gray matter I have.

You realize that you have a habit of coming up some amazing story about every purchase you make lately, right?

Hmmm...

... so, if you're thinking about getting a new helmet no need to blame it on the Devil, I'll take full credit.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

We love KASK helmets.

Use promo code DEVIL to save 10% and get free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

164.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4919161937

THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO DO AT THIS POINT, and it doesn't involve slitting my wrists or a bottle of pills or any other easy outs...

... but, there will be razor blades involved.

It's the final countdown for the only A race on the calendar this quarter, and though I'm feeling quite ill-prepared I'm still gonna do it. Because, tradition.

Yes, I shall obey the edict...

Shave thy legs.

... like any devout follower of this religion we call racing.

Why do we do it?

It's a mountain bike race, so can't be for aero reasons.

TBH, I can't think of any good reasons except this: 

It feels faster.  There's something about a final shave before a race that I find delightful. 

Or, maybe it's taking time to appreciate the supreme health I enjoy, the immense fun I have huffing and puffing under my own manpower.

Ain't it great to have the ability to ride a bike, at any speed?

I think so.

There is one other thing, though this is recent, I think it's a heck of a lot nicer to have smooth legs when buzzing up and down them with the HyperVolt.

And that is actually one of the main things I'll be doing this week as part of my recovery.  HyperVolting and stretching and sleeping and resting.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery

As much as I thought I'd be ready to slay all comers 5 months ago, I can see I'm not in the shape I intended to be.  

Which leaves recovery as my prime objective this week and after each race - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

If you're into excellent recovery, use promo code SHAVE to shave $35 off this awesome tool.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery 

---

163.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
30 PullUps 60 PushUps

HATE IS A STRONG WORD.  I hate what Jeff Bezos' Amazon did to our little tshirt business.  Destroying it by refusing to protect us from counterfeiters.  But, I gotta hand it to the guy...

... he focuses on the right things.

Here are the top 3 takeaways:

We are what we choose... and in this case, we choose to be bike racers.  We each have our reasons, but I suspect it boils down to friendship. 

My friend(s) are riding and racing bikes.  It seems like fun.  I'll give it a try. 

Or, I met some really cool cats out riding.  They seem to have their shiz together.  I'll be doing a lot more riding and racing because these people inspire me and make me feel included.

High standards.  We know what they are, but sometimes we can't put our finger on them.

We know we want to win, but we rarely actually - if ever - win a bike race.

We don't need to if we have high standards for ourselves. 

It could be creating our own race to smash a PR, or simply hit a certain metric like weight or hours ridden per week.  It could be knowing how to repair anything or simply knowing enough to fix a flat and get back riding.  It could be learning how to fuel our bodies so our energy is strong all day long.  It could be riding a tricky rocky section without putting our feet down - dabbing.

The point is, it's hard to the define the true wins... 

... but we sure has heck recognize them when our standards are high.

Nowhere in the book does he mention focusing on sales as a top priority.  The top priority is always customer experience...

... and this stood out to me the most.

I'd be lying if I told you I was always on the same page when it comes to customer experience.  Somewhere I picked up that it's all about the sales numbers.  That's an inherently bad focus, and I've fallen in it's trap much more than I care to admit.

The devil is right when he says it's all about obsession with customer experience. It's definitely an area where I think we can improve, a lot.

If we choose to.

If we set our standards high enough.

I'll never put our products on Amazon again, but I sure as helk will do all I can to blow your minds every single day by continuing to improve our offerings.

I wasn't asking for feedback when we recently shipped our first orders of our new Pro jersey out.  But the comments started coming in and I thought you'd be interested.

Did you know 90% of our apparel production is custom?

For teams?

That our minimum order is one (1) item?

If you're looking for something rad for your team, we can have your store up and running quickly and beautiful product delivered right to you door.

Made in USA.

From Italian fabrics.

Designed by cats who race, with high standards for performance and comfort.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project

---

164.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4909286499

TODAY DIDN'T GO AS WELL AS I'D HOPED.  If you haven't figured it out, sometimes I'm terrible at taking my own advice.  Like, warming up matters.  Today I had planned to set a hot time on a local climb.  The kind of thing you want to do the Saturday for before the only A race on my calendar for months.  Instead, I pretty much bombed...

... instantly gapped by my faster friends, while holding up the first-timer I was sure wouldn't be able to keep up.

Was I holding you up?

Oh, I probably had another 30 or 40 watts.

Ouch!

I knew I'd gap him on the very technical stuff at the top, but he could have walked the last mile and still beat me...

... 30-40 watts!

The next two hours were a little better.  Well, a lot better.  A surprising number of PRs.  

You know what I think really fouled me up was the old...

... Hey, let's not warm up before we haul gass for an hour straight uphill.

Genius.

So take my strong advice, 
remember to always think twice...

... and warm up proper.

Which is what I'm planning to do at the races next weekend.

Chris, The Wrench, pinged me later in the day.

Can ya help me prep these bikes for pick up?

Let the record show... a professional mechanic asked little Ol' Diesel to help prep two new bikes for pick up. 

Yep, he trusted me to put air in the tires. 

Well, convert 'em to tubeless, then put air in.

He also reminded me that I erroneously stated we were out of gravel bikes.

We have two, still.

One is the demo, and one is still in the box.  Both Large.

These are truly special bikes.  Built on the BMC hardtail platform, they have 20mm of travel in the rear triangle.  

They are light.

Stiff, yet compliant with that travel.

Climb great.

Descend like a dream on road, gravel, and especially on singletrack.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three 

We had 4 yesterday, now we are down to 2 larges.

So, if you're into that sorta thing... 

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three 

Check it, and drop me a line Clementine.

---

164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4894848345

SO STRADE BIANCHI IS THE MOST EXCITING RACE ON THE CALENDAR.  It gets all kinds of press.  No one can figure out if it truly favors a classics rider or a pure climber...

... but, we do know one ting for sure!

There will be drama because...

There are lots of gravel sections.
And Lots of dust of dry and mud if rainy.

... and fans like drama, the like change.

Turns out the racers do, too.

Due to the mixed surfaces - pavement and dirt - and mixed terrain - rollers with a killer climb at the end - a large percentage of the racers fancy their chances for the big V for victory.

But ya know what I think?

I think it's more than the forgone conclusion of who will win, I think the racers are digging the unusual challenges the race presents.

So, forget if you can, all the big bucks the marketing dorks are putting into making you want to buy a gravel bike. 
Just unsee all those sexy ads of riders flying to adventure. 
Unimagine the freedom to roam from road to gravel to singletrack they are selling so very hard...

... and take consider this...

... my son pinged me last night.

Dad, let's ride gravel tomorrow.  We'll drive to the old neighborhood.  Hit the dirt roads in Riley Park, then the single track.  Next we will work our way over to the old house and see if things have changed much.

He doesn't even own a bike, I bring him a shop demo bike.

So forget all the marketing, all the hype, watch the race if you get a chance, and maybe you'll end up like me...

... grateful for gravel bikes that make riding fun enough my non-riding son will suggest we go for a ride.

We are all sold out on the gravel bikes at the moment, but stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to score a beeeyoutiful BMC URS.

In the meantime, I love our superlight full-finger race gloves for gravel riding...

... and keeping my feet cozy in our socks knitted in these united states using EZ Breathe Yarns and FastMax compression technology.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

And I highly encourage you do the same.  With this BuyOneGetOne promo code - > REGGIE

Now if you're thinking it's too cold for the superlight awesome stuff... the weather is going to be perfect before you know it, and won't new gloves and socks be a joy to pull on when it's time?

A scant $25 will get you the gloves and the socks, shipping is free.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

163.1
30 PullUps 40 PushUps 20 Burpees
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4894848345

WERE YOU BORN TO RESIST, OR BE ABUSED?

I swear I'll never give in, I refuse.
- Foo Fighters

The big event is on the calendar; it's getting real, close.  The base miles have been laid.  Race-specific crosstraining completed.  Bike dialed, test, prepped, perfect.  Eating has been maybe too perfect.  The final weeks of bigger, max mileage and intensity...

... you should be excited...

... but you're exhausted, just want it to be over.

If I can hit that threshold of borderline burnout 2 weeks out, and spend the next 2 weeks healing and resting and sleeping with a few short efforts designed primarily to make me feel most excellent, then I know I've done all I can do.

When done properly it's truly a better than ever feeling...

... like being born to resist, and I swear I'll never give in!

Do you know what I'm talking about?  That feeling?

I hope so.

I'm starting to see more and more events pop up.  The RaceDay Calendar is starting to take shape.  Soon I'll have to start making choices as to which ones are going to be all in and which will be training.

That's part of the fun.

Looking at the calendar.  Dropping in A and B races, family commitments, work responsibilities, etc.

Which is why I love this huge calendar, I can see the entire year at a glance.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2 

This calendar is set up for racers.

The weekends are at the end of the week, because you know we live for the RaceDays.

Get one.

$30.

Delivered.

It's the best way to give it your best!

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4892232816

ONCE WE UNDERSTAND THAT SCIENCE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BEING DRIVEN BY EGO AND GREED, it gets easier to make sense of it all.  This is readily apparent with a little digging.  Scientist, author and accomplished endurance athlete Tom Noakes readily admits his own faults in his book Waterlogged...

... discovered via a lifetime of research and competition.

He takes credit for furthering the effort to get people waterlogged, which lead to the deaths of multiple athletes following the science.  That takes courage and fortitude, especially when pushing back on many egos and mountains of greed.

I nearly chucked the book when it arrived.

Too many graphs and sidebars. 

Too much documentation. 

Lazily, after the Forward, Introduction and Chapter 1 I skipped right to the detailed chapter summaries.

This was not enough.

I was thirsty for more knowledge...

... only by reading what preceded those summaries was I able to get a bead on the problems Waterlogged address; and my own issues of cramping and upset digestion during races of epic distances.

But, that's not the question.

The question is should we blindly trust science?

In fact, this was a burning question after reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything.  I came away with one certainty:  today's truth is very often tomorrow's fallacy, when it comes to science.

This is not to condemn science, but to realize Science is merely humanity's current, best assessment of a situation.  Overtime, our assessments adjust and improve as new knowledge comes forth.  That is sure.

Back to the very honest, courageous and vigorous Dr. Tom Noakes who points out Gatorade's own hype...

... Gatorade is the most scientifically studied sports drink of all time.

But I'll bet you'd never make Gatorade your go to sports drink.  Because you know better.  All the scientific studies in the world on Gatorade aren't likely to change your mind...

... because your body says different.

Questions:  Did you know Gatorade was developed to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion?  That their scientists implored users to drink far too much, to the point of death?...

... a perfect example of ego and greed driving a product's commercial success, while failing humanity.

Which brings me to the final word's of Tom Noakes:

Your body will tell you what it needs, if you just listen. 

After which follows a concise summary of the current science regarding hydration...

... but don't take my word for it, read the book.  It's your body.

Speaking of your body, while I'm sure your quite proud of all the progress you're making this year...

... we don't want to get you arrested for public indecency.  Which you might be tempted to do when changing before or after a ride.

That's why I came up with the awesomely modest Changing Poncho.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

Sure it's great for a quick change,
a million times better than changing in your car,
or risking a towel change while standing in the open...

... when I'm done changing and wiping off my grime and do a quick wipe down on my bike as well.

It's perfect.

But it today and we'll include an Every Day Is RaceDay™ hat for the first 5 purchases.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

---

164.2
50 PullUps 50 PushUps 50 Burpees
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4884608904

WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ IS SECOND HAND INFO FROM OLYMPIAN QUOTING THE IRON COWBOY.  The Iron Cowboy is famous for doing 50 Ironmans in 50 states in 50 days.  Yesterday he started his new quest...

... 100 Ironmans in 100 days.

On the surface there's nothing to learn, but we don't dwell on the surface.

We like to dive deep into the endurance waters we share with our Iron brothers and sisters.

So, here's the gold:

The first 25 days of the 50-50-50 were really hard.  On about the 26th day it got a lot easier.  It was like my body understood an Ironman a day was the new normal and made the appropriate adjustments.

That make sense, right?

How many of our friends are astounded when they hear we rode 40 or 50 or 100 miles in a day?  

The can't relate.

But we do it. 

Quite easily. 

Our bodies adapt.

Side note -> I skipped my pullups and pushups over the weekend.  The first set yesterday was really hard.  The second easier.  The third easiest.  It's no 50-50-50 Ironmans, but I think this is true of any new habit we are trying to instill.

Kinda makes ya wonder what we might really be capable of...

... could it be we are only scratching the surface... like the saying we only use 10% of our brains?

... how much more can we accomplish?

Fortunately, our lives don't depend on our physical prowess.  Well, most of the time they don't.

Did I ever tell you about the time I came face to face with a large adult mountain lion?

I did everything wrong.

I turned around and rode so fast up the nearest trail to civilization.  I had to skid at the top to make the turn to safety.

Since that encounter, I've taken my best shot at that hill many, many times and never, ever needed to slow down let alone apply the brakes to make that very same turn.

One thing is for sure, to be our very best we've got to be properly fueled.

Here's the link to my favorite foods:

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition

And here's the dealio

Use this code:  DOMORE

To save $$ and get Free Shipping.

---

163.9
15 PullUps 25 PushUps
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4878269277

MY FRIEND TOD T. SHOT ME AN EMAIL WITH A LINK TO THE CRUSHER IN THE TUSHAR.  It's a crazy event, so crazy that I've declined going for about 10 years.  My pals Jeff and Cris have done it, and even won it.  But, I've never had the right bike or at least that's what I told them.  In other words...

... it's a once in a lifetime event.

This is crazy right?  

Featuring a 40/60 split between tarmac and dirt & gravel sectors, the 70 mile course accumulates over 10,000 feet of elevation gain and affords riders the opportunity to explore the stunning back country of Utah’s little-known Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest.

When I read featuring and stunning mixed in with all the details, all I see are the features of a sledgehammer delivering a massive stun to my mind, body and soul.

Naturally, knowing I finally have the bike... I entered the lottery.

Which brings me up to this euphemistic gem, LOTTERY!  Good heavens, who's to tell who wins the lottery? 

Those keeping their $200 in fees and spending the weekend relaxing on the coach listening to Phil Liggett's TdF lullabies...

... or those parting with the cash and getting bashed by Burke's heinous course designed to slaughter all the unworthy?

So here's to winning the lottery!

Speaking of winning the lottery... one you'd actually want to win... did you see the video we did of Craig H?

He won the Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ GiveAway.

There's a new contest rolling right now.

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

The winner will work directly with our top designer Rocky E. to design your very own custom:

RaceDay Bag™

Speed Kit - Jersey and Bib

Changing Poncho

KOM Jacket

RaceDay Calendar™

plus, matching socks and gloves

$1000 in custom products

Enter here:  

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

164
25 PullUps 50 PushUps
7.8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4872139829

RIGOROUS RESEARCH SHOWS WE ARE THE AVERAGE OF OUR 5 CLOSEST FRIENDS.  And, new research is showing that what a friend's friend is doing can also have a big impact on us...

... but, that's the selfish way to look at it.

Especially in bike racing fitnessy stuff.  That logic would have us only hanging out with people that are better than us.  Which we probably do quite naturally anyway.

I'm more interested in the effects we are having on our 5s friends.  Because of our 5 closest friends, they don't all ride bikes.  Far from it.

We get excited about riding bikes fast.  We start thinking about what to ride, to eat, to wear, to race, etc.  Our 5 tap into this energy...

... and it goes out to their 5.

How many people are going to make awesome lifestyle changes because we've inspired them to do so?

They may never race.

Totally cool.

But, they may start riding again. 

They may set a goal to ride 30 miles, or ride up that giant mountain.  They may get a little group of 5 or so and take a road trip to Moab or the Ozarks or the Northeast.

Or maybe they simply get a hankering to get back in shape.

In fact, I'll bet $5 you've already seen changes in your 5.

What I'm wondering though is if you're willing to share your secrets.

Sometimes that can be hard.  

You've invited a friend to start riding.  You've enjoyed spending time together.  Helping them progress has been rewarding...

... and absolutely owning them any time you want is, well, entertaining to say the least.

Are you keeping these little secrets to yourself?

C'mon.  

Be honest.

Of course you'll share the pleasantries of a good chamois cream.   

But what about the good stuff, the stuff that really makes a difference like PR Lotion?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

Back to that $5 bet...

... you purchase PR Lotion and DZ NUTS with the promo code -> $10

 ... and you'll save $10 if you do it before 3/3/21.

Shipping is included. 

That should cover the $5 bet.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

---

16.29
Stretch and Hypervolt
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4868278749

SOME SAY YOU CAN SEE THE HAND OF GOD ON A BABY'S FACE OR THE SUN RISING ACROSS A DESERT PLAIN.  For me the mountains never fail to deliver.  Today one of us came prepared with a holy kit...

... and we all spilled some blood.

Naturally, the new guy spilled the most blood.  He'd fallen behind.  So much so that we reversed course.  After a bit he rounded a corner, with an Ace bandage over what appeared to be an unholy amount of gauze.

What happened?

I crashed.

And...

And the blood was squirting out with each heartbeat.

His socks were soaked.

The hikers patched me up.

All good?

Hellyeah!

Thataboy!

These are the kinds of spiritual experiences which often....
... accompany?
... precede?
... follow?
... the sense of oneness with nature.

For is there a better way to escape our digital dungeons than to truly connect with Mother Nature?  Touch her with great force?  Breath her pristine air through gaping  and gasping mouths?  And, yes, bleed with her?

Which brings me to the kit one practitioner wisely wore today.

You know there are a lot holes on that kit.

Yes.

You know I gotta guy that can hook you up with a new kit?

Yes... it's you!

Well...

Well.. I know where we are going today, I know it's highly likely I'll be leaving some skin on the trail... therefore I prefer to don an old kit with holes.

Ahhh, a holy kit.

If you're into these kinds of spiritual experiences, and why wouldn't you be, it's quite helpful to have a bike that climbs like a Blue Angel and handles like Ferrari.

I'm partial to the Swiss engineering on BMC bikes.

Apparently their partial to us as well because they accidentally shipped three (3) of their top of the line XC, Long Travel mountain bikes.,,

... we'll be shipping them back Monday or Tuesday, unless you'd like to pick one up at the PEDALposse price?

Here's a link to all the details.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

This is the same bike I've been tearing up my local trails on and absolutely loving, but it's the long travel version. 

Nearly as light, more travel.

Superduper fun!

Did I mention these bikes are completely sold out for 2021?

That they shipped them to us on accident?

Contact me by Monday, 3/1 if interested.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

I saw God twice today

---

164
Stretch and Hypervolt
7.8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4862017083

EVER WONDER HOW TO SQUEEZE IN ALL THE OFF THE BIKE STUFF WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO?  I do.  After reading that the holy trinity of fitness is pull ups, burpies and squats in Natural Born Heroes I thought to myself...

... I got the pull ups covered with a pull up bar at home and at the shop, I can upgrade pushups to burpies, but when the heck am I ever going to do squats?

First off, I don't have weights of any significance.  Second, there is a 0% chance I'll go to a gym.  Third, and this is the good part, air squats can be very effective if doing...

... ass to the grass (Coach Brian Mcculloch's words not mine).

Still when would I do them?

The pull up/pushup routine started by doing a set every time I got in the shower or walk in the office.  Just rattle off a quick set.

I needed a cue for squats.

I found one, and it seems to be working for now.

While brushing my teeth I do 20 very slow and controlled asstothegrass squats...

... clean teeth, descent regular squatting.

Simple.

No need to tip me yet another invaluable tip, but you might want to check this little bit of info...

... BMC accidentally shipped us 3 beautiful Long Travel XC bikes.  I'm going to ship them back on Monday unless you want one at the PEDALposse price.  Two larges, One medium.

 Here's a link to all the details.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

This is the same bike I've been tearing up my local trails on and absolutely loving, but it's the long travel version. 

Nearly as light, more travel.

Superduper fun!

Did I mention these bikes are completely sold out for 2021?

That they shipped them to us on accident?

Contact me by Monday, 3/1 if interested.

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html

---

163.4
Stretch and Hypervolt
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4855566237

I'VE HEARD IT SAID THAT STRETCHING IS A LOT LIKE PRAYING, we should do it when we least want to.  I get that sentiment.  There was a time when I'd stretch every time I returned from a ride...

... never before.

Someone somewhere told me to never stretch cold muscles.  It sounded sound, and very convenient.  I'm rushed as it is trying to meet the posse, skipping a pre-ride stretch was easy to do.

For a long time, I'd return from a ride and always do some stretching and a few crunches.

Not these days.

These days have it in my head to stretch at night, do a few planks, a little yoga... and hit the legs with the HyperVolt.

But, having it in my mind mid-day is a lot different from actually doing it mid-night, when I'm tuckered out, when I just wanna fall asleep to an old and mindless re-run...

... so I start to skip.

Little aches and kinks start popping up.  IT band irritation.  Tight back.  Strained calf.  The sort of stuff I really want to avoid...

... just need to get on the floor before I go to bed, and do my stretches.

On that note, I appreciate y'all giving me feedback on a non-racey name for the inter-galacticly famous RaceDay Bag™.

Pedal Bag and Ride Bag were the top 2 suggestions.  I like PEDALbag from a marketing standpoint because it leverages PEDALindustries.  I like RIDEbag because we all ride.  Stay-tuned the final decision.  Video will launch soon.

Mike G 1st and Amy L, were 1st and 15th respectively.  New waterbottles are on their way to them.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Everyone else can get these beautiful bottles delivered for a scant twenty bucks... 

... yes, including shipping, $20.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

162.7
Stretch and Hypervolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4848621940

OUR FRIEND MONICA GARRISON IS BEING FEATURED ON TODAY.  She is the founder of Black Girls Do Bike, 25000 strong and growing.  If you're wondering how to grow your club or team or cause check out what Monica is up to on Today or Facebook or on her site Black Girls Do Bike. ...

... I think it's more important than ever we keep connected and motivated to maximize our health, which is the mission of BGDB.

All this got me thinking that while the RaceDay Bag™ has been a hit, we are missing all the I Don't Race peeps.  So I'm asking ya for some help with more general name for a new campaign...

... because you are the best people I know.

The motivation is to help more people have more excellent days when they travel to a ride or an indoor class.

Choice are:

• RideBag
• PedalBag
• CycleBag
• _____________ (your suggestions welcome)

 Muchos thanks for the help.

First and 15th person to respond will get some new waterbottles.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Everyone else can get these beautiful bottles delivered for a scant twenty bucks... 

... yes, including shipping, $20.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

163.1
42 PullUps, 84 Burpees
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4845287382

I COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER?  Heck, I was a contender. Something has happened.  Not only don't I contend, I don't even give it a shot.  And I can't even tell you when it started.  How did I get here?...

... this is not my pathetic attitude.

Actually it is.

... this is not my heavish bike.

Actually, that is also true.

... this is not my slovenly body.

And yes, that in actuality is slightly true.

That's how I felt when I rolled out the door today...

... defeated.

But, somewhere along the way I felt a little encouraged.

Was it the sunrise?

The easier than usual pace at the start?

Hard to say.

All I can tell is I was huffingandpuffing up all the climbs while everyone else was chatting and telling jokes.

My lungs hurt, and my throat burned.

I'm gonna ditch two of the three lame excuses, attitude and body, and maybe if the #bikecoin crisis ever ends I'll get the parts for that new, half-built road bike...

... I'll be a contender.

For sure it helped to have lathered up with PR Lotion.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/amp-pr-lotion

I've created a lot of believers in this lotiony potion.  So much so that on the way to our vicious MTB ride last Saturday Chris shot me a text

Whether or not you've ever used PR Lotion, you'll want to use the promo code: PRme

It'll save ya 10% on your entire order, and get ya free shipping.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/amp-pr-lotion

---

162.7
21 PullUps, 42 PushUps
6.5 hrs sleep (not enough!)
https://www.strava.com/activities/4836672634

I KNOW IT'S BOLD TO SAY NOBODY CAN KEEP UP WITH ME ON MY EASY DAYS.  If it weren't true, I wouldn't make such an utterly outrageous claim.  But it is a cold hard reality that my easy day pace is just too...

... brutally slow.

Somehow I have garnered the underserved reputation of hauling boodwah all the time.  Its unfortunate because there's a whole slew of peeps I'd love to ride with on my easy days.

Every now and again someone will tag along... they are totally unprepared for the insanely slow pace.  They never come back, dawgawnit.

Here's an easy way to remember my formula.  Think of a 24 hour day.

• 8 hours for work
• 8 hours for living
• 8 hours for sleep

That's basically my training week.

• 1/3 intensity - 2 days, Tuesday and Saturday
• 1/3 tempo - 2 days, Wednesday and Friday
• 1/3 easy - 2 days or 1 day, Monday and maybe Thursday

Simple enough.

The fact is, it's even easier than that because Friday is a lot more like Monday.  Easy with a few short efforts, at most.

How easy?

Well, just look at today (Monday):  120 bpm, 10.1 mph... Strava suggests I stay under 360 for recovery, todays ride was 27.

Here's the money ->  Only by going slow can we ever hope to truly haulbooty when it matters.

Where ya gonna keep money like that?  In your soul.

Where ya gonna keep your greenbacks, c cards, and ID?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet

Right here in the only wallet made from bicycle innertubes.  

You do know why this is the perfect material right?  Well, because it's water and sweat resistant and because it holds everything you need when on the go...

... but the best part is the rubber is super grippy, and once it's in your jersey pocket it will never ever ever ever come out on it's own.

Trust me.

Best part... it's $20 delivered to your mailbox.  Including shipping.  Crazy, I know.

Just click here to order:  

https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet

---

163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt (almost everyday, don't always post it)
14 PullUps, 28 Burpees
8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4831136024

JOE ROGAN WAS RAVING ABOUT THIS BOOK ON A PODCAST, Natural Born Heroes.  Because I'm always down to read and study what's going on in other sports to see if I bring something new to my code, I took his recommendation.  It's a wild and heroic tale of real histry, definitely a good read...

... I burned through it in a few days.

In the end it reminded me of a magical day racing.  Before I get there, here are a few of the nuggets I mined:

• True heroism is motivated by compassion
• You aren't an adult until you can rescue someone
• The holy trinity:  PullUps, Burpees, Squats
• Burn fat for fuel to go the distance
• The mediterranean diet is king
• Go slow to go fast

It's that last one I'm having trouble reconciling at the moment.  In past years, I've been focused on real tests of endurance:  Leadville, VisionQuest, Tahoe 100.  But, lately I've been road racing and doing some short XC races.

In these short races there are moments of violence that if you miss them, it's pretty much over....

Screw up the start of an XC race and you'll never make it to the front. 

Same goes for road racing.  If you miss the winning break it's over. 

... ya just can't go slow - the distance too short, decisive moment to quick

But, the book brings up Mark Allen.  6 time Ironman champ, known as The Grip.  Because as the races drew to an end if he had you in his sites he'd run you down.  You had no chance.

All that reminded me of something I used to have my best day ever at Counting Coup, Tahoe 100, and most recently at Leadville.

I call it The Pace.

Natural Born Heroes definitely alludes to this as the heroes live up to their Greek origins fighting the Nazis in WW2.

I need to get back to that type of training, especially with Cactus Cup in 3 weeks and Sagebrush Safari after that.  I might have waited too long.  We'll see.

Thinking about The Pace today, while finishing the book, I realized I left it out of The Leadville Letters.

Shame on me.

It's critical info for anybody looking to go the distance.  

So, I'm going to add it to the letters and ship it out to everybody made a previous purchase.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/the-leadville-letters

If you've got something epic on your RaceDay Calendar™, then you might want to have these handy letters in your library too.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/the-leadville-letters

---

163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt (almost everyday, don't always post it)
8.2 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4827006272

THE TRAIL SPLITS AND WE ALWAYS GO TO THE RIGHT.  Been doing if for decades.  I've stopped, looked to the left...

... and just kept going to the right.

Not today.

Fittingly, the name of the trail is Viejo Tie -> I am old, and I prayed it would tie back into where we wanted to end up.  

It wasn't much of a prayer, I was prettydamnsure this was the famed trail nobody ever rides because if you have a mishap nobody will ever find you.  Plus, there are bonus points if you can make it without dabbing...

... mission not accomplished.

Yet, still accomplished.

The whole point of today's ride was to get on some terrain that would beat the crud out of us...

... get the blood flowing inside and outside our mortalness.

In that we were most successful. 

Plenty of scrapes, dandy dabs, and a wholelotta Damnman we should be able to ride this!

When we got back on familiar, easier terrain the results where immediate.  We cleared a number of features we might normally walk, and Chris PeeYar'd the long and ridiculously fun final 30 minute downhill. 

This is not the first time I've confirmed R. Frost's claim...

... nor will it be the last.

The reason for today's adventure is the Cactus Cup looming 3 weeks out.  I can see it on my great, big, giant, amazing RaceDay Calendar™.  March 11-14 is circled in red.  

The terrain is very similar to the racecourse out in Arizona.  Only harder, and ideally will make us fasterbetterstronger.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

The calendars are awesome.  27" wide x 50" tall

• printed on our beautiful bag fabric
• grommets to hang up, and remove easily
• foldable for travel
• ... and we can make them in your team colors with your team's special dates highlighted.

For $30, delivered.

Yes, for just a few bucks you can have this calendar delivering inspiration all year long.

Order here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

---

163.6
21 PullUps 21 Burpees
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4820131182

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS SILLY CHALLENGE... some people straight up refuse.  I don't know if it's out of embarrassment or inability or if they are offended.  Today we had more takers than usual.  Anybody who walks in we ask 'em...

... How many pullups can you do?

Then we point to the pullup bar.

After the pullups...

... How about pushups?

Now before you ask yourself what the helk does that have to do with bike riding... let me just share the results.

WH
3 Pullups - 40 Pushups

SD
1 Pullup - 0 Pushups

MS
10 Pullups - 0 Pushups

JE
15 Pullups - 7 Pushups

Ok, now you can ask... What the helk does that have to do with bike riding?

Honestly, I'm not exactly sure.

But, I was thinking about it lately since more than a few of my friends have managed to fall off their bikes and get pretty banged up. 

Could it be they are weak? 

Pullups require a fair amount of hand strength, and tendon strength through out your arms and back.

Pushups require a lot of chest, tricep and core strength.

All I can tell ya is since finishing Living With A Seal and getting on this Pullup and Pushup kick ...

... I feel a helluvalot stronger on all my bikes

• Out of the saddle climbing and sprinting
• Steep descents on the local trails
• Seated, technical MTB climbs
• Bunnyhopping and other quick moves

Would this have helped my pals stay on their bikes?  I dunno, but it makes carrying in the groceries a lot easier.

I do sets throughout the day.  However many pullups, I do twice as many pushups.  I try and keep my form - no swinging on the pullups and shoulders as high as the bar; back flat and legs locked on the pushups, all the way down and all the way up.

Right now I'm doing sets of 7/14.  The goal is to do 5 sets of 10/20 each day, minimum 5 days a week.  I think I'll be able to do that by my birthday in April.

Steve installed a sweet bar in our rafters, and Chris wrapped it with the most excellent ENVE bar tape.  

It's so grippy and soft.

Just what you'd want on your handle bars.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-enve-composites-handlebar-tape-black

If you're looking for some super sweet bar tape, here it is.

Use this promo code:  BARENVE

It'll save ya 10% and get ya free shippin'.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-enve-composites-handlebar-tape-black

---

162.9
35 PullUps 70 PushUps 
8 solid hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4813488611

NBA SUPERSTAR REGGIE MILLER IS PART OF OUR LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SCENE.  Racing.  Putting up prize money. Buying RaceDay Bags™ for his team, Boombaby.  When he commented on a video I posted on the Instagram today...

... then, and only then, was I sure we were onto something.

But, let me give you some background.

Lately, I've realized just how useless I've become.  Having tacked a bike shop on to our online empire, staffed with a pro mechanic named The Wrench to bail me out regularly, has only made my uselessness more useless.

It's embarrassing.

We, me for sure, oughtta be able to fix our bikes.  Because if we can't fix our own bikes how the helk are we gonna help anybody else roadside, trailside or gravelside?

I was thinking all that when it me...

Fix a man's bike and he can ride for a day,
Teach a man to fix his bike and he can ride forever.

So, I walked around the corner and shot impromtu this video

 Which I posted and which the great Reggie Miller commented That's actually TRUE...

So count me in as a dude who is recommitted to becoming a kickarse garage mechanic.

And why not?

It's a helluva a lot better than HuluFlix.

How am I gonna do it?  The same way you can. 

Next time I need some work done I'm going to schedule Chris and let him know I want to watch and learn.  Easy enough.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-wrench-calendar

I'm also going to get a good set of tools for home that I can travel with.

In the meantime, I'll keep my hands protected with the most awesomest, lightest, airiest race gloves ever...

... and my feet cozy in our socks knitted in these united states using EZ Breathe Yarns and FastMax compression technology.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

And I highly encourage you do the same.  With this BuyOneGetOne promo code - > REGGIE

Now if you're thinking it's too cold for the superlight awesome stuff... the weather is going to be perfect before you know it, and won't new gloves and socks be a joy to pull on when it's time?

A scant $25 will get you the gloves and the socks, shipping is free.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

---

163.8
28 PullUps 56 PushUps 
8 solid hours sleep
no ride - boohoo

IF A RUT IS A GRAVE WITH THE ENDS KICKED OUT, what is a rut filled in by the county tractor?  I'll tell what it is, one of the most lethal tricks in the book...

... but, is there a name for such hazards?

They are phrases for sure, and depending on who you're talking to the phrase will range from grateful to hateful. 

A hiker, might appreciate a rut being filled in.  Just moseying along, it is nice to have a smooth surface on which to plant one's boot even if it's a little loose.

A runner, moving a little faster and hitting the ground with more force, if not careful, could turn an ankle.  Lucky for them, they aren't really going all that fast and have time to adjust course accordingly.

But a rider, a racer, like you and I...

... letting it all hang out, possibly at night, might come whipping around a familiar corner and realize too late - if at all! - that things have changed.  The ruts are gone...

... that's what the new rider might think, Oh look it's all smooth now.  Yippee!...

... Not us.  We see that change and our PEDALsense is on high alert, Oh crud, the ruts are gone which means the county tractor rolled through and filled them with loose dust and a couple of rocks. Be careful Joe or we're going down!

Yep, we really think all that and maybe a few saltier words in a micronanomiliseocnd.

We search madly to find the old ruts and avoid them because we know if we hit them with speed the wheels will drop in and we'll be an instant yardsale.

It happens so quick.

Ruts.

This is about the point where I come up with some new, clever name for ruts recently filled in by the county tractor.  But, I got nothing.  No new word.

No pithy way to describe the feeling we've had, lurking beneath that newly smooth dirt is a disaster waiting to happen.

Can't win 'em all.

But, you can win the Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ - custom bag, custom kit, custom poncho, custom KOM jacket, custom RaceDay Calendar™ and a bunch of other goodies.

Check it out:  https://pedalindustries.com/pages/3000-enve-wheel-giveaway

---

165.2 - the horror!
42 PullUps 84 PushUps 30 leg to shoulder press
7.25 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4805024710

YA KNOW....... SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO STAY IN BED.  But, I never do.  Even when I get home late the night before, even when the ground is soaked, even when the Wahoo isn't charged...

... I charge out the door for TMWC.

And that soaked ground is always risky on road tires, right? 

I think the flats per ride goes up a million percent on wet days. I wasn't worrying about it this morning...

... getting a flat...

... because ya know, tubeless.  In fact, I've been consciously wreckless since going tubeless.  Purposely not paying attention like I did in my tubed days.

Psssssst psssssst psssssssssst.

Flat!

Oh man, we got time to change it.

Not changing it, got this handydandy plug.

And I did have a handydandy plug.  Jammed it in the toobigtosealwithsealant hole, yanked it out, shot in some CO2.  Just like the commercial said, except the CO2 shot right back out.

I wasn't surprised. 

This is exactly what happened last time we experimented with the Stan's Dart system at the shop.  If the hole is too small, the dart head separates from the feathery things meant to fill the hole.  It's a big fail.

Luckily for me, Steve was driving over and stopped to lend a hand and a CO2 cartridge.  

The second dart I shoved more slowlier.  Then even slowlier extracted the dart shover.  Said a prayer.  Filled it up.  

Success!

I wasn't suprised.

It supposed to work that way.  

There is somewhat of an art to all these dartlike systems for patching a hole too gaping for sealant.  With the Stan's, if the hole is just barelytoobigforsealant the dart must be shoved in carefully.

Anyway, I sent the guys on ahead and turned around.  Figured it would be better to be close to home in case the system failed.  Rode for 30ish miles. 

It's still holding air perfectly now, hours later.

Even though you can see the feathery thingies, you really don't feel them when riding.  Part of the reason could be that this all happened on the BMC URS which has 20 millimeters of travel in the rear.

The temptation, when you're surrounded with new tires like I am, is to throw a new one on.  But, I think I'm going to really test this out for a few hundred miles.

It's good to practice flat repairs.  Tubeless or tubed.  Not too long ago, flats were things you got once a month, or more.  It was a skill every rider honed and could easily perform.  These days not so much.

Which is why I say Every day is RaceDay.  Especially today.  I got a little more practice with the darts and reminded myself to carry more than one CO2.  One could say this was a fortuitus time to flat:  not in a turn, not in a hurry, not in a race... a good time to practice.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat

It's still beanie weather, so you probably don't want this hat yet.  But, then again maybe you do.  Even if it's just hanging in the garage by the Zwifty set up.

According to our website, this hat sells for twentyfour dollars and ninety seven cents, which is such a weird number.  I don't know what we were thinking.  So just remember this...

25 bucks, delivered to your door.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat

 ---

164.2 lbs - not bad after 5 days on the road eating junk
20 PullUps 40 PushUps
6 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4797003122

SEDONA, AZ. FEB 15 2021.  It’s 29 degrees.  The sun ain’t quite up.  But you are.  And you want to have the best day ever mountainbiking Sedona AZ...

... What are ya gonna do?

Well, the obvious first move is to look up the closest 3 out of 5 stars rated greasy spoon... ‘cause the heaterless PEDALvan is fffffffffreezing.

Now, why a 3 out of 5?

• You know all the touristy snobs won’t be there.
• The locals will be.
• There will be plenty of grease.
• The price will be cheap.

Let me introduce you to The Coffee Pot.  $7: eggs and sausage and French toast. 

Perfect.

An hour later, we’re stuffed and warm and have a plan thanks to the Trail Forks app I’ve been studying. 

It’s warmed up to about 40, but it’s a dry freezing. 

Not terrible. 

The only terrible thing was my app reading skills.  In no time, we are riding along a cliff edge on some fine Arizona sandstone.  I like the challenge.  Surfergirl... well, she later admitted to wanting to cry. 

It got better.

We got off the Most Difficult trail after a bit, onto Intermediate, and finished with a downhill Green.

This is my third or fourth time to Sedona.  I’ve never had a great riding experience.  The first couple of times we had no idea where to ride and I’m pretty sure the locals purposely pointed us in the wrong direction. 

A few months back I visited my friends Hardtail Party and Dusty Betty.  Hardtail took Chris and I out for some raucous and righteous singletrack.  If it weren’t a million degrees that day, I probably would have gotten the Sedona bug.  But it was, and we suffered mightily under the sun.

Today... today was a new day.  My best Sedona day ever.

While Surfergirl recuperated, The Old Diesel went out to shred.  I took another stab at Trail Forks and found a bunch of sweet singletrack.

The trails were most excellent, after a heavy rain two days prior.  Hero dirt.  Plenty of berms and jumps.  Miles and miles of goodness.

Finally, I found something perfect for my lady and swung back to coax her out... and found her out hiking along the same trail.

I found some good stuff, you’ll love it.

Let me see the app.

Right here.

That’s where we supposed to go last time.

Uhhhhh... let’s go!

Okay.

... yeah, way more than ok.  I’m definitely coming back.  Not for the 6-mile hike...

... for the endless challenging and playful mountain bike trails, stunning views and the locals at The Coffee Pot.

I wouldn't change a thing.

But, I did change using the internationally famous Changing Poncho.  The custom one I made for the PEDALposse.  

More and more teams are starting to order these ponchos to go inside their incredibly awesome RaceDay Bags™. 

Can ya blame 'em?

Can ya join 'em?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

Of course you can join us... order an InStock poncho with this link below or send me a note and we'll design a custom poncho for you and yours.

No minimum required.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho

---

? lbs - traveling with family and feeling bloatederish
100 PushUps
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4793751282
https://www.strava.com/activities/4793753187

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE IS SHOW HOW BUFF WE ARE.  And we are, right?  Rippling legs, sinewy arms.  Everybody loves buffness. It's so useful.  In a bind...

... call my kind.

Until, well, someone actually calls or says something like...

We rode bikes yesterday for you, today I want to do a long hike for me.

And we say to ourselves... Hike.  Sheesh.  What could be easier than a hike with these tree trunks of mine?

Sounds great.

There's a really pretty one.  It's seven miles.

And we say to ourselves... 7 miles, no prob.

It was going so well.  Surfergirl plotted the hike, filled up our bottles, grabbed some fruity things.  Off we went.

Straight up for the first 3 miles.

Took just over an hour.

I barely broke a sweat.

But, here's where things got ugly.  Seems maybe we ain't as buff as we think. 

First, I was wearing these old New Balance Minimus shoes.  As in minimal to nonexistent padding.  As someone who rarely wears anything but flipflops and who only walks long distances in the sand this was quickly turning into misery on the balls of my feet.

Second, within about a mile on the return these tree trunks of mine were chopped into kindling.  We aren't tough at all when it comes to the jarring of each downward step.  The quads were definitely lighting up.

Third, and my favorite because it's gonna be around for at least a week, by the time we got back to the PEDALvan I was sure I'd developed a solid case of shin splints.

There are the things we do for love.

These are also the things we suffer for our love of getting around on two wheels vs two feet.

I'm just glad it turned out to be 6 miles vs the promised 7.

Speaking of promises...

... I can promise you we are nearly out of these beautiful bottles.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

Get 'em while you can.

$20.

Delivered.... yes, the 2-pack.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

? lbs - traveling with family and feeling bloateder
80 PushUps
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4788749699

GOT IN 2 MOSTEXCELLENT RIDES TODAY.  The first was with my pal Markell and his Best pal.  The second started with Surfergirl and ended with Sufferdiesel...

... both were kinda backwards, which has a few significant benefits.

Generally, Markell and Mike Best have their way with me.  But, poor young Markell's fire for cycling needs some new fuel.

I think he got it today.

We met at the Hawes/Canal area outside of Phoenix.  TBH, this singletrack is so good I'm surprised it's still legal.  Surely someone will find out humans are having a ball and nobody is collecting rent on this happiness.

Imagine endless singletrack, as far as you can see, and your mouth hurting at the end due to a constant grin.  Yep, it's that good.

Mike schooled us both.  Up and down.  But, for a rare moment I got best of Markell.  I know this bugged him.  He's a legit D1 athlete.  Competitive is an understatement.

So that was backwards ride number one... me beating Markell into submission, kinda, with the noble purpose of stoking his MTB fire.

The other started off correctly, ended backwards.

Surfergirl and I snagged a campspot in the overflow at McDowell Mountain Regional Park... site of next month's Cactus Cup.  We took a leisurelyforme ride up to the top of the racecourse.  She was on her limit, I was working on my onelegged drills and trackstand.

But, true to form she had some good game on the downhill.  Always has, always will.

After an hour I shot out for some hot time on the racecourse. 

Immediately took a wrong turn and found myself going up the 3rd leg of the Enduro stage. 

Then, around a technical section of the XC stage.  In reverse.

I did manage to get myself back to the start of the TT course and ride that in the correct direction, part of which we race in reverse/down for the last leg of the Enduro.

That's when it hit me.

Something I've always done when time permits, but you may not have considered for race prep.

Riding the course in reverse allows a racer to see things differently.  For example that first Enduro section is not nearly as steep as I remember it.  I rode it easily, which probably means I could go even faster.  

The section of XC I rode in reverse, which I remembered being much more punchy is actually quite manageable.

But, the very best part of all this desert riding is getting on the terrain and messing with my tire pressures. 

I rode 25ish last time I raced out here.  

It worked well, and no flats.

Today I went as low as 19lbs. 

Sure the traction was nice, but that puncture I got and the subsequent slow leak was quite unwelcome.... especially as the sun had set and the shadows were long gone.  

I was miles from camp.

The thought of hoofing it in stiff, carbon soles was terrible. 

Fortunately for me, I was carrying my miniRaceDay Bag™. 

Inside was a canister, a nozzle and some plugs.  I couldn't find a hole big enough to plug, so I gave it a shot of CO2 and easily got back with a pinch of twilight.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-mini-raceday-bag

We make these from bicycle innertubes.  They are very light weight and tuck up under your saddle.

The pic above and this one show the road version which is all I use these days as I don't carry tubes any more.  Risky, I know.

They are $20.  Ship free.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-mini-raceday-bag

 ---

? lbs - traveling with family and feeling bloated
80 PushUps
8 hours sleep - this is killing me
https://www.strava.com/activities/4782015830
https://www.strava.com/activities/4783267363

THE WORST SANDBAGGING I EVER SAW WAS RACING MOTOS IN THE CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT.  A certifiable pro lined up next to me in Novice.  Never saw him again...

... which is a lot like MTB vs Road.

MTB has a tradition that is much more wild west.  Sign up for what you feel you can, should, want to handle.

Whereas, the stuffier side of the sport, the road racers, force everybody through a set of hoops many fail to even finish.  And track... you can't even get on the track without completing a few classes.

And that's where the sandbagging comes in...

... while there are always few wolves in the henhouse looking for an easy win, I have to say MTB has the most offenders.

Why?

Welp, because in MTB you can waltz in and sign up for any category, there is less of an ego stroke in saying I'm an X level racer.

Conversely on the road, and more so on the track, you have to earn you way up to the higher levels.  Hence, saying I'm a X Category racer means something.

All that to say the MTB side has the most winers when it comes to being kicked out of a lower level for winning too much.

I know there's some sort of life lesson in there, but I can't put my finger on it.  

It's probably something like we cherish most what we pay the most for - whether it be blood, treasure or time.

Or is it... we care least for the things that are given to us.

Nah... its sandbagging is for dummies.

Because, the best of any of these disciplines are always at the top.  And few, if any, are in for the easy win... they best always want to be the best, of the best.

The best are planners.  

They look at the entire year and pick their one or two races.  Oh, they'll race a lot.  To practice, to get to know the competition, etc.  But, look at their calendar and guaranteed there is only a few races circled in red.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

You can get this giant beauty which measures 27" wide X 50 inches tall for a scant $30.

Yep, for 30 smackers you can plan out your year and the various smackdown you intend to deliver or have delivered.

Can you see it there in your garage?

Motivating you?

Or what about one with your team graphics and sponsors?

$30.

Delivered.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

 ---

? lbs - traveling with family and feeling bloated
100 PushUps
6 hours sleep - this is killing me
no ride

IN AN EFFORT TO GET AHEAD OF POSITION DOPING, the almighty and glorious governing body of cyclng, The UCI, has decreed dropper posts to be illegal in all forms of bicycle racing.  We want to congratulate this bold move...

... only enlightened visionaries could see Droppergate far on the horizon.

Head of Technical Advancement & Safety, Dr. Enrich Von Schmartypants, was captured on Zoom.

Vee are wery concernded with da safety of da pros.

Really?

Ya.  Day are taking big risks with da superduperpooper tuck.

Do explain.

Ju see, in da superduperpooper tuck position not only it's likely to lose control of da bicycle but da pooper as well.

Da pooper?

Ja!, just look at der position.  Turn it precisely 90 degrees and you see da poop gonna come out.  Just a matter of time.

Has it been documented?

Just a matter of da time.  Da rider gonna poop during da race.  Could easily have been Herr Doumolin.

Oh...

And da sponsor logo gonna be covered in da poop.  Dhat's too dangerous for der sport.  We already losing so much sponsor euros.

So, it's about the euros then?

It's always about da euros ju dumbpoop.

There you have it folks.  Sell those droppers before the bottoms drops out of the market like steamy...

...  wisdom from The UCI.

Fortunately, and I do mean very fortunately, neither the UCI nor it's step-child USACycling have much say in most races around these parts.

So, as I start to fill in my RaceDay Calendar™ I'm not worried about their many, silly rules. 

I'm really digging the Eddy Merckx version of the calendar.

Check it out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

Look at those eyes.

The determination.

Confidence.

It inspires the helk outta me.

You can get this giant beauty which measures 27" wide X 50 inches tall for a scant $30.

Yep, for 30 smackers you can plan out your year and the various smackdown you intend to deliver or have delivered.

Can you see it there in your garage?

Motivating you?

Or what about one with your team graphics and sponsors?

$30.

Delivered.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2

 ---

165.4 (very late family dinner, ugh I have no will power when it comes to fresh, hot sourdough bread.  none.)
18 PullUps 70 PushUps
6 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4771271357

WE SET UP THIS TERRIBLE PRACTICE COURSE.  Really hard... 3.77 miles long with 780' feet of elevation gain per lap, and all the downhill is single track. It’s perfect...

... for me to get gapped.

As the laps wore on, the other's lights got further and further ahead.

There was no doubt.  I was not up to the pace.

Slower on the climbs.
Slower on the drops.  
Slower...
... than some really fast cats.

Speaking of cats.

Lots of sitings lately. 

The big ones, 130 poundsish. 

You know the kind that run 40 mph.

Jump 20 ft.

Attack from behind.

Well I’m thinking about these stealthy killing machines...

... and that saying about being faster than your friend being more important than being faster than the really big, fast cat, that wants to snap my neck and claw my guts out...

... which gets me going. 

if you’re really into getting going at night, this light set up is really sweet.  A huge beam on my bars and a nice spotlight on my helmet.

Perfect for charging hard when the friends are gone and imagination is riding wild.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-o-d-s-night-set-up 

Use promo code: BIGCAT

To save over $50.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-o-d-s-night-set-up 

 ---

164
54 PullUps 108 PushUps 108 Squat to Press
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4768502383

I HAVE A NASTY HABIT BATTLE GOING... not the Flying Nun kind.  This is the kind of habit battle that could kill a rider if he wasn't careful. That's how habits are, they get burned in...

... and can leave us burned out.

I'm not burned out yet.  But, as they say...

.. the struggle is real.

The first habit is the wind down.  Each evening, around 9 or so, I start shutting 'er down.

You know... mindless TV, stretching, and some serious HyperVolting.

This process lasts about an hour.  It's enjoyable and signals to my helmet holder Time to sleep big boy.

That's a pretty good habit to have, resulting in nearly 8 hours of sleep most nights.

The other habit is every Tuesday morning...

... up at 5am.

Meet the boys and girls at the corner for the weekly leg ripping affair.

Also a good habit, keeping us all light and lean cycling fiends.

And there is the nasty battle....

Like today.

The wind down started at 930 last night, ended at 1020.  

The 5am habit sometimes is so locked in I rise sans alarm at 450.

Result, 6 1/2 hours of sleep.

Heap on a true beatdown of ride like today...

... and The Old Diesel morphs into The Worthless Very Old Diesel.

But Diesel, start the wind down earlier... you'll be fine.  

I hear you. 

But these two habits are deep.

Like ruts...

... you know, Ruts!

... graves with the ends kicked out.

Hopefully, this battle won't kill me...

... and Friedrich I'm derned sure it ain't makin' me stronger!

The thing that is saving me, I believe, is that HyperVolt.

It's the weirdest recovery tool I've ever used.

Most recovery is awful.

Ice bath : Misearable

Epsom Salt Bath : Awkward and messy

Essential Oils : Hard to tell

Massage : Costly and time consuming

You probably have a few secret home remedies you swear by, but I don't.  I didn't.  Until I got my hands on one of these.

If I could distill it down to one sentence, and I can, I'd say...

... A few minutes on the painful muscles and the pain goes away.

If I could shrink that down to one word, and I will, I'd say ...

... Easy.

By easy I mean it's super easy to use.  Super convenient.  

And, you'll be super happy if you use this super promo code which will save you $$$$ and get you free shipping.

The code is WINTHEBATTLE and it will save you 35 smackers.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery/products/hypervolt-w-bluetooth

 ---

163.6
24 PullUps 48 PushUps
6.3 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4761011137

SEEING OUR PROGRESS BUILDS BELIEVE IN OUR PROCESS.  A perfect example is all the pushups and pullups I've been doing for about a month to get stronger for MTB season and life in general.  No joke, I look slightly less like a T-Rex.  But, the best part...

... they are getting easier, a lot easier.

Plus, I felt a lot stronger on Saturday's race course:  punchy climbs and technical drops.

That's the seeing part.

The hearing part is different.

On a smooth section of road with few cars buzzing me, I pedaled my MTB this morning.  The treads are wide, the pressure low.  I could hear the power being put down on the road.

The sound was smooth.

Not vrmmmm, vrmmmm, vrmmmm... 

but, vrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

It reminded me of a chat with Gibby Hatton about smooth pedal strokes.  He said BMXrs put down the smoothest power because no clips.  MTBrs second smoothest because no traction.  Roadies the worst because no feedback.

If you have a trainer, you can easily hear your pedal stroke...

... and know if it's smooth or not.

Smooth is faster, more efficient.  

Better.

I like to see stuff, whether it's results or visualizing the future.

But, the question I have for you is can you see Eddy Merckx in this calendar?

Can you see his eyes?

Determination?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2/products/eddie-merckx-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar

It looks outstanding in real life.  27" wide X 50" tall.

A perfect place to plan out the year's adventures.

$30.

Delivered.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2/products/eddie-merckx-raceday%E2%84%A2-calendar

 ---

164.5 (superbowl got me good)
35 PullUps 70 PushUps
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4755920548

BRYSON AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT WHEEL CHOICE FOR LEADVILLE A FEW YEARS AGO.  Shocking, I know.  Because what self-respecting cyclist would ever talk about wheel choice? Uh...

... everysingleone.  

Wheels matter,.

(We know Diesel, get on with the story.)

Anyway, there we were talking about wheels choice... mind you, he's won Leadville twice, is a national champ in MTB Marathon, etc...

I looking at getting some new wheels for PbVille.  What are you running?

ENVEs, even though ENVEs are a little heavier.

Why run 'em?

Because I trust them.

Which reminds me of my own intro to ENVEs.  I was running brand X, and they kept warping and breaking.  Finally my very awesome local bike shop got the money back from brand X and hooked me up with my first set of ENVEs.

Road wheels, 3.4s.

Rode 'em 3 years, never trued 'em.  Ever. 

#3 Reason not to purchase ENVEs is the price.  Which is why I was on Brand X to begin with.  ENVEs will cost you an arm and a leg, but in the end I can honestly say the are veryvery cost effective.

You'd think, of course, if you're gonna pay that much then you oughta be able to get them quickly.

Nope.

#2 Reason not to purchase ENVEs is you have to wait.  It's probably a bad analogy, but you know how you can get a BigMac quicker than Sagan can snag a sprint?  Well, ordering ENVEs is more like waiting for a juicy steak at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Totally worth it.

I realize, I kinda left the Bryson story hanging... didn't connect the dots.

Here you go.

#1 Reason not to purchase ENVEs is there will be no excuse for not getting it done. By it I mean, your PR/Win/KOM thingy you're chasing.  A lot of people like to have excuses of why things didn't work out.  So, if you're one of those types you don't get ENVEs.

They are reliable.

Strong.

Fast.

If you can handle not being able to blame your wheels for poor performance...

If you're okay waiting many weeks for perfection...

If you've got a few extra bucks...

Let's chat.

We are an ENVE dealer, and I'd love to hook you up with just the right set for your bike...

... just reply to this email.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/enve-wheels

 ---

162.7
HyperVolt/Stretch
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4751970787

I LOVE ALL KINDS OF RACING.  Bikes for sure, and cars and motos and skateboards and paddleboards and running and skipping and... But, when it comes to bicycle racing there's something about mountain bike racing...

... because of something it lacks.

It's unlike road racing, and though I've only dipped my cleat in gravel racing I'd say it leans more toward road than MTB.

The reason I like MTB so much is at the end of the race.

Not the finish line.

I mean, generally, the races are so damned hard the finish line is a very welcome site.

But the thing I really like is seeing the placings...

... and the times.

You see, in a road race a breakaway can get on up the road and put big chunks of time into the group.  So when you look at the placings things are distorted.  Unlike MTB, where the placings so obviously point out the truth.

The reason for that, of course, is there is very little to no drafting on the MTB.  It's much more mano a mano. You either have the goods or you don't.

Which brings me back to the placings, and what I like.

I like to look at those final times and see the guys who trounced me, and see the time gaps... because I'll go away, like today, and think to myself...

... sure as helk I can close those 2 minutes and get my arse up a couple of placings.

Now you might be thinking Wait a minute Diesel, that could be done in a road time trial as well.. But, you'd be mostly wrong.

You see, in a road time trial... well, yes, you can improve... but not like you can MTB racing.  

There are many more places to improve in MTB racing, mostly in this order:

• The start, from a good spot on the grid to holding max effort well into the first singletrack.
• Handling skills can be dramatically improved simply riding the MTB a lot more, over a lot more challenging terrain.
• Because the MTB requires so much more upper body strength, regular pull ups and push ups and core work can make those final laps much faster.
• Bike set up, sure road has position and aeroness and tire pressure... but, MTB has those plus suspension and dropper posts

I could go on... but, the point is... making 5%, even 10%, gains, is a real possibility on MTB which is why those placings and seeing the fellas just a few minutes a head is a helluva motivator...

... and yes, after today's beat down The Old Diesel is plenty motivated.  

I bet I'm not alone.

A couple of more things about today:

• Victor is putting on a dandy race series this winter:  excellent course, live timing, good sound system.  Really pro.
• I realized we are actually a well-known brand now:  multiple people came up and thanked me for our RaceDay Bags™ and Changing Ponchos and bygolly that makes me happy.
• I was determined to get at least 3 hours in today, so I rode near home this morning, got in a giant warm up for the race, raced hard, then went out with Coach Brian and his little boy for our cool down.  Honestly, I can't tell if the extra morning ride or super long warm up helped or hindered.  I felt pretty darn good.
• I saw a bunch of my friends, which always makes it fun.

My legs felt great due to the PR Lotion, and my special purpose did too thanks to DZ Nuts.

Ya really don't want to chances with either of those areas when racing hard, and facing a long drive home afterwards.  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

Cool thing is these ship free... and if you use this promo code you'll save a bucks too.

The code is LOVEMTB

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery

 ---

163.6
HyperVolt
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4747270996

MY FRIEND ZACH MISSED OUR RIDE LAST NIGHT, and I was so glad!  Not because he's a beast.  Not because he's a bad bike handler.  Not because he always snags a waffle when he's here... 

... none of those reasons.

I was thrilled because he bailed out to spend time with his young daughter,
take her on a bike ride.

There's nothing better.

I was able to do the same myself this morning with my old son,
take him on one of my favorite gravel rides,
to one of my favorite stops,
first time.

We did a ton of riding when he was little.  First on our tandem.  Then shuttle runs and resort runs.  But, he never really caught the vision of climbing...
... under manpower 
... suffering
... and I get it, it's not for everybody...
... but then again, he did say...

I can't wait for Beck to be big enough to go on a bike ride.

I still have the tandem.

Don't sell it.

Not a chance.

But, I am selling this beauty... the one that got me down this gravel road, the gateway drug to endless choices. 

Even Shane loves gravel, and that's something.  Heck, we road for 2 hours this morning... and on the way back he said, lets go further next time, and have the ladies meet us at the store.

So, if you're into adventure and possible carving out some time with family and friends...

Details are below... no unreasonable offer will be refused.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/sequoia-merz-2017

---

164.4 lbs - oops
20 PullUps 40 PushUps
7.5 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4740272216

WE'VE JUST BEGUN.  Opened a shop off the side of our online empire to scratch an itch.  Personally, I swore in no uncertain term, I'll never own another retail operation again... but, you know, sometimes things line up and ya gotta go for it...

... like when Chris, longtime customer who moved to town just as the last local "pro" shop closed, had no place to hang his helmet.  He's a15+ year professional bicycle mechanic known as The Wrench...

... we pitched our idea to BMC Switzerland, you know Tour De France winning road bikes and recent winner of the MTB XC World Championships.  Apparently The Old Diesel has quite a following so they joined our mission...

,,,. people think we are killing it.

We aren't. 

We aren't trying to.  

What we are doing is delivering the kind of experience we want to a very specific client who demands high performance and personal service. 

How personal?

Schedule an appointment and get your service done while you wait personal.

Along with BMC, we carry only product we use and love:  ENVE wheels, KASK helmets, Fizik shoes, etc.

There aren't a lot of people like us... who demand outstanding racing bicycles and accessories, individualized bike fitting, service-while-you-wait.

We like that.

We enjoy working with likeminded athletes.

It's better that way.

If you're ever in town, stop in.

Heck, schedule an appointment with Chris.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/bikeshop-wrench-calendar

Just be prepared to be greeted by a friendly dude who will listen to what you need and get it done professionally.

Disclaimer:  because we are small and nitchy sometimes we have to order parts, which can delay the process...

... but, you know... ya can't hurry love.

---

163.6 lbs 
Light Weights Workout
7.3 hours sleep
No ride today.

TONIGHT, I SAW THREE THINGS I'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE.  The first happened early on the ride, between 2 riders who barely know each other.  I know one of them real well, so when he said he forgot something I wasn't surprised...

... I was surprised by the quick solution, a true trailside rescue.

I forgot to charge my battery.

Your lights?

No, derailleur.  It's red.

C'mon Rookie!

No worries man... take mine.  I have two.  I won't use the front one.

And, just like that, problem solved.

There's one more thing about this first surprise that was not surprising.  Our crew is really giving and caring.  That instant giving up of the battery is just the way we are... when we aren't kicking the crap out of each other.

Okay, the next two surprises I have no photographic proof so you'll have to take my word for it.

I came whipping around a turn and a giant, and I mean GIANT, owl was right there.  It's head spun around, the flat face, wise eyes, vicious beak... it stayed put.  Not even a ruffled feather.  More of a...

... Hey man, nice night.

Ten minutes later, higher on the trail we saw a million little, white field mice.  They reminded me of snow blowing across the road, their white fur gleaming in our lights.

Only now is it dawning on me what Mr. Owl was doing, still as can be trail side.

I would have been freezing if I was just standing there like him.  In the dark.  Not moving. 

At a minimum I'd need a sexy beanie to keep my head warm.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock 

Probably this green one, to blend in... but, maybe the black one for the night or the blue one to match my eyes or perhaps the gray one for dawn?

Final surprise... you can get any of those colors delivered to you for $20... yep $20 includes said beanie in preferred color and shipping.

Get one:  https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock

---

163.1 lbs 
50 PullUps 100 PushUps
8.2 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4730991490

ONE OF THE MORE ENTERTAINING PARTS OF OUR LOCAL GROUP RIDE IS BRINGING THE NEWGUY.  Today's newguy certainly looked the part:  svelte, stylish, confident.  You know the type...

... no fat, gold shoes, effortlessly navigating our galloping herd.

I've seen a lot of newguys start out like that. 

Just fine. 

But, the cumulative effect of multiple surges, not knowing the course, not knowing the players from the fakers can wear newguy down.  Just like that, spunky turns to spongy.  Bouncing off the front to soggy off the back.

Which is why it's so entertaining for yours Diesely.

Kindly, I let him know what was coming. 

Turn ahead,
watch that dip,
5 minutes of pain.

Just being friendly, in a voyeur sorta way.  

Now you might be thinking that I was thinking, can't wait 'till he blows.  Noooo, not little ol' me.  Why would I hope for newguy to blow and roll in with debris like me?  That wouldn't be nice, or gentlemanly, or even mature.

Nope, it was more of a self-bet. 

I'll bet he gets ejected on the wall.

That's a safe bet.  Real safe.  Everybody gets ejected on the wall.  

But not this newguy.  Hellno! 

He popped around me and everyone between me and the front like a humming bird pollinating beautiful blooms on a bright spring morning. 

When The Old Diesel finally finished, I did what every spongy, soggy piece of debris should do...

... Great to meet ya Fern!  Keep coming, we need more guys like you.

Because, you know

It's just a social ride.

To reinforce the friendliness of our little ol' ride I thought I'd highlight the socialness on the sleeves for this year's kit.

Check it out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-tmwc

Now, if you're unfamiliar with our gear:

• We make it to order
• In the USA
• With the best Italian fabrics
• The best Japanese zippers
• And a pad so delicious you'll never ride another bib again. 

Yes, it's sexy as hell.

Yes, you can wear it even if you never do the ride... in fact, we highly encourage you to start your own TMWC.  A few people have done just that.

This promo code will expire in 2 weeks: TMWCNEWGUY

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-tmwc

---

163.4 lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6 hours sleep <- that cost me at least 100 watts
https://www.strava.com/activities/4722948021

AROUND 6PM TODAY, CUSTOMER BRIAN AND I TALKED A BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF A LOCAL RACE CALLED VISION QUEST.  For most people, it's a once in a lifetime experience.   It took me two times to figure that out...

... it's hardashell.

A feather under 50 miles.

11000' of vert.

2 miles of hiking.

Average finishing time is 9ish hours.

In '99, the heat topped out at 90 degrees just as I was hitting the hikeabike...

... brutal.

There aren't really any races like that any more. 

VisionQuest has been on hiatus due to forest fires, tree huggers, and now the pandemic thingy.

Supposedly it will be back later this year.

But will it?

I feel like the troubled souls who were doing these insane events 20 years ago are a dying breed.  

My first VisionQuest, we loaded our bikes into a U-Haul and our bodies into a rusted out school bus just to get to the start.

Then we stood in the dark, freezing, smelling tribal smoke as the promoter blessed our efforts.

Brian reminded me about the aid station he manned over the years.  He'd be up there grilling hamburgers.  And people'd eat 'em.  They were 7 hours in and famished.  Just trying to finish the dern thing.

Seems more like today's racers think an adventure is a $500 event, with cushy accommodations and cushy bikes and cushy plane flights.

Back then, I gotta be honest, we were a helluva a lot tougher. 

No suspension,
heavy bikes,
multiple flats,
broken chains,
drinking just water,
eating PB&J.

See that paper number plate?

I'm real proud of that.

One, that I still have it.
Two, that it's #4... the promoter would use your finish from the previous year.  I wasn't 4th, but only 3 guys from the previous year were faster than me... therefore I got number four.

Sometimes ya gotta remind yourself where you've come from... those days when you'd just rather quit, climb under a rock... when it seems like nothing has changed, no progress has been made...

... those are the days I look back on my VisionQuest(s), buckle up, and say...

...  I can do hard things.

One thing I know I would have loved back then is our superlight gloves and socks.  Back then I was rocking the half finger road gloves, which are perfect for ripping the skin right off your fingers in a crash. 

I would have loved our race socks with EZBreathe Yarns and FastMax Compression.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

If you haven't tried them... knows the time.

Use promo code:  HARDASHELL

and, when you buy gloves and socks the socks will be free when you check out.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves

the code is good for 48 hours.

---

164.2 lbs 
40 PullUps 80 PushUps
7 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4717699151

CHRIS FROOME SAYS AGE IS A STATE OF MIND.  I say whatev'. He also says, he plans to snag his 5th TdF while simultaneously becoming the oldest to ever do it.  I say again, whatev'.  Meanwhile, Tom Brady switched NFL teams because his previous team said he was too old and he is now taking his new team to the Superbowl...

... cute stories, hopes of old guys.

Not at all relevant to what matters.

What matters, what has always mattered, is motivation.

Winning is always nice, and it's a motivator for sure.  But, TBH I think it's weak compared to things like revenge, anger and proving a point.  Yes, these are baser motives...

... but, I guarantee you they're a huge part of these super human performances.

These guys are pros.  Seasoned.  They won't be seeing red, hurrying, making mistakes.

They're killers.

Patient.

When they strike, it's a killshot.

Do they have a chance against young phenoms? Not really.  They know that.  Which is what makes them so deadly.

But, they are just like us... right?

We can harness that same energy.

And, just like us they have to eat and sleep and ride and drink.

But, will they have these stylish bottles?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

I mean, they are good looking bottles.  And they're tall, because sometimes when you are hacked off, looking to prove a point you have to ride long.

$20.

That's it.

Shipping is included.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/pedalindustries-water-bottle-24oz-purist-2-pack

---

163.6 lbs 
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hours sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4714419471