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HE'S A GENIUS
WE ALL HAVE, or should have, wish we had, that friend who can fix anything. Even though we've upped our skills over the years there's always that...
... next level repair.
We can't do it.
Like my SID fork, today...
- packing in on descents
- rebound slower than a sloth
- adjustment dials backing out and loose
... I was in a bind.
Turns out the great C Gonzer lives where I'm visiting,
racing pals from a decade ago.
Within about about 20 minutes,
he had it working nearly good as new.
How'd you learn how to do this?
I just really like working on my bikes.
That's it?
Well, I am a mechanical engineer by trade.
That's it...
- love what we do
- study the basics
- achieve mastery
... genius level work.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/23 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Feeling Is The Secret, by Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GETTING HIGH
TRAINING AT SEA LEVEL is no way to prepare for high elevation activities. Sure we have extra oxygen to go hard, which is always nice. But, it'd be even nicer...
... to be able to rip when high.
Which begs the question...
... why am I working so darn hard, putting out so little power?
Nah, that's obvious.
Kinda.
90 minutes into the ride today,
we'd been ripping up Big Mountain Pass (f'real).
Challenging?
Yes.
Wheezing?
Yes.
Gapped?
Indeed.
Here's the rill dill...
... even though the power is relatively low,
the breathing is labored.
Which presents a realhonesttogoodness truth...
- breathing too hard
- not thinking 100% clearly
- focusing on staying on pace
... it's hard to stay on top of the hydration and nutrition at altitude significantly above our normal.
We, me especially, gotta force it.
Another important consideration at high elevations...
... it's better to pace on HR than PWR.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/71/12 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Feeling Is The Secret, by Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SETTLING...
THE IDEA OF SETTLING, for most of us, is repulsive. We'd never do that because our standards are too high...
... or, so we think.
Because we don't know better.
Welp,
today I realized
I've totally been settling.
While we do have trails to ride near home...
- skinny single track with rain ruts
- weeds elbow high
- punch climbs
... it's nothing like Utah..
Today, outside of Kamas was incredible.
My pals, PViddy and TimmyV, had been telling me it was great up here.
But, c'mon...
- smooth, fast and flowy
- adorned with greenery and trees
- berms so perfect the suspension compresses as you no-brake it
... expertly engineered trials.
Waywaywaywayway better than my home trails.
Once we know we're settling the only question is...
... what are we gonna do about it?
===
165ish, no scale
8ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/61/21 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
A GOOD BREAK
TAKING TIME OFF can be restorative. Sometimes it's on purpose, other times its an unplanned forced situation. Either way...
... we're anxious to get back at it.
Like right now.
Being that I was committed to be all in at the biz conference...
... I skipped the last few days.
Including the typical epic Saturday.
Everything feels really good except my gut, which is feeling quite bloated...
... after lots of good food.
I suppose that's part of the anxiety, not...
- the drop in fitness
- the packed on pounds
- the connecting with the crew
... the sensation of being a caged animal.
Some might caution,
don't over do it.
A fair warning if working back from an injury.
But, this belly is yellin' at me,
get after it,
right now.
Can't wait to start shedding and shredding manana.
(I've got 10 days to turn it around before BWR UT)
===
165ish, no scale
78ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/63/20 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
>
AI DRIVEN?
AI could be all it's cracked up to be, if we can only learn how to use it to our benefit. But, new things can be...
... a challenge to learn.
Even scary.
One of the take aways on day 3 of I Do Epic was regarding AI,
and it got me thinking about racing...
... because as we say, Racing is life!.
My grand takeaway is AI's ability to deliver what we are looking for has much to do with regarding the prompts.
For example, knowing what you know about me...
... create a training program as if you were Javier Sola
Just like us at a race,
AI needs its head screwed on straight in order to deliver.
And a proper prompt is the starting point.
Making it human...
... what is the main prompt driving our training?
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/73/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WE CALL IT SPOOKED
THE UNMISTAKABLE ENERGY of the start line can be overwhelming for the uninitiated. We feel it the moment we arrive at an event, and when we line up the vibe can take us...
... from confident and courageous to literal shaking.
Plans melting.
Rather than the controlled missile launch we'd imagined, we are overcome by the complete chaos of undirected explosions.
And, that's okay,
until we want a different outcome.
On Day 2 of I Do Epic, we spent much the day in a massive barn learning how a master horse trainer teaches and guides the beasts with energy vs force.
Demonstrating the animal's sensitivity to each other in the herd as well as to us humans, as we approached and worked with the horses.
Thankfully, the inanimate endurance tools we depend on...
- bicycles
- helmets
- shoes
... cannot sense our moods or energy.
Can you imagine mounting a spooked bicycle?
I've often wondered how I am able to reach a place of calm and certainty with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of my "closest friends"...
... so close to losing it?
I don't have a good answer other than...
- a safe race
- an unleashing of the training put in
- finishing knowing there was nothing left in the tank
... experience and expectation.
But, the old cowboy did share one nugget that really resonated with me...
... We create what we anticipate.
===
165ish, no scale
8ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
87/84/3 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
START WHERE YOU ARE
TRAVEL BRINGS IT'S OWN CHALLENGES when it comes to maintaining our fitness. Will we have time, will there be space, do we have the equipment...
... will we even want to?
Have the energy?
When I signed up for I Do Epic Live in the hinterlands of Idaho, I figured we'd be starting early and ending late so...
- 27 hours
- 380 miles
- 27000' of vert
... I made sure I'd put in a large training block prior.
Taking a break made sense, but...
... a funny thing happened when I woke up.
I had two and half hours to kill,
while situated on the shore of the Snake river,
with a lovely and lonely gravel road echoing my vibe.
My original plan was out...
- a long walk
- a ton of push ups
- a million air squats
... a quick and glorious spin was in.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
89/97/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I WANTED TO STOP SO BAD
GETTING AFTER IT for a long period of time can be a beautiful thing, if we are in the right mindset and our bodies are prepared...
... and we're used to it.
Even addicting.
But, if our head's not into it,
our bodies not prepped,
it's been a while...
... quitting looks might tasty.
Like today.
There we were, riding up one of the most beautiful climbs in Utah, the Alpine Loop...
- few cars on the road
- perfect spring weather
- forever views up into the snowpack
... a coupla dudes riding a good fast tempo.
And, about 45 minutes in...
... I wanted to pull over.
Have a smoke, errr bite of my bar,
dip my toes in the stream.
It would have been so easy,
and lovely.
Which is why I didn't do it.
Because I know from experience pushing through these moments is...
... what it takes to finish anything strong.
Well, and the reward of a chocolate chip cookie at Sundance...
... would be that much sweeter.
===
165.8/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
91/107/-17 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE OTHER CROSSTRAINING
IF WE'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP of any kind we're most likely going to be exposed to activities which don't perfectly align with...
... our primary objective.
Got it?
Yeah, we get it.
The thingaboutitis...
... it's usually more than okay.
Surfergirl loves to hike.
Any time we're roadtripping and I'm in a hurry to get to the beddown...
... she's plotting a once in a life time hike.
Like today,
just after 6pm
3 hours from our destination...
... we absolutely had to hike Kolob canyon for no less than 2 hours!
Yes, that's an explanation point because...
... old diesels need their beauty sleep
Her "reward" for this detour is me stretching out while she drives, which I'm pretty sure...
... she purposely fakes like she's tired and unnecessarily jerks the wheel so I'll get behind it.
While I have to admit the hike was outstanding, and served to remind me that I should do some regular hiking to prepare for the potential to be hiking at Leadville...
...it's pretty clear I have not properly trained her on driving in a relaxing and soothing manner nor bowing down to the needs of her old man's sleep.
===
165.8/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
no Stretches
88/98/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
>
BECAUSE I ASKED...
MEMORIAL DAY IS A BUSY ONE around here. All kinds of people out enjoying the day: runnin, bikin, swimmin, surfin, paddlin...
... things were chaotic.
I got a late start.
Preferring to get some work knocked and start prepping the van for our road trip...
... I slipped out just past noon.
There is a steep hill above a picturesque beach that attracts locals, nonlocals and everyone in between.
At the top, I saw an older woman lugging two chairs for her and her ancient father.
Normally, I'd just wiggle around them and the rest and go on about my day...
... but I remembered.
Hi there, can I help you with those chairs?
Oh, yes, please.
Leaned my bike on a palm tree.
Let's go down a little bit more, where it's a little flatter.
C'mon dad, over here.
This looks pretty good.
Thank you.
No problem.
How did you know we needed help, nobody else noticed?
Oh, I prayed I'd be useful today.
With that, I was off on a lovely tour of the southern part of our county...
... pavement, gravel roads and single track.
You're probably thinking Nice virtue signal Todd...
... to which I'll say, thinking of others is not my default or my strong suit.
I have to work at getting my heart to be fully functional.
===
165.8/12.7%
8.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
91/113/-22 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE RANDOMNESS OF PROGRESS
NICHING DOWN is a legit way to go about maximizing results. We study the experts, learn all we can, put it into practice. The goal is...
... supreme mastery.
But, is narrow and deep the only way to get it done?
The best way?
Personally, I think I've learned more studying endurance athletes and coaches from other sports than I have focusing on bike racing.
Maybe, probably, there is more literature and research available.
Here are a few of my favorites
- running - Born To Run, Christopher McDougall
- triathlon - anything by Phil Maffetone
- swimming - Total Immersion Method, Terry Laughlin
- natural fitness - Natural Born Heroes, Christopher McDougall
... because they introduced me to new ways of thinking about endurance and fitness.
Bringing in randomness to our experience...
- events
- people
- travel
... can deliver game-changing progress hacks.
If we'll just open our ears, eyes, hearts.
===
165.8/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
88/99/-11 per Strava
>
AFTER TAKING SEVERAL READINGS
SIMULATING OUR 'A' EVENTS months in advance can be quite revealing, in bad...
... and good ways.
Once, isn't enough.
Every weekend is too much.
It's not a damned if we do,
damned if we don't situation.
More like a...
- damn?
- damn!
- hot damn!
... outcome.
With that in mind I turned to Grok to help me assess today's simulation because...
- what happens if I cut ballast?
- what workouts would improve my time?
- are there supplements that aid lung function at altitude?
... AI is damn fine when it comes to crunching numbers.
Because I'm a true and proud supernerd...
- 2 previous attempts in last 7 years
- body weight on those days
- power numbers as well
... I have the data, going back years.
I put Grok to work...
- I can improve
- I'm in a pretty good place already
- This is gonna be a heckuva lotta fun
... and came out with what I already sensed.
Grok thinks I can beat my previous PR,
which seems absolutely ludicrous...
... mainly because I have a lot of higher value things I want to accomplish this summer.
This is a typical use of AI for me...
- confirm/test/explore what's possible
- learn how to do things I can't figure out
- assist in leveraging my tiny helmet covered bean's processing power
... are you using AI to evaluate and make moves?
As the great Wille Nelson sings...
... After taking several readings I'm surprised to find my mind's (and body) still fairly sound.
===
167/12.7% oof!
7.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
90/114/-24 per Strava went kinda deep today
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S A LONE WOLF'S WORLD
NO MATTER HOW MANY friends are planning to do the A event with us, regardless of how many weekends we link up to train together...
... the bulk of our efforts are alone.
Unseen.
By nearly everybody, except that neighbor who we pass by at the same...
... godforbidden time each dark morning.
We're on the hunt...
- miles
- skills
- fortitude
... for more.
And even when we do link up, if we're truly committed...
... we might breakup, or off.
For example, I'm committed to ride a spritely tempo between all the worthy climbs tomorrow...
... where I'll move into the bottom to mid-threshold.
Because that's gonna be my pace at the A race,
and I've really got to train it now,
to maintain it then.
So, yeah, 7 miles up the climb I'll probably be alone...
... just like I'll most likely be on raceday.
Which is why I'm working on this jersey to where in in Leadville.
Personally, I feel like an inspirational, personalized jersey is good for...
... a 1-2% increase in performance.
If you're of the same persuasion...
- super aero jersey
- amazing imported Italian fabrics
- no minimum order required, make just 1
... go here: https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
===
165.6/12.7% (time to start trimming blubber)
8.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
85/82/2 per Strava (time to bump these numbers up)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
13 WEEKS SHOULD BE ENOUGH
AT SOME POINT, the training for the A event has gotta get real. Sure we have our base miles just because we are base-ically addicted, but...
... that's not gonna cut it.
Gotta get specific.
As of this moment, I'm 13 weeks out from starting the Leadville Trail 100.
It'll be my 8th time.
While I know the drill, I also know...
... I'm nowhere near ready.
Haven't done an hour long climb...
... since I don't know when.
Haven't ridden over 5 hours since October.
Haven't ridden my MTB more than twice a week in ages...
... haven't
haven't
haven't
haven't
haven't.
Equally overwhelming and energizing...
... the challenge is elephant-sized.
And, I'm gonna attack it one mile at a time.
===
164.6/12.5%
8.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
86/89/-4 per Strava
>
STRETCH GOALS
STRETCHING seems to go in and out of popularity. When, how long, which moves are a essential...
... and that's not counting yoga and pilates.
Where to start?
That's a good question.
I'm no expert, which is why I check in with my physical therapy pal, Scott, from time to time.
Mostly when I'm miserable
or injured.
Which got me thinking.
The last couple of days my bike fit felt like it had changed...
... which is impossible, right?
Then, I thought...
... could my body have changed somehow?
Thinking back on my many visits with Scott...
... and how stretches had fixed various aches and debilitating pains.
It hit me like a ton of lycra!
I haven't been stretching regularly,
at all.
Got back at it this morning...
... dang, I'm stiff!
But, guess what...
... the bike fit felt back to awesome.
Stretch goals are the kind that have us reaching to our limits to accomplish what seems nigh impossible...
... I like setting those.
New/old stretch goal...
... stretch every night as part of my shutdown sequence.
===
163.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
86/91/-6 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT MASTERING THE BASICS LOOKS LIKE
THE VERY BEST PROS have mastered the basics. From techniques to tools, from sleeping to sprinting. They have it...
... all down cold.
How do we know?
Because at the very the very best are still practicing the basics...
... only the output is at a much higher level.
Duh!
Yeah, I know.
But, the real question is are we chasing...
- fads
- trends
- shiny objects
... or working diligently on mastering the basics?
===
163.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/83/1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FROM FLOOR TO CEILING
BUILDING FITNESS can appear to be a mystery to the uninitiated. For the reasons, holding onto it is illusive. And losing it...
... downright easy.
It's a shame.
If the unwashed simply established a floor...
- a minimum daily commitment
- built over weeks
- and months
... they'd find their ceiling to be nearly limitless.
Instead, they get the bug or come clean with their naked selves...
... and progress rapidly for a short season.
Get thrown off track,
and start over.
We know different.
Our floor maybe is simple as getting outta bed and kitting up...
... knowing it's easy to get out the front door at that point.
After that, it's just a matter of raising the floor...
... to see how high we can fly.
Things I think about while riding zone two for 2 hours...
... because that was my floor today.
And, I always ride on Mondays.
===
165.6/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
86/90/-4 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PRISONS WE CHOOSE TO LIVE INSIDE
>
HOW FAR SHOULD WE TAKE OUR BRO-SCIENCE?
ONCE WE FIGURE OUT the gear and products that work for our bodies, it's, honestly, just amazing. It fits. It works. And we stick with it...
... because we rip.
Easy.
We don't want to change.
That can be a problem if what we love goes out of stock or worse...
... out of production all together.
A few years back, when Wahoo acquired Speedplay they dumped my tried and MTB pedals.
The Frogs.
Had I known, I'd have purchased at least 10 pair of pedals and probably 100 sets of cleats.
To my horror, I logged on and learned the sadsad news.
No mas.
When I woke and realized I was out of my favorite carb mix today...
- water
- plain ol' sugar
- and Liquid IV for flavor and electrolytes
... well, yeah, I took a stab a making my own.
You should witnessed the...
- disgust
- concern
- warnings
... from the crew when we stopped to refill our bottles midride.
I shared my mix was 4 tablespoons of sugar...
- you're gonna get diabetes
- go into a coma
- die early
... I could only laugh.
Just what exactly do you think is in your favorite powder or gel?
I got the idea from an ultra-trail runner I follow on YouTube.
He'd wanted to experiment and discovered how sucrose...
- quickly absorbed glucose
- more slowly absorbed fructose
... breaks down in the small intestine.
It's a 1:1 ration,
most high end mixes are 1:.8.
Ever look at the ingredients of what you're drinking?
My 4 very level tablespoons = 50 grams of carbohydrate.
But, isn't that gonna kill ya?
It's about the same as a can of Coke,
or a couple of candy bars.
So, yes, it will absolutely...
- crush our health
- give us that orange with 4 toothpicks look
- and lead to all kinds of degenerative diseases
... unless we are ripping and burning it up.
That 50 grams is about 50% of what I consume per hour...
... when getting after it.
How'd it work over 3 bottles?
Flawlessly.
Gonna test full strength this week.
This is bro-science...
... so take it with a literal and proverbial grain of salt.
===
166/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
660 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/88/-3 per Strava
>
FIRST (TASTE OF) BLOOD
WE'RE LIKE WILD ANIMALS. Once we get the first taste of adrenalin, charging through the countryside...
... with reckless abandon.
We're hooked.
The thingaboutitis...
... we gotta get that first taste.
16 years ago, my pal Dr. Jeff couldn't keep from...
... slobbering all over me.
About gravel riding.
You would love it.
Seems kinda lame.
Trust me.
Tell me why.
Well, it'a a combination of two things you love: road and mtb.
And it's fun?
Oh yes!
It took me 5 years to finally see a signal...
- steel
- heavy
- leather bags
... a lonely gravel bike on sale at the local bike shop.
I thought it was radical to ride the tires at such low pressure...
- 38mm
- 60 lbs
- with tubes
... now I'm on tubeless carbon hoops, rolling 18 up front 20 in the back.
So much has improved!
For the first year or more I rode gravel alone...
... like a lunatic in the wild.
It took 5 more years till a few of us were getting together...
... and another 3ish to do what we did today.
Ruckus URBN GRVL group rides.
In town for the weekend, Jeff joined us for today's masterpiece...
... I'm not sure he made the connection on the impact he's had on us.
===
165.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
6200 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
88/101/-14 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
STOP BEING MEDIUM
THERE'S A REASON so many of us struggle to improve. Especially the newest of us...
... doing all we can to hang on.
Never improving.
I heard it said so well and succinctly today by one of my fave running coaches, the great Fred Duncan.
The question how much work we can survive in one session, it's...
- hard
- easy
- hard, again
... how many high quality outputs can we stack over weeks and months and years?
If we aren't resting, active-recovering we can't go hard enough on our hard days to see any improvement...
... we become really excellent at medium.
And, stay there.
Which is fine, if you're into that sorta thing.
But, I know you're not.
Which brings up today's ride...
- 23 miles
- ave HR 93
- ave PWR 102
... we did the impossible.
I say impossible because it's nearly impossible to get a group of athletes together and not start pushing...
... we pulled it off by setting the tone ahead of time.
The BRO ride is a super easy conversational cruiser...
... because bros need bro time.
Before slaying it on the weekend.
If you want to do a deeper dive on Fred's post it's here: https://x.com/Fred__Duncan/status/2055274916199502322?s=20
===
164.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/75/8 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ZONE TWO MUCH
ANYBODY CAN RIDE ZONE 2. It's easy. Zone 1 is easy. Coasting is easier. The trick is...
... to stay there.
For a long time.
The past few months I've been doing my Z2 on the mountain bike,
on kinda steep trails.
Not spinning,
a lot of torque...
... then completely off when descending.
Which is somewhat easier than what I did today...
- keeping on the pedals
- with high cadence
- limited coasting
... Zone 2 on mainly flat, with a few rollers.
Turns out 2:80 spend doing...
- 90 minutes Z2
- 31 min Z1
- 9 min z3
... is it's own kinda hard.
1261 calories burned ain't nothing.
The mental game to stay at a given pace and basically never stop pedaling...
... regardless of the terrain.
I know you zwifties are wanting to mock me,
and I'm totally down with how much harder
it can be on a trainer.
I get it.
The real point is this kind of training...
... is extremely effective at building physical and mental endurance.
===
165.2/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/83/1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER OF MID-WEEK RACING
MID-WEEK RACING has been around for ages and continues to endure because it's great training, fun to bring the community together...
... and get in some ripping intensity.
400 showed up to race Over The Hump last night.
A very healthy number of age group competitors...
... ready to battle.
I've missed the last two seasons,
so it was exciting to finally make it out.
I entered Elite 45+ looking to see how I'd rate.
Warming up,
I saw a lot of friends.
But, I was missing one.
My pal Eric was senselessly killed last year while riding his bike early in the morning, by a druggy.
After a decade of racing together...
- bro hugging each week
- seeing his babies grow up
- and turn into fine little racers
... there was a hole in my heart.
On the start line,
the energy was high,
the confidence eager.
We shot out.
I maneuvered leading into the first single track,
thinking okay this feels right.
There was only one solid climb,
20 minutes of redlining.
From leading,
to wheezing,
to 7th.
Ouch!
The downhill was a couple of miles long,
and it felt good - even PRd it.
Sliding out onto the double track,
I could see 5th and 6th,
and closed the gap.
Two of the three of us were pulling hard back to the finish line.
Just as we're about to hit the final single track before the finish,
we're caught by some of the guys we'd dropped.
At the same time,
we enter the tight turns we merge with the Beginners and Sport racers.
It's not pretty.
Some of us give the slower riders space,
others mob through.
I go from 5th to 8th.
Frustrated.
Upset about getting beat by the dude who wasn't pulling with us.
Finishing,
I stormed off.
Not my finest moment.
After a recovery drink and some spinning...
- reveling in my anger
- knowing it would motivate me
- looking forward to some specific training
... I realized how great it is to be racing.
Once I'd changed into my tshirt and jeans, I had time to reflect...
- we live in a free and prosperous country
- have the time and energy for mid-week racing
- I'm feeling 100% recovered from my TBI, while Eric is riding in the heavens and his family navigates life without him.
... and be extremely grateful.
===
165.2/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
590 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/83/1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CONSISTENCY IS BORING AND...
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHATTER on the interwebs regarding what happens by simply being consistent. What is often left out is the biggest battle...
... which must be won.
Boredom.
That's what the naysayers are thinking as we head out into the morning sunrise doing the unfathomable.
Sure, it can be monotonous to do the same workout over and over.
But, we aren't newbs or drones and know how to counter that by mixing it up, and socializing with likeminded beasts.
With unholy motivation we focus...
... on the rewards.
Months and years later,
we're nothing like the person we started out as.
Consistency might look boring to an outsider, but...
... we know it's lethal.
===
165.6/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/-4 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS
THERE'S DANGER just crossing the street. But, people do it and a lot more because it's part of life. We, on the other hand...
... like to raise the stakes.
Ignoring the warnings.
For years, I have casually read the signs regarding mountain lions and rattle snakes on our local trails and all over the western US.
In the process I've...
- a close up encounter with a big cat
- run over many sunbathing snakes
- stared down coyotes
... had one real scare and many thrills.
The cat was the most shocking.
I thought I was seeing a large loping coyote way up the gravel road.
Not uncommon.
Keep going.
Kept seeing as elevation changed.
Rounded a corner only to see a giant cat perpendicular to the road.
Staring at me.
Didn't do what you're supposed to do...
- stand your ground
- make yourself look bigger
... back pedaled and ripped up a single track, braking to make the turn at the top.
Went back to that spot many, many times,
raced up that hill as fast as possible...
... never came close to needing to brake to make the turn at the top.
That my friends is living.
===
165.6/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/4 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TIMING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING, and there is so much to be timed when it comes to racing. To time anything to perfection necessitates...
... starting very early.
Ultimately, requiring less energy.
We saw this today at the Giro.
The winning sprinter producing fewer watts than 2nd or 3rd place...
- 1480w
- 1870w
- 1580w
... making it look easy(er).
Because he timed his acceleration perfectly.
Not unlike sprinting for the line, the great Scott Adams stated...
... the secret to success is energy management.
Which helped me lean into doing my best and most important work early in the day when I'm most alert and creative.
What else...
- workouts
- relationships
- spiritual exploits
... can we improve with better timing?
===
165.2/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/87/-2 per Strava
>
BLAME IT ON THE DONUT
STAYING ON TOP OF THE RECOVERY is super easy to skip. Especially, if we are really on top of it...
... day after day.
We're rested.
When the opportunity presents itself to overdo it...
... we do it.
We think we'll be fine.
We aren't going to do die, but...
... we will be less than fine.
Like today.
After shortchanging myself on sleep two nights in a row,
getting talked into more than easy spinning,
skipping the hyper-ice sessions...
... all variables I couldashoulda controlled,
I suffered today.
The sting of ripping,
felt stale and suffocating.
When looked back on the data...
- on trails I've ridden
- raced up
- stomped
... I actually set some PRs.
The difference when between being fatigued vs fresh is stark...
... longfaced-droopy vs JUBILANT.
Eventually, I succumbed to the efforts,
pulling the plug halfway up a steepytechy...
... and limped to the donut shop.
Where, after a few moments and calories and water I miraculously...
... felt very fauxfresh!
===
165.2/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
6500 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
87/100/-13 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BRO!
ALL RACING AND TRAINING ain't the way to do it. The ubersuccessful connect with others on a deeper level, it's the glue we need...
... to help us hold it all together.
Not the training and racing.
Life.
Some say getting out and getting after is...
... cheap therapy.
I won't argue with that.
Getting out, and away, for a conversational workout...
... can be life changing.
Lifesaving.
But, we already know that.
Most of our friends don't,
or don't make the time,
or have the friendship.
Which got me out on the road way earlier than I wanted to today,
because I knew my pal had been traveling a ton,
and could squeeze in a ride.
And got me thinking...
- early start
- easy terrain
- all bikes welcome
... why not create a BRO ride?
Details in the image.
(Surfergirl has had this going with the Trail Angels for decades).
===
165.6/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/84/0 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BEST EFFORTS OSCILLATE
DOING OUR BEST. We hear from the time we take our first steps, through our teens, into adulthood. Then we preach it...
... to anyone who will listen.
Because it works.
As the great Tony Horton used to say on the P90X videos...
.. do your best, and forget the rest.
It's a legit way to live, except...
... our best oscillates.
We can get better at our best...
... is there anything more exciting than knowing that?
I found a fun features on Strava today.
The Best Efforts Power Curve has a little box we can check and...
... Show Estimated FTP.
The last 6 weeks I've been pretty dialed.
According to the app I've raced FTP 10 watts.
The feedback is helpful.
Knowing we can improve...
... is a devine gift.
===
165.6/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
86/91/-5 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GO BIG, PUNK!
THROWING THE GEARS TO THE BIG RING used to be much more of a thing. With the advent of 13-speed, not so much. Lot's of 1x drivetrains...
... making things simpler.
Better...
- lighter
- more aero
- cleaner look
... depends on the use case.
MTB started it all,
can't even buy one with 2x.
Gravel bikes are mostly there,
some 2x systems.
Road and TT have special use for 1x.
Track and BMX have always kept it clean and simple.
Anyway, there I was this morning doing my dawgawn bestest to try and recapture my PR from Jan 2026 on a segment called Pain Cave because...
... who wants to just cruse home after hammerin'?
And it dawned on me...
... back in Jan I forced myself to stay in the big ring all the way up the steeps.
Did it work?
Kinda.
Knocked 2:47 off of last week's tepid attempt...
... still 48 seconds off the PR.
I looked back at my scale logs...
... I'm 2 lbs heavier, .5% higher in body fat.
Then my weight training...
... I'm doing a lot more leg work Sunday and Monday.
Probably not a great way to prep for Wednesday.
Lastly I looked at time spent in Zone 4 or above...
... 48 min in Jan vs 49 min today.
I'll take another cracky at it...
- come in lighter
- more rested
- caffeinated
... attacking with punk blazing style.
Check 'em out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-punk-collection
===
165.6/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
86/92/-7 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE SUPER SUCCESSFUL DIET THAT IS POTENTIALLY KILLING OUR POTENTIAL
THERE ARE A LOT OF SUCCESSFUL plans to decrease our extra ballast. Perhaps the most powerful is one that we rarely actually apply to getting lean...
... yet allow to dictate our ultimate potential.
Case in point.
Eat the same meal, day after day...
... we'll get sick of it.
Eat less.
Waste away.
Lose muscle.
It's just a fact.
Yet, we do that same thing...
- same group rides
- same strength work
- same A race targeted
... with so much of our activities.
The inertia against improvement is overwhelming.
We can't do more,
become more.
We stall,
or worse,
we give it all up.
And why not?
It's become boring.
However, who can blame even the most monk-like amongst us who pack on the pounds because...
... there are so many amazing food choices to be had.
These days, living in any kind of a city, even the smallest, there can be found really creative and fun dining experiences.
We can eat more,
yes, become more.
Maybe not the more we are looking for.
If we're really going to reach new heights...
- new groups
- new strength work
- new A races targeted
... we must mix it up.
PS this applies to everything: love, family, business, sprituality.
===
164.6/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
720 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/3 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY COACHING IS MAGICAL?
REACHING OUT TO THOSE we think are in the know is pretty common practice. We can glean a lot. Getting serious about outcomes and...
... hiring a coach is next level.
#worth-it
I was thinking about this because last week I had two different people reach out to me about training questions.
Asking for my input.
Here's the dill.
For the most part a coach...
... isn't going to wave a wand and fix us.
What we're really paying a coach to do is...
... to tell us what we don't want to hear and hold us accountable.
It's rarely a question of knowing what to do.
Much more a question of willingness to do it.
And, ya know, when you're payin' for it...
... it does magically work.
(and, I heckuvalot faster than wingin' it)
===
166/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/87/-2 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MASTERY OF THIS LAW = MASTERY ON RACEDAY
THERE IS AN UNDERAPPRECIATED MIRACLE all racers experience, yet often fail to recognize or implement in everyday life. If we did...
... who knows what we could accomplish.
Parkinson's Law.
Regardless of the distance or event...
... given a set of parameters,
a cohort of competitors,
we go faster.
Nobody signs up for a marathon with the idea of finishing...
... When I get around to it.
We laser in on the distance, time required, prep like mad...
... and execute.
Parkinson's Law...
... Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
We know this because on the week of the A race...
... we magically get all our work down days early so we can travel and chill before the big event.
The gun goes off and...
... amazingly, produce heretofore unknown abilities setting PRs and often hitting or exceeding our goal finish times.
Getting our workdays wrapped up within 8-10 hours was burned into our brains through the school system.
It's a tough habit to break.
Accepting a reasonable output during those same hours is mollifying...
... but, uninspiring.
Dramatically shrinking the time to finish the race or project...
Massively expanding the output...
Defying Parkinson's law...
... should be our nature in all we do.
===
164.6/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/89/-4 per Strava
>
MISSLE LOCK
BEING IN THE DRAFT is such a wonderful feeling. We slot in and feel ourselves get sucked along at...
... a dramatically reduced effort.
It's slight at first.
Just like when we lose it...
... we slowly come uncoupled until suddenly we're on our own.
So it was on this morning's ride to the ride.
Me and my pals, jamming up the coast.
I bombed down a sizable hill in front,
shot up the other side,
they slingshot on by.
And the gap just starts opening wider and wider.
It was too early to be burning matches.
I made the prudent choice,
flicked my safety cover...
... and acquired missile lock.
It took 5 or so minutes of a measured effort, but then I closed enough to start to feel the draft...
... it's like the radar going from beeping to a solid tone.
Target acquired,
detonation imminent.
The rest of the ride would be much of the same...
... alternating attacks trying to drop each other.
I'd learned my lesson,
stayed locked and loaded the rest of the ride.
As a reward to ourselves,
we honed in on Parlor Donuts.
===
166.2/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
noLower Body: ATG squats and split squats
87/103/-16 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE EPIC SUMMER TRAINING
WHELP, IT'S THAT TIME A YEAR when most of us have/will have/should have/ better have something to train for this summer. Otherwise...
... what's the point of living?
Going all summer without a goal is just okay.
So, let me just tantalize you with something insane,
dare I say the best gravel ride in SoCal.
Dana Point to Big Bear...
- about 50% gravel
- 50% of the pavement is bike trail
- leaving from the sand, summiting before sunset
... qualifies as epic.
Kinda far,
120 miles.
Kinda climby,
14,409'.
Kinda memorable,
nothing like gittin' 'er done with friends.
This will be our 5th year/6th running (2 attempts in '21).
The basic layout is...
- dinner at my place Friday night
- 5am official start on Saturday
- dinner in Big Bear
... leaving just before sunrise, finishing before sunset.
Click on it to see videos and pics.
I'll be posting more.
Put it on thy calendar: 10.10.26
Check my stats... we weren't killin' ourselves, click to go to ride.
===
166/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/80/3 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT IS STRONG?
WE HEAR IT said of others. We make the comment ourselves, too. It seams so natural until we think about it, that it's...
... being said of endurance athletes.
_____ is riding/running/swimming strong!
Huh?
We're mainly scrawny.
So what does Strong mean then...
- big fitness?
- big muscles?
... things I think about while zonetwoing out.
If it's just a muscle thing, does it mean because they are actually stronger...
... it's just easier for them to generate X than it is for the rest of us?
If it's a VO2 Max thing, does it mean they aren't any stronger...
... it's just not as taxing for them at X effort as it is for the rest of us?
Truthfully, this conversation with myself when I was doing...
- all out 10 second sprints
- atg weighted squats
- box jumps
... throughout the week.
===
166/12.7%
89ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 80 push ups, 20 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 80 ATG squats and split squats
84/86/-2 per Strava
>
DAMNED IF...
SOME WORKOUTS are better than others. There are those when we just don't wanna do. And those when we're really feeling it...
... that c'mon LFG feeling.
What to do?
Or not.
Like today.
We'd already hit it pretty hard...
- bursts up in the 600W range
- plenty in the 400s
- rest in 300s
... not sure that qualifies as overunders.
At the end of that hellish 35 minutes,
we head directly to a segment called Pain Cave.
I didn't want to do it,
already feelin' smoked.
Told BBB I was just gonna cruise it.
But, you know how that can go.
I looked down and I was doing 380 watts up the final push and you were disappearing.
Since he said that, I thought maybe it wasn't a bad effort.
Numbers don't lie.
24 min today vs 20 min in January (a PR).
What's the benefit of doing it then?
I'll tell ya...
... to get fired up for next week.
LFG!
===
165/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
yes Lower Body: 80 ATG squats and split squats
85/89/-5 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WOULD YOU RATHER...
THE ENDURANCE WORLD is vast and exciting. So many ways to test our mettle, against others and, more importantly...
... against ourselves.
We must choose one.
Focus.
Go for our own greatness.
So, which would it be...
- Tour de France Champion
- Ironman sub-8 hours at Kona
- Boston Marathon sub-2:05
... that would be personally most satisfying?
Or for you...
- Downhill World Champion
- Unbound Champion
- Leadville 100 sub-6 hours
... dirty racers.
Doesn't have to be any of those, but whatever it is...
... why aren't we 100% committed to making it happen?
This trip ain't gonna last forevah.
===
165.4/12.7%
7.ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 40 ATG squats and split squats
83/81/2 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY CONSISTENCY COUNTS
IT ALL ADDS UP. Every effort we make contributes to our pot of fitness, and while the ones half-@$$ don't deplete...
... they just don't get us where we want to be.
As quick.
Which is nothing compared to skipping.
Or quitting.
We're reminded of that every day when we're out and about seeing people of our generation.
It's like looking in the mirror and seeing what could have been...
... kind of a George Bailey thing.
This is why we say Every Day Is RaceDay.
===
164.4/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 40 push ups, 20 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 40 ATG squats and split squats
85/93/-8 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
19 TAKEAWAYS FROM LBL
THERE WAS A BIG SHOWDOWN at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the reigning unbeatable king vs the French teenage sensation vs the previous two-time winner...
... and I have some thoughts on that.
Not just that they swept the podium.
Firstoff, there was/is/will be a lot of chatter about...
... a 19 year old coming for the king of July, this July.
Some say too, young...
... should be holding him back.
To which I can only point to two other 19 year olds,
who didn't wait for their time,
their turn.
The very terrifying Mike Tyson,
knocking out everyone who dared.
Cooper Flagg who the critics claimed to be overrated,
before becoming the first teen to score 50 points in the NBA.
Paul Seixas has something more in common with the Tyson and Flagg,
the same quality Pogacar had when he came outta nowhere...
- which I find lacking in Remco, and so many others
... at 19, they were/are all having a lot of fun,
in love with the sport.
Simple.
Pure.
There's something beautiful and endearing to their approach,
we might lean into a little more.
===
164.4/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
650 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 80 push ups, 20 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 80 ATG squats and split squats
84/84/-1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
JUST HOW MANY CODES CAN WE CRACK?
THE ENDURANCE ATHLET'S JOURNEY is endlessly fascinating, as continually learn more about what we are capable of. Add to that, the constant flow of new information...
... we are constantly cracking new codes.
That's funstuff!
I tried a new one today.
After years, and I mean decades when I say years, of my tried and true formula....
- 1 bottle per hour
- 3-400 calories per bottle
- under extreme training or racing
... I tried something new.
Yesterday, I was exposed to an old thought via the TrainerRoad podcast...
- drink water, when thirsty
- ingest carbs via gels or food
- increase carbs towards end of the effort
... which seemed very new, to me.
My main impetus for trying it out today was that a week ago at Sea Otter I started to feel very bloated...
... almost nauseous the last 90 minutes.
It was a real struggle,
and it sucked.
So, today I put it to the test on a ripping 4.5 hour ride...
- drank only 2 bottles
- got a little hungry last hour - didn't bring enough
- put out better numbers than I have all year, including racing
... I felt lighter, dare I say spry?
Def worth more testing.
===
165.2/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 60 ATG squats and split squats
86/97/-12 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
A WEIRD AND INCREDIBLE OFFSHOOT OF LEG DAY
MAKING LEG DAY a regular thing is something some of us do in the "offseason" and few of us do year round because...
... that's just the way it's done.
What if it's wrong?
Since I've been extra committed to hitting the legs 2-3 times a week...
- with weights
- without weights
- super snappy, max sprints
... I've noticed something marvelous.
It's becoming harder and harder to back it down,
and do the spinny Z1 stuff.
Plus...
... threshold efforts are feeling easier and easier.
Why would that be?
I might just be getting stronger, but I think it's more like...
... it just feels so good to feel the burn.
===
163.4/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 60 ATG squats and split squats
81/72/9 per Strava (feeling mostly recovered from Sea Otter)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ONE THING NOT TO EASE UP ON WHEN TAPERING
THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT CONFLICTING INFORMATION is that it means most competitors are conflicted about any number of approaches to maximum fitness. Whether that be training...
... or on raceday.
Tapering matters.
We know we should rest.
Just what does that mean?
Here's what works for me, and why.
I cut back the volume, but...
... I never cut off the intensity.
Cutting back the volume lets my body recover and repair,
the fatigue melts away.
Putting out short bursts of race pace in the final 7-10 days...
- 10-30 second efforts
- at 80-100% of max
- then super easy
... keeps my muscles, tendons and brain primed for action.
You might find that conflicting,
test it and figure it out,
for you.
===
164.6/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 15 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 60 ATG squats and split squats
82/74/8 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TOOL KIT
HEADING OUT INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS we often carry tools of some sort. Usually, the basics. Sometimes more. Depends on...
... how crazy things could get.
Risks we are taking.
But, why do we do that?
We aren't planning to have a breakdown.
Yet, we know shift happens.
It's happened before,
gonna happen again.
The point isn't that we are expecting failure,
we are planning for success.
No matter what comes our way...
... we'll git 'er done.
===
163.8
7.5ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 80 push ups, 20 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 80 ATG squats and split squats
83/77/5 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DOES THIS MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG?
ADDING ANY NEW EXERCISE or movement often reacquaints us with muscles we didn't know we had, mainly because we've neglected to...
... engage them in meaningful ways.
We're sore.
My latest has been a pain in my arse.
Literally.
After my PT said I need to thoroughly stretch my legs with ATG (ass to grass) squats...
... I got started.
'cause I'm obedient as heck when it comes to my body's performance.
I used to do 'em.
In fact, back then...
- they don't bend over
- they lower down with legs
- to a full squat and make it look easy and natural
... I remembered seeing the little kids pick stuff up.
Anyway,
I'm back at it.
Started doing...
- a few ATG air squats
- to sets of 20 after 20 pushups
- to doing them with a 35 lb kettle bell
... and guess where I feel it most?
Los glutes.
Guess what is one of our biggest muscles,
and if engaged with a proper bike fit,
can develop all kindsa power?
Los glutes.
It's bringing me back to high school when the girl I was crushing on came up from behind in the hallway outside English class and pinched my butt...
... whispering Nice @$$.
Ah, the glory days!
Maybe I'll get it back, lol...
... at least a touch of the onthebike power?
===
165.6
9ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 40 push ups, 10 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 40 ATG squats and split squats
82/71/10 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PROJECT AND THE SYSTEM
THE IDEA THAT WE CAN HAVE a system to help us achieve a goal is a mighty fine way to approach any objective. Then, it's just a matter of...
... figuring out the inputs.
After we define the project.
It's looking like this summer is going to be...
- executing our biz plan
- planning a giant family reunion
- and being around for our latest grandchild's arrival
... while hacking Project Leadville.
Without training like a maniac.
By putting a system place,
I can take reasonable action each day...
... knowing I'll arrive according to plan.
Since my bike is already set...
- continue to build strength with sprints and weights
- get back to 2022's svelteness
- fix the everplaguing bike fit
... it's a matter of getting my body ready.
That should allow me to achieve Project Leadville:
- have fun and great energy daily
- put down a sub-9 time at Leadville this year
- stay on track for my very long-term goal of sub-9 at 70
... while keeping the main things - family and business - the main things.
There is a caveat to this kind of systems based action...
- Podiums are nearly impossible to predict
- PRs much easier manage and way more fun to chase after
... it works better for achieving PRs than podiums.
(I'm starting to wonder if I'll every write a complete sentence or an actual paragraph ever again. What is happening to my grammar?)
===
168 (gotta drop 10lbs)
9ish hours sleep
650 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 80 push ups, 20 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 80 body weight squats and split squats
82/71/11 per Strava (there's no way this is accurate, I'm still wrecked from Sea Otter)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HUNGOVER AND LOVING IT
AFTER THE 'A' EVENT, nearly always comes some sort of hangover. Whether it's mission failure, mission meh...
... or mission accomplished.
Excess is inevitable.
For me that means doing whatever Surfergirl wants to do.
Rather than collapsing on the couch...
... like most Saturdays.
Instead, we drove the opposite direction of home...
- walked the length of the beautiful cove
- picked up insanely good pizza
- 16" not 9", cuz hungry
... to beautiful Carmel.
Followed by 3.5 hours of driving so we could wake when literallyworldfamous
Old West Cinnamon Rolls opened.
Then, 4 more hours on the road...
... cuz the lady likes to detour at the beach stops.
Arrive home,
unload.
Enjoy surprise visit and dinner with daughter and grandson...
... and, finally, collapse on the couch.
(normally, I love Monday morning... not sure about this one.)
===
167ish
6.5ish hours sleep
550 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: body weight squats and split squats
83/76/7 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SEA OTTER 2026: THE PLAN WAS...
THERE ARE FIGHTERS and there are wannabe fighters. We all identify with every type because at some point we've been there...
... battling our competitors and our minds.
Executing the plan,
get into Leadville.
But, as the great Mike Tyson sagely said...
... Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
Which is what the start of every race always feels like.
Today, was no different.
5-4-3-2-1 and we're all redlined hitting the opening climb...
... aiming to enter the single track at the top leading, or right there.
Because after that, the next 5 miles are very difficult to pass.
Too narrow.
And, there's lots of passing to be done as we generally roll up on the group that started ahead pretty quickly.
During the first 5 miles...
- Me
- Dean
- and Greg
... our podium was pretty much set.
We traded pulls that first lap,
and entered the second and final lap on the same time.
Here is where I had to make a decision...
- Greg was distanced just a bit
- Dean seemed to be slightly struggling
- The Ol' Diesel was feeling pretty good
... race for the podium or for a good time?
They are different things.
I decided to just ride my pace.
A gap slowly opened,
then, a lot.
I couldn't see them.
Just settled in.
Stayed on top of my nutrition,
kept the pace at tempo or above...
... as much as I could.
20 minutes later,
Dean, that crafty sunnavagun,
was closing on a longish climb.
Race for the podium or stay on pace?
I stayed on pace,
the gap opened back up...
... and I kept my helmet on a swivel the rest of the way in.
Let me just pause for a moment and reflect on how good it felt to be out on my bike and riding well. It had been a rough last couple of days on several fronts, and this morning...
... I just wasn't feelin' it.
Surfergirl sensed it.
You okay?
I dunno.
You're gunna do great.
Not sure I care.
Some days are like that,
sometimes it's on raceday
sometimes it's on workday
sometimes on familyday.
We always have a choice...
... to buckle up and fight
or not.
I'm glad I did.
All went according to plan, except like a newb I neglected to look at the time I should be shooting for: sub 5:10.
5:11
FTW.
I'll gladly take that and the gold coin allowing me entry in Leadville.
===
165ish
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: body weight squats and split squats
85/88/-3 per Strava
>
ANDALE PUES
WE MADE IT TO LAGUNA SECA raceway. Checked in, got the race plate, twisties, and free t-shirt...
... then, the pass.
Big bucks, for Surfergirl's pass to walk into expo area,
which she was determined to do.
As the best support crew ever...
... she wanted to see the start/finish and feedzone area.
Proper.
I got in fir free because, I'm a racer.
My mission was to see...
- Andrew, director of marketing at Cervelo
- Ard, owner/founder of Kogel bearings
... a few new customers.
That was fun,
so was running into a bunch of friends...
... which is one of the best parts of being part of a community for a long time.
Once we got to the start/finish area...
- who is your main competition?
- I dunno who's coming.
- when will you come through for second lap?
- around 11-11:15 (2.5ish hours after start)
- which kit are you going to wear?
- something bright to match those crazy shoes
... she peppered with me with the usual questions.
We're ready.
Andale pues!
===
165ish
8ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: body weight squats and split squats
81/62/19 per Strava (someone's tapered)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TRAVELIN' TO RACES HAS IT'S BENI'S AND CHALLY'S
GETTING OUT THE DOOR for local meet up is raceday in miniature. It's still easy to forget the bottles/gloves/shoes or arrive late...
... even for the practiced.
The horror!
A lot of infoolencers will post and vlog...
- terrain
- protocols
- equipment set up
... about the event itself.
Which got me thinking...
- where to stay
- restaurants
- travel mode
... a race travel channel would be cool.
For Sea Otter, I always look forward to breaking up the six hour drive.
It's about 3 hours to Buelton, a little more if you take the scenic route outside of Santa Barabara used by Tour of California...
... and stop in Solvang because your trophy wife wants to.
Why?
Because it's Solvang.
What are we going to do?
It's Solvang.
The Flying Flags RV park has been my layover for like eight years...
- resor-style pools
- Industrials shepherd's pie is insane
- Ellen's Danish Pancake House fueling Saturday's race.
... since Zone2 turned me on to it.
After years of overselling it, I finally got Surfergirl to join me.
Laguna Seca or bust!
===
165/12.6% (wanted to be a lot lighter - oh well)
7.5ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 20 push ups, 5 pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: body weight squats and split squats
83/68/14 per Strava (someone's tapered)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DRESSING FOR SHREDDING
Oct 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WINTER IS A COMING. Even here, along the coast it gets cold. The humidity gets right into your bones...
... it's so tempting to overbundle up.
But, I don't do that any more and sometimes it gets a reaction.
Aren't you going to freeze?
(I love it that she still worries.)
No, not gonna freeze. I dress for the riiiiide...
... not the rollout.
I've seen many a rookie kitted up for a polar express only to wonder where to stash the parka and mittens 20 minutes into the ride.
Been there done that?
Hopefully not lately.
I get it.
It's so tempting.
First, we have to escape the grips of our covers.
Then strip and put on cold lycra.
Stumble to the garage.
Cold helmet.
Cold shoes.
Cold gloves.
Wo. Wo. Wo. WO!
You don't do that last part do ya? Hellmet no!... the lid, shoes and gloves are in the house... and even if you're as chincy as me with the thermostat set low, it's still a lot warmer than the gair-auge.
Sometimes, when she's not looking, the bike is even in the house.
Yep.
Anyway, it takes practice and guts to dress for the ride vs the rollout.
Part of my practice is the Weather Channel app, the hourly updates for the coldest parts of the ride I plan to hit...
... the guts is just toughing out the first 5-10 minutes.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
Off the bike, I like to keep warm with this stylish beanie.
We have these available in 4 colors,
and they ship free.
$20, delivered to you.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
---
161.1
7.5 hrs
17.1% b.f.
60.5% h2o
1 lite Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU'LL NEVER LOSE AGAIN
Oct 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND'S LICENSE PLATE IS EPIC. It spells out his mantra, and something he's ingrained into everyone he works with, even his wife and kids...
... it's NVR DNF.
Never Do Not Finish.
As long as we finish the race, we will always win.
Always.
Maybe not the top of the podium,
Or a PR shattering time.
But, the lessons we learn,
and strength we develop,
through perseverance,
will always lead to,
winning.
Or, as the great Jacob Riis said
When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two...
... and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
That's the crazy thing about PRs...
... the more I hammer on cracking my own PRs, the more likely I am to hammer the competition.
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
---
159.9
8 hrs
17.8% b.f.
60.0% h2o
1 lite Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
MYTHINFORMATION
Oct 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
CONTINUING FROM YESTERDAY'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of how easy it is to get fast these day, I got to thinking how often we buy into...
... massive mythinformation.
And, what to do about it.
Just think about it...
- Soda is healthy - early 1900s
- Cigarets are good for us - '50's
- Slapping fat-free on everything - 90's
- "Smart" phones make us more productive - 00's
But, the thing that is really bugging me now is...
... you can't put on muscle after a certain age.
I've found that to be utter nonsense.
It's right up there with the idea we should give up on being active as we get older.
Look at the picture above.
The evidence is in.
Get going.
Now...
... and keep going 'til we're 6' under.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
Now, more than ever, I'm chasing PRs.
When I'm doing my strength rotations I love wearing the new Supertech T.
Made with the same incredible, Italian fabric we use on our jerseys.
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
---
161.3
8 hrs
17.7% b.f.
60.1% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IT'S TOO EASY TO GET FAST
Oct 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S TOO EASY TO GET FAST NOW, and it bothers me. Before the interwebs, before Eddie B, there was really only one piece of top secret training advice which came from the great Eddie Merckx...
... Piles of miles.
Who the heck knows how that managed to make it to my little college town in the middle of nowhere.
Now look at us.
We can dive into...
YouTube's myriad free tutorials
Instagram's briefs
Twitter's tweets and links
Amazon's hundreds of books
Podcasts that go deep into every aspect of performance
Plus, the coaching industry pioneered and legitimized by Chris Carmichael, spawning thousands of quality coaches.
And don't forget, the many media companies broadcasting all the major and many of the minor races with quality, entertaining and educating commentators.
It's become too darn easy to get fast...
... and I love it!
After decades of racing and riding, It's crazy to think of all that...
... I have learned and implemented in the last 3 years.
There is no end in site, and no reason not to radically improve.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
The 10-Week Challenge just keeps getting better and better.
I'm adding to that knowledge and updating things all the time.
In the next couple of weeks I'll start testing out a new piece of equipment.
We had a saying in our fraternity...
... there's always a better way.
Keep Challenging Yourself
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
161.9
7.5 hrs
16.8% b.f.
60.7% h2o
3 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HARD TIMES ARE BEHIND US
Oct 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I HAD DINNER TONIGHT WITH MY MTB OGs. Let me just give you a taste of the shenanigans we we're up to...
... back when things were hard.
Not those things.
The suspensions and tires and materials we used.
Think of a 35 lb bike made with galvanized steel plumbing pipe,
skinny tires pumped up to 60 lbs to avoid pinching,
bars as wide as your shoulders,
and no chamois.
We didn't care.
We didn't know better.
There was nothing better than finding a new stream of dirt that cut across a perilous hillside with some logs and giant boulders...
... and riding it over and over till it was mastered.
Then, and only then, would we invite the rest of the crew out for a ride and pretend to discover said new trail.
Never seen this before.
Let's check it out
Oh, shift!
That's the best entertainment I ever had.
... making it look easy, while the others ghost rode their bikes off 8' drops.
It wasn't one-sided.
Everyone had a just discovered, must ride trail,
everyone came home bloodied and bruised,
bikes broken...
... huge smiles.
Stupid?
Yeah.
Bonded for life?
Yeah.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
A lot of times we didn't wear helmets...
... a beanie would have offered better protection.
We have these available in 4 colors,
and they ship free.
$20, delivered to you.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
---
163.9
7 hrs
17% b.f.
60.6% h2o
2 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I GUESS I HAVE A BAD REPUTATION
Oct 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S FUNNY HOW MANY PEOPLE I INVITE TO RIDE WITH ME who turn me down. There are two main reasons...
... one of them is legit.
The most common reason comes from people who never ride with me, are newer to the sport and who are certain I'm way too fast.
But, let's just take a look at a typical week and see if this group is justified.
Typical week for me is 2 hard days and 3-4 ez daze.
They are so certain, Your easy days are too hard for me, they won't even join me for jaunt around down. The best part is, when they do...
... they halfwheel and wanna drag race the entire time.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to have a casual conversation and knock out some recovery Zone 1 miles or lay down some Zone 2 base.
When they do join, if I can get 'em to behave, we end up having a great ride getting to know each other better. Occasionally, this type of rider will get sucked into my evil ways and venture out on a hard ride...
... and wind up shellacking me over time.
I'm down with that most of the time, except for when they get into the second group that turns me down for a ride...
... the SOBs that are too fast, and unwilling to let The Old Diesel tag along.
Like all bad reputations...
... what comes around goes around.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
One of the fun things I get to do is deliver on a customer's suggestion, like JIm L's...
Can you make me a calendar that is a little smaller than the Giant size?
Sure.
So, we did that, then for fun I added it as an option...
... and turns other people like that size and are purchasing it as well.
Got any ideas?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
162.6
7.6hrs
16.5% b.f.
61% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US
Oct 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AT A LARGE FAMILY GATHERING TODAY I was stalked. Two different guys separately pulled me aside and started grilling me...
... really, they rescued me.
Rather than being my awkward and introverted self, we got down to the nittygritty of training and riding and fall colors and local roads and do you know so and so's...
... because they'd heard what I'd been up to this past summer.
What they wanted to know is what can they do to be better on the bike. Same thing I'm always wanting to know. We checked out of the family chitchat and it made for a fun afternoon.
It got me thinking...
... about Elvis Costello's What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?
As I walk through this wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darnkess of insantiy
I ask myself, is all hope lost?
...
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
People are watching us, yes, they wanna be fit and fast...
... but, really, we all want to know who we can trust and where we can find harmony.
Too much for a cycling blog post?
Maybe.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
But, it's definitely woven into the fabric of being RaceDay Ready™.
When you take the challenge, you'll receive daily emails for the first 10ish days... and yes, we cover more than lycra and sugar water.
I'll be detailing exactly what I'm doing to shatter PRs and ride faster than I ever thought was possible.
After that, I add an email any time I think I've found a breakthrough that needs to be shared.
It's free.
Try it.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
161.6
7.8hrs
17.5% b.f.
60.2% h2o
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME
Oct 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I MADE A BIG MISTAKE TODAY, one I hope you'll avoid. The consequences could have been lifechanging...
... I got lucky.
85 miles into my ride, including a blistering 90 minutes with the local hot shots, I turned onto a very lightly traveled bike trail.
It's somewhat skinny.
Poorly maintained.
Very twisty.
It's also up and down some steep pitches, and it's nice to carry momentum...
... which is what I was doing.
On a blind turn, my innervoice yelling Don't cross that line...
... I just couldn't resist.
My speed was high, my trajectory perfect, and c'mon...
... nobody is ever out here.
But, there he was.
A surfer and board on an ebike.
Me, 10" into the his side of the narrow trail...
... about 30mph.
Shifffffffft!
He turned right,
I clamped on the brakes,
Rear end locked and I counter steered,
The curb to my right was coming up too fast,
No longer skidding, leaning hard left away from the gutter,
I slid in for a relatively soft landing in the dry and clumpy dirt.
A cool and caring kid, he turned around.
Hey man, you okay?
Yeah, I think so. How fast were you going?
Not that fast, you were on the wrong side.
I know, I'm sorry.
No worries.
I've ridden that trail manymanymany times, and always been respectful of the blind turns no matter how much I wanted to coast up the next steep pitch.
Not today.
I was greedy.
And veryveryvery fortunate.
Another, of 1000s, lesson learned.
- Obey the innervoice
- Never trust a blind turn
- Neverever cross that line
Phew!
How was your ride?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
I was so very grateful I had on my superlight fullfinger race gloves...
... even in 80 degree weather, my hands are cool and protected.
We have lot of colors in stock.
And, it's Buy One Get One... no promo code need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
162
7.2 hrs
16.9% b.f.
60.7% h2o
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
SHIFT JUST TAKES TIME
Oct 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THIS MORNING WAS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS I'VE HAD on my paddle board, and it reminded me of something I often forget...
... especially when with newer riders.
I harkened back to the crusty crank I met a million years ago at the local bike shop, when I was just starting out, full of enthusiasm...
... It takes 3 years to know what kind of racer you are!
Today, the waves were decent size, the water glassy, the crowd small...
... and I caught a bunch of fun rides.
Sure enough, it took me 3 years to do that.
To unlearn prone surfing, figure out how to paddle and balance standing up, get the right size board and trim my paddle height to match my body and style, find the right beach break, learn the best tides...
... it just takes time.
Sound familiar?
Learn how to pedal properly, figure out how to handle the bike, get a pro bike fit and top notch bike, find the races that suit us, train with the best riders...
... it's worth it, if you want to master something.
Time + Effort = Excellence
We can reduce the time via good coaching and caring mentors...
... sometimes I forget that too.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
It took me years to figure this out, are you ready for the challenge?
It's awesome, and free.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
162,2 lbs
16.9%
60.7%
8 hrs
3 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE CULTURE AND REPUTATION REVOLUTION
Oct 05, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AROUND THESE PARTS there are long standing group rides. Some have been going for nearly 70 years and are named after streets that no longer exist...
... but the culture continues.
Isn't that amazing!
Wanna know how it works? Apply to a club you are forming? Business you are starting?
I was thinking about this today on spin down to meet the Swami's Wednesday Worlds, a ride I discovered back in '86 while living in San Diego.
The guys that put it together were the best racers in the county.
Road racers like the legendary Olympian John Howard and coach Arnie Baker.
The inventors of triathlon: Scott Tinley, Scott Molina, Mark Allen.
They're long gone from the scene.
But, the tone they set continues to blast up and down the coast every Wednesday 40 years later.
They built a culture of ripping each others legs off.
If you couldn't keep up, too bad.
Get better.
That culture created a reputation that expanded throughout Southern California. If you wanted to test yourself, get down to Swami's Wednesday or Saturday ride.
Which is what I was doing this morning.
A reputation like that becomes a huge magnet for kindred and fierce spirits. As more people joined in...
... the culture got stronger.
That's a virtuous revolution:
- Strong, defined culture
- Creates reputation beyond the core group
- Brining in more participants
- Creating a stronger culture.
It starts with culture.
It's maintained with consistency.
For group rides,
that means starting at the same time, at the same place,
and having rules
like waiting for the dropped or not waiting,
riding an insane pace or only recovery.
I've applied, and continue to apply, those principles starting my own group rides, raising our family, running a business.
Just another lesson I learned riding my bike.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
If you're into learning stuff, check the RaceDay Ready Challenge
It's awesome, and free.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161.6 lbs
17.8%
60%
7ish hrs
3 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
TELL ME ALL YOUR THOUGHTS ON FOOD
Oct 04, 2022
by TODD BROWN
FOOD, MAN I LOVE GOOD FOOD. On the bike, off the bike, wherever and whenever, if it's good count me in. But, I always struggle with...
... how much and how often.
On the way home for a legripping ride today I was feeling great, and I think it's for two reasons:
- I got to bed early enough to get the min. 7 hours of sleep (5am wake up)
- I ate a lot and often
So how much food to fuel 60 miles, 4700' of vert and an average pace of 19mph?
- 2 bottles with 240 calories (Skratch: 2 scoops of Hydration and 2 of Superfuel
- 2 Honey Stinger Waffles
That's 800 calories.
The warm up is a pretty easy 50ish minutes of zone 1 and 2, 1000' of vert.
The ride, well, it can be brutal.
Often, I'll cruise the 27 miles home because I'm smoked. But, today was a test and it showed that eating a lot more allows me to keep a good pace for the entire distance.
Truth is, I think I should have eaten the 3rd waffle in my pocket.
Shooting for 400 cal/hour when the pace is high.
What about off the bike?
A few do's and don'ts
- Don't get hungry
- Do eat fewer, bigger meals
- Fast occasionally
- Do eat more protein
- Do eat or pound a recovery drink right after
That's it for now.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
For a recovery drink, I'm liking 3 scoops of the chocolate Skratch.
Use promo code BESTTHINGS to save 25%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
161.8 lbs
17.7%
60%
7ish hrs
1 strength rotation
10 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
A HARD RACE IS GOOD TO FIND
Oct 03, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WELL, I WENT AND DID IT. I signed up for the Belgian Waffle Ride. I now have 6 months to figure out how to race a gravel bike for 8 hours over 130 miles and 11,000' of vert ...
... my palms are sweating.
There is so much power to found in a hard race.
1 Deadline X Insane Challenges X Massive Distance = Become Better
BWR has a reputation of humiliating the toughest racers.
The Waffle version.
I did the Wafer in Utah last year. Had a blast. Finished 5th overall, but the promoter doesn't care about the Wafer. Rightly so. It's about half the distance, with the hardest features missing...
... he knows forcing us to our limits will give us the biggest rewards.
Why am I doing the Waffle version?
- For the challenge
- To find out what's possible
- To bump gloves with my fellow soul riders
I say Soul Riders because only a handful harbor any fantasies about winning...
... the rest of us are in for the adventure.
131.7-miles / 212-Kilometers
~11,000 feet of climbing
10 categorized climbs
Steepest grade of 23%
19 off-road sectors / 50-miles worth
3 KOM Sectors
3 KOS Sectors
3 KOD Sectors
9 Feed Zones
Water crossings
Yeah, it'll be kinda hard.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Have you started to fill out your Giant RaceDay Calendar™...
... which has the week starting on Monday, and Saturday and Sunday at end of week because that's how racers view their weeks.
You know we can make these in your team colors, just go here.
The calendar ships free.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
162.4 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE ON A BIKE
Oct 02, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'VE DONE A LOT OF THINGS ON A BIKE, some are pretty cool, but one stands above the all...
... and it never gets old.
I starts with getting a friend out on a ride,
could be a sibling, neighbor, child, parent, lover.
Next is teaching them everything I know. Not everything there is to know, but everything know.
Finally, and the best part, is when that friends goes far beyond anywhere I've been: faster, further, and much more accomplished.
Nothing better.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
One thing is getting them up to speed on nutrition.
Use promo code BESTTHINGS to save 25%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
162.2 lbs
17.8%
60.2%
8.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
A WEIRD WEIGHTLOSS BREAKTHROUGH
Oct 01, 2022
by TODD BROWN
HONESTLY, I THINK THIS WHOLE WEIRD BREAKTHROUGH is the result of watching Remco dominate the Vuelta. At 5'5" and 140 lbs, he is a thick, powerful muscle vs most waifs at the top. What does that have to do with the jumbo gentleman at the concert last night...
... who was sitting on a low wall and kept standing?
Up down,
up down.
Essentially, Jumbo Gent was doing squats.
I might call them air squats, but this dude was heavy. I was once a lot heavier, not this heavy, but I get it.
While Stevie Nicks belted Stop Dragging My Hear Around, I imagined doing squats all day with 50 or 75 or 100 lbs on my back...
... or more.
My legs would be cooked.
But, they weren't ever cooked back then, and near as I could tell JG wasn't gonna wake up this morning regretting a massive squat day either.
Suddenly, my own practice of doing daily squats with weight might made a lot more sense. The daily practice builds muscle, doesn't take but a few minutes...
... and results in more strength.
Standing on my fancy Garmin scale this morning, I noted I am up a few pounds since August, which was when I got back into my strength routines, but that my percentage of body fat has remained steady.
In fact, it's down a bit.
Tying it all together, what if instead of focusing on weighing less...
... we shifted our goal to lowering our percentage of body fat?
Remcos in the making?
It sure puts food choices in an entirely different light,
along with regular strength training.
Will this spike my sugar and convert to fat?
Does this contain protein?
Do a quick set.
Make time.
Something to think about as we head into the heavy season of candy, turkey and glutony...
... we become what we eat, and do.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
No matter how sexy we get, it's still a good idea to cover up when changing...
... which is why we have the awesome changing poncho.
Get an InStock design...
... or one in your team colors.
Use promo code LEAN to save 20% on InStock designs.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
---
162 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
8 hrs
1 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT KIPCHOGE
Sep 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE KENYAN SHUFFLE? It's not a dance move, and has nothing to do with cycling...
... but, everything to do with training.
If you watch the shuffle here you'll see the fastest runners in the world shuffling, barely running, for much of their training.
Need validation?
Euclid Kipchoge is without question the king of marathon...
... the only person to ever run a marathon under 2 hours.
You can read about the intensity of his training here in this detailed and wellwritten article.
For the gazillionth time.
... you can't ride hard enough, if most of your riding isn't easy enough.
Ride easy,
Ride hard,
Race FAST!
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Most of the time, my hard days are Tuesday and Saturday, and I'll often block out on The Giant RaceDay Calendar™...
... which has the week starting on Monday, and Saturday and Sunday at end of week because that's how racers view their weeks.
You know we can make these in your team colors, just go here.
The calendar ships free.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
162 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
8 hrs
1 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
THE BEST LEGAL PERFORMANCE ENHANCER
Sep 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY I'VE FOUND to achieve maximum performance. It's not a drug, or a training regimen, or food strategy, or more rest, or anything else you can think of...
... but, oh boy!, does it work.
It's more than a deadline, more than vengeance.
For me, it's all the above and it starts working the moment I throw down some cash...
... and register for a race.
Not just any race.
An A race.
That's when all of the above, and a whole bunch more, combines into what is essentially...
... the best legal performance enhancer available.
Which is why when it comes to A races I like
- At least 1 per year
- No more than 3 per year
For me, I've gotta have at least 1 per year to keep my overall fitness and no more than 3 to keep from burning out.
This year, it was two A events. Leadville and the SurfNSummit. One down, one to go.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
I can hardly wait to pick one or two or three out for next year...
... and start building around them on The Giant RaceDay Calendar™.
How about you?
Got plans yet?
The calendar ships free.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
161.4 lbs
17.2%
60.4%
8 hrs
1 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ON BIKE HANDLING
Sep 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ ON BIKE HANDLING, was a book on archery, written 74 years go, by a German, in Japan...
... just after WWII.
How can that be?
What, a German doing business in Japan a couple of years after the big one?
Or, a book on archery teaching bike handling?
Well, I'll tell you as briefly as I dare.
The German, was young and fit, and very proficient at using a compound bow...
... you know, the kind that have all the leverage to make pulling back easy.
He went to shoot with old monks, seemingly too old and feeble to shoot at all...
... let alone a massive long bow.
How could these small, ancient men pull back a bow so easily and shoot with such accuracy...
... when he could barely pull a long bow back at all.
The answer lay in the muscles used...
... and being relaxed.
For example, the triceps of the arm pulling back was loose and flaccid. Not tense. Not being used.
The monks engaged only the muscles necessary to pull back the bow...
... every other muscle was at rest.
What does that have to do with bike handling?
Everything.
What does it take to slow your bike?
Two fingers.
To hold your handle bars?
Two hands.
To pedal seated?
Legs, butt, core.
It took me a long time to learn to stay relaxed in all conditions...
to hold onto the bars with my hands while my arms are loose and relaxed,
to brake with 1 finger on each lever, without clinching every other muscle,
to pedal seated, uphill, while my upper body is calm,
to breathe easy vs holding my breath if it got scary,
... you feel me?
Can't say enough about the book. I've read it may times over the years. It is short, concise, beautiful...
... and taught me ton about holding onto things.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Ripping the local trails today, while holding on loosely to the bars...
... I realized my cleat needed adjusting.
Thankfully, I had a minitool stored in my Mini RaceDay Bag™.
You'd never know it though because this little bag is made from innertube and keeps everything...
... snug and quiet.
Use promo code ZEN to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
1614 lbs
17.4%
60.4%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
I GOTTA STOP SMOKIN'
Sep 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER GETTING WHACKED BY THE SHOWOFFS on our local group ride, I limped home. Tail between my bibs. Work was impossible. I took a phone call...
... a raspy, tired smoker.
That's what happens when you gasp and gulp air as quickly as possible...
... you sound like you been smokin'.
I was smoked.
It wasn't that the overall speed was outrageous.
Didn't even get one single PR.
The Old Diesel was smoked by showoffs relentlessly attacking...
Attack
Attack
Attack
... and attack some more.
The problem is, I love that shift...
... ain't quitting the habit any time soon.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tmwc
It was especially saucy today because the word is out...
... our unOFFICIAL world championships is going down in 3 week.
If you're local, come join us for a quick morning smoke.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tmwc
161.6 lbs
17.1%
60.2%
7 hrs
1 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY I'M RIDING LONGER RIDES
Sep 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ARE YOU ADDICTED TO GLASS? Is it tough to tear away from the computer screen, the phone, the watch, the TV...
... do you have a problem?
I do.
And, working from home hasn't helped.
It's worse.
The antidote, for me, is outside.
- on the bike
- in the water
- on the sand
Anything to break my addiction.
There are a few tricks to take advantage of this increased time.
1. Nevereverever bring headphones. Bring the phone if you must. But, only to take pics and pay for things.
2. Bring a friend. It's good to be physically connected for our social lives and having a friend to talk to will ensures I keep the pace conversational.
3. Keep the pace easy. Zone 1, Zone 2. This allows me to soak up my surroundings, to notice all the beauty in the real world.
And for Pete's sake (poor Pete), train outside as much as possible...
... on your bike,
... in the position you race in.
Consider this shameful admission a public service announcement. If not for you...
... for some poor, lost and drifting soul like me.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
When you go out, go out in style... PS I goofed, see below.
If you like it here's a promo code to save 20%, RETAILRACERS ...
... I goofed on the code the other day, it works now.
Expires 9/30.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
---
161.6
7 hrs
2 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
THE POWER OF A GOOD GRUDGE
Sep 25, 2022
by TODD BROWN
FEW THINGS ARE AS POWERFUL AS FEELING SLIGHTED. All great coaches know this, so do the bad ones...
... grudges are powerful.
How do us racers harness that?
Just watch Remco Evenepoel. You think he didn't have payback on his mind at the Vuelta...
... or today at the World's?
I've harbored my own grudges and gained surprising power.
Most, nearly all, are manufactured and made up nonsense. Stories I tell myself of being dissed by so and so...
... that just fire me up.
But, that's the danger with a grudge.
We do get fired up, and in the heat of the moment we say and do things we end up regretting.
Real grudges are for losers.
They are silent killers, cancers festering and ultimate destroying our powers and abilities to perform at all levels.
Fake grudges are for winners.
Fun stories we make up and...
... tack on the bulletin boards of our minds.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
I don't put on boxing gloves...
... but, I do love these superlight race gloves
We have lot of colors in stock.
And, it's Buy One Get One... no promo code need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
161.6
8 hrs
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
RIPPING ON A BIKE WITH NO NAME
Sep 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IS THE HAYDAY OF RACE TEAMS GONE? Sometimes I wonder. Used to be you showed up to a group ride and the one weirdo wore off the rack clothing, while the cool cats...
... sported their team colors.
Not any more.
The hitters on today's ride were not only riding in retail clothes, but they were ripping it up, and here's the problem...
... you can't tell who's f'real.
And it gets worse.
Not only is everybody incognito...
... most of these demons don't even race.
So,
- no team colors
- no resume
- no bs
I like it,
and I don't like it.
I like seeing fresh colors and palettes,
I don't like not knowing who's gonna make it hurt.
After a few miles, things sorted out and it was easy to spot the players. But, how to identify them if not by team kit? I resorted to
- Beard
- Too tall
- Skinny tall
- Young asian
- Hairy blond kid
- Matchy couple
- ... and Hulk
Got a better idea?
Do you like the trend?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
How about this look?
If you like it here's a promo code to save 20%, RETAILRACERS ...
... code will expire Sunday, 9/25 at midnight.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
---
160.7
7 hrs
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
FAKE NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
Sep 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
PERSONALLY, I LOVE FAKE NEWS. And, I love creating fake news. It's just so dang fun...
... to fake people out.
Let me give you an example of the kind of diabolical nonsense I'm capable of.
First, there's the immediate and sensational news.
This I like during a race, a road race, where the action is shoulder to shoulder. We can hear each other breathing, see how we're holding up. This is a perfect time for some fake news like:
- Faking I'm tire, gassed, can't pull through... when I'm feeling strong like bull.
- Faking I'm fresh, crazy fit... when I'm barely hanging on.
Then, there's the long game.
The great Bobby Fisher did something for 10 years before battling the Russians in chess. Don't hold me to it, but it was something like playing left handed and then all of the sudden playing right handed. It was so outrageous, if that was it, that it through them off their game and he became World Champion.
Here are a few I've pulled over the years:
- Purposely losing or getting dropped in races and rides leading up to the A race.
- Secretly training and not posting online.
- Training and racing on a markedly slower bike, then I race on.
Of course, that was long ago.
I'd never do that now.
But, you might...
... it's the kinda thing that can score a win, when brute force isn't enough.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
I'm more into PRs...
... no need to worry about me
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
161ish
7 hrs
1 Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
ONE THING I WISH I WOULD HAVE STARTED SOONER
Sep 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT TELL ME THEY ARE GOING TO START riding or lifting or the 10-Week Challenge is astounding to me, because they almost always have a reason to postpone. I get it, there is a lot to do in life, but...
... there is one thing I wish I would have started a lot sooner.
Because it gives huge benefits and takes little time, when done correctly.
- Posture
- Strength
- Confidence
- Ankle mobility
- and more
Strength work is gold.
And yeah, my ankles are firing again.
I notice a lot more action in my ankles when pedaling, and walking. It happened a few weeks after I added calf raises and it's cousin toe raises. All of the sudden, I'm pedaling like a kid again...
... especially out of the saddle.
There are all kinds of reasons to start a strength routine NOW...
... but, the biggest is you're gonna wish you started sooner.
I do.
If you don't know where to start, take my 10-Week Challenge. I layout a solid routine anybody can get going on...
... you can do anything for 10-weeks.
Plus, you probably establish new, lifechanging habits.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
It's free.
Get going!
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161 lbs
17.3%
60.4%
7.7 hrs
3 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE 100' RULE
Sep 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO CALCULATE HOW TOUGH A RIDE IS compared to other rides. One of my favorites is the one I use to determine if it was flat, rolling, climbing day, or worse...
... horrendous and hillacious amount of vert.
Sometimes, some routes seem really climby and they're not.
Other days, it feels like all we did was climb and we didn't.
I was thinking about my rule while riding my topsecret XC training loop - you can check it on Strava.
Here's my rule:
- 100'/mile or more is a climbing route/course.
Anything less, is rolling or flat.
I logged 19ish miles and 3600ish feet of vert this afternoon...
... almost 2x my rule.
Why is that important?
Because when I am looking at an upcoming race or ride or route, I can quickly see the amount of vert per mile and then get an idea of how rough it's gonna be it's always good to drill deeper and...
... see if the climbs are stacked or spread out.
But, that's my rule.
Check out your next couple of rides or your last couple.
Watch that ratio.
Let me know if you have a different rule.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
I'll use it as I start to look at next year's events I'm considering.
Yep, it's time for a new Giant Wall Callendar...
... so I can see everything all at once.
With Saturday and Sunday at the end of week...
... to grasp the race weekends.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
160.9 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW TO LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Sep 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
HEY, WE SHOULD STOP AND GET A BREAKFAST CONE. For sure. I'm jonesing for a Vanilla Bacon or a Chorizo Chocolate...
... such is the conversation as we return from our early morning leg ripper.
We didn't get the ice cream cones.
They don't exist, yet.
But, it got me thinking of how we take our loads off...
... because nobody can see what we are really carrying up the climbs.
- One young feller has 6 kids, a serious volunteer commitment and a bigboy corporate lawyer job.
- Another is struggling to keep his financial head above water.
- Then there's the cat who has it all together, but who's bestie is in a serious battle with cancer.
Sometimes that wheelsucking...
... is just lifesucking.
Which is why we keep our leg ripping rides regular, hard, and mostly social.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
We don't have secret handshakes, but we do have some snappy gloves with matching socks.
Which you can buy one pair, and get the second pair free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
161.1 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
7 hrs
1 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling
THIS ONE THING WILL KILL YOUR TRAINING PLANS
Sep 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TOMORROW I HAVE A HARD TRAINING RIDE PLANNED. It's already kinda bugging me, to the point I'm already thinking of excuses to put it off...
... so I'll have to make one very important decision.
A yes, and everything will fall into place and be easy.
A no, will be even easier.
A maybe...
When it's time to go, all I really need to do is put on my HR monitor...
... after that,
bibs
jersey
socks
shoes
gloves
helmet
glasses
... go on easy, and I'm out the door.
Once, I'm out the door...
... it's on!
If it's a no, I can go back to bed.
If it's a maybe,
if I'm foggy,
If I'm slow...
the time will pass,
I'll miss the workout,
and won't be able to go back to sleep.
Yes is good.
No is kinda good.
Maybe is definitely death.
To make it easier, I'll lay all my gear out and ready to go before I go to sleep...
... HR monitor, on top.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Which means my Mini RaceDay Bag™ will be on my road bike, ready to go...
- a nozzle
- 2 cannisters
- a mini tool
- dynaplug darts
Use promo code HATELOVE to save 20% on the bag and darts.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
160. lbs
17.7%
60%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling
I HATE RACING. I LOVE RACING.
Sep 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
RACING FOR ME IS A LOVEHATE RELATIONSHIP. I hate racing, everything about it. I love racing...
... everything about it.
I hate racing because it constrains my time
I love racing because there's a deadline.
I hate what competing brings out in me,
I love what competition brings out in me.
I hate feeling I could have done better.
I love knowing I left it all on the course.
I hate saying no to cake,
I love the feeling of a healthy body.
I hate paying to race,
I love the commitment when I lay down the cash.
I hate going to bed early,
I love waking up early to get it all done.
I hate the expense of a race bike,
I love the precise feeling of a race bike.
I hate lifting weights,
I love feeling strong.
I hate mechanical failure,
I love that I can now fix most racing mechanicals quickly.
I hate racers who take it seriously,
I love racers who take it seriously and show me what's possible.
I hate losing,
I love learning from my losses.
and...
I hate admitting all this,
I love that you can relate to most (all?) of it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Racing or not, the mini RaceDay Bag™ is perrrrrrrrfect for carrying just what I need:
- a nozzle
- 2 cannisters
- a mini tool
- dynaplug darts
Use promo code HATELOVE to save 20% on the bag and darts.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
161.6 lbs
17.7%
60.1%
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
SMALL CHANGES FOR BIG RESULTS
Sep 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, I got back into bike racing and started having success after a few years by implementing a series of small changes. They were discoveries...
... it took time.
It always takes time, and a lot more than we want it to take.
Here are a few of the small changes
- No bread
- No sugar
- No soda
Not all at once, over years.
Little by little.
The good news, for racers, is that most competitors
- Try to do it all at once, get frustrated and quit
- Quit before they figure it out
- Are just lazy
Make small changes,
keep moving,
don't quit.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
You can find the rest of my small changes here.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
160.9 lbs
17%
60.6%
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE CHAMPIONS... OF THE WORLD.
Sep 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND DAVE IS COMPETING in the UCI World Championships. Yep, he made the team. He's already there, and posting pictures and...
... we're expecting big things from our local boy.
Not in Australia, with the Pros.
Trento.
Italy.
With the age groupers.
There are all kinds of World Championships.
All kinds
Pro.
Amateur.
... and my favorite, TMWC.
Yes, the most important championship in these parts...
... the Tuesday Morning World Championships.
You might think you have something similar in your area, but does yours have
- A 19th annual showdown?
- Awards?
- Ca$h?
If it doesn't, why not?
Have some fun.
We do.
Past champions include Pro Tour DSM athlete Kevin Vermaerke... he was like 15. Plus Andrew Vollmer and other youngster who went to pro contracts.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/unofficial-tmwc-2022-19th-year
It's free, unless. you want the SuperTech T
If you do, use this promo code: TMWC22
If want do something like this for your ride, I gotta guy.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/unofficial-tmwc-2022-19th-year
HOW BAD WAS THAT RACE?
Sep 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT RACING, is the not knowing. Not knowing who is going to show up, what teams will be there, how the weather will be, how I'll be...
... the further out the race the more mystery involved.
As it closer, somethings are more clear but there's always a big question...
... will it all go well?
Hopefully, yes.
But, shift does happen.
When it does, it's easy to get derailled,
want to quit,
give up.
By labeling it bad, is bad.
doesn't help at all,
makes it worse.
Now, when things don't go according to plans I have supercharge for good:
- This will make for a much better story
- I won't make that mistake again.
- That saved from something
I got a million responses...
... they're rarely bad.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
The bigger the ride, the more possibilities for better stores.
We're gonna have some doozies after this...
... registration closes 9/18.
The adventure of the year for us...
... are you coming?
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.9 lbs
17.6%
60.1%
7.5 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
BUT, WOULD YOU DO IT?
Sep 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
OUT AND ABOUT ON THE TRAILS TONIGHT, I came across two young lads. I'd followed them up the easy route, back to the top. As I closed in...
... I could see they had stopped to look at something.
Their heads were perched above the grass, and I could tell they were investigating something.
What could it be?
Dead animal?
Fallen rider?
Oh, I see.
You guys gonna ride that?
Well, you could take this line but it's a little rutted out from the rain.
You gonna ride it?
I think it would be better over on the left.
Are you gonna ride it?
If I do it, I'll def drop in slow and land to the side before I try and hit the huge step up.
Are you gonna ride it?
Oh, no way man. We're just checking it out.
I know that feeling.
Vertical entry for first 30 feet, another 60 slightly less steep, then straight up the other side into the air, hoping you clear the 20' gap to the landing that is 10' higher than the top of the jump.
I don't actually know the feeling of jumping something like that, but I'm very familiar with analyzing the crud out of something well beyond my capabilities and...
... simply living with the thought, What would the be like?
Makes my hands sweat just thinking about a jump like that.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Just another reason to wear these superlight race gloves, with real leather palms.
I wear 'em year round, rain or shine, hot or cold.
You can wear 2 pair for the price of one.
Just add to your shopping cart and the discount will be automatically applied.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
159.8 lbs
17.7%
60.8%
7 hrs
1 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
THE BIGGEST TEMPTATION
Sep 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OVER and I'm facing the biggest temptation. It's one that could ruin everything next year. It's not that delicious chocolate twist I ate last Friday...
... something far worse and sinister.
You, of course, are far wiser and more disciplined.
I'm trying to be...
... my friends aren't helping at all.
Todd, you're so fit right now let's go do Barnburner.
Can't.
Bro, Masters Crit Champs this weekend. You're going right?
Negative.
Grizzly 100 is coming up, you're gonna slay it.
Nope.
Those are pretty easy to say no to.
- They cost money
- Involve travel
But, it's never the big temptation that gets ya.
The Devil leads ya slowly down to hell...
... one pedal stroke at a time.
It's the group rides, that can get carried away,
and the months away race where I want redemption, that can make we want to train,
or a PR I wanna get after one more time.
These little innocent efforts can add up and instead of rolling into 2023 chomping at the bit like the thoroughbreds we are...
... we could up old nags searching for the oat bag.
The difference between excellence and prettydarngood, in my opinion, is how fresh we are...
... not just physically, but mentally.
As the great Bon Scot said...
... It's a long way to the top, if ya wanna rock n roll.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
Part of getting to the top is mental, a big part.
Gotta stay fresh and organized so as not to waste any mental bandwidth.
Did you know we have Triathlon Specific RaceDay Bags™?...
... talk about a group with a lot of gear.
The pockets are specially marked for out Tri brothers and sisters.
Check 'em out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
---
159.9 lbs
17.6%
60.1%
7.5 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I HAVE AN INHERITANCE PROPOSAL FOR YOU
Sep 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WOW, I'M SO FLATTERED! I've been waiting my whole life for an offer like this. Finally, all the blogging and vlogging and fbing and youtubing has paid off...
... with an inheritance from Princess Roselinda.
Got the email today!
It is so dawgawn tempting, but if there's one thing I've learned racing and pr-ing...
... we make our own fortune.
Sure, we might inherit some good DNA, but DNA...
... ain't nothing without TNA.
Not that T 'n A, get your mind outta my gutter.
This one...
... Time 'n Aspiration.
Put in the time,
stay focused on what we want.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Do it in chunks.
I like 10 weeks.
Have you taken the challenge?
It's free, so it's easy to start and quit.
Which you won't do, because you're not a LOOOOOOOOOZER.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
162.1 lbs
16.6%
60.9%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW STRONG DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Sep 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT WAS A HARD RIDE, but not insanely hard. We were working hard, but not breathing too hard. It is a ride with a reputation for being hard...
... because the riders are hard.
But, one guy is the hardest of the all.
By far.
When he's there, everybody is very conservative because when he attacks its all most can do to simply hang on...
... the ride is actually easier.
When he's not there, everybody is frisky and feeling like that got a shot...
... making the ride harder.
Which begs the question how strong do you want to be?
Strong enough to sniff the front when the hardest riders are absent or strong enough...
... to dish it out under all conditions.
You gotta risk it, to get the biscuit.
And, lathering up with PR Lotion is a good way to increase the odds of success.
Here's a crazy deal for you nonbelievers
Use this promo code to save 25%: PRsMadeEz
---
163 uh oh
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
THERE WILL BE FLATS TODAY
Sep 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, I stumbled into the garage anxious to divert a potential disaster. It was raining for the first time in months and would continue to do so, which meant only one thing...
... there will be flats today!
I unscrewed the valve cores,
poured sealant like chemist,
aired back up.
The first time I messed around with tubeless I felt like I was handling radioactive material. The whole concept...
... was laced with suspicion and superstition.
It took about an hour to do two tires,
last night it took 10 minutes,
tops.
Was it worth it, adding an ounce of sealant?
Yep.
Sprung a leak a half mile from the start of the ride.
Sprayed sealant all over my leg and bike.
Sealed and rode 50 more miles.
No prob.
Meanwhile, I saw multiple guys stopping with flats. Such were the road conditions.
Do I miss tubes?
Nope.
Do I carry tubes?
Nope.
I carry darts and cartridges.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
If the hole is too big, or the sealant is dry...
These are easy to use and work most of the time, unless it's a huge tire slice.
Use promo code: FlatsStink
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
161
6 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
IF YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DO THIS
Sep 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A FEW TOPTOPTOP LEVEL PROS who have displayed remarkable crossover talent. They snag gold medals and win big stages...
... it is tempting to think we should do the same.
But, I don't think it's the way to be the absolute best.
It's refreshing to mix in a lot of different styles of riding and racing. It's fun and challenging to mix things up...
... and comes with a cost.
Pidcock raced some road last year and won a Olympic Gold Medal in MTB,
he raced a lot of road this year and finished off the podium at MTB World's.
Van der Poel raced a lot of road last year and was a favorite for Olympic Gold MTB,
he crashed badly in practice and really hasn't been the same since.
Unfortunately, to be the best...
... we might have to be boring.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets/products/custom-name-raceday-wallet
You know what's not boring...
... what's really daring?
Nothing says I'm committed like a wallet with your goal on it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets/products/custom-name-raceday-wallet
---
160.3
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
0 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
PEOPLE I RESPECT
Sep 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ITS HARD TO EARN RESPECT IN THE PELOTON. If you're new to town, new to sport, clothes aren't cool, body a different shape, helmet askew, legs unshaven...
... there's always gonna be a reason to be disrespected.
I respect the riders and racers who:
- race a challenging category vs the easy win
- back down their pace to keep to their plan
- stop to help fix a flat
- teach others etiquette
- have long range plans
- pull through
- stay in the back when the front is too much
- plan a group adventure
- work on their skills
- fix their own bikes
- ride bikes they can easily afford
- keep the original bike that got them going
- bring enough food
- head up a team
- start a group ride
- help the youth
- teach how to handle a bike
- get up early, stay up late to get it all done
- keep their cool while racing
- hold their line
- pull a straggler up to the group ride
... chase their own PRs.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
The thing I like about this shirt is it's only for those who get it...
... outsiders won't get it, but you do.
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
---
160.2
7.75 hrs
1 strength rotation
25 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
SOME COACHES TALK ABOUT LIMITERS
Sep 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
LIMITERS IN COACHSPEAK are the things we're not great at. If you're not good at sprinting, power to surface area could be a limiter. Not a good climber, power to weight...
... these aren't bad things.
They are just things we have to deal with as racers and people getting after our PRs:
- Gravity
- Aerodynamics
Are two of the biggest.
Don't wish they didn't exist, they are what makes it all so fun and challenging...
... the ultimate rules of the game.
As the great Jim Rohn said...
... Don't wish things were easier, wish you were better.
Of course, sometimes being better is really easy...
... there's no way I would ever show up to a race without PR Lotion.
It's that good.
Here's a crazy deal for you nonbelievers
Use this promo code to save 25%: PRsMadeEz
---
160 lbs.
7/5 hrs
59.5% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE?
Sep 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE REASON THE RACEDAY READY 10-WEEK CHALLENGE™ works is simple. It is not a goal. Goals are not the secret sauce, neither are affirmations...
... they've never gotten me to where I want to go.
It took me a long time to figure this out, and I don't want you to waste all that time if you can avoid it.
So, here goes.
The 10- week challenge is all about doing:
- the right activities
- consistently
- over time
That's it.
The goal is to do the work, every day, for 10-weeks.
That we can control.
Winning?
Can't control that.
Can't control the competition.
Can't control the weather pattern.
Can't control countless things on RaceDay...
... but, we can control what we do ever day to get ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
I'm starting another round of the challenge myself..
... getting ready for the Surf N Summit.
There's always something on the horizon.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
160.2 lbs.
8 hrs
59.6% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU STILL CHEATING?
Sep 05, 2022
by TODD BROWN
NOBODY LIKES A CHEAT. But, many of us cheat. Too many. I used to be big into it, regularly cheating because I'd read somewhere it was a good idea...
... to have a cheat day.
That was then, this is now.
One of the takeaways of this summer's epic quest was the value of not having a nutritional cheat day, a day of gluttony, a day zero discipline...
... was taking 4-5 days to drop the gained weight.
Here's what happened when I stopped cheating myself:
- Sugar cravings never activated
- Weight stabilized a few pounds lower
- Not having the slothful feeling from binge eating
A cheat meal,
a dessert,
a treat.
Sure, occasionally.
Like today,
with family and friends...
... better after a good ride or workout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
Days like today, can be like a triathlon. A ride, a long walk, maybe a swim.
Might have to bust out the TRIATHLON Specific RaceDay Bag™.
The pockets on this bag flow with marking specific for Triathletes...
... one of my favorite new products of '22.
If you have triathlete friends they'll love it, if you have triathletes on your team let me know and we'll add the bag to your team store.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
---
160 lbs.
8.5 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IS IT OKAY TO LET YOUR FITNESS SLIP?
Sep 04, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY FITNESS IS SLIPPING. This summer, just before my A race I saw an all time high, according to Starva. I had shot it to the moon...
... just in time to taper and rip at the race.
I learned how to do that last summer.
It's a secret combination of workouts, intensity and duration.
They say you can't maintain top fitness year round, and I agree...
... but, not because of the physical demands.
Those are hard, but they are also fun. A lot of fun. It's bike riding for hecksakes.
So, why can't we maintain high fitness year round?
Me personally, it's the mental game.
To balance the secret workouts with running a company and being involved with family and friends takes extreme efficiency.
- No time can be wasted.
- Every second must be planned.
If not, the wheel of life becomes untrue at which point I ask myself...
... what that heck am I doing this for?
So, there you have it. I'm letting my fitness slip a few notches because I want to and...
... I think it's healthier in the long term.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Which means, more than ever the principles of RaceDay Ready must be adhered to...
... so when I do ramp up the riding, I'm strong like bull.
The second I see my weight creeping up too far, I get right back to obeying the 4 Don'ts of the challenge.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161.8 lbs. (probably gonna be this week)
8.5 hrs
60.1% Body Water
0 Strength rotation
0 minutes recovery
115 minutes reading + Journaling
RESULTS FROM THE $20 TRIATHLON
Sep 03, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOMETIMES YA JUST GOTTA BEAT UP THE KIDS. Today I won a bet placed 14 years ago. I love betting long range...
... especially when it's with my kids.
It all started after my then 15 y/o son Shane smoked me in a 5k. That bet was for $30...
... each time he lost, the amount we reduced by $1.
It cost me 29 bucks...
... you can't buy entertainment like that.
As we walked home after my beating, I plotted my revenge. It would have to be a long way out, get him past his prime, busy with career and family...
... put us on equal footing.
Well, it went down today.
Trevor, Spencer and Surfergirl joined in.
At precisely 945, we rode out to the local mtb trails. They were all on MTBs, I rode what was left. My gravel bike.
It wasn't close.
Stage 1 goes to Old Diesel.
Stage 2 was at the beach.
A short run up and down the coast followed by a swim out to a buoy and back.
First, I warned the lifeguard that a bunch of yahoos were gonna running then swimming farther out than most...
... You're all good swimmers right?
Yes.
Truth be told, neither Shane or I had swum in years. But, Trevor and Surfergirl we looking forward to the stage. So was the runner, Spencer.
While the kids lit out, the Wile E. Coyote in me set a sensible pace...
... the secret is to be able to breathe when the swim starts.
As I rounded the buoy, everyone was behind but Trevor was gaining fast...
... nooooooooo.
All my planning with zero training was about to sink...
... $20 more dollars to these punks?!
But, ya know it'll be a wet day in helk before before the Old Diesel stops chugging.
The only question now is...
... how long until the grands think they have a shot?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
Not only did I give up my racewinning MTB...
... but I shared this goodness to there would be no excuses.
Use promo code FUELMEUP to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
159.4 lbs.
8 hrs
59.9% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU WATCHING THE RETURN?
Sep 02, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IMAGINE RIDING YOUR BIKE FOR THREE WEEKS through beautiful country, on ribbon-like roads cascading through glorious mountains, and regularly bouncing down to startling coastlines...
.... would you return?
La Vuelta, translated The Return, is my favorite race to watch and this year is better than ever in terms of viewing and racing action.
Remco should win it.
He looks unbeatable.
Which means, if he does, next summer's Tour de France will be off the charts.
But, that does not explain why I love La Vuelta so much...
... I love it because the riding is more explosive.
Shorter stages
Steeper climbs
Riders with something to prove
When you think about it, that's a great reason to return to a race or race at all...
... prove to yourself, and everybody else, you've got what it takes.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
Which is exactly what I'll be doing tomorrow at the showdown...
... aka Brown family triathlon.
Question is, will I share this goodness with my competition?
Use promo code FUELMEUP to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
1588 lbs.
7.5 hrs
59.8% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
SHOULD WE BE COUNTING CALORIES
Sep 01, 2022
by TODD BROWN
A WHILE BACK I WAS RIDING WITH A FRIEND new to the endurance/epic adventure game. He loves it. He's addicted. He's hungry to know more...
... so, I invited for a little 80 miles of gravel.
It was going pretty good at the start.
His handling skills have come along way since our first ride a few years ago
His position on the bike is finally set up by a pro
His bike is in good working order
His fitness is much higher...
... but, two and half hours in he was fading, hurting, dragging.
You eating?
Oh yeah.
How much?
Oh I had oatmeal before I left.
What have you had since then?
Nothing.
Well are you drinking calories?
Oh yeah.
How much?
A scoop of Skratch in each bottle?
And, there's the problem. He's bonking. Not enough calories...
... yes, we should definitely count calories.
Depending on the intensity and the duration I'll do from 0 to 400 calories/hour.
Here's a basic look at what I do:
One hour recover ride,
just water, unless I'm hungry. If I'm hungry I'll grab a handful of nuts or maybe a scoop of Skatch.
Two hour endurance,
for sure a scoop in two bottles, and some food in the pocket in case I get hungry.
If it's race pace,
I'm doing 2-300 for an hour event,
3-400 for 2 hours,
400 for 3+ hours.
We stopped and downed a soda, some chips and he loves Skittles...
... ain't nothing better than sugar when bonking.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
Here are some of my go to calories
Use promo code FUELMEUP to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
158.9 lbs.
7.5 hrs
59.9% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW DO YOU SPELL CONFIDENCE?
Aug 31, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WHETHER CHASING A PR OR GOING FOR THE RACE WINNING MOVE, it comes down to confidence. Do you believe? A friend told of an epic race and battle that came down to 6" at the finish...
... he finished 6" behind the winner.
Proudly he told me the other day...
... I lost that race because I didn't believe I belonged there.
Imagine that.
Battling for hours
Culling the herd
Not believing...
... not having the confidence to finish it off.
So, here's how I spell confidence...
... P-R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N.
But, it's more than that because we've got to recognize...
... and remember all the work we've put in.
He's going back to that race soon.
Not only prepared, but confident like a shark among prey...
... I wish I could be there to watch him feed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/all-marble-supertech-t
I'd be wearing one of these killer SuperTech T's...
... they are so good for this time of year.
On and off the bike.
Use promo code TODDSFAVET to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/all-marble-supertech-t
---
159 lbs.
7 hrs
59.7% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
MY KNEE HURTS
Aug 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I KINKED MY KNEE TONIGHT. Happened during the last sprint of the local leg ripper. It's an out and back, and we set a vicious pace heading out. With a tailwind pushing us...
... it was fast and brutal to hang on.
Pro tip: if you attack into a tail wind, it's hardashell for the chasers to catch because there's not much of a draft to work with.
On the way back, the headwind was akin to getting clubbed in the helmet each time we pulled through...
... and when I say we, I mean the seven or so actually working.
Everyone else was hiding, saving it for the sprint or just shot from the roost down to the turn around.
About a mile to go, things started to take shape.
It would be foolish to be anywhere near the front if one had intentions to sprint.
A half mile to go it's straight as straight can be. A downhill spilling onto the final...
... flat and always fast and always with wind from the left side finish.
Manuevering up to what I figured would be a good position, I was waiting for the front to implode and following last week's winner...
... perfect position.
Except that sneakybastard Rramsey comes flying by...
... pegged to the fence on the right with no way to latch on and get any draft.
Plus, he's going sodang fast!
And, that's where I think the kinking happened...
... because like a dog chasing a car, I just had to give it a shot.
Pray he would fade.
I passed a couple of cats who blew...
... and felt my own blowing coming on.
I should pulled up.
I haven't been sprinting since waywayback in early March.
Which is a problem.
Because if you haven't been sprinting regularly, and you really getting after it on a long one...
... it can really jack you up.
Good thing I have a bike so i can rehab.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
There won't be an sprinting on an adventure like the SurfNSummit...
... riding from San Clemente to Big Bear and back.
130ish miles and 15000ish feet of vert to get there, then recover for a day, and return.
The code below expires on 8/31, are you going to use it?
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 8 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160 lbs.
7.7 hrs
59.8% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE BEST RACES ARE FREE
Aug 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE BEST RACES ARE FREE. Well, that's mostly true, at least for me. Because I've had far more fun setting ridiculous challenges for myself than..
... paying to be challenged.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE racing. But, chasing PRs has always been more satisfying to me.
The pay off, of course, is multifaceted.
- The satisfaction
- The confidence
- The fitness
My all time favorite goes back decades to the first time I discovered Harding Truck Trail.
It's a 9 mile gravel road, that climbs 3000'.
My PR is 1:03.
A good time, but not outrageous. Most of my friends have gone faster...
... in fact, most have gone under an hour.
Which was always my goal.
I think that's why I like Harding so much...
... because it's just not my thing.
Because it's not my thing, when I train for it and really focus on long sustained climbing...
... I push way beyond what comes natural to me.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Another benefit of chasing PRs is always being fit enough to take on an adventure like the SurfNSummit...
... riding from San Clemente to Big Bear and back.
130ish miles and 15000ish feet of vert to get there, then recover for a day, and return.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 9 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160 lbs.
7.7 hrs
59.8% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW HARD ARE 'A RACES?
Aug 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S PRETTY FUNNY ISN'T IT? You've just finished your big A race of the year, your friends and family are equally congratulatory and astonished. You just rode your bike farther than manyt have driven in the past 6 months...
... and they think that was hard.
Did you ever consider the shape of the letter A?
Two lines, meeting at the top...
... like us training to meet our destiny.
The line across the middle, that is what nobody else can see: the plateaus, the breakdowns, the illness, the fatigue or the fatigue...
... we blasted through, sometimes patiently, to get to the top.
Yeah, the race was hard.
But, you should have seen what I did to make it happen...
... that was monumentally difficult.
Done right, the A is dessert.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
That's because we have a good grip on our goals...
... like the good grip on our bars with the Superlight Race Gloves.
Have you jumped on the BOGO?
Right now, you can buy gloves and matching socks...
... and the socks are free.
No promo code needed, it's calculated at check out.
Just be sure to put both items in your cart.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
161.8 lbs.
7ish hrs
60.3% Body Water
0 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
But nowhere near how hard we pushed prepping.
INDOCTRINATING A FRIEND INTO MY EVIL WAYS
Aug 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IF YOU'RE FRIENDS AREN'T BLEEDING you're not pushing them hard enough. Really? Well, maybe. But is it really that bad...
... if you're still smiling at the end?
Today I took a friend on a little recon of our SurfNSummit ride.
I bill SurfNSummit as a gravel ride, but it's really a Frankenride:
- Road
- Gravel
- Singletrack
If you can ride a road bike, you can ride a gravel bike on the the road no prob, on gravel slight prob, and on singletrack...
... big prob.
Unless you're an MTBr.
Even then, the skinnish tires, lack of suspension and drop bars take some getting used to.
It's so easy to grab a ton of front brake on dusty, steepish trail...
... go bibs over bars.
Which happened today, with minor abrasions with lotsandlots of dust.
The thing I appreciate about all my friends is their attitude...
... It's only a flesh wound!
Dude, you're bleeding.
I'm ok.
I'm sorry.
Don't be, it was my fault.
Yes, I'm evil...
... I'm gonna push you to the limit, sometimes beyond.
At the 100plusyearold, outoftheway General Store, my scraped up pal called me out on my hypocrisy. Not the...
... We'll take an easy route, one.
Worse, he thought.
I thought you don't drink soda?
I do.
And Reece's Peanut Butter Cups?
Yep.
BBQ chips?
Love 'em
But, you preach against all that.
Not on a 5 hour adventure.
Oh, my Padawans have so much to learn.
On the way back, I really got my hooks into him.
His heart rate was waywayway higher than mine. It was bumming him out. I knew I had him...
... and I pounced.
Are you ready to take your fitness to a new level?
Yes!
Ok, you gotta do my 10-week challenge. Can you handle 10 weeks?
Yeah, I think i need to do it.
It's gonna be hard.
That's okay.
We'll see.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I hopepray he does it, because I know what it will do for him.
Plus, he's doing the SurfNSummit and donning this sexy jersey...
The ride Frankenride from Dana Point to Big Bear...
... in 10 weeks.
My diabolical drive knows no bounds.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161 lbs.
7.2 hrs
60.1% Body Water
0 Strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Aug 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE CLOCK IS TICKING, but do you hear it? Probably not, because it's digital. I know I don't hear my stop watch when I'm working my legs over wtih the Hypervolt, 3 minutes per leg until pain subsides...
... that might be part of the problem.
Its easy wind up at the end of the week wondering where the time went?
Didn't get all the work finished.
Didn't get the rides in.
Didn't get it done.
This is gonna hurt some of ya...
... great athletes are great time managers.
Especially, the amateurs.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
It's definitely a focus of RaceDay Ready For Life.
The details aren't final, but you can get a hint of what we'll be working on in '23.
Check it out here:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158.9 lbs.
7.7 hrs
60.3% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
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