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LIFE IS PRECIOUS
TAKING RISKS these days ain’t what it used to be. Most of us live close to civilization. If we were to take a tumble, emergency medical services…
… would be helping us, whisking us a away.
Within minutes.
I thought about that, plummeting down a lonely dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Life and death.
About 90 years ago, my relatives were working a sawmill they’d built (see pic).
A young cousin was manning a large log,
the timber bucked,
catching him.
His leg was gashed.
The others gathered to try and help…
- · 50 miles to town
- · horrendous dirt roads
- · no communications, no helicopters
… but there was nothing they could do.
He was dead in minutes.
Prior to stopping at the sawmill site,
I gotta ping on my cell phone.
Service is spotty at best out here.
Our daughter had gone into labor,
they’d easily made it to the nearby hospital,
doctors and nurses and all the supplies were ready.
===
Update: mother and baby are happy and healthy!
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/168/-2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE DIFFERENCE
KNOWING THE ORIGIN of things can be empowering if we can tie it into who we are and how we operate. But, in today's connected world...
... it's easy to operate unconsciously.
Asleep.
Which is why I've sold my rather large extended family on the virtues of trekking...
- no cell service
- rustic cabins
- tents
... out to the homestead.
Land my great great grandpappy lived on for 3 years to secure the title...
- where my grampa rode out the Spanish flu epidemic
- where my dad spend his summers cowboying
- where I spent a few days every other year
... over 100 years ago.
Some of the distant cousins still ranch,
most of us are city slickers.
Soft.
Unacquainted with the land.
How it...
- feels
- smells
- sounds
... when we're living unplugged.
You know what I'm getting at right?
The feeling we have when rolling with a group,
talking and sharing...
... because plugging in would distract from the experience.
Living.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/193/-23 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOOKING BACK AT TRANSFORMATIONAL
[as I prep for my A race, I thought I'd look back how I felt the last time I did it, in 2022]
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
175/223/-49 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BAKING CAKES
HOW DO WE KNOW it's time to bring the high volume phase to an end, when preparing for the A race of the year? It's a lot like baking a cake...
... at some point we gotta put it the oven.
And, wait.
If we stretch out the build phase too long,
we run the very real possibility of over cookin' it...
... winding up burnt.
Crispy.
If we stop too far out from the A race,
well, then our training ingredients...
... might never rise.
Leaving us flat.
I'm sure there's some real science we could tap into,
or the wise voice of a trusted coach.
Barring those options, I lean toward...
- feeling exhausted
- not wanting to get outside
- residual, never-receding muskul pain
... as my top indicators.
I'm officially there.
Couldn't come at a better time.
I'll be spending an extended weekend...
- mainly talking
- hanging out
- relaxing
... at the family reunion.
Oh, that cake analogy...
... now is the time to give the training into deliciousness.
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/201/-32 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE STRONG
THE TOUR DE FRANCE took a big tumble today. Jonas, running in 2nd place, a previous winner and excellent bike handler failed to navigate a very tricky turn...
... and broke his clavicle.
Sucks.
Before the news hit, enlightening us all to one potential factor in causing him to go down...
... I was already thinking about why some crashes happen.
More importantly, why some hit the deck and shatter, while others...
... pop back up and keep racing.
My thoughts were self-centered of course.
The effort to do hundreds of...
- pushups
- pullups
- squats
... building up my body's ability to handle what is thrown at me, late into a ride or race?
It feels like it is,
as I feel in complete control 5 hours into a stout offroad ride.
At the same time,
am I putting body in a state where it is more likely to bend vs break?
These thoughts were going through my head as the skin and bones Jonas was clearly in massive pain.
Then, I heard the unthinkable.
After traveling hundreds of kilometers from yesterday's race to today's,
arriving very late in the evening...
... he was awakened for a drug test at 2am.
No matter what we are doing to keep our bodies in top shape to handle the demands of racing...
... missing sleep when we are already exhausted is a formula for disaster.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
174/228/-55 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY, IT'S ROUTINE
IN THE QUEST TO SQUEEZE IT ALL IN, we learn to develop and rely on routines. Do something consistently, and it becomes rote. Boring in the sense that...
... we don't have to think about it.
Saving us all kinds of mental energy, as well.
Here are a few examples that made today's ride, much better.
20 minutes into my 2 hour sprint to meet Smiley, I felt my rear tire losing a ton of air...
- added air with CO2
- noticed a leak
- plugged it
... took less than 60 seconds to diagnose and repair.
Thought I'd better text him to confirm my ETA, and noticed I'd left my phone at home.
Doh!
But, I have a reputation for being on time and it's routine for me not to wait, so...
- I pressed on
- arrived at Cook's at 9
- didn't see him there, waited 2 minutes at the trailhead
... and we blasted the climb together.
Mostly together,
he always starts out hotter than me,
becoming my top rabbit to chase and pace.
When I rolled up to the general store for my Saturday fix, 4.5 hours into the ride, parched and empty, without my phone to pay...
- popcicle
- Mexican Coke
... I didn't have to beg, because they know my m.o. and that I'm good for it.
And, that's just a smidge of routine evidence for operational mastery.
Carry on.
Oh, and in case your wondering...
- a mini tool
- 2 CO2s + 1 nozzle
- Dynaplug RacerPro (4 plugs)
... what's in my mini raceday bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-mini-raceday-bag-2-0-isd
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/263/-86 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
PRUNE, FOCUS, EXECUTE
HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPETENCY is a matter of choice. And, that's the challenge. In a world where we can do anything...
... it's easy to reach the end of the day having done nothing.
We know better.
Starting with pruning the options...
- uplifting
- challenging
- beneficial to others
... leaving only the good stuff.
Then, we focus...
- attracting
- believing
- feeling
... with the blinders on, seeing only our end goal.
Executing daily...
... continuously improving.
Very nice you say,
but make it practical.
Ok.
Here's an example.
I really enjoy racing and riding my XC mountain bike.
Knowing that, I've built up a race-ready rig...
... and taken it to the next level.
Most recently, that meant rebuilding the suspension...
- removing the Brain
- replacing a bunch of parts
- and all new lubes and fluids
... which now is supremely supple and plush, fork and shock.
When we are unwilling to prune, focus and execute...
... we are in our comfort zone.
The case there would be comfort with absolute crap vs...
... demanding the best performance we can aquire.
Got it?
===
165lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/169/-9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY?
AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, the set up of our equipment is highly personal. The reason is simple, we are putting in a massive amount of time. And, the minutest adjustment...
... can muck it all up.
A lot.
Leading to anything from a niggle to a...
... Screw it, I'm done with this sport.
So it was with great care that a swapped out my cleats today.
They weren't completely warn out, but they were a little sloppy and replacing them now vs a week before my A race seemed prudent.
I scrubbed up...
- pictures had been taken of the current position
- the area around the cleats taped off
- tools and lube lay at the ready
... put on my operating apron.
The procedure went as expected,
no complication.
The patient was warned to take it easy the next few days,
and expect to feel some initial discomfort.
Physical therapy, in the form of bringing a torque wrench on the next few rides, was presribed.
Like the idiot I am, I promptly headed out for 90 minutes and a fair amount of climbing...
... stopping for many adjustments.
Got close to the old position,
gonna take a few more rides to reach nirvana.
PS... if this seems dramatic, or overkill, blame my dad burning this lesson into my young impressionable mind. his first lawyering job was as a malpractice attorney and the first case was defending a doctor who cut off the wrong leg.
===
163.6 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
6800 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SCREAM
DURING THE LARGEST BUILD PHASE, the miles and hours are waywayway bigger than our norm. It can be daunting, overwhelming...
... we need a reward.
Beyond kudos.
Something to see us through.
Which is exactly what I was thinking today,
halfway through what will like be my biggest week of the year.
Building for Leadville.
The route would be much longer than my usual Dirty Wednesday...
... and it hit my like a icy bolt from the Silver Surfer.
If I stayed on the pedals,
I'd have time to stop by the General Store.
A hundred year old building I usually only visit on Saturdays.
The point being...
... the always have the best selection of Mexican popsicles.
I was flooded with a memory of my dad, and his favorite saying...
... I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
And that was all I needed to get me through the summer heat.
Today.
What will it be tomorrow?
165.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 110 push ups, 22 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 110 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/217/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS 'A' SUPER COOL CAT
MOST OF US DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY of the famous group rides. I'm not talking about the one 5 locals started a couple of months back...
... I'm talkin' the legendary loops.
And, their morphing iterations over the years.
I was reminded of how our heralded TMWC...
... took it to the next level by adding some extra credit.
Called the A loop.
About 10 years ago, Super Dave Koesel made a great suggestion.
We should add on to the ride.
Why?
So we have something to do vs waiting for the guys at the regroup.
It took us a few iterations,
carving our way through a neighborhood,
adding on two punchysprinty climbs.
Finally, we had it perfected,
arriving just in time to meet the crew...
... and keep rolling full gas.
Plus, since we had just started cracking the hour on the original TMWC, back then...
... now we had an updated hour goal.
We've hit it on the A loop multiple times,
even got closer than we've been lately today, 1:02:54 (for me)...
... could it be because Super Dave was back in town, after years of being gone?
===
ICYMI... Super Dave is an aero genius... Remember when 3T came out with their aero gravel bike, years before that was a thing?... yeah, that was Dave's project.
Here's a link to his current company... look to see top secret versions of these bikes at the Olympics.
===
167 lbs 12.7% (I keep telling myself I'm 10lbs over goal because of all the strength work, but we all know it's because
7ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/216/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT SONG!
WE AIN'T SERIOUS if we don't have a our own battle song. The one we can count on when...
... well, all the time.
Could be a playlist.
Mine, current fave for firing up...
... Born To Run, Frankie Goes To Hollywood version
On repeat.
Now Chuck shared a forgotten gem with me for raceday...
... Kickstart My Heart, by Motley Crew.
Surfergirl on vacation...
... Don't Disturb This Grove, by The System
To get pumped for motos in the desert the kids loved...
... Animals, by Nickleback
When I head off to the pearly gates, my beatbox will be humming...
... Low Rider, by War.
What's yours?
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
5900 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/181/-22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT THE EFFORT THAT COUNTS?
WHEN TRAINING FOR THE 'A' RACE, if we're really all in, it's imperative that we prepare by doing the work demanded by the course. That means we have to nail the pace...
... we can sustain.
Or do we?
Lemme splainit.
Say, I'm training for a punchy event with lots of power climbs...
... short 1-5 minutes, repeating.
I could do intervals at a specified power output...
... or I could go for the burn I know I can barely handle for 1-5 minutes.
Or, take my upcoming Leadville MTB race, I know the pace I need to sustain to meet my goal finishing time.
Training the effort required...
... is part art and part science.
The science might say we need to put out an average of X watts...
- getting over a steep, short pitch
- hustling to catch a group
- tucking a long downhill
... the art is knowing when to go above or below the power needed.
Being intimately aware of the effort > callous commitment to pace.
===
165 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/209/-46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS POLARZING
THE DEBATE RAGES ON, whether or not polarized training is valuable for the unwashed or is it just for the uber elites putting in bigbig hours. To really get a grasp on the argument...
... let's look at from other perspectives.
Take marketing.
In marketing, we tout what makes us special, unique, desirable...
... while pointing out the enemies of our awesomeness.
For example, when it comes to bags I might communicate dome bags with everything piled inside are just complete trash and chaos...
... where as our RaceDay bags make raceday smooth, easy and successful.
In politics, the party we align with makes the others out to be stupid, incompetent and evil...
... where our party is full of benevolent geniuses.
It's the same with...
- religion
- sports teams
- abortion, climate change, guns, borders, etc
... topics never to be brought up at Thanksgiving dinner.
What does this have to do with training and us?
I'm just trying to set the stage....
- too much time in tempo
- not enough aggregate training
- inadequate or non-existent recovery
... polarized training has enemies, too.
I was thinking about that today,
because I had a great day with the fellas.
Here's how I set it up...
- Monday Z1
- Tuesday romping group ride, all zones all out
- Wednesday high Z2
- Thursday low Z2
- Friday Z1, barely tapping the pedals
- Saturday, 6 hours at Leadville pace with nearly 2 hours at threshold or above
... finishing the final ride, feeling pretty darn good despite 9000' in 80 miles.
If you disagree...
... then, I have succeeded in providing you some polarizing thoughts on polarization.
===
165.4 lbs 12.7% <- this blubber has got to go!
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/241/-74 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GOING TO BE HIDDI
TRAINING FOR AN EPIC ride or race is always tricky. It's so easy to over do it on the preparation when we want to be confident that we are ready...
... to go the distance.
Battle hardened.
So, when I put together tomorrow's route and added...
... It's going to be hideous.
I had to ask myself...
... What the heck are you thinking?!
This goes against my plan to prepare for Leadville this year by staying under
- 5 hrs
- 8000'
- 80 miles
... fresh and not torched.
Aiming for more power,
and efficiency.
We're going to over every one of those metrics tomorrow,
plus it's a group of hitters and we'll be hitting it.
Yes, I could pull the plug,
or just not show.
But, who are we kidding when we say stuff like that?
(Hideous rides call to my soul. How 'bout you?)
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/152/-1 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING WHERE WE WANT TO GO takes great discipline. Not to be distracted by the lady in the red dress is...
... a skill that deserves mastery.
It's not easy.
Time and time again, ripping the course, we have to ignore the obvious perils and...
... stay focused on our goal.
Going as fast as possible,
error free.
Oddly,
limiting our vision to the best path forward is relaxing.
Calming.
Requiring less energy.
Ultimately, a heckuvalot faster.
So, we practice the skill all the time and when we have those Oh shift! moments...
... we forgive ourselves, and reset.
Perhaps the great Emerson said it best...
... What we are, that only can we see.
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/98/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
THE SLIGHT EDGE
BECAUSE WE USE OUR GEAR every day, we don't always notice the performance is degrading. It's gradual, and we are...
... more concerned with our own numbers.
But, the gear matters.
If we remember anything from the dominance of Team Sky it's...
... marginal gains.
They matter.
Not necessarily individually,
collectively they stack and become game changers.
So are the marginal losses.
I share this as a cautionary tale.
While in Park City a few weeks back,
bombing miles and miles of sweet single track...
... my fork went from finicky to very funked up
My pal Chad helped me get it working enough to enjoy the trip.
As soon as I returned, I rang up the local suspension whiz Mike and gave him the situation.
He ordered parts from Sram to rebuild and improve the fork by replacing the Brain.
Simple enough,
and 7 weeks before Leadville.
Dropped off the bike Monday, planning to have it back for the weekend and continue to perfect my oneness with my steed.
Hey Todd.
Hi Mike.
We gotta small problem.
Uh-oh.
Sram sent the wrong parts.
Dang.
Yeah, it's gonna be another 10 days.
Is the suspension torn to pieces?
Yes.
Ok, I understand.
Now, here's the part we all need to understand...
- we need to stay on top of the maintenance
- allow plenty of time for parts to arrive
- and for the mechanic's schedule
... in order to have the slight edge we need on raceday.
===
165.8 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 125 push ups, 25 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 125 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/103/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
2026 TUESDAY MORNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE LIT
ABOUT THE MOST FUN we can have is upping our game for the weekly group ride. The good ones all have memorable names. Just saying them sparks...
... anything from fear to fun.
Like The TMWC.
A ride we started 24 years ago...
- 30+ riders every Tuesday at 630
- most wearing the ride's kit
- with an annual throwdown
... and is still ripping today.
Today wasn't any ol Tuuzdee...
- the regulars
- the outta towners
- the first timers hoping to hang on
... it was the unOFFICIAL 2026 Championships.
4 categories...
- Women
- U35
- U50
- U100
... racing for glory.
Bragging rights for a year.
The course has never changed, but...
- fullgas from the start
- even paced 'till The Wall
- saving it all for the Corkscrew finish
... the raceday never plays out the same.
Today unfolded with bouts of massive power,
dropping to conversational,
and back at it.
The only thing that was the same was Alessandro...
... pulling off the first Threepeat.
He was so far off the front the camera crew mistook him as some cat who happened upon the course...
... except he raced up The Wall with god-like speed.
Put over a minute on lil' ol' me,
and nearly everyone else.
Insane.
Priscilla crushed the women's field,
snatching longstanding, legit QOMs.
It's not all about the wins, though.
Juan was voted most-improved,
and Eric picked up rookie of the year.
These aren't participation trophies ...
... they represent outstanding effort, week after week.
Congrats to these cats....
Overall
Alessandro
Kody
Andrew
Women
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Still reading?
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===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/100/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHO HAS THE BEST TdF ANALYSIS?
THERE ARE A LOT of professional pundits pontificating the particulars of each stage of the Tour de Frants. Then, there's the amachurs. Us handlebar hams...
... handing out our homemade takes.
Who's best?
Certainly it's not Velo's...
Jonas Vingegaard was left choking in Pogi's exhaust and came to the line two seconds back after the 1.7km hilltop kick to Les Angles.
... latest retarded hyperbole.
Cycling News' take...
A devastatingly-long and sustained acceleration by Tadej... with a two-second advantage.
... wasn't much of an improvement.
Jonas said it better...
It's a shame, of course. But when we started the Tour, we expected to lose time... so it's a good starting point that I'm tied on time with Tadej.
... and more accurately.
But, he's not selling ads for eyeballs.
My eyeballs and ears like to take in...
- Chris Horner for pointing out the knucklehead moves of the day
- Lance's podcast for the entertainment
- GCN's breathy and breasty euroness
... if I have the time.
And then there's NBC's crew...
- I do feel for Brent and TJ having to educate the unwashed with silly cartoons and goofy bets
- No way I could ride the sissybar like Christian or do the man on the course stuff like Steve
- Amid correcting, Bobke does a good job as the straight man
-
Phil may miss a few deets, but that voice is still gold to me
... collecting a solid paycheck.
Nothing wrong with that.
For actual, pure analysis...
- concise
- relatable
- insightful
... I think Tom Danielson does it best.
He delivers it via blog, vlog and podcast.
You're probably thinking Nice job taking potshots at people just trying to do their jobs...
... to which I'll counter, I'm grateful we have so many real human points of view vs the AI slop sure to come our way.
Links to Tom's work:
https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/tour-de-france-stage-3-tadejs-boxing-match
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/81/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING
MOST OF US have a test course, a segment that is our fitness barometer, where we lay down a valiant effort, then upload it...
... to see where we're at.
Sometimes years of data points.
When we're prepping for the A race we'll hit it hard.
The results are instructive...
- PR'd it
- on track
- woefully wanting
... from elation to devastation.
Gratefully, it's usually good and confirming info.
But, what about when it isn't?
Like my Leadville prep test up a similar climb to Columbine...
- 1:10 in May
- 1:14 in June
- 1:15 in July
... which is honestly, quite discouraging?
The May effort I was waiting for my friends,
in June I was chasing all the way,
in July I went alone.
July's effort was the shortest
June's was much longer,
May's the longest.
Big takeaway...
... my fitness is going backwards.
So, find the positives...
- I'm descending better than I have since the TBI
- the nutrition plan seems to be on point
- the bike is nearly complete
... and make adjust ments.
I still have 7 weeks to turn it around...
- stop shredding my legs with weight training
- get back to throttling Saturdays
- stack the Zone 2 miles
... and I have some definite ideas on how to do that.
Will it work?
I dunno.
What won't work is quitting.
Thoughtful, calculated perseverance is always the right answer.
===
165.6 lbs 12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/87/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HALF THE FREEDOM
WE KNOW where the 50% mark is on the course. The distance. The estimated time it takes to get there. The food we'll need to arrive and...
... finish with good energy.
But, is that enough?
Knowing vs doing,
totally different things.
The first half of 2026 is gone.
For some, it flew right by.
Others...
- bored
- unengaged
- beset by challenges
... had a different experience.
We are free to stay the course, or...
- 10x goals
- Committed mindset work
- Severing whatever is holding us back
... recalibrate and blow everyone's minds (ours included).
God, bless America.
===
Nowza good time to crack that journal open and document the amazing things we've accomplished to date.
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
Let's rip!
===
164 lbs 12.6%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/88/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GUITY AS CHARGED
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, there is no defense for the flagrant violations of society's norm...
... we've got a problem.
And, we don't care.
It's who we are...
- city limit sign? let's race
- KOM within reach? let's race
- event 700 miles away? let's race
... we're constantly on the lookout for our tribe.
We rarely watch sportsball,
we'll watch a TdF stage start to finish.
We do find comfort in the couch,
after an absurdly long day outside ripping.
We do devour ice cream and cookies,
but only when the calorie deficit is irredeamable.
We aren't normal...
... we're race junkies.
===
If that resonates,
you might want this shirt,
which I'm pretty sure we priced wrong at $20.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
I'll fix the price after the holiday.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
===
165 lbs 12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/96/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BROKE OR BROKEN?
IT'S AMAZING what we're willing to put up with. I suspect it's just in our nature and probably why...
... we thrive at the endurance game.
We tune it out.
And, here's the dill.
Pretending things aren't the way they are...
... can be demoralizing.
Yesterday, I had my cracked front windshield replaced on the van.
It wasn't huge,
but it was slowly growing,
ever since our trip to Sea Otter.
Neighbor Rick came out to chat and asked me why I replaced it.
Honestly?
Yeah.
It was making me feel poor.
The thingaboutitis, if I'd had the rock chip fixed immediately...
... the cost would have been minimal.
Which begs the question...
... what are we allowing to languish and bring us (our performance) down?
===
166.4 lbs 12.4%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON PEPTIDES
THE TEMPTATION to tap the pharmacy is getting realer every day. Call it the effects of the human genome project or clever marketing...
... lotsa people on the train.
I've been surprised.
Just in the last month or so, some of my much younger (30s and 40s) and generally healthy friends...
- trimmer
- slimmer
- sexier?
... have let me know their results from peptides.
They aren't athletes who compete,
just dudes wanting a better bod.
My response is always the same.
Dang...
... I can't do that because I'm a racer.
I know...
- the likelihood of getting tested is practically nil
- the evidence of peptides disappears quickly
- the help they deliver is real
... but, I'll know.
So I push on in the land of...
- working hard
- eating clean
- getting rest
... and I'm quite okay with that.
===
165.8 lbs
7 hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RIDE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU WOULD RIDE WITH YOURSELF
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we get an insight that touches our hearts and when we try and explain it to others they just don't get it. Not their fault. We just need an analogy...
... we can all relate to.
Try this one.
I'll do my best to share the change of heart I had recently...
- a homeless woman sitting on the corner of a busy sidewalk in front of a food court
- people, me included, waiting for the light to change
- ignoring her sad, red eyes like they didn't exist.
... it wasn't my finest moment.
We're all rich.
I'm on a stupidly expensive bike,
but no cash on me,
gazing ahead.
Ignoring the obvious hurt and loneliness.
I was ashamed...
... of my inability to see the once beautiful baby at my feet.
What would it have cost to acknowledge her?
And it hit my heart so hard...
... Love they neighbor as thyself.
Finally I got it,
and I'll do my best to share it with you.
If we really loved our neighbors as ourselves we might...
- be a little nicer, kinder more patient
- genuinely ask how they are, if they need a hand
- we might hold the bar a little lower or a little higher, out of love
... not the awkward, stumbling empathy that paralyzes us.
Genuine desire to help others as ourselves out knowing that...
- if we were raised differently
- made regrettable choices
- had terrible experiences
... but for the grace of God go I.
It reminds me of my good friend Todd Darley, a better Todd than I, who always rolls out with food.
One day we're ripping up Mulholland with a spicy group, gonna PR it...
... and Todd disappears.
Where'd you go?
Stopped to talk to the homeless hiker?
What?
Yeah, wanted to make sure he was okay. Gave him a bagel I had.
Last Saturday, a dude in a pick up with a trailer full of tools pulled up to me and Chad and flipped us the bird...
... I laughed and asked myself Now why would I do that? Having a bad day? PTSD from cyclists?
I'll never know that dude's literal problem...
... just hoping this change of heart stays with me forever.
===
165.4 lbs
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/91/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THIS CODDLING?
WE'VE ALL HAD to face the unbearable hot situations. Sometimes in training, others in a race. But, that's the thing...
... we've all had to face them.
That's life.
So, when the geniuses at Velo led with Extreme Heat Could Force Radical Rethink of the Tour de France...
... I sighed.
Stop the coddling.
They're professionals.
Then Surfergirl chimed in...
- 2013 Tour of California
- 4pm finish
- 114º
... But, remember Palms Springs.
We started early and rode the stage ahead of the pros.
Dropping down into the desert floor was like riding into a giant hair dryer.
Oppressive and awful.
My son and I staggered into a 7-11 and chugged giant Slurpees...
... finally lowering our body temps to be able to ride to the finish.
The pros came in and literally collapsed on the sizzling black and gooey tarmac.
She had a point.
It was horrific.
After wading through the Velo clickbait I discovered the "radical rethink" just meant considering starting the races at 9:30 vs the typical much later starts that finish in the hottest time of the afternoon.
You know the real tragedy isn't the coddling, it's that...
... I won't be able to go for an early spin and watch the race finish live.
I'm sure I'll find a "radical rethink" of my entertainment consumption.
===
163.4 lbs
9 hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/99/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING THE COMFORT ZONE
IT CAN BE PERPLEXING to know a truth from personal experience, to share it because we care, and see it not be received...
... because it's scary.
Like ripping downhill.
I have a few friends who are training for a big event with me.
There will be a fair amount of climbing,
followed by a fair amount of descending.
None of it...
- steep double-track
- wide open hardpack
- a bit of chunky rocky stuff
... will give most mountain bikers any trouble.
Unless we're racing,
really going for it.
Even then, most will be fine...
... but, they could be so much better.
And here's the headscratcher...
... I can't get them to ride much harder trails in preparation.
They protest,
avoid,
skip.
Because I'm absolutely failing to ride home the point that learning to rip more challenging trails now...
- steeper
- chunkier
- twistier and slicker
... will move the comfort zone.
Moving the comfort zone means we are...
- more efficient
- relaxed
- calm
... saving all kinds of physical and emotional energy.
While others bog down with Oh shift! moments, we can turn those sections into...
- recovery
- relaxation
- moments of bliss
... something to look forward to, and potentially gain/make up time.
If we're into that.
I am.
You?
(Where else are we too fraidy catty to move the comfort zone?)
===
163.6 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/114/-23 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, DOES HE REALLY CARE (NOW)?
ON RACEDAY it's fair to say nothing else matters but the race. The training, the fine-tuning, the sacrifices...
... they're all coming together.
We need to rip.
But, when it's all said and done...
... should anybody, ourselves included, really care?
Take a dude I heard about...
- inspired and helped millions of cancer patients to believe they had a chance
- single-handedly lifted a dying sport getting legions to pedal
- operator of a massively popular podcast
- successful investor and businessman
- father of five children
... does he really care that he's not recognized as winning 7 TdFs?
For all you haters that are now triggered, the unsubscribe button is above and below.
For the open minded, contemplating our own mortality and personal achievements...
- family
- race wins
- inspiring and helping others
... what would you prefer?
===
164 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/93/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of The Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all things marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INNOVATION THROUGH IGNORANCE
IGNORANCE AND IGNORANT are such ugly words. And don't even speak ignoramus. Referring to anybody with those words...
... is just plain mean spirited.
Ain't gonna make ya friends.
Yet, the truth is, many of personal innovations come from ideas...
- never heard of
- never thought of
- never been exposed to
... we were completely ignorant to.
Here are a few of mine...
- swimming to control breathing
- lift heavy, low reps
- sprints for power
... that have helped improve over the years.
The swimming one I came up with on my own when training for Leadville in the early days. I wanted to control my breathing and keep my breaths deep.
The lift heavy, low reps I learned from one of the great Phil Mafetone books. He only pioneered Zone 2 training coaching Mark Allen to become the most complete and dominating triathlete of his era.
Lift heavy, low reps was also heavily preached in the fascinating book Underground Secrets To Faster Running, by Barry Ross.
Sprints for power came from the awesome Fred Duncan, a premiere track coach.
The idea that we are born to be athletic and should treat our bodies as such came through loud and clear in Christopher McDougall's book Natural Born Heroes.
I could go on...
- crusty old curmudgeons calling me out
- lessons learned through experience
- defeats whose sting was wicked
... but that's not the point.
The point is we've got to continually expose ourselves to new ideas and concepts and experiences in order to...
... keep innovating and growing.
Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Socially.
===
1664 lbs
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/102/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE VISION BORED
VISION WHILE RACING isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen. We gotta breathe, we gotta see...
... to move forward.
I was thinking about that today while zipping down a twisty trail.
If I let my eyes start to focus on what's up close...
... my speed drops and I become much more reactive.
When I'm focused far ahead...
... I go much faster, slipping into a state of flow and things are magically easier.
The thing I was thinking about was my vision board.
Mulling over the things already accomplished, as well as what is in the works.
The vision board seems to work the same way...
... focusing on the outcome, not how I'm going to get there.
Some of you may be thinking Dude is nuts,
others nodding your heads That's right.
Either way, I'll leave you with this thought from King Salomon...
... Where there is no vision, the people perish.
===
166.2 lbs
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/108/-19 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TUCK AND ROLL!
AERO. The term is like a science fiction blob that oozes it's way into everything, eventually killing everything in sight and taking over the world...
... with no end of it's pervasiveness in site.
Can we escape the creepiness?
The thingaboutitis, once we go slip down the aero tube...
- positioning
- equipment
- apparel
... it's almost impossible to stop.
That list falls short of the whackiness...
- hands on the mtb fork crowns at Leadville
- hydration bladders stuffed in front of jersey
- dropper seat post for bombing road descents
... which actually works.
I was thinking about that this morning as I crested The Wall, about 15 seconds behind the leaders.
Pedaling till I was spun out...
- butt hooked on end of saddle
- hands next to the stem
- chin on the Wahoo
- elbows in
- knees in
... I assumed the position (I'm not a butt on seat tube believer).
Would I, could I catch before the bottom?
Being on my lessthanaero gravel bike...
- spun out with gravel gears
- rolling shallow depth road wheels
- rockin' a well ventilated KASK helmet
... I needed every aero advantage I could get.
After rolling up on the 3 in between the two leaders...
... we rotated, taking short and speedy pulls.
It took forever to catch,
all the way to the final curve.
I'm already thinking about next week...
- actual aero helmet
- clean shave on the legs, face, arms(?)
- and, yeah, gonna bust out the Speedsuit
... what else I can do to improve my aeroness.
On my previous road bike, I clocked 51 mph...
... today's set up shows 47.4 mph.
Tuesday can't some soon enough.
===
168 lbs
7 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs
89/113/-24 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CUI BONO?
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEALS that get cut on the race course. Some are obvious, some hidden. Many between competitors...
... for money, glory and pride.
The worst deal of all?
Well, that depends on Cui bono?...
... Who benefits?
Deals between competitors kindasuck, but...
- hang on for camera glory
- work to stay in break
- straight cash
... we can usually tell who benefits,
and who pays.
No, the most insidious deals...
- staying up late
- backing off the finishing sprint
- starting the new diet "tomorrow"
... are the ones we cut with ourselves.
Because nobody benefits,
'cepting our competitors.
===
167.4 (Happy Fatter's Day - sheesh!)
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
85/90/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVE ME 10 WEEKS
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE to get into top shape for an A race is a question we'd all like answered. For an Olympian, it might be years. For us...
... we might have a few months.
Or less.
Depending on when we sign up, and the vagaries of life.
But, let's just say we are fitter than most,
not as fit as some.
Then our focus will be...
- long climbs or power climbs
- slogs into the wind or a million turns
- finishing in ones and two or a ripping bunch sprint
... more on race specific training.
Given a good baseline of fitness, my general rule is...
- our bodies
- our equipment
- our travel and logistics
... it takes 10 weeks to really sharpen the saw.
For me, aiming for Leadville on 8.15.26, I've got time...
... but, no time to waste.
And, so it begins.
===
164.6
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 60 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
81/72/9 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: The Search, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PREPARATION/EXPECTATION EQUATION
DECONSTRUCTING OUR RECENT PERFORMANCE is critical for improvement. The longer we wait, the foggier our recollection. Details we were sure of...
... become memories full of bias.
It's natural.
Who wants to remember what went wrong, when we can glory in all that went right?
Other than screwing up yet another sprint for the line, nothing really went sideways for me at BWR UT.
And, if I'm being honest, Billy tested my legs on the overpass coming into to town. Whether or not he knew it, and I stayed glued through the the pain...
... I was hurting.
There are a few things that went really right...
- The chef's pasta the night before at Chef Alfredo's, with Danny and Lisa, was delish and just what I needed.
- The AirBNB I found at the last minute - a 3-bedroom house was perfect and the beds wonderful.
- The 8:30 start was a little too late to skip breakfast, so I went with my gut and mowed down a couple of chocolate Entenmann's donuts, half an apple, and a couple of cups of my trusty mushroom hot chocolate.
- I picked up Skratch Super High Carb and ran 6 scoops in my 2-liter pack and another 3 in one bottle.
- To stay ahead of cramps, I ate a Salt Stick chews.
- For the bike set up,
- Ceramic Speed chain held up really well to all the dust, even after getting doused with cold water by Smitty at the final aid station.
- The tire pressure was pretty low, 22lbs in back 20lbs up front. I rimmed out a few times over the random chunky stuff while in a paceline. That's always risky. But, I also felt like I was much more comfortable than other competitors who dropped off the group over time.
... the last was mindset.
Preparation vs Expectation.
I came in pretty rested having spend the previous 2 weeks on my MTB in Park City.
Because of the altitude, it was difficult to put in hard efforts of any meaningful time. Hours in the saddle were solid, but even a lot of that was spent ripping down hill.
I'd give me preparation a B, which was fine for a B race.
Knowing that, my expectations were quite low.
Here's the point...
... poor preparation with high expectations is a formula for frustration and a crummy day on course.
Whereas...
... awesome preparation with low expectations always makes for a fun race and often surprising outcomes.
===
163.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 70 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
82/74/7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
IF THINGS AREN'T ENDING UP as we'd like them to, the obvious thing to do would be dong something different. But, that can be a hard pill to swallow because...
... we're comfy and don't wanna change.
Hope isn't a strategy.
Or, a tactic.
So, even though I was hoping I'd be able to fend off the change with a few hundred meters to go at BWR UT, the mofo I'd been working with for the last 30 miles...
... stuck a shiv in my back.
There was nothing I could do.
Had no answer.
Surfergirl, bless her little beating heart, could see I was frustrated with myself and...
... accidentally twisted the buried blade.
What are you going to do about it?
I think it was an innocent, honest, loving, caring question due to the fact that she's seen me frustrated with something...
... then, draw up a solution and make it happen.
Truthfully, does it really matter if close out a racing effort by taking some cat on the line who I may never see again?
Not even.
What matters, to me, is that I execute the plan.
In this case...
... having something left at the end, to rip a fast finish.
The kool kids call that durability.
I call it having your shift together when it counts, which means I'll be needing to...
... wrap up long rides with sprints that sting.
===
164ish no scale
7.5 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
83/86/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE RACE TOMORROW?
THE NIGHT BEFORE any race is not a normal night. No matter how practiced we are there's always something different to our routine. Sometimes...
... we just make it up.
Why not?
It might work,
or not.
Surfergirl keeps asking me are you excited?
I wanna say yes,
and I know I will be tomorrow...
... about a millisecond after we start.
Until then,
my energy tends to be low.
Not depressed low.
Hybernation low.
Lethargic.
Slothy.
Trying to amp me up, she asks...
... have you looked at reg to see who's going to be there?
That's the kind of thing that...
- if I glanced at it now
- the night before the race
- when I'm trying to chill and sleep early
... would def keep me up and tossing and turning.
No, that's not my agenda.
I prefer to...
- lose all hope
- ditch all desire
- punt all pretense
... and shut 'er down with my favorite pint.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 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
81/70/11 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOSTALGIA
WE ALL STARTED this endurance journey somewhere, likely not where we are today. Introduced by a friend, sometimes on purpose, others inadvertently. While we may change locales, and the friends become distanced…
… we’re still here.
In the game.
We may have the opportunity to go back to where it all started.
For me, it was…
- my roommate’s bike
- a finagled purchase of my own
- secrets of sprinting revealed by Bret, who raced track nationally for San Jose Bicycle Club
… in Provo, UT.
I rearranged my classes…
- to start as early as possible
- so I could ride every afternoon
- before cruising the library to cruise the cubicles in search of a “study” partner.
… because I had priorities to attend to.
Today I hit a climb I’d always wanted to check out, Cascade Springs, but it was a battered gravel road back in the day.
Now, it’s pristine pavement all the way up over 8000’
Followed by a plummeting descent that is as magical now as it was 40 years ago.
I’ve moved,
but, I never really moved on…
… and, I’m quite okay with that.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 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
81/68/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TRUE PRICE OF FREE ADVICE
A WHILE BACK, I connected with the COO of a well-known bike brand. We were working on a collaboration at the time. I asked him for some...
... advice on what we're doing over here.
Today, we met for lunch.
Looked at from now to the end of the year,
the objectives I want to accomplish,
what I think is possible.
No different than...
- capabilities
- weaknesses
- peak seasonal events
... planning the race season with a coach.
After some yummy tacos,
and back of napkin calculations...
... we came up with a solid methodology to implement.
Like any great coach,
my friend made it so simple to understand...
... and gave me the confidence to go for it.
I was prepared to pay a minimum of $1,000.
In the end it could be way more expensive than that...
... if I don't take action.
It could cost me 100s of 1000s.
===
164ish no scale
8 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
82/77/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE SUFFERING AND EPICCING TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?
WE ALL KNOW that group workouts are torturous by nature. It's not a secret. Yet, we continue to show up beating after beating because...
... suffering loves company.
Alone, for most of us, is no good.
We won't see it through,
we'll ease up when we should be hardening up.
The bonds we end up forming are often unbreakable...
... we're in agony together.
Suddenly people who barely knew each other are fist bumping and ready for the next one.
What's the opposite bondforming experience?...
... when we're pushing geographic boundaries together.
Like today.
It wasn't the 90 minute climb topping out at 9160'.
Nope.
It was the 60 minutes of downhill...
- ripping through the trees
- sliding around gorgeous berms
- jumping rocks and roots and stumps
... feeling like we were cheating life.
Epiccing, like suffering, loves company.
We set off in search of adventures that will push beyond the comforts or riding around the block...
... the unknown and undiscovered beckoning to be shared.
===
164ish no scale
8 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
82/71/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COOCOO FOR CLIMBING
IF WEIGHTED SQUATS are a lot better than air squats, is climbing a lot better than riding on the flats? And, if climbing is better...
... is climbing with a weighted vest mo' bettah?
Things one wonders.
And takes to extremes.
I remember backintheday, rolling out with 100oz hydration pack on my back and 2 large waterbottles filled with sand.
It seems so silly now,
almost as all the ruckers.
On a bike we can measure power.
So, we know.
We know we don't need to stress our backs with extra weight or stupid add ons...
... we can just pedal faster.
Velocity X Force - Power
Which taken a step further...
... climbing aint gonna train us any better than flats.
We gotta put out the power.
There is a caveat, if we like...
- climbing big mountains
- ripping punchy stuff
- pounding the flats
... our bodies will adapt and become more efficient at the one we love and gravitate towards.
Me personally?
I'm coocoo for climbing,
and bananas for bombing.
===
164ish no scale
8 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
80/63/17 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HEAR ME OUT
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN to make fun of Velo, "powered by Outisde". Whether it's their clickbaity titles, AI drivel, or soulselling advertorials...
... there's at least one good laugh a day.
Here's my current favorite.
Stop Complaining About Sound, These Are The Best Headphones for Cycling
Roight!
Because decreasing our ability to engage with our surroundings when traveling 20+ miles per hour in our underwear on...
- trails
- gravel
- pavement
... is a great idea.
Genius.
Next up...
... Stop Complaining About Night Vision, These Are The Best Sunglasses After Sunset.
There is no best.
At best, assuming it's not clickbait or advertorial would be...
... These Headphones Least Worsen Your Ability To React To Danger When Riding.
Or, for the trailrunners...
... These Earbuds Reduce Getting The Shift Scared Out of You When A Bike Rider Has Been Saying 'Hey There' For 5 Minutes and Finally Gives Up and Passes You.
Now for you in the back jumping up and down ready to tell me to not be so closeminded...
... I hear you.
===
164ish no scale
8 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
82/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
>
POP TART POWERED, BEE STUNG... ATHLETE unINTELLIGENCE
SOMETIMES, we just gotta change it up. Do something different just fer fun. Go against...
... conventional wisdom.
I thought it had been a good week...
- 177 miles
- 17:26 hours
- 20951' of vert
... given I'd been knocked down by a 24 hour bug.
Mostly in the dirt,
mostly with friends.
Yet, every single ride Strava's Athlete Intelligence...
... scored it as recovery or recovery and endurance.
Apparently, the AI couldn't account for the fact this sea leveler was suffering at 7000-10,000 elevation.
Rolling out this morning...
- a few scoops of Envy
- 4 pop tarts
- 1 Carbs gel
... I grabbed what I had + 100 ounces of water.
While I hoped to put down some power, since all I'd done was "recovery and endurance" rides...
... I knew the truth.
Leaving with a simple plan,
ride until I ran out of food and water.
It was an epic day in the mountains...
... topped off with a bee sting in the gut a few miles from home base.
Memorable.
===
164
9 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
84/80/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ADVENTURE
SOMETIMES, the road really is better than the inn. We realize that whatever we are aiming for may not be all that great, but...
... putting in the work gives outsized returns.
Gratitude blooms.
Like today.
My pal Charles charts out this loop...
- 32 miles
- 4700' of vert
- topping out at 10,000'
... which seems really cool.
Until we hit our first massive fallen tree and bushwhack around it.
Then, patches of snow,
too long to ride.
Followed Puke Hill.
The view...
- The Great Salt Lake to the west
- Park City to the East
- Not a soul around
... stunning.
Somehow the goals seem weak, lacking...
... when beauty abounds.
If we'll just stop to look.
===
165ish, no scale
7ish 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
83/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN TRAINING ISN'T ACCORDING TO PLAN
THE BEST LAID PLANS can go sideways for a variety of reasons. I'm not gonna list 'em since I don't want to poison your mind and have you...
... manifesting awfulness.
'Cause I'm questioning just that about myself.
Did I manifest...
- 3 days off at I Do Epic
- riding with friends short on time
- puking my guts out last night after a miserable 70 minute ride
... or, is it just life?
Doesn't matter too much,
except part of my GrandMasterRipOnRaceDay plan...
... was a massive training week this week to make up for last week
and leave me slightly buried for BWR next week.
I consulted AI all night...
- possibly caused by using pure table sugar on my rides
- hydration via room temp peppermint tea
- a few Tums
... while Surfergirl laughed at me and secured the remedy.
Arose after 10 hours, feeling a lot better.
Energy seems good enough to day...
... to meet up with the local slayers.
The prudent thing would be to skip the meet up,
spin at most, or sleep...
... a proper adjustment.
But, screw it...
... I've got plans, too.
===
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
80/57/22 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
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
>
DR. PETER ATTIA'S LATEST POST, I DISAGREE
Aug 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I FOLLOW PETER ATTIA. He's a longevity expert, ex-time trial racer. A good dude, with a good heart, and some good info. But, when I saw the latest post on Overcoming Depression, I had to disagree...
... because I've battled depression.
Oh there's the little things, all my friends are faster and have better bikes. The medium things, work is hardashell and everyone else is making money in their sleep. And the big stuff...
... disharmony at home being chief.
Riding can and does certainly help...
... but, it's not enough.
The very best thing I've found to cure depression...
... is to help someone else.
My friend Todd D carries a bar or bagel or $20 on every ride, and hands out to those in need.
I saw him do this on the Nosco charity ride once.
There we are, ripping in this fantastic paceline heading into a formidable climb...
... and he pulls over.
I pulled up and soft pedaled.
What happened?
I saw a hungry man.
What did you do?
Gave him my food.
I'll never forget that. There was no show, no big announcement...
... just a human helping a human.
Then he told me it's something he is prepared for on every ride...
... and it always lifts his spirits.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Riding with my friends and being challenged physically is also a go to activity to cure any wo-is-me's...
... and the Surf-N-Summit is sure to be challenging.
That's why the finishers get one of these supertech-t's
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 10 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.6 lbs.
7 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
SHOULD I RETURN MY BARS?
Aug 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WELL, I HAVE SOME NEW BARS. I love 'em. I'm clearly a lot faster. The only problem I'm having is they cost me a lot. So, I'm thinking about returning them, because...
... I'm not sure I can afford them.
In particular, I got really used to weighing less than 160lbs.
Previously, it was a miracle to be under 165.
But, the reason I'm thinking about keeping this bar is...
... I remember when sub-170
... and sub-175
... and sub-180
... and, yes, sub-185
... was challenging.
Truth is, I like my new bars.
Truth is also, now that I'm home and the A race is behind me and I'm in my old haunts that produced the old bars...
... it's hard to hang onto.
Like the squat bar.
It's really dumbbells, but the old bar was 60lbs. Then I ramped up to 60lbs per hand. In fact, I purchased a new set to squat my weight. 80lbs per hand...
... might actually need a bar to go beyond that.
A bar, like these, that I'll keep.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
The bar to get one of these super cool tech t's is pretty high too...
... ride your bike from San Clemente to Big Bear.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 10 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.6 lbs.
8 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
DON'T EVER STOP LIFTING WEIGHTS
Aug 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER TWO WEEKS, I'm back lifting. I cut it way back, then stopped all together a week before my big A race. Then took the following week off. Predictably...
... I'm sore.
And weak.
I shouldn't have stopped, and I won't ever again.
Of my 3 critical moves, here's what I could have done:
- Squats to air squats
- Sets of 25 pushups to one of 5 or 10
- Pullups/Bent rows, reduce quantity or weight
Rather than daily, I could have reduced to 3 days/week.
Starting a strength training program is challenging...
... maintaining strength is much easier.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Keep training, especially if you have some adventures on the calendar...
... ya gotta be strong.
Otherwise you won't finish...
... check out the SuperTech T finishers of the Surf N Summit will get.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 10 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.6 lbs.
7.5 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU'RE NOT GETTING PAID TO RIDE YOUR BIKE YET?
Aug 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SO, WE'RE NOT GETTING PAID TO RIDE AND RACE OUR BIKES. Then, why do it? Why put so much into it? Because...
... there is a payoff.
We know it, thought we may not be able to identify just what it is.
But, it's there.
For sure.
It's moving meditation we practice,
resulting in better energy,
clearer thinking.
That's the payoff...
... and it makes everything we do better.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Make it a great week!
And, if you're in need of a major break in your day in day out cycle...
... this ride is gonna be amazing, just based on who's in so far.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 12 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
161.9 lbs.
7.5 hrs
60.9% Body Water
no weights
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Aug 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'D FORGOTTEN THE FANTASTIC FEELING OF A ROAD RACING MACHINE. The effortlessness of a clutchless drivetrain, the suave push through the air, the direct connection from cleat to power...
... roads here are like glass.
It was so easy.
And, so nice to be back with my posse.
Rolling up the coast with an unusual tailwind, all smiles and giggles...
... until we mixed in with the tough roadies from up north.
Then it hit me.
Hard.
Jumpiness, surginess...
... hanging on to the last wheel busting through the sound barrier.
No talking.
Gasping.
Soon, much too soon...
... I was jettisoned.
It's gonna take a while to get the road legs back.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
I'm in no hurry.
No races anytime soon.
Only thing I'm looking forward to is the adventure of the year...
... where we're riding from the coast to the mountains.
Part of which is on an unbelievable 35 mile, protected bike trail from Corona to Redlands.
If you're done racing and looking for a memory you'll share time and time again...
... use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 14 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
161.4 lbs.
7ish hrs
60.5% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW MUCH DID IT COST ME TO SHAVE 18 MINUTES OFF MY PR AT LEADVILLE?
Aug 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SO, HOW MUCH DID IT COST? After being asked how I did it, how I shaved 18 minutes off my PR, going 7:57, and logging the 3rd fastest time ever for my age group...
... I had to dissect the numbers.
Was it worth it?
Yes.
Definitely a Hellyeah!
If you want the same results, do this:
- Lose 8 lbs (down from my PR in '19 - 20lbs down from '99)
- Double your saddle time (biggest week was 24 hrs ride time)
- Spend an obscene amount of $ on your bike and upgrades
- Lift weights every single day
- Stretch and recover every single day
- Qualify for Silver Corral previous season (start training 18 months out)
- Increase sleep 10-20%
- Eat only whole foods
- No soda
- Refine bike fit with a professional over months
- Purchase second set of race wheels
- Take wife to Mexico for a week of surf
- Use Hypervolt daily
- Remove stresss
- Move to Colorado mountains for the summer
I'm sure I'm missing little things, like Skratch Superfuel, top of the line Fizik shoes, badass Selle Italia saddle...
... but you get the idea.
I left nothing to chance, and it cost 10s of 1000s of $.
I say Hellyeah! to that because I just had to know what I was capable of...
... there is nothing more satisfying than knowing I did my best.
Did it sting to wind up second place?
Not even a little bit.
Sub-8 was the goal.
Competition with others is always a losing game.
There is always somebody better, and I'm always grateful for that...
... because it shows what is possible.
Admittedly, I have been fuming immediately after being beaten on more than one occasion. And, been wanting revenge when the winner is a tool about the victory But that passes quickly. As it should...
... it's always better to be gracious in winning and losing.
Wanna know something crazy?
I have identified two major mistakes, two things I can definitely improve...
... just might have to try it again.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
A minor thing I could have done was get a few massages...
... a good massage is most excellent for recovery.
Which is why the amazing Ivette will be taking care of us on Friday at the Surf N Summit: with massage, Bemer and compression boots.
And, use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 16 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.4 lbs.
8 hrs
60.2% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
INTERVALS THAT MATTER
Aug 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT INTERVALS LATELY. Do they matter? Which is best? Would they have been beneficial at my last race? Same things we all think about...
... and I realized my success this year had everything to do with intervals.
But, probably not the ones you are thinking of.
Do we need another interval workout or do we need to work out the intervals of our lives...
... to ride better and faster?
I mentioned in my book, there's no racing trinket or kudo that outweighs the important things in life.
And, I applied that to my RaceDay Calendar.
First, I blocked out all the family and friend activities for the year or as far forward as I could.
Then, I added crucial work commitments and deadlines.
Next, was my A races in Red.
And, I let everyone know that I was sticking to the calendar.
Which meant, when the family reunion changed to a week before my A race I bailed on it. It was not a popular decision (at least they claimed they'd miss me), but everyone was completely supportive and sent me all kinds of good messages.
It also required me to put in processes and systems I hadn't thought of so work could continue smoothly and productively. The result has been our most successful summer to date.
What about the B and C races and rides?
They get pushed around and cancelled all the time, but not the training required to make the A race as good as possible. That happens, but I'm flexible on how the week flows and mostly flexible on how the month flows.
I fear too often we chase gizmos and tactics to "hack" our fitness, when...
... most of the time it's a question of planning.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Part of that planning includes making time for adventures with amazing people.
At this point, we are 30% full on the Surf N Summit...
... with some of the best humans I know and cherish.
If you can't make time for this adventure, make time for something.
This the jersey we'll all be wearing... I'd love to make you one, too... even if it's for a different adventure.
I added in a bunch of details on what you'll be getting if you join us...
... be sure to check out link below.
And, use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31 or whenever the first 10 people have registered.
We'll have 20 max.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.9 lbs.
7.5 hrs
60.2% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE JACK OF ALL BIKES
Aug 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE JACK OF ALL TRADES IS MASTER OF NONE. Same goes for the bike that does it all, none of it spectacular. But, what about the rider...
... with a stable of ponies?
If all you ride is MTB, can you rip on road?
If all you ride is road, can you shred on dirt?
If all you ride is gravel, do your kill it at all else?
The answer is obviously yes...
... and no.
By riding everything, you will have a much better set of bike handling skills. And, probably a better physique because of the requirements to have upper body strength on dirt...
... particularly MTB.
But, when it comes down to racing ya gotta specialize. Unless, of course, you're like Keegan Swenson, Peter Sagan or...
... other pros of unworldly talent.
Personally, I love it all.
Ride it all.
I think it's good to mix it up. Bring on different challenges.
However, the closer I get to an A race the more I ride the bike I'll be racing and the more I ride...
... the way I'll be racing.
I'm not racing now, no more A races this year...
... which means its gravel time.
The jack of all riding.
And, if I had my way we'd call it Frankenriding...
... bolting different sections of terrain into one killer ride.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
The only other event to make my A list on my RaceDay Calendar is the Surf N Summit
I've wanted to do this ride, from the coast to Big Bear, for years.
It's going to be amazing.
This code will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31 or whenever the first 10 peopel have registered.
We'll have 20 max.
Are you joining...
... the adventure of the year awaits.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
161.3 lbs.
7.75 hrs
61.4% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
BREAKING AND BACKSLIDING FOR DUMMIES
Aug 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER A BIG MAC AND MCFLURRY ON SUNDAY, a Double-Double and fries yesterday, and a giant apple fritter today from SC Donuts, I remember what is so great about being RaceDay Ready...
... not feeling like shift.
Does that mean I'm back at it?
Nope.
But, as the great Levi Peterson's protagonist, Frank, said to Cowboy Jesus in The Backslider...
You shouldn't be smoking.
To which he replied, I know.
Sometimes we just need a break, a brief ride on the wild side.
In April, I discovered something to be true that I'd resisted for many years.
A break is good.
A real one.
Off the bike.
I'd done a few races and put in some big training blocks Jan-Mar, then took Surfergirl to Mex to surf for 5 days...
... it turned out to be one of the best things I've done.
Obviously, she was primed to be the exceptional lucky charm she is at my A race...
... and, I was refreshed and ready to really build for Leadville.
I can't eat this poorly any longer, it really is terrible.
Will I ride again?
Obvi.
When I'm ready.
In the meantime, I'll be doing the other things I love and have neglected.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Then, it'll be time for the adventure of the year...
... something I've always wanted to do.
And, you should do too.
The SurfNSummit.
130 miles of mixed surfaces, 13,000 vert.
An adventure, not a race.
Check out pics and details here:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.9 lbs.
8 hrs
61.9% Body Water
no weights
0 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT'S NEXT ON YOUR CALENDAR?
Aug 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I GET ASKED THIS A LOT. As if I'm not thoroughly exhausted and satisfied for this summer's accomplishments. First at Firecracker 50, second at Nationals, PR at Leadville...
... you'd think that was enough.
It is, kind of.
Along with a few races I sponsor, I've got one more adventure planned.
A ride.
Not a race.
But, it's far.
Really far.
So outrageous, only a few are willing to attempt it with me.
The first time we tried it this year a heat wave rolled through and we had to quite with 30 miles to go.
I call it the Surf N Summit.
Ride from San Clemente to Big Bear. About 130 or so miles and 10-15k of vert.
I've wanted to do it for years, and we're going to make it even crazier.
Ride up Thursday Nov 3, recover at a bitchin' house with a masseuse, good food, and an easy spin around the lake on Friday Nov 4, ride back to San Clement on Saturday Nov 5.
Details are here:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
It ain't all about racing all the time...
... sometimes, most of the time, a good challenge is where it's at.
Join me, if you're into outrageous adventure.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
Who cares lbs.
7 hrs
Body Water ?
no weights
0 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO AFTER A RACE
Aug 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
DURING A RACE, we are often already thinking about after the race. Sometimes way too soon, and not about the right things. Here's what I do...
... right after a race.
First, replenish the body with good stuff.
Obvious.
The other two things I do are to write down everything...
- that went great
- that could have gone better
There's no need to repeat the same mistakes or to keep doing a few things correctly.
As the great Tony Robbins teaches.
CANI
Constant And Neverending Improvement.
That's how to make racing endlessly fascinating.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
You might not find this fascinating, but...
... changing ponchos are also handy when you left your pjs behind.
And, you can change your clothes in public.
Use promo code CANI
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
---
Who cares lbs.
8 hrs
Body Water ?
no weights
0 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
EVERYTHING HAD TO GO PERFECT.
Aug 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I PINKY SWEAR I'LL NEVER MOCK RACERS WHO CRY AT THE FINISH. 'Cause I did. It was all good until I saw Surfergirl. The last thing I snapped at her was...
.... Where's my bottle!
It was the final pit stop, I was in a group of pro women and fast dudes. I had to stay with them for the long and windy transition to the most challenging climb of the day, Powerline.
Also in the group was Mark Wallace, who beat me at Nationals last month.
Let's just say I had to catch that group...
... and I had to have all my nutrition for the final 2.5 hours.
Up to this point, everything had gone according to plan.
She gave me the Camelbak first, then ran next to me as I'm yelling with a bottle and shoved it in the cage...
... she's a pro, I'm an idiot.
The bike was working perfectly. Even though I did some full rookie moves yesterday.
- Andrew from BMC, replaced my dropper post for me.
- Thomas from Industry 9, rebuilt my hubs and gave me new bearings.
Don't ever do these things the day before. I did, because they were generous and I've been out in the middle of nowhere and unable to take care of before.
My food strategy also was a roll of the dice. I reverted back to my all liquid diet. 4 scoops Skratch Superfuel and 2 scoops of Skratch hydation per bottle, per hour. 400 Calories. That's a hundred more than I'm used to consuming.
The weather was perfect. Mid 40's at the start, overcast after 12. I shoved a newspaper up my jersey for the first 45 minutes to keep the cold off my chest.
Cody and Paul Iverson handled the other pit stop - we hit each stop twice, it's an out and back course. They were also great... and I also yelled at them. Apparently, I mismarked bottles. I wanted 2 for the way out and 1 for the return. Cody gave me one, I'm yelling for the 2nd. He runs grabs one and runs uphill to jam in my back pocket...
... he's a pro, I'm an idiot.
But, even an idiot can have a great day.
On the way to the final climb, Mark was dropped.
I started to think I just might win this thing, which would be a major bonus on top of reaching my goal to go sub-8.
But, he's a real competitor.
Somehow, he rallied and caught and passed me on Powerline.
Then I rallied on the downhill and blew on by.
Then he rallied on the paved climb...
... and I started looking at my clock.
Calculating.
Will I make it?
I was hurting.
Everywhere.
The idea of quitting, soft pedaling, sightseeing the final 12 miles was so tempting.
It would be close.
Singlespeed guy and I battled the whole way. He'd spin out, I'd go by. He'd get in a good gear and pull us.
I think we're gonna make sub-8.
That's all I want.
Me too.
All the way up the neverending dirt road, we traded pulls and encouraged each other.
7:52.
Onto pavement.
The right hand turn on to 6th Street.
I was hyperventilating.
There's the finish line.
7:55
Shift! We're gonna make it.
7:57
There's more to this story - which is why I'm late on posting.
Three years ago, when I did the race knowing my date with a 20 year goal was coming up, I set my sites on a PR. It seemed outrageous at the time. PR, at 57? My written, stated and proclaimed focus was 8:15.
I crossed the line at day at 8:15:37.
The picture on the front of my book, The Way of the RACER, is from that day.
Here's the scary part.
I remember distinctly asking...
... What if we are putting limitations on ourselves? What if it's possible to do more than we've ever thought possible?
What if?
Yes, I believe affirmations work.
More than ever, now.
But, not without work.
The great Scott Adams, in his book How to Fail At Almost Everything and Still Win, says affirmations put what we are looking for on our radar.
3.5 years ago I made a RaceDay Wallet with Leadville 8:15 on it. You have something like that on your wallet and see it everyday you and things start to change.
Since then, I came up with the Giant Race Day Calendar.
For 22, I wrote in red Sharpie Leadville Sub-8.
What about the work?
Outrageous goals take outrageous planning and work to accomplish.
This year's effort started last year, when I wrote on the giant calendar, Qualify for Silver Corral. That meant, go fast enough at the Leadville Stage Race to get into the second fastest group, right behind the pros. It required a combined time of under 7:30. I did 7:27.
Meaning, this year's goal prep started 18 months ago.
During that time, I perfected my RaceDay Ready program.
Is this a blatant pitch to sell you something?
No, there's nothing to buy.
It's a blatant pitch to share with you what is working for me.
Which brings me to Nate's 20 year celebration last night. He completed 20 Leadville 100s in a row.
During his speech to a small gathering of friends and family he harkened back to the day we met and he had no clue what he was doing. He thanked me for the advice I gave him, and the positivity that a chubby, broken soccer player in a long sleeve soccer shirt on a barely ridden bike could get it done.
Neither of us had any idea he'd go on to 20 in a row, win it on 7 occasions and had blistering times.
He did the work!
The thing is, nobody does it alone.
We need support.
Which brings me to my pal Chris.
He did an 8:06 last year, and was determined to bust 8 this year. We trained a ton together, and worked through our strategies. From what to eat to tire pressure to training to altitude acclimation to how to take care of the ladies...
... in the middle of all that he found his soulmate.
It's not easy to ride your bike when you're smitten.
Who would want to do that?
We lined up in Silver, matching Jailbreak jerseys so we'd be easy to spot on course.
He and Tim dropped me on the first climb. I caught and passed on the fast and tricky Powerline downhill. Eventually we linked up on the way to Columbine, We reached the turnaround within seconds of each other, behind schedule at 4;11. I wasn't worried, because if you do it right you return faster than you go out.
We got separated on the way down.
It happens.
It's a long day.
He finished in 8:00:00.
For me, that it'd be a win. But, I know this tiger and that second is going to keep him hungry and thirsty for more.
Which brings me to my chin resting on my stem, bombing the pavement on the way back.
I was so tired.
Wallace was on my wheel, and unshakeable.
We were an hour out, and I wanted to badly to pull over and take a nap and never wake up.
I started thinking about all the work.
All the support.
Surfergirl's patience with me.
The outlaw cowboy song She's a good-hearted woman in love with a good timing man, by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
I started thinking about you, and your well wishes and encouragement.
Then I started thinking about Leif and Zach. Two gents who rang me up at the start of the year and asked me to help them get ready for this very race. They were out on course and they'd be out a helluvalot longer than me and face helluvalot of adversity.
Almost all of us reached our goals today.
Some didn't.
Their bodies didn't respond.
Others of my pals, crashed and went to hospital. Prayers for them.
There are a thousand other stories I could share. Eric's first time 7:40sh, Coach Brian's 7:17 Kristen going 9:04 on her first attempt. The McGee brothers riding together. Brian doing it on way less than normal training. Tim getting knocked out, bleeding and still ripping an 8:10. Leif going from zero racing ever to an 11:30. Zach having a battle with bad food. Vanessa blasting 10:30. Jorge, overcoming his descending nightmares with a 9:20, Todd heaving after crossing the line, Jesse's first sub-9, Kentucky Tom's adventure...
... what's your story?
What are you going to work for?
What is your outrageous?
How can I help?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
Who cares lbs.
6ish hrs (terrible hotel choice)
Body Water ?
no weights
0 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
THANKS FOR SOMETHING!
Aug 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S FRIDAY MORNING, EARLY. Tomorrow is the big day, what I trained all year for.. It's quiet in the house, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude...
... for you.
Yes, you, my dear reader.
You have all been so kind and encouraging, helpful, and generous with your time and knowledge.
My original, 20 year goal, of going sub-9 hours seems easily doable. And the outrageous goal of sub-8 has a glimmer of hope if everything goes perfect.
I'm reminded there are always two lanes to every goal.
- What we are going for
- What is our minimum
In between the two is comfortable.
It's so easy to fall back on the minimum and coast in.
Going for the outrageous brings all kinds of dangers.
- Mechanical
- Lose control
- Foul up food
- etc
But, isn't that where the juiciest part of life lies? In the outrageous.
And, if we are truly outrageous the minimum can suddenly become a serious challenge.
I'm lifting my bottle to you...
... Here's to being outrageous!
Let's get 'er done.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-supertech-ts
We've updated the outrageously awesome SuperTech T's.
Yes, the ones made from the same imported, incredibly lightweight mesh from Italy...
... cut to accent your outrageous fitness.
These are all made on demand. In the USA.
I have a few more designs I want to add...
... like the custom ones for your team.
Use promo code: OUTRAGEOUS to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
156.4
7ish hrs
Body Water 61
no weights
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU A RIPPER?
Aug 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AS THE GREAT FREDDIE PRINZ SAID, No time for losers. As the sage Forest Gump said, Losers are as losers do. With that in mind...
... are you a Ripper?
A ripper...
- Rips on a bike
- Rips up traditional ways of doing things
- Has a ripping good time
- Rips what works in other areas and applies to ripping on a bike
- Wins
- Strives for excellence
- Is ripped.
If you're not quite there, may I suggest you challenge yourself to get there.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
We are having too much success not to share, encourage, persuade you to take the 10-Week Challenge.
I'm looking forward to see your transformation.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
157.8
8ish hrs
Body Water 61.1
No lifting
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
INTERMITTENT FASTING: MY LATEST TAKE
Aug 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
EVERYBODY'S INTERMITTENT FASTING. Everybody's getting results. I was fasting, too. I wasn't getting the results I wanted...
... but, now I am.
Here's what's working for me, and I'd hardly call it fasting.
For me, because I burn a lot of calories, the eat in a 4 hour window or 6 hour window or 8 hour window didn't work. I felt feeble. Weak...
... my sweet spot is 12 hours.
That means I go about 12 hours from my last meal to the first meal the following day.
Here's what's happened.
First, I get up and just get cracking on work.
By 10 or 11 am, I've knocked a good chunk.
That's about 12 hours after my bedtime snack.
Second, I've dropped a few more pounds.
Third, I've realized there's no need for 3 formal, gut busting meals.
I got back into the intermittent thing this summer during the time I was living out of the van. It seemed more trouble than it was worth to make bacon and eggs or something of the sort. Plus, I wanted to knock out as much work as possible and get on the bike before the afternoon rains hit.
In summary,
- 12 hour window
- Dropped a few pounds
- More work done earlier in day
- Tummy's ability to absorb a giant meal has diminished
Overall energy seems as good as ever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
Plus, a flatter stomach makes the new SuperTech T look sexier than ever.
I'll be adding more colors to the link below... I had to launch the PRs > KOMs first because...
... you know I'm all about PRs.
We've been getting rave reviews from the teams who have ordered for off the bike, on the podium.
Use promo code: OUTRAGEOUS to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
159.2
9.5 hrs
Body Water 60.9
just pushups today
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU USE AN ATHLETIC SUPPORTER WHEN RIDING?
Aug 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AT SOME POINT MY FRIENDS TALKED ME INTO FOOTBALL. We signed me up, got all this gear, and went to practice. All I can remember is how weak I was, unable to do the exercises...
... and wearing my first athletic supporter.
Ah, the jock strap days.
A hard shell to protect my special purpose.
We don't wear one riding, but the nice pads in the bibs kinda make it look like we do...
... and I reckon they provide some protection when needed.
But, we do still have athletic supporters...
... wives, husbands, lovers, partners, family, friends.
People that understand what pushes us, and are there to lend a word, hand a bottle...
... keep order when chaos ensues.
A virtual hard shell, around our special quest.
The first thing I learned about a jock strap, is it goes in the wash like everything else...
... so it's fresh and clean and wonderful.
That's why I've been taking Surfergirl to nice dinners, buying her little gifts, pampering her all I can this week...
... take care of your athletic supporters.
We all need some protection and support.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
What I would love to have had back then was our SuperTechT... made with the same imported Italian fabrics we use on our jerseys.
I'll be adding more colors to the link below... I had to launch the PRs > KOMs first because...
... you know I'm all about PRs.
We've been getting rave reviews from the teams who have ordered for off the bike, on the podium.
Use promo code: OUTRAGEOUS to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
158.9
8ish
Body Water 60.9
just pushups today
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY DO I ALWAYS GET SICK BEFORE AN "A" RACE?
Aug 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
FOR SOME REASON, I always get a little sick the week before an A race. The sniffles, scratchy throat. Call it race jitters, if you like. I call it...
... Damn, this is real and I'm scared and nervous.
I know it's just a bike race, but is it?
It's the same thing when I make a big marketing decision, like I did this month. I reallocated about 80% of my ad budget...
... it will be a huge win, or a huge loss.
You know what else happens during these times of proving myself? My right arm develops a rash. It's itchy. Annoying. Wakes me up.
We've all got a lot on our plates, big goals to chase, outrageous plans to hatch. The secret is not to get paralyzed when it's on the line...
... but to stay focused on the outcome we want.
The jitters, sniffles and rashes are just the bullshift our bodies throw at us...
... when are we about to open up the can of Whoopass.
Deal with it and move one.
For me, that's a round of Zicam/chicken soup/hot showers with a dab of Cortizone-10 cream.
Trust your training.
You're ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
And you've probably been smashing PRs all over the place.
This is my favorite SuperTech T.
I'll be adding more colors to the link below... I had to launch the PRs > KOMs first because...
... you know I'm all about PRs.
We've been getting rave reviews from the teams who have ordered for off the bike, on the podium.
Use promo code: OUTRAGEOUS to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
158.8
7.5
Body Water 60.9
just pushups today
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU OUTRAGEOUS ENOUGH?
Aug 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TO BE OUTSTANDING, we have to be outrageous. Average, kinda good, somewhat committed, is not the way...
... champions think.
Outrageous always wins the day.
Innocent onlookers ask...
How far did you ride today?
About a hundred miles.
How fast can you go on your bike?
I've hit 63 mph.
Are you close to your early twenties weight?
Right on it.
Do you lift weights?
Every day.
For most people, any one of a dozen metrics that we consider normal...
... are completely outrageous.
I was reminded of that when my friend Nate texted the pic above. It's from 2001. His first Leadville, my third. He'll complete 20 this year...
... 20 in a row (no race in Covid), with belief shattering results.
That's outrageous.
My own 20 year goal of going under 9 hours at 60 has kept me in shape all these years. Only a handful have pulled it off...
... and I've made it completely outrageous this year by shooting for sub-8.
In the process of setting outrageous goals, we make all kinds of discoveries about ourselves and what we are capable of.
It's easy, so easy, to look back at the breakthroughs and wonder why I didn't try this before?
That's not the point.
The point is to be outrageous...
... as outrageous as possible, every day going forward.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
One of the outrageous things I wanted to do this year was create the most incredible tech t...
... after many iterations and alterations, using the same incredible Italian fabric we use on our jerseys...
... we've done it.
It's amazing.
I'll be adding more colors to the link below... I had to launch the PRs > KOMs first because...
... you know I'm all about PRs.
We've been getting rave reviews from the teams who have ordered for off the bike, on the podium.
Use promo code: OUTRAGEOUS to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
159.1
8
Body Water 61.2
just pushups today
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
STRATEGIES VS TACTICS. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
Aug 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE STRATEGIES, AND THERE ARE TACTICS. Strategies are timeless, tactics are fleeting. I share the overall strategies I use with you because...
... I want you to win, at everything.
Here's an example of a strategy, Eat like an athlete.
The tactics will change with time via The Science and your own experience.
With the filter of eating like an Olympic champion, it's easy to decide what you'll be selecting when out with your friends. And, you don't have to say something lame like I'm on a diet.
In fact, when someone asks about my food choices, you know if I'm on a diet, I just say...
... No, I'm an athlete.
The silence is so sweet, and it has lead to many conversations regarding how to shed a few lbs.
Here's another, Sleep like a baby.
I was reminded of this visiting our kids and grandson. He sleeps about 14 hours a day. 9pm-9am, and a nap from 3-5.
Ever ask yourself where kids get all that energy?
Getting enough, and proper, sleep is strategy.
I failed on this one today, Always be prepared for every contingency.
First, I had an hour or so drive and I could have entered in the time I wanted to arrive and my smartypants phone would have alerted me to leave earlier because of an event taking place along the route.
Second, early on the ride I was late for, I ran over a large piece of glass and tore a hole too big for Dynaplugs to fix. I should have carried a tube, and a boot, for just such a situation.
Fortunately, the van was nearby and I threw on a new tire.
The bottom line is we all have to figure out the strategies that matter to us, and filter every decision through them. Saves time, makes things easy...
... keeps us on the path towards where we want to end up.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
If you're down to learn some of my strategies and see how well they work for you.
I have a 10-week challenge for you.
It's free.
And, it works.
Mat used it to qualify for Gran Fondo Worlds, Leif used it to drop 50 lbs...
... what are you waiting for?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
161
7 (nowhere near enough)
Body Water 61
just pushups today
30 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
THIS LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR ME
Aug 05, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE TESTED THE LEGS TODAY, raceish pace up one of the major climbs on next week's A race. This is always risky. No helmet is gonna protect the psyche if a slow time is posted...
... it can create all kinds of doubt.
Who needs that?
But, the opposite is just as true...
... nothing better than confirmation things are on track.
CH always hits climbs harder than me. Instantly I was suffering. But, determined to stay with him as we have a shared insane goal, to go sub-8. Which means...
... I better push.
He settled in after a bit and I recovered.
Not long after that, we weren't chatting any more. Things got quiet. Just chains and panting.
In the zone. The good one. Not hurting. Just pedaling.
The data says we are on track.
Phew!
As the great Slim Shady says, This looks like a job for me!.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
You know that else is good for the psyche...
... looking sharp.
Matting gloves and socks.
There are way more colors than this available...
... and it's Buy One Get One this month.
All you have to do is put 2 items in your cart, and we'll handle the discount at check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
160ish
6.5 hr (sleep's been hell this week)
Body Water 61ish
0 strength work
30 minutes recovery
10 minutes reading + Journaling
HE COME GROOVIN' UP SLOWLY
Aug 04, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE'RE IN LEADVILLE, AGAIN. Not the 2 mile high city. Outside of town, five miles up a dirt road, in a 20 year old cabin, a 1000' higher. Staying with friends, and more friends...
... acclimating to thin air.
The first few days are always a little rough.
Can't breath.
Body is tired from adjusting to the altitude, the travel, the change in rhythm. And, the final huge training week...
... there is a vague sense of being hit in helmet.
A fog.
It all leaves you wondering...
... what the heck am I doing?
... what have I committed to?
... what was I thinking?
... do I have to do it?
If the journey is better than the inn, then can't I check the box complete and just relax and eat bon-bons?
But, that passes.
We settle in.
Recover.
Adjust.
While our body is rebuilding itself and repairing the damage from the high training load, our brains are starting to see all the pieces fall into place...
... and our souls are ready to soar.
That's where I am now.
Yesterday, at the midweek race, was the first glimpse of what I've been working for...
... it's coming together.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
This is part of the nutrition component that is coming together.
The code is SOHOTINHERE
And will save you an additional 10%
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159
6 hr
Body Water 61%
1 strength work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY I TRAIN IN THE HEAT
Aug 03, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD REASONS TO TRAIN IN THE HEAT. One is that it creates more blood plasma, kind of like training at high elevation...
... but, that's not my favorite reason.
A lot of people avoid training in the heat...
... I have good news and bad news for them.
The bad news is, eventually you will be faced with a race that is hellahot.
The good new is that since most people avoid heat training, and we don't, they'll be suffering...
... while we are ripping.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
But, ya gotta stay hydrated and salted.
This bundle will save ya some $...
... and more if you use the promo code below.
The code is SOHOTINHERE
And will save you an additional 10%
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
160.4
7.5 hr
Body Water 61.5%
1 strength work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DISCIPLINE, WILL. NOT HELP YOU.
Aug 02, 2022
by TODD BROWN
DISCIPLINE IS ABOUT AS USEFUL AS WILL POWER. Eventually, those relying on discipline will go flat. Tucker out. Quit. But, not us...
... because we are playing the long race.
We have a superpower called Enthusiasm.
In other words, we are our own unquenchable fire.
We get up at o'dark thirty
Say no to cake
Hit the hay early
Log the miles
Lift the weights
Do the stretching
BECAUSE WE LOVE IT!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Just like we love these Superlight and breathable gloves...
... and socks made with FastMax Compression technology.
It's buy a pair, get a pair...
... lots of colors to choose from.
Nothing says pro like matching socks and gloves.
Make sure you purchase at least one of each, and the second one will automatically be discounted 100%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
158.4
8 hr
Body Water 61.2%
2 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
RISKY BUSINESS
Aug 01, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ON AN ICY WINTER EVE, I slid around the corner and grabbed traction just enough to straighten out before the narrow, ancient bridge in that pic above. It was close. I was thrilled. I thought she'd be impressed...
... she was, we never went out again.
We take risks all the time, and think nothing of it.
50 mph,
downhill,
on tiny tires.
Sprinting bar to bar,
on the ragged edge of control,
into the turn and out, dashing for the line.
Bombing single track in nothing but lycra,
with open face helmets
jumping gaps.
We don't think it's risky...
...we're good at it.
Comfortable.
In control.
How do you get across the finish line first?
Practice.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/running-raceday-bags™
We have a lot of variables, a lot more than runners.
But, that doesn't mean the runners in your life couldn't use a Running specific RaceDay Bag.
1. BODY GLIDE, LIP/SKIN PROTECTION, SUNGLASSES, BIB PINS, ROAD ID
2. GARMIN and CHARGER, RACE BELT/HYDRATION VEST, NUTRITION, HEADPHONES
3. RACE CLOTHES, SOCKS, HEADBAND
4. RECOVERY (ICY HOT, COMPRESSION SLEEVES, SHOWER WIPES)
5. SHOES ON THE RIGHT SIDE
6. FOAM ROLLER, RECOVERY SHOES
2 More Pockets On The Pro
7. DIRTY/WET GEAR POCKT ON THE BOTTOM - INCLUDES GIANT ZIP PLASTIC BAG
8. SLEEVE FOR 3 26OZ WATER BOTTLES
If you've got a runner in your life, we've got just the bag they need.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/running-raceday-bags™
---
159.5
7.5 hr
Body Water 60.0%
1 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE ROUTINE.
Jul 31, 2022
by TODD BROWN
EVERY GREAT ATHLETE HAS A ROUTINE. Some mundane, some strange, some outlandish. They stick to it...
... because it works.
It doesn't matter if it make sense.
Is rooted in science.
Reasonable.
That's the hardest part of remote work, and doublydifficult if you're on the move.
Here's how I'm doing it.
As with any successful routine, it's all about the start. I stick to my regular schedule. For me, that's up reading and writing at 6. Working at 8. Riding in the afternoon.
If I can do that, I'm 90% there.
The other 10%, I have to be flexible. Dinner at a friend's at an odd hour, monsoon rains every afternoon, camping with no interwebs. Just roll with it...
... I've found many improvements that way.
Brian texted me during the ride to ask if the mini-RaceDay Bag™ would work with this dropper.
Apparently, that's an issue.
Not with this bag.
It sucks right up underneath your saddle.
Use promo code: 24
To save 20%.
---
158.4
7 hr
Body Water 60.8%
0 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
PREVIOUSLY ON 24
Jul 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
A LITTLE OVER 24 YEARS AGO, TWO OF MY PALS GOT ME OUT OF RETIREMENT. One out of spiritual retirement, the other out of bike racing retirement. Together we raced the 24 hours of Moab...
... battling the Clif Bar team all the way.
It was epic.
Snow
Cold
Cramps
Fatigue
We wound up second,
and we wound up bonded for life.
Racing together does that.
It was fitting they join me for my biggest week of the year, maybe my of life...
... 24ish hours in the saddle.
They've done Leadville. Pete once. Jeff, 10 finishes. They've also checked off their list...
... so after 3 hours we parted.
What can I tell you?
I felt great. Putting down power all day...
... at this point, it's really only a question of nutrition.
Once you have the fitness and endurance you can pretty much go indefinitely if you're fueled correctly.
Which I was...
... until I wasn't.
Greed got the better part of me, I really wanted that 24 hours and I really wanted 8 hours in the saddle today to simulate the upcoming 100 miler.
Not a problem, except, there was no place to get food for the last 3 hours and I only had 500 calories in my pocket and bottles. I should have had at least 900...
... I was too in the zone to care.
I finally made it down off the mountain, and stopped at the 7-11.
The fact that there's a cig butt in the pic says everything.
I was feeling pretty smoked after pushing hard the final 90 minutes...
... through rain and hunger pangs.
What can I tell. you about this monster week?
According to the Stravalords, my fitness is the highest it's ever been.
140.
I'm ready.
Brian texted me during the ride to ask if the mini-RaceDay Bag™ would work with this dropper.
Apparently, that's an issue.
Not with this bag.
It sucks right up underneath your saddle.
Use promo code: 24
To save 20%.
---
158.9
7.5 hr
Body Water 61.2%
0 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BE RACEDAY READY?
Jul 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
QUESTION: How old will I be by the time I'm RaceDay Ready™?
ANSWER: The same age you'll be if you're not.
THE HARDEST PART ABOUT SETTING AN OUTRAGEOUS GOAL, isn't the goal itself. It isn't all the time required, the sacrifices we'll make...
... it's the first pedal stroke.
And then the next.
It's so easy to get hijacked and distracted and discouraged...
... it's hard, it's so far away, I can start tomorrow.
The truth is, if we play this fitness game properly, is that it's in the doing. Not the done...
... fitness is never done.
There will be new breakthroughs by the big thinkers, new methods, new strategies. But, we'll never find them...
... if we don't take that first pedal stroke towards something outlandish.
I believe we all need at least 1 "A race" per year. One day when we're gonna be at out best...
... and unleash our mighty fury.
That will keep us generally on track the other 364 days of the year.
In fact, this year is the end of a 20 year massive bet with myself and my friend Kevin. That we could go under 9 hours at Leadville in our 60's. It sounded impossible at the time, we were barely doing that in our late 30's...
... now, I've made it even more outrageous.
Not only am I going for under 9, but I believe if everything goes perfect - me, bike, weather, competitors, etc...
... I can go under 8.
How can I believe this?
Because I'm still fascinated by going fast, still discovering new ways of getting it done.
And it's working.
One pedal stroke, after another.
Never stop.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
Over the last 20ish years I've done all kinds of things to keep in shape.
I wish I had this bag when I was doing triathlons.
It's a Tri specific RaceDay Bag™, with pockets and features unique to the needs of triathletes on RaceDay.
Yes, we can make them in your team colors.
Check it out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
---
160.4
8 hr
Body Water 61.9%
0 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
TOO EARLY FOR THE SUN
Jul 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S EARLY MORNING RIDING, and then there's before the morning riding. Both have their curiosities, one has unmistakable oddities...
... which I'd forgotten about.
It's been a minute since I rode predawn, offroad.
Long enough that when we rolled out this morning I was momentarily surprised.
There on my arms, along with a stream of blood, were tiny white ropes.
Very tiny.
And, they were mixed in with the assorted web of cables hanging off my bars.
The question I always have when this happens is...
... Is there a webmaking spider crawling on my back?
Hasn't happened yet.
Anyway, it's one of the wonders of the world that spiders spend all night hanging ropes across the trails...
... only to have the rest of creation ripping them down.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Speaking of ripping down, we came prepared today with loaded Mini RaceDay Bags™.
Check out this product testimonial from another rider - got it last night.
Ever wonder where I come up with these product ideas?
Riding, every single time.
Use promo code SPIDEY at check out to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
159.4
6 hr (unacceptable)
Body Water 61.7%
1 strength work
3 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
THE #1 REASON TO GET TO RACE EARLY
Jul 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO SCREW UP YOUR RACE, but we won't be talking about that. We don't screw up. We do it right...
... be getting there early.
But, I bet you can't guess the #1 reason to get there early.
First, how early.
I like to get there at least 90 minutes early. Gives me time to get my race number, visit the porta, say hi to the friends...
... and get kitted up.
So, after all that, what's left?
Well, yeah, warm up.
How long?
I like an hour. I'm a bring a trainer and do a structured warm up. Hardly. I like to get on my bike and roll around. Slow. Softly. Maybe make up a few stories about my competitors...
... to get my blood boiling.
Do some jumps.
But, that's still not the top reason to get there early.
Racing, when it comes right down to it, requires all our energy. We can't waste any...
Getting there late.
Leaving late.
... is a huge waste of emotional energy.
Conserve that awesomesauce. Store it up...
... you're gonna need it.
All of it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
You wanna know a secret to unleash massive amounts of emotional energy and blowing your expectations away...
... register early.
It's the first chapter of my book for a reason.
The book is free...
... just cover the shipping and handling.
And get after it!
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
---
159.3
7.5 hr
Body Water 62%
3 strength work
0 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
TRANSFORM YOUR FITNESS
Jul 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
---
159.3
6 hrs + 1.5 hr nap (embarrassing, I know)
Body Water 61.9%
2 strength work
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
THAT'S RICH
Jul 25, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE'RE SO LUCKY, to be able to ride bikes. Doubly so when we can get out of the city, on country roads, gravel roads, and single track...
... do ya ever think how poor we'd be without our bikes?
The rides and glides,
that ease the stress of life.
Answers we find around a bend,
We see, hear and feel the stoke
finding grace in every pedal stroke
So simple it's hard to comprehend.
That's rich.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
If you're headed out for a head clearing ride you might want to be loaded up.
Save 15% on top of the 10% bundle savings by using promo code RICH at check out... before Thursday.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158.5
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61.3%
1 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE GREAT LIE OF RACING
Jul 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WELL, MTB NATIONALS HAVE CONCLUDED. I went there with two objectives: get in a really hard ride as I prep for the summer's quest...
... and see how I stacked up against my peers.
One of those is a great reason, one of them notsogreat.
How did I stack up?
I got a Silver medal.
It's cool.
But, ultimately meaningless. I mean, I'm not gonna throw it in the river. I'm also not gonna cry about being first loser. I'm gonna keep it as a reminder of how I stacked up...
... on that day, against those racers.
The quest for the summer is to see if I can do the ridiculous: go sub-8 at Leadville.
To me, PRs are and always will be the measuring stick.
What am I capable of?
That's the question that spurs me, inspires me, haunts me...
... in everything I do.
The only one that matters.
A Gold medal doesn't mean I'm my best...
... only that on that day, against those guys, I was the best.
So why race at all?
Because racing shows me what's possible...
... there's always somebody better, faster.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Part of answering that question is searching out great products.
I would never go for a PR or start a race without PR Lotion on my legs and UFO on my chain.
Save 10% when you buy the bundle and another 15% with promo code: FRESH.
The code will expire Monday.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
156.5
8.4 hrs
Body Water 60.8%
0 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
TAKING TIME
Jul 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO TAKE TIME ON YOUR COMPETITORS is to take time for yourself. Not on the bike. Off. Not active recovery...
... a different kind of activity.
One of my favorites, is to put my bike in the stand.
And just look at it...
... with no schedule, no hurry.
Shine this.
Tighten that.
Check pressures.
Check for unusual wear.
Clean and lube the chain.
Look for ways to perfect the ride.
Here's another.
Return from a solid ride and do nothing.
Relax.
Eat.
Read a book,
and fall asleep.
It's okay to rest...
... sometimes knowing you are fresh as a new kit is all ya need.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I love the UFO lube for my chain, and clean it with WEND.
Of course, nothing will make your legs feel magical like PR Lotion.
Save 10% when you buy the bundle and another 15% with promo code: FRESH.
The code will expire Monday.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
156.9
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61.2%
Just pushups today.
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
(DIS)RESPECT
Jul 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO GET FIRED UP FOR A RACE. Energy drinks, music mix, mantras, a wise coach...
... my all time favorite is disrespect.
But, it takes work.
Just a little.
Because most people are really nice, and good natured...
... which means I have to manufacture something.
Just this week, I was standing on the start line for Nationals. The announcer calls up the racers with the most points and the get their choice of where to start - not me. But, before that happens, a guy with teammates iin the race is telling the guy right next to me who to watch, who's fast, who's the best descender he's ever seen...
... bro, I'm standing right here.
He didn't mean anything by it, but I take that stuff and...
... it's like gasoline on my already fireduptorace spirit.
Trust me, you have no idea the amount of things I can conjure up...
the way you size me up out of the corner of your eye
your friend's innocent comments
the colors you're wearing
your tattoos
your hair
helmet
you
your smile
your fan section
the way you snaked me in parking
your humble and meek and kind demeanor
... I'll find something.
I always do.
I'm not sure if it's any less healthy than a giant jolt of caffeine, but I like it. It's free. Surfergirl and I laugh about it...
... it's all in fun, part of the prep.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
You might hate my matching gloves and socks, but you'd be crazy. Just today, John and his daugher Addie stopped me at the races.
We'd never met in person, but they are fans of what we do.
John - Best gloves ever, I have 5 pair and 2 freshies ready to go.
Addie (she got 5th in XC!) - I love your gloves because I never think about them once they are on.
I'm partial to red... maybe because it helps me to see red!!
There are lots of options.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
159.5
6.1 hrs (campfire stories and early race)
Body Water 61.3%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
FIRED UP.
Jul 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE QUITE A SCENE. I like it. I haven't been to national since '05 when I was racing Super D...
... but, something has changed.
There are lots of racers. We've take over the Winter Park resort.
But, that's not it.
Nobody travels across the country for a race without putting in a lot of time and money and energy. Everybody seems fierce and ready to get after it.
That's not it, either.
I thought maybe it was the thick forest, overwhelming our senses with immense beauty.
Nope.
The thing that is different about MTB racing, from my perspective, is...
... families.
There are just a lot of families here. Many with everybody racing. Some XC, some DH, some Enduro...
... maybe MTB is a more family friendly sport?
Whether or not that's creating the vibe I'm not sure. I just know there is a really down to earth feeling here...
... and it has me fired up for the future.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
In fact, I wasn't even bummed out when I sprung a leak in my rear tire.
Just grabbed my Dynaplug system from my Mini RaceDay Bag.
Use this promo code and save 20%: FIRED UP : it will work on all the products on this link.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
159.1
7.8 hrs
Body Water 61.7%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WHAT I FORGOT ABOUT THE GERMAN SHEPARD THAT BIT ME IN THE BUTT
Jul 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YEARS AGO, WALKING THE DUSTY STREETS OF MEXICO two dogs lay in the shade. The little mutt jumped up, yapping and pretending to nip our ankles...
... the old German Shepard waited.
Next thing I know, my butt is on fire, in the painful grip of the sneaky beast.
I run.
He hangs on.
I hit with my pack.
He's not letting go.
My butt was bruised, with slightly broken skin. But, my confidence around dogs was scarred for years.
That's the point of latching on and not letting go...
... to destroy the confidence of your foe.
It ain't easy...
... just effective.
But somehow I forgot that lesson today.
We charged up the opening climb, which was a gravel road. I was 10 back, then 5, then 2, then leading into the first single track. We were still climbing, but now i could control the pace...
... until the guy from Flow went by me.
He cleared the top about 10 seconds ahead of me. I wasn't too worried about it, figuring I'd catch him.
I did.
He was as nice as I was about the pass.
By the time we reached the bottom, I had about 10-15 seconds on him. He caught back up and we diced through the rolling single track back to the start.
He gapped me on the second a lap, a little earlier this time. I could see him, but I couldn't quite hold on. At the top, I figured I could catch again. In fact, I passed him (or so I thought) in about the same spot.
This time, he was way, way behind and I figured he must have flatted or crashed...
... and when Bryson yelled "He's really hurt" that's all I needed.
There was one problem...
... it wasn't him that I passed.
He was ahead, and what Bryson really yelled was "He's hurting."
So, while I'm thinking I've got this wrapped up and taking it a little easy over the rock sections so as not have have any mechanical issues...
... he's up ahead, winning..
That's why, you've got to sink your teeth in deep. And, not let go. Ride till you bleed if you must...
... be the German Shepherd, latched on and unshakeable.
Otherwise, you might do what I did and pull the full dork move and raise your hands up like you won when you cross the finish line...
... in second place.
Could I have won. gone 1 measly minute and 25 seconds faster?
We'll never know, will we...
... all we know for sure is, I let go.
Which meant I couldn't keep track of him? Who was it that I passed? His twin? A teammate?...
... doesn't matter.
We always feel like we could have gone faster when it's all said and done. Always...
... which kinda fires me up!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
You could say, I'm seeing red.
And, I'll definitely keep wearing the matching red socks and gloves.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
158.5
8.1 hrs
Body Water 61.5%
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
PREPARATION, WHERE TO START?
Jul 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING. As my friend, and Olympic Gold Medalist P Viddy says...
... luck is for the unprepared.
So, where to start?
Bike?
Body?
Logistics?
Diet?
Coach?
No
No
No
No
No
For me, it starts in the mind.
Understanding what I can control, adjusting to what I can't.
Figuring out how to accomplish what I need to do.
Learning from mistakes and moving forward.
Focusing on my PRs, my best efforts.
When my head is right, everything else falls into place.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Believe it or not, looking sharp is good for my head...
... and I love matching socks and gloves.
Plus, these gloves are so thin and light...
... they provide superior control.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
159
7.2 hrs
Body Water 61.6%
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHEN POSSIBLE, BE THE SLOWEST
Jul 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I RODE WITH CHAMPIONS TODAY. My good friends from UT, Bryson and his son Myles. Both already have earned Stars and Stripes on the MTB...
... but, that's not what impressed me the most.
I already knew about that, and Bryson had warned me that 13 y/o Myles is an official untouchable ripper now.
What I loved, was following their lines.
Different from my lines.
Smoother.
Faster.
Better.
Which is why I always try and be the slowest in the group...
... it's the best way to learn.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Which reminds me, if you can't be the fastest...
... be the best looking.
Frankly, I love having my socks match my gloves now...
... especially when they are accents for the entire kit.
That's how I roll now, always.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
158.5
7 hrs
Body Water 61.4%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO BE HUNGRY?
Jul 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YOU SHOULD NEVER BONK. Ever. Bonking can take weeks to recover from, let alone ruin your race - like it appears to have done for Tadej at the Tour...
... but, what about fasting?
Around the world, people use fasting for physical and spiritual benefits. You can do your own research...
... here's how and why I use intermittent fasting.
I fast most Sundays.
Skipping breakfast and eating a very late lunch, I experience hunger pangs...
... it's good to feel hungry.
Our ancestors were hungry often. Much of the planet still deals with hunger. I don't love it...
... it helps me to be grateful.
Sunday is a rest day for me. No work, no riding, time for family and reflection...
... with rare exception.
Because I'm not burning calories, fasting is a good way to keep the weight in check...
... it allows me to wake up the next day in good shape.
On weeks when I've reduced my training days...
... I might also employ this strategy midweek.
A few years back, I tried intermittent fasting for weight loss.
Doing it every day. It didn't work for me, at all. In fact, it was quite bad...
... I wound up at urgent care, seeing double.
For me, I just don't carry enough fat stores and I burn too many calories with training. Which means, the rest of the week...
... I avoid feeling hungry.
Especially leading up to any kind of racing...
... I don't mind at all being a couple of pounds heavy on a big raceday.
Bottom line:
- Never bonk.
- Fast for maintenance
- and spiritual life, if you're into that sort of thing.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Is this making you hungry?
I've added some food bundles to the list of RaceDay Ready™ products I love and trust.
You can save even more by using this code at check out: RDRrocks!
Code expires in a couple of days.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.8
8.5 hrs
Body Water 61.8%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ANOTHER REASON TO WHERE A HELMET
Jul 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE RACE COURSE HAS MULTIPLE ROCK GARDENS, one with water running through it. There's a sign warning danger. Riders are sessioning to figure it out...
... which makes it all just terrible.
Too much to think about.
Too many people pointing out all the dangers.
It's so hard to have the discipline...
... to look where you want to go.
If you have it, it's like a superpower.
Why?
Because...
... the body always follows the head.
Whatever our head is focused on, it's a lock our body is going there.
Think about that.
Do you see the rocks, ruts and roots...
... or the clean line?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I talk about this in my book, The Way of The RACER, in the chapter titled Expect Good Things To Happen.
It's free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.3
7.25 hrs
Body Water 61.5%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
LOSE CHANGE
Jul 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOME OF US WOULD RATHER LOSE THAN CHANGE. We've given up before the race even started...
... forgotten who we are.
We are born athletes.
All of us.
Want proof?
Watch a child move.
That is the ideal. But, too many of us have forgotten the joy of moving naturally, gracefully, confidently.
This was on my mind when I wrote the following mantra for RaceDay Ready.
I am an athlete.
I eat, sleep, do what will maximize my potential.
This is my nature.
I am fit,
able to respond to any challenge that comes my way.
I am fast,
moving efficiently and accurately.
I am fierce,
confident in my abilities and committed to my goals.
I am RaceDay Ready.
Then I condensed it.
I am an athlete,
this is my nature.
I am fit, fast and fierce.
I am ready.
And, condensed it again.
I am an athlete,
I am ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Mat decided to make a change, now he's going to Gran Fondo World's!
As you can see, he's big on visualization and got himself a RaceDay Wallet™ with his goal on it.
This shift is working for me and people like Mat.
I promise.
You can join the challenge and get your own wallet here:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158.4
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61.2%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
EQUIPMENT OR COMMITMENT?
Jul 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT OR COMMITMENT? Without training the speediest steed is a sloth, without a decent rig the fittest racer won't stand a chance...
... so where do we focus?
On neither one.
We focus on the result we are looking for and then do the absolute minimum amount required to obtain it...
... anything more is waste.
... anything less is neglect.
... the minimum is most efficient.
For example, I want to be strong.
- It feels good
- Increases control on the bike
- Burns fat
Do I need a gym membership or a tricked out facility at home?
I don't think so.
I'm doing just fine with adjustable dumbbells and a piece of webbing. It's so simple, I can do almost all my exercises on the road.
Click here to watch this: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf_4c-Hg4XH/
Too often, we hesitate or don't start at all because we feel we lack just the right equipment when all we really need is...
... commitment to do the minimum amount required for success.
That's exactly what my 10-week challenge is all about, doing the minimum...
... to get you the maximum results.
Are you ready to take the challenge?
10-weeks is all it takes to get you RaceDay Ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.8
8 hrs
Body Water 60.3%
3 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
WAS IT BAD LUCK OR BAG PLANNING?
Jul 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I GOT SECOND TONIGHT, by less than a second. In fact, the podium girl stopped us before letting us ascend because the computer showed the exact same time...
... 30 minutes earlier I showed some poor sportsmanship.
Arriving late to the race, I'd grabbed my bike and not even checked my tire pressure...
... anxious to warmup, I'd made a mistake.
Off we went.
After swapping the lead 4 times over a challenging course, I'd finally maneuvered into the lead with 4 miles to go. The singletrack was so skinny it would be impossible to pass.
I had about 10 seconds.
Just after I wiggled past a younger racer I'd been battling with I could feel sprinkles on the backs of my calves.
Nooooooooooooooooooo.
Rounding a turn with speed, the back tire splashed around.
I hoped it wasn't so, but the next turn confirmed...
... I was losing pressure fast.
There was no choice but to lean forward transferring my weight to the front wheel, and slow down.
Through the trees, I could see the finish line was so close...
... too close to stop and plug the leak.
Three of us exited the forest wheeltowheel and sprinted for the the line a 100 yeards away....
... missed it by this much.
The congratulation was brief.
I was pissed.
It's true.
Not my best moment.
After I cooled down I sought out the winner and gave him a proper congratulations.
In truth, we'd had a great battle. Him besting me on the climbs, me passing on the descents...
... there really isn't anything more fun than that.
As the great Joe Walsh said...
... 'cause the Rocky Mountain way ya better pump your tires up.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets
I didn't need it today, the clouds only drizzled a bit and we were going all out, but the KOM Jacket is definitely one of my all time favorite pieces.
It's wind and water proof, yet so thin and lightweight you can easily put it in your back pocket.
This might be my all time favorite piece I've created.
We have black in stock in most sizes.
Use promo code PoorToddy to save 20% and cheer me up.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets
---
158.7
8 hrs
Body Water 61.1%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
CAUTION: RACE IN PROGRESS
Jul 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE DISCARDED SIGN SAID IT ALL. CAUTION: RACE IN PROGRESS. It's probably my favorite sign to see. It means...
... the course is clear, let it rip
I was about to do just that.
After the elation of cleaning the steep, rocky section of a climb topping out at 12,500', I was looking forward to barreling back down.
Within 30 seconds that changed.
I was cold.
Had no jacket.
Limited repair tools.
It was nearing sunset.
I was eleven miles from camp.
I hadn't seen a human for over an hour.
Maybe I should use some caution?
Ya think!
The whole way down I was thinking...
oh. I'll take this much faster during the race
oh, these tires can handle these rocks no problem
oh, I can gain a lot of speed off the brakes when it counts...
... it's important to have confidence in our equipment.
I don't go with the lightest tires,
or the lowest pressure,
or without a few tools.
I do ride the bike
set up for the big event
as far in advance as possible.
It's not worth the emotional energy to wonder if the equipment is going to perform. Or, how it will perform.
Managing our emotional energy on RaceDay, and the days leading up to a big event is just as important time in the saddle.
The reason the Caution Sign means go in our brains is because...
... we've already taken the precautions that lead to success.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
That means tying things out in advance like Rip, and making sure you're stocked up.
So, here's the Ethan Hunt offer...
Use promo code MAGIC and save 20%... and get free shipping!
... offer expires e.o.d. 7/13/22
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.8
8 hrs
Body Water 61.7%
3 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling (van life)
MOCK MY WORDS
Jul 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE REASON I MOCK PEOPLE WHO DON'T REGISTER FOR EVENTS in my book The Way of The R.A.C.E.R. is because I know how powerful visualization can be...
... if harnessed correctly.
Nothing is more compelling than throwing down hardearned cash on the registration fee.
Frankly, I think it's lame to talk about doing an event without having signed up.
- It might be sold out when you get around to it.
- The magic is lost.
Part of the magic is the way things fall into place once we commit. We find the time, get the support, discover nifty secrets.
When we don't commit by registering, nothing is urgent. Everything outweighs the idea of maybe doing an event...
... resulting in a weak performance.
Are you going for weak or strong?
I was reminded of all this by an email I received earlier today. A customer had purchased a RaceDay Bag because he'd signed up for an event and wanted to be organized...
... then, I took him to the next level.
Check this out:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
That's some good magic, don't ya think?
So, here's the Ethan Hunt offer...
Use promo code MAGIC and save 20%... and get free shipping!
... offer expires e.o.d. 7/13/22
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158
7.5 hrs
Body Water 61.5%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE SIMPLEST DIET EVER
Jul 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A MILLION DIETS OUT THERE. I've tried a lot, made up a lot, and found them all to be unsustainable or unhealthy for me or plain ridiculous...
... until I settled on the See Food diet.
It's very easy to follow.
Easier to explain.
Hard to do.
It works.
Easy, hard, works.
The only question at this point is...
... Do you want the results?
When I explain it to people, they frown. Like it's some unrealisatic ask I've laid out...
... It's not.
At least it's no more unrealistic than asking your body to perform at it's best with improper fuel.
So, here it is...
... if you can see the ingredients of what you're eating, eat it.
Take that dinner plate above, other than the bread - which I set aside - I could identify everything on the plate. Therefore, I ate it.
Fruits, eat 'em.
Veggies, eat 'em.
Meats of all kinds, eat 'em.
Do you see what I mean?
Or course, this eliminates all packaged foods, all baked goods, all traditional desserts.
It's hard at first. It took me a long time to get on the rhythym of it all...
... and then the suprising happened.
My cravings went away.
Poof.
Well, they didn't go away because now I crave whole foods...
... whose ingredients I can see.
You know what else went away?...
... a lot of blubber.
Easily.
Over time.
A word about cheat days.
They are popular, and I believe they are stupid. All they do is restart the cravings.
Do I cheat?
No, sometimes I'll say Ice cream sounds good today.. But, Instead of pounding a pint I have a few bites. It just doesn't taste as good as it once did.
In it's place, I currently crave greek yogurt with frozen fruit mixed in.
Don't stress about it.
It's a lifestyle change, and once you start seeing your food through this athlete's filter...
... you'll notice you have a lot of places where you can improve.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Diet is a big part of being RaceDay Ready™
Can you handle my 10-week challenge?
Are you committed enough?
It's free, and lots of people across the country are going for it.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
160.9
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
60 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling
IT NEVER WAS ABOUT RACING
Jul 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TODAY WAS THE KIND OF DAY WE ALL DREAM OF. No commitments, uncharted route, perfect weather, riding until we are done...
... in a land committed to cycling.
I downloaded the Stravacreated route onto the Wahoo and set off for an old ghost town.
20 minutes in I realized I'd forgotten my wallet, and my miniRaceDay Bag™. I slowed, gave it some thought...
... and banked on ApplePay and my mechanical good luck.
Climbing cathedral mountains is cleansing.
Nothing better.
But, you've got to be fit to ride in quiet solitude, the forest and streams.
I came across some fit kids with snowboards!?
What are ya doin'?
We're gonna hike up to a glacier and ride it.
Fit + Adventurous = Fun!
Cresting the top at 11,500' I found a winter ski hut that was once the location for the crew boss who maintained the rail line. Turns out this gravel road was originally built for train travel.
Different times, hardy people.
Ride down the other side was a hoot. Rough, but not too rough to rip.
I passed a few cars taking it easy...
... clearly unaware that it's smoother at speed.
At the bottom is the remnants of a small mining town that is being restored, called Como. Settled by Italians, 150ish years ago.
I blew through, heading to the paved highway and Fairway, the ghost town I'd chosen for my turnaround.
One problem.
I had 10 miles to go on a major highway with cars speeding along. That sounded awful...
... I headed back, there was no agenda here.
This time I checked out Como.
The building, the post office.
It was 12 miles back up to the summit.
The heatwave plaguing the country was alive and well here. Nothing like a searing sun at altitude...
... with horseflies for company!
Fortunately, there was a good breeze to keep me cool and battle the flies...
... and the views.
Heading back to Breckinridge, was a bit dodgy. Lots of sightseers, walkers, dogs, riders...
... I loved it, seeing all these fit people.
Colorado has some amazing bike trails between towns. Plenty wide, far from traffic.
This trail was just what I needed because I'd planned to ride 6 hours, and was back in Frisco in 4.25.
There was nothing magical about 6 hours except I wanted to do it.
- It's a good number prepping for Leadville.
- It would give me 20 hours and change for the week.
I've never ridden that much in a week, at least not since we road every stage of Tour of California one year. Seemed like a good idea...
... but, I was lagging.
Nearly pulled the plug as I road passed the van and on to Copper Mountain...
... a blended drink and a ham and cheese croissant saved me.
There is, in my opinion, only one way to live. The only way I've been able to stay fit is to have at least 1 race a year...
... it's never about the race, it's about the lifestyle and what it allows us to do.
The race is merely a check in.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
That is the mindset I've written about in my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161
8 hrs
Body Water 61% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
FREAKIN' LEGS RECOVERED!
Jul 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YESTERDAY MORNING I COULD BARELY WALK DOWN A SET OF STAIRS. Today, totally different. Why, you ask? How is this possible?...
... I even PR'd a healthy chunk of mountain.
Yep.
First off, that section I PR'd included the nasty Powerline climb.
I've only cleaned it twice.
Never in the race.
It's so heinous, when you see it in front of you...
... you just want to dump you bike, and cry.
Even fresh.
I geared down and took it in sections like the Gentleman told me to do.
I tell you that in the hopes you'll up your recovery game. It's so important, at any age.
There are 3 things I do for recovery..
- A Recovery Drink, or food.
- Stretch
- Extras like rolling, massage, etc.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I cover How and when I do my recovery as part of the very free RaceDay Ready Challenge.
If you're wanting to be Fitter, Faster and More Fierce.
PS, this will only add to whatever coaching program you are following.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
162
8.3 hrs
Body Water 61% (maybe)
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW TO RIDE YOUNGER
Jul 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU WANT TO LOOK YOUNGER? FEEL YOUNGER? RIDE YOUNGER? Too bad. Just kidding. After PRing the fast and feared Powerline descent today...
... I have a few ideas.
First, people of a certain age (me!) should...
... nevereverever look in the mirror.
Never.
So disappointing.
Second, put on your shinybitchin helmet and your spiffyracy glasses and a jersey sure to draw attention...
... then look in the mirror, again.
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
Same warrior/warrioress...
... kitted up for killing it.
But, don't get too fancy.
Leave the gray, if you're lucky enough to have experienced life. You want to give your competitors every false hope you can.
Check out what I did today.
Ripped a downhill segment I've ridden a total of 6 times in 12 years.
Fastest in my age group, ever.
106 out of 6300 all time.
Felt amazing.
Tthere's no way I'd dare do it if I hadn't had the...
... proper mental image of who I am.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I'm not going to tell you I'm the greatest coach ever, or that this plan will turn you into Tadej...
... but, I will promise you this.
This program I've developed over the last 10 years is legit. It's much more than an assignment to ride X miles at Y pace...
... 10 Weeks.
And it's free.
If you're wanting to be Fitter, Faster and More Fierce.
PS, this will only add to whatever coaching program you are following.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161.8
8 hrs
Body Water 60.1% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
60 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
SORE LEGS!
Jul 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU. I'd like to say learn from me, but I've yet to figure it out. Tonight's experiment might help...
... cure these aching legs.
Yesterday's spin didn't help.
Today's all downhill start felt great, and the 90 minutes uphill return didn't bother me much at all.
But, tonight I grabbed the Hypervolt. Cranked it up to the highest level, like always...
... and nearly dropped it.
Such was the pain.
I dialed it back.
20 minutes later, it's remotely better.
Yes... I did skip yesterday's recovery session
No... I didn't drink enough post race.
Gonna stretch and Hypervolt more this evening and watch the racers attack the cobbles at the Tour...
... that should be relaxing.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts/products/local-legeng-t-shirt
I'll enjoying this legendary ache in this t-shirt
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts/products/local-legeng-t-shirt
---
162.2
7 hrs
Body Water 59.9% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
60 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
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