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THE CAVE
THE ANALOGIES we come up as endurance athletes can be so disconnected from reality because, if we're being totally honest...
... it's hard to explain to the uninitiated.
Let alone those closest to us.
They're things only we understand, and as soon as we hear it, we're like...
... Yeah, totally!
I thought about this today as we dropped into one our weirder family traditions...
- from 5 on up to 78
- wiggling into the openilng
- crouch crawling the first 30' in pitch black
... slithering down into Harris Cave.
Once we're far enough in, the lava tube opens up into a cavern, then...
... pinches down again for another cramped effort.
Before opening up to yet another cavern where we can stand and feel slightly less threatened by claustrophobia and...
... whatever might be lurking down there to get us, should our lights fail.
Which is analogous to ...
- forcing ourselves in
- adjusting and relaxing in the darkness
- before doing it all again to find out how far we can go
... the pain cave we all love and loathe.
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
169/171/-11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LIFE IS PRECIOUS
TAKING RISKS these days ain’t what it used to be. Most of us live close to civilization. If we were to take a tumble, emergency medical services…
… would be helping us, whisking us a away.
Within minutes.
I thought about that, plummeting down a lonely dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Life and death.
About 90 years ago, my relatives were working a sawmill they’d built (see pic).
A young cousin was manning a large log,
the timber bucked,
catching him.
His leg was gashed.
The others gathered to try and help…
- · 50 miles to town
- · horrendous dirt roads
- · no communications, no helicopters
… but there was nothing they could do.
He was dead in minutes.
Prior to stopping at the sawmill site,
I gotta ping on my cell phone.
Service is spotty at best out here.
Our daughter had gone into labor,
they’d easily made it to the nearby hospital,
doctors and nurses and all the supplies were ready.
===
Update: mother and baby are happy and healthy!
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/168/-2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE DIFFERENCE
KNOWING THE ORIGIN of things can be empowering if we can tie it into who we are and how we operate. But, in today's connected world...
... it's easy to operate unconsciously.
Asleep.
Which is why I've sold my rather large extended family on the virtues of trekking...
- no cell service
- rustic cabins
- tents
... out to the homestead.
Land my great great grandpappy lived on for 3 years to secure the title...
- where my grampa rode out the Spanish flu epidemic
- where my dad spend his summers cowboying
- where I spent a few days every other year
... over 100 years ago.
Some of the distant cousins still ranch,
most of us are city slickers.
Soft.
Unacquainted with the land.
How it...
- feels
- smells
- sounds
... when we're living unplugged.
You know what I'm getting at right?
The feeling we have when rolling with a group,
talking and sharing...
... because plugging in would distract from the experience.
Living.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/193/-23 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOOKING BACK AT TRANSFORMATIONAL
[as I prep for my A race, I thought I'd look back how I felt the last time I did it, in 2022]
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
175/223/-49 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BAKING CAKES
HOW DO WE KNOW it's time to bring the high volume phase to an end, when preparing for the A race of the year? It's a lot like baking a cake...
... at some point we gotta put it the oven.
And, wait.
If we stretch out the build phase too long,
we run the very real possibility of over cookin' it...
... winding up burnt.
Crispy.
If we stop too far out from the A race,
well, then our training ingredients...
... might never rise.
Leaving us flat.
I'm sure there's some real science we could tap into,
or the wise voice of a trusted coach.
Barring those options, I lean toward...
- feeling exhausted
- not wanting to get outside
- residual, never-receding muskul pain
... as my top indicators.
I'm officially there.
Couldn't come at a better time.
I'll be spending an extended weekend...
- mainly talking
- hanging out
- relaxing
... at the family reunion.
Oh, that cake analogy...
... now is the time to give the training into deliciousness.
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/201/-32 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE STRONG
THE TOUR DE FRANCE took a big tumble today. Jonas, running in 2nd place, a previous winner and excellent bike handler failed to navigate a very tricky turn...
... and broke his clavicle.
Sucks.
Before the news hit, enlightening us all to one potential factor in causing him to go down...
... I was already thinking about why some crashes happen.
More importantly, why some hit the deck and shatter, while others...
... pop back up and keep racing.
My thoughts were self-centered of course.
The effort to do hundreds of...
- pushups
- pullups
- squats
... building up my body's ability to handle what is thrown at me, late into a ride or race?
It feels like it is,
as I feel in complete control 5 hours into a stout offroad ride.
At the same time,
am I putting body in a state where it is more likely to bend vs break?
These thoughts were going through my head as the skin and bones Jonas was clearly in massive pain.
Then, I heard the unthinkable.
After traveling hundreds of kilometers from yesterday's race to today's,
arriving very late in the evening...
... he was awakened for a drug test at 2am.
No matter what we are doing to keep our bodies in top shape to handle the demands of racing...
... missing sleep when we are already exhausted is a formula for disaster.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
174/228/-55 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY, IT'S ROUTINE
IN THE QUEST TO SQUEEZE IT ALL IN, we learn to develop and rely on routines. Do something consistently, and it becomes rote. Boring in the sense that...
... we don't have to think about it.
Saving us all kinds of mental energy, as well.
Here are a few examples that made today's ride, much better.
20 minutes into my 2 hour sprint to meet Smiley, I felt my rear tire losing a ton of air...
- added air with CO2
- noticed a leak
- plugged it
... took less than 60 seconds to diagnose and repair.
Thought I'd better text him to confirm my ETA, and noticed I'd left my phone at home.
Doh!
But, I have a reputation for being on time and it's routine for me not to wait, so...
- I pressed on
- arrived at Cook's at 9
- didn't see him there, waited 2 minutes at the trailhead
... and we blasted the climb together.
Mostly together,
he always starts out hotter than me,
becoming my top rabbit to chase and pace.
When I rolled up to the general store for my Saturday fix, 4.5 hours into the ride, parched and empty, without my phone to pay...
- popcicle
- Mexican Coke
... I didn't have to beg, because they know my m.o. and that I'm good for it.
And, that's just a smidge of routine evidence for operational mastery.
Carry on.
Oh, and in case your wondering...
- a mini tool
- 2 CO2s + 1 nozzle
- Dynaplug RacerPro (4 plugs)
... what's in my mini raceday bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-mini-raceday-bag-2-0-isd
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/263/-86 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
PRUNE, FOCUS, EXECUTE
HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPETENCY is a matter of choice. And, that's the challenge. In a world where we can do anything...
... it's easy to reach the end of the day having done nothing.
We know better.
Starting with pruning the options...
- uplifting
- challenging
- beneficial to others
... leaving only the good stuff.
Then, we focus...
- attracting
- believing
- feeling
... with the blinders on, seeing only our end goal.
Executing daily...
... continuously improving.
Very nice you say,
but make it practical.
Ok.
Here's an example.
I really enjoy racing and riding my XC mountain bike.
Knowing that, I've built up a race-ready rig...
... and taken it to the next level.
Most recently, that meant rebuilding the suspension...
- removing the Brain
- replacing a bunch of parts
- and all new lubes and fluids
... which now is supremely supple and plush, fork and shock.
When we are unwilling to prune, focus and execute...
... we are in our comfort zone.
The case there would be comfort with absolute crap vs...
... demanding the best performance we can aquire.
Got it?
===
165lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/169/-9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY?
AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, the set up of our equipment is highly personal. The reason is simple, we are putting in a massive amount of time. And, the minutest adjustment...
... can muck it all up.
A lot.
Leading to anything from a niggle to a...
... Screw it, I'm done with this sport.
So it was with great care that a swapped out my cleats today.
They weren't completely warn out, but they were a little sloppy and replacing them now vs a week before my A race seemed prudent.
I scrubbed up...
- pictures had been taken of the current position
- the area around the cleats taped off
- tools and lube lay at the ready
... put on my operating apron.
The procedure went as expected,
no complication.
The patient was warned to take it easy the next few days,
and expect to feel some initial discomfort.
Physical therapy, in the form of bringing a torque wrench on the next few rides, was presribed.
Like the idiot I am, I promptly headed out for 90 minutes and a fair amount of climbing...
... stopping for many adjustments.
Got close to the old position,
gonna take a few more rides to reach nirvana.
PS... if this seems dramatic, or overkill, blame my dad burning this lesson into my young impressionable mind. his first lawyering job was as a malpractice attorney and the first case was defending a doctor who cut off the wrong leg.
===
163.6 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
6800 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SCREAM
DURING THE LARGEST BUILD PHASE, the miles and hours are waywayway bigger than our norm. It can be daunting, overwhelming...
... we need a reward.
Beyond kudos.
Something to see us through.
Which is exactly what I was thinking today,
halfway through what will like be my biggest week of the year.
Building for Leadville.
The route would be much longer than my usual Dirty Wednesday...
... and it hit my like a icy bolt from the Silver Surfer.
If I stayed on the pedals,
I'd have time to stop by the General Store.
A hundred year old building I usually only visit on Saturdays.
The point being...
... the always have the best selection of Mexican popsicles.
I was flooded with a memory of my dad, and his favorite saying...
... I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
And that was all I needed to get me through the summer heat.
Today.
What will it be tomorrow?
165.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 110 push ups, 22 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 110 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/217/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS 'A' SUPER COOL CAT
MOST OF US DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY of the famous group rides. I'm not talking about the one 5 locals started a couple of months back...
... I'm talkin' the legendary loops.
And, their morphing iterations over the years.
I was reminded of how our heralded TMWC...
... took it to the next level by adding some extra credit.
Called the A loop.
About 10 years ago, Super Dave Koesel made a great suggestion.
We should add on to the ride.
Why?
So we have something to do vs waiting for the guys at the regroup.
It took us a few iterations,
carving our way through a neighborhood,
adding on two punchysprinty climbs.
Finally, we had it perfected,
arriving just in time to meet the crew...
... and keep rolling full gas.
Plus, since we had just started cracking the hour on the original TMWC, back then...
... now we had an updated hour goal.
We've hit it on the A loop multiple times,
even got closer than we've been lately today, 1:02:54 (for me)...
... could it be because Super Dave was back in town, after years of being gone?
===
ICYMI... Super Dave is an aero genius... Remember when 3T came out with their aero gravel bike, years before that was a thing?... yeah, that was Dave's project.
Here's a link to his current company... look to see top secret versions of these bikes at the Olympics.
===
167 lbs 12.7% (I keep telling myself I'm 10lbs over goal because of all the strength work, but we all know it's because
7ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/216/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT SONG!
WE AIN'T SERIOUS if we don't have a our own battle song. The one we can count on when...
... well, all the time.
Could be a playlist.
Mine, current fave for firing up...
... Born To Run, Frankie Goes To Hollywood version
On repeat.
Now Chuck shared a forgotten gem with me for raceday...
... Kickstart My Heart, by Motley Crew.
Surfergirl on vacation...
... Don't Disturb This Grove, by The System
To get pumped for motos in the desert the kids loved...
... Animals, by Nickleback
When I head off to the pearly gates, my beatbox will be humming...
... Low Rider, by War.
What's yours?
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
5900 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/181/-22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT THE EFFORT THAT COUNTS?
WHEN TRAINING FOR THE 'A' RACE, if we're really all in, it's imperative that we prepare by doing the work demanded by the course. That means we have to nail the pace...
... we can sustain.
Or do we?
Lemme splainit.
Say, I'm training for a punchy event with lots of power climbs...
... short 1-5 minutes, repeating.
I could do intervals at a specified power output...
... or I could go for the burn I know I can barely handle for 1-5 minutes.
Or, take my upcoming Leadville MTB race, I know the pace I need to sustain to meet my goal finishing time.
Training the effort required...
... is part art and part science.
The science might say we need to put out an average of X watts...
- getting over a steep, short pitch
- hustling to catch a group
- tucking a long downhill
... the art is knowing when to go above or below the power needed.
Being intimately aware of the effort > callous commitment to pace.
===
165 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/209/-46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS POLARZING
THE DEBATE RAGES ON, whether or not polarized training is valuable for the unwashed or is it just for the uber elites putting in bigbig hours. To really get a grasp on the argument...
... let's look at from other perspectives.
Take marketing.
In marketing, we tout what makes us special, unique, desirable...
... while pointing out the enemies of our awesomeness.
For example, when it comes to bags I might communicate dome bags with everything piled inside are just complete trash and chaos...
... where as our RaceDay bags make raceday smooth, easy and successful.
In politics, the party we align with makes the others out to be stupid, incompetent and evil...
... where our party is full of benevolent geniuses.
It's the same with...
- religion
- sports teams
- abortion, climate change, guns, borders, etc
... topics never to be brought up at Thanksgiving dinner.
What does this have to do with training and us?
I'm just trying to set the stage....
- too much time in tempo
- not enough aggregate training
- inadequate or non-existent recovery
... polarized training has enemies, too.
I was thinking about that today,
because I had a great day with the fellas.
Here's how I set it up...
- Monday Z1
- Tuesday romping group ride, all zones all out
- Wednesday high Z2
- Thursday low Z2
- Friday Z1, barely tapping the pedals
- Saturday, 6 hours at Leadville pace with nearly 2 hours at threshold or above
... finishing the final ride, feeling pretty darn good despite 9000' in 80 miles.
If you disagree...
... then, I have succeeded in providing you some polarizing thoughts on polarization.
===
165.4 lbs 12.7% <- this blubber has got to go!
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/241/-74 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GOING TO BE HIDDI
TRAINING FOR AN EPIC ride or race is always tricky. It's so easy to over do it on the preparation when we want to be confident that we are ready...
... to go the distance.
Battle hardened.
So, when I put together tomorrow's route and added...
... It's going to be hideous.
I had to ask myself...
... What the heck are you thinking?!
This goes against my plan to prepare for Leadville this year by staying under
- 5 hrs
- 8000'
- 80 miles
... fresh and not torched.
Aiming for more power,
and efficiency.
We're going to over every one of those metrics tomorrow,
plus it's a group of hitters and we'll be hitting it.
Yes, I could pull the plug,
or just not show.
But, who are we kidding when we say stuff like that?
(Hideous rides call to my soul. How 'bout you?)
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/152/-1 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING WHERE WE WANT TO GO takes great discipline. Not to be distracted by the lady in the red dress is...
... a skill that deserves mastery.
It's not easy.
Time and time again, ripping the course, we have to ignore the obvious perils and...
... stay focused on our goal.
Going as fast as possible,
error free.
Oddly,
limiting our vision to the best path forward is relaxing.
Calming.
Requiring less energy.
Ultimately, a heckuvalot faster.
So, we practice the skill all the time and when we have those Oh shift! moments...
... we forgive ourselves, and reset.
Perhaps the great Emerson said it best...
... What we are, that only can we see.
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/98/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
THE SLIGHT EDGE
BECAUSE WE USE OUR GEAR every day, we don't always notice the performance is degrading. It's gradual, and we are...
... more concerned with our own numbers.
But, the gear matters.
If we remember anything from the dominance of Team Sky it's...
... marginal gains.
They matter.
Not necessarily individually,
collectively they stack and become game changers.
So are the marginal losses.
I share this as a cautionary tale.
While in Park City a few weeks back,
bombing miles and miles of sweet single track...
... my fork went from finicky to very funked up
My pal Chad helped me get it working enough to enjoy the trip.
As soon as I returned, I rang up the local suspension whiz Mike and gave him the situation.
He ordered parts from Sram to rebuild and improve the fork by replacing the Brain.
Simple enough,
and 7 weeks before Leadville.
Dropped off the bike Monday, planning to have it back for the weekend and continue to perfect my oneness with my steed.
Hey Todd.
Hi Mike.
We gotta small problem.
Uh-oh.
Sram sent the wrong parts.
Dang.
Yeah, it's gonna be another 10 days.
Is the suspension torn to pieces?
Yes.
Ok, I understand.
Now, here's the part we all need to understand...
- we need to stay on top of the maintenance
- allow plenty of time for parts to arrive
- and for the mechanic's schedule
... in order to have the slight edge we need on raceday.
===
165.8 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 125 push ups, 25 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 125 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/103/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
2026 TUESDAY MORNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE LIT
ABOUT THE MOST FUN we can have is upping our game for the weekly group ride. The good ones all have memorable names. Just saying them sparks...
... anything from fear to fun.
Like The TMWC.
A ride we started 24 years ago...
- 30+ riders every Tuesday at 630
- most wearing the ride's kit
- with an annual throwdown
... and is still ripping today.
Today wasn't any ol Tuuzdee...
- the regulars
- the outta towners
- the first timers hoping to hang on
... it was the unOFFICIAL 2026 Championships.
4 categories...
- Women
- U35
- U50
- U100
... racing for glory.
Bragging rights for a year.
The course has never changed, but...
- fullgas from the start
- even paced 'till The Wall
- saving it all for the Corkscrew finish
... the raceday never plays out the same.
Today unfolded with bouts of massive power,
dropping to conversational,
and back at it.
The only thing that was the same was Alessandro...
... pulling off the first Threepeat.
He was so far off the front the camera crew mistook him as some cat who happened upon the course...
... except he raced up The Wall with god-like speed.
Put over a minute on lil' ol' me,
and nearly everyone else.
Insane.
Priscilla crushed the women's field,
snatching longstanding, legit QOMs.
It's not all about the wins, though.
Juan was voted most-improved,
and Eric picked up rookie of the year.
These aren't participation trophies ...
... they represent outstanding effort, week after week.
Congrats to these cats....
Overall
Alessandro
Kody
Andrew
Women
Priscilla
Maria
Vi
U35
Andrew
Eric
Scott
U50
Kody
Drew
Alfredo
U100
Alessandro
Rob
Mani
Still reading?
Wondering how we pull it off?
Our 4 rules are key...
- Leave on time
- Obey the law
- Make a friend
- Have fun
... plus, always be inviting.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/2024-tmwc
Use Promo Code TMWC2026 To Save 20% On The Gear
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/100/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHO HAS THE BEST TdF ANALYSIS?
THERE ARE A LOT of professional pundits pontificating the particulars of each stage of the Tour de Frants. Then, there's the amachurs. Us handlebar hams...
... handing out our homemade takes.
Who's best?
Certainly it's not Velo's...
Jonas Vingegaard was left choking in Pogi's exhaust and came to the line two seconds back after the 1.7km hilltop kick to Les Angles.
... latest retarded hyperbole.
Cycling News' take...
A devastatingly-long and sustained acceleration by Tadej... with a two-second advantage.
... wasn't much of an improvement.
Jonas said it better...
It's a shame, of course. But when we started the Tour, we expected to lose time... so it's a good starting point that I'm tied on time with Tadej.
... and more accurately.
But, he's not selling ads for eyeballs.
My eyeballs and ears like to take in...
- Chris Horner for pointing out the knucklehead moves of the day
- Lance's podcast for the entertainment
- GCN's breathy and breasty euroness
... if I have the time.
And then there's NBC's crew...
- I do feel for Brent and TJ having to educate the unwashed with silly cartoons and goofy bets
- No way I could ride the sissybar like Christian or do the man on the course stuff like Steve
- Amid correcting, Bobke does a good job as the straight man
-
Phil may miss a few deets, but that voice is still gold to me
... collecting a solid paycheck.
Nothing wrong with that.
For actual, pure analysis...
- concise
- relatable
- insightful
... I think Tom Danielson does it best.
He delivers it via blog, vlog and podcast.
You're probably thinking Nice job taking potshots at people just trying to do their jobs...
... to which I'll counter, I'm grateful we have so many real human points of view vs the AI slop sure to come our way.
Links to Tom's work:
https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/tour-de-france-stage-3-tadejs-boxing-match
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/81/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING
MOST OF US have a test course, a segment that is our fitness barometer, where we lay down a valiant effort, then upload it...
... to see where we're at.
Sometimes years of data points.
When we're prepping for the A race we'll hit it hard.
The results are instructive...
- PR'd it
- on track
- woefully wanting
... from elation to devastation.
Gratefully, it's usually good and confirming info.
But, what about when it isn't?
Like my Leadville prep test up a similar climb to Columbine...
- 1:10 in May
- 1:14 in June
- 1:15 in July
... which is honestly, quite discouraging?
The May effort I was waiting for my friends,
in June I was chasing all the way,
in July I went alone.
July's effort was the shortest
June's was much longer,
May's the longest.
Big takeaway...
... my fitness is going backwards.
So, find the positives...
- I'm descending better than I have since the TBI
- the nutrition plan seems to be on point
- the bike is nearly complete
... and make adjust ments.
I still have 7 weeks to turn it around...
- stop shredding my legs with weight training
- get back to throttling Saturdays
- stack the Zone 2 miles
... and I have some definite ideas on how to do that.
Will it work?
I dunno.
What won't work is quitting.
Thoughtful, calculated perseverance is always the right answer.
===
165.6 lbs 12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/87/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HALF THE FREEDOM
WE KNOW where the 50% mark is on the course. The distance. The estimated time it takes to get there. The food we'll need to arrive and...
... finish with good energy.
But, is that enough?
Knowing vs doing,
totally different things.
The first half of 2026 is gone.
For some, it flew right by.
Others...
- bored
- unengaged
- beset by challenges
... had a different experience.
We are free to stay the course, or...
- 10x goals
- Committed mindset work
- Severing whatever is holding us back
... recalibrate and blow everyone's minds (ours included).
God, bless America.
===
Nowza good time to crack that journal open and document the amazing things we've accomplished to date.
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
Let's rip!
===
164 lbs 12.6%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/88/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GUITY AS CHARGED
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, there is no defense for the flagrant violations of society's norm...
... we've got a problem.
And, we don't care.
It's who we are...
- city limit sign? let's race
- KOM within reach? let's race
- event 700 miles away? let's race
... we're constantly on the lookout for our tribe.
We rarely watch sportsball,
we'll watch a TdF stage start to finish.
We do find comfort in the couch,
after an absurdly long day outside ripping.
We do devour ice cream and cookies,
but only when the calorie deficit is irredeamable.
We aren't normal...
... we're race junkies.
===
If that resonates,
you might want this shirt,
which I'm pretty sure we priced wrong at $20.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
I'll fix the price after the holiday.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
===
165 lbs 12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/96/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BROKE OR BROKEN?
IT'S AMAZING what we're willing to put up with. I suspect it's just in our nature and probably why...
... we thrive at the endurance game.
We tune it out.
And, here's the dill.
Pretending things aren't the way they are...
... can be demoralizing.
Yesterday, I had my cracked front windshield replaced on the van.
It wasn't huge,
but it was slowly growing,
ever since our trip to Sea Otter.
Neighbor Rick came out to chat and asked me why I replaced it.
Honestly?
Yeah.
It was making me feel poor.
The thingaboutitis, if I'd had the rock chip fixed immediately...
... the cost would have been minimal.
Which begs the question...
... what are we allowing to languish and bring us (our performance) down?
===
166.4 lbs 12.4%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON PEPTIDES
THE TEMPTATION to tap the pharmacy is getting realer every day. Call it the effects of the human genome project or clever marketing...
... lotsa people on the train.
I've been surprised.
Just in the last month or so, some of my much younger (30s and 40s) and generally healthy friends...
- trimmer
- slimmer
- sexier?
... have let me know their results from peptides.
They aren't athletes who compete,
just dudes wanting a better bod.
My response is always the same.
Dang...
... I can't do that because I'm a racer.
I know...
- the likelihood of getting tested is practically nil
- the evidence of peptides disappears quickly
- the help they deliver is real
... but, I'll know.
So I push on in the land of...
- working hard
- eating clean
- getting rest
... and I'm quite okay with that.
===
165.8 lbs
7 hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RIDE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU WOULD RIDE WITH YOURSELF
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we get an insight that touches our hearts and when we try and explain it to others they just don't get it. Not their fault. We just need an analogy...
... we can all relate to.
Try this one.
I'll do my best to share the change of heart I had recently...
- a homeless woman sitting on the corner of a busy sidewalk in front of a food court
- people, me included, waiting for the light to change
- ignoring her sad, red eyes like they didn't exist.
... it wasn't my finest moment.
We're all rich.
I'm on a stupidly expensive bike,
but no cash on me,
gazing ahead.
Ignoring the obvious hurt and loneliness.
I was ashamed...
... of my inability to see the once beautiful baby at my feet.
What would it have cost to acknowledge her?
And it hit my heart so hard...
... Love they neighbor as thyself.
Finally I got it,
and I'll do my best to share it with you.
If we really loved our neighbors as ourselves we might...
- be a little nicer, kinder more patient
- genuinely ask how they are, if they need a hand
- we might hold the bar a little lower or a little higher, out of love
... not the awkward, stumbling empathy that paralyzes us.
Genuine desire to help others as ourselves out knowing that...
- if we were raised differently
- made regrettable choices
- had terrible experiences
... but for the grace of God go I.
It reminds me of my good friend Todd Darley, a better Todd than I, who always rolls out with food.
One day we're ripping up Mulholland with a spicy group, gonna PR it...
... and Todd disappears.
Where'd you go?
Stopped to talk to the homeless hiker?
What?
Yeah, wanted to make sure he was okay. Gave him a bagel I had.
Last Saturday, a dude in a pick up with a trailer full of tools pulled up to me and Chad and flipped us the bird...
... I laughed and asked myself Now why would I do that? Having a bad day? PTSD from cyclists?
I'll never know that dude's literal problem...
... just hoping this change of heart stays with me forever.
===
165.4 lbs
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/91/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THIS CODDLING?
WE'VE ALL HAD to face the unbearable hot situations. Sometimes in training, others in a race. But, that's the thing...
... we've all had to face them.
That's life.
So, when the geniuses at Velo led with Extreme Heat Could Force Radical Rethink of the Tour de France...
... I sighed.
Stop the coddling.
They're professionals.
Then Surfergirl chimed in...
- 2013 Tour of California
- 4pm finish
- 114º
... But, remember Palms Springs.
We started early and rode the stage ahead of the pros.
Dropping down into the desert floor was like riding into a giant hair dryer.
Oppressive and awful.
My son and I staggered into a 7-11 and chugged giant Slurpees...
... finally lowering our body temps to be able to ride to the finish.
The pros came in and literally collapsed on the sizzling black and gooey tarmac.
She had a point.
It was horrific.
After wading through the Velo clickbait I discovered the "radical rethink" just meant considering starting the races at 9:30 vs the typical much later starts that finish in the hottest time of the afternoon.
You know the real tragedy isn't the coddling, it's that...
... I won't be able to go for an early spin and watch the race finish live.
I'm sure I'll find a "radical rethink" of my entertainment consumption.
===
163.4 lbs
9 hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/99/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING THE COMFORT ZONE
IT CAN BE PERPLEXING to know a truth from personal experience, to share it because we care, and see it not be received...
... because it's scary.
Like ripping downhill.
I have a few friends who are training for a big event with me.
There will be a fair amount of climbing,
followed by a fair amount of descending.
None of it...
- steep double-track
- wide open hardpack
- a bit of chunky rocky stuff
... will give most mountain bikers any trouble.
Unless we're racing,
really going for it.
Even then, most will be fine...
... but, they could be so much better.
And here's the headscratcher...
... I can't get them to ride much harder trails in preparation.
They protest,
avoid,
skip.
Because I'm absolutely failing to ride home the point that learning to rip more challenging trails now...
- steeper
- chunkier
- twistier and slicker
... will move the comfort zone.
Moving the comfort zone means we are...
- more efficient
- relaxed
- calm
... saving all kinds of physical and emotional energy.
While others bog down with Oh shift! moments, we can turn those sections into...
- recovery
- relaxation
- moments of bliss
... something to look forward to, and potentially gain/make up time.
If we're into that.
I am.
You?
(Where else are we too fraidy catty to move the comfort zone?)
===
163.6 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/114/-23 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, DOES HE REALLY CARE (NOW)?
ON RACEDAY it's fair to say nothing else matters but the race. The training, the fine-tuning, the sacrifices...
... they're all coming together.
We need to rip.
But, when it's all said and done...
... should anybody, ourselves included, really care?
Take a dude I heard about...
- inspired and helped millions of cancer patients to believe they had a chance
- single-handedly lifted a dying sport getting legions to pedal
- operator of a massively popular podcast
- successful investor and businessman
- father of five children
... does he really care that he's not recognized as winning 7 TdFs?
For all you haters that are now triggered, the unsubscribe button is above and below.
For the open minded, contemplating our own mortality and personal achievements...
- family
- race wins
- inspiring and helping others
... what would you prefer?
===
164 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/93/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of The Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all things marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INNOVATION THROUGH IGNORANCE
IGNORANCE AND IGNORANT are such ugly words. And don't even speak ignoramus. Referring to anybody with those words...
... is just plain mean spirited.
Ain't gonna make ya friends.
Yet, the truth is, many of personal innovations come from ideas...
- never heard of
- never thought of
- never been exposed to
... we were completely ignorant to.
Here are a few of mine...
- swimming to control breathing
- lift heavy, low reps
- sprints for power
... that have helped improve over the years.
The swimming one I came up with on my own when training for Leadville in the early days. I wanted to control my breathing and keep my breaths deep.
The lift heavy, low reps I learned from one of the great Phil Mafetone books. He only pioneered Zone 2 training coaching Mark Allen to become the most complete and dominating triathlete of his era.
Lift heavy, low reps was also heavily preached in the fascinating book Underground Secrets To Faster Running, by Barry Ross.
Sprints for power came from the awesome Fred Duncan, a premiere track coach.
The idea that we are born to be athletic and should treat our bodies as such came through loud and clear in Christopher McDougall's book Natural Born Heroes.
I could go on...
- crusty old curmudgeons calling me out
- lessons learned through experience
- defeats whose sting was wicked
... but that's not the point.
The point is we've got to continually expose ourselves to new ideas and concepts and experiences in order to...
... keep innovating and growing.
Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Socially.
===
1664 lbs
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/102/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE VISION BORED
VISION WHILE RACING isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen. We gotta breathe, we gotta see...
... to move forward.
I was thinking about that today while zipping down a twisty trail.
If I let my eyes start to focus on what's up close...
... my speed drops and I become much more reactive.
When I'm focused far ahead...
... I go much faster, slipping into a state of flow and things are magically easier.
The thing I was thinking about was my vision board.
Mulling over the things already accomplished, as well as what is in the works.
The vision board seems to work the same way...
... focusing on the outcome, not how I'm going to get there.
Some of you may be thinking Dude is nuts,
others nodding your heads That's right.
Either way, I'll leave you with this thought from King Salomon...
... Where there is no vision, the people perish.
===
166.2 lbs
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/108/-19 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TUCK AND ROLL!
AERO. The term is like a science fiction blob that oozes it's way into everything, eventually killing everything in sight and taking over the world...
... with no end of it's pervasiveness in site.
Can we escape the creepiness?
The thingaboutitis, once we go slip down the aero tube...
- positioning
- equipment
- apparel
... it's almost impossible to stop.
That list falls short of the whackiness...
- hands on the mtb fork crowns at Leadville
- hydration bladders stuffed in front of jersey
- dropper seat post for bombing road descents
... which actually works.
I was thinking about that this morning as I crested The Wall, about 15 seconds behind the leaders.
Pedaling till I was spun out...
- butt hooked on end of saddle
- hands next to the stem
- chin on the Wahoo
- elbows in
- knees in
... I assumed the position (I'm not a butt on seat tube believer).
Would I, could I catch before the bottom?
Being on my lessthanaero gravel bike...
- spun out with gravel gears
- rolling shallow depth road wheels
- rockin' a well ventilated KASK helmet
... I needed every aero advantage I could get.
After rolling up on the 3 in between the two leaders...
... we rotated, taking short and speedy pulls.
It took forever to catch,
all the way to the final curve.
I'm already thinking about next week...
- actual aero helmet
- clean shave on the legs, face, arms(?)
- and, yeah, gonna bust out the Speedsuit
... what else I can do to improve my aeroness.
On my previous road bike, I clocked 51 mph...
... today's set up shows 47.4 mph.
Tuesday can't some soon enough.
===
168 lbs
7 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs
89/113/-24 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CUI BONO?
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEALS that get cut on the race course. Some are obvious, some hidden. Many between competitors...
... for money, glory and pride.
The worst deal of all?
Well, that depends on Cui bono?...
... Who benefits?
Deals between competitors kindasuck, but...
- hang on for camera glory
- work to stay in break
- straight cash
... we can usually tell who benefits,
and who pays.
No, the most insidious deals...
- staying up late
- backing off the finishing sprint
- starting the new diet "tomorrow"
... are the ones we cut with ourselves.
Because nobody benefits,
'cepting our competitors.
===
167.4 (Happy Fatter's Day - sheesh!)
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
85/90/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
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
>
THEY JUST AREN'T AS GOOD
Apr 13, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THE RAIN WAS DRIFTING DOWN AS I ROLLED ONTO THE DARK STREET. It was not supposed to be raining. I checked the app again. Cloudy, it said. Cloudy my Chamois Butt'r covered...
... I kept going anyway.
Because it rains on RaceDay. And when it does, I love it! I know a good chunk of the cats will DNS, and another chunk will DNF...
... because they don't ride in the rain.
The harder things are, the easier it is to get a win or top result. Since a lot of cats just won't ride...
... rain,
... heat,
... dark,
... ice,
... you name it...
... they won't do it and we will, therefore we have a HUGE advantage.
Do hard things.
Get results easier.
That's why they aren't as good...
... when it gets hard.
Sometimes it's hard to get someone's attention, which is why I like to use this fancy bell.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bike-parts/products/knog-oi-bike-bell
It's beautiful, so is the sound it makes... so much so that people turn around with a smile and bow graciously to let me by.
Use Promo Code: BELL
To save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bike-parts/products/knog-oi-bike-bell
---
166.5 lbs
Hypervolt and Stretch
6.75 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5120221218
YEAH, I'M TOTALLY IN2 THAT.
Apr 12, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF MY FAVORITE TWEETERS DISCOVERED PELOTAUNT. He thinks he's a bike racer now. I'll let that slide for the moment for the simple reason that he was going off on Zone 2 training today...
... and how it burns fat better than anything else.
Further, he shared a very deep dive into Zone 2 by Dr. Peter Attia, also notabikeracer, who has done exceptional research in this area...
... but, that's not why I ride Zone 2.
At least not the fat burning part...
... I ride Zone 2 for the mitochondrial part.
That's the part that builds our aerobic capacity. Our engine. Our big, throaty V-8s that carry us on our own personal victories.
Just do a search on Zone 2 if this is new,
If it's old hat, consider this...
... could more Zone 2 be helpful?
Speaking of helpful, you might appreciate this recommendation regarding tubeless 28s for road.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pirelli
I started riding them instead of Continentals about 6 months ago. I love 'em. They are quieter, ride smoother and seem to hold up really well.
Plus... drumroll... they are in stock.
After that I started riding the Pirelli gravel tire. In my opinion, there's nothing faster on the road or dirt.
I know it's not the deepest tread, but I'm only running 28-30 lbs in 'em. The hook up plenty good. Their only fault, and I'd say it's only a fault if you're really on the slicing edge of corning is you really have to lean them over to get the edge to grab. But, if you've got the skills they hold plenty fine.
If you're down to try them out...
... I'm down to share this code with you: ZONE2
Use it and you'll save 20%, just because I really want you to try 'em out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pirelli
---
166.2 lbs
Hypervolt and Stretch
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5114477365
THE UNSLAYABLE DEMON: FIGHT AT YOUR OWN PERIL
Apr 11, 2021
by TODD BROWN
IT'S THE DAY AFTER. Our bodies are healing, but it feels like things are getting worse. Yesterday's hint of physical and psychological pain is now an exclamation point and we are left wondering...
... what if I'd...
... specifically trained and tapered?
... made repairs a week before rather than the day before?
... left earlier, arriving relaxed and rested?
Losers dwell on the What Ifs.
Winners learn and move on.
I can't tell you the number of OhCrap moments I've had riding looking backwards...
... which is just like dwelling on the What Ifs.
What if the price of a Hypervolt dropped to $299?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery/products/hypervolt-w-bluetooth
Would you get one?
Or, would you keep wondering if you're aching muscles really would recover if you had one?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery/products/hypervolt-w-bluetooth
---
163.8 lbs
Hypervolt
9 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5110691303
EVERYBODY IS SO NICE, WHEN THEY HAVE A HATCHET IN HAND
Apr 10, 2021
by TODD BROWN
YOU DON'T NEED TO BUY A GRAVEL BIKE TO APPRECIATE WHY GRAVEL EVENTS ARE GROWING SO FAST. And, brining a mountain bike to race is not like bringing a knife to a gun fight...
... in fact Brian Scarbrough took 3rd today on an MTB.
To be honest, you don't event need to do a gravel even to get it.
You just need to show up and check it out.
The vibe is friendly, comradic, even collaboratory.
People are antsy at the start, but that's because these are always an adventure. A wide skillset is required: good road skills, good dirt skills, good repair skills.
There is always some pileup you just can't believe,
Like today.
I'm jamming along in a sweet, ripping pack and I see this gal nearly go down. I'm talking bounce off her seat, land on the top tube, vector off course and save it.
But, she wasn't done.
You'd think...
Unbelievably I see her do it a few miles later. This time she doesn't save it and goes flying off a hill. Total yard sale.
I stop.
She's giggling. Trapped in her crumpled bike.
We try and get it working, Stem recentered. Front brake fixed. But, then I saw the twisted derailler.
Bummer.
Anyway, these are the kinds of things you see... and maybe experience.
Which is why there is a party at the end...
... with people hanging out...
... and rehashing it all...
... which is also why you might want to check out the gravel scene.
Our finisher's award?
A hatchet.
Personally, I thought that was risky. There were a number of heinous climbs where I was mentally cussing Sam, the promoter. The cramps were hitting me hard.
Fortunately, they were rewarded with some very fun and twisty slot canyons.
At that point I was hitting my supply of Salt Stick tablets hard.
Cramps came on.
Tablets chewed.
Cramps gone.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/saltstick-fast-chews
The nifty thing about what we do is we included a little plastic container with a pop top. It's perfect for keeping in your jersey pocket and popping as needed,
Trust me on this... for less than $19, you just might save your next race.
Ships free, too.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/saltstick-fast-chews
---
? lbs
Hypervolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5104539643
THE LAST SUPPER OF SORTS
Apr 09, 2021
by TODD BROWN
A SMALL GROUP OF US GATHERED OUTSIDE OUR CAMPSITES FOR BBQ TONIGHT. Only one guy knew everybody, but it didn’t matter. In the morning at 8:15am, we will all sing the National Anthem and then Sam Ames will explain the many ways he has concocted to destroy us over 80 or so miles of the Rock Cobbler gravel race...
... it feels more like a reunion or revival than a race.
In fact, the thing I like about the Rock Cobbler... besides the whacky courses with things like riding through residential homes - yes through the living room... is that it's not a race.
I mean there's numbers. There's timing.
But don't be fooled.
The numbers are there because Sam wants a headcount on all the destroyed riders who didn't make it in.
Same thing for the timing, it's so that one of his hired hands can look you in the eyes and say...
I'm sorry son, your race is done.
Which is probably why the last supper tonight was so enjoyable. A final chance to bond with other crazy cats.
Speaking of crazy, can you believe it's April?
Can you believe we are actually back to doing events?
Isn't cool that the race calendars are starting to solidify?
Yeah, you probably are wanting one of these now, right? So you can plan out your mighty A races.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
They're giant. 50" tall x 24" wide. The weeks start on Monday, end on Sunday.
Use promo code ROCKCOBBLER to save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
---
164.8
Hypervolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5099185474
HOW TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR RACE WATCHING EXPERIENCE
Apr 08, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WANT TO MAKE YOUR TV BIKE RACE WATCHING A WHOLE LOT MORE EXCITING? The best way, the way that is the most fun, is actually about to start happening again. If you do it right, it's like planting a seed...
... and seeing a giant tree burst forth.
For example, while standing on the side of the road at the San Dimas Stage Race a few years ago I watched a kid flying off the front of the Cat 3 race.
It didn't look like he was really trying.
Everybody chasing was in tatters.
He was 15.
Brandon McNulty solos in for the win. Remember that name folks. We're going to be seeing more from him.
What you want to do, whenever you can, is go to the big amateur races nearby. Of course, you'll want to do some racing yourself.
Just remember to stick around and watch the 15-18 year olds.
Because when one of those kids goes off to Europe, and they will, and lead a European stage race it makes the watching a million times better.
Right now McNulty is doing just that at the Itzulia Basque Country.
I've also seen Chris Horner killing it at Sea Otter, and he's now killing it with race analysis on his The Butterfly Effect. https://youtu.be/6L9MXywRCZg
If you plan on doing some racing, now's a good time to plan getting a new bike... if you're in the market.
As you know, it's hard to get a new bike. We are putting together our season order for 2022 BMC's. Bikes ordered now will be available between now and September.
Check out their site https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/ . It's not showing 2022 models, but will give you an idea of what's coming. Let me know what you want and I'll get you the details.
---
164.8
Morning Paddle Surfing
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5093955578
THIS (THIS RIGHT HERE) IS HOW WE DO IT
Apr 07, 2021
by TODD BROWN
IF I COULD OVEREMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING WITH OTHERS, believe me I would. I can't. It's impossible. I've tried. But, there are still riders who insist they'll get better and improve by Doing my intervals man! They're wrong...
... and I think they know it.
There's nothing better than rolling out with a group of riders with the goal of whooping up on each other, because nothing pushes us like chasing a rabbit and not being caught if we are the rabbit.
The challenge, of course, is getting the ride going if you can't find one.
There are 5 keys:
- Start on time.
- Leave from the same place.
- Do NOT wait for anybody, ever, as a group.
- Keep inviting.
- Keep doing it.
The last two are the secret sauce. It's not gonna happen over night. It will take commitment and promotion. Keep inviting everyone you meet and keep doing it.
We've started this new MTB Hot Laps on Wednesday nights. It's still small, and we don't want it to get too big. Max 20. Tonight we had 8.
I know we'll get it where we want it.
I wonder how many other movements and traditions are started like this?
I bet you can name a few.
Just like I'll bet you'll go a lot faster if you lather up with PR Lotion.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
And, I'll even wager you'll want to get in on this deal... which includes FREE Shipping
Purchase AMP PR Lotion by 4/9, and we'll include 2 of the Clearly Awesome water bottles.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
---
164.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5088257980
THE SNEAKY ART OF HEADSET ADJUSTMENTS
Apr 06, 2021
by TODD BROWN
FOR SURE YOU DON'T WANT A TIGHT HEADSET. It makes steering difficult and riding with no hands dangerous if not impossible. But it doesn't stop there, because if you're a coy rider...
... it's really fun to mess with someone's head.
Would I ever do that?
In a race?
Well, yeah. For sure. Sometimes ya gotta dig deep...
... inside your opponent's helmetcovered head.
I think it was in some LeMond book where I read about faking tired when feeling good and it's equally sneaky twin faking good when feeling terrible.
Then there's faking like you don't know what you're doing so racers steer clear and don't pay you any attention.
It's endless really, however we were talking about some of our favorites last weekend and I shared one that can be really devastating.
Will I share it with you?
Sure... why not.
We're friends.
It's this one, and it only works on a really long and miserable day. The kind of day I might have this weekend.
Just imagine you're 80% into the race. Conditions are very challenging. Wind. Dust. Heat.
It's just you and one other cat.
Trust me this works better than you'd think.
Hey, how are you feeling?
That's it.
Just leave it hanging.
No need to follow up.
That cat heard you and is thinking...
It's not like popping their tire. It's more like a pin hole, and the air slowly starts to seep out.
Which is one reason I've switched completely to tubeless tires. Because with tubeless tires and sealant no pin hole is gonna slow us down. Glass and grit and rocks. I laugh at them now. Well, not totally... I just don't fear them like I did.
On the road, I'm loving the Pirelli P Zero SLs.
Gravel, the Pirelli Cinturato.
MTB, Continental Cross King up front and Race King on the rear.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-tires
We have a whole slew of tires in stock.
Use promo code TODDSTIRES
To save 20%... the code expires 4/8/21.
---
166.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.4 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5080277077
3 THINGS YOU DON'T WANNA BE DOING: BURPING, PINCHING AND ROLLING
Apr 05, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I PLAY WITH MY AIR PRESSURE CONSTANTLY. I test low pressure vs high pressure, to try and figure out the optimum for the kinds of conditions I'll be racing on. There's no easy answer...
... though the trend towards lower and lower pressure is winning me over.
But, you can go too low. Even with the tubeless setups I'm riding, there's a point of negative returns.
The problem is there's only one way to find out if you've gone too low...
... and that is going to failure.
What kind of failure?
It ranges from burping to pinching to rolling.
Burping is landing so hard some of the air in your tire escapes.
Pinching is hitting a sharp object so hard the tire gets pinched against the rim and tears.
Rolling is the worst. That's where you land or corner so hard the tire rolls off the rim and a terrible crash ensues.
One friend burped his tire after overjumping a landing, missing the gentle slope and hitting the side of the berm that followed.
I pinched ripping over a section of mini tombstones.
My was able to keep riding. You can do that on a burp, but it slows you down until you put in more air.
I had to stop and jam a plug into the tear before filling the tire back up with CO2.
I'm not sure what pressure my friend was running, but I was down to 18lbs in the rear tire. For me, over that harsh terrain, that was too low in my 2.2 MTB tires.
When doing this kind of testing we have to be very precise.
Can't go on feel.
Can't be using different pumps.
That's why I use a digital gauge. And why that gauge is either by my floor pump or in my RaceDay Bag™.
It makes a difference.
This is the one we trust.
It's compact, and very reliable.
Use Promo Code: AIRCHECK
---
166.9
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5074751057
JUMPING THE BIGGEST GAP
Apr 04, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS THIS HUGE GAP WE ARE TRYING TO JUMP. To get across we've got to be moving fast enough, with the correct attitude and enough altitude, to land it safely...
... and keep shredding what lies ahead.
But the biggest gap we'll ever jump is the one from our nature to our potential.
It takes real guts.
Deep commitment.
Patience and practice.
Jumping anything is one of the best feelings ever because of the fear and danger and giant reward when we land it.
My nature is ice cream and tv.
My potential...
... that's the only path I want to ride.
Every day,
every single day,
really is raceday.
I just love these hats.
- They are light, and cool on my sweaty, post ride helmet head.
- Motivational to me and all those who see it.
- A secret code only we understand.
Not a hat cat?... then maybe this hat isn't for you, but for a friend who is.
---
166.9 (definitely been letting my nature rule my diet this week, ugh!)
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5071162285
TAKING TURNS.
Apr 03, 2021
by TODD BROWN
OUR LITTLE RACE CREW HAS BEEN KEEN TO CORNER BETTER ON MTBs. Enter better, carve better, exit faster. Playing with braking evenly between front and rear, and just going heavy on the rear brakes to whip the bike around turns...
... to no brakes at all.
A wrong turn can be corrected. A missed turn can be catastrophic.
An unnamed rider (gotta protect the innocent) and I were quickly slicing and dicing a narrow, twisty path. I took the sweeping left berm high, he shot inside and low to slip by me...
... no brakes for either of us...
... the trail wound sharply back to the right, my tire compressed and the nobs gripped as I leaned over...
... dust was flying up from his skidding rear tire as he went off trail, down the slope, and over the bars.
It was a soft landing.
This ain't basketball, where a miss is just a chance to shoot again.
This is what we do to get better. We play, we take chances.
But you know what blows me away? It's how we learn to rely so completely on our equipment. I mean the brakes, I'm modulating them with one finger. Those tires, they're 2" wide with 20lbs of air...
... and then there are the gloves, a very thin layer of perforated leather covered with much, much thinner lycra.
That's it: brakes, tires, gloves.
Which is exactly why I never skimp on my equipment. There are too many variables to assess and address when on the edge, and no bandwidth to contemplate product failure.
Of course all this was discussed over tacos and Cokes...
... because if we're not reviewing the wrong and missed turns we'll just keep making and missing them...
... and some landings are harder than others.
In case you missed it, we're supporting jeremy's effort to raise Autism Awareness through the weekend.
We'll make an additional contribution to Jeremy's effort by donating 30% of the sales on any glove and sock purchases.
To make it extra sweet for you use this code to get matching socks for free. This is a worthy cause... be sure to order the gloves and the socks and use this code:
BuyGlovesGetSocks
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
166.9 (too much cake)
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5063581918
ROUND AND ROUND
Apr 02, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I KNEW RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING, right from the start, this was gonna be a great day. Weather perfect, check. Apple fritter waiting for me in the kitchen, check. MTBs ready to rip, check. Jeremy doing 54 1.5 mile laps for Autism Awareness...
... on a super fun loop, CHECK!
When we dig into the secret sauce of a successful charity event, there are a key ingredients but only one that really matters.
Is it the course? Well, yeah it's good to have a course that is fun and interesting.
Is it the awards and recognition? For sure, a lot energy gets put behind being the top fundraiser or finisher or whatev'.
Is it the after party? Always important.
What truly matters is that the person doing the fund raising is the type of person others want to get behind. Kind, generous, friendly...
... and heart in the right place.
I'm fortunate to see a lot of people doing rides as fundraisers, either as participants or organizers. In every case, the most successful ones are the coolest people you'll ever meet.
Through the weekend, we'll make an additional contribution to Jeremy's effort by donating 30% on any glove and sock purchases.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
163.8
Quick PullUps and PushUps
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5057715675
THAT ANNUAL EXCUSE TO DO WHATEVER THE WE WANT
Apr 01, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ONCE A YEAR WE GET ASKED THAT QUESTION: What are you going to do on your birthday? I mean, really? C'mon. Is it even a question?..
... those that know me best ask different questions.
Who are you riding with?
What time are you riding?
Where are your riding?
When will you be back?
... but nobody asks Why are you riding?
If they did, it's Because I can.
Learning to ride a bike is like a right of passage. It was hard to take those training wheels off and go...
... and then it wasn't.
Suddenly we were free to go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted, with whoever wanted...
... kinda like a birthday every day.
So, yeah, I'll be riding my bike tomorrow.
With my friend Jeremy, who is riding for Autism Awareness. He's riding 54 1.5 mile laps because 1 in 54 children develop autism. That's the kind of guy I want to ride with. Total stud.
In celebration, I'll make an additional donation 30% of any glove and sock purchases through the weekend.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
164.8
Stretch and Plank
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/505293047
THE FASTEST WAY TO IMPROVE
Mar 31, 2021
by TODD BROWN
DID YOU EVER NOTICE HOW DIFFERENT WE ARE? Not you and me, us and them. The pros. There's the Godgiven differences, can't do anything about that...
... but what about the things we can do something about?
Let's leave buying speedier equipment aside for the moment. Too obvious.
Instead, take this insane workout from Nino Schurter. He's a multi-time MTB World Champion and he's showing all the world, even us verymortals, how to be strong. It's a 27 minute workout. Who doesn't have 27 minutes? Watch here.
Here's another. Chris Froome's shedding of 20 lbs and going from zero to hero. We can get a glimpse of how he did that. Cutting the carbs, upping the protein. It's very straight forward. Who couldn't drop a few lbs by skipping a few carbs? Details here.
Do they tell us everything? No.
Should we do all they do? Doubtful.
Could we get better by studying what makes us different? Hellyeah.
Which brings me to my point. My pal Bart, in the 5 years of I've known him, has gone from a sub-9 hour Leadville guy to a card-carrying professional body builder to a champion calf roper. He's nuts...
... but he has a method we could all use more.
When he sets his mind on something he seeks out the very best people that he can find and studies everything they do. He hires the best mentors he can find. This singlemindedness and alignment with the top pros allows him to do in a couple of years what most people never accomplish in a life time.
Wanna get better?...
... that right there is a very solid formula.
But, don't it all go to your head or you might not be to fit that expanded cranium inside one of these amazing helmets.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets
If I had to pick one, it would be the Protone for sure. Light, aero, super comfy.
Use this promo code to save 10% and get free shipping.
MENTORS
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets
---
165.3
Lots of pullups, pushups, squats and shoulder presses today - Nino style
7.8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5047341440
I DID THIS BECAUSE I WAS HUNGRY, RIDING IN A FARAWAY LAND
Mar 30, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE FREE ADVICE THINGIES about a little hack I came up with last week while riding ill prepared. Starving. Near bonking. I had a couple of bucks. There was a store...
... but I was missing the mandatory you know what.
Rats!
The sign was quite large indicating it was definitely required, and the crowd of people enjoying savory snacks had plenty of willing witnesses.
I had to comply...
... but how?
Surveying my my gear I did the obvious. Grabbed a glove, stuck it on my nose, draped the opening over my mouth, and held it in place with my Oakleys.
Just like that, I marched in and got my fix.
Hopefully you won't find yourself in a similar situation.
You're smarter, I'm sure. Better prepared, for sure.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
You probably roll out with a few waffles just in case... which I did, just needed more.
Use promo code FARAWAY
To save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
166.6
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5038178322
THE NOT SO EASY ANSWER OF WHEN TO RIDE WITH A GROUP
Mar 29, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE REALLY TWO OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A RIDE IN. If I want to go for a quick spin or if I'm trying to cover a lot of ground who is in my peloton makes a huge difference. In fact, the quick spin...
... is best done alone.
However, getting someplace far away fast can be lot easier in a group. But, not just any group.
If I'm the strongest, it's likely to take even longer to get where I want to go than if I were by myself.
If I'm the slowest, I risk getting left behind.
The fastest way is with the right mix of riders.
Who we ride with matters.
Which is why we created the PEDALposse.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-monthly-subscription
---
165.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5034768100
LIMITS = GREATNESS
Mar 28, 2021
by TODD BROWN
A BICYCLE RACE IS LIKE A REALLY GOOD STORY because it take place within a limited knowable world. We know the course, the day, the weather, the duration, the bike we'll ride, clothes we'll wear, food we'll need etc. The variables are all constrained. Compared to the freedom of just heading out for a ride...
... we are really go for it.
For example, one time in a race I found myself off the front with a lap to go. Adrenalin levels were sky high. I felt no pain...
... my heart rate was 207.
I never produced an effort like that before or after. It was a glorious ride I'll never forget. The only time I ever soloed in.
You probably have similar experiences where you performed high above what you'd expected. The constraints of racing do that to us.
We don't have forever.
Make today count.
Speaking of counting, have you counted how many of these awesome clear bottles you can get for $48?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/water-bottles/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.
All prices include shipping..., crazy, right? Supplies are limited.
$19 for 4 bottles
$ 48 for 12 bottles
$ 75 for 24 bottles
$100 for 48 bottles <- this option is going away Monday
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
---
163.5
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5029214631
BENJAMIN BUTTON VS USE IT OR LOSE IT
Mar 27, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE: If we eat right, regularly ride our bikes, get plenty of rest, then we age differently than many of our peers. We're a little like Benjamin Button, who aged in reverse...
... which is a dern fine thing.
I think use it or lose it is real. And, I think it's pretty obvious once you take note and look around a little.
I also think abuse it and lose it is real. Duh.
But, what about...
... use it and boost it?
Yep, that's real too... unless we are already at our max, and who really is?
However, I have to admit after a largish ride this afternoon I was feeling a lot more like baby Benjamin. A little creeky after 4ish hours, 60ish miles, 5000ish feet of vert mostly on dirt roads and single track.
... definitely used it today.
... data will tell if I boosted it.
For sure I was properly hydrated. Drinking like a boss from these fantastic Made in USA bottles I scored for us.
Picked up a few thousand, and they are going fast.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
I really like the easy to squeeze plastic.
But don't take my word for it, watch the video
Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.
All prices include shipping..., crazy, right? Supplies are limited.
$7 for 1 bottle
$19 for 4 bottles
$ 48 for 12 bottles
$ 75 for 24 bottles
$100 for 48 bottles <- this option is going away Monday
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
---
165
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5005814748
33 YRS OF TRYING TO GET THIS PR
Mar 26, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THE MORE CHALLENGING THE TERRAIN, the easier it is to snag a PR the second time around. And the third. And fourth. Right up until the time we are really on the sliding edge...
... where things get a bit dicey.
It could be the final turn before a sprint finish. The first time through we are scrubbing speed, exiting and getting on the pedals. Each subsequent effort less braking, more momentum, faster finish.
Or a steep gravely descent. The first brush feels loose and skiddish. We overtense, overbrake which leads to undercontrol. But, we get the feel of looseness and where to have our weight, we drop down with speed and ease.
You get the idea.
PRs are there for the taking. Every go, and we go faster. Our bodies memorize the course.
What was difficult becomes unconsciously effortless.
Commitment to getting it right by doing it over and over again brings about our very best effort.
There are crashes along the way.
Pushing too hard, missing the blind turn, improperly tuned suspension, incorrectly inflated tires. The list of where we can improve is nearly endless.
Which brings me to today's anniversary...
... 33 years together, a lot of missed turns, poorly approached jumps, scrapes and bruises along the way...
... but Surfergirl and I are still at it, snagging the occasional PR that really matters.
If there's one thing I've learned from racing, it's to improve from my failures and make them strengths.
Like this failure from a bottle manufacturer. The business actually started in the late 80's. Was sold to a company out in Texas. Sold again to a local company who couldn't master imprinting the bottles.
We win!
I scored the remaining inventory. The were going to throw it away. But, we don't toss our failures aside do we?
I mean these are wonderful bottles. Made in USA. Just unprintable by current owner of a very large and diversified business.
So, I purchased all 5000.
They are going fast.
Which is typical of things around here. Ride Fast is a motto of ours.
Check 'em out.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
But don't take my word for it, watch the video
Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.
All prices include shipping..., crazy, right? Supplies are limited.
$7 for 1 bottle
$19 for 4 bottles
$ 48 for 12 bottles
$ 75 for 24 bottles
$100 for 48 bottles <- this option is going away soon.
PS. They wanted to do custom imprints on the bottles and couldn’t get the ink to stick. That’s the reason for closing out them out... these bottles will be blank.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
---
165
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5005814748
I MAY BE A CON MAN
Mar 25, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF MY PALS HAS JOINED US ON 3 MTB RIDES, The first two ended with spilt blood and broken parts. It was my fault. In my exuberance to share my love of dirt I failed to assess his ability. For at least 6 months he's blown me off...
... undeterred, I kept inviting.
At our practice MTB race last night, he showed up. It made me so happy just to see him there.
We first did a parade lap around the course so everybody knew where to go. I kept looking back expecting the worse. This wasn't a baby course...
... we like challenges.
Clearly he'd been riding dirt on his own. He'd upped his skills a ton...
... after the last lap, he was all smiles.
I may be a con man when it comes to inviting on rides, but it ain't malicious. It's because I know it's the only way to be a confident cat.
Do the rides.
Like our wounds.
Learn what worked.
Repeat.
It's a pretty simple formula, and it works for anything because over time our confidence improves. The overwhelming obstacles become easy. It's a virtuous cycle.
Talking about improvement...
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
One of my suppliers is closing out their water bottle business. I picked up the remaining inventory of bottles. They are Made in USA, and they are a really awesome bottle.
But don't take my word for it, watch the video
Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.
All prices include shipping..., crazy, right? Supplies are limited.
$7 for 1 bottle
$19 for 4 bottles
$50 for 12 bottles
$75 for 25 bottles
$100 for 50 bottles <- that's what I'd do if I was a starving student. #fundraiser
PS. They wanted to do custom imprints on the bottles and couldn’t get the ink to stick. That’s the reason for closing out them out... these bottles will be blank.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
---
164.5
50 PullUps 40 SuperBurpees 20 PushUps 40 Goblet squats
7 hrs sleep - not enough
https://www.strava.com/activities/5008869835
HE'S NEVER TIRED, HE'S NEVER MISERABLE
Mar 24, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH GOOD MOVIES. Not when it comes to trying to explain our culture. I'll bet any true fan says that about their sport. It seems to be a lost art, capturing what we are really all about.
But, there are a few that nail it.
Some aren't even about cycling, but are so relatable we understand what others are doing simply because we are so into what we are doing. We feel their souls.
On Any Sunday - Motocross
Big Wednesday - Surfing
Free Solo - Climbing
For cycling, for me anyway, there is only one.
Breaking Away
Maybe because the first time I saw it I was the same age as Dave, the hero. Just as in love with bike racing and the ladies.
With one lines like this...
Give me something American dammit, gimme french fries!
All I want is a refund.
REFUND?!!
I sure miss playing basketball. I got depressed when my athlete's foot and jock itch went away.
What's the matter?
He's shaving.
Well... so what?
His legs.
... At the time of my life I was eating PB&J and Mac&Cheese, drinking water.
If I'd found a deal like this I would have picked up 50 bottles and sold to all my friends for some extra funds.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
Here's the skinny...
One of my suppliers is closing out their water bottle business. I picked up the remaining inventory of bottles. They are Made in USA, and they are a really awesome bottle.
But don't take my word for it, watch the video
Normally I'd have some promo code, however this is already super sweet.
All prices include shipping..., crazy, right? Supplies are limited.
$7 for 1 bottle
$19 for 4 bottles
$100 for 50 bottles <- that's what I'd do if I was a starving student. #fundraiser
PS. They wanted to do custom imprints on the bottles and couldn’t get the ink to stick. That’s the reason for closing out them out... these bottles will be blank.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/clear-and-awesome-waterbottles
---
165
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/5005814748
IT'S A NUMBERS GAME
Mar 22, 2021
by TODD BROWN
HOW MANY RACE NUMBER PLATES DO YOU HAVE STORED AWAY? I have an overflowing shoe box of them. Kind of like a little history book, or school album. But how to use them?...
... well, here's one way.
Wednesday nights we have this little practice MTB race on our local trails.
I'd say it's chill, but nothing with the word race is chill. It is little, a 3ish miles loop. And it is practice, with a Start or Go or something predictable to launch us.
Then the unpredictable will happen.
Someone will ride way over their head. Another will blow a turn. I'll probably just blow up.
Thinking about it, should I pull a rando from the pile or pull the Leadville plate since it's my A race for the summer?
Now, if I'm having a great little practice race Leadville would properly burn in the success feeling. But what if it's no bueno? What if I'm suckering suffertash? The mental association could be mucho negativo.
And that's where the numbers part of racing comes in...
.. the more you can race, the better you get...
... at everything.
At packing for the race, warming up, starting, staying focused, keeping fueled.
It's been said that practice makes permanent. Who doesn't want to be permanently good at all aspects of racing?
I know Tina does because she called up today and told me about all the races she's doing... she's a charger. From crits to 6 hour MTB races.
She's from the south, and I'm a huge sucker for the drawl...
Darlin, does that PR Lotion really work?
Oh yeah!
You promise?
Yep, just put in on 30 minutes before you race.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
For the long races I'm a big proponent of chamois cream as well.
Use promo code NUMBERS
To save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
PS Join the PEDAL industries Strava Club for deets on the MTB races. https://www.strava.com/clubs/pedalindustries
---
164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4993789009
4 RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL RACING.
Mar 21, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A MILLION TACTICS FOR SUCCESSFUL BIKE RACING. It would be impossible to know or practice them all. A fool's errand. I have a handful of strategies that have served me well...
... here are four of them.
- Be strong. On and off the bike
- Eat real food. If you can't identify the ingredients it's not food.
- PRs > KOMs. It's nice to win prizes, it's everything to know you did your absolute best.
- 1 big event per year. Have one big challenge every year and you'll always be fit.
Some day I'll write a book about those. In the meantime, I'll finish up the book I've nearly completed.
Here's another:
- Drink water.
And yes, you can get two of these tall Purist bottles delivered to your mailbox for less than a new Tesla.
Use promo code: 4rules
And you'll save 10% and get free shipping.
---
166
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4985341222
FOLLOWING MY NOSE
Mar 20, 2021
by TODD BROWN
OUR DOG HAZEL USED TO DRIVE ME CRAZY. Now you may wonder how a sweet, loving, little Beagle could get under The Old Diesel’s lycracovered skin... frankly I wondered the same thing many a time. But, I think I figured it out on my ride today...
... by simply following my nose.
Ya see, sometimes for lesser developed humans such as I, it’s the personalities most alike that clash the strongest.
What was our family treasure’s greatest sin?
The moment that front door opened, she was gone. Full speed. Up the street. Gone for hours. She had no control over her nose’s call of the wild.
Alas, I am no different.
The moment I dropped Surfergirl off at the airport last night was like leaving the front door open. For sure, I would ride all day and simply follow my nose...
... starting with a very hot pursuit after my first query, meeting the crew at the corner.
They were off to a horrendous hundred. They begged me to keep on... but that was never my plan, hence the gravel bike.
I simply wanted to say Howdy and get a towed up to the wild that was calling me. From there...
... just followed my nose.
If done correctly, as today was, you're bound to find a few new paths and options. These really are my favorite rides. Alone, on the hunt. Phone off. Just me and my thoughts. This is how we rejuvenate our superpowers.
Sometimes I feel for the suckers who can't be a moment without some sort of distraction... running, riding, hiking with crud plugged in their ears.
Dogs don't do that.
Nor should we...
... better to tap into our disobedient, singleminded, slave to our nose, sense of adventure. Much better.
So here's a little challenge for ya...
... get out your calendar, and pick a date to just roll out with no particular place to go. All day. Just grab your wallet and get out that front door.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
Need an excuse?
Pick your b-day.
We have a limited number of calendars left.
With events starting to solidify, you'll definitely want one of these to remind you and those who see it that a healthy you is a productive you.
Use promo code RIDELIKEADOG
To save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
---
165.5
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4980858143
ONE CAT'S WHEEL OF FORTUNE IS ANOTHER'S WHEEL OF DOOM
Mar 19, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE'D BEG, EVEN PAY, SOMEONE TO RIDE A MOPED OR SCOOTER IN FRONT OF US. It was called motorpacing. The motorized rider would ride about 27 miles an hour...
... just fast enough to make your eyeballs bleed.
But that was then, and this is now.
That's the odd thing about the future. What we paid for in the past and now get for free is frowned upon. Cursed out. Simply because it's being used different.
The result is the same.
We're pedaling our buns off, trying to hang on, and some of the younger riders are genuinely hacked off about it.
Do you know how fast an electric bicycle can go? Unmodified, about 27 mph.
Now we've got a gentleman rider who is injured. He's rehabbing a bum leg. He's a decorated racing legend, wanting to get out with the fellas. Be part of the bunch.
Me, I feel fortunate to have my health... and a friend who'll show up on an obviously electric city bike to keep the pace high and burning.
Maybe I'm old.
What must have been old for y'all yesterday was trying to get in on this wonderful offer which I fouled up some of the coding on.
It works now. The coding. The products have always worked. Excellently. Just like my friend's leg will be doing very soon.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
These gloves. Made from leather, forming to your hands.
There are lots of color combinations. When you order a pair of gloves and socks
use promo code: DONTTELLHR
The socks will be free, and so will the shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
166
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.75 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4973724397
DON'T TELL H.R.! + YOU GOTTA BE SHIFTTING ME
Mar 18, 2021
by TODD BROWN
HEY, WILL YOU HOLD THIS AT MY CROTCH? There is just so much wrong with that statement, and to make matters worse it was the boss asking a co-worker to take said delicate measurement. Yikes!...
... but sometimes when you are a rider you gotta know your inseam.
Which is exactly what this cat needed to know in order to purchase a bicycle from us.
There was an awkward silence on that end of the line...
... we were dying on our end.
I don't know why, but that got me thinking about other awkward silence sitchyations in our sport...
... the most difficult of all being the silence after this question.
So, how much is a good bike?
Uh..................
Should we be embarrassed?
I dunno.
I have a friend who just purchased $1300 earbuds. He's totally into music.
Another told me about her new $1200 snowboard.
One friend works for a place that sells used purses... for upwards of $15k.
Now, my point isn't to justify these purchases or point out any potential irrationalities. It's simply this...
How much is a good bike?
Not much at all... but a bike that will thrill you for years, take you places you only dreamt of, and bring you back in a state of exquisite bliss... well, those are priceless.
Speaking of priceless, how about that skin that covers your fingers?
Did I ever tell you the story that convinced me to always ride with gloves?
It's short.
We were ripping along this nifty singletrack trail. It was a bit slippery, and a tad rocky.
All good.
Until my friend lost the front wheel, stuck his hand out and peeled the skin from his thumbnail down to that crease opposite the first knuckle.
What a gusher!
So, yeah, I'm a fullfinger glove lover. But not just any fullfinger glove. It's gotta be lightweight and breathable.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Like these gloves. Made from leather, forming to your hands.
There are lots of color combinations. When you order a pair of gloves and socks
use promo code: DONTTELLHR
The socks will be free, and so will the shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
164.1 lbs -
Stretch and HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4968076614
FEELING VINDICATED
Mar 17, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A HEAPING DOSE OF CONFIRMATION BIAS TO MAKE ONE FEEL GREAT... am I right? You know, when you figured out by dumb luck or maybe osmosis or reading some forgotten book and developed a method and preached it...
... and the choir was like, yawn.
But Hotdarnit! Joe Friel has been tweeting about 2 hard days a week. All week. Same thing yours Diesel has been hellfire and damnationing for years...
... 2 days, hard.
no more, no less.
Now that I'm writing this and searching my cavernous library of filed wisdom fragments... I think it was the great Eddy B. who said...
... If you're not feeling awesome twice a week, you're doing it wrong!
But in a thick eastoeuroaccent.
Just remember,
what you're reading here is unadulterated Diesel anecdotes...
forced through the mighty cycling echo chamber...
lavished with exquisite confirmation bias from 2 of US cycling's pillars of coaching.
In other words, you might want to try it out if you haven't already.
2 hard days - 72 hours apart
Joe says the rest are mostly recovery
I still like a good tempo day thrown in as well.
Because I do at least half of my rides from the shop, I load my RaceDay Bag™ often. It just part of my routine, can't imagine doing things the old way. Wondering if I packed everything, fumbling to find things...
... and I'm guessing a few of you love the bags as much as I do.
So I have a favor to ask...
Would you shoot a video on your phone...
... with your bag...
... answering this question...
... Why do you love your RaceDay Bag™?
Keep it short and sweet. First thing that comes to mind. Less than 15 seconds.
Don't worry about the background or looking pro... just an honest to goodness message would be terrific!
All who send me a video will get a little gift of appreciation mailed out.
I'd love to get your videos this week.
I think it will be super fun to see what you come up.
Y'all are awesome!
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
Here's a little video for inspiration.
By the way, these changing ponchos have become quite popular.
If you'd like one use promo code LOVEMYBAG
To save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
---
165.1 lbs -
50 PullUps, 60 SuperBurpees, 40 Pushups, 50 Goblet Squats, 20 Box Jumps
7.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4965334684
PS Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values.
THAT FIRST GROUP RIDE... OH BOY!
Mar 16, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THIS RIDE HAS ONLY BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE TURN OF THE 7TH DECADE OF THE 20TH CENTURY, so you'd think all the pot holes and debris and whatnot would be memorized by now and easily pointed out...
... but that's not the case.
Unlike most rides around these parts the Market Ride goes on hiatus from time change to time change. I reckon it's the same way with a good chunk of our united states.
Most of ya's actually have seasons,
ergo actual riding seasons.
I'm feeling ya tonight.
In fact, I'm wondering if the first group rides of the season are going to be even more of a cluster than normal thanks to the fitness gains of digital dungeons set up for Zwifty and Pelotaunt...
... without any of the actual skills required to participate properly being used or honed or, crud!, even developed?
Because if your first ride of the season is anything like ours was tonight, well keep you peepers popped, your head on a swivel...
... and trust no one!
I was shocked at how little pointing out of hazards was happening, There was even some downright squirreliness. And these guys and dolls are solid riders, that ride year round. Outdoors. I'm sure things will be all settled in a just a few rides.
Anyway, you'll be thawing out soon... so consider this just a friendly reminder from the Diesel who wants ya back with a smile and only good tales to tell.
Speaking of good tales to tell, I warned Kevin about his new bike.
He purchased a long travel BMC 4 Stroke. It's the same bike that I pounded out a million PRs on last weekend in AZ, except it has a little longer travel.
Kevin, be careful on your first ride.
What do you mean?
Well, your face is really going to hurt.
Huh?
You'll see
.
Yep, new bikes always make my face hurt.
This morning, we spent a good hour on BMC's unveiling of 2022 new products.
TBH, my face was hurting... there's a bunch of good stuff coming, guaranteed to make you smile. Details will be coming forth.
In the meantime, if you are around 6' tall and looking for a most excellent gravel bike. We have 2 of these bikes in size Large.
Yes, they'll make you smile... and your bummy will be happy too because there's 20mm of travel built into the rear triangle.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three
I'm not allowed to post the price available, so ping if you're interested.
Oh, one last thing... I was on my gravel bike for the group ride tonight, and that extra cush for my tush was most bueno.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three
---
166 lbs - just a little celebrating after Cactus Cup
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4959659466
THE SUM OF NEGLIGIBLE FORCES
Mar 15, 2021
by TODD BROWN
DON'T TELL ANYBODY BECAUSE IT'S JUST OUR LITTLE SECRET... we can learn about riding and racing from well outside the sport itself. Take my ongoing interest in economics sparked by a visiting professor who opened up with...
... monopolies are great... if you're the monopolist!
Little ol' brainwashed me was captivated from that point on. My brain had been opened.
Well, consider this quote in How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life from the great Milton Friedman and apply it to your bold ambitions as an athlete:
The sum of negligible forces,
need not be negligible.
Ride on that thought for a moment.
Aren't our 10 pullups and matching 20 burpees a negligible force? What does it matter if we get in an easy spin for 45 minutes? Where can we attribute passing up a harmless chocolate chip cookie a day?
Taken by themselves, these are all negligible forces. But sum up a month or quarter or year of these choices and we fundamentally transform who we can become.
Who's down getting some negligible work done today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and... ?
All in favor say Aye!
Did you know KASK means Kick @$$ Steal KOMs?
Well, it doesn't... but that's how you feel when you wear one.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets
I keep seeing more and more of these KASK helmets at the races and on the rides.
Use promo code THESUM
to save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets
---
? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
RestDay - 20 PullUps, 30 PushUps, 10 Supermans
JUST A LITTLE NICER
Mar 14, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WE WERE HANGING OUT AFTER THE RACE TODAY WAITING FOR THE FINAL RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED. I ran into Adam and his wife who were kind enough to show me the sweet line for today’s Enduro. Jimmy introduced himself as the guy tacked on my wheel and thanked me for offering him my salt tabs yesterday. Sweet Sage, the promoter, and I were chatting when Mike walked up and said...
... I read the blog every morning!
Which was real nice, but not as nice as what he wanted to talk to Sage about.
Mike races 70+.
Now, if you're not racing 70+ yet I have two things to share with you.
The first is you can race at 70. Yes, people do that. It takes some good genes and luck for sure But, when you see these athletes you realize it's not an accident. They are fit and committed to maintaining their health.
It's the second that always touches my heart. The septuagenarians all know each other, and more importantly they care about each other in ways I've never seen amongst the other ages.
I've seen them wait for each other on the start line if someone is running late. I've seen them give health reports on the missing. I've seen genuine love between them, and it's always moving.
Today was no different.
Mike was there to pick up the bike of his only fellow racer from yesterday. His friend had crashed.
Sage can I pick up the bike?
Yes, was it only a collarbone?
No, 12 broken ribs. He's in ICU.
It wasn't a teary moment, that's racing. However, as I write this and reflect on the blessings we all share of health and friendship riding the roads and trails of life...
... and how fleeting it can be
... at any age
... I'm verklempt.
Yep, there are a lot of nice people in our community. It's always a joy to make a new friend on a ride or at the races.
Thanks for being nice y'all.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/cactus-cup
We made some real nice gear for this year's cactus cup: RaceDay Bags™, Changing Ponchos, and Wallets.
Why?
Because it's such a dawgawn fun event.
If you have an event, ping me... let's make you some gear.
If you have a team, ping me... let's make you some gear.
If you want to make something custom to give a nice gift to friends or customers... ping me... let's make you some gear.
Our minimum order is 1... yes one (1)!
Get it done.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/cactus-cup
---
? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4947282977
Still reading?
Some stats:
8 dudes, one friend that's a girl, and 2 dogs.
1 busted spoke on day 1, that held up the entire weekend.
1 bloodied knee and bruised hip.
1 punctured tire a mile from the finish and ridden in sloppy as it wouldn't seal.
1 First place in the enduro
1 Third place overall.
9 smiles.
THE ULTIMATE ROOKIE MISTAKE, PAYS OFF
Mar 13, 2021
by TODD BROWN
SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS UP, but never ever do that when racing. Racing is when you apply all your hard earned training, all the lessons on nutrition, all the things that have worked in the past...
... not the time to chuck it all out the window.
But, that's what I did.
And, it's a long list of nonos.
Breakfast
For years I've had good luck getting up 3 hours early and eating a can of sardines and half a can of beans. Pinch your nose if you must, but there was gold with them tactics.
Today, lots of carbs. Rice cake, 2 tangerines, 1 1/2 Honeystinger waffles, a few macadamia nuts.
Warm Up
For decades all I've done to warm up is soft pedal and do some hard accelerations.
Today, and yesterday, I slowly ramped my HR up to 160s and held it there for 5-10 minutes.
Food
I had my strategy of 2 bottles with 2 scoops + 4 waffles and 2 gels. 900 calories for 3 hours.
But, then I saw Victor Sheldon. He reps Hammer Nutrition and suggested I go with their flask and fill it with 7 gel packs. It's way easier than tearing a gel pack open! More importantly, he always annihilates me and everybody in our age group.
As I rolled out, thinking how bad I wanted redemption after such a poor showing last year at this event I consoled myself with these nuggets...
... the only way to know something works better in a race is to test it in a race...
... isn't amazing how the best secrets are revealed racing.
Due to Covid, we went off in 2 waves of 25 or so. I was in the second wave, my friends in the first. The race overnight leader was in my wave. We took off and the leader towed about 6 guys off into the distance.
I committed to ride my pace and stuff my face with gel from the flask, double scoop bottles, and my Salt Sticks.
It worked.
I felt absolutely amazing all 3 hours. Best I've felt in years. Even power throughout.
So, yeah, you'll be seeing a promo here for Hammer Nutrition very soon...
... the meantime I'll tell the dirty secret of Salt Stick.
First, as noted in the book Waterlogged that I reported on: one, as long as we don't over-hydrate we don't need more salt; two, cramps are more neurological than chemical; three, the salt tabs and the pickle juice etc confuse the brain and the cramps stop.
I'd never race without Salt Stick, and I love the chewables.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/saltstick-fast-chews
Use this promo code: ROOKIE
It'll get ya free shipping and save 10%.
---
? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4941302379
GIVING UP IS ALWAYS EASIER THAN PRESSING ON
Mar 12, 2021
by TODD BROWN
REVIEWING THE START LIST OF ANY RACE CAN BE DEFLATING. Last year's winner is here, the previous year's winner is here, the cats you know are always good on RaceDay have been putting in the time...
... and then there's us.
If there are seeds of doubt, looking at the list is like adding water and sunshine. Here, at the Cactus Cup, those seeds grow into giant saguaros whose prickly pads are waiting to embrace all who lack the discipline to control their thoughts...
... all that's missing is a pile of dung for fertilizer.
Which is exactly what those thoughts are. Pure shyte.
In a race like this, 40 miles with a million turns and drops, 96% of us will be riding alone at some point. The other racers could be 30, 60, 90 seconds ahead and we won't even see each other.
We'll be solito.
With our thoughts.
Those damn seeds of doubt will be aching to sprout.
There is only one countermeasure I've found to be effective, remembering what helk I'm doing here.
Changing those feelings of What was I thinking? sure to arise on the start line is easy if we can just find a reason and a reasonable goal...
... one reason, one reasonable goal.
Protect them, viciously.
At all costs.
At the blistering start,
when the gaps start to open,
when we're all alone with no one insight...
... one reason, one reasonable goal...
... will win the day.
Of course there are other little tricks of the trade, like PR Lotion.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
I know, it seems insane that a lotion applied before a race could make a big difference...
... but, at this point all of us here think it would be insane to line up without PR Lotion.
So, here's the dealio.
Use this promo code before Midnight on Sunday and save 20% when you purchase 2 or more of the above.
The code is PRESSON
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
---
Of the 8 of us out here racing... we fared pretty well today. Top 10 times, and only one busted spoke and scraped up knee.
---
? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4931942586
INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS
Mar 11, 2021
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU EVER GET THE FEELING THAT OUTSIDE IS AN INSIDER'S GAME? Take today, we woke up to an outstanding view. Gawwwl... I love the desert in the winter! It can be cold and windy, for sure. But the views, the sky...
... well, you gotta be here.
A lot of the time, it seems like society has forgotten how awesome outside is. And maybe that's okay. Because it leaves more of outside for us, the adventurous.
While the digital dorks may have won the battle...
... they haven't won the war, not yet.
As long as we keep heading outside and returning rejuvenated I think we have a chance to course correct.
I'll drink to that.
These Purist bottles are awesome.
$20, delivered to your door. Including shipping.
---
? lbs
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4931942586
WHY STAGE RACING IS THE BEST!
Mar 10, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WE'RE STAGING RACING THIS WEEKEND. 3 days in Aridzona, Fri-Sun. A TT, an XC, and an Enduro. Something for everyone. But this is better than a pro road stage race...
... or even an amateur one with a team.
Because it's MTB. There isn't really any teamwork to be done. No drafting, no leading out. No pacing back to the front. So, it's way better in the sense we can all battle for our own results each day.
That's the first thing that's better about MTB stage racing - fighting our individual battles.
However, it's the second thing about stage racing, in general, that I enjoy the most.
Piling in a couple of cars,
Buzzing gas stations and fastfood joints,
Taking over a rented house in a new town,
Geeking out over course maps and last minute gear choices,
Rolling up to the start line with the posse,
Racing our guts out,
Licking our wounds that night,
... and doing it all over again the next day.
That's why stage racing rules. The camaraderie. The getting away... whether camping like tonight, hoteling it, or VRBO.
Pull up your race calendars, look for a stage race. You might have to look out of state. We are in AZ for Cactus Cup, then I'm planning on Leadville Stage Race in CO, and finally Sea Otter in NorCal in October. Sea Otter isn't a stage race, but it is a bunch of races spread out over a 5 day weekend.
Find a few and see if one fits in with the other parts of life. If it does... by all means make it happen!
The best way to do that is write it down in Sharpie on one of these giant calendars.
We added more designs.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
Click on these images to check 'em out.
For a few bucks you can have a super rad calendar - either one of these stock designs or with your team graphics and dates important to your team highlighted.
$30. Delivered.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
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165.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
no ride today.
BLAME IT ON THE DIESEL
Mar 09, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I'D TRY AND CONCEAL MY UPGRADES. Not now. That evil has been replaced with a much more sinister deceit. Apparently I've developed a nasty habit of story telling...
... kinda like this:
Is that a new helmet?
Oh, this?
Yes, that shiny red helmet.
Right, well you see Chris was telling me that we should never wear a helmet more than 3 years old. Apparently all the shocky absorby stops working after a while. Degrades. And, you know I figure I need to protect what little gray matter I have.
You realize that you have a habit of coming up some amazing story about every purchase you make lately, right?
Hmmm...
... so, if you're thinking about getting a new helmet no need to blame it on the Devil, I'll take full credit.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets
We love KASK helmets.
Use promo code DEVIL to save 10% and get free shipping.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets
---
164.7
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4919161937
THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO DO AT THIS POINT
Mar 08, 2021
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO DO AT THIS POINT, and it doesn't involve slitting my wrists or a bottle of pills or any other easy outs...
... but, there will be razor blades involved.
It's the final countdown for the only A race on the calendar this quarter, and though I'm feeling quite ill-prepared I'm still gonna do it. Because, tradition.
Yes, I shall obey the edict...
Shave thy legs.
... like any devout follower of this religion we call racing.
Why do we do it?
It's a mountain bike race, so can't be for aero reasons.
TBH, I can't think of any good reasons except this:
It feels faster. There's something about a final shave before a race that I find delightful.
Or, maybe it's taking time to appreciate the supreme health I enjoy, the immense fun I have huffing and puffing under my own manpower.
Ain't it great to have the ability to ride a bike, at any speed?
I think so.
There is one other thing, though this is recent, I think it's a heck of a lot nicer to have smooth legs when buzzing up and down them with the HyperVolt.
And that is actually one of the main things I'll be doing this week as part of my recovery. HyperVolting and stretching and sleeping and resting.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery
As much as I thought I'd be ready to slay all comers 5 months ago, I can see I'm not in the shape I intended to be.
Which leaves recovery as my prime objective this week and after each race - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
If you're into excellent recovery, use promo code SHAVE to shave $35 off this awesome tool.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery
---
163.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
30 PullUps 60 PushUps
3 IDEAS FROM THE WORLD'S RICHEST DORK
Mar 07, 2021
by TODD BROWN
HATE IS A STRONG WORD. I hate what Jeff Bezos' Amazon did to our little tshirt business. Destroying it by refusing to protect us from counterfeiters. But, I gotta hand it to the guy...
... he focuses on the right things.
Here are the top 3 takeaways:
We are what we choose... and in this case, we choose to be bike racers. We each have our reasons, but I suspect it boils down to friendship.
My friend(s) are riding and racing bikes. It seems like fun. I'll give it a try.
Or, I met some really cool cats out riding. They seem to have their shiz together. I'll be doing a lot more riding and racing because these people inspire me and make me feel included.
High standards. We know what they are, but sometimes we can't put our finger on them.
We know we want to win, but we rarely actually - if ever - win a bike race.
We don't need to if we have high standards for ourselves.
It could be creating our own race to smash a PR, or simply hit a certain metric like weight or hours ridden per week. It could be knowing how to repair anything or simply knowing enough to fix a flat and get back riding. It could be learning how to fuel our bodies so our energy is strong all day long. It could be riding a tricky rocky section without putting our feet down - dabbing.
The point is, it's hard to the define the true wins...
... but we sure has heck recognize them when our standards are high.
Nowhere in the book does he mention focusing on sales as a top priority. The top priority is always customer experience...
... and this stood out to me the most.
I'd be lying if I told you I was always on the same page when it comes to customer experience. Somewhere I picked up that it's all about the sales numbers. That's an inherently bad focus, and I've fallen in it's trap much more than I care to admit.
The devil is right when he says it's all about obsession with customer experience. It's definitely an area where I think we can improve, a lot.
If we choose to.
If we set our standards high enough.
I'll never put our products on Amazon again, but I sure as helk will do all I can to blow your minds every single day by continuing to improve our offerings.
I wasn't asking for feedback when we recently shipped our first orders of our new Pro jersey out. But the comments started coming in and I thought you'd be interested.
Did you know 90% of our apparel production is custom?
For teams?
That our minimum order is one (1) item?
If you're looking for something rad for your team, we can have your store up and running quickly and beautiful product delivered right to you door.
Made in USA.
From Italian fabrics.
Designed by cats who race, with high standards for performance and comfort.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
---
164.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4909286499
TAKE MY STRONG ADVICE
Mar 06, 2021
by TODD BROWN
TODAY DIDN'T GO AS WELL AS I'D HOPED. If you haven't figured it out, sometimes I'm terrible at taking my own advice. Like, warming up matters. Today I had planned to set a hot time on a local climb. The kind of thing you want to do the Saturday for before the only A race on my calendar for months. Instead, I pretty much bombed...
... instantly gapped by my faster friends, while holding up the first-timer I was sure wouldn't be able to keep up.
Was I holding you up?
Oh, I probably had another 30 or 40 watts.
Ouch!
I knew I'd gap him on the very technical stuff at the top, but he could have walked the last mile and still beat me...
... 30-40 watts!
The next two hours were a little better. Well, a lot better. A surprising number of PRs.
You know what I think really fouled me up was the old...
... Hey, let's not warm up before we haul gass for an hour straight uphill.
Genius.
So take my strong advice,
remember to always think twice...
... and warm up proper.
Which is what I'm planning to do at the races next weekend.
Chris, The Wrench, pinged me later in the day.
Can ya help me prep these bikes for pick up?
Let the record show... a professional mechanic asked little Ol' Diesel to help prep two new bikes for pick up.
Yep, he trusted me to put air in the tires.
Well, convert 'em to tubeless, then put air in.
He also reminded me that I erroneously stated we were out of gravel bikes.
We have two, still.
One is the demo, and one is still in the box. Both Large.
These are truly special bikes. Built on the BMC hardtail platform, they have 20mm of travel in the rear triangle.
They are light.
Stiff, yet compliant with that travel.
Climb great.
Descend like a dream on road, gravel, and especially on singletrack.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three
We had 4 yesterday, now we are down to 2 larges.
So, if you're into that sorta thing...
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three
Check it, and drop me a line Clementine.
---
164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4894848345
RIDING THE TREND.
Mar 05, 2021
by TODD BROWN
SO STRADE BIANCHI IS THE MOST EXCITING RACE ON THE CALENDAR. It gets all kinds of press. No one can figure out if it truly favors a classics rider or a pure climber...
... but, we do know one ting for sure!
There will be drama because...
There are lots of gravel sections.
And Lots of dust of dry and mud if rainy.
... and fans like drama, the like change.
Turns out the racers do, too.
Due to the mixed surfaces - pavement and dirt - and mixed terrain - rollers with a killer climb at the end - a large percentage of the racers fancy their chances for the big V for victory.
But ya know what I think?
I think it's more than the forgone conclusion of who will win, I think the racers are digging the unusual challenges the race presents.
So, forget if you can, all the big bucks the marketing dorks are putting into making you want to buy a gravel bike.
Just unsee all those sexy ads of riders flying to adventure.
Unimagine the freedom to roam from road to gravel to singletrack they are selling so very hard...
... and take consider this...
... my son pinged me last night.
Dad, let's ride gravel tomorrow. We'll drive to the old neighborhood. Hit the dirt roads in Riley Park, then the single track. Next we will work our way over to the old house and see if things have changed much.
He doesn't even own a bike, I bring him a shop demo bike.
So forget all the marketing, all the hype, watch the race if you get a chance, and maybe you'll end up like me...
... grateful for gravel bikes that make riding fun enough my non-riding son will suggest we go for a ride.
We are all sold out on the gravel bikes at the moment, but stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to score a beeeyoutiful BMC URS.
In the meantime, I love our superlight full-finger race gloves for gravel riding...
... and keeping my feet cozy in our socks knitted in these united states using EZ Breathe Yarns and FastMax compression technology.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
And I highly encourage you do the same. With this BuyOneGetOne promo code - > REGGIE
Now if you're thinking it's too cold for the superlight awesome stuff... the weather is going to be perfect before you know it, and won't new gloves and socks be a joy to pull on when it's time?
A scant $25 will get you the gloves and the socks, shipping is free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
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163.1
30 PullUps 40 PushUps 20 Burpees
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4894848345
THE BEST OF YOU!?
Mar 04, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WERE YOU BORN TO RESIST, OR BE ABUSED?
I swear I'll never give in, I refuse.
- Foo Fighters
The big event is on the calendar; it's getting real, close. The base miles have been laid. Race-specific crosstraining completed. Bike dialed, test, prepped, perfect. Eating has been maybe too perfect. The final weeks of bigger, max mileage and intensity...
... you should be excited...
... but you're exhausted, just want it to be over.
If I can hit that threshold of borderline burnout 2 weeks out, and spend the next 2 weeks healing and resting and sleeping with a few short efforts designed primarily to make me feel most excellent, then I know I've done all I can do.
When done properly it's truly a better than ever feeling...
... like being born to resist, and I swear I'll never give in!
Do you know what I'm talking about? That feeling?
I hope so.
I'm starting to see more and more events pop up. The RaceDay Calendar is starting to take shape. Soon I'll have to start making choices as to which ones are going to be all in and which will be training.
That's part of the fun.
Looking at the calendar. Dropping in A and B races, family commitments, work responsibilities, etc.
Which is why I love this huge calendar, I can see the entire year at a glance.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
This calendar is set up for racers.
The weekends are at the end of the week, because you know we live for the RaceDays.
Get one.
$30.
Delivered.
It's the best way to give it your best!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
---
164
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4892232816
TRUST SCIENCE, OR NOT!
Mar 03, 2021
by TODD BROWN
ONCE WE UNDERSTAND THAT SCIENCE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BEING DRIVEN BY EGO AND GREED, it gets easier to make sense of it all. This is readily apparent with a little digging. Scientist, author and accomplished endurance athlete Tom Noakes readily admits his own faults in his book Waterlogged...
... discovered via a lifetime of research and competition.
He takes credit for furthering the effort to get people waterlogged, which lead to the deaths of multiple athletes following the science. That takes courage and fortitude, especially when pushing back on many egos and mountains of greed.
I nearly chucked the book when it arrived.
Too many graphs and sidebars.
Too much documentation.
Lazily, after the Forward, Introduction and Chapter 1 I skipped right to the detailed chapter summaries.
This was not enough.
I was thirsty for more knowledge...
... only by reading what preceded those summaries was I able to get a bead on the problems Waterlogged address; and my own issues of cramping and upset digestion during races of epic distances.
But, that's not the question.
The question is should we blindly trust science?
In fact, this was a burning question after reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything. I came away with one certainty: today's truth is very often tomorrow's fallacy, when it comes to science.
This is not to condemn science, but to realize Science is merely humanity's current, best assessment of a situation. Overtime, our assessments adjust and improve as new knowledge comes forth. That is sure.
Back to the very honest, courageous and vigorous Dr. Tom Noakes who points out Gatorade's own hype...
... Gatorade is the most scientifically studied sports drink of all time.
But I'll bet you'd never make Gatorade your go to sports drink. Because you know better. All the scientific studies in the world on Gatorade aren't likely to change your mind...
... because your body says different.
Questions: Did you know Gatorade was developed to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion? That their scientists implored users to drink far too much, to the point of death?...
... a perfect example of ego and greed driving a product's commercial success, while failing humanity.
Which brings me to the final word's of Tom Noakes:
Your body will tell you what it needs, if you just listen.
After which follows a concise summary of the current science regarding hydration...
... but don't take my word for it, read the book. It's your body.
Speaking of your body, while I'm sure your quite proud of all the progress you're making this year...
... we don't want to get you arrested for public indecency. Which you might be tempted to do when changing before or after a ride.
That's why I came up with the awesomely modest Changing Poncho.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
Sure it's great for a quick change,
a million times better than changing in your car,
or risking a towel change while standing in the open...
... when I'm done changing and wiping off my grime and do a quick wipe down on my bike as well.
It's perfect.
But it today and we'll include an Every Day Is RaceDay™ hat for the first 5 purchases.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-changing-poncho
---
164.2
50 PullUps 50 PushUps 50 Burpees
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4884608904
IT GETS EASIER
Mar 02, 2021
by TODD BROWN
WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ IS SECOND HAND INFO FROM OLYMPIAN QUOTING THE IRON COWBOY. The Iron Cowboy is famous for doing 50 Ironmans in 50 states in 50 days. Yesterday he started his new quest...
... 100 Ironmans in 100 days.
On the surface there's nothing to learn, but we don't dwell on the surface.
We like to dive deep into the endurance waters we share with our Iron brothers and sisters.
So, here's the gold:
The first 25 days of the 50-50-50 were really hard. On about the 26th day it got a lot easier. It was like my body understood an Ironman a day was the new normal and made the appropriate adjustments.
That make sense, right?
How many of our friends are astounded when they hear we rode 40 or 50 or 100 miles in a day?
The can't relate.
But we do it.
Quite easily.
Our bodies adapt.
Side note -> I skipped my pullups and pushups over the weekend. The first set yesterday was really hard. The second easier. The third easiest. It's no 50-50-50 Ironmans, but I think this is true of any new habit we are trying to instill.
Kinda makes ya wonder what we might really be capable of...
... could it be we are only scratching the surface... like the saying we only use 10% of our brains?
... how much more can we accomplish?
Fortunately, our lives don't depend on our physical prowess. Well, most of the time they don't.
Did I ever tell you about the time I came face to face with a large adult mountain lion?
I did everything wrong.
I turned around and rode so fast up the nearest trail to civilization. I had to skid at the top to make the turn to safety.
Since that encounter, I've taken my best shot at that hill many, many times and never, ever needed to slow down let alone apply the brakes to make that very same turn.
One thing is for sure, to be our very best we've got to be properly fueled.
Here's the link to my favorite foods:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
And here's the dealio
Use this code: DOMORE
To save $$ and get Free Shipping.
---
163.9
15 PullUps 25 PushUps
7
https://www.strava.com/activities/4878269277
IT'S CALLED ONCE IN A LIFETIME FOR A REASON...
Mar 01, 2021
by TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND TOD T. SHOT ME AN EMAIL WITH A LINK TO THE CRUSHER IN THE TUSHAR. It's a crazy event, so crazy that I've declined going for about 10 years. My pals Jeff and Cris have done it, and even won it. But, I've never had the right bike or at least that's what I told them. In other words...
... it's a once in a lifetime event.
This is crazy right?
Featuring a 40/60 split between tarmac and dirt & gravel sectors, the 70 mile course accumulates over 10,000 feet of elevation gain and affords riders the opportunity to explore the stunning back country of Utah’s little-known Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest.
When I read featuring and stunning mixed in with all the details, all I see are the features of a sledgehammer delivering a massive stun to my mind, body and soul.
Naturally, knowing I finally have the bike... I entered the lottery.
Which brings me up to this euphemistic gem, LOTTERY! Good heavens, who's to tell who wins the lottery?
Those keeping their $200 in fees and spending the weekend relaxing on the coach listening to Phil Liggett's TdF lullabies...
... or those parting with the cash and getting bashed by Burke's heinous course designed to slaughter all the unworthy?
So here's to winning the lottery!
Speaking of winning the lottery... one you'd actually want to win... did you see the video we did of Craig H?
He won the Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ GiveAway.
There's a new contest rolling right now.
https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway
The winner will work directly with our top designer Rocky E. to design your very own custom:
RaceDay Bag™
Speed Kit - Jersey and Bib
Changing Poncho
KOM Jacket
RaceDay Calendar™
plus, matching socks and gloves
$1000 in custom products
Enter here:
https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway
---
164
25 PullUps 50 PushUps
7.8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4872139829
WE ARE THE AVERAGE OF OUR 5 CLOSEST...
Feb 28, 2021
by TODD BROWN
RIGOROUS RESEARCH SHOWS WE ARE THE AVERAGE OF OUR 5 CLOSEST FRIENDS. And, new research is showing that what a friend's friend is doing can also have a big impact on us...
... but, that's the selfish way to look at it.
Especially in bike racing fitnessy stuff. That logic would have us only hanging out with people that are better than us. Which we probably do quite naturally anyway.
I'm more interested in the effects we are having on our 5s friends. Because of our 5 closest friends, they don't all ride bikes. Far from it.
We get excited about riding bikes fast. We start thinking about what to ride, to eat, to wear, to race, etc. Our 5 tap into this energy...
... and it goes out to their 5.
How many people are going to make awesome lifestyle changes because we've inspired them to do so?
They may never race.
Totally cool.
But, they may start riding again.
They may set a goal to ride 30 miles, or ride up that giant mountain. They may get a little group of 5 or so and take a road trip to Moab or the Ozarks or the Northeast.
Or maybe they simply get a hankering to get back in shape.
In fact, I'll bet $5 you've already seen changes in your 5.
What I'm wondering though is if you're willing to share your secrets.
Sometimes that can be hard.
You've invited a friend to start riding. You've enjoyed spending time together. Helping them progress has been rewarding...
... and absolutely owning them any time you want is, well, entertaining to say the least.
Are you keeping these little secrets to yourself?
C'mon.
Be honest.
Of course you'll share the pleasantries of a good chamois cream.
But what about the good stuff, the stuff that really makes a difference like PR Lotion?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
Back to that $5 bet...
... you purchase PR Lotion and DZ NUTS with the promo code -> $10
... and you'll save $10 if you do it before 3/3/21.
Shipping is included.
That should cover the $5 bet.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery
---
16.29
Stretch and Hypervolt
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4868278749
SOME SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES REQUIRE HOLY KITS - sponsored by BMC
Feb 27, 2021
by TODD BROWN
SOME SAY YOU CAN SEE THE HAND OF GOD ON A BABY'S FACE OR THE SUN RISING ACROSS A DESERT PLAIN. For me the mountains never fail to deliver. Today one of us came prepared with a holy kit...
... and we all spilled some blood.
Naturally, the new guy spilled the most blood. He'd fallen behind. So much so that we reversed course. After a bit he rounded a corner, with an Ace bandage over what appeared to be an unholy amount of gauze.
What happened?
I crashed.
And...
And the blood was squirting out with each heartbeat.
His socks were soaked.
The hikers patched me up.
All good?
Hellyeah!
Thataboy!
These are the kinds of spiritual experiences which often....
... accompany?
... precede?
... follow?
... the sense of oneness with nature.
For is there a better way to escape our digital dungeons than to truly connect with Mother Nature? Touch her with great force? Breath her pristine air through gaping and gasping mouths? And, yes, bleed with her?
Which brings me to the kit one practitioner wisely wore today.
You know there are a lot holes on that kit.
Yes.
You know I gotta guy that can hook you up with a new kit?
Yes... it's you!
Well...
Well.. I know where we are going today, I know it's highly likely I'll be leaving some skin on the trail... therefore I prefer to don an old kit with holes.
Ahhh, a holy kit.
If you're into these kinds of spiritual experiences, and why wouldn't you be, it's quite helpful to have a bike that climbs like a Blue Angel and handles like Ferrari.
I'm partial to the Swiss engineering on BMC bikes.
Apparently their partial to us as well because they accidentally shipped three (3) of their top of the line XC, Long Travel mountain bikes.,,
... we'll be shipping them back Monday or Tuesday, unless you'd like to pick one up at the PEDALposse price?
Here's a link to all the details.
https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html
This is the same bike I've been tearing up my local trails on and absolutely loving, but it's the long travel version.
Nearly as light, more travel.
Superduper fun!
Did I mention these bikes are completely sold out for 2021?
That they shipped them to us on accident?
Contact me by Monday, 3/1 if interested.
https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html
I saw God twice today
---
164
Stretch and Hypervolt
7.8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4862017083
PRODUCTIVITY HACK 58 - sponsored by BMC bicycles
Feb 26, 2021
by TODD BROWN
EVER WONDER HOW TO SQUEEZE IN ALL THE OFF THE BIKE STUFF WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO? I do. After reading that the holy trinity of fitness is pull ups, burpies and squats in Natural Born Heroes I thought to myself...
... I got the pull ups covered with a pull up bar at home and at the shop, I can upgrade pushups to burpies, but when the heck am I ever going to do squats?
First off, I don't have weights of any significance. Second, there is a 0% chance I'll go to a gym. Third, and this is the good part, air squats can be very effective if doing...
... ass to the grass (Coach Brian Mcculloch's words not mine).
Still when would I do them?
The pull up/pushup routine started by doing a set every time I got in the shower or walk in the office. Just rattle off a quick set.
I needed a cue for squats.
I found one, and it seems to be working for now.
While brushing my teeth I do 20 very slow and controlled asstothegrass squats...
... clean teeth, descent regular squatting.
Simple.
No need to tip me yet another invaluable tip, but you might want to check this little bit of info...
... BMC accidentally shipped us 3 beautiful Long Travel XC bikes. I'm going to ship them back on Monday unless you want one at the PEDALposse price. Two larges, One medium.
Here's a link to all the details.
https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html
This is the same bike I've been tearing up my local trails on and absolutely loving, but it's the long travel version.
Nearly as light, more travel.
Superduper fun!
Did I mention these bikes are completely sold out for 2021?
That they shipped them to us on accident?
Contact me by Monday, 3/1 if interested.
https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/intl_en/models/mountain/fourstroke-lt.html
---
163.4
Stretch and Hypervolt
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4855566237
STRETCHING IS LIKE PRAYING... AND RESULTS FROM YESTERDAYS REQUEST
Feb 25, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I'VE HEARD IT SAID THAT STRETCHING IS A LOT LIKE PRAYING, we should do it when we least want to. I get that sentiment. There was a time when I'd stretch every time I returned from a ride...
... never before.
Someone somewhere told me to never stretch cold muscles. It sounded sound, and very convenient. I'm rushed as it is trying to meet the posse, skipping a pre-ride stretch was easy to do.
For a long time, I'd return from a ride and always do some stretching and a few crunches.
Not these days.
These days have it in my head to stretch at night, do a few planks, a little yoga... and hit the legs with the HyperVolt.
But, having it in my mind mid-day is a lot different from actually doing it mid-night, when I'm tuckered out, when I just wanna fall asleep to an old and mindless re-run...
... so I start to skip.
Little aches and kinks start popping up. IT band irritation. Tight back. Strained calf. The sort of stuff I really want to avoid...
... just need to get on the floor before I go to bed, and do my stretches.
On that note, I appreciate y'all giving me feedback on a non-racey name for the inter-galacticly famous RaceDay Bag™.
Pedal Bag and Ride Bag were the top 2 suggestions. I like PEDALbag from a marketing standpoint because it leverages PEDALindustries. I like RIDEbag because we all ride. Stay-tuned the final decision. Video will launch soon.
Mike G 1st and Amy L, were 1st and 15th respectively. New waterbottles are on their way to them.
Everyone else can get these beautiful bottles delivered for a scant twenty bucks...
... yes, including shipping, $20.
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162.7
Stretch and Hypervolt
8
https://www.strava.com/activities/4848621940
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO RIDE - I NEED YOUR HELP
Feb 24, 2021
by TODD BROWN
OUR FRIEND MONICA GARRISON IS BEING FEATURED ON TODAY. She is the founder of Black Girls Do Bike, 25000 strong and growing. If you're wondering how to grow your club or team or cause check out what Monica is up to on Today or Facebook or on her site Black Girls Do Bike. ...
... I think it's more important than ever we keep connected and motivated to maximize our health, which is the mission of BGDB.
All this got me thinking that while the RaceDay Bag™ has been a hit, we are missing all the I Don't Race peeps. So I'm asking ya for some help with more general name for a new campaign...
... because you are the best people I know.
The motivation is to help more people have more excellent days when they travel to a ride or an indoor class.
Choice are:
- RideBag
- PedalBag
- CycleBag
- _____________ (your suggestions welcome)
Muchos thanks for the help.
First and 15th person to respond will get some new waterbottles.
Everyone else can get these beautiful bottles delivered for a scant twenty bucks...
... yes, including shipping, $20.
---
163.1
42 PullUps, 84 Burpees
8.2
https://www.strava.com/activities/4845287382
I'M SICK OF ALL THESE EXCUSES, LIKE #BIKECOIN
Feb 23, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER? Heck, I was a contender. Something has happened. Not only don't I contend, I don't even give it a shot. And I can't even tell you when it started. How did I get here?...
... this is not my pathetic attitude.
Actually it is.
... this is not my heavish bike.
Actually, that is also true.
... this is not my slovenly body.
And yes, that in actuality is slightly true.
That's how I felt when I rolled out the door today...
... defeated.
But, somewhere along the way I felt a little encouraged.
Was it the sunrise?
The easier than usual pace at the start?
Hard to say.
All I can tell is I was huffingandpuffing up all the climbs while everyone else was chatting and telling jokes.
My lungs hurt, and my throat burned.
I'm gonna ditch two of the three lame excuses, attitude and body, and maybe if the #bikecoin crisis ever ends I'll get the parts for that new, half-built road bike...
... I'll be a contender.
For sure it helped to have lathered up with PR Lotion.
I've created a lot of believers in this lotiony potion. So much so that on the way to our vicious MTB ride last Saturday Chris shot me a text
Whether or not you've ever used PR Lotion, you'll want to use the promo code: PRme
It'll save ya 10% on your entire order, and get ya free shipping.
---
162.7
21 PullUps, 42 PushUps
6.5 hrs sleep (not enough!)
https://www.strava.com/activities/4836672634
NOBODY CAN KEEP UP WITH ME ON AN EASY DAY
Feb 22, 2021
by TODD BROWN
I KNOW IT'S BOLD TO SAY NOBODY CAN KEEP UP WITH ME ON MY EASY DAYS. If it weren't true, I wouldn't make such an utterly outrageous claim. But it is a cold hard reality that my easy day pace is just too...
... brutally slow.
Somehow I have garnered the underserved reputation of hauling boodwah all the time. Its unfortunate because there's a whole slew of peeps I'd love to ride with on my easy days.
Every now and again someone will tag along... they are totally unprepared for the insanely slow pace. They never come back, dawgawnit.
Here's an easy way to remember my formula. Think of a 24 hour day.
- 8 hours for work
- 8 hours for living
- 8 hours for sleep
That's basically my training week.
- 1/3 intensity - 2 days, Tuesday and Saturday
- 1/3 tempo - 2 days, Wednesday and Friday
- 1/3 easy - 2 days or 1 day, Monday and maybe Thursday
Simple enough.
The fact is, it's even easier than that because Friday is a lot more like Monday. Easy with a few short efforts, at most.
How easy?
Well, just look at today (Monday): 120 bpm, 10.1 mph... Strava suggests I stay under 360 for recovery, todays ride was 27.
Here's the money -> Only by going slow can we ever hope to truly haulbooty when it matters.
Where ya gonna keep money like that? In your soul.
Where ya gonna keep your greenbacks, c cards, and ID?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet
Right here in the only wallet made from bicycle innertubes.
You do know why this is the perfect material right? Well, because it's water and sweat resistant and because it holds everything you need when on the go...
... but the best part is the rubber is super grippy, and once it's in your jersey pocket it will never ever ever ever come out on it's own.
Trust me.
Best part... it's $20 delivered to your mailbox. Including shipping. Crazy, I know.
Just click here to order:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-wallet
---
163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt (almost everyday, don't always post it)
14 PullUps, 28 Burpees
8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4831136024
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