LATELY I'VE NOTICED A NEW HABIT OR TENDENCY IN MY APPROACH TO THINGS.  If there's a way to make it more uncomfortable I'll do it.  And, it feels great.  For example, I've been rolling out very underdressed lately...

... just a jersey and bibs in the 40s.

Or, walking barefoot across very sharp rocks vs the smooth path.

I wasn't really conscious of this until yesterday.  After an extremely hot bath, akin to a smoking hot sauna, I rose and turned the shower on pure cold...

... it took my breath away, WimHoff style...

... deep, rapid breathing went on for at least 2 minutes.

Truth be told, I think we can get too comfortable.  Overbundled in the cold, overairconditioned in the heat.

It's not good.

Racing can go sideway real fast.  At altitude, the weather can dramatically shift in minutes.  We can travel to an unfamiliar locale and bring all the wrong gear.  And so on...

... the point being we need to train for the bad situations.  We don't want them, but we want to be ready for them... knowing most of our competitors won't be prepared, we can thrive when the situation becomes misearable.

Riding through that cold on 1/1 in just my jersey while my pals were bundled up I wasn't concerned.  I knew in an hour it'd be warmer.  Instead I concentrated on feeling heat in my hands and feet.  It's weird, but with practice I seem to be getting better at it.

What does walking on sharp rocks have to do with bike racing?  Not much, except gaining confidence at handling adversity.  

But, the hothot bath to chilly shower tied it all together...

... I felt damn alive!

It was invigorating to say the least.

After I went to work on my latest creation which should be ready for primetime in a few more days.

In the meantime, if you're inspired at all to start or finish in the cold and dark...

 https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights

Use promo code: LIGHTS

 https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights

---

165
Stretch HyperVolt
7.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4562945088

WHAT A BUNCH OF SUCKERS... all those cats who are fired up to start new habits.  I'm like the Grinch watching all the little Who's down in Whoville with their new gym clothes and new gear... maybe even a bike or two.  They're spending this weekend hatching their plans for a fit and healthy 2021...

... go get 'em.

They have no chance.

None.

They gonna fail.

Big.

But not us.

Because we've got a superpwer to keep us on the straight and narrow. And, they know it.  That's the part that drives me nuts... they know our superpower, even ask about.

Hey man, what's new?

Oh, you know working, family stuff and some bike riding.

Are you still racing?

Are you still breathing air?... yes, of course.

I'm only that sassy with my closest friends.  But that's the gist.  

They work out.
We work towards a goal, endlessly fascinated with what's possible.

They've got the Resolution Virus 21...
... we've got the vaccine.

• Find an event, virtual if that fills your tire.  A distant date.
• Make it big as you dare.
• Get ready for it.
• Do it.
• Have fun.
• Learn from it.
• Make it lifestyle.

Let's go do some vaccinating!

If you're lucky enough to have some infected riders, be sure you prescribe the good stuff.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/do-epic-stuff

And we'll include the beanie of your choice... just remember to order the beanie

and use promo code: DOSOMETHINGEPIC

This offer ends Monday night... don't you dare ask me to extend it. 

use promo code: DOSOMETHINGEPIC

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/do-epic-stuff

---

165.2
Stretch HyperVolt
7.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4556672526

TODAY WE RODE TODDY'S NAUGHTY NEW YEAR'S RIDE.  Named such because I liked the sound of it and I knew for sure NYE was going to be a massive calorie consumption the likes of which would require a helluva ride to work off.  With any luck, someone would be hacked off that it was too long or too hard or too big.  But that's not what turns me on...

... what turns me on starts off with my standard disclaimer

We leave on time,
bring our own food and gear,
know how to fix your bike and
find your way home.

... I like company on epic rides, I don't like babysitting.

Selfish... maybe? 

I view it as looking out for the good of the group.  Did we stop for Mark when his tire was losing air?.. yes, of course.  One guy having one mishap is not a ride killer... but, stopping can quickly get out of hand.  Ergo the mean and heartless disclaimer.

What turns me on even more is hearing...

I didn't even know half of those trails

... I'm a cruise director at heart.

The most local of locals snacked on delicious newtothem singletrack.  Andy drove up from Oceanside and couldn't believe all the gravelness we have.

How did I accomplish such a feat of novelty?

It's part of one of my most top secretest of training secrets. 

The one nobody believes in. 

The one few are willing to do, ever. 

Yeah, that one. 

Do you do it?

Do you ever get on your bike and poke around the edges of town?  Wander down unknown roads, alleys, trails, etc. 

For some reason, many riders can't fathom the idea of riding nowhere for long periods of time.  

Here's how to do it:  Ride with absolutely no idea of where you're headed.  Be hellbent on not doing the same old ride.

Here's when to do it:  On the easy days, the recovery days and the long slow distance days.

Here's why to do it:  Your body and mind need and crave rides like these.  

Here's what do do when you find some good stuff:  invite your friends to come join ya... have your own disclaimer... and a helluva day.

And after a day like that, I like to wear a beanie like this

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

If you're in the PEDALposse we're shipping you this very sweet beanie - the graphite version.

If you're not... well for a mere $20, all in, we'll ship it one to ya... army green, navy, graphite or black.  You chose.

Quantities are limited.

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

---

166
Stretch n HyperVolt
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4551089377

DIESEL, DO YOU SMOKE AFTER SPRINTING?

I dunno, I never checked.

Yea, that's an ode to the great Austin Powers when asked if he smoked after sex.

But, ya know it's the silly time of year when most of us write down all the things we want to get done in the coming year...

... neglecting to recognize all the wins we had this year.

My wins:

• First grandchild
• 32 years of marital hard times, challenges and beautiful bliss
• Kids are all wonderful adults

• PEDALindustries survived... for a business that is event driven there ain't been much a tailwind this year... so, yeah, proud of that.
• Launched another successful product, the Changing Poncho
• Launched the PEDALposse
• Starting to figure out promotion through contests

• Snagged a podium at my only road race
• Had a great trip to Cactus Cup and learned a lot
• Mission accomplished at Dirty 30

• Mentored Rocky from shipping to design to running production
• Launched a bike shop with Chris

• Had a chance to connect with 10s of 1000s of wonderful people like you via this blog.

Planned for wins next year?

Stay tuned... 

... it's gonna be good.

Maybe even better than this...

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

In case you do smoke after sprinting

use promo code: 21WINS

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

---

162.6
Sunset beach walk
8.2 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4545917334

I WOKE UP THE OTHER DAY AND HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE: ride with the group where I was sure to be the fastest or ride with the group where everyone was getting faster.  I'm always down for being challenged...

... but that's not why I chose the latter.

Getting faster doesn't necessarily mean every single ride is a veritable beatdown.  

It's a mindset...

... and I really like people who are fascinated with getting faster for the sheer sake of discovering what's possible. 

Yeah, I get thehellbeatoutofme a lot of the time.  The rest of the riding I'm rubbing elbows (we ride that close) with really smart, dedicated athletes.  Sharing all we know about riding faster.

Which group are you going to ride with next year?

Are you going to be the catalyst in your existing group?

Who are you going to invite to join you?

Will you be on a new set of ENVE™ Wheels?  The contest ends tomorrow at midnight PST.  Winner announced next week via blog.

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

After all we can do, it's nice to know we're rolling on the best equipment.

Enter here:  

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

162.6
Stretch HyperVolt
7.75
https://www.strava.com/activities/4540911609

ONE DAY KEVIN AND WERE RIDING ALONG AND HAD THE DUMBEST CONVERSATION.

Why did you head up that guy?

Whadaya mean?

Well, you did the head up thing.  

And...

Why not the head down thing?

I dunno.  Does it matter?

We never resolved the proper head maneuver when acknowledging another rider.  But, it stuck in my own head and really got my OCD going... to the point where I could hardly go for a ride without thinking about that conversation.

It went on for years.

This year I seem to have given it up, opting instead for the low flying peace sign.  I picked that up riding my moto around town.  It's the thing you'd never notice unless you were on a moto.  If you pay attention you'll see moto riders flash the low peace sign as they ride by in opposite directions.  It's a signal we know we're up to something awesome.

Which means if you see me riding along, you might get a peace sign.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/peace

Still one of my favorite kits.

The socks are pretty cool too.

Use this promo code: PEACEOUT

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/peace

---

165
Stretch HyperVolt
7.75 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4535529649

THERE IS A NEVER ENDING CHORUS ENCOURAGING US TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT.  But, which present?

The one when I'm doing intervals and time keeps draggin' on?

The one when I'm racing and time flies?

The effort is the same, maybe even harder when racing, but the sense of time is almost exact opposites of each other.

Why is that?

How are you going to approach 2021?  Waiting for things to get better, holding out for normal...

.... the interval approach or the racing approach?

While you're thinking about that...

... think about how nice it is to have that brain of yours nicely covered on and off the bike this time of year.

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

If you're in the PEDALposse we're shipping you this very sweet beanie - the graphite version.

If you're not... well for a mere $20, all in, we'll ship it one to ya... army green, navy, graphite or black.  You chose.

Quantities are limited.

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

---

163.6
Stretch HyperVolt
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4531436054

THERE ARE TWO THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE WHEN IT COMES TO BICYCLE RACING.

• Time = Speed
• More Racing = More Energy

We all know the first one by now.  No one said it better than the great Eddie Merckx when prescribed piles of miles.  If you want to go faster ride more.  

The second one goes like this... the more you race the less energy you waste on nerves.  The prep the night before, the drive over, the sign in, the warm up, the waiting on the start line... it all becomes routine, second nature.  Which is why the cooler heads always perform best when it counts.  They have more energy.

Which begs the question... is there any luck involved in bicycle racing?

Not much.

Not like puddle skimming golf shots, tipped football passes, or the like.

We don't depend on luck.  We depend on hard work and properly maintained equipment.

But, then again... it would be darn fine to be lucky enough to win a set of ENVE™ Wheels.

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

After all we can do, it's nice to know we're rolling on the best equipment.

Enter here:  

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

163.6
Stretch HyperVolt
8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4526441206

BILL SHAKESPEARE SAID IT BEST VIA JULIETTE, That which we call a ride by any other name would still be rad.  It's great to take the time to properly name our rides.  To find them later and to exercise our creativity are my top reasons...

... but, sometimes there's a sneakier reason.

The sneaky reason in today's ride name is to plant a seed in my mind and the minds of my friends that on New Year's Day we're gonna do something big.  So I named the ride...

... Recon Toddy's Naught New Year's Ride.

By putting it out there early I'm committing myself to get out and ride on 1/1 as well pre-committing my friends todo the same.

Inserting Recon in the title might create some curiosity as to where I rode.

Changing my name to Toddy sounds playful, and enticing.

Using the adjective Naughty gives me leeway as the inviter to throw in a few unexpected sections.

Wrapping it up with New Year's Ride makes it sound official, commemorative... like the kind of ride you don't want to miss. 

You might be asking yourself should you come?

Yes.

What kind of bike would work??

Gravel best... MTB workwill work fine... only the most talented would ride a road bike.

How long will it be?

Somewhere between 100k and 100mi, around 6000' of vertical... figure 6-7 hours.

Any sag?

Nope, but we will have a 24hr AM/PM on the route about 3 hours in.

What will the pace be like?

We'll be moving right along, and we will be chatting.

What if I have a mechanical?

The bigger the group the less likely we are to stop, bringing a buddy would be a good idea.

Is this a no drop ride?

Aren't they all?... don't get dropped.

Start time?

I'll announce the exact start time later, somewhere between 8 and 9 am.

Any other questions, drop me a note.

It'll be long enough to definitely want some Butt'r, and maybe some PR Lotion.

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

Use promo code TODDYSNAUGHTY

And save 30% on the 2nd item.

---

164.4
Stretch HyperVolt
8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4521964989

From the ride

SANTA DONE BLOWED IT AGAIN... no new bike, not even a pair of bike socks.  Instead, wrapped up addressed not just to me but Surfergirl as well, there was a gift that would leave me feeling like I needed to be in traction tonight...

... my butt hurts, my feet hurt and my knees are a tad tender.

What the heck was Santa thinking?

Tomorrow's gonna be miserable.

Why would he give me and Surfergirl a gift like this? 

• We have to use muscles we never use by moving quickly side to side, rocketing forward and backward... and exploding upward of all things.
• Plus, we'll end up spending a lot more time together and socially with our non-cycling/surfing friends.
• To make it worse, there's always a winner and a loser.  We're just gonna get a lot more competitive.

Who want's a gift like that?

I thought he would reward me for collaborating with him to make gifts for bike people...

... like this new Tour de France inspired bag we collaborated with Horton Collection.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-tour-raceday-bag%E2%84%A2

Each panel of the bag features an authentic and historical picture I picked out for this bag.  Just for you.  It's truly one of a kind. 

Check it out 

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-tour-raceday-bag%E2%84%A2

---

164.6
Stretch HyperVolt
6 hrs - I gotta stop staying up late with the kids
https://www.strava.com/activities/4517438824

CHRISTMAS TIME... it always sneaks up on me.  Somehow the jingles and bells don't really touch me until today, the 24th.  Echos of Christmas past arrive.  Tomorrow they will be much stronger.  I'll arise and enjoy the only thing I've ever wanted...

... to be together with family.

Wherever you are, wherever you go I hope you'll be able to connect with those you hold most precious...

... and maybe you'll even wake up to some shiny bikey things.

Or, maybe you're like me and the family has long given up hope trying to find the right shiny bikey thing...

... in that case, you may want to treat yourself to a heckuva bell.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bike-parts/products/knog-oi-bike-bell?variant=31243876008068

They are perfect for those times you're slaying the trail and you want a nice polite way to say I'm here and I'm coming through.

Use promo code:  SLAYBELLS

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bike-parts/products/knog-oi-bike-bell?variant=31243876008068

---

165 (I hope I get some willpower for Christmas)
Stretch HyperVolt
7.5 hrs - kids are home
https://www.strava.com/activities/4513469100

IT USED TO BE SOMETHING TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, it's still something to be a million foot climber.  This time of year we get to see all the coolclimbingkids humblebrag about their achievements.  And, well, I don't know about you...

... but I think that is totally cool.

Mainly because I've never done it.  Nor do I think I could.

I'm typically 600,000-700,000'.  About 12,000' per week.  This year I'll wind up close to 750,000'.  15,000' per week.

Which is a lot.

My Florida pals are lucky to get 30,000' in a year.  Did you ever notice that?  Look one of them up... their climbs are overpasses, and the occasional trip where the get some real climbing in.

The Everest in 7 days challenge I did for myself was plenty hard.  I was tuckered out the following week.

1,000,000'... one millllyun feet.. is out of my question, especially when I break it down.  Then all possibility escapes me.

52 weeks would be 20,000' per week.  Which I have completed plenty of times.  But not 52 times in a row!

20,000' per week would be 4000' per ride because I ride about 5 days a week.  Again, done it plenty of times.  But not every single ride.

How do those millionfootaires get it done?

Do they simply have the right stuff?
Genetics
Terrain
Time

Can us mere mortals join their coolclimbingkid club?

One thing that would sure help is a superduper featherweight set of ENVE™ Wheels.

Which you could win, if you enter the contest.

And you could get double the entries on any tshirt you purchase between now and December 31st at mid-night.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

Here are a few of the choices

One thing you may not know about yours Diesel is I started off in the tshirt business and I've probably printed well over 1,000,000 tshirts at this point.

That's not important.

What's important is super soft cotton we use and special inks you can't feel.  Chech 'em out:

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

---

164.6
Diesel Strong
6 hrs - kids are home
no ride

THERE IS A FANCIFUL IDEA THAT WE SHOULD ALL OWN N+1 BIKES, where N is the number of bikes we currently own.  Whether or not that is true, or even healthy, I'm not sure.  But, I am sure I am operating on N-2 at the moment...

... and it's going better than expected.

It started out as N-1 when I sold my very trustworthy road racer, AKA The Marvel.  This aluminum frame, dressed in e-tap and shod with ENVE was a sprinter's dream.  I sold it because a new road racer in the works...

... if only I didn't have to wait for a few key SRAM parts.

Then, I was adjusting the rebound on my MTB and the screw snapped right off in my fingers.  Fox says send it back bub, you'll never fix it on your own...

... if only I didn't have to wait for Fox to receive, repair and return my fork.

Which leaves with the gravel bike for snappy road rides like today, MTB rides like tomorrow, and recovery rides like Friday.

Here's what I've learned:

• It's great for gravel.
• It's just fine on the road if I max the air pressure to 55lbs... but if it's a fast group ride it's feels a heckuvalot like I'm on the front for the entire ride.
• It's great offroad when I drop the pressure to 30lbs... but if it's super rocky gets to be too much after while.

To answer the several thousand dollar question Could I survive on one bike?

Yes, for sure.  I'm getting stronger on the road, because it's harder.  I'm picking cleaner lines when I ride it like a mountain bike because no suspension.  Plus, it's a heckuva gravel bike.

It's definitely a jack of all trades, master of fun.

Speaking of jack of all trades, one thing I love about these gloves is that the work perfectly for road, gravel and MTB.

Just like the socks.

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

And right now you can buy the gloves and get the socks free.

Use promo code:  BuyGlovesGetSocks

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

---

164
Stretch
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4504896704

DAVID GOGGINS, THE ULTRA-RUNNER/NAVY SEAL/ARMY RANGER/AIR FORCE RECON/PULL UP RECORD HOLDER/ALL AROUND BADASS says he stretches for 2 hours every evening to undo all the damage he's put his body through.  I'm not that crazy... 

... but my routine ain't nothing.

I think about him, well his book Can't Hurt Me, a lot... especially when I'm not feeling it, and other times when I'm feeling my own aches.

My basic end of day routine:

1 min plank
1 min weird back thing I learned
1 min side plank
1 min superman
1 min other side plank
5-10 minutes stretching
10 minutes HyperVolt

I'm beginning with the end because... well, it's the end of the day.

Most mornings I ride, then force myself to do:

10 pull ups
30 push ups

I never enjoy those pull ups and push ups.  Never.  But, when I'm done I'm pumped!

Other mornings I jam though 2-4 runs of Diesel Strong:

Jumping Jacks
Jump up the stairs 3 at a time
Max pull ups
Weighted Burpess
Curls
Squats
Deadlifts

These 7 moves I do every Wednesday... and some Mondays and Fridays, if I have time.

It's good to be strong and flexible.

Good for the bike riding...

... and good just in case your better half wants you to load 1000 lbs of blankets into the van... which I did in just under 45 minutes.

Maybe you're like me... I'm always counting how many reps I've done.

Or maybe you're the count down type... 

... like we're counting 10 more days to get entered into the $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

Have you entered?

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

163
Diesel Strong
7.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4502289622

NO MATTER WHAT YOU EAT, HOW MANY HOURS YOUR RIDE, HOW MUCH YOU WEIGH... none of it matters if you're not breathing properly.  Lured in with a blurb like that I purchased Breath - The New Science of a Lost Art on the spot...

... and read it in a day.

Things I've experienced over the years started making sense, and I can't wait to get out and try a new way to train tomorrow.

For example, I've always been fascinated by my ability to quickly drop my heart rate from 50s to 30s just by changing the way I breathe, but never known what it meant or what it could be used for...

... I got a hint with this book.

Or... why do we wheeze after a really hard ride and feel asthmatic?  Or worse Covidish?  Got an answer to that, too...

... and what to do about it.

Fast forward 20 years and my oldest Trevor is taking cycling seriously.  His coach tells him to train breathing only through his nose.  His rapid progress from a 5 to a 2 in one year was astounding. 

Was it the breathing technique?

Who knows... all I can tell you is I tried to breathe like that and failed.

However, I'm reinvigorated to give it a whirl after reading Breath all day today because of statements like this:

Breathing less offered huge benefits.  If athletes kept at it for several weeks, their muscles adapted to more lactate accumulation, which allowed their bodies to pull more energy during heavy states of heavy aerobic stress, and as a result, train harder and longer.

Is the book worth reading?  Definitely.  It's a fascinating journey, well told and easy to understand.  

Too anecdotal?  Maybe, but I didn't care.  And I bet you won't either... there are a lot of easy to incorporate techniques, starting with shutting your mouth.

That said, if you're out on a ride you're eventually gonna need to open that mouth for some nutrition.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/stinger

Looking for a great stocking stuffer?

These taste great and ship free... and will get you a lot of entries in the $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/stinger

---

163
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4497817143

I PACKED MY BAGS LAST NIGHT PRE-FLIGHT, ZERO HOUR 8AM.  The idea was to meet up with the fellas and leisurely stroll up the wash 20 miles then do the 9 mile climb up one of my faves.  90% dirt.  2 on gravel bikes, one MTB...

... but is an 80 mile ride with 9000' of vert ever really leisurely?

Two and a half hours in we were at the base of the climb.  TBH, I was fine skipping it... and I doubt it would have taken much convincin' to scrap the plan and grab some donuts.

Funny how we can lean on each other and do crazy shtuff.  Who the heck rides gravel bikes up a 9 mile rugged dirt road?  People like us... you and me.  As long as someone else is willing, it's on.

We were already behind schedule and we weren't about to busts any PRs on the way up.

But, it gave us time to chat.

I've ridden with Charlie for at least 15 years... but today, spinning along, we shared all kinds of new things about our lives.  Just another reason to love on this sport of ours.

Then the conversation got serious.

Hey man, maybe we should turn around early.

No way.  

I think I'm good.

It's right there!  See, we'll be at the top in no time.

We made it.

Tired and salty.

I thought we'd be way, way, way, way, way off the pace.  It wasn't a fast time, but it was respectable.  Surprisingly.  

We had a snack.  I polished off my water.  

To say I love this descent would be an understatement... I get a big smile and shove off.

Rocket Man comes into my head.

I think it's because being in the gravel position...

hands in the drops
flying over water bars
ripping at nearly 30 mph 
over marble-sized rocks on hard pack

... it feels awesome, like I'm flying...

... burning the fuse alone...

... a 9 mile descent even at this speed...

...it's gonna be a long, long time to touchdown.

I almost forgot to tell ya... this is the inspiration for the KOM jacket.  I developed specifically for this climb.  Many times we are pressing hard for a good time or to test fitness.

It's not the kind of place to carry heavy clothes.

But, coming down can be cold as hell.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-wind-jacket-black

Fold it into it's own pocket and slide into your jersey pocket.

We use a very lightweight membrane fabric.

Wind stopping and water resistance are remarkable.

Plus, the fabric is stretchy so we cut the jacket to be aero... modern rocket men don't need parachutes.

Check it out:  https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-wind-jacket-black

Side note... I find myself using a vest and arm warmers less and less.  The jacket folds up smaller, and is just as warm.

---

163
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4493328035

THE ONLY I PERSON I EVER MET THAT SWEARS HE KNOWS HOW TO BRAKE IS SUPERDAVE.  If you don't know SuperDave he used to be a hitter at FELT until he got called up to the big leagues at Specialized... not that that is any indicator of his braking ability.  But, if you ever see his sizable mucsulus quadriceps or his blistering breakaway you might say...

... Do tell, how to brake.

For me, it came up when he was setting up 3T America a couple of years ago.  We were both bragging about how awesome we are while ignoring each other when he caught my ear.

You can borrow this bike I've been riding, but the front brake pads are really worn.

Won't be a problem.

I didn't think it would, you look like a back brake first kinda guy.

Aside from that hurting, and his skill estimating ability being slightly off, he had a helluva point.

Most riders, probs you newguygalpersonhuman, are riding around with smoked rear brake pads and pristine fronts.

Why?

Because most riders were raised by parents screaming... 

Don't touch the front brake you'll kill yourself!

... consequently, most riders have that nagging bit of self-doubt banging around their helmets.  Yes, it sucks. But, it's real.  

--> unrequested parenting advice:  our minds can't see negatives.  Tell your kids and loved ones what you want them to do, they're going to visualize and act on whatever you say.  Tell a kid Don't run into the street and what do they do?  I could/should write a book on that. <--

... back to making good braking habits.

Try this at home, at your own peril... this is only one Old Diesel's opinion:

1. Apply your front brake liberally, it is 70% more powerful than the rear - or something like that.  You can really lay on it hard when traveling in a straight line.
2. In turns, I'm pretty even on the brakes... unless I want to slide the rear for quicker directional change, then that rear is locked up.
3. Make it a goal to wear the front and rear pads out equally.

That could be free advice worth more than you paid...

... speaking of paying.

You're not still using one of these are you?

When you could be using one of these...

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

In the off chance you're looking for an extremely svelte wallet to hold a few cards and a couple of Benjamins... a wallet that will never, ever in a million years fall out of your jersey pocket...

... you can have this favorite o' mine - well a brand new one - for a mere 20 bones.

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

---

163.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.5 hrs sleep too excited to get back to Santa's workshop
https://www.strava.com/activities/4487786229

SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, LOANED YOU A BIKE.  Different from the bike you might have received as a child, this was an adult bike.  You rode it, just like I did, and fell in love again...

... because someone paid it forward.

I've been paying/riding it on down the roads and trails ever since my roommate Talley loaned him his "10 speed".  He brought one back to school one weekend... within a week I had a ride of my own.  Best senior year ever.

Sound familiar?
Do you remember who gave you the nudge?
Still riding together?

My latest convert/victim is my grandson's grandfather.

Hey Todd, what's it like riding a gravel bike?

I've got one you can borrow.  I'll bring it over and we can ride around.

Can't get much more innocent than that, can ya?  A simple Check it out is so effective.

Which one should I get?

The answer is always the same... 

The best you one you can swing and still sleep at night... even though you won't sleep the first few nights because you'll be so excited to ride the next day.

He chose this one:  https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/urs-01-three

But, the best part is when he picked it up today he dropped his brother's old bike to be serviced and made ridable.

We might have a real zealot in our midst... and I'm totally down for that.

How many have you encouraged to check it out this year?  I'm guessing a lot.

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

... I might even have a promo code for ya.  Hit me up.

---

163.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4483765938

LOOKING BACKWARDS WHILE RIDING A BIKE IS ALWAYS TRICKY.  A little swerve, a missed sharp object... so many chances for things to go wrong.  Looking forward is so much more fun, safe and profitable...

... which is what I like to do this time of year, start planning out next year.

Figure the big family events.

Scan the cycling calendars

• USACycling for Nationals
• Epic Rides 
• Leadville 
• SoCal Cycling
• NCNCA
• AZCyclng
• Cycling Utah
• SoCal Endurance
• TeamBigBear
• LoToJa
• Cascade Cycling Classic
• ... basically everything within a day's drive.

Then the major work projects.

That's the big stuff and it goes on the calendar in that order:  Family, Races/Adventures, Work.

There's monthly and weekly and daily planning.  But, getting the big stuff right matters more.  For me.

Speaking of getting stuff right, wouldn't winning the ENVE™ Wheels be awesome?

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

Buy any t-shirt between now and 12/31 and you'll be automatically entered in the $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway... and the t-shirt purchase will get you double the entries you'd normally get.

Best of luck!

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

---

164
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4481657645

IT'S HALFWAY THROUGH DECEMBER, just in time to send out this public service announcement.  December heroes always morph into race season zeroes.  Lest you think I'm calling you out...

... I'm not.

Well, I might be if you are:

• Exhausted after your ride
• Wincing as you go up or down stairs
• Loathing your next bike sesh
• Setting KOMs on routes already ridden by a thousand others
• etc...

... it's a long list, and glancing over it I might be a bit guilty myself.

Which is why I will once again renew my dues with Riders For A Sensible Pace.  This completely fake group, should exist.  There should be an intervention for dummies like me.

Let me give you an example of such idiocy...

... a public service announcement went out to our cozy little social ride last night that said something like...

Let's merge the A and B rides so we can all ride slow together until March.

I didn't think it would go well, but hoped it would.

As one of the tribe elders, I arrived early and proceeded to pontificate on the virtues of riding together.

There was a long, stoic silence...

... followed by hooting and hollering, Yeah... right.  We don't trust you guys!

Off they went.

Leaving me, on my gravel bike, to fend for myself amongst the hungry A lions.

We're gonna go easy right fellas?... set a good example so the B's believe our earnestness and solidarity in commitment to winter base miles?

An Of Course Old Diesel carol, warmed my Christmas heart.  I would survive and have many more social paced rides this winter.  Today would be a new beginning, and new era for the Tuesday Morning World Champions.

Alas, there are no gifts in cycling... especially within 12 days of Christmas. 

None at all.

It was blistering from the get go, and I was rudely ejected on the second to last climb... aka The Wall.

On a related note, Bob P stopped by today and introduced himself.

I'm Bob, we met on Creek To Peak a few years ago.  I've been reading your blog ever since.

That's awesome.  Thanks man.

Sure... I'm here to get my wife a Christmas present.

Lucky lady.

Not for her, for her to give to me.

Which reminded me I could give myself a gift, too... Ya know Diesel, you could just roll over at 5am next week and do your own easy ride a little later...

... but we all know I need my weekly lashings, offseason or not.

Which reminds to remind you that socks and gloves make great stocking stuffers.

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

... our race socks made with EZ Breathe yarns and FastMax compression technologies.

The gloves are $25 (I know we should charge $35) and the socks are $15 normally...

use promo code BuyGlovesGetSocks at check out and get them delivered for $25 bones for the gloves and the socks.

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

While supplies last.

---

163.6
Stretch and HyperVold
7 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4475883860

THE P.A. ASSIGNED FOR MY PHYSICAL WAS A LITTLE KOOKY.  It wasn't that he was getting on in years or that his thick Boston accent was challenging to decipher. It was the question he posed about my heart...

Wow... whadaya got there... one a them metric hearts, eh?

What?

Yeah, sounds like ya got one a them metric hearts.

What are you talking about?

You know, metric.  Most people come in here beating 60, 70, 80 times a minute. You.  In the forties.  Metric.

How is that metric?

Metric, you know 100 miles equals 60 of them metric thingies.  Kill-oh-meters.  Metric!

Yeah, sure, I have a metric heart.

Poor old feller, I didn't have the metric heart to set him straight on the kilometers vs miles.

But, I do have the heart to remind you to ride... even if you have to ride in the dark like I did tonight.  

Just be lit up.  Like a Christmas tree.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights

I've been running these lights this fall. Really like 'em.  1000 lumens on the front, and the rear has a pattern to help cars judge distance.

Use promo code:  METRICHEART

It'll save ya big buck$ on any of our lights.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights

---

164.6
PushUps/PullUps/Shoulders
8 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4473498383

TECH GENIUS AND GAZILLIONAIRE ELON MUSK ANNOUNCES HUMAN POWERED BICYCLE PROJECT.  Musk, who's Tesla Inc. has embarrassed the automobile industry by becoming more valuable than all other makers combined, has decided to turn his all seeing eyes to the future of humanity.

Stating he is bored by his Boring Company which is boring tunnels to create the Hyperloops meant to revolutionize earthbound travel, he claims he has a fresh approach to human powered travel.

Asked if this new vision has anything to do with his SpaceX company's colonization of Mars, the legendary visionary only gave a hint of what will surely decimate another industry by bringing humanity forward in a single pedal stroke.

In an exclusive interview, our real life Tony Stark came clean.

We are creating a bicycle that will be powered solely by humans.  No motor.

Really?

Yes, the idea is to have a tool that engages all the senses, delivers immense pleasure, can be enjoyed alone or with a group.  There will only be an outside version, to enjoy nature's beauty.  The results in testing are truly astounding.

How so?

You see by removing the motors and making the activity only accessible out of doors we have data showing massive increases in mental, social and physical health.

This sounds exciting.

Oh, it's changed my life. It will change yours, and everybody you know.

Do you have a name for this new business.

Absolutely.  LegGevity

There you have it folks. Stay tuned. A better world awaits us all, a human powered outdoor experience...

... coming to a planet near you.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/leggevity

If you know Elon, let him know we've got a dealio for him.

Use promo code:  PRsRULE

When you purchase a bottle of PR Lotion and a PRs rule tshirt, the tshirt will be free.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/leggevity

---

165.6
HyperVolt and Stretch
8 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4468950643
 

I WROTE THIS PITHY POST ONCE ABOUT DRESSING FOR THE RIDE, NOT THE ROLLOUT.  The idea is we should dress appropriately for once things are heating up on the ride.  Days like today, when I really take it to heart and roll out in the low 40s with high humidity...

... everybody's in parkas, I'm in jersey and bibs.  

Commando in pajamas ain't exactly warm.

I was cold. But, I didn't care.

All I could think of was riding North and finding this singletrack that snakes up and through the neighborhoods to the top of Newport Coast.  I'd ridden it once a couple of years back.  Even though it would take an hour to get there, the idea of finding that trail and climbing it warmed my heart.

Eventually it did warm up and I was perfectly dressed for scouting out a new, awesome gravel route.  I even managed to include my favorite general store... possibly the last one still operating in the county.

There's a lot of energy behind the gravel bike movement. I'm not sure where it's headed... which is exactly what makes gravel riding so run.  I'm never sure where I'm going to go, but it always turns out to be a lot of fun.

Because it wasn't fffffffffreezing, I was just in superlight gloves and race socks. For that reason, I present thee with a special offer.

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

... our race socks made with EZ Breathe yarns and FastMax compression technologies.

The gloves are $25 (I know we should charge $35) and the socks are $15 normally...

use promo code BuyGlovesGetSocks at check out and get them delivered for $25 bones for the gloves and the socks.

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

While supplies last

---

162.6
HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4464328944

I HAVE A OPTIONS TOMORROW... The Thug Ride, The Dirty Ol' Bastard.  If it's true you are what you ride... well, I might skip those... and it is true, but it's also true attacks and climbs may break my mind but names will never hurt me...

... which ride to do this fine winter's day?

One of the more amusing conversations I have with riders who aren't quite sure of the thugness or dirty'olness on rides goes like this...

Yeah, I want to do that ride as soon as I'm in shape in the Spring.

OK, but... this is the slowest time of year for that ride, it only gets faster in the Spring.

Yeah, I'll be ready.

... no chance in helk, I think to myself.  No chance at all.

Winter is the time to latch onto the fast guys while they're going slow.  It's the only chance most of us have.  Come Spring, those DirtyOl's will be Thugging every pedal stroke of every ride.

Now is the time to latch and do what they do... and if you're lucky ride what they ride.

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

163.4
Stretch/Plank/HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
No ride... Santa be bizzy.

THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS RISKIN' NOT GETTING MY DAILY DOSE OF MEDICINAL PEDALING by waiting until late afternoon.  Most of the time the opportunity vanishes when I take the wait and see approach, then I'm suffering some serious withdrawals.

Some days are like that.

A lof 'em, lately.

My strategy comes from my favorite cycling genius...

"If A is a success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut."

... Albert Einstein.

It worked for AL, seems to be working for me... is it working for you?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/ride-your-bike-t-shirt

Use promo code: GENIUS

To save 20%

https://pedalindustries.com/products/ride-your-bike-t-shirt

---

163.6
Stretch/Plank/HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4455017395

IT'S A DRAG TO GO DOWN, CRASH.  We pop up like nothing happened, whenever possible.  Ride like all is cool.  Then we get home,  dried blood, bruised, banged up...

... and assess the damage.

With luck, only flesh wounds that will heal quickly.

With more luck, the bike is okay.

But, there's another category that can be damaged and dernright embarassing. I was reminded of it yesterday as my pal's ripped up shoulder flapped in the wind.

I'm sure it's a favorite kit.  He wears it often.

Probably because there are no more to be purchased.

If only he'd had us make it... then he could exercise our Crash Replacement Policy.

Wouldn't that be nice?... fresh new kit, same favorite design.

How's it work?... send us a pic, we'll get it made at 50% savings.

I know, we really should make it harder.  At a minimum more shameful... like require a pic of the incident to be posted all over the socials.

But why, when we could just get it made and delivered about as fast as the scabs are healed?

Personally, if I purchased a jersey this beautiful and shredded it racing down a mountain I'd love to get it replaced.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/navy-pro-jersey-1?variant=36819856228513

It's hard to appreciate how awesome this blue is on a screen vs seeing it in person.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/navy-pro-jersey-1?variant=36819856228513

PEDALposse members save 25% on this. 

---

164.2
PushUps and PullUps
7.5 hrs sleep
No ride today - Santa and Elves very busy.

FEW PEOPLE HAVE ASSEMBLED THEIR OWN BICYCLE, far fewer have ever assembled their own bicycle company.  I'm lucky enough to know one of these individuals... 

... here's what I've learned.

First off, we met around '92.  It was a chilly morning, on a local single track that would soon become home to Olympic Champions and Pro Tour racers... along with masses of enthusiasts.  Whiting Ranch.

Our bikes were heavy, and our suspension mostly awful.

Marv had scoped out a tiny company that was making lightweight full suspension bicycles that were works of art.  Soon, he and Roger and I all had these anodized aluminum wonders.

Next thing I know, Marv sells his tech biz and buys a chunk of Intense Cycles.

The company was unique.

And, tiny.

I think I had frame number 8 or 9... and there may have been a 100 produced, ever, at that time.

Seemingly overnight the company is a well-known brand.

That's not what I learned.  Anybody could see that from afar.

Over the years, I was able to see how he and his partners worked very hard every day patiently, diligently executing a great idea.  

A great idea is worthless without great execution.  But, if you do it right you can build something beautiful and one day sell it.  Which he did.

Fast forward a little more and he's retired.  Loving his BMC road bike and wanting a gravel bike. 

He reads my blog on Strava. 

Sees my BMC gravel bike. 

Gives me a call.  

New bike arrives in a box.

I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was.

We'll get it built tomorrow.

No need.  I'll pick it up.

Of course he's going to put it together himself... some riders like to know exactly how all the pieces fit together...

... in everything they do.

I dig that.

Just like I dig riding gravel... haven't raced gravel yet, but it's kinda lookin' like that might be one of the only options next year.

So, if you thinking that could be on your calendar... give us a shout.  Don't worry, we'll put it together for ya.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles

Funny thing... on his way out he asks...

Is this going to get me entries into the ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway?

Yep, sure is.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles

---

164.4
Stretch and HyperVolt
6.5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4446682448

I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHEN I STARTED NAMING MY BICYCLES.  I've always done it.  This morning, after one ride on a beautiful new BMC gravel slayer, I had the perfect name...

... names make a difference, you know.

Choose carefully.

Pick the right name and your ride can deliver mythical performance, exception inspiration and ward off all sorts of evil.  

Often, I'll let the color have a good say in the matter.  

This bike is purple.  Purple frame.  Purple ENVE™ stickers.

Not just any purple, but a truly righteous shade of glossy purpleness.

Of course, the proper first ride for any bike will include the kind of riding the bike is designed for.  In this case it was...

Asphalt
A staircase.
A gravel road.
And some single track.

In that order, with lots of speed and magical handling.

Yep, this bike shall be known on the records of Strava as... Showtime... after the great Magic Johnson led Lakers in their purple and gold.

Did I mention it has ENVE™ Wheels?  Did I mention how fast they roll?  How snappy they accelerate?  How tacky the tires feel with that wide rim?

Have I mentioned you could win a set of ENVE™s?

Check it out:  

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

164.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4442252464

UNDER PRESSURE TO DELIVER MORE S-WORKS FRAMES TO IT'S CUSTOMERS, the Big S has released a $4000 unicycle.  Known as the Tar, the first available model is the S-Works level option.

Due to the unique nature of 1-wheel bikes vs 2-wheelers, they will essentially be doubling their production capacity.

Marketers at the company claim it's a triple win.

• Quicker deliver to customers
• Significant savings
• Better prep for the circus known as the Pro Tour.

That said this is not stripped down S-Works either:

• $1500 S-Works Tar frame
• $1100 Roval Alpinist Wheel
• $450 Power MIrror Saddle
• $400 S-Works Venge Seatpost
• $400 S-Works MTB Cranks
• $180 Boomslang Platform Pedals
• $50 Pathfinder Pro Tire

The company also claims myriad benefits to one-wheel training:

• Better balance
• Increased core strength
• Smoother pedal stroke

The icing on the cake, however, is safety.

Due to the upright unicycle position and it's rarely seen in the wild nature, drivers normally riveted to their phones and coffee are keenly aware of these beautiful machines and talented riders.

2020... what a year for cycling!

For those of you who continue riding two-wheelers, there's still time to enter the ENVE™ Wheel Give Away

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

https://pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

164.6 
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4440002457

IF YOU EVER STOP BY TO SAY HI - AND I HOPE YOU DO - YOU WILL SEE A STRING OF 2ND PLACE TROPHIES.  I have earned an unusual amount, and I keep them front and center as a reminder...

... there is always somebody better, I can always work harder.

Today's 2nd place, unlike the others, was a near disaster.

So many lessons.

First off... I set my sites on the wrong goal.  Again.  This time it was to be close to my San Diego friends who always whack me when I race down there.  When I checked the start list and saw Stenk, TimZ, JohnnyO, JeffW, LarryP were also racing my chances of eating dust increased immensely.

That said... we'd just come off getting whacked at the Cactus Cup where the course is a series of neverending ups and downs.  Matt set us up a local route that was nothing but that.  Constant power climbs and quick drops.  In other words, we trained about as best as one could for today's course. 

Ideally, really.

Concurrently... I've been leaving late for to meet the posse recently requiring me to go all out the moment I leave the house.  Which is exactly what Coach Brian has been asking me to work on.  

No more Old Diesel TB... time to start hard and fast.

Let me just interject here, that Coach Brian did his first mountain bike race today and the first words out of his mouth to his Padawans was...

I had no idea how violent the start would be, we need you guys a lot fresher for these racers.

The lesson here is this... a good coaching relationship is two-way.  He knew I needed to work on my starts, I knew to be fresh.  Per Strava my form was a whopping +24 today.

Why was today a near 2nd Place disaster?

Well, yours Diesely wasn't paying attention.

I've often said the closer we get to the finish line the dumber we get.  Today was no exception.

I knew the laps were 6 miles long.  The race is called the Dirty30.  5 laps right?  Duh...

... so there I am, in second place on the 4th lap...

TimZ had gapped me on the first lap by wisely choosing the easy to ride climb while I chose the hideous wall option.  Took me a lap to recover from that.  He was gone.

... anyway, I'm in the zone, figuring I've got another lap and half to go.  It's heating up and my Camelbak is nearly empty I'm picking the cleanest lines I can, conserving as much as I can.  

I slide around a corner and TimZ has a flat.

Ah, crud... sorry Tim!

Go, you got this!

I got this... well, probably if I race wisely I can keep this pace up for another 45 minutes.  

How fun would that be?!

I catch and pass some of my pals.  Yep, feeling great.  Riding within myself.  Thinking, Holy cow!  This could work!  Letting myself get a little giddy.

The last half mile of said lap 4 this jackball keeps battling me.  I'm thinking Bro, we have another lap.  I've already put minutes on you, since you were in the first wave.  

We roll through to do lap 5 and the great Victor Sheldon, the promoter on the mic, says Todd Brown, winner of the 55+ division!.  Hellyeah I say to myself.

Matt rolls up... Nice job on the V, but I still beat you by 4 min.  Folks, that is friendship.  The best kind.

The posse is congradulatory.  Slapping my back and all.

Sten rolls up, I'm a believer!  You took off so fast I couldn't ever see you.  Finished less than a minute behind you.  Second place is great!

Second place, no way.  Tim flatted.  No one else in front.

Well... scoring says some guy named David Juarez beat you.

Tinker!  That stinker!

For the record - have I said that yet? - David Tinker Juarez is a former Olympian who usually races pro... at 58 years old.  Beating a lot of the Pro field is normal for him, still.

When he lined up and took off with them we all figured he's doing his thing... thankfully.  We took off 2 minutes later.

Could I have beat him...

.... hahahahahhahaha, no chance in 'ell.  He put 13 minutes on me.

Back to my point, I'm never dissatisfied with 2nd place as long as I know there was nothing left in the tank and I raced to the best of my ability. 

However, I would have been extremely ticked if the pack of gray wolves behind me had caught and passed me at the end of lap 4 while I was secretly setting them up for an all out onslaught on lap 5.

Lastly, so far I'm the only actual grandpappy on that podium... and I'm most happy about that.

2 More Critical Race Notes: 

• JimmyC came up to me, probably when Victor was explaining how many laps we were going race and said  I was trying to decide Camelbak or bottles last night and you came to me in a vision... Camelbak, totally dorky but infinitely better on a course as relentless and technical as this.
• 3 things helped me go faster than last Dirty30: first, I'm about 5 lbs lighter than last year; second,  via a lot of saddle time I'm one with my new BMC 4 Stroke and is legit much faster than any XC bike I've ridden before; third, the HyperVolt is a recovery game changer.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dirty30

Don't you deserve this for Christmas?  Your competitors certainly don't :D

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dirty30

THE STORY OF THE GREAT RONNIE COLEMAN IS ON NETFLIX.  I'm struck by the persistence, humility, and greatness of this man and athlete.  You might be too...

... it reminded of what makes binge watching great (it's a 90 min documentary).

It's the arc of our own story that takes us from hacks and weekenders to consistently improving beasts.

That's why we binge watch, to find out what's going to happen to our heroes and villains.

Perched on my saddle, it appears to me that the dabblers - hacks is too harsh - are the riders who never really get better.  The ones who get excited, buy a bike, ride it a few times and turn into place to dry out wet clothes.

That's not us.

We register for events and we race.

The more official and epic the race, the more dramatic and awesome our story.  Wherever your racing is on the scale...

Beating Your PR <-- Racing to the City Limits sign --> Winning Nationals

It's our own heroes journey and battling of real and made up villains that keeps us going, and coming back for more.  The endless fasciation with improving our performance.

Non-racers mostly miss out on all that drama.  Which I contest is why they lose interest.  There is no story arc for them.

For example, we'll sign up for an event that is 6 months out. 

We start paying more attention to what we are eating, how far we are riding, how fast we are going, getting a bike fit... all things we can do to increase efficiencies.  We measure them.  See what works, what doesn't.  Test ourselves against friends or less important races, etc.

That is our story arc.

Watch Ronnie's story and you'll get the sweet flavor of this post.

Kinda like the sweet flavor of Honey Stinger Waffles.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/stinger

I just love these... perfect for long rides when you want something solid that goes down deliciuosly.

These also make great stocking stuffers, plus get you entered into the ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/stinger

---

161.8 
Stretch and HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4429179393 
(finally got that KOM - now that's drama)

IT'S BUSY HERE AT THE SHOP.  It makes me happy.  With a local race on Saturday and us being a racy bunch the bikes are flowing in and out.  These are the people that take no chances.  They've busted their buns to get fit and they've learned from sweaty experience to make sure their machines...

... are as finely tuned as they are.

But, ya know what's weird?

The racy peeps who are finely tuned on poorly tuned machines.  

I see them every race.  I've been one.

RaceDay morning they'll be all kitted up, ready to rip.  Drivetrain will be filthy, shifting poorly.  Tires lacking tread. 

Or worse.

They will have put on new parts the day before and woken up to flat tires because the sealant didn't seal.  Chain skipping because new chains skipping on old, worn cassettes. 

It's a long list.  

We all recognize it.

With some luck things will go well and they'll finish with big smiles.

But, who wants to risk that?  Who wants to waste the emotional energy involved with either the mishaps or just having that Hope this don't break nagging feeling?

One thing that's always fun is to sport a new kit on RaceDay.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/grayghost

Like a gray over gray... haunting your prey... 

Did I see a ghost?  Is that the rider I'm chasing?  Do I even have a chance?

The light is picking up the color a little oddly in the these pics.  I'll post some more in the daylight soon.

In the meantime, here's the dealio...

Buy the kit, get the gloves and socks free.

Promo code is GRAYGHOST

It will actually apply a discount across all 4 items equalling $40 - price of gloves and socks.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/grayghost

---

161.8 
Stretch and HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4425596286

Found this inside my tire while prepping... nice little staple clean through and Stan's all dried out.

Thought my brake was rubbing... nope.  Checked the rotor... nope.  Wheel was spinning great but strange sound... turned out to be dust under dust cap... the kinda sound that can drive ya crazy when you're racing.

DON'T TELL MY HUSBAND I BOUGHT THIS , OKAY? The smile on her face was unerasable.  For this first time in her adult life this friend o' mine purchased a bicycle for herself.  It's a day we all remember...

... and we remember 'splaining to our family and friends.

I bought a new bike.

Really?

Yeah, it's awesome.

What kind?

A gravel bike (using today's example)

What's that?

Oh, it's like a road bike but it can go anywhere.  On pavement, but I will mainly ride it on the dirt roads and trails... more adventure, probably safer.

... so far so good, everything going according to plan ...

Let's see it... Wow!... how much was it?

... here is where our super stoked out of her mind new bike owner says ...

I got a really good deal.

... now, I'm not saying that's the wrong answer.  Lord knows I've used it plenty of times myself ...

Oh, really... how good?

Oh that new bike smell!!! 

Our friend/family/lover can smell that bike, can see bird feather hanging out of our cat mouth.

There's no going back.  Because...

Ain't nowayinhell I'm going another day of my life without the joy of carbon between my legs and wind in my face.

It might be the smell of burning cash to outsiders...

... but, it's the smell of countless heckfire good times ahead to us.

Now, whether you're heading out on a new bike or your trusty stead this time of year the weather can be challenging.

That's I developed the KOM jacket.

You've never seen, touched, worn or smelled anything like this.

It's made of a very fine, stretchy membrane fabric that we import from a special factory nestled near the Dolomites of Italy.  They're the only people in the world that produce this material which is wind and water resistant... and so light and feather you can roll it up and tuck it in your back jersey pocket.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/vests-jackets-warmers

We keep selling them as fast as we can make them, but there are a few in stock as of tonight.

It's called the KOM jacket because it's perfect for this local 12 mile MTB climb I'm trying to PR all the time.

Most mornings when we're getting after it we are plenty warm on the way up.  But, in the winter it can be very cold up there and it can get covered in clouds pretty quickly.

This jacket is perfect for whipping out at the top before bombing back down... if it's really cold, arm warmers underneath.

You can save $35 on this incredible layer when you join the PEDALposse -> https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-monthly-subscription 

Or you can save a few bucks with this promo code:  KOM

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/vests-jackets-warmers

---

162.6
Stretch HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4421202074

ONE OF MY BUSINESS HEROES IS THE GREAT STEVE JOBS.  And, while I'm not Steve Jobs, and you might not be either, we have a secret super power in common...

... Oh, do tell Diesel!

Steve was famous for taking long walks when he wanted to get his point across or really get to know somebody.  Very long walks.  He would sucker them in saying Let's walk around the block... and then be gone for hours.

I am the same way... I'm guessin' you are too.

But, on bikes.

Most of my most meaningful conversations with my close friends and mentors have taken place on bike rides.  Racing for sure has been covered in great detail... and so has solving life's many riddles.

I remember early on cornering, creeping on?, every fast rider I could find.  Listening to everything they said to me or whoever they were talking to.  And, I've siddled up to many a new rider to share tips, stories and ideas.  Riding side by side is such a great way to impart and consume knowledge.

Fact is... the best conversations in my life have happened outdoors, at an easy pace: long rides, hikes, walks, ski lifts, waiting for waves, sailing etc...

... as well as some of my best product ideas.

What's your favorite Diesel Creation?

• RaceDay Bag™
• Superlight Race Gloves
• Race Socks with EZ Breathe Yarns and FastMax Compression
• Pro Jersey and Pro Bibs with Italian fabrics and a top secret chamois
• The KOM Jacket
• The Changing Poncho
• ...

Well, if it's the Changing Poncho... 

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

When you purchase the changing poncho, not only are you getting a great tool for changing in public but we are getting you 3 X the entries into the ENVE Wheel Giveaway.

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

---

163.8
PushUps and PullUps HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4416860544

EVERY DAY IS RACEDAY

To my friends who find joy on bicycles and want to dramatically improve their skills and ability.

INTRODUCTION

I’m Todd, aka The Old Diesel. 

I’ll be your guide, and maybe one day we can race together.  Until then, I hope this little book will help you be confident in your abilities to line up and win.

Because credibility creates believability, you should know I have won 2 National Championships in my age group.  These were racing an event called SuperD, what is now referred to as Enduro.  I have also one many other races on road and mountain bikes.

That said, some of my greatest victories had nothing to do with standing atop the podium. 

Setting my PR at Leadville in 2019 and snagging 2^nd place at LoToJa in 2017 are just as exhilarating to look back on.  We’ll cover these and other stories to put winning and racing into what I believe is a proper perspective.

If you’re looking for a tactic to win a sprint, you might find a few.  However, the purpose of this book is to present a strategy for approaching bicycle racing that is fun and rewarding, leading to a lifetime of growth and improvement.

By the time you finish reading you’ll have a good idea of what it takes to be a racer, and clear understanding of why you need to start racing now.

Let’s get started.

CHAPTER 1 - WHAT IS WINNING?

Get this right, and you’ll win every time you pin on a number.

---

I've written a lot more of the book... but, that's all you get to see for now.  I like to keep the good stuff undercover.

Maybe that's why the Changing Poncho is getting a plug tonight.

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

When you purchase the changing poncho, not only are you getting a great tool for changing in public but we are getting you 3 X the entries into the ENVE Wheel Giveaway.

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

---

164
PushUps and PullUps HyperVolt
7.7 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248/posts

THIS MIGHT SOUND OBVIOUS, and might be something for you to consider... it's something I'm intentional about.  My riding and exercise is highly varied... and I was reflecting on that while looking for a book I'd previously read, here's a sample books I've read this year...

... Major Taylor's biography - America's richest and most successful athlete and cyclist circa 1900, Rise of the Dungeon Master - Biography of Gary Gygax and the creation of Dungeons and Dragons,  Blue Moon - a Jack Reacher novel, Subscribed - Tien Tzuo, Creativity - John Cleese...

... and that's just the first 5 books of probably 30 I've read this year...

... i vary my reading to be a better writer,
I vary my riding to be a better racer.

Yeah, I know yesterday's post Specificity = Speed might seem like a contradiction, but bear with me.

By doing a lot of different riding and racing I gather skills that can be applied elsewhere.

For example, mountain bikers very rarely will be in a road paceline and get into trouble.

Why?

Because mountain bikers also form pacelines offroad and inherently know to never trust the rider in front to pick the best line, let alone point things out.

Road riders, particularly the racers, develop tremendous 1, 3, and 5 minute power.  

Why?

Because they know if they can just hang on to those violent accelerations things will calm down and be manageable again... while those without the power have been jettisoned.

Yes, I do a lot of different types of riding:  road, gravel and mountain.  And, I also do a fair amount of walking and surfing and paddling.  Walking is just good.  The surfing and paddling are great for upper body strength and core... and balance.  Cycling, especially road, is all about straight forward... offroad uses some side to side balance, but nothing like standing on a surfboard on the ocean.

All that said... if you can swing another bike, get it.  It doesn't need to be "pro", it just needs to function properly.  If you can swing another sport, do it.

And, it's not just the additional skills you'll bring back to cycling but also the freshness you'll bring to the new riding and from the new riding to the one you really want to excel at.

Of course, if you're doing a lot of riding it can be nice to have a good chamois cream.  I've been testing out Dave Zabriskie's product DZ Nutz...

... I'm guessing the name can be a bit repellant, but don't let it fool ya.  This product lasts a long time, and I find I'm using less of it than Chamois Butt'r - a product I think is great.

By that I mean, a smaller amount of cream is needed.  One, the cream itself seems to hold up longer; and two, because I need less per application the bottle lasts a good long time.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/bikeshop-dz-nutz-pro-chamois-cream-4oz-tube

THIS MIGHT SOUND OBVIOUS, and might be something for you to consider... it's something I'm intentional about.  My riding and exercise is highly varied... and I was reflecting on that while looking for a book I'd previously read, here's a sample books I've read this year...

... Major Taylor's biography - America's richest and most successful athlete and cyclist circa 1900, Rise of the Dungeon Master - Biography of Gary Gygax and the creation of Dungeons and Dragons,  Blue Moon - a Jack Reacher novel, Subscribed - Tien Tzuo, Creativity - John Cleese...

... and that's just the first 5 books of probably 30 I've read this year...

... i vary my reading to be a better writer,
I vary my riding to be a better racer.

Yeah, I know yesterday's post Specificity = Speed might seem like a contradiction, but bear with me.

By doing a lot of different riding and racing I gather skills that can be applied elsewhere.

For example, mountain bikers very rarely will be in a road paceline and get into trouble.

Why?

Because mountain bikers also form pacelines offroad and inherently know to never trust the rider in front to pick the best line, let alone point things out.

Road riders, particularly the racers, develop tremendous 1, 3, and 5 minute power.  

Why?

Because they know if they can just hang on to those violent accelerations things will calm down and be manageable again... while those without the power have been jettisoned.

Yes, I do a lot of different types of riding:  road, gravel and mountain.  And, I also do a fair amount of walking and surfing and paddling.  Walking is just good.  The surfing and paddling are great for upper body strength and core... and balance.  Cycling, especially road, is all about straight forward... offroad uses some side to side balance, but nothing like standing on a surfboard on the ocean.

All that said... if you can swing another bike, get it.  It doesn't need to be "pro", it just needs to function properly.  If you can swing another sport, do it.

And, it's not just the additional skills you'll bring back to cycling but also the freshness you'll bring to the new riding and from the new riding to the one you really want to excel at.

Of course, if you're doing a lot of riding it can be nice to have a good chamois cream.  I've been testing out Dave Zabriskie's product DZ Nutz...

... I'm guessing the name can be a bit repellant, but don't let it fool ya.  This product lasts a long time, and I find I'm using less of it than Chamois Butt'r - a product I think is great.

By that I mean, a smaller amount of cream is needed.  One, the cream itself seems to hold up longer; and two, because I need less per application the bottle lasts a good long time.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/bikeshop-dz-nutz-pro-chamois-cream-4oz-tube

If you're looking for something new to protect your special purpose, check this out.

Use promo code: VARIETY

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lotions-for-speed-comfort-and-recovery/products/bikeshop-dz-nutz-pro-chamois-cream-4oz-tube

---

164.6
Stretch and HyperVolt
7.5 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4409777483

THIS MIGHT SOUND OBVIOUS, it might not even be a thing for you... but for me, this is something I have to dial in.  Ya see I like a lot of variety in my riding... and I was reflecting on that while listening to my top song's of 2020, according to Apple music.  You could say there's some variety, here's a sample...

Paranoid - Black Sabbath, Put Your Lights On - Everlast, Bleed It Out - Linkin Park, Super Bad - James Brown, Landslide - Dixie Chicks, Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth.

... that's just the first 5 songs, much like the 5 days I ride...

Gravel Monday, Road Tuesday, Gravel or MTB Wednesday, Rest Thursday, Gravel Friday, Road or MTB Saturday.

That's no way to get prepped for a race... which is exactly what I'm hoping to do Saturday.  Race the Dirty 30.

To that aim, I've upped my MTB a lot.  

And it's showing results.

Lots of PRs on the downhill sections today.

One simple reason.

When you get really specific on your riding, getting as close as what you expect to be racing. Bike.  Terrain.  Weather.  Time of day. etc.... you get a lot faster because you become one with your machine.

My mountain bike is my most complex machine by far.  

Sure, there's only 1 shifter on the right hand.  But there's a dropper post and 3 different suspension settings to work on the left hand.

Plus the brakes. 

But, on an MTB locking up the rear wheel to line up a turn is a thing... as is getting on the binders so hard that the front wheel wants to give way.  Neither of which is even a thought on the road.

Which is the point... specificity = speed.  

You know what else equals speed?  Being able to pack up efficiently and find all your gear when you get to the race.... which is why we created the RaceDay Bag™

Right you can get a loaded bag and save a load of cash.

$308 in product for $200.

ONE OF THE MOST OVERLOOKED INGREDIENTS TO MASTERING MOUNTAIN BIKING IS LAUGHING.  In my early years, my pal Garrett and I would scope out the hidden single tracks and dial them in...

... then take the rest of the fellas out, pretending like it was our first time.

To be sure, there were a lot of Oh shyte moments... but, it was all fun n games and the trickery was paid back many times.

The riding back then was a lot more adventurous. 

We'd wander down cow paths wondering where they led.  We'd drop off steep ledges wondering of the rickety equipment would hold up.

Bending a seat post isn't even a thing any more.  Neither is carrying spokes and spoke tools.

Amidst all that breaking of parts and trespassing was a lot of laughter.

We weren't in a hurry, weren't rushing, weren't racing.  We were learning, playfully approaching a new and exciting sport.

The last few weeks I've been taking out a young padawan, Rocky, on our local trails. 

Today I was reminded of those old times.  We dropped in on some truly steep stuff - 36% according to the Strava file - which I'd previously been down more than a few times.

There was a lot of stopping, a lot of hootin' and hollerin' and a lot of laughing... because it was so dern fun.  Taking our time allowed the kid to recover and get ready to charge the next section.

Come to think of it... most of the teaching of sporty things that I've done in my life has involved a lot of laughter and time taking.  It just works better...

... and the steep, technical MTBing works a lot better with a really solid connection to the handle bars.  The kind of connection you get with our superlight race gloves.

These gloves are very light.  Perforated 100% leather palms, perforated lycra tops.  The form to your hand and give you great feedback.

For many, especially your very biased developer of said gloves, these are the only way to go... road, gravel or mountain.

And right now, buy 'em and get a pair of socks free...

... our race socks made with EZ Breathe yarns and FastMax compression technologies.

The gloves are $25 (I know we should charge $35) and the socks are $15 normally...

use promo code BuyGlovesGetSocks at check out and get them delivered for $25 bones.

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

This code will stop working Saturday night.

---

163.6 
Paddle
8.25 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4398985947

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD PLAN.  It usually does, but I've never seen it work.  Ever.  No matter what I do... it's always a fail on Friday morning.

Today's strategy was simple.

Rise with the sun and ride with the fellas, on an empty stomach.

Like all plans, the first part was easy to execute.  Met 'em.  Rode with 'em.  Came home.

Next, get my ladies and go paddle boarding, on an empty stomach.

Like all plans, a hiccup occurred.  I walked in to...

Guess what Tom brought over!

Tom is our neighbor who never brings anything over.  

I dunno.

But, I could smell it.  Homemade sourdough bread.  

I'd built up a massive resistance to what I was sure she was going to tempt me with... a bear claw donut.  I was ready to look that glazed goodness and walk on by...

... and that's why the sourdough and butter and honey was so deadly.  I wasn't ready to say NO to that... am I ever?

Eventually we waddled across the sand and paddled.

I was kind of back on track because we came home cleaned up and headed down to our son's inlaws for a special occasion.

This is where I thought I could recover from the sourdough... and yes that dern bear claw.

Steve, my son's fatherinlaw, had expressed interest in getting a gravel bike so I brought down a loaner.  We changed and took him out for his first ride in years.  The running trails behind his home are a great place to gravel... and gravel we did.

He commutes by moto to work, so his handling skills were great... and he was suprised at how the bikes could climb and get across the sandy sections.

If I was a betting dude, I'd bet he'll be a lifer... but, I'd also bet on my having restraint with the appetizers...

... I was so close.  I'd only slightly cheated.  The fabulous turkey feast was a scant 30 minutes in the future...

... never bet on a starving rider to have restraint when the calories are so empty and plentiful.

At dinner, people were considering going for seconds... I'd already been.

At dessert, I didn't go for seconds... because it ain't seconds if you haven't had that flavor of pie yet.

So yeah... an absolutely successful and wonderful day:  lots of riding, lots of time with my favorite peoples, lots a time to consider our good fortune.

Like many new riders, Steve didn't have gloves or socks... and I neglected to bring any extras...

... which is why we are brining back the BuyGlovesGetSocks promo code.  

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

We have lots of new colors in stock.

These are amazing superlight fullfinger race gloves and our race socks made with EZ Breathe yarns and FastMax compression technologies.

The gloves are $25 (I know we should charge $35) and the socks are $15 normally...

use promo code BuyGlovesGetSocks at check out and get them delivered for $25 bones.

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

This code will stop working Saturday night.

---

163.6 
Paddle
7 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4394010600
https://www.strava.com/activities/4394600434
https://www.strava.com/activities/4395551729

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THREE PIECES OF TECH, the digital and electronic gizmos.  Two are new to me and one is an old friend... I share them all liberally... errrr, I preach them all regularly.... mmmmmm, I love this stuff and you might too.

The old friend is Strava, for sure.  If social media is of the devil, the I guess I'm going to helk... because I love Strava.  Let me count the ways:

• At any time, I can look back over the years and see what I was doing and the effect it was having.
• Tracking my PRs and monitoring my progress.
• Encouraging my friends and receiving their encouragement.
• Searching out new routes and studying upcoming rides.

Those are my top 4.

Electric shifting on my MTB.  While I've had it on my road bike and loved it, the new 12 speed, 1x drivetrains with with electronic shifting are amazing.  For example:

• It's much faster and
• More precise than mechanical shifting
• and, kind to my old joints.

It took me a while to get used to.  It's very sensitive and I would accidentally shift it in the beginning, but it's second nature now.   Truly awesome.

Last is the HyperVolt.  I've had it for about a month now and it's the only variable in my training that is new... meanwhile I feel incredibly recovered after some blistering workouts.

I've used rollers, I've had massages.  There's plenty of discomfort with each and it never goes away while going through the treatment.

The HyperVolt is different.

I use it on my legs, feet, back, arms.  Everywhere.

Here's the difference.

The only place I have real, true soreness is my legs.  Mainly above the knee.  Quads and hammies.

With the setting on 3, the strongest, and with the absorber attachment, I'll go over my legs and find a sore spot.  I'll then spend some time there... and here's makes the HyperVolt so much better... I'll stay on that sore spot until the pain goes away.

That's a big difference.

Imagine your legs feel terrible, certain spots are sore to the touch and you have this gizmo that you can work your legs over with and the pain goes away.  Such that, when you go upstairs they are remarkably recovered.

Could I live without Strava, E-shifting and they HyperVolt?  Of course.  Would I want to?  Not for a minute.

If you're looking for just the right thing to give yourself...

... because let's be honest, the family/friends ain't gonna get it - just like all they didn't get you the aero helmet or fancyshmancy shoes...

... get they HyperVolt, put it under the tree with a note from Santa.

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

I spent some time on the phone today with the manufacturer so I could understand the difference between this model and the new cheaper/lighter version.

You could get it, but I wouldn't.

It doesn't have level 3, only goes up to the equivalent of level 2.  Also missing is the absorber attachment I love.

Use promocode: TECHILOVE to save $70... offer endsThursday 11/26/2020 11:59pm.

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

PS... yes, the HyperVolt will get you 700 entries into the ENVE Wheel Giveaway

---

164.2 (so much backsliding)
Stretch and HyperVolt
8.5 hrs sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4391447910

IN BUSINESS THERE IS A CONCEPT CALLED THE MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT.  The idea is a company should create the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to go to market, and build from there as quickly as possible.  We practice that here...

... yawn!

You don't care about that... but, you should care about Minimum Viable Power!

We also practice that.

It's the crafty move of going to the front at the bottom of a climb and drifting back but not getting dropped.

It's the wily cat who takes pulls like everyone else but is glued to the wheel in front, and rather than tapping brakes will slide to the side... both move save tons of watts.

It's learning how to corner, carrying speed in so you don't need to sprint out.

It's having a pristine drivetrain.

Where can you conserve energy?  Carry speed?  Stay off the brakes?  Accelerate wisely?

There are myriad ways to use the Minimum Viable Power...

... and here's the kicker with MVP, as you figure 'em out...

... you'll have significantly more finishing energy..

... and when you unleash your mighty fury...

...and all the other competitors will see is your vanishing silhouette. 

Speaking of unleashing, yesterday in my exuberance to unleash a killer promo to you my faithful readers I shared the code that the commoners will get on Friday... assuming any product is left.

My bad, but the offer is still insanely good.

$308 in product for $200.

I CAN COUNT ON MY HANDS AND FEET AND WITH THE HELP OF A SUPERCOMPUTER THE NUMBER OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO MOCKED my love of cycling over the years and who now see the light.  The runners who can no longer run, the moto riders who want to ride better and longer, the surfers who want a daily stoke, and my favorites the sedentary who realize there's an athlete inside each of us.

That mocking made me rock solid in my truth: riding bikes is a lifelong sport. 

I was lucky enough to grab hold of that truth in my 20s.  Over the years my commitment never waned, though my time and focus changed with the responsibilities of life.  Still, even in my slouthest era I got out  a couple of times a week.

We share truth with our friends and family because we know it's good.

Of course our kids all got bikes and can ride, one even raced for a while.  Surfergirl and I still ride together.  I rounded up bikes for my dad and brothers and all kinds of friends.  Invited and encouraged.  At one point my dad was riding his bike back to the office at night to stay in shape and put in a few more hours of lawyering.

Still there's that mocking.

I ain't wearing spandex!
Wouldn't a motor be more fun?
Don't your privates hurt?
You rode how far?
...  you know 'em all

But, we stick with it... witnessing our health staying steady and often improving, while so many others are in decline.

And one day... if we're lucky... we live in a time when bicycle riding is more popular than it has been in decades.

What if they hadn't mocked us and we hadn't stuck with it? Would they be riding and improving their health today?

I dunno.

But, I do know those that ride would be thrilled to the moon to receive the Ultimate RaceDay Bag™, loaded with the goods:  PRO bag, changing poncho, Purist water bottles, PR Lotion, DZ Nutz, gloves, socks, and a tshirt.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/ultimate-raceday-bag%E2%84%A2

We never discount the RaceDay Bag™, ever.  There are only 100 of these packages available.  Only readers of the blog know about it... until Friday, then we'll promote it - if any remain.

Use promo code: IGIVEGOODGIFTS

You'll need to email help@customerservice with the colors and sizes of the items you want in your bag.

Y'all are awesome!

---

164.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
8.1 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4382302022

DO CHICKS REALLY DIG SCARS?  I was thinking about this while watching BLEED FOR THIS... the Vinnie Pazienza story, which is absolutely awesome if you're into comeback stories...

... I don't know if chicks dig 'em as much as dudes claim, but I do know I have more than a few.

There are the external scars:  split eyebrow, knees ground to the bone, 3rd degree burns, wrist sanded down, simultaneously split shins, divot in my calf, countless flesh wounds...

The less visible: busted off end of collar bone, cracked radial head, permanent strawberry on hip (you can't see it, but I do every morning)...

These are all from doing things the things I love:  bikes, motos, surfing, etc

Then there's the invisible internal shiz we get a helping of at some point along the way, the ones that hurt different...

In most instances, I've learned and improved... upgrading my skills, avoiding similar situations.

My scars are part of my journey...

... and I sure don't dig 'em in the moment, but...

... I'm grateful for each one, they have made me who I am.

A good way to avoid new scars is riding with great lights... and I'd like to help you any way I can to avoid the mistakes I've made.

Perhaps the biggest mistake I ever made while MTB night riding was going with only a headlight.

I had no idea what I was doing, and I figured a headlight would be better than a light on the bike.  

Makes sense.

But, it's a terrible idea.

At night, it's the shadows that give you depth perception.  A light mounted on your bars is lower than your eyes, so you see the shadow it casts and get an idea of the size of the obstacles in your way.  A helmet light is not going to cast shadows because it's beam is on the same line as our eyeballs.

So there I was zipping over this large, round and flat rock... only it wasn't flat.

But it was large and round.

Next thing I know my hands are on the bars and me feet are over my head and I'm thinking This is gonna leave a mark!

Yes, you want a helmet light but you want it to be much weaker than the beam on your bike.  The helmet light mainly helps you look into the bushes hoping you don't a pair of nocturnal hunting eyes staring back at ya.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights

Use promo code: LIT

And remember to enter the $3000 ENVE Wheel Giveaway while your at it.

---

164.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
7;5 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4365411286

WE HAD A COUPLE OF NEW GUYS JOIN US TODAY... now there are two ways to handle new guys:  one, roll out easy and get to know them;  two, punch their ticket and see if they have any game... 

... can ya guess what we always opt for, and why?

It's not personal, it's for their own good.  

The sooner we can get rid of them or not get rid of them the better. 

If we get rid of them, we've saved them hours of torture and potentially getting lost and/or hurt.  If we can't get rid of them, then we know we've got some gamers that are gonna push us.

We didn't get rid of them, which was awesome.

Eventually we settled into a fast, challenging pace but one were we could still chat and get to know each other.  Turns out one of them, Brian, grew up near me and we have a few friends in common.

Whether or not this bromance will flourish is uncertain.

What is certain is the extreme gratitude I felt all ride to have made really great friends over the years.  Each of these dudes inspires me in the way they live their lives, honor their commitments and cherish their families.

The ladies, bless their hearts, think it's just a bunch of guys being kids on a Saturday.  But, we know better... it's this wheel time that helps us be the kinda dudes they want to keep around.

Just because I'm also grateful Surfergirl totally understands the meaning of this t-shirt... let's make it a buy 1 get 1 promo

https://pedalindustries.com/products/gotta-ride-t-shirt-avail-in-2-colors

The code is: THANKFULFORFRIENDS

https://pedalindustries.com/products/gotta-ride-t-shirt-avail-in-2-colors

---

163.8
Stretch and HyperVolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4371323805

I HAD THIS EMAIL ALL CHARTED OUT ON MY RIDE THIS MORNING, while I was shredding single track on my kick@$$ BMC URS.  I was soooo fired up.  But now all I can recall is the title...

... it happens when your HR is tickling the clouds it's so high.

It went something like this... 

We are the take charge types... not waiting for anyone to tell us what to do... we get things done.

We take risks... not RedBull Rampage risks... but going for things well beyond our current capabilities.

We take responsibility... when our plans fail, when our risks don't pay off... we look at the person in the mirror.

... and that's why it ours for the taking, so few live this way.

I'll be saddling up early tomorrow, heading out with a bunch of stallions who could be my kids and sticking it to 'em as hard as I can until they leave me for dead... and I'm totally cool with that.  It's my plan, my risk and my responsibility to keep The Old Diesel in tiptop shape.

Speaking of the URS, fondly known as The Highlighter as it's generally the highlight of my day and often my week, the time has come for it to find a new home.  

This is without a doubt the funnest bike I've ever owned and the only reason I'm letting it go is because a new model is arriving in my size.

It is in Excellent Condition.

You're probably wondering if it's fast... helk yeah!  I've been keeping up no prob on the local flat group rides, keeping up slight problem on the hilly A version of the TMWC - fastest weekday ride around.  

Is it comfortable?... Totally!  There's a little micro bumper in the rear triangle that affords 20mm of travel, which is super sweet on the fast washboardy stuff.

Is it light?... pretty dern light for an entry level gravel slayer.

Does it handle well?... well?  Try amazing.  If you want a bike that can jump and slay singletrack this is the one.

The very first day I had it I picked off, without even tryin', a bunch of PRs on the local steep fire roads.

That's the kind of confidence this bike delivers.

If I had to chose one bike, this is the one... only thing I'd add is a second set of wheels for road.

The retail on this bike is $4k.  I'll take $3k... and yes, you'll get 3000 entries into our killer ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway

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

PS... if you want a new version of this bike LMK

---

162.6
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4365411286

I THINK I HAVE THE PERFECT CROSSTRAINING SPORT:

__ It's fun
__ Strengthens my core, a lot
__ Sharpens my balance
___ and, I can get bonus points by taking Surfergirl along

So, I strapped on the Wahoo and fired up Strava to get some data.

It's not good.

Or, is it?

Today's effort vs last night's MTB effort

Max h. r. 107 vs 176
Average h.r. 96 vs 144
Relative Effort 6 vs 193

It's a lot easier on The Old Diesel's ol' ticker.  Honestly, that's probably a good thing and it's still a great workout.  When I'm done I have a similar feeling to a good swim workout... my upper body is pumped up and feels strong.

Plus, what other activity is going ticks the boxes of fun, core, balance and bonus points?

Not many.

I think the key for crosstraining is that it is fun and works on other parts of your body that you'll also need to be a strong bike rider.  The fun part, so we are consistent.  Strengthening other parts of our body, like our core, can make a huge difference in bike handling.

When I finally pick a date for next year to do a training camp here in San Clemente, we are for sure including time on the water...

... 'cause paddleboarding is a lotta fun.

Maybe that's what inspired this new jersey design?

https://pedalindustries.com/products/navy-pro-jersey-1

Didja know we make all our apparel here in CA?  That we import the finest fabrics from Italy?  It's true.  Then we print the fabrics, cut them with a laser beam, and sew them one at a time.  Custom. Just for you... and me.

These jerseys will be ready to ship in about 2 weeks.  You can order now...

... and earn 100 entries into the $3000 ENVE Wheel Giveaway.

Click here:  

https://pedalindustries.com/products/navy-pro-jersey-1

---

163.6
Stretch and HyperVolt
8.2 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4360937653

THE GODFATHER OF MODERN AMERICAN BICYCLE RACING AND COACHING HAS PASSED AWAY.  Eddie B.  I read two tributes today, and will add my own.

Velonews, the boring and uncreative steward of US Cycling reportage, simply stated he was a coach who headed the '84 Olympic team and somehow wound up the history of this man with a banal dump in the doping gutter.  

Chris Carmichael, who legitimized the cycling coaching profession for thousands of coaches, reminisced on his time under Eddie's tutelage and the advice he received when he chose the same profession:  Keep the good of the athlete central at all times.  

To which I will add my own comment.

Somewhere, buried under the countless books I've read is a little section with Cycling Training.  There's Joe Friel's book, and Lemond's and Armstrong's and Ned's... but, Eddie's was the first and only book I could find in the late 80's.

Imagine that.

Only one person in the US was putting any effort into finding and developing bicycle racers in any meaningful way such that a dork like me could learn a thing or two.

I tried buddying up to the local legends, but it was fruitless.  And the bike shops were worse.  The prevailing arrogance of those in the know was disgusting and turned many a would be lifer into a why bother move on'r.

But, somehow I found the book... in fact, it might have been in the printed - and, at the time very cool - pages of Velonews.

There is no one thing gleaned from Eddie that I can point to today which made a difference in my attempts to move from a lowly 4 to a 3.  No technique per se.  

However, there was hope...

... and that's all most of us needed.  The simple concept that we could get better if we'd put together a plan and stick to it was revolutionary.  Because up that point the only plan was ride a lot.

I never knew or met Eddie, but if I'd run into him here's what I would have said...

Thanks for giving me hope and a plan, man.

Which is exactly the same thing I get from my current Coach Brian McCulloch.  I'm a less than ideal student.  Headstrong... and woefully dependent on racing vs  structured workouts.  He patiently listens, instinctively knows what I need, and forcefully puts for the plan he is certain I will stick to, that will stretch me but not burn me out... which is a long way of saying he gives me hope and a plan.

If you'll indulge me a little... that thinking is pretty much all we instill on anybody we are tasked with helping along life's paths.  It's all we can do as parents... as a wise man once said, I teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves.

Which is pretty much all I try and accomplish in these daily missives.  Pass along what I've learnt.

One thing I've learnt - such a fun word! - is of all the upgrades you can do to your bike the one that will make the biggest difference and give you the most bang for your buck is wheels...

Which is why I'm so excited about our $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway... somebody, maybe you, is gonna get a serioso upgrade.

... but, the other thing I've found is giving your body an upgrade is even more important which is why I preach so much about PR Lotion and the HyperVolt.  PR Lotion removes the burn I feel when getting after it on the bike and the HyperVolt gets into my damaged muscles every evening after said getting after it has been gotten after.

Get entered.

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

Every dollar purchase you make between now and 12/31 gets you an additional entry into the drawing... but you have to enter.

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

---

163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4358429438

i'M TRYING TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT IT FELT LIKE TODAY... we were charging up this undulating climb.  I was struggling to hang... going from the front to the back of the group, then off the back, then back on... and as the top got closer I started to feel better.

I moved up a bit.

Finally, we could see the top... and I just thought to myself...

Screw it, I'm going for it. 

And why not?  Even though the ride was far from over, even though I'd pay for it for miles to come... I had to do it, had to unleash my Kraken, come what may.

It felt so good to go all out, to win that tiny hill top.

Later in the ride, at a crucial moment, I was dropped.  I never caught back on.  And, I didn't care one bit.

That little win powered me all day.

#worthit.

You know what win might power you all day, all week, all month, all year?

The $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway

Have you entered?

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

It won't hurt, I promise.

Just click the link and check it out.

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

 ---

163.6 lbs
Stretch N Hypervolt
6 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4351617761

THE FACT IS WE'VE ALL GOT A DRAWER FULL OF OLD RACE JERSEYS... that any normal person would toss.  But we won't, ever.  We might pare it down from time to time, but they'll always be a few keepers.

We keep the ones that talk... that remind of that day when... that ride.. that win... that team...

... those are the only ones of value.

They're also the ones my friend Brett collects, the ones that belong to his world famous Horton Collection.

Not yours... but the jerseys of the truly great racers from the last 100 years.

And not just the jerseys, but the photos and posters and trophies... and we're lucky enough to use some of the images for our products.

Check these images we're using for a new RaceDay Bag™ called The Tour... all from epic Tour de France battles.

We're already in production on the first batch and will be shipping them in a few weeks.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/horton-collection/products/the-tour-raceday-bag

We have other Horton Collection products in the pipeline... and the excellent news is any purchase of these products will get you in the...

$3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway. 

Have you entered yet?  It's so easy.

Just click here:  https://pedalindustries.com/pages/3000-enve-wheel-giveaway

---

163.4
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4346807518

HEY THERE RACERS... it's The Old Diesel's helmet checking in.  I can accurately report that he's been working his fanny off since getting shelled last month at the Cactus Cup...

... remember that pathetic video he posted?

Oh, he was completely shattered.

Not surprising. 

He was overconfident... thought he could handle the heat, thought his legs were ready for that unrelenting desert terrain, thought he'd show the yokels his CA style...

... oh, he had that beating coming.

But, good news!

Yesterday he casually mentioned posting a good time on a famous climb.  He PRd it.  Yeah, broke a 7 year old record by 10 seconds.  I know, it's not much on a 54 minute effort, but give him a break.  His carbon is a bit dated.

Anyway, it would be a good sign, except...

... in a celebratory moment of weakness he pounded a pint of McConnell's.

What a dummy!

Today wasn't much better, sure he fasted until Noon, ate a light lunch...

... but, then Surfergirl busted out the chips and the kids all came over for barbecue and pie and more ice cream.

He's going to wake up fat and ticked off tomorrow.

I like it when he's like that, because we ride fast.  Probably too fast for a Monday, meaning his legs are going to be heavy for the Tuesday Morning World Championships... and even worse for DRTY WDNSDY.

Oh it's gonna be a helluva week... him wanting to undue his bad deeds.

Personally, I'm not sure the old guy has it in him to post a fast time in 3 weeks at the Dirty 30.  Especially not if he keeps falling off the wagon.

The only hope is something he keeps in the house.  I'm not sure what it is exactly, but he says it's made his legs feel like magic.  Maybe that explains the PR Saturday... and being able to pound it hard last Tuesday and Wednesday?

I think it's this thing he's raving about, the HyperVolt...

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery

If it is... don't share his results with others.  Just get the dern thing for yourself and keep it on the downlow. 

Promo code:  REKUVR

PS... apparently the HyperVolt will get you 700 Entries into the $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway.

---

164.2
Stretch and HyperVolt
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4344250934