IT'S CHILDS PLAY TO BLEED SPEEDING DOWNHILL, it's helluva lot harder to do it charging up a technical single track. Amiright?  I mean it was 10 miles, 3451' of vert, and no I didn't crash...

... we were just hauling gas.

We stopped at the top. 

I looked down and my arms were covered in blood.  

It didn't hurt.  Nothing hurt.  That's the kind of day we had today.  

Determined to break my old bad habit of slowly building speed on this type of climb, I raced to the trailhead first with 2 of my mostfastest friends glued to my perfectly aired up knobbies.

Knowing they'd be eversoslightly peeved that I'd snuck ahead, I just went for it.  Charging hard.  So unlike The Old Diesel.  Their gasps of What the! only urged me on... making me pedal even harder.  Something I'd never do if I were going for a PR.

It's good to break habits. 

Normally, I'd let my pals go first and gap me and then do my derndest to reel them back in.

Never again.

Why... well, I've got a few MTB races on my radar and those races can be won or lost by being at the front or back of the pack at the first single track.

I did a few other things besides slay it right from the start:

1. I'm lighter than I have been in years.
2. All week I've hit my legs with the HyperVolt.
3. I woke up early and warmed up my legs in a hot bath.
4. Liberally applied PR Lotion.
5. The intermittent fasting seems to have altered the way my body consumes and needs calories.  I'm consuming less on the rides and feeling better.
6. Cranked up Linkin Park's Bleed It Out to get pumped.
7. The new BMC 4 Stroke is by far the best XC bike I've ever ridden.   

Interestingly I didn't:

1. Eat a big breakfast, just a handful of nuts.
2. Warm up at all on the bike, just drove over and got after it.

 And that blood on my arms?...

... well it wasn't from fighting a mountain lion as I hinted on the Instagram post, which a few folks believed... hahahahaha

This climb is called the San Juan Trail and it's lined with a very hearty and thorny scrub brush... cut the corners and it snags and slices your skin.

Doesn't hurt at all, just looks awesome when it mixes with the sweat on your arms.

After the ride Jimmy came over and said...

I really hope I win those ENVE™ wheels so I can keep up with you.

He might.

You might.

Someone will.

Do you know why we love ENVE™ wheels... it ain't just their sexy name, or because their lighter or more aero or faster... and those are all dern good reasons, but not good enough.

We love ENVE™ wheels because when it's on the line, they give peace of mind.

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

 ---

163.3 lbs
Stretch N Hypervolt
7.3 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4338266395

THE FIRST TIME I WAS INITIATED INTO THE HARDING TRUCK TRAIL WAS TRAUMATIC.  Four of us went - Eric, Jeff, Brad and Young Diesel.  Two summited.  Two walked...

... I got blisters.

It was supposed to be Off Season Cross Training.  The two guys that actually raced a lot, Eric and Jeff, invited us along.  Probably just for the entertainment factor.

The 9 mile climb on mountain bikes was about 8 miles further than either Brad or I had ever ridden uphill.  It became slog, a death march.

We stopped multiple times.  Checked the time.  Wondered if we'd made a wrong turn, even though there were no turns to make.

We were cursing their names for leaving us, and cursing ourselves for being so dumb to be caught on this giant mountain without a clue of what to expect.

Finally, they came ripping around a corner... huge grins on their faces... they were having a blast.

I've since rounded that same corner hundreds of times.  Sometimes just cruising, others pushing hard trying to set a PR.  Each time I've wondered why I pressed on with cycling and others like Brad quit.

Maybe some of us like to suffer more than others... or maybe we see the connection between work and joy?

Today was Rocky's first ride in years.  He's our head of design, and he just got a super sweet BMC Trail Fox. After a 40 minute ride on the local trails...

... he said, I think I might puke...

... that's a pretty dern good sign he'll be a lifer.

Speaking of life, did you know ENVE™ warrants their wheels for life... which is exactly why I hope you win...

... our $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway

All ya gotta do is click that there link below.

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 lbs
Stretch N Hypervolt
7 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4332715729

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF WISHLISTS:  1 is for winners, 1 is for winers.  And no Sparky, I ain't talking about that shiny red two-wheeler you hope is under the tree for the 20th year in a row.  That would be wishing for something different, which is exactly what winers do.  You are not a winer... 

... you are a winner.

Which is why you probably subconsciously know this truth to be self-evident.

We don't wish things were different, things like:

• Our competition was slower
• The wind was at our backs
• The course was easier
• The entry fee lower
• Blah
• Blah
• Blah

We wish for one thing only:

• We wish we were better.

Why?

Because we're the only variable we can control.  When we get better, everything else gets easier.

Check this comment from JC, this is what it's all about:

This year, by the way, was my most consistent year of training -- 12 straight months of five days/week, mostly on the indoor trainer -- and the race I did last weekend (Austin Rattler) was so much more enjoyable than races I'd done in years' past. Flying by people going up climbs, carving through loose corners, etc. I don't know when I will ever reach the "mastery" you describe, but I feel a whole lot closer.

The question is of course... how much better would he be with a set of $3000 ENVE™ Wheels?

You know, the ones you can win when you purchase a bottle of magical PR Lotion...

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

... yep, purchase 1 bottle of AMP PR Lotion and you'll get 175 entries into the drawing.

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

---

162 lbs
Stretch N Hypervolt
7 hrs sleep
PaddleSurf

IT'S MY DERN FAULT.  I pick the time to start the ride.  Everybody meets.  I'm late.  They usually wait.  But, not t'night.  Was it something I said...

... could it have been Keep up or know your way home?

As usual, I'd lost track of time and found myself full throttle trying to do a 20 minute ride in 12 minutes.  I got there 6 minutes late.  When I came a round the bend I could see their silhouettes high on the ridge above.  It would take me 5 minutes to get there.

I wouldn't see them for another 42 minutes.

I was smoked when I finally caught them.

We had to cross a street, to keep ripping the singletrack.

The light was red.

It turned green way too soon.

They took off like they were shot from a cannon.

All 3 of 'em, full gas... and the girl, that dern newgirl, who I'd warned to know her way home was sticking it to The Old Diesel...

... $%^&!

Of course I wasn't really saying $%^&!... I was thinking $%^&girl, look at you go!

One thing is for $%^& sure... I hope she doesn't win our

$3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway

Actually, I do hope she wins... but you know who hopes she doesn't win... all those ladies who are gonna line up with her when she finally does her first race.

The only question I have is who is going to text me first when she drops me for good asking I found my home... her or her hubsand who already drops me at will.

Do me a favor and check out the $3000 ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway... I really want to lower her odds of winning.  Yes, I'm that shallow and Yes, I'm that kind of a friend.

THERE'S A LOT OF SALTY LANGUAGE IN THE OL' PELOTON.  Some from the couthless.  Some from the dropped.  Some from the flatted.  But, none of it comes close to the 4 letter word bike riders don't want to hear...

... and, yes, I do mean to shame them.

Don't get me wrong, bike riding is a wonderful thing to do.  It's just that, there's a whoppingbig difference between riding and racing.

Riding is fine.
Racing is refined.
Riding is fun.
Racing is damnfun.

Have you guessed the 4 letter word?  Trust me, riders don't want to hear it... and e-riders, bless their lowbeating hearts, disdane it.

WORK.

There.

I said it.

There is no other way to master the bike without racing.  It doesn't have to be formal, and 99% of the time it's not.  So don't fret your germfearingself with visions of failure.  There's plenty of racing to do all by your lonesome.

When we really work at getting better, 'cause that what racing does, we have the potential to maximize our... uh, potential.  Ya follow?

Hobbying around is dandy, and if you're on an electric motorcycle with pedals at least you're outside - and I don't mean the elderly and those battling disease, I mean the young and lazy.  

I was reminded of this when Rocky shared the video that inspired him to ride MTB as a wee highschooleree.  The riders aren't pinned up, the bikes aren't plated, but they are going all out... on the jagged edge of megadanger.  Watching those cats inspired him to build jumps and let it all hang out.

That's racing.

It takes work.  Lots of it.

Work.  Work.  Work... your lycracovered hiney off.

There's no substitute for the results of cycling mastery...

... I mean, if you're into that sort of thing...

... if you're not, mediocrity is coo'

Nah... we're into mastery over here.  We're also into riding and racing the very best.

So, we created the great and amazing ENVE™ Wheel Giveaway.

If you're into getting SUPERAWESOME free stuff that will help you demolish your old PRs, then click here now:

pedalindustries.com/giveaway

What are you waiting for?  You know you want a new set of ENVEs!

pedalindustries.com/giveaway

---

163.4
Stretch N Hypervolt
6.8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4318267015

SOMETIMES, LIKE RIGHT THIS SECOND, I JUST GOTTA OWN MY SHIZ.  While I'd really, really, really, really like to lie about something.  Not even gonna sugar coat it.  Because we all know...

... it's best to rip the scab off.

I reckon you're like me, prefer to just talk about the good stuff, the wins, the PRs... and very heavily gloss over the bad stuff, the losses, the major steps backwards.

But, if there's one thing I learned from the great David Goggins... until we own our shiz, we're gonna be stuck.

And who wants to be stuck?... like when you get caught out by a deluge and the mud turns to cement, sucking your shoes off... or you get to the top of the climb 12 miles from civilization and get a flat, and you don't have the necessarys to fix it... or when you've bonked in the middle of nowhere and your energy has vamoosed on ya, and you forgot your wallet...

... who wants that?

Nobody.

But, bike riders like us, as good as we are, can still really screw things up.

What don't I want to own up to right now?  Oh, just packing on 5 lbs in the last 10 days by simply cheating a little teencyweency bit every day.  

It happens.

I know.

Too often I've "forgotten" to record my weight on those days.  Been eversotempted to fudge the numbers on the blog.

But, here's el problemo.

Next week or month or year... I'll want to review where I was today and if I don't record anything, it's not that it didn't happen, it's that I can't learn from what happened... can't make adjustments... can't recognize further failure nor marked improvement.

Yeah, I'm into recording shtuff.  I'm into owning my shiz.  I'm into improving...

... and I'm really into this Hypervolt for recovery.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery

It's so very, very good and working out all the damage we do on the really hard days... the ones where we just might be taking out our foulups on the roads, trails and hearts we hammer.  

I'm going to need it tomorrow night, for sure.

Promo code:  FIRSTTHINGSFIRST expires Sunday.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery 

---

164.4
30 PullUps/100 PushUps
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4314622794

FIXING FLATS WAS A SKILL THAT MATTERED when racing mountain bikes in the early years.  We even carried a few links of chain, because busting the chain was a regular thing.  Our lights weighed pounds and barely lit the trail...

... but that's nothing.

Imagine the early racers from the 1890's on the "safety bicycles", what we'd consider a beach cruiser.  Super heavy, no gears.  Still clocking over 30mph.

Or, the PennyFarthing... a front wheel up to 5' tall, with a tiny wheel behind.

I remember my friend's vintage Italian racer with a front derailleur that was shifted by reaching down with his hand to grab a lever and move it over.

Today's bicycles are so good, so easy to use, so incredibly reliable... well, it kinda makes ya wonder if we'd even be bike riders were we to face the trials of the early bikes...

... not really!  

Of course, we'd still be riding.  We'd just be a lot more skilled at fixing things and probably a tad more banged up from breaking things... like bones.

These days, we pretty much have 2 concerns:

Did I pump up my tires?
Charge my batteries - computer, shifters, lights?

Well did ya?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all 

If you like tshirts that get softer the more you wear them, with ink you can't even feel... then you'll love our t's.

Use promo code: TIME

Yes, they ship for free... and cost less than twenty smackers if you act quickly.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all 

---

?
Stretch
8 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4310865487

AT THE TOP OF A LOCAL CLIMB TODAY I could see far across the ocean.  There's a sense of freedom sailors have knowing the can pull up the anchors and escape in the big blue.  We have it too, at least I think we do.

Most of us live outside of the dense metropolitan areas.  Without much effort we can pedal beyond the concrete jungles.  

Having done it many times, we become like the sailors.  Knowing that if we had to, we cold quickly put piles of miles between ourselves and any potential problems.

We add to that confidence on days like today, rainy/snowy/blistering heat...

... which is exactly why I rolled out knowing I would quickly get caught in the storm.

To build that sense of confidence.  To feel what nature can do. These are the reasons to ride when it's less than ideal.

The foul weather riders are the ones who are best able to get away... even if it's just to escape for a few hours to clear our heads.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/100-brisker-gloves

These gloves won't save ya in the snow, but they are right toasty on the cold and wet days.

Use promo code ESCAPE to save.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/100-brisker-gloves

---

162
Stretch
6 hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4305407777

IT'S A LOT HARDER SAID THAN DONE.  First things first.  Sounds so commonsensical.  Should be easy as pie.  But, it's not.  Much more difficult than...

... coasting down a gentle grade.

It's can be impossible, and I was reminded of it today.

I'd planned, planned!, to keep the momentum of waking up early that I'd started the week off with - due to the time change.  

Get up, do my reading, go for a spin, head on in.  

Buttttttt... I got derailed.  Overslept a teeence - like 10 minutes - which put me in the crosshairs of the almighty Honey, can you help me with something which lead to the Remember to do the...

... not to fear though, because the workday was slated to be very productive in the morning, with an easy afternoon.  Just had to stay the course and Rocky and I'd be out in time to take his new BMC MTB for some dirtripping.

Next thing I know... we've nailed a new promotional video - you're gonna love it, done a bunch a work, and met with CHill for his team's 10th Anniversary kits - we LOVVVE designing in person...

... and the sun has set.

My first thing, getting out for a spin... 

... has become no thing.

And that's the hard part about putting first things first... we must actually put them first.

If there's one thing I've learned, there's always more work to do... and if I put taking care of my health off to the end of day, it's soon the end of the entire day...

... and I want to have a lot more healthy days.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery

Which is why tonight I'll be digging deep with my Hypervolt.

You're probably wondering what that is... think of a thousand trained hands working out all the kinks in your overworked muscles.

How good would that feel?
How much better would your legs perform?

Promo code:  FIRSTTHINGSFIRST expires Sunday.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/recovery 

---

163.2
30 PullUps/100 PushUps
8 hrs sleep
no ride :(

MOST OF US.  All of us?  Ride the same rides, the same dern way.  We have our little move, the thing we can do mostly better than all others.  It works.  We do it.  Let's go crazy next ride...

... ride it totally diffferent.

Wheelsuckers, attack!
Attackers, suckwheel!
Climbers, roll those flats!
Flatlubbers, hit those climbs hard!

Change it thehell up.

If ya have a gravel bike or MTB, take it to the fast road ride.
Take the roadbike offroading.

Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down?
Oh no.  Let's go...

Endurance feinds, nothing but hard short rides.
Power freaks, drop some LongSlowDistance.

We've got nothing to lose, nothing to prove, and ev' ree thang to gain should we chance upon a superpower we never knew we had.

Only one way to find out.

... Crazy!

Which might require getting up errrrleee or stayin' our L8.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights/products/urban-1000-commuter-combo

If yer a roadie, this is a mighty fine set up.  1000 lumens on the front, and eye searing red on the back.

Use promo code CRAZY to save 20%.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-lights/products/urban-1000-commuter-combo

---

162
Stretch n Roll
7ish hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4290309626

SOME SAY IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF YOUR PEN THAT MATTERS, but the quality of your penmanship.  This may be true about getting down things on paper, but certainly doesn't translate to getting down or going up...

... on a mountain bike, at night.

Nope, at night on a mountain bike a bigger light makes up for all kinds of deficiencies.  And, if you're really pro about it you'll have two lights.

One on your head.

One on your bike.

Now, a lot of folks get this all bassakwards, so let me 'splain it to ya.

Shadows are everything with night riding.  It's the shadows that give you depth perception.  No shadows and that big rock is going to look flat... and you'll soon be flat on your back if you're not careful.  

Here's the set up you want.

A very, very powerful flood light on your bike. 

The beam should be aimed far down the trail.  Done correctly, you'll get a ton of shadows.  You need those to give your brain a chance to register the terrain ahead.

A low power spot light on your head. 

This low power light will help you see ahead of you handlebars.  Unless you're going straight ahead your bars are trailing your vision.  Examples would be turns and dropoffs.  In daylight you're eyes are scanning far ahead of where your bars actually pointed.  At night, this low power light will be lighting up where you're planning to go but not be so bright as to wash out the shadows created by the much more powerful flood light on your bike.

If you have to choose one light, get the powerful floodlight on your bike.

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

This combo is the only reason I was even close to MSmith tonight.  The flood light is so amazingly powerful, even on the low setting you'll get lots of shadows.

This little feller is light as a feather, and the perfect spot light for peaking around corners or over dropoffs.

If you're secret Santa needs a big fat hint, share this post...

... and share this promo code: GOTTALIGHT

It's a buy 1, save 25% on the 2nd light... and free shipping.

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

---

163.6
Pull Ups/Push Ups
7ish hrs sleep
https://www.strava.com/activities/4287859853

SOMETIMES LOSING IS BETTER THAN WINNING.  Like today.  When I got crushed on the local group ride.  My head was hanging pretty low...

... staring down at the ground.

Where lay a crisp $20.

It's like that sometimes.

One of the things I liked back in the good ol' days of categorized racing with huge fields was we lost a lot.  And, with every loss we'd limp home boundanddetermined to do better next time.

With a little luck, and a helluva lot of hard work, we'd score some points... maybe get a win... and advance to the next level of racing.

Rinse and repeat.

I've seen my fair share of athletes who come in, get an easy win and move on rather than moving up.

The money is in the losing, that's where we become better.  Where we learn to win at whatever we put our minds to.

While you can't always win... you can still score...

 https://pedalindustries.com/pages/water-bottles

Yes, you can have two of these excellent water bottles delivered for less than $20.

Use promo code: CRISP

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/water-bottles

---

1643.6
Stretch n Roll
6.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4281217764

ON THE LONG LIST OF THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK is something I don't feel like doing.  It could be the time change.  The turn to cold weather.  Maybe just burnout...

... nevertheless, I'm gonna do it.

Get up earlier than most.  Put on less clothes than most.  Go my bike faster than most.  Eat better than most.  Do more than most...

... because I'm committed to be healthier than most. 

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/face-masks

These are our fleece face masks.  Made here in our factory.

Use promo code - MAKEITCOUNT - it's a buy 3, get 3 promo code.

So, when you purchase 6 half of them will be free.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/face-masks

---

164.8 lbs (fell off the wagon last weekend)
Stretch n Roll
8.2 hrs
no ride

I TOOK MY BIKE WIDOW, aka Surfergirl, vanping up the coast.  Some of us, me, Have a tough time riding with our betters.  But, this was a hit...

... camping at Emma Wood's State Beach.

We rolled out for a lovely morning pedal north along the water's edge.  A stunning winter's day.  Pancake flat.  Eversoslight headwind.

Pardon the hashtag, but... #browniepoints.

An hourish in, and we were set to turn back.  It was at the bottom of a famous climb.  She caught me looking forlornly as my people, chiseled and svelte, were heading up.

Where does that go?

Oh, I think (I knew dernwell) it might go inland and circle back to where we started.

You should go that way?

Up there?

Yeah, I'll be fine.

Magic words.

Going up was wonderful.  It's a great climb, on a typical CA country road.  No options to turn for miles.  Just go up, and down, and twist around.

But, here's the thing.  I wasn't 100% sure which way to go after an hour of bliss, and TBH... me hates stopping and looking at giggle maps.

Instead, I did something truly radical...

... I stopped a couple of times and talked to humans. 

I said things like Good morning, do you know if this goes...

... and they responded with, Hi there... yes it does just go...

Bold, I know... as the great Nacho Libre says, Sometimes when you are a man you wear stretchy pants and ask for help.

You also wear stretchy socks, made in these United States of ours with FastMax Compression Technology and EZ Breathe yars.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/new-socks

I know I said this was ending on 10/31, but my bike widow is begging to go window shopping on State Street in Santa Barbara... and, well, I got a lot more good deeds to do before next race season.

Buy 2 get 1 free.

Use promo code: INTERMITTENT

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/new-socks

---

? lbs
Stretch n Roll
7.8 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4268332692

I LEARNED SOMETHING THIS MONTH, and I think it applies athletes like us.  To who we are.  I put out a job opening ad, just like the one I posted in June.  Word for word.  Only this time I added...

... if you're awesome, we want you.

In June I received about 20 resumes.

In October I received 2, one said I'm awesome.

At the core of every endurance athlete I've ever met, and I've met a lot, is an inner knowledge that they are awesome.  

Skill level has nothing to do with.

Nor do published results.

It's just a feeling that come what may... I got this.

And, I love that.

Guys like MK who found us somehow and stopped in today.

That's an incredible bike, man!

Yeah, I just raced it 350 miles across Arizona with no support... not even water.

That's who we are... we may never sign up for an event like that, but we know we could do it if we had to.

Have an awesome weekend...

... and buy some awesome socks.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/new-socks

Act quick, because I'm only going to do until the end of the month.

Buy 2 get 1 free.

Use promo code: INTERMITTENT

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/new-socks

---

161
Stretch n Roll
8.2 hrs
no ride today

THIS IS GONNA BE QUICK, because I just ate a late and huge dinner with our friends The Gentleman and Lady Luck.  No big deal...

... 'cause I've been intermittent fasting.

For the uninitiated that means I've compressed my food intake window from 16 hours to 8ish.  Some people compress it down to 6 or even 4 hours when they'll be eating, and the rest of the time they're not.

K.

Here are the 3 things I've learned:

1. It's not that hard, once you go a few days and establish a new routine.  For me, that means not eating until around 1pm.
2. You will lose weight, for sure.
3. You will realize how much less food you need, and be surprised at how much you've been overeating.

That third one is really a mind blower.  It took me until today to realize I'm spending a lot less at the grocery store.  

Bonus section:

• I feel really good.  There's that 9am when I think, oh I should eat... then I don't, instead I get a ton of things done and kazaam it's 1pmish and I'm thinking I guess I should eat.
• I seem to be sleeping better... but, honestly, that could be it's just finally cooled off (we don't have a/c) and the sun is rising later.
• It seems like it will be easy to maintain.

That third one is a game changer.  If you've haven't dropped 5lbs lately, it's a big deal... and you'll go a lot faster on your bike.

Those lost pounds of course have their intrinsic weight, but they also suck up resources -  like oxygen to stay alive.  So, if you think about it, losing some ballast is like sleeping at altitude.

And, when you sleep at altitude your feeties can get cold... so you might wear socks, which means you might need a few extra pair of socks...

... isn't it great that we just received some new spiffy colors? 

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/new-socks

Yes it is great, because I'm only going to do until the end of the month.

Buy 2 get 1 free.

Use promo code: INTERMITTENT

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/new-socks

---

161.4
Stretch n Roll
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4260726648

FOR ME, THE BEST GRAND TOUR IS LA VUELTA.  The courses are more interesting, the outcome less predictable, the competitors more emotional and more willing to take risks to win it all... 

... a lot like our NCAA vs NBA/NFL...

... just a helluvalot more fun to watch and follow.

If you get a chance to watch Stage 7 you'll see what I'm talking about.  It was won by a former runner... a man who once ran a sub-4 minute mile.

Now, the thing I like about that is it's one of the only ways for us regular athletes to put in perspective who special these men are.  We've all run a mile.  We all know our best time... and it's nowhere near sub-4.

And that's kinda like the NCAA football teams that have receivers who are also running world class 100 meter times.

The Vuelta also seems to have dramatic lead changes.  Roglic was leading, now he's trailing.  Carapez is leading, but I'll bet he'll lose that lead.  

Which is a lot like an NCAA basketball game, where we see huge lead swings.

Speaking of lead swings...

... Matt took us out for his powerloop today.  One power climb after another.  He was hammering us the entire way except for the last climb where I finally got him good.

Of course he blamed it on forgetting his superlight race gloves.

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

There are lots of colors to chose from... and in Matt's honor this promo code is good for a buy 2, get 1 free.

The code is: LAVUELTA

It expires Friday.

---

162.4 2
PushUps/PullUps
8.2 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4256822751

I'VE SAID IT BEFORE AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, I may not be as smart as I look but I'm still pretty dern smart.  How smart?  Well, take crosstraining for example...

... you know what crosstraining is?

Crosstraining is anything you do that is different from your normal training.  Lots of sports use cycling as crosstraining... in fact, nearly all injured athletes use "the bike" for recovery and returning to normal functions.

Which begs the question... why do we riders of the two wheels do any other sports at all?

Because all the smart people say we should crosstrain.  Fact is cycling is very repetitive and very limited in range of motion.  There is a long list of crosstraining that we can bring into our world.

Myself, being a dummy, I'll keep it simple.  All noncycling activity is good.  Side to side activities are better.  Upper body and core work a huuuuuuge bonus.

Have at it.

Another benefit is to bring newness and freshness back into a potentially stale regimen...

... which is what I did tonight, even though it was stupid hard.  

But, since this is for dummies and because it is simple I'll share it.  Extra credit because it highlights my low IQ.

I raced home to get on my road bike for the last Market Ride of the year.  

Kitted up.
Prepped bike.
Filled bottles.
Grabbed shoes...
... realized new road shoe cleats where in van, which is at dealer for service...

... never one to bail, slipped on the mtb shoes, pumped up the tires on the gravel bike to a million and off I went.

To make it extra silly, I chased Matt up a local, heinous climb... which sounds a lot like heinous crime, which is what it was.

Sur, that was it and we would barely make the start I suggested we head on over, but noooooo he wanted to bag one more of these beauts.

Yes, that is a very notsosmart warm up to one of the snappiest road rides in town:  bagging climbs, showing up on gravel bike.

But, that's crosstraining for dummies like me... just grab an inappropriate bike and pedal like helk...

... and I definitely pedaled like helk, so much so...

... that I snagged some PRs on those climbs...

... which proves to this dummy, even though that gravel bike is 5lbs heavier, with giant tires... 

• getting proper sleep - I've had a ton lately
• losing some LBs
• taking some time off
• having a dern nice gravel bike

... can make crosstraing the dummy way really fun.

And, it really is all about fun.

Fun facts:

• 9 out of 10 cyclists will drive to a ride or race at least once a month.
• Less than 10% of those 9 have a good strategy for changing clothes

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

This is the very best way to change your clothes, wipe off your body, and quickclean your bike - in that order - after a thrilling outing with your posse.

The good news is, we have some in stock and they make great gifts for those friends who really should keep certain body parts out of public view.

Use promo code: XTRAIN

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

162.4 
stretch
8.2 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4252620339

WHEN I PULLED MY GLASSES FROM THE CLUNKY OAKLEY CASE I WAS QUITE SURPRISED.  I expected them to be covered in dust and have the usual sweat streaks...

... why's that?

Well, it was a gravel ride.
Seems like I rode pretty hard.
Rarely, if ever, do I clean my glasses after a ride.

... but, there wasn't any dust or dried sweat drops covering parts of the lens.

It was then that my vision faded to black and white and things began to spin while I was transported back 48 hours.

There was a young and innocent, plucky Diesel floating through the countryside.  Smiling and wishing all well.  Birds were singing. Fall leaves floating.  Heart rate was a steady thump.  

The flashback ended... was I losing my mind?

I looked again at the glasses.  Held them up to the light to be sure... clean as can be.  

Maybe I'd cleaned them after all?  I'd know soon enough.

There are two ways to leave my neighborhood.  Up and then up.  Down and then up.  There is no flat option.

Choosing down and then up I was certain I'd feel some painful residue from the 5 hour ride where I ran out of energy.

Nope.

Following it up with an 8 minute climb, certainly there'd be a tinge or twinge?

Nada.

Taking advantage of prevailing winds and going for a PR on 2 mile segment was the final test.

Zilch.

I should have gone with my original assessment... no sweat on the lens, means no pain in the legs.

Pailful admission here... I felt a moment of pride as I snagged a KOM, even though I knew it was wind aided.  Sometimes ya just gotta break you're own rules every now and again.

Don't fret... I still believe this to my core... PRs, going for our personal best, is by far the better race to win than a KOM.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-ts

So much so that today and tomorrow, or while supplies last, you can get 2 of these shirts for the price of 1 when you use...

promo code: KNOWSWEAT

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-ts

---

163.4 
push ups/pull ups
8.3 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4246450542

HE'S PROBABLY THE BEST ATHLETE I'VE EVER COMPETED AGAINST.  He taught me to play tennis, and a lot about winning and losing.  More than once he claimed I'd never beat him until he was a hundred years old.  He's getting very close...

... and I'd give anything to hit the ball with him again.

At lunch today, I asked him what would be the first thing he does when he gets to heaven.

I'll look at them all and say Ha Ha Ha, I made to the top!

Who?

All the guys who told me to go to hell.

Why?

'Cause I beat 'em all the time.

We all laughed, and I felt for those guys. 

I was one of them. 

Even though I was pretty good at one point on the court and he had to be 50ish, I could barely get a game off him.  Never a set.

Once I asked him why he took up tennis.  He wasn't super tall.  He was blue collar all the way.  He'd come to this country as a boy..

... and struggled and fought to fit in, to make something of his life, to persist and work really, really hard...

Because I was so gawdawful the first time... I'd always been a good athlete and here was this sport where  I was terrible... and I wanted to practice and beat those guys.  And I knew I could out work and out hustle all of them.

Of all the lessons he taught me it was that one.  Hustle and hardwork can make up for a lot of deficiencies.  

Sitting here after a nice day visiting, I realize his impact is maybe greater than I imagine. 

After all, I am now 50ish myself, and though it's not tennis, I am still doing my best to out hustle and out work my young friends.

I hope we each make it to the top.

Speaking of making it to the top, the best to get to the top a long climb is to be properly fueled by a drink like this.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/3-2-1-hydration-base

One of the key ingredients is BCAA - branch chain amino acids.  Those little guys are the proteins that take care of our muskulls when we're abusing them.  

This is truly an amazing product, much more than simple electrolytes and sugar.

And we ship it fer free.

And if you're a member of the PEDALposse you can save big.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-monthly-subscription

---

161.4 
stretch
8 hrs
no ride

IF YOU'RE COMPETITIVE, AND WE ARE!, IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE TIME OFF.  Which is why you should see Dr. Diesel for a Therapeutic Use Exemption.  It's really the only way...

... he handed me the scribbled Rx.

I tried to read it, squinting.

What's the matter?

Can't read it.

You need glasses?

Nope.

Give it to me... uh, oh...

• Do nothing.
• If you have to do something, make it different.
• If you must ride, have no plan.

Do nothing?

Nada.

Make it different?

Yes.  Walk.  Hike.  Run, if you must.  Swim.  Surf.  Lift some weight... your arms are disgusting!

Have no plan... what about my friends, we all ride together.

Friends!... I thought you were serious.  You shouldn't have friends if you're a committed athlete.  Dump your friends.  Find some nerds, play D&D.  It'll give you something other than gear rations to bore you family with.  Got it?!

I guess.

Good.  Take this.  Pay your bill on the way out.  Go to the drugstore and buy some ice cream.  You need it.

He came highly recommended, so I tried it this week.

No ride Wednesday.

Paddleboard Thursday.

Stupideasy ride to the lookout for navel contemplation Friday.

Slept in until 9 this morning.  A miracle.  Rolled out for a noplan ride, just water in my bottles. 

30 minutes in, on my way to nowhere.

90 minutes later, I had a popcicle in one hand and a Coke in the other.

2 hours later, I completely bonked... had to pull over a mile from home and get a drink and a chocolate chip croissant.

I think the doc would approve of all except the bonking.  Very rookie.  He has warned me before about bonking.  How it can take weeks to recover from that... which is why he prescribes GQ6.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition/products/3-2-1-hydration-base

One of the key ingredients is BCAA - branch chain amino acids.  Those little guys are the proteins that take care of our muskulls when we're abusing them.  

This is truly an amazing product, much more than simple electrolytes and sugar.

And we ship it fer free.

And if you're a member of the PEDALposse you can save big.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-monthly-subscription

---

162.4 too much cake last night
stretch
8.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4239117492

AS THE GREAT TOM PETTY TOLD IT, I won't back down... You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down.  Yep, that song makes The Old Diesel's race pump mix...

... never was it more hellacious than last Saturday's Cactus Cup.

The Ol' Wahoo read 107.

That was only part of the reason we got whacked as a collective group.  Not even the main reason.  It might have been inevitable, but the following reasons did not help.

• Course knowledge.  The course wasn't technical, but there were hundreds of turns where seconds could be lost.  300 turns X 2 seconds = 10 minutes.  That's extremely hard to make up.
• Terrain prep.  There are no big climbs, and, therefore, no long descents to rest.  We aren't used to that... races around here have 5,10, 20+ minutes climbs.  It's a different kind of effort and it hurt in an unaccustomed way.
• Kitty litter on concrete is how the locals describe the surface of sand and decomposed granite.  We are use to dry, slippery conditions out here... if you're coming from afar, beware.

Yeah, we are looking forward to returning in March better prepared. 

But, the big, big, big question is...

... would you, my finefastfriend, dig it if I put together a video on how to attack this race or any other race?

Course and terrain insights, bike set up, lines to take, food strategies, crew tips, etc.

I put this way down here at the bottom because I really want to hear from the true racers.  

That's you right?

If it is then at some point you'll be looking for a truly fine racing machine.  I can tell you right now, my BMC 4 Stroke is by far that best XC bike I've ever ridden or raced... but, why when you probably already know that same bike took 1st and 3rd at World's a few days back.

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

Sure it looks tame here... because you can't see the proprietary hiddendropper post, can't appreciate the perfect head angle, can't feel the whippiness of the stiff and light frame.

Which is why I included this pic. 

I'm going about 20 miles per hour, totally confident, not caring at all about that babyhead my front tire is squashing, 1 finger on each brake lever, saddle dropped, just lettin' it blast right through the gates of hell.

You may be asking yourself...

Damn that bike looks awesome I wonder if PEDALindustries is carrying all the BMC bikes?

And the answer is Hellyeah!

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

Let me know what you're looking for and I'll let you know price and availability.

PS... ya really oughta join the PEDALposse first:  https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalposse-monthly-subscription

---

160.8 lbs
PushUps and PullUps
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4233275312

... still reading?  It's Saturday, get out and ride! : )

WE TURNED AROUND EARLY TONIGHT.  We're running outta daylight.  And it's gonna get worse.  There are 2 strategies I have employed over the years.

One, move all the rides to sunrise.

Two, get some serious lights going.

But, maybe it's time for a 3rd gear?...

... and it goes right along with the 5 hour work day...

Get my sprinter buns to work early... burn like a fiend for 5 hours.  Take a two-wheeled break.

The other advantage to gear number 3 is I can skip the chill of riding sans sun.  No rolling out into a dense, 40 degree fog.  No riding into night as it gets colder and colder.

On 3rd thought...

... it's harsher conditions that make me feel most alive.  It takes serious drive and desire to ride with rising and setting suns.  Plus, it's electrifying knowing all the little Whos in Whoville are peacefully, comfortable asnooze and will soon be wondering Howtheheck did you and I get so much faster and fitter.

---

161.2 lbs
Paddleboard
7.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4231075069

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES IS WHEN MY PAL KH CAME TO VISIT FOR A FEW WEEKS.  At the time, he was in very fine shape.  He was looking forward to unleashing his hard earned awesomeness on the locals...

... little did he know...

It's an overcast, balmy spring morning.

Which means California racing has been in full gallop for months... naive KH thinks his basement sessions have him ready.

We join the awesome and feared Coffee Crew.

At the time, this was the place where dragon slayers regularly hacked off the legs of all who dared take the front... naive KH thinks his basement sessions have him ready.

A maddening pace is set through town.

Some are shed, some are spared, all know the worst is yet to come... naive KH thinks his basement sessions have him ready.

We hit the base of Newport Coast.

The regulars know the pace will continue to increase all the way to the top until all the unworthy are skewered...

...naive KH thinks his basement sessions have him ready

AND HE TAKES OFF!

I'm stunned.

Impressed at his acceleration.

A decent gap is opened, and no one responds.

The gap holds for a minute or so.

Then starts to shrink.

We gain speed.

As he rockets by in reverse one of the greatest lines ever heckled cuts KH to the core...

It was fun while it lasted.

Delivered by any other person and blows might have been thrown.  But, it was the loud, opinionated, lovable, old mother hen of the ride... the legendary Todd Schooler.

Todd may be gone, but that line lives on... many a time KH and I have laughed over that very moment and certainly dropped it on each other plenty.

And maybe that's why the group rides live on... because of the characters who dish it out not only with their legs but their unfiltered mouths as well.

Either way, I gotta do the rides to keep my sanity.

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

And right now you can get this shirt 2 for 1.

Use promo code: WHILEITLASTED

Before Sunday.

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

---

163.2 lbs
rest
7.7 hrs
no ride

IT HAD BEEN 7 YEARS SINCE MY FIRST WHISKY 50.  Trevor, my oldest, and I had rented Wenger's Sprinter and camped in this same spot - White Spar Campground.  I woke up ready to explore vs race...

... Prescott AZ has miles and miles and miles and miles of pristine single track.

Whisky covers some good terrain, but at pace ya just never appreciate the beauty of a place.

Ranger Angelica chatted me up and then pointed in her favorite direction. 

I had to ride 100 yards on pavement... then 5 amazing miles up, just me and my BMC.  It kinda looked familiar but I couldn't be sure.

I stopped to take in the views.  Nature in every direction.  No landmarks.  Not a soul.

This was a good time to reacquaint myself with the TrailForks app.  What a terrific tool to have.  I quickly oriented myself.  Realized I was on the recently completed Prescott Circle - a 50 single track around the community. 

But here's the thing...

Would I have been better off just adventuring with no local knowledge and limited supplies like olden days or playing it safe with the app?

Is it really exploring if we have an app or map?

... I think my pioneer ancestors would laugh at our manufactured adventures and challenges...

... at the same time, I think our adventures give us a glimpse of what their lives were like when reading, learning and hearing their stories.

One thing is for sure, we're all still wearing hats when the sun is on us.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/hats

Use promo code SAVE10

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/hats

---

? lbs
rest
8.2 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4221815656

AS MY FRIEND HARDTAIL PUTS IT, Friends take advantage of friends.. And with that, we set out on a fantastical ride through some of Sedona's very choice 200 miles of single track...

... which is unlike nearly all other singletrack.

After 'bout 2 hours we'd gone a whopping 13ish miles and 1300ish feet of vert.  We were smoked.

Why?

Wellllll...

The trails are tight and twisty and technical. 
Rarely coasting, rarely relaxing.
Attention demanding...

... you'd think exhausting, but that's not really it. 

Mentally, this kind of riding if very refreshing,  Like racing, there's no chance of daydreaming.  But, it's not racing.  It's challenging and playful.

While my fully was soaking up the rough stuff,  Hardtail was ripping some hard trails... jumping on, over and down everything... I knew not to follow too closely when he said he purposely takes the hard line.

Now... if you're into the stoke of riding a hardtail, if you're thinking of purchasing a hardtail... ya gotta check out his YouTube channel for the hardcore hardtail downlow.

https://www.youtube.com/c/hardtailparty/videos

We're just building out a product line for him... hardtail specific RaceDay Bags™, ponchos, jerseys, gloves, socks, etc.

Use promo code:  HARDTAILPARTY

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hardtail-party

---

no scale lbs
Stretch and Roll
7.5 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4218063594

IT WASN'T UNTIL I PROMOTED A FEW RACES MYSELF until I really understood all the behind the scenes effort that goes into a race.  Here's how to tell if a race promoter is making any money...

... if you come away with a bad taste, and a million ways to improve it...

... the promoter is probably making out like a bandit.

But, if you come away thinking... 

Shucks, I had a blast and anybody could do that and make a fat living...

... well, that is exactly the promoter who is working night and day to make sure you and me have a blast on said day.  There are sleepless nights, countless hours of prep and worry and concern.  Umpteen fruitless sponsor meetings.  Spouses and friends that are tapped to pitch in with major - and I mean major - volunteer hours.

If by some miracle these saints who dedicate so much of their time, talents and energy manage to get some momentum and actually make a nickel or two...

... well, bygolly, give 'em hug and a hallelujah because they sure as heaven deserve it.

Such were my feelings after a wonder outing at the Cactus Cup, because I sureashelk had a wonderful time.

Can ya imagine doing all that then having Covid cut your registration by 75%?

So, if you're lucky enough to do a terrific event this year... track that promoter down, give 'em a hug and a thanks and get the word out...

... Helluva race at ____________!

And, if you're looking for a way to support these fine peeps.. then get one of the very fine RaceDay Bags™ or other gear we made for them.

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

 See ya there next March!

---

161 lbs
Matt's Boots again
7 hrs
https://www.strava.com/activities/4212781213

THE FINISH LINE COULDN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.... nah, the finish was never coming.  The cramps started just after I missed a crucial turn, which happened just after I got snapped off the back, which happened a little too quickly after the start.

Now lest you think this is some pathetic woe is me post... 

... it ain't.

First, it's good to get whacked... and boy did the locals whack me.  From elbows out at the start to turning the screws as the heat beat me down while seemingly making them go faster.

Second, it's great to be involved in an activity that requires I maximize my health... gotta take the very best of care of me to have fun.

Third, I'm here with my pals.  Some I've just met.  And we just spent the afternoon on the porch talking about nothing. 

Yeah, these are the results I'm looking for... inspiration, max health and fine friends.

Of course I wasn't thinking about any of this during the final miles.  

All I could think about was the ice cold CocaCola in the van.  It was going to be so cold.  So wonderful.  The smooth bubbly sugary formula kept secret for centuries was drawing me in like a moth to light...

... even passed a few on the way in...

... that's how much that Coke was pulling me.

Can a Coke even be properly appreciated without feelin' the burn?

Questions like this can only be answered by us... me and you.  And, if you were here I'd a had a bottle for ya to join me like the rest of the fellas.

Cheers!

Since you aren't here, how about a deal on water bottles?

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

Use SAVE10

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

---

? lbs
Matt's Boots again
terrible sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4208089324

THERE WAS A BIT OF RIBBING WHEN THE FELLAS SAW MY BATMAN PJS.  But, I'm used to it.  We all are.  We're riding around in what many consider undies... 

... am I right?
... are they right?

As the Batman says:

It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.

We're lunching now and the nervous energy is eatable... heavily seasoned with trash talk.  Yummmmmm...

I'm first to go off on the TT. 

The almighty WeatherChannel says it'll be 99. 

I haven't told the fellas that I purchased a couple of bags of peas to wear under my jersey while I warm up.  I think staying cool until the last second is going to be key.  Sneaky of me, I know.

I'm not planning to take a bottle.  It's a 20ish minute effort with a million (literally) turns and undulations.

Matt asks what I'm doing...

Writing the blog so I can get to bed early.

What happens if you don't write it?

pause... 

I'll die... my life is a Twilight Zone.

Time to throw on the number plate... as y'all know, that's when the shizgetz real.  Nice, unflappable ToddyB becomes...

... The Old Diesel...

... I should be really rolling about 20 minutes into this thing.

In the meantime, I'll be selling the fellas hard on a solid 1 hour warm up... on rollers in my van with door shut so it feels cool when they get out.  I need every advantage I can get.

... oh man, I forgot how hard TTs are. 

I am pretty happy with my run. 

Caught my minute man about 15 minutes in... took longer than I'd have liked for him to pull over.  I struck my pedal on a rock on the only real climb.  So... I figure I lost about 20 seconds between the dude and the rock.  But, that's racing.  Everybody probably had something.  

I most pleased with staying well within my limits.  I should feel really good tomorrow.

As far as the race between the fellas... we are all within a minute, in order of our age.  Tomorrow's gonna be fun.

Now for some steak for me...

... and maybe some of the good stuff for you if you'll be riding in the heat any time soon.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/when-its-hot

Tomorrow, since it will be a very difficult course to eat on I'll get all my calories via my drink.  3 scoops per bottle.  

And, to combat any heat induced cramps I'll be letting the chewable saltstick chew melt under my tongue... I carry them in a special case which you'll get with your purchase.

You'll get 50% off the second item with this promo code:  HOTINHERE

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/when-its-hot

---

? lbs
Matt's Boots
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4204190806

AT SOME POINT I'VE GOT DECIDE IF THIS IS A BIKCATION OR A RACECATION.  Now, if I was traveling by myself I'd drive a little longer for some better food... but, I'll be dawgawned if I didn't find my two hands with a firm grip on a Big Mac at 12 Noon in the middle of the Arizona desert... 

... for the first time since snagging a podium at SLR. 18 months ago.

Then it was a matter of reward, along with the McFlurry, for pulling off something I'd failed at 4 years in a row.

Today, well, it was just going with flow.

Is it going to make a difference over 3 days of racing?  Doubtful.

But, it is just a funny thing how the more people we add to the trip the longer we take and the collectively dumber we get.

It took us about 4 hours to get out of Sprout's tonight.  We were only getting food for tomorrow.  We have enough to survive a few years.

By myself I'd be more nimble.

Precise.

Quick.

But, ya know what... I'd be by myself... 

Not getting turned around while preriding the course when we arrived.
Not cramming 7 of us around a 5 person table for dinner.
Not RoShamBowing for the master bedroom.
Not laughing at nonsense.

... not answering questions like this:

Are you a singer or mantra guy?

Huh?

Do you sing songs when you race or have a mantra?

Songs for sure... like Kanye's Stronger...

Which I immediately cranked to 10, knowing he hates rap.

Yeah, it's a bikcation for sure... and when McD's is on the menu, and we dilly and dally for hours I just gotta remember...

That that that that don't kill me only makes me stronger.

Maybe I am a mantra guy after all?

For sure, I'm a PR Lotion guy.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion

Yes, over the next 3 days I'll be doing multiple applications.  Even for tomorrow's 20ish minute TT...

... 'cause let's be honest the bragging rights each night are what it's all about.

Order now, the shipping is free but the bragging rights ya gotta earn... even on a bikcation.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion

---

161 lbs
StretchNRoll
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4200542505

SOME RISKS I'M WILLING TO TAKE, others I'm not.  We're all that way, and I'm sure we're all completely justified for our ways of thinking.  That said, we are on bicycles, traveling at a good clip... and, well... sometimes I get to wondering...

... Whattheheck are ya thinking!

Is it just me?

Here are the opposite ends of the spectrum:

New superbike <--->  Old bucket a bolts

Riding a pristine paved road with no one around <---> Charging down a mountain

Somewhere in there we all demonstrate our risk tolerance.

Me personally,

I'd slowly ride a rusted out bucket of bolts down the boardwalk on a sunny summer day with an easy breez, no prob... but, I'd never trust it with my life. 

I'd charge trails that would be tough to walk down or up, and tuck a nice paved road at 50mph on a new superbike... and love it.

But, those cats who throw down a few Benjamins on a Walmart whip or a Craigslist cringer then head out and go Full Send...

... oh man, you've got my attention... not sure about my respect... but my attention for sure...

... and I'll probably speak up,
get shut down
and uncomfortably settle in
like some creepy voyeur...

... wonderin' how they approach the rest of their lives.

But that's not how we roll, right?

Nope, we take some risks for sure... but we leave nothing to chance.

Especially not our helmets.

Good news is, right now, during the Giro, you can get these beautiful helmets with some sweet savings.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

The code is SUPERSTITIOUS.

It can be used on any helmet to save 20%

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

161.2 lbs
StretchNRoll
7.5 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4194433376

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.  I'm totally biased, plus I'm ripping all kinds of PRs the more I get settled in.  And, don't believe the marketing hype.  Just look at the scoreboard.

But, before you look at the scoreboard...

... let's remember one thing when it comes to mountain biking...

... ADVENTURE.

Yes, yes, I love my road riding.  And, of course, the freedom and creativity of gravel bikes.  But, nothing makes me feel like a warrior out for adventure than my mountain bike.

Riding off into the wild where bad things can happen and nobody is around to bail ya out has a certain, how do you say... Imabadass... about it.

We sense that from the moment we put on our shoes which are heavy, and lugged, and dusty, and scraped up.

Personally, I'm not too big on protective gear and I've got plenty of dents and scars to show for it.  Fact is, I kinda like seeing a little blood from time to time.  Makes me feel alive.

Dropping down a rutted shoot with the front wheel about to break loose and the rear wheel skidding and clinging... launching off a knob at speed and flying 10'... leaning to nearly horizontal riding a berm in a turn... these are sensations only mountain bikers know.

Which brings me back to that scoreboard... ya see, that bike I've been ripping PRs on downhill sections is the very same bike that was ridden to a World Championship over the weekend... and Jordan Sarrou made it look easy.

Easy and in control are the exact feelings I've been having on this bike.  The geometry is perfect.  The bottom bracket height is just right.  The dropper post is excellent.  The twin-loc makes climbing a dream... ahhh, such a great bike.

The kind of bike that you want to take on adventure, be a warrior on, experience nature and all her many ways trying to kill you.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/bikeshop-fourstroke-01-one

This is the one I chose.

And I'd love to help you get one if you're into adventure and danger.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bmc-bicycles/products/bikeshop-fourstroke-01-one

Oh... and I almost forgot to mention... our superlight race gloves were developed expressly for this type of riding.  They fit tight, are made of real leather, and provide a fantastic tactical connection between warrior and bike.

I had no idea the white gloves would be top sellers.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves/products/superlight-race-gloves-white

---

161.4 lbs
PushUPsPullUps
8 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4190343937

TOWARDS THE END OF MY RIDE SATURDAY, I came down an extremely steep trail... it's just at the edge of being a controlled skid - that kinda steep... and turned sharply to cross through the motorcycle barrier.  At the same time, another rider came from an alternate trail and rather than dismounting rode right through the open gate.

There, my friends, is a perfect example of enemy number two.

Habits.

I've approached that barrier hundreds of time, and the gate is never open.  Naturally, I went with what I've burned into my brain as the only way out... and it was completely the wrong thing to do when I could have easily stayed on my bike.

And the thing about habits is their effect is slow moving...

... towards greatness or damn that was dumb.

Chris, The Wrench, has a wonderful habit.  Before he can start on the next bike, he has to put all his tools away.  Guess what?... he never wonders where his tools are.

I have a habit of getting everything ready the night before my morning ride:  clothes out, glasses cleaned, batteries charged, bottles made, etc.

Some riders have the habit of looking at all the dangers a particular route may encompass.  My experience with these types of riders is they seem to will disaster into their lives.

Other riders have a habit of eating huge meals and late o'clock.  Result:  disrupted sleep and extra ballast.

The thing about habits is they become automatic. And we don't even realize how they've molded us... but sometimes it's towards really good outcomes.

Of course, one of our greatest habits is riding our bikes.  If you've got a friend that needs a reminder about this habit...

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

Or maybe it's no one in particular, but you just like preaching this wonderful message of getting out and riding.

Whatever it is, this is a superduper soft shirt... made for athletes like us.

Use promo code: RIDEYOURBIKE

The code works on all the tshirts... but this one is the top seller.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

---

160.2 lbs
PushUPsPullUps
7.5 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4185622613

NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS, or remembers to do it... or has the luxury of following this restful recipe.  It's a good practice for the day before a race.

If you're standing, sit.
If you're sitting, lie.
If you're lying, put your feed up.
If you're feet are up, sleep.

Most of the time we are hustling to take care of business or chores or family, and hoping all goes according to plan and we can cut out for a race in the morning.  If we're lucky, we'll get to bed early.

Tuck that little missive away until your next big race.

Better yet, try it out before your next big ride.

It's harder than you think, and better than you think.

Promise.

I also promise having a RaceDay Bag™ will make your day that much more restful.

This would be a great place to insert what a wonderful gift the bag makes, but then I remembered racer Ryan's purchase this week...

I need another bag.

You do?

Yep, I want one for MTB and one for Road.  I'm going to have them each loaded and ready to go.

It still makes a wonderful gift, and let's be honest, nobody appreciates a good bag more than us.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-bags

You know, we never to promo codes for the bags.  But if you search really hard there's one out there.

I'm going to hide it right here in this lengthy paragraph.  Normally, I'd put it in bold.  But, that would make it too easy.  The code, if you were to search for it, is SAVE10.  It's an old code.  It works today.  But, I think it's time to retire it.  Use it while it works.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-bags

---

161.2 lbs
StretchNRoll
8.5 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4183616323

THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUPERSTITION AND PREPARATION.  Today I did one of my pre-race rituals, it's the kind of thing I can't convince anybody to do with me...

... so it makes me question is it superstition or preparation?

What I do is go out and ride a course as similar as possible to the upcoming race and only work on my head.

In this case, the upcoming race is the Cactus Cup.  An MTB race.  In the desert.  With a lot of turns.  Carrying speed is going to be critical.

So, I went and rode some of the twistiest trails around.  

Didn't pound the climbs too much, just rode 'em at tempo.  But those downhills were all about being relaxed and going fast.

Results:  I'm getting super confident on the new MTB and snagged a number of PRs on challenging descents I've hit many times.

This is headwork, giving myself sensations of feeling fast.

I'll do that all week.  Not ride hard per se.  Just doing things that are confidence building...

... and all of it will be on my race bike...

... to further cement the good feelings and be hyper aware of any mechanical issues that need to be take care of.

I know other racer will ride hard right up to the end.  Others will take a bunch of time off.

Are we all preparing?
All superstitious?

Probably a little of both.

And I'm cool with that, because in the end it's just a bike race... and more than half the fun is figuring out what works.

One thing that works for sure is the KASK Protone helmet.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets/products/kask-protone?variant=33302071869572 

I really like this helmet.  It's light.  Fits great.  Has good ventilation.

And since it's Italian and the Giro is going on as I write this... well, there's a special promo code to save 20%.

The code is SUPERSTITIOUS.

It can be used on any helmet.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

---

160.2 lbs
StretchNRoll
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4177477050

I STOPPED BY TO SEE MY PAL CHAD TODAY.  At his place of biz.  It'd been too long.  We met through the bikeridingthing... way before PEDALindustries.  We started making his company uniforms.  Which we still do.

But, that's not important.

Nor was delivering a new supersweet kit design for this weekend's race.

What was important, was what happened when we got to his office and closed the door.

Nothing.

Nothing but bike and racing talk.

I think about all the companies that sponsor teams, at all levels... and I reckon few people have any clue as to why they do it.

Is it to get a big return on their advertisement investment?

Absolutely not... if that were the case the sponsors would stick around forever.  Trust me, I know a thing or three about advertising.

They do it because they love the sport and it's fun. 

Amid all the chaos and stress of running any large business, sponsoring any kind of cycling team can bring some needed levity into the work place.  Can be part of a company health initiative.  Can be a way for the work crew to bond after hours.

But, it ain't for the money.

And what do most sponsors ask for... usually just that the racers are good peeps.

I've worked with a lot of sponsors of teams.  And none of them have ever said this, but I see it. 

I see their enthusiasm for the racers, for the promoters, for the friends and families who come and watch.  

I see the joy they have designing their kits for their teams to wear.

This is why they do it.

For the love of our sport...

... so, next time ya get a new kit send 'em some pics of you having fun riding.  I know they'll love it.

I know I do.

Ya know what else I know?... I know our Speed jersey is super light. People come in and choose their size always comment...

... It's so lite.

Well, it has to be.  It's a Speed jersey, not a parachute.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/jerseys

They come in a variety of colors, and we have matching socks for most of the designs.

Add a jersey and socks to your order and use promo code: SPONSORS

to get free socks.

---

161.2 lbs
Rest
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4159358072

LIKE IT OR NOT, WE'VE ALL GOT ENEMIES.  And, that's okay.  Because enemies can bring out the best in us.  Therefore, I present the first in a long list of Racer Enemies and the potential for greatness each holds.

First up, the first up... it's a gift, really.

We get it when we're born, and it can be a real hinderance to going fast.  However, once we get control of this enemy everything in life improves.

You guessed it, right?... our very own body.

Neglected, this wonderful treasure becomes sluggish at best.

No amount of unobtanium parts of a bike can make up for the neglected goods inside our birthday suits.

On that note, I put on weight with each one of my wife's pregnancies.  Yep, a full 33 lbs heavier than I am today.

Little by little I carved it off.

Along the way, I learned what my body craves for maximum health.  It doesn't just show on the bike.  It's off the bike as well.

Overall energy high
All health indicators high
Mental clarity better
Mood swings minimized
and so on.

The point is to put in place a system for optimal health and patiently stick with it.  The result, and it takes time!, we get a lot faster on the bikes and a lot better in every other endeavor.

I've been thinking about this because lately my friends have been casually slipping their weight into our conversations.  You know, real slylike...

Dude, I'm down 12 lbs!

... subtle right?

They're stoked.  And they should be.  It feels really, really, really good to be light.

Speaking of kids... the best thing my son every told me when we trying to have better diets was this...

... we're not dieting, we're athletes...

Try that one on the next person that chides your food choices...

... I'm not dieting, I'm an athlete.

It works surprising wonders.  Because we are athletes... we are designed to run long distances for long periods of time.  We are hunters by nature.

When racing, like I will be next week, there are only 3 things I put into my body.  

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition

GQ6 hydration for sure. 

Because the course is going to be fast with constant turns and short power climbs through the desert, I'll probably only be able to drink.

Which means I'll go with 3 scoops/bottle.

I might not even go with bottles.  It's going to be that fast.  I might go with the Camelbak.  It's just a lot easier to grab that hose and suck in some good stuff and let the hose fall from my mouth. 

I reckon I'll thrown 1 Honeystinger in my pocket just in case I get that empty hungry feeling... but, I doubt that's going to happen.

It's unlikely I'll need the SaltStick.  It's only 40 miles and should be over in 2.5 hrs.

Since it's always good to be prepared, I'll bring all three potions.

If you're so inclined use promo code:  NUMBER1

It's a buy 2, get 1 dealio

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition

---

161.2 lbs
StandUpPaddle for an hour
7.5 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4159358072

TONIGHT SO FUH-FUH-FUH FUN!  Jake joined for the standing DRTY WDNSDY hot up the trails. One thing ya gotta know about Jake is his company, NON-DOT, specializes in teaching people MTB skills.  He ain't just fast, he's skilled.  Just the kinda guy ya wanna be chasin' around...

... because he brings out the best.

Smooth lines.
Hitting the jumps.
Cleaning all the technical stuff.

Making it look easy.

We picked up a ton of virtual trinkets along the way.

But, that wasn't the point or goal or focus or whatever.

The only whatever we had going on was chasing each other 'bout as fast as we could go up and down and around and over.  Never really getting out of sight of one another... not that we weren't trying.

It was one of those rides.

Just really pushing.  Not too much small talk.  Riding too fast for that.

But not ruined afterwards.

And here's the thing... I don't think that style of chasing each other works on the road.  It's something that really lends itself to tighttwisty single track with punchy climbs.

Yep... it leaves me lusting for more dirt.

'Course ma' new MTB don't hurt.

But, Jake said the new gloves to match his new kits we made were helping too.

What can I say?

I'm a helpful guy.

If you're looking for beautiful kits, made in the USA with the best Italian fabrics... gives us a ring.

Speaking of rings... Jake's was covered with this glove.

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

He was also wearing these socks

Looking quite sharp is ya ask me.

If you want to look sharp like Jake, use promo code: LUSTFORDIRT

Which will give you 50% off your second item, buy gloves get socks for half off.

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

... oh, and you're always welcome to join us on DRTY WDNSDY.

---

163 lbs
Stretch n Roll
8 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4159358072

WELL, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE OFFSEASON... but there hasn't even been a season.  We're sposed ta be restin', but ain't been racin'.  And while the days are getting shorter, our ride is getting bigger and faster and funner...

... and I'm lovin' it.

To see the fellas and the ladies is such a joy.

This morning I could see 'em from farther away than last week.  Their powerful blinky lights a warning to drivers and a beacon to riders.  Follow me to fun...

30 or so Bs
18 As
4 Gravelers

... all taking over the school parking lot for a catchup moment of Hey what's ups?, How ya beens? with a few Damn bro, you're looking fits.

As the countdowns to heading out approach the energy changes, our choreographed dances of pedals and pain gets begins.

Now I'm writing this with the Temptations on repeat... that driving beat of Get Ready...

... we're getting ready for the day, our way.

A great big shot of endorphins to inoculate us for the trials that face us each day. 

Join us, and bring a light.

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

Personally, I run these day and night.  Front and rear.

Use promo code:  GETREADY

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

---

163 lbs
Stretch n Roll
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4159358072

FINISH LINES AND HILLTOPS, they're a lot further than you think.  You can't see the top of a climb from the bottom.  You can't judge the speed of your competition closing from behind in a sprint.

But, racers ease up at the apex of climbs and final meters of sprints all the time...

... and thus we see...

... them fail, when just a few more seconds of gawdawful pain woulda kept 'em attached to the group or on top of the podium.

I know, I know... ya feel like you're getting one over on the competition when you can get over the top and catch 'em on the way down... or thump your chest and coast across the finish line... 

... we all know, which is exactly why we sprint hard over the top of the climbs and beyond the finish line...

... we're banking on you trying to get one over...

... sometimes it's the only way we can win.

So, we do a few more push ups at night,
eat a few bites less of ice cream,
stay late at work,
read to our children,
help the elderly cross the street...

... some of us need every advantage we can get to make up for the advantage you have...

... you can forget it ain't over 'till it's, in fact please do.

And you can also forget about PR Lotion... but we won't.  In fact, some of us like Rusty are so nice we purchase it for our friends... which is exactly what he did when he stopped by today for a new pair of bibs.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lubemeup/products/amp-pr-lotion

Sometimes I wonder if we sell more Amp PR Lotion than anybody else?  I should ask those guys sometimes.  I wouldn't normally think that, but people like Rusty keep coming back for more... and picking up some for their friends.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lubemeup/products/amp-pr-lotion

---

162.2 lbs
Stretch n Roll
7.75 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4154603038

WATCHING LIEGE BASTON LIEGE THIS MORNING I had to say... Those roads are awful! Skinny, old and potholed. 

Conversely, racers at yesterday's TT in Italy complained about the very same conditions. 

Meanwhile, XC racers in The Czech Republic are racing on a course downhillers would struggle on a decade ago.

I'll say this...

... learning to race and ride in chaos gives ya a helluva lot more control.

Who are the greatest bike handlers?  MTBrs and Sprinters.

Why?

Which comes first?

We all start with our godgivens, for sure... and riding in unpredictable situations, practicing on bad terrain, expecting to be challenged increases our ability to thrive where others struggle and fail.

Each skill we add is one more cog in our cassette.

Which is exactly why I enjoy riding this bike so much.  I can work on group riding skills, dirt road skills, single track skills, curb jumping skills...

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

... more of those proverbial cogs equals more options for control when the chaos hits.

If you're in the PEDALposse... message me for pricing.

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

---

160.2 lbs
Stretch n Roll
8.3 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4152069307

THE WHOLE LIFE BEHIND BARS THING FOR CYCLISTS would be a lot funnier or more interesting or just a helluva a lot better if it made any sense.  We aren't behind bars, we're grippin' 'em hard...

... or we should be.

Poor MiguelAngelLopez.  There he was in the supertuck at the Giro today and hit something, completely losing control of his bike.  

Straight to hospital.

Surgery.

Race over.

Such a shame, and in my opinyun, avoidable.  

The problem with the supertuck... problem?... problems... the first problem is the bike becomes extremely unbalanced with a lot of weight placed on the front wheel.  But, the bigger problem is it's not easy to get out of that position quickly should you need to jump a road hazard, change directions, etc.

Is it really why he crashed?... I don't know, hard to tell, but the picture I saw was pretty damning.

Speaking of bars, modern MTB bikes are coming with bars so wide you can't fit them though an average doorway.

That's wide.

Too wide.

Again, this is my very biased opinion and not scientific at all... hearmeout!

Of course, being an obedient consumer, most of us just roll with what we purchased never thinking to change it up.

I'm guilty.

But, this new bike's bars were cartoonishly wide.

So we chopped 'em down.  

From 780mm to 700.

Apparently superwide is all the rage because it is more stable in the nasty stuff.

So, it wasn't easy to take out the ol' hacksaw and do some hacking.  I mean it's only a $400 mistake if done incorrectly.

Anyway... we chopped 'em down yesterday.

Result?

Lot's of PRs on the fast and steep stuff today.  Why?... well, those superwide bars just take a lot longer to get the wheel turned and require a much more exaggerated movement.  The narrower bars are much more nimble.

How did we determine the width?  

We did some eyeballing then I dropped and ripped of a few push ups at various widths.

Is that the only reason for the PRs?

No, I've been playing with shock pressures and tire pressures and I'm getting closer to being one with the rig and that very handy dropper post.  Plus, I found a tire combination, that is light, that I reall like.

I think Barred For Life is a lot closer to what we are... if we're not holding the bars, we're thinking about it.

Maybe I'll make that a tshirt and give it to the PEDALposse next month.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/join-the-pedalposse

---

161 lbs
nap
6.5 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4147011952

DO YA EVER FEEL RACEDAY IS LIKE THE START OF A BOND MOVIE?  All action, no plan.  Just winging it.  Too many variables.  

Bold colors.

Big music.

Danger.

But, somehow it's all gonna work in your favor.

Tomorrow isn't raceday, but we're gonna have a lot variables on our ride.

A bunch of us are meeting...

... some are doing the long, 80+, road loop

... some the shorter loop

... and a few of us - me - are starting on MTBs and peeling off to hit the single track.

Now why would I do a silly thing like that?

Well... I have the first, last and only MTB race of the year in 2 weeks and I'm a firm believer that the closer a race or big ride gets the more specific the training needs to be.

The race in question, The Cactus Cup, will be pretty flat.  Longest climb about 45 seconds, and the rest of the time it will be all about carrying speed on the flats and rolling those corners really fast...

... I mean what could be better than steamrolling the coast with the PEDALposse on my MTB to get Onnatop of the podium?

Well... joining the PEDALposse, obviously.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/join-the-pedalposse

---

159.6 lbs
Stretch N Roll
8 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4142073698

THE VAN NEEDED NEW TIRES, so of course I'm gonna take it to Holley's Tire Service... because the owner is a bike rider.  I walk in and Ron announces to the few patrons...

Pedal Industries, a fine establishment... though I'm not to sure about Todd!

Howdy Ron.

I've been sending all my friends down there, tell 'em we gotta support these guys... we finally have a nice shop and a good mechanic again.

Yes you have, and I truly appreciate that.

Todd, we're gonna resurrect the old group and I want you to do our kits.  Our last kits were terrible, from Pearl Izumi.

Wow, I'm surprised to hear that.

Yeah, maybe the guys went low end.

Exactly why we don't offer a low end option.

The kits you did for the mountain bike team... I still have mine and they are great.  The colors are still really bright.

Well we're ready when you are.

How can I help you today?

Van needs new rubber.

Go with the Firestone's.  They're great and made in America... just like your kits.

Now, you see what he did there?  He wasn't buttering me up... he was looking out for me because...

... friends don't let friends ride on junk.

When I road the gravel bike back to pick up the van Ron was gone.  Sergio handed me the keys and looked in the eyes...

You bring that back every 5000 miles and we'll rotate the tires so they last a long time.  Stop in whenever you need the air topped off.

Whenever possible I always go with the bike rider that offers what I need.  I know they are going to look after me and get me product that endures.

Heck, that's how I got into this business.  I was making apparel for large corporations and then started helping my friends in the bike business with their branded apparel.

Anyway, it's a good little town we have here... for a surf town, we have a lot of really good riders... because the surf is fickle and the bike is always ready...

... we have road rides nearly every day of the week and the town is surrounded by wildness in which the retired firemen have cut in all kinds of fun, challenging single track trails.

Which is where the stamp logo comes from...

... a little something about our tshirts.  These aren't your itchy, boxy cheap giveaways.

Nope.

These shirts are made from a special cotton that gets softer and softer the more you wear it.  

We use special inks that you can't even feel.  

And, yes... we help a lot of teams and companies get these t's with their logos on them, too.

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

I shouldn't even offer a special price on these.  At $20, they're a steal.  That's twenty bucks total, including shipping.

This code is good on all t's for exactly 1 day.

The code is:  HOLLEY

https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tshirts

---

161 lbs
Paddleboard
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4139743726

APPARENTLY IT'S AN AMERICAN THING, to cheer the underdog, the little guy, the unknown.  Maybe because we are all little guys, misfits in one way or another.  At least for me it can feel that way much of the time. 

But, we stick at it... whatever it is.

Perhaps that's why we're drawn to cycling, to racing and riding bikes.  It's unlike other sports.  I can quit surfing for months, paddle out and still have a blast.  Same with ping pong.  But bike riding... take off months and it's like we're pedaling through molasses. 

At the same time, if we keep working at it... keep plugging away, steadily, our bodies change.  We build new capillaries, lose weight, gain muscle... and have an affinity for pain others can't comprehend.

We know we're underdogs, with secret super powers in the making.

Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.

- Jacob Riis

All this is making me thirsty... and I'm wondering if you're in need of some new bottles?  Not just any bottles, but the best bottles.

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

A 2 pack, delivered to your door for less than $20 when you use promo code: UNDERDOG

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

---

162.4 lbs
PushUps and PullUps
8 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4135398854

AT SOME POINT ON MOST RIDES someone says or does something that gets me thinking.  And, that happened today.  But, for the life of me i can't remember what it was.

Was it...

damn, my legs hurt?
how did you time meeting us?...

... actually yeah, that was it. 

Someone at the regroup asked how I knew how to ride the gravel options through town and wind up right on the road just as the group was hitting the final climb.

Well?.... How did we get there?

The short answer is... Bro, 'been doing the same loop with these cats for 17 years.

But, the long answer... that's the juicy stuff.

First, we didn't time it perfectly.  We rode our legs off and got there about 8 minutes early, then pedaled in circles for a bit.

Second, we woulda been there perfectly except we've only done the gravel option a handful of times and it had been about a year since the last go... and well, I played it conservative.

Third, we're gonna hit a bigger climb next week and have to really, really, really hustle to finish in time.

Because that's what you do when you are a rider and wear stretchy pants.  You put yourself in unreasonable positions and see if you've got what it takes to...

... meet the group
... make it happen
... exceed expectations
... do hard shiz...

... it's doing hard shiz that brings out the best of us.

That there isn't the prettiest quote over, but it is what I wanted to convey.

On that note... 

... when you're ripping down the side of a mountain on a rough road or trail, doing all you can to make it to the meet up on time or beat your nearest competitor the very last thing you want to have happen is to have your water bottle launched out of the cage.

Now, if that has happened to you then you know what I'm talking about.

You're tempted to leave the bottle behind but you know dern well you're gonna need those calories and electrolytes. 

So you stop.

Lose all your momentum. 

Hike back up... kinda like the walk of shame... as fellow racers scream by.

All because you have a cheap, crummy cage.

What we have here below is not cheap and not crummy.

It's EXtremely strong, veryvery lght, and expensive.

But, nowhere near as expensive as flushing all your effort of registering and training and traveling and racing ahead and then losing because your cage is for losers.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bike-parts/products/mandible-bike-cage

That right there is pure beauty.  Think of it as the ring on your betrothed and don't go cheap. 

It's hella expensive to lose a bottle in a race. 

We have 2 in stock, we can get more... but the promo code is only good now.

Promo code:  STRETCHY

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/bike-parts/products/mandible-bike-cage

Every dollar spent gets you an entry into -> Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ Giveaway

---

161.2 lbs
Stretch N Roll
7 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4128586289

I'M PROBABLY DOING THIS GRAVEL THING ALL WRONG.  We don't have endless country roads all graded and perfect with a little gravel on top for weather.  And, I like it that way...

... I like big ruts and I cannot lie...

Just to mixedsurface it up tomorrow I'll be starting the TMWC with the group and exiting stage right at the first dirt path we cross.

Then we'll cut across town on pavement - where we might see the guys again - before diving down to the dry creek bed, which hopefully will have a few wet crossings.

Followed by a touch of pavement before we climb up dusty dirt road with ruts through the wildness area.

Then zip through a neighborhood before poaching more dirt.

At that point, we'll really be back on the route and if all goes as planned we will slot right in with the rest o' the gang.

That's def not a gravel ride, but it's the freedom one gets on a gravel bike... which just might be why they're all the rage.

Speaking of all the rage, we got a bunch of new colors in our gloves... and I'm thinking the Orange is just perfect for Fall colors.

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

If you have not tried our gloves before, well you might be missing out.  They are superlight weight.

The top is BreezyMesh.

The palm is real leather.

The thumb is terrycloth.

The fingers have reactive thread for your smart phones.

And... they're $24.99 and qualify for FREE SHIPPING... or less if you're part of the PEDALposse - > https://pedalindustries.com/pages/join-the-pedalposse

Every dollar spent gets you an entry into -> Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ Giveaway

---

162 lbs
Stretch N Roll
8 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4125097202

from my lunch ride, on my gravel bike

RIDE LONG ENOUGH AND YOU'RE GONNA GET A FEW SCRAPES ALONG THE WAY.  A little skin lost here, a good gash there.  Hopefully, it's very rare.  I've had a few and one offshoot is I'm an expert in healing abrasions...

... and I put that experience to good use this morning, and I reckon you'd do the same.

My mom, who is visiting for a bit, stubbed her big toe on a sharp edge and peeled the skin right off the bottom it.  Blood all over the place.

I knew just what to do... the same thing I'd do if I left a little skin behind.

Soak it.

Flush it with Betadine.

Pour on some Hydrogen Peroxide.

Add a good layer of Neosporin.

Wrap with a proper bandaid.

I'll do this daily until it heals from the inside out.

It was kinda nice to put all my self-taught medical skills to work, paying back to the woman who patched me up plenty of times...

... in fact, this doesn't come close to the doctoring she's done on me.

You're probably wondering how am I going to turn this tale into a sale?

Well, due to the simple fact she's a certified lover of the red, white and blue it's pretty easy.

She loves this kit, too.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriot

Plus she's always been the most irritatingly organized person I know.  So, in honor of her bravery this morning and her red, white and blueness and organizedness...

... when you order this kit and use this promo code: PATRIOT

You'll get a Classic Patriotic RaceDay™ Bag.

But, you've got to use the code by midnight 9/28/2020.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriot

Every dollar spent gets you an entry into -> Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ Giveaway

---

162 lbs
Stretch N Roll
8 hours sleep 
no ride

TBH, WE WERE GOING TOO FAST TO SNAP A DECENT PIC THIS MORNING... and, well, I'm kinda embarrassed.  Every now and again I'll do a ride invite, post it here and there, say all are welcome, then put in a little disclaimer like this...

While this is being touted as casual... it wont' be. No waiting, no lollygagging. Well over 5k of vert. Plan on 3.5-4hrs. Be prepared to find you're own way home.

For some reason, I was expecting 10-15 guys to show up and ride with us.

Nope.

4.

Was it something I said?

Mmmmmmaaaaaayybee 

Now why would I go and say a think like Be prepared to find you're own way home?

Was it selfish?

Mmmmmmaaaaaayybee.

Was it mean?

Mmmmmmaaaaaayybee

Was it honest?

Yep.

Was it freeing?

Also, yep.

We got after it early and hard.  And even though the Wahoo was in the back pocket I was prittydarnsure we were flying.  Before long, 4 became 3.

I knew this was going to happen even though we'd done a pinky swear to takeiteasy.  Which is why I had the disclaimer.

Now the very best thing about a disclaimer like that is..

nobody's gonna get rut hurt when they get dropped and left fer dead
nobody's gonna come ready to slay and be bummed waiting all day

Still... it woulda been fun to start out with more boys and girls, get strewn across the mountains and share a Coke after.

Is there anything more American than that?

Maybe this...

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic

It was designed by the everawesome Shelby a while back, and I like to rock it often.  I have a hunch I'm not alone...

... so, if ya order before end of day on Monday the 28th, and you use...

promo code:  PATRIOTIC

... then we're gonna throw in something special with your kit order and deliver the kits by the end of October.

Every dollar spent gets you an entry into -> Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ Giveaway

---

162.4 lbs
Stretch n Roll
6.5 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4115909144

I LIKE TO READ THE CYCLING NEWS AS MUCH AS THE NEXT ADDICT, and when I saw Geraint Thomas blaming his fourth place finish on not having his Garmin on his bike... well, it got me thinking.

Is that so?

I mean, we just watched a kid blow the competition away in a time trial last weekend who said he wasn't getting any data from his team during the last 20 minutes because the crowd noise was too loud.

Isn't it possible G rode out of his mind because he didn't have his digital boss?

Then there's little ol' me... I've been snagging some pretty good PRs and bigboy cups on my new bikes with my Wahoo stuffed in my back pocket... 'cuz I been too busy to procure a proper mount.

Could it be we kneel and heal too much?

I know for the last couple of years I've tossed the Wahoo in the back pocket for most of my races.  Going on feel and using my noggin and spirit as my guides.  It's gone pretty dern well.

What if it's overwhelming us to look down and see the HR is soaring over 180 and the watts screaming beyond 400?

Truth is... sometimes it just makes it all hurt that much more.  In the middle of all the wheezing and slobbering we look down see eyepopping data and just wanna quit.   

Maybe G was free to fly?

We'll never know, but I do know this kit makes me happy because it reminds me of all the freedoms we enjoy in this wonderful country. 

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic

It was designed by the everawesome Shelby a while back, and I like to rock it often.  I have a hunch I'm not alone...

... so, if ya order before end of day on Monday the 28th, and you use...

promo code:  PATRIOTIC

... then we're gonna throw in something special with your kit order.

Every dollar spent gets you an entry into -> Ultimate RaceDay Bag™ Giveaway

---

161.4 lbs
Stretch n Roll
8.25 hours sleep 
https://www.strava.com/activities/4112319687