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JUST BECAUSE IT'S FREE MEANS...

SO MUCH INFORMATION, and so much of it free.  Free is a weird price, because we know it's gonna cost time and there's probably...

... an ask down the road.

Don't be fooled.

Sometimes the really expensive stuff is great,
sometimes it's terrible.

Same for free.

Price is a signal.

Should we be swayed?

I recently got an offer to save 30% on a $6000 frame.

6K!!!...

... must be awesome.

Maybe.

But, how do we know?

Really?

The glossy magazine ad?

The pro riding it to a win?

It can be frustrating.

When it comes right down to it, most of us...

... are swayed by our friends' reviews.

Like these -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/reviews...

... which I'm extremely grateful for.

---

168.3
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
69

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

DOES YOUR DOG BITE?

THE GREAT INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU encounter with a dog is classic.  The dog is off leash, he asks Does your dog bite? The answer is, No.  He bends to pet the dog...

... only to have the dog viciously latch on to his hand!

I thought you said your dog does not bite?

That is not my dog.

I thought about that since Surfergirl has...

  • demanded
  • pleaded
  • asked

... that I let her track me on my rides.

I feel like a dog on a leash.

The Jason Bourne in me wants none of that.

There's nothing to hide,
when I ride.

But, really?

She does have a point.

I often venture into the wild.

Signs with warnings of mountain lions and snakes about.

Trails are often treacherous to the bike, 
and potentially me.

Humans few and far between.

If, if, if I should need a rescue,
which I never have...

... I'll just need two things.

A cell signal...

... and a friend who cares.

It's kinda romantic when ya think about it,
guess we're doing all right. 

---

168.2
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
69

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

HOW MY LITTLE PRACTICE LOOP TOOK ME DOWN

I SET OFF TO POUND MY PRACTICE LOOP.  The profile is jagged, lots of single track, and...

... I'm trying to crack 90 minutes.

Today's failure is why it's so important to practice racing.

Here's the dill.

This course is very hard to stay fueled on...

... almost impossible to drink, forget about eating.

Which meant I was tuckered out, with 4 miles to go.  The last 30ish minutes are pretty dern steep.

With about 20 minute warm up,
winging it on 1/2 bottle and 100 calories was a weak effort.

Just not enough.

Strava called a Massive Relative Effort, 
giving the workout a score of 192.

I'll try it again in a couple of weeks.

This time with 400 calories, 
and 30 ounces of water,
in a Camelbak.

There just isn't time to suck on a bottle,
the bladder hose is easy to grab,
and once in my mouth,
handsfree.

Ya can't figure that out without simulating what ya might be racing...

... in real world conditions.

---

169.1 lbs (dropping some of these will speed things up, too)
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
67

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

SPEED AND BRAKES, NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS

THERE'S A TECHNICAL, ROCKY SECTION on part of a local trail.  First-timers walk it, new riders use a slow approach, locals...

... let it rip.

They know something.

Speed makes it much easier to glide over the the treachery.

It's counterintuitive.

Disc brakes are the same way.

They rub.

We pry 'em apart and reinsert the wheel.

Soon into the ride they are rubbing again.

Why?

The pads are worn out.

You'd think they would stop touch the disc or barely work when running thin.

That's the way rim brakes work when the pads are worn down.

Not discs.

Counterintuitive.

Which why we alwaysalwaysalways check our brake pads before a race...

... so we hit the tricky stuff with speed.

---

167.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
66

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

DO YOU D.H.T.?

 WE MAY NOT BE PRO.  Our equipment may be lacking, our preparation woeful, our  focus far from singular...

... which makes it all the more impressive.

When we, you and me...

... Do Hard Things.

Just like the pros,
but on a whole other level.

They level up,
get a pay check.

Our objective has nothing to do with money, and...

... everything to do with commitment.

Here's the cool part.

People see it.

Our family, friends, work associates, neighbors, etc.

They get inspired.

Maybe not to ride 100 miles or run a marathon or do an Ironman.

Doesn't matter.

The ability to D.H.T. can be applied to anything...

  • changing diapers in the middle of the night
  • studying instead of clubbing
  • making 100 cold calls/day
  • working 80 hrs a week for a season
  • pushing a car off to the side of the road
  • leading volunteers to repair after a disaster strikes

... once we learn we have it within us.

---

169.1 lbs
8.5 hrs sleep
No strength work today
10 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
66

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

WE NEED A METRIC FOR THIS

THE FIRST TIME I SAW SHIMANO'S INTEGRATED SHIFTING, dubbed SIS, I knew there was no chance in a sprint without it.  Sure we'd perfected the lost of art of...

... sprinting, letting go of the handlebars with one hand to shift.

But, what was the point?

It was useless.

Shimano changed the game, all because...

... Gripshift had changed the game.

Gripshift morphed into SRAM.

Shimano gave us electric shifting.

SRAM did it better with wireless.

How is that my new Kindle got me thinking of this?

Simple.

Kindle changes the reading game.

Which got me thinking about another game changer, Training Peaks.

It's pretty cool.

All kinds of data.

But, one metric is missing and would...

... be so funny to have.

A measurement for how bad a ride sucks...

  • Freezing rain
  • Frying pan heat
  • Mile long hike-a-bike
  • Gail force headwinds
  • Countless mechanicals

... indicating our badassness for getting it done,
not quitting.

For example, we rolled the dice this morning on a 38% chance of rain.

No big deal, right?

3 hours in, we face another hour of driving headwind and relentless rain...

... the suckometer was needling past halfway.

  • Hands were edging towards inoperable.
  • Too wet and involved to eat carbs
  • Feet sloshing

Not terrible.

But, somewhere on the ride data it woulda been nice to see...

... the badassometer read out.

Just fer fun.

See where the day's suckiness ranked against other such rides over time.

Time to go back the Kindle...

... under the blankies.

Me still cold.

---

167.9 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
Just pull ups and push ups
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
67 

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?

 


>

LEARNING TO RIP FROM MARCH MADNESS

BALL AND STICK SPORTS are typically concerned with, and built around, offense and defense.  How do we...

... apply that thinking to our endurance addictitions?

Do we have offense?

Defense?

Yep.

Offense

  • Riding, running swimming time
  • Weight lifting
  • Racing and competitive group rides
  • Upgrading equipment - new, shiny stuff
  • Hiring a coach
  • Fine tuning the bike fit
  • Developing our handling skills

Defense

  • Recovery work
  • Sleep
  • Proper nutrition
  • Accountability partner(s)
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Stretching
  • Allies to work with when falling behind

And before you say I've misplaced one of those, we all know...

... the best defense is offense and visa versa.

That's not the point.

The point is to figure out...

... how to incorporate a great offense and defense in our limited time.

---

167.8 lbs
8.25 hrs sleep
Just pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
62

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

TWO OF LIFE'S MYSTERIES

THERE TWO MYSTERIES THAT SCIENCE can't explain.  AI doesn't have the answer, either. But's they are facts just the same.  For example...

... why do beginners get all the flats?

Riddle me that one LycraMan.

You know it's true.

You know if you invite a new, excitedtobethere, rider along, there's gonna be a flat.

Waywaywayway more often than the experienced riders will experience.

Makes no sense.

Just like why more bike shops don't have a comfy couch to wait for that...

.... just a few more minutes...

repair.

Maybe a coffee table showcasing

  • A colorful catalog of their favorite products
  • Samples of their go to sports drinks or things to chomp
  • Gotta have tools to check out

I was thinking of another mystery as I swapped out my worn disc brake pads...

... why more of us don't learn the basics of maintenance. 

---

168.7 lbs (the struggle is real)
8.25 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
63

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

THE PRIDE CYCLE QUEST

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT YOU'RE PROUD OF?  Could be anything, but let's stay on point with athletic endeavors because it's important...

... to harness this concept.

The Pride Cycle Quest.

It's also dangerous,
if we let it get the best of us.

For me, at least, it's all about the quest.

Can I do it?

And, it's a cycle...

  • Pick the outrageous result to chase
  • Train for it.
  • Do it.

... and pick another quest.

I don't really care if anybody else thinks it's cool,
so few understand us anyway.

It's internal.

Am I proud of that result?

It's only dangerous if we are chasing likes and kudos and cheers...

... from the world.

It's not about that.

It's about the quest.

It's personal.

I'm happiest when I have at least one per year.

That's my cycle of pride.

---

167.9 lbs 
7.25 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
62

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

CHASING GHOSTS

PATHS BECOME TRAILS, trails become roads, roads become highways.  It's evolution, and underneath it all are the ghosts...

... who got it started.

We think we're blazing a trail,
when we are really just going along with the crowd.

I was thinking about the day my longgone granpappy came to watch me race a criterium.

It was all new to me.

We wizzed past him every lap.

But, the laps were long...

... and he could barely see at that stage.

Afterwards, he told me how it was years before, when he was young.

I thought it would be in a velodrome and I'd be able to see you entire race.

Clueless me had no idea velodrome racing was the only bicycle racing 100 years ago.

Prior to that, it was racing bicycles long distance, on dusty...

... gravel roads.

In other words, we gone from...

  • gravel
  • to velodrome
  • to road
  • to bmx
  • to mtb
  • to gravel

... so why is gravel "new"?

It's not.

We're all just chasing ghosts who've gone before.

---

168 lbs 
8.25 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
62

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

THIS AIN'T NO TIME FOR FOOLING AROUND

WHAT IS THE BASELINE?  The minimum effort to do and consider the week a win?  It's important to have the least acceptable effort in mind...

... and make it happen.

Riding in the rain will make you think things like that.

Like, why the heck am I doing this?

Which is exactly what I was thinking as the skies opened an hour away from home.

Because I made a plan.

A public commitment.

Accountability.

Yesterday, in the sunshine and 72 degrees I committed to do the following this week:

  • 15 pull ups, 50 push ups, 10 squats daily
  • Ride 14 hours this week
  • Drop 3 lbs 

Easy to do when the weather is good, 
and the day lazy.

The public commit was to the RaceDay Rippers,
who also hold me accountable each week when we check in.

I'm two months out from my next quest, the SurfNSummit.

The plan is on my RaceDay Calendar. 

Some say Show me your calendar and I'll know what important to you...

... and yes, Date Night better be on there each week.

We have a few of the Giant RaceDay Calendars left, and you can save 25% since a quarter of the year is nearly past by using promo code:

CAL25OFF

https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-black-2024-giant-raceday-calendar

Here is the code:

CAL25OFF

Nod to the great Talking Heads for the inspiration

This is ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no time for foolin' around

---

168.9 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
59

Do you want to Rip On Raceday?


>

HOW TO STAY SLOW...

IT'S SUPER EASY TO STAY SLOW, and just as easy to stay fast.  To stay slow, do what your slow friends do and...

... expect to get fast.

The problem with actually getting fast,
nobody gives you credit.

For the most part, they can't see or appreciate, and will never know...

... how hard we work.

And, we've got to be okay with that.

To commence,
recognition be damned.

To be fast, do what you fast friends do...

... and expect to get fast.

Do.
Expect.

---

168.4 lbs 
7.5 hrs sleep
Push Ups and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
58

Rip On Raceday

 


>

WWDGD?! - 25 WEEKS TO GO

I FELT GOOD ENOUGH THIS WEEK TO DREAM of getting my fitness back and setting unrealistic goals.  Is there anything better than that?  Getting to a place to...

... dare to go for it.

After pushing hard for nearly 3 hours, we had a choice.

Take it easy or do the hurtful climb?

500' in a mile doesn't sound like much...

... unless it's the last climb of a fast day.

We were gonna skip it, and then Love Watts yelled...

... WWDGD!

Huh?

What Would David Goggins Do?!

There was no choice at that point, because all of us have streeeeeeeeetch goals this summer.

It was fine.

Slower than I'd like...

... but, compared to last week waywayway better.

And so the journey begins.

The countdown to Gravel Nationals.

Here's where I'm at.

You can see my fitness score at the very bottom.
Down from over 50%, 18 months ago.

Weight, 168ish.
Up 10 lbs, 18 months ago.

Vision is still messed up.
Way off from what I considered one of my few advantages racing off road.

Can I be ready September 8th, 2024?

It's gonna be fun, 
and frustrating.

WWDGD?

Go for it.

Every
single
freakin'
opportunity.

---

168.2 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
60

Rip On Raceday


>

WHEN THE RACE PLAN GOES TO HECK IN A HANDLEBAR

IT WAS A ROUGH START, things weren't going smoothly at all.  It was causing a lot of stress and internal turmoil.  Energy I'd hoped to reserve for...

... more important sections of the event.

Ayyyy, what to do?

What I always do... 

... but, forget to do.

Think of of the things going right...

  • I felt good
  • I'd started on time
  • My prep was perfect

... other words be grateful for the good.

My energy shifted.

I calmed down.

Focused on getting down to business.

Wound up having a spectacular day...

... at the office.

Tomorrow's race should go a lot better, and if it doesn't...

... I know what to do.

---

168.2 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery 
600 minutes reading + Journaling 
56

Rip On Raceday


>

YOU INSURED FOR THAT?

WELL, THE BILLS ARE COMING and I'm thinking about you and me.  For years I've looked at health insurance as lame. Struggled mentally, sometimes economically...

... to pay that everlarger bill.

Why?

I never get sick.

Rarely, and I mean rarely, do I see a doctor.

I'm already doing all they would recommend to get better...

  • eat good
  • skip sugar
  • get plenty of rest
  • and workout regularly

... why would I spend the $ on insurance?

It feels like I'm being duped.

Well, there are these events called...

... accidents.

They happen,
and are almost completely unplanned.

So, yeah, my bills are coming in and I'm happy as being at the to of the podium at my A race...

... 'cause it looks like almost all of it covered.

Sucks to be out 1000s...

... but, way better than being out 100s of thousands.

Just putting this out there 'cause I love you...

... get covered, if ya ain't.

====

Side Note:  has anybody tried insurance for bike like BikeInsure?  Asking for myself, just found out about 'em

---

167.2 lbs 
7.8 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
56

 


>

DO YOU LET POWER OR HR DETERMINE YOUR HARD VS EASY DAYS?

I HADN'T WORN MY HR MONITOR FOR DAYS.  It wasn't working consistently, so I left it parked in the drawer. Until today, I gave it a shot and it actually worked...

... it got me thinking about the levels of easy.

There's so easy...

  • I can barely feel the pedals
  • I can sing a song
  • I can easily talk
  • I am not sure

... and maybe a few more levels.

My goal today was to ride as close to the top of my Zone 2 as possible, without going over...

... the I'm not sure range.

I wasn't sure, because my heart rate was bouncing at the top of the range.  Meanwhile...

... my power was definitely over into a higher range quite often.

This is how I trained for decades, when I just had a HR monitor.

What's more important then...

... HR in Zone 2 or Power in Zone 2?

I'm gonna say, for me at least, HR is more important.  It is more reflective of how all systems are working given the effort and absorbs the little efforts when the terrain or other elements require a few more watts.

Here's a real world application.

When I'm racing something epic, like Leadville, I'm going off heart rate for my pacing, and using the power meter to keep things in check when I have to dig a little deeper to close a gap or clean a technical uphill section.

The reality is, for peak performance on the long efforts...

... it's good to have both.

If it's a short race, under an hour, well, you know...

... put the dadgum gadget in the back pocket and race on feel.

Same for a long day of adventuring, who cares about the data when we're out there.

Enjoy the ride.

We can analyze later.

---

168. lbs 
7.8 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
57

Rip On Raceday


>

SHOULD WE DO A HUNDRED RACES IN A YEAR?

YA WANNA GET GOOD, be a boss, strike fear in your frenemies, be the maker of things that happen...

... instead of wondering what happened?

Race.

A lot more.

100 times/year.

Think I'm crazy?

Think it's immmm po siiiiii ble?

Then don't do it.

Don't even try.

Keep wonderin',
misreading the moves.

Or, commit.

Do:

  • 2 zwifties 
  • 2 local races
  • 2 group rides 
  • 2 of your own personal courses for PR

We all have 52 chances a year,
to race twice a week.

No excuses.
Nothing but upside.

Heck, even a brain-damaged guy like me can do it.  

This week...

  • hammering my xc race loop Tuesday
  • group ride on weekend

... slaying myself today, getting crushed by the fellas Saturday.

Gotta start somewhere.
Gonna do what hurts and what I'm comfortable with.

Twice a week.

Oh... I know you're askin'...

... Why 100 times a year?

Because, every race is different.  

We'll see a lot of different situations.  

We're trying to see 'em all, or have a reallyreallyreally good feel for what is going to happen.

Simple as that.

Experience counts.

Get some.

It's free.

---

168.6 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
55

Are you ready to Rip On Raceday?


>

NOT GONNA LIE

WHEN I FINALLY CAME TO, I had one thing on my mind.  Not after first being knocked out, not after the morphine and other meds wore off, days after being home...

... I wanted to say one thing.

Not gonna lie.

I was hurting.

Stunned.

How could my crazy good health take such a drastic turn in seconds...

... this wasn't what I had planned for 2024.

8 weeks later, I'm improving.

I'd leave it there, but...

... not gonna lie.

I'm nowhere near where I was just prior, nor 12 months ago, nor 2 years ago.

I'm off.

I can work 4-5 hours,
then my brain needs a break.

I can ride my bike,
but I have no power,
off-road vision is shift.

I can talk to friends,
until I can't.

Something even more weird happened though.

Something few will admit or acknowledge or maybe even notice...

... when I took that blow to the noggin' it felt like my spirit left my body.

There's a disconnectedness.

I know things aren't quite right.

Will they return or is life just going to be different?

Not gonna lie...

... this is new territory.

Now, I'm being as honest and transparent as possible in all I do.

My friend battling cancer taught me that,
the freedom of being honest.

Yes, I hid it from Surfergirl that on one of my first bike rides alone I was going down the road and thought I saw 4 ducks crossing the road in front of me...

... it was just two,
that's troubling.

Not gonna lie.

I kept riding.

Lying to myself it was all good,
hiding the truth if asked.

What is easier, being honest with ourselves and those around us or pulling the lycra over our eyes and theirs?

To remind myself of my new commitment...

... I made a special kit, see above.

That's the kind of thing I was looking forward to in 2024.

New designs, 
new patterns,
new fabrics.

The good newsy stuff.

If you're into the rawness of honesty, maybe you'll like this too.

It's patterned after one of my all-time favorite Porsche's.

Check the full kit here:  https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ngl-collection

Use this promo code on this kit to save 30%: NGL30

Code expires on 3.15.24.

---

168.6 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
54

Rip On Raceday

 


>

HE SWITCHED TEAM, AND IT...

TODAY AN AMERICAN WON PARIS-NICE, an 8-Day stage race in France.  A youngun, 25 years old.  He'd never done it before, and wasn't picked as a favorite...

... except he picked himself.

A long time ago.

When riding for a less professional, less scientific team he was spending his own cash on equipment and training to up his game.

Something the top teams covered and pursued relentlessly.

He jumped at the chance to upgrade to the current dominant force in European road racing this season.

Would it matter?

I'd say it is clear.

What's interesting is how many of are trapped like a monkey...

... failing to let go, when we know we should.

Not only did he upgrade his team and training, but placed a huge bet on himself in a daring and startling breakaway with fellow US racer Brandon McNulty.

When you are a pro...

... winning actually is everything.

Way to go Mateo Jorgenson.

---

168.4 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
20 minutes reading + Journaling 
53

Rip On Raceday



 


>

HOW TO GET FASTER FOR DUMMIES

APPARENTLY, LOVE WATTS FORGOT our commitment to go easy on the way up the coast.  Which meant we had time to do the biggest climb I've done this year...

... 2 hours and 2000' of climbing for our "warm up".

At the usual time, riders flocked in and we were off.

It felt good to do my first group ride of the year...

  • to see the guys
  • get whooshed along
  • and see some higher power numbers

... until the first overpass.

Where I was off the back.

Caught on at a light.

Off again.

On again.

My breathing and wheezing needed a muffler.

On the next power climb, normally 2ish minutes...

... I needed an extra minute or three.

They were gone.

Yeah, they are nowhere near as fast as I am...

... they're a heckuvalot faster.

Am I good with that?

Yeah, they've always been faster than lit'l ol' me.

Now I just need patience to close the gap to where...

... they are less faster.

So, here's the plan that I've used many a year...

... pick a spot beyond where I got popped today.

Make it just a little further each week.

Corner by corner,
Hill by hill.

Progress > Perfection

--- 

167.6 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
54

 


>

IT WAS ABOUT THE TRUTH, NOT ARMS RACE

I HATE TIMETRIALS.  I mean, I like 'em, but, yeah, I hate 'em.  It's not because I'm not great at 'em, and trust me I'm not.  It's because...

... they hurt so dang bad.

Not only that, it's...

  • lonely
  • painful
  • humbling

... is there anything more truthful than getting passed by your minute man?

No drafting.
No wily cunning.

Nothing matters except...

... who is the strongest,
and who can suffer the most.

Oh, wait, one more thing matters...

... who's got the most money to afford the most advanced gear.

When everything tiny thing adds time and seconds matter...

... it can turn into an arms race.

I'm okay with that to a point.

Butttttttttt, don't ya think participation would rise...

... if we raced Merckx-style?

At least at the amateur level?

On our road bikes vs tt bikes?
With road helmets?
And "normal" road wheels?
And... you get the point right?

As much as I hate/love a tt, I truly appreciated Tucson Bicycle Classic for making their tt be done on road bikes the last to years.

It's just a lot more fair/approachable/inviting...

... and equally miserable for all.

That's the truth.

Side note:  I think I love XC MTB racing because it's basically a mass start time trial.  The terrain naturally and quickly separates us.  

--- 

168.4 lbs 
8.5 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 
51

 

 


>

WERE YOU AS DORKY AS THIS?

WHEN I WAS JUST GETTING INTO THE SPORT, I was such a dork.  A small percentage of you will disagree, maybe even swear at me, but nothing says...

... stay clear, like a mirror.

I know, I know, some of us are damaged and can't look over our shoulders.

Too stiff,
crap balance.

I was neither of those.

I was a spry young newb.

Excited to ride and race.

And my girlfriend of the time wanted to get me something cool.

I quickly mounted the mirror to the end of my handlebar - see pic above.

I thought it was rad.

Perfect for the high speeds and shoulder banging of crit racing,
which I loved.

Rather than turn my head and telegraph my plans,
I could take a peek at my mirror.

Nobody else thought it was cool...

... and they made an obnoxious and clear point of it.

If my hairy legs,
questionable bike handling,
roadrashed arms and legs weren't a give away...

... the mirror, made it clear.

I was not to be trusted in the bunch.

Here's the dill.

They were right.

Because let's face it, anybody focused on the past...

... doesn't have a shot at a winning future.

--- 

167.8 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
50


>

I DON'T ALWAYS RIDE IN THE RAIN...

I COULD SEE THE STORM BREWING.  Like a crazy fool, I rolled out anyway even though I was certain to...

... get caught in the rain.

Trust me, I am a fair weather rider.

Gimme 70 degrees,
and a lite breeze.

So why ride?

Two reasons.

One embarrassing.
One legit...

  • Poorly executed work day
  • It rains on raceday
  • Commitment

Yeah, I had all this work scheduled and a timeline to follow....

... and, well, ya know, things didn't go as planned.

That's 1.

Since it does rain on raceday, and I've never let that stop me from lining up...

... it's good to practice from time to time.

That's 2.

And I committed to myself to get my slothful self back in shape.

That's 3, a bonus.

So which one's embarrassing?

  • crap planning
  • useless prep
  • silly commitment

Well, I dunno about you...

... but, I'm cool with

  • keeping my commitments,
  • being prepared for all conditions,
  • even when things don't go as planned.

--- 

167.4 lbs 
7ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
50

 


>

IT FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME!

I WOULD CLIMB ANY MOUNTAIN, ride across the stormy sky.  It seemed like I'd waited a lifetime, spent so much time in recovery...

... it felt like the first time!

The MTB.

Like it never did before,
like I'd opened up the door.

Finally!

What is it?

I guess it's just the rawness of nature,
bringing out the rider in me.

Dawgawn I'd missed it.

Carving turns,
wiggling up technical sections,
brushing the thistles,
hanging my lycra off the back in the steeps.

Why today?

Well, to be honest, today was a breakthrough on my vision.

The double-vision I've been dealing with was greatly diminished.

Partly time.
Partly exercises for my eyes.

One of you loyal readers,
one of us,
took the time to share with me a gift for everyone.

Tools for increasing our eyesight,
the kind we need to quickly assess the best way to rip it up off road (on road, too).

You can check the tool out here: https://www.readbetweenthelions.org.  Go to the K-12 program.

It's free.

Thanks Rick!

Makes me wonder what else we can learn from each other?

Speak up y'all!

Let's get betterfasterstronger...

... together.

Have you checked out https://pedalindustries.com/pages/rip-on-raceday-network?

(yeah, this post is a nod to Foreigner)

--- 

168.2 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

WHADAYA THINK OF UNDULATING TERRAIN?

WE HAVE SOME WEIRD LINGO.  Have you ever heard any body, ever, use the phrase undulating terrain?  Why would they?  When you're motor-powered...

... who cares about the terrain!

Human-powered,
totally different story.

Every bump in the road and trail counts.

The longer we're out there,
the more it counts.

Sooooooooo...

... whadaya think of undulating terrain?

Do you love it?

Or, do you prefer...

  • flat
  • downhill
  • tailwinds
  • straight up
  • headwinds

... lots choices when we roll out.

Me?

Well.

There are times when I'd give my chamois pad for a flat road with a tailwind.

Days when I feel so amazing I just wanna climb and climb and climb.

But, faced with a choice...

... give me undulating.

Ups.
Downs.
Lots a turns.

That's the ride I choose.

--- 

169.2 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

ACTION WINS EVERY TIME

WHY WAS IT SO MIND BLOWING?  Yesterday's Strade Bianchi race was so shocking to me.  Because, to me, all the pundits...

... missed the point.

Sure, the favorite won.

This was the inspiring part...

  • he told everybody where he'd attack in advance of the race
  • made a decisive attack 81 km from the finish
  • never looked back
  • and won

... who wouldn't want to be able to do that?

What blew my mind 
was what the talking heads missed.

This athlete,
is a racer of action.

He had a plan,
and went for it.

Could it have failed?
Most definitely.

Could he have looked foolish?
For sure.

Could he have lost the race outright?
Absolutely.

Did he?
No.

Because he took action.

You miss 100% of shots you don't take.
- Wayne Gretzky

--- 

167.2 lbs 
9 hrs sleep
No strength work today.
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

QUESTION: IS THIS A HIGH DEMAND SPORT?

I WAS LISTENING TO SOME GUYS ARGUE about whether or not was their religion was high demand, and it got me thinking is ours?  Are endurance sports...

... high demand?

Yes.
No.

For me, and maybe for you, too...

... its high demand.

Just consider...

  • Training
  • Fueling
  • Resting

... these are the biggies.

They are priceless,
in a sense.

Which is why the are so easy to screw up,
and so misunderstood by lookers on.

We can't put...

  • Training time
  • Good fueling choices
  • Proper sleep and recovery

... on a credit card.

We've got to demand it from ourselves...

... but, is it really demanding when we love the results?

--- 

166.2 lbs 
7 hrs sleep
No strength work today.
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
48


>

THE UNCORKED ZONE

 

IF YOU'RE INTO HOT RODS, then you know what uncorked means.  In simple terms, all that junk that keeps the exhaust quiet and lawful is chucked...

... giving us that ultra loud and mean sound.

We have that racing and training, too.

And, if we're smart, we only hit it every so often.

You know what I'm talking about, right?

Zone 2 is corked.

  • easy to breathe
  • talk while riding
  • and go forever.

Today was not Zone 2.
I was uncorked, a bit.

Allowing myself for the first time in 2 months to stretch the legs was amazing.

The accompanying wheezing and gasping for air…

… I don’t know if it was hot rod mean, but it was loud.

Hadn’t heard that in too long…

… ain’t gonna hear for 5 or so days.

Time to add some intensity the smart way.

Polarized.

If ya wanna solid refresher on this approach,
take a listen to this: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-fast-podcast-triathlon-ironman-cycling-coaching/id1400770015?i=1000596124366

Simply, 80-90% of our training should sound like a Tesla...

... cruising through the neighborhood.

That way we are fresh and ready to get after it like the pic above.

Let the rubber...

...  burn, baby burn.

--- 

166.9 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
No strength work today.
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
56

 


>

RESULTS DON'T MEAN SHIFT

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ON THE JOURNEY, but I can tell ya this: whether you're just starting out, coming back from injury, at the top of your game, you're gonna fail...

... if results count.

Trust me on this.

I'm rebuilding.

My fitness is shift.
the skills, off.

I've been at the top and the bottom and there is one reason I was able to climb to max fitness and performance...

... I don't care about results.

I mean I do,
but they aren't the motivator.

Optimizing my ability,
having a blast.

Way more important.

Results are nice.

If they are everything... 

... quitting, giving up, and failure is on the horizon.

Don't let that happen.

How?

Relax.

We can't see...

... the great results in the making.

They're coming.

Guaranfreakingteed.

--- 

166.9 lbs 
8 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
57 


>

ARE WE REALLY DOING THIS?

FOSTER GRANTS ASKED ME Are we really doing this? What kinda question is that...

... Dern straight we're doing it!

Was he hoping we weren't?

Was he doubtful we could do it?

By we, I mainly mean me.

Could you?

I mean, we're gonna have a brain damaged grampa who's been off the bike for months do it...

... can you keep up?

Finish?

What's he referring to?

Oh, just the most life changing ride in Southern California...

  • 100+ miles
  • 15,000+' of vertical gain

... some might consider it hard.

Others a challenge.

Most an adventure of a lifetime.

So, if you wanna support the old sack a lycra,
if outrageous calls to your soul...

... sign up.

It's free.
and fun.

Click here for deets and pics.

--- 

167.4 lbs (safe to say, it's time to get seriouser)
9 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
57 

Rip On Raceday

 


>

HOW NOT WHAT

LEARNING TO RIDE A BIKE is filled with excitement, fear, and lots of scrapes and bruises.  We press through because everyone we see on a bike...

... has a great big smile.

We want that,
the teacher wants it for us.

Finally we get it.

And, at least in my case, it stopped there.

Hall-ah-freakin-lu-yah!

What
and when
and who with

... were left up to me.

I'll be forever grateful for learning how...

... and the freedom to do it my way.

--- 

168.2 lbs (safe to say, it's time to get seriouser)
8ish hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 
56 

Rip On Raceday


>

YOU DON'T NEED AN ALARM CLOCK TO WAKE UP, YOU NEED...

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES I HAVE with our local morning group ride is that it starts at 6:30am.  If it was out my front door...

... not that hard.

It's not.

Takes me 50ish minutes to ride to the start,
which means I'm up at 5am.

Also...

... not that hard.

However, getting to bed at 9...

... is not my standard.

I'm more of a 930-10pm guy.

Therefore, if I don't hit the hay early...

... I'm foggy, at best, the rest of day.

Plus, slower on the bike.

Oh, there's a long list of shift that results from lack of sleep.

What's an athlete to do?

Before I tell, 
you are forewarned...

... this won't make you popular.

You might lose touch with friends, 
or lose them altogether.

We all have a choice...

... live our best lives or live a lower version.

This allows to tap into our superpower...

... set you alarm clock for bedtime.

Every.
Single.
Night.

Or suffer the consequences:

  • Inhibited ability to perform
  • Decreased handling skills
  • Quicker exhaustion
  • Decreased reaction time
  • Difficulty learning and decision making
  • Increased risk of injury
  • Increased risk for illness
  • Poor recovery
  • Memory issues
  • Weight gain
  • Poor balance
  • ... Low sex drive

Like I said,
it might be socially unpopular but...

... wouldn't you rather operate at your optimum?

I would.

---

166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, squats, presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

MILEMARKERS FOR DUMMIES

ONE OF THE KEYS TO RIPPING LONG RACES is remembering where you are.  Yeah, you're racing.  Yeah, you're clicking off the miles.  But...

... where the heck are you?

And, there's more than that.

  • Are you on track?
  • When is the next stop?
  • Does your support know when to expect you?

So, I always write down on a piece of tape with a sharpie my goals to be at certain locations at certain times...

... and stick it on my top tube.

This keeps all of us coordinate.

More importantly,
it keeps me focused.

The long races, 6+ hours, can be grueling.
They can wear us down to the point...

... of forgetting why we even signed up in the first place.

Looking down at the humble piece of tape,
seeing my goals...

  • engages my mind
  • re-centers my effort
  • keeps me on the pace

... snaps me back to the present moment.

I don't just use this practice for racing...

... I write down everything I plan to do,
and when I plan to have it done.

---

166.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No strength work
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

IS IT HABIT OR RITUAL?

THE SATURDAY MORNING RIDE.  We work all week, and with a little planning and luck we carve out some time to ride.  In the beginning...

... it takes some discipline.

Not the riding.

The commitment.

We are working to establish a habit.
For the most part, a good one.

But, that changes over time.

It becomes a ritual.

  • A set time to leave
  • An expected amount of time to be gone
  • The proper dress code observed
  • A dedicated place to meet
  • A consistent slaying of trails, gravel, pavement
  • A flogging of the sinners who are not as fit as they shouldcould be.

Yep, this is our ritual.
Our practice.
Our faith.

We made the jump.

We are far beyond
discipline and habit.

---

166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
12-0 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

WHAT DOES AI SAY ABOUT TRAINING METHODS USED 100 YEARS AGO?

I PINGED CHAT GTP AND SEVERAL OTHER AI regarding training methods of Belgians 100 years ago.  Why not?  A lot of knowledge is refined, regurgitated or plain ol' forgotten...

... maybe there's something to be rediscovered?

Oddly?
or, maybe not.

The answers across the AI were eerily similar.

I say eerily because who wants to live in a silo?

Anyway, 
here's the bottom line:

It’s important to note that these training methods were not as scientific or structured as they are today. Cyclists often relied on their own experience and intuition to guide their training. However, despite the lack of modern technology and scientific understanding, many Belgian cyclists were able to achieve impressive results using these methods.

Shocking!
I mean, shocking?

When it comes right down to it, is there anything better than...

... relying on our own experience and intuition to guide our training?

I don't think so.

Not when were really into it,
when we really know our bodies.

Me, for instance, I'm rebuilding my fitness.

I realized what a distraction it is to look at the data pouring across my little Wahoo screen.

  • Maybe I should put out more power?
  • Gosh, my heart rate is ____!
  • I've only gone X miles?

So, I fire up the Wahoo,
put it in my jersey pocket.

Time to ride on just experience and intuition...

... same thing I do when racing.

---

166.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

THE MOST HUMBLING RACE OF MY LFE

MY PAL PETE AND I DECIDED WE WERE REALLY FIT and that we could do anything with just a hint of training.  Racing bikes was kina ho-hum...

... so we signed up for a 10k running race.

We were so arrogant,
we rode our bikes 15 miles to the start.

We lined up in the back, 
because, you know, we were going to
squash these runners.

Gun goes off.

We quickly move forward.

Up to the top 50-100.

Really running.
Hard.

Suddenly, I notice I'm breathing way too loud.

Uh-oh.

My legs hurt,
my hips hurt,
everything hurts.

And, I'm moving backwards quickly.

Chubby guy cruises by.

Oldish lady...

... did she elbow me out of the way?

Kids are skipping and laughing and disappearing up the road.

But, it was the guy in flip flops who said...

... Hang in there, only 3 more miles...

... that really did me in.

Here's the dill.

On the outside, at the start,
looking at these racers,
I would have bet $10,000 on me and Pete.

Looking at competitors is a poor way to pass judgement...

... it's the inside, the heart, that counts.

 ---

166.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

I KNOW YOU'RE NOT A LOSER LIKE THIS CAT

I was going to post this and then I went for a ride and decided it was too mean, whadaya think?... 

THERE ARE THREE MAIN THINGS LOSERS DO.  I say losers, in this case, meaning they are literally losing out.  If they persist, then, yeah...

... the other kind.

It always surprises me when people make these very basic mistakes.

Even if they are new, 
I find it,
perplexing.

I think you do, too.

Because, for us,
it's just second nature.

Probably because we have learned the hard way.

Not only that, we try and pass this basic knowledge along to every new rider we can.

Still, they...

  • Forget gear when going to a ride or race
  • Completely foul up their nutrition and bonk
  • Neglect the bike prep only to have mechanical difficulty

... and, we shake our heads.

They are losing out on a more excellent ride.

We deal with it,
they are our friends.

However, if it persists one of two things is gonna happen...

  • We don't invite them any more
  • We leave them behind

... because, well, you know they are....

How's that for setting up a shameless plug on why we do what we do?

  • The RaceDay Bag™ has a built in checklist to make sure we bring everything
  • It comes with a RaceDay Bike Check List, too, so bike is properly prepped
  • And an insane Never Forget Anything guarantee.

... that way my friends are always invited,
and never left behind.

 ---

166.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

I USED TO LOVE RAINY DAYS

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN RAINY DAYS were awesome.  Mostly, around here, it meant nobody was riding.  Not me, not anybody else.  Which was perfect...

... if I couldn't ride anyway.

You see the selfishness right?

If I can't ride,
I'm stoked you can't either.

It means nobody is getting in the secret miles.

But, that's hardly true these days.

It's not the trainers,
those have been around forever.

It's the virtual racing,
that is a game changer.

In fact, I know plenty of people who do a fair amount of their riding virtually.

  • It's available 24-7
  • Not hampered by weather
  • All the social connections of a group ride (with right equipment).

Can you blame them?

I can't.

But, I still blame the weather for my own lack of getting it done.

 ---

166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

CODDLED VS THROTTLED?

YEAH, THE RECOVER IS GOING PRETTY GOOD.  Spoke to my neuroscientist pal, who confirmed my suspicions.  It's good news for me...

... is it good news for you?

Well, yeah, if you taking the Rip On RaceDay 30-Day Challenge.

If you're not, then sit up and pay attention.

Here's what he said.

You're probably doing so well because...

  • you're exercising every day
  • not eating bread
  • staying away from grains
  • not drinking diet drinks or artificial sweeteners
  • eating plenty of veggies and protein
  • getting outside in the sunshine
  • lifting weights
  • getting plenty of sleep, 9-10 or more hours

... right?

I sheepishly said Yes.

Which was mostly true.

But, I gotta cut out all grains and all bread, even my beloved chips and salsa and special sour dough bread.  I've backslid on the diet drinks, those gotta go.  Other than that, I'm mostly on track.

Main thing I need to add is a lot more fish oil.  
Not a problem, I love sardines.

in other words, it's time to practice ALL that I preach.

So, how're you doing?  Yes, you my loyal reader.  How. Are. You. Doing?

Could you tighten things up a bit?

Or, do you need a serious crack in the head like I got to up your game?

Which brings me back to the title of this post, Coddled vs. Throttled?

Here's the dill, for me...

... I prefer to be throttled.

Put me on a ridiculously difficult course, in with the heavy hitters, tell me the honesttogosh truth...

... make me suffer!

Then, and only then, I might merit some coddling.

Maybe it's time for a serious challenge...

... and little coddling 30 days later?

Rip On RaceDay 30-Day Challenge

 ---

165.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUPs, Split Squats, Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

I WONDER IF GIRLS DO THIS?

FOR THE MOST PART, we are a healthy lot.  We skip cigars, pass up the bars.  Well, then, where's a cyclist to go to share our struggles, solve our problems...

... shoot the shift?

Dudes,
we ride together...

... and we share, solve and shoot.

That's where we get it done.

What about the lady riders?

Where are they bonding and supporting?

There are so few of them, 
mostly they ride with guys...

... don't think I've ever see an all, or mostly, female group ride.

Is that why so few ladies ride, compared to men?

Are they missing what the guys are getting?

Is that the main reason guys ride?

 ---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

Are You Ready For A Hero's Journey?

I DID A POLE OF THE RACEDAY RIPPERS.  I asked them If they had to pick just one bike what would it be?  They had 4 options to pick from.  What would you answer be...

... you need the options first.

Here they are:

  • Road
  • MTB
  • Gravel
  • One of Each (acceptable though hard to explain to family and friends)

It came down to a tie between two options, evenly split.

33% for each.

Gravel and One of Each.

Why?

Well, what would your choice be?

Back to Why?

I think it comes down the basic human nature...

... we want to go on a journey.

Not just any journey.

One where we are heroic,
in our own minds at least.

That, I think, is the true appeal of "gravel" (such a dumb name)...

... the appeal of a bike that can handle mixed surfaces.

On that type of bike we have incredible freedom combined with the high likelihood of finding ourselves...

... in place far, far away from our predictable existence.

With luck we'll...

  • Shed some blood without breaking bones.
  • Find out we can do much more than we thought.
  • Gain new confidence, skill, and special experience.

... acquire our own superpowers.

Is it any wonder these bikes and events with mixed surfaces are exploding?

 ---

164.8 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

WHAT TO ASK A PROSPECTIVE COACH

THINKING OF GETTING A COACH?  Good.  You can get better faster by learning from an expert.  Be it a book, a video, a podcast.  Only a human can...

... answer this question.

The answer will instantly tell you if this relationship is gonna work out.

After small talk, after the coach's spiel, when the conversation stalls...

... ask this:

If we were meeting 3 years from now, looking back, what has to happen for you to be happy with my progress?

Trust me, conversation is gonna stay stalled.

Don't say a thing.

Wait for the answer.

Listen to what is said.

Ask yourself...

... Is this the kind of person I want to have a relationship with?

That's it.

I've used the question many times over the years, usually when hiring somebody.  There are lots of variations.

It works.

Learned it from the great Dan Sullivan.

---

162.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
150 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

How To Build Volume 101

IMAGINE YOU'RE STARTING FROM ZERO.  How do you build volume? Are there rules of thumb?  When do you introduce intensity?  Does it matter?...

... can you wing it?

Good questions.

Short answers:

  • Build volume as fast as you can, which isn't going to be very fast if you are starting from zero.
  • There are no rules of thumb, it's ruled by legs and lungs.  Do what you can.
  • Introduce intensity as soon as you want, it ain't going to be much.
  • Yes, it matters.

Long answer.

There are a number of good books on the subject.  Anything by Joe Friel will give you a good plan.  

You don't need a power meter, mainly because you're will not be putting out much power early on.  

But, you do need a heart rate monitor.

In the beginning of the first rides, the heart rate monitor will be exciting.  Then after a few miles, it will dim.  Reality will set in as that heart rate gets lower and lower because you have no stamina built up.  After a few weeks or months, the HR monitor will serve as a governor...

... holding you back.

This is good.

Because if you're tired, you can't do intensity properly.

Introduce the intensity one day per week.  

Don't look at the HR monitor too much, instead get after it.  Could be a group ride you want to desperately hang on to, a Zwift session with same obsession, or simply chasing that mystical PR you want to breatk.

Check the HR data when the ride is over.

Important answer:

  • Pick an event far in the future - you need time.
  • Set an insane goal.
  • Get registered.

Nothing exceptional will come with your training without a date with destiny...

... that's paid for!

---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

Do I Really Love It This Much?

SO, IT'S GONNA WIND UP BEING 8 WEEKS OFF THE BIKE since the noggin took a hit.  If I do the ol' traditional math, that's 8 X 3 (weeks to get back the fitness for every 1 week off the bike)...

... 24 weeks, errrr 6 months?

That's hella long time.

The big question is...

... do I love it that much?

And by it, I do not mean the obvious...

... riding my bike.

I mean being in shape and the...

... feeling of being fast.

If I'm being honest, and I always am with you...

... I've forgotten what that feels like.

Surfgirl said Let's go on a ride today...

... and I jumped at the chance to ride with her support.

How'd it go?

Well, even though I was on my MTB...

... I still easily dropped her.

Nothing new there.

What was new was how hard I had to work to catch her,
huffing and puffing and legs burning...

... at a pace I recall doing for hours, endlessly.

This time it was for about 2 minutes.

Was I surprised?
Disappointed?

Let's just say I laughed out loud when I saw what Training Peaks was showing for my fitness.

37.

Yep, nearly 100 points lower than my all time max fitness just 18 months ago.

Lesson:  fitness disappears, fast.

Lesson:  I'm gonna bring it back, patiently (not my superpower, but a lesson to learn).

Who's in?

---

164.8lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

TOP REASONS NOT TO LIFT WEIGHTS

THERE IS A LOT OF BANTER about weight training.  We should do it in the off-season, shy away from in the race season.  Frankly...

... I couldn't disagree more.

Weight training is for those who want:

  • stronger bones
  • to build muscle
  • put out more power
  • improved core strength
  • better grip strength

Who want's that?

Year round?

Oh,
well,
me.

You?

Top 3 exercises we should all be doing?

Takes just a few minutes to do a set.

Very little equipment needed: pull up bar, some dumbbells...

... or skip the minor investment.

  • have weak bones
  • look like a T-Rex
  • less power
  • weaker core
  • pathetic grip

It's your body...

... and I'm just a dude, not a doctor!

 ---

164.8lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

CONFIDENCE, WHO'S RESPONSIBILITY IS IT ANYWAY?

IN GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH THE LATEST BREAKING CYCLNG NEWS, I saw an article title and it's bugged me ever since.  Maybe I'm heartless, from a different generation...

... or maybe this guy is just weak.

The title of the article is, They Lost Faith In Me.

Honestly, I can't believe I even bothered to read it.

But, after a week of it percolating as a top article...

... it got me like a slow moving train wreck.

As expected, featured racer blamed his lack of success on the team losing faith in him.

Bro, it's not the team's job to have faith in you.
They are paying you.
Faith is there.

That's my first reaction.

Bro, them's fighting words.
Now go prove 'em wrong.
Create the failth.

Earn it.

That's my second reaction.

What happened to good ol'...

... if it's to be, it's up to me!?

Or... 

... fake it, 'till ya make it!?

In the end, I couldn't decide if I should feel sorry for a grown man having such a pathetic excuse...

... or be ticked off that such lameness made the front page.

Bottom line,
like it or not...

... it's our responsibility to be confident,
and to infect all those around us with such assuredness.

Life,
racing,
everything...

... is more fun, and, oh, ah, successful!

 ---

162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

WHAT HAPPENS IN SIN CITY...

THERE ARE SINS, and then there are things we personally consider sins.  Either way, 'Vegas promise that what happens in 'Vegas stays in 'Vegas...

... is a big fat lie.

Not a big deal.

We are only letting ourselves,
and those we committed to...

... down.

For example, the second Friday in January is known as Quitter's Day because by then...

... most people have thrown in the towel on their resolutions.

Like I said, 
not a big deal...

... unless you want to
improve,
make changes,
stay true to what matters.

If that's on the line,
we can't afford to sin,
and if we do we've got to...

... repent right away, 
and keep moving forward.

So,
how are those resolutions doing?

I had two:

  • Get to bed around 9,
    start day before 6.
  • Get back to race weight,
    under 163.

The only reason I'm mostly on track is due to putting myself in the hospital on Jan 8th...

  • appetite disappeared
  • needed a lot more sleep

... otherwise, I'd be struggling.

Which is better than quitting.
A lot better.

Struggling,
good.
Repenting,
good.
Never quitting,
Best.

Keep up the good fight.

 ---

162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

THE RACERS CREED

WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT, we stand for a few things.  And, it matters.  Because this is...

... how we roll.

The Racer's Creed

  • Access to bicycles - and anything that makes you stronger and better - should be unlimited.
  • Always yield to the In Real Life Imperative.
  • All racing should be free.
  • Mistrust tradition, government recommendations - promote bro-science.
  • Racers should be judged by their racing, not by bogus criteria like KOMs, USAC Category, age, color or gender.
  • You can be free and forever young on a bicycle.
  • Bicycles change your life for the better.

Agree or Disagree?
Lemmeknow.

 ---

165.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups, presses, squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

IT AIN'T EVERY DAY YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THIS

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED RIDING?  For most of us, it was a magical time.  Each ride a little further, a little faster.  Each effort...

... a little easier.

No wonder we got hooked.

Still, 
some wonder off.

Is it because the day comes when going further, faster, with less effort is no longer predictable?

Shoot, forget predictable...

... sometimes those days have months between them.

Even years.

I can tell you this, as I impatiently wait for clearance to get back on my bike and start riding again...

... knowing I'll get better every ride keeps me hanging on.

Can you relate?

 ---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups, presses, squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

 


>

IT'S SO MIXED UP

ROAD BIKES use road tires.  Most of us find a favorite, and that's what we run day, night, rain, shine.  For MTB, it's basically the same formula.  Find a tire we like, run it regardless.  For gravel...

... ugh.

First off, gravel ain't just gravel.

It's gravel and asphalt and single track and rocky terrain.

So, a gravel tire needs to be fast on asphalt, tacky on gravel turns, nimble on techy stuff and rugged on the rockies.

What's the ol' saying?

There's fast, cheap and quality...

... you can only pick two.

But, we're racing.

We want fast, light and rugged...

... and we want all three.

Not gonna happen.

Me?

I'll take fast and light, banking on my handling skills to get me safely through the rugged stuff.

Is that enough?

Probably not.

If it really matters, 
gotta pre-run the course,
then pick the very best option...

... not easy,
but, that's what make it fun. 

 ---

164.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups & squats
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

I’M LEAVING

Aug 31, 2017 Todd Brown

WHEN I PACK FOR A CYCLING TRIP, I pack for 2. Me, and me. Human me, and cycling me. Tomorrow I head to Utah for the big race.  Currently, it’s 9:21pm, and I want to leave at 5am.  I’m not sure why I don’t have a master list for big trips.  They’re all different, so..

WHEN I PACK FOR A CYCLING TRIP, I pack for 2.

Me, and me.

Human me, and cycling me.

Tomorrow I head to Utah for the big race.  Currently, it’s 9:21pm, and I want to leave at 5am.  I’m not sure why I don’t have a master list for big trips.  They’re all different, so that’s probably part of it.  Sometimes I just like the mini-drama of getting ready.

For sure, I need:

Kits

Tools

Socks

Race food.

Vitamins.

Snacks for the road.

Winter clothes – the race is at high altitude.

A cooler, chairs, and flags for my crew.

Swimsuit

Pack it all tonight.

Wake up.

Load bikes.

Hit road.

… I’ll remember everything – hopefully before I leave.

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ALL I SEE IS RED

Aug 30, 2017 Todd Brown

LA VUELTA IS MY VERY MOST FAVORITEST grand tour of the year – always.  It’s 21 days, but it’s usually 21 chaotic days.  It may not have all the star appeal of Le Tour, but it always has future stars.  Do good at La Vuelta, you get a shot at the biggest races.  Most guys..

LA VUELTA IS MY VERY MOST FAVORITEST grand tour of the year – always.  It’s 21 days, but it’s usually 21 chaotic days.  It may not have all the star appeal of Le Tour, but it always has future stars.  Do good at La Vuelta, you get a shot at the biggest races.  Most guys are a bit tired, but some have come off an early season crash and come in rested.

Mix all that up and you get unpredictable racing.

Sure Sir Froome is doing his best to feign drama, but in the end he’ll make it boring… the race for 1st.  Who cares though?

All those other cats are come bearing claws, showing fangs.

The tired, dangerous like the wounded animals they are.

The young, full of piss and vinegar.

The recovering, bleeding passion.

Spectacular mountain top finishes have riders throwing haymakers daily… including the toughest climb in Spain, the awesome and feared Angrilu.

watch video before bed, nightmares guaranteed

169.8

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TIME

Aug 29, 2017 Todd Brown

MARTY YELLS TO ME, HEY TODD you know how to say what time is it in Spanish?…Que hora es?… No!  Pointing wildly to his watchless wrist, Yougot da TIIIINE?! Dad says, You have all the time you need.  Plan your work, work your plan. Einstein teaches time is slower for the person that is moving...

MARTY YELLS TO ME, HEY TODD you know how to say what time is it in Spanish?…Que hora es?… No!  Pointing wildly to his watchless wrist, Yougot da TIIIINE?!

Dad says, You have all the time you need.  Plan your work, work your plan.

Einstein teaches time is slower for the person that is moving.

… maybe there’s something to staying younger by riding?

 

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MERINO WOOL

Aug 28, 2017 Todd Brown

I’M GONNA CONVERT YOU, Mike tells me. Wool stays cooler on hot days, warmer on cold days, and is odorless… I won’t wear anything else.  I go to this co-op, hidden away in a top secret store, buy ’em by the dozens.  For cross, they’re the only way to go.  Road, too.  MTB, I’d never..

I’M GONNA CONVERT YOU, Mike tells me.

Wool stays cooler on hot days, warmer on cold days, and is odorless… I won’t wear anything else.  I go to this co-op, hidden away in a top secret store, buy ’em by the dozens.  For cross, they’re the only way to go.  Road, too.  MTB, I’d never do anything but wool… and not just any wool, Todd… MERINO wool…

… he’s preaching now, and I’m nodding my head…

Tomorrow I’ll repent of my ignorant ways and be baptized a Merino.

Funny thing is, we’ve been making Merino wool socks for 5 years… I’ve just never converted… I get so passionate about what we make, because for the most part I design it all then abuse the heck out of it.

But, I can’t design sheep like the Merinos, which are extra-super-soft-and-fine… from the continent of weirdo animals – Australia, of course!

Good thing I’ve got samples ready to rock… let me know if you want to join the congregation.

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TOUR DE DONUTS

Aug 27, 2017 Todd Brown

ON SEPTEMBER 30th, I’m going to celebrate the end of the “racing” season – because there is no off-season in SoCal. How?  By riding to the 10 best donut shops in the county. Which ones?  I hope you’ll help me decide.  There are a number of lists on the interwebs – see below. It won’t..

ON SEPTEMBER 30th, I’m going to celebrate the end of the “racing” season – because there is no off-season in SoCal.

How?  By riding to the 10 best donut shops in the county.

Which ones?  I hope you’ll help me decide.  There are a number of lists on the interwebs – see below.

It won’t be a race, but we’re competitive – right?

Maybe we’ll honor the most donuts consumed?  Most weight gained?  Best donut-themed kit?  Best napkin collection? (Is Krispy-Kreme the only one with branded nappies?)  Trust me, we’ll think of something.

Stay tuned.

Please send us your top 3, here are some recommendations:

The Donuttery – Huntington Beach

Friendly Donuts – Orange

M&M Donuts – Anaheim

Poqet Donuts- Irvine

Seaside Bakery  – Newport Beach

Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee – Costa Mesa

Sweet Bubba’s Donut Cafe – Anaheim

U Jelly – Fountain Valley

Zombee Donuts – Fullerton

Rose Donuts & Cafe – San Clemente

Surin’ Donuts – San Clemente

Halfsies Doughnuts – Tustin

DK Donuts – Orange

The Doughnut Parlor – RSM

Royal Donuts & Burgers – Mission Viejo

 

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LOTOJA TRAINING RIDE #10 – HOW MANY DAYS IS THAT?

Aug 26, 2017 Todd Brown

WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET OUT AND SURF? Soon man, I just have one more event on the calendar. What is it?  It’s this retarded race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY. How far is that?  204 miles. How many days? 2 weeks. To go 200 miles? No the race is in 2 weeks,..

WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET OUT AND SURF?

Soon man, I just have one more event on the calendar.

What is it?  It’s this retarded race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY.

How far is that?  204 miles.

How many days?

2 weeks.

To go 200 miles?

No the race is in 2 weeks, we do all 204 in one day.

That is retarded.

The anticipation is killing me now.  Wondering… will my body hold up?  This is 70 miles further than I’ve ever ridden before.  Racing.  Helmets on.  Cleats locked in.  No rest stops.  No ice cream breaks.  Racing.  I know my body, and I know unanticipated problems can show up over a long day of riding.

Here’s to all of us riding smart, safe, and mechanical free…

… and getting a little more balance in our lives…

… like riding with the kids …

… and more lazy rides like this …

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A HARDMAN IS GOOD TO FIND

Aug 25, 2017 Todd Brown

HE LOOKS LIKE A FAMOUS JEW who roamed around 2000 years ago.  But, he’s a heartless bike racer.  And, an even more evil bike event promoter. The HARDMAN Invitational is a horrible bike ride/race.  It’s always in an infernal month, it mixes road and gravel and lots of plain old dirt.  But, it’s in sunny..

HE LOOKS LIKE A FAMOUS JEW who roamed around 2000 years ago.  But, he’s a heartless bike racer.  And, an even more evil bike event promoter.

The HARDMAN Invitational is a horrible bike ride/race.  It’s always in an infernal month, it mixes road and gravel and lots of plain old dirt.  But, it’s in sunny Southern California where nobody is actually all that tough. Right?

Nope.

If you’re lucky enough to get invited you’ll be there.  Because it’s hard.  Because it will challenge all your skills.  Because it goes right up Maple Springs and down Harding Truck Trail – two iconic dirt roads on Saddleback Mountain.  Because the field will be whittled down to small groups of comrades who end up riding the entire distance together – returning battered and beaten and better than when they started.

All that terribleness, and you’re going to pay for it too.

Why does Mike do it?

Not for the entertainment.

He does it as a fundraiser for Community Outreach Alliance, specifically so at-risk youth can participate in bike riding activities.

Will this earn him forgiveness for his heartless racing and evil promoting?

I doubt it.

But who cares?

He’s putting in the time and effort to make you a HARDMAN

(PS… if you’re reading this, you’re invited.)

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SWAMI’S, I C WHAT YOU MEAN

Aug 24, 2017 Todd Brown

75 RIDERS SHOWED UP FOR THE SWAMI’S RIDE, on a foggy August morning at 6:30.  They left in waves:  A group, B group, C group.  Self-selected or self-inflicted, A fastest.  All ride the same route. This means, depending on the time of year or phase of our training you have 3 options.  Should you get..

75 RIDERS SHOWED UP FOR THE SWAMI’S RIDE, on a foggy August morning at 6:30.  They left in waves:  A group, B group, C group.  Self-selected or self-inflicted, A fastest.  All ride the same route.

This means, depending on the time of year or phase of our training you have 3 options.  Should you get dropped another group is coming – unless you’re in C.

Pretty cool.

No pressure.

Just decide, and go.

I did the B with club president Fred Muir.  Typical… the B was closer to most group’s A.  That’s Swami’s for ya.  Fred is friendlier than most riders… also typical of the Swami’s team.

If you’re ever down that way, it’s a beautiful ride:  24 miles along the Carlsbad coast with a fair amount of rollers thrown in.  Get there early, choose your wave.

La Costa Roasters was the place to be after.

Yum.

Which brings me to my question.. at our local group ride, The TMWC, we start all together and there’s an A-loop of extra credit about halfway through. This works well for most of us, but I’m wondering if it’s time for a C option… something that leaves 5 minutes early for those that want the camaraderie but want an easier ride.

Thoughts?

(mid-pack in the B group)

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AND HELMETS OFF TO ALL THE DADS

Aug 23, 2017 Todd Brown

WHEN YOUR NEPHEW’S KID GIVES YOU KUDOS on Strava you know _____________.  Don’t say it.  Don’t even think how ancient…  Just relish how cool it is that a middle schooler is out riding and posting.  He’s pumped for the middle and high school MTB season which starts next month in UT. Actually, that makes two..

WHEN YOUR NEPHEW’S KID GIVES YOU KUDOS on Strava you know _____________.  Don’t say it.  Don’t even think how ancient…  Just relish how cool it is that a middle schooler is out riding and posting.  He’s pumped for the middle and high school MTB season which starts next month in UT.

Actually, that makes two surprise riders for the day.  Trevor Brown claims he’s ready to get fast again – CPA tests are over and passed… I’ll try not to jinx that by getting too geeked up.

But there’s more… how about all the dads and moms who hauled their kids out to OverTheHump all summer.  Amazing.

TMWC’s own Kevin rolled out to OTH and crushed all the pro’s and his teammate Andrew took 5th… they’re 16, and I personally know how involved their parents are… from motorpacing to independent study.

Some of these dads have seen their kids like Danielle and Mikael go on to race on premier college teams.

Some of these dads own bike shops, some feel like they do.

And no… it’s not just the dads.  The moms are there every pedal stroke of the way, even if they can’t help saying “be careful” every time the kid leaves to ride.  It’s a team effort.

Not every kid keeps riding.  Many of us have got ’em started, had fun and seen the kids go on to have other interests.

The memories will last forever.

Driving today, I popped into some AM radio on KFI and heard some pop psychology… “What was the happiest moment of your youth?”… silence… “I don’t know”… “Was any of it happy?”…

On Christmas, when I got a bike.

(Kevin started last, finished first)

 

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IN ANOTHER’S BIBS

Aug 22, 2017 Todd Brown

READING RIDE TITLES IS SO ENTERTAINING, it’s like the proverbial riding in another man’s bibs… … Austin pointing out that this morning’s ride was so easy he could do it on his full-suspension mountain bike… … my brother from another mother concurs with a smiley face and grade of “more tolerable” … … Brett, while..

READING RIDE TITLES IS SO ENTERTAINING, it’s like the proverbial riding in another man’s bibs…

… Austin pointing out that this morning’s ride was so easy he could do it on his full-suspension mountain bike…

… my brother from another mother concurs with a smiley face and grade of “more tolerable” …

… Brett, while on the same exact ride gets a little dramatic… I’m not sure why, most people can do the drag strip in 1:03… ‘nt  …

… Chris shares his 1st Group Problems… poor guy, hasn’t seen the back of the group since ’14…

… yet, Jake finished about 5 minutes behind Brett… apparently there was a lot of murdering on the ride…

… add Jim’s pyromania to the murdering and well, maybe it wasn’t all that tolerable after all…

… but, we see a little, grandmother was able to not only finish with the dead and burning but also improve on her previous times…

… shoot, Bud didn’t even need a big chain ring – SuperDave would be so proud…

… Sean loves murdering and burning so of course it was friendly enough for some extra credit…

… then there’s young TJ, modestly sharing he did the A Route … isn’t that awesome?!

… so thank y’all for letting me briefly ride in your bibs as I drift off to sleep…

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YOU, WHO ARE ON THE ROAD

Aug 21, 2017 Todd Brown

MUST KNOW THE CODE: It’s a social ride… I like you, and I like hammering the snot out of you even more. It’s a no-drop ride… Don’t get dropped, or you won’t be on the ride. I’m worn out… This is a glimpse into your near future. It’s a super hard ride… It’s not really..

MUST KNOW THE CODE:

It’s a social ride… I like you, and I like hammering the snot out of you even more.

It’s a no-drop ride… Don’t get dropped, or you won’t be on the ride.

I’m worn out… This is a glimpse into your near future.

It’s a super hard ride… It’s not really that hard for me, but you should turn around now.

I haven’t been riding much… I’m totally tapered, fresh and ready to crush it.

It’s a kinda technical trail… I can ride the whole the whole thing, you’ll be walking and bleeding.

Less obvious:

Dude is breathing hard… someone is about to get dropped.

Dude takes off early on sprint, you pass him early… someone is about to get smoked.

Dude rolls up sporting a super old kit… someone is going to get schooled.

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CAMEL OR THOROUGHBRED?

Aug 20, 2017 Todd Brown

It’s so tempting to get everyone’s buy-in on your next kit/t-shirt/event… etc.  But you know what they say: Committees design camels, Leaders design thoroughbreds. Be brave. Have faith in yourself. Polarizing is memorable… don’t do it for polarizing’s sake, do it for you and the people you lead. Then bring it to life.

It’s so tempting to get everyone’s buy-in on your next kit/t-shirt/event… etc.  But you know what they say:

Committees design camels,

Leaders design thoroughbreds.

Be brave.

Have faith in yourself.

Polarizing is memorable… don’t do it for polarizing’s sake, do it for you and the people you lead.

Then bring it to life.

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LoToJa TRAINING RIDE #9 – END OF THE ROAD AKA BETTY CROCKER TIME

Aug 19, 2017 Todd Brown

DID YOU KNOW A 20 OZ BOTTLE OF DR. PEPPER CONTAINS 250 DELICIOUS, REFRESHING CALORIES?  After 6 hours on the two-wheeler the cupboard was empty – 6 waffles gone, 6 bottles of GQ6 drained.  The Shell at Crown Valley and Niguel is a trusty dealer of sugar and fat.  I cracked open the bottle and..

DID YOU KNOW A 20 OZ BOTTLE OF DR. PEPPER CONTAINS 250 DELICIOUS, REFRESHING CALORIES?  After 6 hours on the two-wheeler the cupboard was empty – 6 waffles gone, 6 bottles of GQ6 drained.  The Shell at Crown Valley and Niguel is a trusty dealer of sugar and fat.  I cracked open the bottle and settled on 2 Tiger’s Milk bars vs BBQ Lay’s.

So cold.

So good.

So many calories.

My formula, well Paul’s CTS formula, was perfect.  300 calories/hour.  With the Dr. P and 1 bar, 400 more calories would get me to Kaylani’s… where all great rides end in celebration.

Garmin says today was my longest day ever.  It wasn’t, but it was close.  LoToJa will take about 3 more hours, and I felt like I could easily do that… but there’s no point.  I’m ready, well as ready as I’m going to get.

It’s Betty Crocker Time now.

What I mean is, all the ingredients have been mixed and it’s time to put the cake in the oven:  nutrition is dialed, bike is dialed (got my rear wheel warranteed and back, shifting perfected, saddle figured out, etc.)

3 weeks out, I’m not going to get any faster or fitter… but I can certainly get slower.

No more big, long rides like today.

I’ll be resting more.

Trying to sleep a lot.

Maybe a few efforts, and a couple of sprints.

But right now, it’s so easy to overcook the cake.  You can undercook it too, but it’s much more like to be overcooked.  It’s time to really trust the training, and let the body heal and recover.

Work on your brain, too.

Everything for the next 3 weeks is going to be about feeling fresh.  Building mental confidence that I’m going to have a great day.

I’ll go over the bike.  Inspect the tires, pads, chain, etc.  Replace anything that could go bad next week, and have 2 weeks to break it in.

I’ll stretch a lot.

Roll the legs.

Get a massage, or 2.

But mainly, and this is the hardest part, resting will be the big focus.

Days off.

Days spinning.

Days surfing.

Long walks on the sand at sunset (wait, that’s my Tinder profile).

One last way to really screw up all the hard work… blow the diet.  It’s gonna be hard to stay on track there.  But, a little discipline never hurt anyone.

Feeling hungry?, drink water, eat a few minutes later, eat slower.

That’s it.

The end of the road.

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SOMETIMES THE BEST RIDE

Aug 18, 2017 Todd Brown

SOMETIMES THE BEST RIDE is no ride at all.  It’s just thinking about the next ride. Charting the route. Packing the food. Prepping the bottles. Checking the bike over. Setting out the favorite jersey and bibs. Just day dreaming all day on Friday about how great Saturday is going to be.  Meeting up with the..

SOMETIMES THE BEST RIDE is no ride at all.  It’s just thinking about the next ride.

Charting the route.

Packing the food.

Prepping the bottles.

Checking the bike over.

Setting out the favorite jersey and bibs.

Just day dreaming all day on Friday about how great Saturday is going to be.  Meeting up with the crew.

Doing some drafting.

Sprinting the city limits signs.

Climbing a little.

Carving the turns.

Outside all day, if you want.

Wrapping it up with sugar and fat at Kaylani’s or wherever you’re at.

170

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THE HORTON COLLECTION

Aug 17, 2017 Todd Brown

Brett is in town and dropped by the office.  Aside from catching up on life, we spent a few hours scouring 3500 of his amazing pictures from The Horton Collection – there are hundreds of thousands in the collection.  The pictures themselves are revealing of different times.  Some are post WWII, with cyclists racing through still..

Brett is in town and dropped by the office.  Aside from catching up on life, we spent a few hours scouring 3500 of his amazing pictures from The Horton Collection – there are hundreds of thousands in the collection.  The pictures themselves are revealing of different times.  Some are post WWII, with cyclists racing through still devastated towns.  Others capture the innocence of a champion’s wife running along side him handing up a bottle.

They are black and white.  Well they started that way, but typically have faded to yellow.  The true richness comes from listening to my friend share the background behind each picture.

The details we all miss are vividly shared.

For example, in the pictures from the 1920’s the race director’s all wore white lab coats.  It’s the kind of thing that is easy to categorize as part of the times, and not ask who are those guys in the white lab coats.

Oh my irony… white lab coasts on race directors who’s riders are doped… sorry Sammy but history’s not on your side… it goes so far back.

Back to the goodness of the collection and what we have planned.

We’re going to make at least 2 limited edition runs of RaceDay Bags.  One will feature exceptional vintage photos.  Not the typical guys with cigarettes, or the shot from the front of a group climbing.  Those are great photos too, but we’re planning something more unusual that captures the romance.  The other will be for the Eddy Merckx fans, pure Eddy like you’ve never seen him.

Damion is working on two really cool t’s featuring Brett’s pics.  I’m excited to add these to our collection as well.  Brett’s art will be the 3rd person who’s art we’ve licensed, Radical Rick and Derailled being the others.

It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.

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DON’T EVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER

Aug 16, 2017 Todd Brown

IT’S EARLY, AND I WANT TO SLEEP BUT I GET UP TO LIFT THE WEIGHTS and my body says no.  No buddy, don’t do it.  We’re still sleeping.  You’re feeling sleepy.  Skip today, for tomorrow we lift. And so starts the battle. I stumble downstairs. Grab the few tools I have. Do some jumping jacks...

IT’S EARLY, AND I WANT TO SLEEP BUT I GET UP TO LIFT THE WEIGHTS and my body says no.  No buddy, don’t do it.  We’re still sleeping.  You’re feeling sleepy.  Skip today, for tomorrow we lift.

And so starts the battle.

I stumble downstairs.

Grab the few tools I have.

Do some jumping jacks.

Push ups.

Pull ups.

Core stuff.

Light weight shoulder stuff.

20 minutes later.  I’m pumped.  Ready to go.

… they say no, but I say now…

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DO YOU MIND IF I SLEEP WITH YOUR WIFE?

Aug 15, 2017 Todd Brown

Can I ride your bike? feels just like, can I sleep with your wife?  I can relate to you not relating, but can you relate to my answer?  Can you get a sense of what your asking me man? Try and understand. This bike didn’t just show up one day. I scoured the interwebs, drooled..

Can I ride your bike? feels just like, can I sleep with your wife?  I can relate to you not relating, but can you relate to my answer?  Can you get a sense of what your asking me man?

Try and understand.

This bike didn’t just show up one day.

I scoured the interwebs, drooled in showrooms, visionboarded this lovely into reality.  She arrived a virgin.  Pristine and pure.

(AND YOU WANT TO TAKE HER FOR A RIDE?!)… shame on you.

I didn’t even ride her at first.  We took an intimate trip to the fitter, essential for us to get to acquainted.  We went for a gentle glide together, just the too of us.

(AND YOU WANT TO TAKE HER FOR A RIDE?!)… you filthy %$@.

I took her home, and introduced her to the family.  Her name is Flashy Jack, because though timid she has a wild streak.  We made a special space just for her, off to the side where she could rest unmolested.  My little princess.

(AND YOU WANT TO TAKE HER FOR A RIDE?!)… have you gone mad?

Over time we became one: climbing up and getting down, charging hard and easing into the sunset. We glisten and listen only to each other.

(AND YOU WANT TO TAKE HER FOR A RIDE?!)…

…. do you mind if I sleep with…

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WOULD YOU LIKE SOME FRIES WITH THAT?

Aug 14, 2017 Todd Brown

By the time I got to my not regular bike shop I was only focusing on my most pressing need:  tubes with 80mm stems.  I walked in, was greeted by a friendly smile.  We quickly found just what I needed.  Maybe I had that iknowimforgettinsomething look on my face? Do you need any lube? It..

By the time I got to my not regular bike shop I was only focusing on my most pressing need:  tubes with 80mm stems.  I walked in, was greeted by a friendly smile.  We quickly found just what I needed.  Maybe I had that iknowimforgettinsomething look on my face?

Do you need any lube?

It wasn’t scripted.

It was caring.

Yes!… I need levers.

Here you go, Pedro’s are the best.

He rang me up.  I took 3 steps towards the door, thinking about how much I appreciate professionals.

I turned around.

I need tiny box of those press on patches.

He was back and ringing me up some Park Tool patches.  Also, the best.

Just one dude helping another dude.

It’s not salesmanship.

It’s empathy.

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GOOD.

Aug 13, 2017 Todd Brown

Being good has nothing to do with talent. It has everything to do with time. Focus. Energy. Want to be good? Ride your bike, more. Want to be better? Ride with faster riders. Want to be your best? Hang on to… (Photo from The Sausalito Bicycle Company) 172.4

Being good has nothing to do with talent.

It has everything to do with time.

Focus.

Energy.

Want to be good?

Ride your bike, more.

Want to be better?

Ride with faster riders.

Want to be your best?

Hang on to…

(Photo from The Sausalito Bicycle Company)

172.4

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LOTOJA TRAINING RIDE #8 – RANDOM THOUGHTS

Aug 12, 2017 Todd Brown

Random thoughts: Bring an extra tube and air cartridge… didn’t listen to that.  Fateful. Where else will you ride with or see 3 Olympic cyclists on 1 ride?  Hi Steve Hegg, Nelson Vails and John Howard. If we had invented texting before voice calls, would people be watching the road and talking instead of texting?..

Random thoughts:

Bring an extra tube and air cartridge… didn’t listen to that.  Fateful.

Where else will you ride with or see 3 Olympic cyclists on 1 ride?  Hi Steve Hegg, Nelson Vails and John Howard.

If we had invented texting before voice calls, would people be watching the road and talking instead of texting?

Is hitting a couple of 15 minutes climbs going to be of any use when there are multiple hour long climbs at LOTOJA?

Speaking of seeing, how the heck do I manage to run into so many friends on a ride?… Hi ProEcos.

I asked Steve if he knows Chris?  Oh you mean Tube Top.  Tube Top?  He used to wear a little tri, sleeveless thingy on the rides.

Am I the only knucklehead who’s been racing since January and is still foolish enough to think I can be remotely fresh in September?

After another low-mileage week and my legs still feeling like doodoo… will they ever come back?

I wonder if the cashier will recognize me as the guy that was here less than an hour ago filling up water bottles with ice and pouring a mysterious powder into the bottles?

Why don’t I ride down to my parent’s house more often?

It takes about 135 minutes to ride from San Clemente to the start of Swami’s… why don’t we ever ride down, do Swami’s long and ride home?  We could break it up and eat in Oceanside – chocolate shakes and fries at In-N-Out.  Oh my epicness.

The black kit in the coast fog was fine, when the sun finely broke through it was “hot in, so hot in here”.

If I call Andy, will he dust off his bike and pedal with me?  Can’t believe he’s back to running… what is Boston?

Hegg said he’d train for HUNKR.  Is that a sign?  He also said Kal was a real Mr. America!  Wow.

If I roll my legs twice a day, take ice baths, get a few massages, quit doing any intensity… will, it, help?

Is double flatting a sign that I’m flat?

I’m going to the beach.

949-SRFR-GRL

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ROLLIN. ROLLIN. ROLLIN’ ON THE SAN JUAN!

Aug 11, 2017 Todd Brown

Mike’s my bro-in-law… at one point all my bros and bros-in-law rode bikes.  There’s 7 in total, and he’s the last one who still rides regularly.  When they drop in from NorCal, it’s only a question of when are we riding. I’m bringing the mountain bikes.  Can we do San Juan?  I want to take..

Mike’s my bro-in-law… at one point all my bros and bros-in-law rode bikes.  There’s 7 in total, and he’s the last one who still rides regularly.  When they drop in from NorCal, it’s only a question of when are we riding.

I’m bringing the mountain bikes.  Can we do San Juan?  I want to take the boys (Zach 13, Ben 17, Jess 21) on something epic, and I remember what a great trail that is.

Of course!

… of course, we’re going to shuttle it – leave a car at the bottom and drive to the top.  Who wants to ride up with 90 degree heat beating you down?  The boys are fit and athletic, but they don’t ride much.  The purists scoff on shuttlers… I get it, but this is one of the few trails you can bring an athlete out for a humongous afternoon and come back big-grinning.

It’s bucket list worthy.

12 miles down.

All single track.

Views of the ocean.

Canopy covered.

Lot’s of poison oak.

Lot’s of sharp rocks.

Lot’s of slippery decomposed granite.

Mix all that in and you bound to pull off a few crazy landings, leave a little blood and live to ride another day.

And we did.

(3 bros and a bro-in-law)

 

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SWEET STEPHANIE

Aug 11, 2017 Todd Brown

This little lady dragged the four of us around town, across the country, even across the ocean.  And everywhere we went, Neil’s voice rallied our spirits… whenever he was in town she’d go see him play, sometimes finding ways to bring us too. When you’re tiny, it’s hard to appreciate someone could reach into another’s..

This little lady dragged the four of us around town, across the country, even across the ocean.  And everywhere we went, Neil’s voice rallied our spirits… whenever he was in town she’d go see him play, sometimes finding ways to bring us too.

When you’re tiny, it’s hard to appreciate someone could reach into another’s heart without knowing them. But he did, and that brought so much unentangled joy.  You know it’s good, but you’re not sure why.

There was no doubt what we were going to do tonight.  The sibs flew in from left and right coasts.

Neil’s 50th Anniversary Tour.

Mom’s 29th birthday.

Riding melodies, stories and memories.

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I DON’T NEED NO DOCTOR

Aug 09, 2017 Todd Brown

I don’t need no doctor Sayin’ ride your bike. I don’t need no doctor Sayin’ ride your bike   Been workin’ dusk to dawn Feelin’ a big ride coming on   I just need a doctor Que sabe my ask I just need a doctor Issue a haul pass   Been workin’ dusk to dawn..

I don’t need no doctor

Sayin’ ride your bike.

I don’t need no doctor

Sayin’ ride your bike

 

Been workin’ dusk to dawn

Feelin’ a big ride coming on

 

I just need a doctor

Que sabe my ask

I just need a doctor

Issue a haul pass

 

Been workin’ dusk to dawn

Feelin’ a big ride coming on

 

Come on now my doctor

Don’t you let me down

Come on now my doctor

S’time to pedal ‘round

 

Been workin’ dusk to dawn

Feelin’ a big ride coming on

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LET’S PLAY BIKES

Aug 08, 2017 Todd Brown

When 80+ people show up for a group ride on a week night you know there’s something special going on.  I had to go check it out for myself, and I’m glad I did.  This really is a social ride. It begins at Bill Barber park with Junike buzzing around like a bee, pollinating conversations..

When 80+ people show up for a group ride on a week night you know there’s something special going on.  I had to go check it out for myself, and I’m glad I did.  This really is a social ride.

It begins at Bill Barber park with Junike buzzing around like a bee, pollinating conversations and welcoming incoming cars with bikes.  At 530ish, Jason gathers the troops in for a group photo… we needed a drone to get everybody in.  He’s taken the time to learn all the newcomers names, and introduces each of us individually by name to the group.

After the intros, the ride sponsor – PEDALindustries in this case – asks 3 trivia questions and rewards the winners with prizes.  It’s a great way to get to know new people and for people to become acquainted with your brand.

Then we ride the streets and bikeways of Irvine, up to the end of Portola and back.  The pace is conversational and the conversations are fun.  It’s warm.  The evening light is pleasing.  Irvine is a great cycling town, and for the most part the group is able to stay together.

Back at the park, the sun floats down.

Butts rest on top tubes.

Selfies are shot.

We’re happy.

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SMALL RING, DINGALING

Aug 07, 2017 Todd Brown

The big ring is for hammering, the small ring is for spinning. The big ring is to go fast, the small ring is to go slow. The big ring is for flats, the small ring is for climbing. This is so hard, I bet you won’t do it:  roll down the driveway and leave it..

The big ring is for hammering, the small ring is for spinning.

The big ring is to go fast, the small ring is to go slow.

The big ring is for flats, the small ring is for climbing.

This is so hard, I bet you won’t do it:  roll down the driveway and leave it in the small ring until you get back.

Great big ring sessions are built small.

(pre-MTB?)

171.6

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SPECIALEYEZD

Aug 06, 2017 Todd Brown

4 years focusing on the road, Got my sprint and jump back. 4 years focusing on the road, Lost all my MTB skills. But I still remember this… … the body always follows the eyes. (There was a time I’d be dead center, no brakes)

4 years focusing on the road,

Got my sprint and jump back.

4 years focusing on the road,

Lost all my MTB skills.

But I still remember this…

… the body always follows the eyes.

(There was a time I’d be dead center, no brakes)

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LOTOJA TRAINING RIDE #7 – THE NON-DOT WAY

Aug 05, 2017 Todd Brown

Here I am at NON-DOT MTB race #3, Aliso Woods.  It’s 630, and I’m scrambling to put up our canopy and bike rack so I can get registered for the 730 start.  I want to spin a bit to warm up before I get slayed… there will be 4 current or former National Champions lining..

Here I am at NON-DOT MTB race #3, Aliso Woods.  It’s 630, and I’m scrambling to put up our canopy and bike rack so I can get registered for the 730 start.  I want to spin a bit to warm up before I get slayed… there will be 4 current or former National Champions lining up plus the rest of the gang.  The Aliso course features Rocket a 1/4 mile trail of very gnarly rock, we get to hit it 3 times.

What could be better for LoToJa prep?

90 minutes at the limit.

On my hardtail.

Pretty much any road ride could be better.  I’m fatigued from Thursday’s Market Ride, I should be out for a gentle spin.

But, I love the NON-DOT crew.  The name NON-DOT comes from their forays into Moab.  The Slickrock trail is marked with white dots… going non-dot means going your own way, where the essence of Moab calls you.  I get that, and these guys put on a fun MTB series I like to support.

It’s kind of like my training.  All my experienced LoToJa friends are out doing 100+ mile rides at tempo every weekend.  I’ve done a few, not enough according to them.

We’ve been racing every month since January.  I’m super burned out, just wanna park the bike and surf.  Little motivations like the MTB race get me out…

… I need to get more miles today…

… It’s 1pm.  I’ve got 5 hours before taking my mom to the movies…

I’m going to head out for a few more hours, just spinning… spinning over to the bike shop to get my front derailleur adjusted.  On Thursday’s Market Ride it went whackadoo and was clicking on the crank each rotation in the big ring… I had to small ring it at 30+mph, right up to the sprint, it probably helped keep my cadence really high… dumped it into the big ring for the final mile.  #worthit.

Do these LSD miles even help?

I dunno.

…LoToJa, could be once in a lifetime…

169.6

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HOT AUGUST NIGHTS

Aug 04, 2017 Todd Brown

It’s snake season, has been for a while.  Lots a posts ’bout sitings.  Haven’t seen but one this year.  Seen plenty in the past. Ivrun’em over. Dodged ’em.  Jump’d ’em.  There’s something about being on a bike that gives courage. I’d never pick one up.  Not my thing. The snakes are durable. The tarantulas aren’t,..

It’s snake season, has been for a while.  Lots a posts ’bout sitings.  Haven’t seen but one this year.  Seen plenty in the past. Ivrun’em over. Dodged ’em.  Jump’d ’em.  There’s something about being on a bike that gives courage.

I’d never pick one up.  Not my thing.

The snakes are durable.

The tarantulas aren’t, they’re quite fragile.

These big spiders will be out soon, in the afternoon.  You can find them on most skinny single-track trails in these parts, when it’s hot… towards sunset.

Creeping along.

No danger.

Elegant.

… Neil Diamond’s in down next week.

170.8

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WHY ISN’T STRAVA BETTER?

Aug 03, 2017 Todd Brown

If STRAVA is social media for endurance athletes why isn’t it more social?  It seams like with just a few tweaks it could be so much better and useful.  A lot of riders aren’t on any other social media, they might be on more if the STRAVA experience was better. For examples: Why can’t the..

If STRAVA is social media for endurance athletes why isn’t it more social?  It seams like with just a few tweaks it could be so much better and useful.  A lot of riders aren’t on any other social media, they might be on more if the STRAVA experience was better.

For examples:

Why can’t the app and browser versions have the same functionality?

Why can’t I like a comment?

Why isn’t there a widget to give STRAVA kudos on people’s websites?

Just because we all love STRAVA doesn’t mean we’ll always love STRAVA.

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WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT

Aug 02, 2017 Todd Brown

I truly believe we get what we focus on.  Equally, I believe you cannot see a negative.  When you say ride safe, I listen.  When you say don’t crash, I tune you out.  If you persist, I will stop talking to you all together.  Our friendship could easily end.  That’s how serious it is, for..

I truly believe we get what we focus on.  Equally, I believe you cannot see a negative.  When you say ride safe, I listen.  When you say don’t crash, I tune you out.  If you persist, I will stop talking to you all together.  Our friendship could easily end.  That’s how serious it is, for me.

When I hear a caring loved-one say to my friend “don’t get hurt”.  I look right at that person and say stop jinxing him.  Stop planting those negative seeds.  What do you think we all see when you say that?

We see dear old Loverboy in a pile, hurting in the worst way.

What should you say to the people you care about as they venture out to any activity?

See you later, have a great time, come back smiling…

…we all want to talk about that.

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THEY RAN ME OVER

Aug 01, 2017 Todd Brown

First off, nobody who calls themselves Robot is normal.  It’s no surprise that he prefers to race in the single speed category at a mountain bike race.  But… looking at his bars all twisted, the yard of dirt on his shoulder I could tell this was going to be special. They ran me over. What..

First off, nobody who calls themselves Robot is normal.  It’s no surprise that he prefers to race in the single speed category at a mountain bike race.  But… looking at his bars all twisted, the yard of dirt on his shoulder I could tell this was going to be special.

They ran me over.

What do you mean the ran you over?

They ran me over.

Who?

The guys behind me.  There was this little g-out and I flipped over the bars, then they ran me over.  Look at my back, pull up the jersey.

The skin is all rashed and bruised.

That’s where one guys pedal just dug into me.  Another guy ran right over my knee, see it’s all flippyfloppy now.  Look at my bars, some dude plowed across them too.

They ran me over.

What are you going to do?

I’m gonna get my bars fixed, get out there, and chase ’em down.

That’s just one of 500+ stories that will be told tonight after Over The Hump.

… what’s your story?

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HEY TODD: WHICH BIKE SHOULD I BUY?

Jul 31, 2017 Todd Brown

  Dear Chris, You’re not alone.  This is a difficult topic to broach, especially with you spouse or partner.  Here is my proven formula for getting the proper bike: Find a used bike that you can easily afford to throw the money away on. Ride it and see if actually like riding regularly. If you..

 

Dear Chris,

You’re not alone.  This is a difficult topic to broach, especially with you spouse or partner.  Here is my proven formula for getting the proper bike:

  1. Find a used bike that you can easily afford to throw the money away on.
  2. Ride it and see if actually like riding regularly.
  3. If you do, go see a bike fitter I recommend so your next purchase is the right size.
  4. Now you know you like the cycling lifestyle and you know what size bike to get, what you need to know now is how much is this going to cost?

Whether you buy a beater or a quality bike, it’s going to cost you about $3/day.

If you buy a bike from Walmart for $500, it’s going to last you about 6 months.  180 days X $3 = $500.

Right now, you can get an amazing bicycle that will last you 3 years for about $3000.  1095 days X3 = $3285.

“I don’t ride every day”… well guess what Bucky, seeing that bike there costing you $3/day is gonna get you riding a lot more than you otherwise would.

“$3285 is soooooo much money!”  Compared to what?  First, there’s no fee every time you want to go ride the bike like there is in  golf, or skiing.  Second, you spend more than that at Starbucks every day.

Look, justifying the expense is stupid.  You’re gonna lose on this… even though it’s less than a Starbucks a day.

You gotta flip it.

Let me tell you how you’re going to save:

  1.  You’ll never need a shrink
  2.  You’ll be in excellent health
  3.  You’ll be in a significantly better mood
  4.  … and so on

But the best part is, you’ll have no money or time or energy left over for a mistress.

PS… give me a call and I’ll tell you where to go and who to talk to.

171.4

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I’M NOT EVEN TRYING

Jul 30, 2017 Todd Brown

I’m not even trying to compete with you.  I show up to see all the different ways you can destroy me.  I show up to gaze at your vast arsenal.  I show up to see what real talent looks like.  I show up to know what’s possible.  I show up… … just for the inspiration. 170.4

I’m not even trying to compete with you.  I show up to see all the different ways you can destroy me.  I show up to gaze at your vast arsenal.  I show up to see what real talent looks like.  I show up to know what’s possible.  I show up…

… just for the inspiration.

170.4

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LOTOJA TRAINING RIDE #6 – EZPZ

Jul 29, 2017 Todd Brown

It’s going to be hard today.  We’ve hammered 5 out of the last 11 days.  My legs are cooked, but we are getting very close to the big day and we can’t waste any time.  It’s going to be so hard to… … ride very easy. Matt and Ty will there, Cat 1 MTB racers...

It’s going to be hard today.  We’ve hammered 5 out of the last 11 days.  My legs are cooked, but we are getting very close to the big day and we can’t waste any time.  It’s going to be so hard to…

… ride very easy.

Matt and Ty will there, Cat 1 MTB racers.  Jeff is down from Park City, he just snagged a KOM from Levi.  Plus, Steve and Dr V and Chris and Chris saw the Strava “club” post and will also be there.

The easiest thing to do as the big day approaches is to error on the side of exhaustion, to dig that grave a little deeper.  It’s so stupid, so common, so easy to do.

We’re not gonna do it.

We’re gonna ride easy, cruise the beach, be tourists.  We’re gonna keep it flat.  We’re gonna hydrate.  We’re gonna cut it short.

The hardest thing to do, is to ride easy.

(Lots of people in Laguna early, it’s going to be a beautiful day)

How many cyclists does it take to change a tire?

Kevin at 7-11

See you soon

171.4

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IT’S NOT A TRAINING CAMP

Jul 28, 2017 Todd Brown

Paul and I think it would be fun for our snowbound friends to fly south for the winter and join the locals for some epic rides in SoCal.  Think of it as a chance to start the year off different.  We’ll all learn a bunch of new stuff about bikes and going faster… I mean,..

Paul and I think it would be fun for our snowbound friends to fly south for the winter and join the locals for some epic rides in SoCal.  Think of it as a chance to start the year off different.  We’ll all learn a bunch of new stuff about bikes and going faster… I mean, if you’re into that sort of thing.

The rides will include HUNKR OC, HUNKR GMR, and Swami’s Long on the road and San Juan Trail off road.

The learning will be from the Carmichael Training Systems vault, and others.

Pencil it in for last week of January, 2018… and don’t blow getting your haul pass by calling it a training camp…

…start the year different.

Nothing says put me on FB Live like flannel in July.

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HOW TO GROW CYCLING

Jul 27, 2017 Todd Brown

It’s starts with a friendly “hi, my name is Todd.”  Within a few miles you’ll know if you like to do the same kind of rides and if you do… then, “hey, we are all riding the Market Ride on Thursday.  Join us.” We’re humans. We like to do stuff with like-minded people. There’s nothing..

It’s starts with a friendly “hi, my name is Todd.”  Within a few miles you’ll know if you like to do the same kind of rides and if you do… then, “hey, we are all riding the Market Ride on Thursday.  Join us.”

We’re humans.

We like to do stuff with like-minded people.

There’s nothing better than geeking out over cycling with your pals.

Embrace the new guys and gals, especially if they are lacking skills.

You’ll soon have friends for life.

… and a growing community.

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MTB WDNSDY

Jul 26, 2017 Todd Brown

I once hired Gibby Hatton to coach me.  Google him… there’s 55,000 references to America’s greatest track racer.  I wasn’t going to race track, I wasn’t even racing road at the time, I was prepping for Leadville and wanted to see what I could learn from a new perspective.  He had me come over, get..

I once hired Gibby Hatton to coach me.  Google him… there’s 55,000 references to America’s greatest track racer.  I wasn’t going to race track, I wasn’t even racing road at the time, I was prepping for Leadville and wanted to see what I could learn from a new perspective.  He had me come over, get on a trainer and ride.

You hear that?

What?

That… the trainer.

Yep.

Do you always pedal like that?

Yep.

You ride BMX?  A lot as a kid.

Mountain bike?  Yes, a ton.

That explains it.

Oh…

Listen to the trainer, the sound is even.

BMX’rs have the best pedal stroke because the aren’t clipped in.

Mountain bikers are next because they have to put the power down evenly to keep the rear tire hooked up.

Roadies are usually awful, just mashing away.

It was a short lived experience.  Mainly because he was very serious, and I was a little low on dough.  But sometimes, just getting confirmation that you’re doing the right thing is worth the price of admission.

That popped into my mind tonight riding with 17 yr old Reed on a pretty beefy trail bike, and 47 yr old Brent on a Specialized electric bike, and me clipped in on my hardtail.

Different bikes, different styles, same passion.

Some of the drops we did were so steep the back of my saddle was nailed to my sternum… controlled skids.  We loped back to the top and did more trails, found some good jumps  I came up short often enough to bust a spoke.

Can’t wait ’till next week.

mtb wd

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OUTLANDA-ISH

Jul 25, 2017 Todd Brown

Oh Mikel!… really?  Granted, the editors at VeloNews might be making you look bad to back up their sensational headline. So, I read on… “When you start to think about where you could have taken back a second … ufff, que rabia!” Dude, you sound like every whiner I’ve ever heard.  I woulda one, but…..

Oh Mikel!… really?  Granted, the editors at VeloNews might be making you look bad to back up their sensational headline. So, I read on…

“When you start to think about where you could have taken back a second … ufff, que rabia!”

Dude, you sound like every whiner I’ve ever heard.  I woulda one, but…

…but nothing bro, look at the scoreboard.

You lost by one second.

That’s all.

Did you have the legs to drop everybody?  Maybe.  But. you didn’t and you didn’t have the weight of team leadership in your jersey pockets and there’s probably a reason you aren’t a team leader yet.

I hope you do get to lead a team, and I hope you do win.  Winning is awesome…

…whining is for losers.

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IT’S JUST A SOCIAL RIDE

Jul 24, 2017 Todd Brown

It’s just a social ride, nothing to worry about.  The guys and gals getting together, to do an easy, little spin. … right before they rip your legs off, marinate them, and throw them on the grill. If your “pals” ever describe a ride as just a social ride, and your spider-sense is screaming DON’T..

It’s just a social ride, nothing to worry about.  The guys and gals getting together, to do an easy, little spin.

… right before they rip your legs off, marinate them, and throw them on the grill.

If your “pals” ever describe a ride as just a social ride, and your spider-sense is screaming DON’T DO IT!, well…

It’s not that there aren’t social rides.  There are.  Lots of ’em.  People being friendly, putting around town, maybe a little site seeing and probably some food and drinks along the way.

… just be prepared for what’s on the menu.

PS… I’m going to do a limited run of these shirts, order now – deliver in 15 days)

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CHARITY

Jul 23, 2017 Todd Brown

Why are so many bike rides and races associated with a charity?  The hard truth:  being associated with a charity greases the government gears.  It all gets easier. Promoting is still very hard work. Without the promoter’s charitable heart nothing would happen. (Jeff promotes CBR) (Matt promotes OverTheHump and 50MileRide) (Jon, Andy, Jake and their..

Why are so many bike rides and races associated with a charity?  The hard truth:  being associated with a charity greases the government gears.  It all gets easier.

Promoting is still very hard work.

Without the promoter’s charitable heart nothing would happen.

(Jeff promotes CBR)

(Matt promotes OverTheHump and 50MileRide)

(Jon, Andy, Jake and their lovely ladies promote NON-DOT)

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LOTOJA TRAINING RIDE #5 – CHRYSTAL LAKE

Jul 22, 2017 Todd Brown

The Route: GMR to Chrystal Lake and back. Goals:  test food choices, saddle height, gearing, get Nate’s take. It hurts.  We hammered up GMR (2300′) and now we are hammering up to Chrystal Lake (4000′).  It’s my first time to the lake.  The ProEco’s (Chris, Slayer and Jerry) are pulling away.  I’m in full diesel..

The Route: GMR to Chrystal Lake and back.

Goals:  test food choices, saddle height, gearing, get Nate’s take.

It hurts.  We hammered up GMR (2300′) and now we are hammering up to Chrystal Lake (4000′).  It’s my first time to the lake.  The ProEco’s (Chris, Slayer and Jerry) are pulling away.  I’m in full diesel mode, 160 bpm.

I never wonder why I do this, I know why… because it feels so good and it quiets my over-active mind.

Unlike GMR, which is quite twisty, Chrystal Lake has long, lying stretches that look easy… Garmin speaks truth, 7-10% grades.  We are a lot higher.  Tall, thick pines reach above casting lonely shadows.

A 911 nearly spun out passing me down East Fork.  On this climb, multiple motos skim by.

The guys are waiting for me at the famous Cafe – basically an ancient burger shack that sells 12oz cans of soda and 16oz bottles of water with their burgers and burritos… I’m parched.  Chris is covered in his own salt.

We refuel, after 2 hours and 40 minutes to cover 6000’+ in 35 miles.

Time to go down.

Descending is the only time I’m able to fully concentrate on one thing, ever.  Everything is quite, everything is visible.  All my senses functioning beautifully.  It’s calming and I’m confident.  I’m an eagle…

About those goals:

Food… at a very fast tempo, I can’t eat.  I can only drink.  So, I’m going to have to go all liquid the first 100 of LoToJa.  My friend Paul Ruggiero, a high-level CTS coach, told me 1 gram of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight.  I couldn’t do that effectively today because:  one, the pace was to high to eat a Honey Stinger an hour; two, we stopped multiple times for water and food.  Next Saturday, I’m rolling out with 4 hours of food and not stop… which is how far we go until the first aid station in LoToJa.

Saddle height… so, I decided to give the POWER saddle in the correct width a try mainly because a lot of my friends love that saddle.  I didn’t get the position perfect and my knees are a tad tender.  I’m still not sure about the saddle.  The Romin should be in this week, I’m probably going to wind up going with it.

Gearing… ordered my 34t small ring for the front but didn’t have time to install it.  It would have been great today.  My 36t/28t is fine for GMR but Chrystal Lake’s pitches were just a little much over a long climb, and we have very long climbs in September.

Nate’s take… Nate has done LoToJa multiple times and I was anxious to hear the comparison between today’s climbs.  He said today’s climbs were steeper, and today’s pace faster.

(Garmin said 34 hours to recover, I actually find these assessments useful)

(Inside the Chrystal Lake Cafe)

(It was nice outside the cafe: ProEco’s Slayer on the right, Jerry on the left, and Chris)

(We are dudes in nature using… this stenching hut… we must be tired!)

(Couldn’t get enough of these big, burly dudes hugging each other before separating)

(Who else but Hartono does all you can eat sushi after an epic ride?!… we’re gonna miss this kid)

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HOW TO BUILD A TEAM – GETTING STARTED

Jul 21, 2017 Todd Brown

Todd, I want to build up ______ cycling… how do I do that?  It’s a good question, and I get it a lot, but it’s not the place to start.  The fundamental questions are:  Who you are? and Where do you want to go?  Here’s a snap shot of a conversation with my friend who..

Todd, I want to build up ______ cycling… how do I do that?  It’s a good question, and I get it a lot, but it’s not the place to start.  The fundamental questions are:  Who you are? and Where do you want to go?  Here’s a snap shot of a conversation with my friend who stopped today, and where we wound up.

Kim:  Women’s cycling is dying, nobody races.  I want to build that up.

Do you race?

Kim: Not anymore, I crashed hard at Dana Point.  I still ride a lot, and I have these two weekly rides I’ve created.  20-30 people show up each week….

We talked about how these two rides started, and why she puts in the time to promote them.  Who shows up, what the agenda is etc.  She has a really good starting point already. But, she struggled a little bit to answer the fundamental questions.

Who are you?  Meaning, what is the identity of the tribe you want to create.  Some groups seem to take on an identity of their own, but in reality the the leader of the group attracts like-minded people.  I’ve been on group rides where everybody swears and has nothing but lewd and rude comments, others where the dynamic is the polar opposite – saintly.  It all starts with the leader.  It’s going to be hard for my friend to grow women’s racing if she’s not racing, for example.

Where do you want to go?  It’s takes years to build anything substantial.  Kim knows this, she even said it took two years until the rides were self-sustaining.  With that in mind, what do you want your cycling team to look like in 2-3 years?  Racers vs riders vs social vs competitive vs inclusive vs exclusive vs free vs fee vs big vs small vs all men vs all women vs all kids vs all families vs road vs mtb vs track vs BMX vs touring.

Looking at other teams can be helpful.  I told Kim about my friend Jacke’s club, the Trail Angels.  Jacke started very small, with handful of friends and a desire to get women in her area out on mountain bikes.  Jacke shares her passion for our beautiful mountains and biking with complete joy – get out, get healthy, get a break.  She provides friendship and mentorship, teaching hundreds of women how to ride and care for their mountain bikes.  Some years Jacke’s tribe exceeds 300 women.

If you don’t know who you are and where you want to go you will struggle mightily.

My advice is to pick the narrowest segment possible, and build from there.  One at a time.  It’s harder work, but it’s long-lasting and infinitely more fulfilling.  If you can’t make it work small, it will never work big.

It starts with your passion and your willingness to give, anything less than giving and caring will greatly hobble your efforts.

Answer those questions and I’ll cover what’s next… next.

PS… Kim is focusing on women-only road rides, you can join her on Facebook

(one of my all time favorite books)

 

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DRIVEN BY PAIN

Jul 20, 2017 Todd Brown

Everything we make and do is driven by pain.  If we’re feelin’ pain, we want eliminate it so we create something way better… turning pain into gain. Tired of ill-fitting, ugly kits… we searched out the best Italian fabrics and created beautiful cycling gear. Frustrated by a giant bag with no organization… we developed the..

Everything we make and do is driven by pain.  If we’re feelin’ pain, we want eliminate it so we create something way better… turning pain into gain.

Tired of ill-fitting, ugly kits… we searched out the best Italian fabrics and created beautiful cycling gear.

Frustrated by a giant bag with no organization… we developed the RaceDay bag.

Baggy, boxy t-shirts… fixed that.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about an entirely different sock.  I mean, it’s still a sock… but this is going to be an awesome sock.

It’s all about the “R” and “D”… Realizing you’re in pain and Developing an outstanding solution.  Most of us endurance cyclists can endure pain and not even realized life could be a lot better.

Stay tuned…

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JUST KIDDING

Jul 19, 2017 Todd Brown

Want to change up your riding?  Grab your mountain bike, head out with the high school kids.  Be prepared to stop and talk and size up gnarly stuff.  That’s how kids ride.  Just for fun. That’s what we did tonight. We just rode. No agenda, no plan. We stopped above some crazy steep drops, then..

Want to change up your riding?  Grab your mountain bike, head out with the high school kids.  Be prepared to stop and talk and size up gnarly stuff.  That’s how kids ride.  Just for fun.

That’s what we did tonight.

We just rode.

No agenda, no plan.

We stopped above some crazy steep drops, then dropped in.

We found some big jumps and some of us jumped big… some jumped… and some just rolled over the jumps.  Then we did it again, jumping a little further each time.  Daring ourselves and each other.

A little blood was oozing, lots of dust mixed in with sweat, smiles everywhere.

It’s cheap too.

The kids bought their bikes on Craigslist… $4000 bikes for $600.  Not the latest and greatest machines, that’s not the point.  This isn’t about racing, it’s about adventure and fun and learning how to ride and work on the bikes.

re·ju·ve·nate     rəˈjo͞ovəˌnāt     verb
  1. make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.
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RUSSIAN MISSILE OBLITERATES PELOTON

Jul 18, 2017 Todd Brown

I can’t really compare the attacks to anybody else I’ve ridden with.  They are violent and vicious.  But lots of guys can pedal ferociously.  They are extremely ambitious,  miles from the finish line.  Nothing original there, really.  The thing about Sasha’s attacks is the resemblance to inter-continental ballistic missiles. Imagine those Space Shuttle videos from..

I can’t really compare the attacks to anybody else I’ve ridden with.  They are violent and vicious.  But lots of guys can pedal ferociously.  They are extremely ambitious,  miles from the finish line.  Nothing original there, really.  The thing about Sasha’s attacks is the resemblance to inter-continental ballistic missiles.

Imagine those Space Shuttle videos from the side of the rocket… the flame, the thrust, the lift off to infinity and beyond.

Now imagine you 6″ off that rocket’s rear wheel.

That’s what it’s like.

He’s the flame, and you’re made of wax.

He’s firing away, and you are melting… right… into… the pavement.

…where you will lie and lie to yourself…

Today he launched the moment we hit the bike path.  6 of us hung on desperately.  Pete and Chris and Bret did a few rotations.  One by one, the “boosters” were jettisoned until the launch vehicle reached the top of the wall never to be seen again.

Impressive.  Sasha!

(uphill, 600 watts, 23 mph – click to watch video)

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SLEEP MORE, LOSE MORE

Jul 17, 2017 Todd Brown

My sleeping schedule is off… I’ve stopped reading and picked up binge watching at night.  First MadMen then Shane said, Dad you gotta watch Designated Survivor.  It’s always fun to watch a show together… and since he and Abbey are home for the summer… well, here I am… it’s late and I’m getting fatter, because..

My sleeping schedule is off… I’ve stopped reading and picked up binge watching at night.  First MadMen then Shane said, Dad you gotta watch Designated Survivor.  It’s always fun to watch a show together… and since he and Abbey are home for the summer… well, here I am… it’s late and I’m getting fatter, because you get fat when you don’t sleep enough.

At least I do, and I bet you do too.

If I could just get this last season finished, then I’ll get back to reading… and the books are piling up.

Reading is better pre-sleep than “TV” because you have to hold the book.  It’s much less convenient than mindlessly watching the screen with both hands free to steady the popcorn and load the mouth.

Studies have shown that if you don’t sleep enough you’ll put on weight… I think just because you are awake more, and there’s food everywhere in the US.

Sleep more, lose more.

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THE 3 N’S OF SELLING

Jul 16, 2017 Todd Brown

If you’re knowledgeable, nice and never frustrated… you’ll sell a lot of stuff. The goal isn’t to sell a lot of stuff… it’s to help people out.

If you’re knowledgeable, nice and never frustrated… you’ll sell a lot of stuff.

The goal isn’t to sell a lot of stuff… it’s to help people out.

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LOW-TO-JAW TRAINING RIDE #4

Jul 15, 2017 Todd Brown

Today I had two goals:  sort out my saddle and long steady climbing… and hang out with Hartono before he moves back to Indonesia – hanging out is not a goal, it’s too important.  We’d be checking those boxes down on Palomar – apparently rated the #10 most difficult climb in California (it’s not that..

Today I had two goals:  sort out my saddle and long steady climbing… and hang out with Hartono before he moves back to Indonesia – hanging out is not a goal, it’s too important.  We’d be checking those boxes down on Palomar – apparently rated the #10 most difficult climb in California (it’s not that hard compared to the many MTB climbs, it’s paved and at a super steady grade so the world’s largest telescope could be built on top of the mountain).

So much pre-amble…

Anyway, my saddle has been a real pain lately.  Thankfully Specialized has a satisfaction guarantee so I was able to test a new saddle out today.

CeeDub recommended I get my Sitz bone’s width checked.  Steve handled that with a pretty cool device from ReTul.  I sitz’d on it twice, and he said I need to be on a 155… which is a lot wider than the 143 I’ve  been on.  Then, Steve politely took me over to all the saddles and we settled on the Romin – I’ve been on the Power.  He had a loaner, I took it.  So flippin’ simple… can I tell you how nice it was to have a pro take the time to not make me feel like a retard and kindly help me out?!  (I feel another post is coming on regarding sales).

Verdict?

The saddle is ace.  Perfect.  Me so happy!

8 weeks out… and I gotta get the saddle solved.

We started at Lake Henshaw.  This is my preferred route to ride Palomar.  There are many options, this one is the least traveled.  Here’s the link.

We did two  1 hour and twenty minute climbs, each finishing at the Observatory.

My personal goal here was to keep it in Zone 3.  I did that no problem and was able to climb strong the entire time with no real let off in power.

I did notice that over 8% it was hard for me to keep my cadence up and Hartono would scoot ahead.  He has a 32 on his bike, I’m riding a 28.  I need to dig into the LoToJa course and see how steep the grades get.  If they are over 8% for long periods of time, I’ll be throwing a larger cassette on for next week’s adventure.

Ride Notes:

The East Grade has been resurfaced and it’s amazing.  Black Silk.

A pickup had gone over the edge at the top of East Grade and rolled down about 200 yards – not sure about survivors.

On South Grade a wannabe moto-GP guy went down right in front of us – we were climbing up.  He came out of a left hand turn (for him) and lost the front wheel, laid it down, rolled over the bike and they both landed in the dirt.  Gas spilled all over the road.  He was fine… I stopped to help him pick the bike up… so take 20 minutes off my time up South Grade.

Car clubs were all over:  GTRs, Ferrari’s, classic BMWs.

Ran into JJ from UC Cycles Racing at Mother’s.

Saw Lori and George Everesting on South Grade – they are crazy animals.

(That’s an Enzo, about 20 other Ferrari’s)

(I prefer the GTRs)

(Right before Hartono dropped me)

(Hartono’s first time up to the Observatory, if you’ve never gone the extra 4 miles… DO IT!)

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MAYBE WE’RE ONTO SOMETHING?

Jul 14, 2017 Todd Brown

Just two observations about today’s gripping Tour de France stage:  SKY dominated the stage, while wearing their new white jerseys.  Today’s stage was awesome, because it was only 100k. Are we onto something? TMWC went to white jersey this year. We started a series of 100k bike races called HUNKR.

Just two observations about today’s gripping Tour de France stage:

  1.  SKY dominated the stage, while wearing their new white jerseys.
  2.  Today’s stage was awesome, because it was only 100k.

Are we onto something?

  1. TMWC went to white jersey this year.
  2. We started a series of 100k bike races called HUNKR.

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THE RE-RIDE

Jul 13, 2017 Todd Brown

Whether you ride or drive to the ride or race, on the way home you have the re-ride.  This is usually much better than the actual ride: more animated, more exagerrated.  Somehow it always reminds me of the old black and white movies where the couple lie in bed smoking, reliving the heat and passion..

Whether you ride or drive to the ride or race, on the way home you have the re-ride.  This is usually much better than the actual ride: more animated, more exagerrated.  Somehow it always reminds me of the old black and white movies where the couple lie in bed smoking, reliving the heat and passion of the moment in each others arms.

Oh baby, I wish you didn’t have to go…

Oh man, you guys took off and all we could do was…

We hit that hill so hard I thought…

My cleat broke in the sprint and everybody…

You came by so fast…

I saw that guy swing wide and…

The re-ride is loud.  Everybody clamoring to get their version heard, piling on each others tales.

We’re just so full of energy, even after the most brutal rides, we gotta talk it out.  Re-ride the whole thing.  Hearing how it went down from every perspective, and loving every single syllable said and heard.

Pass the Marlboro’s

(Matt and Jon re-riding the Market Ride)

 

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