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Strava Widgets Styling

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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 TRIPLE THAT EMOTION

ON THE START LINE there is always a lot of emotion.  Some are scared, some are anxious, some are seething, some are just happy to be there.  And...

... it's all good.

Well, kinda.

Facts are facts.

The more emotion we have the more productive we will be.

There's just one problem.

It might not be positive productivity.

Personally, I prefer to make up some story in my head regarding an innocent competitor...

... that ticks me off.

Take that manufactured angst,
turn it up all the way to 11...

... and let emotion do it's thing.

It is nearly a lock that I will race better,
be more and better calculating...

... and not give a hoot about what others think.

So, yeah...

... I triple that emotion.

 ---

163.9 lbs
8 hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 


>

What’s The Big Idea?

Feb 28, 2017 Todd Brown

As much as I love group rides and racin’… I do love to ride alone.  Doesn’t matter if it’s road or mountain, flat or up, fast or not.  Ridin’ alone is magical in it’s own way because that’s when nothing else matters. When nothing else matters, my head is clear.  Eventually.  Not at first.  It..

As much as I love group rides and racin’… I do love to ride alone.  Doesn’t matter if it’s road or mountain, flat or up, fast or not.  Ridin’ alone is magical in it’s own way because that’s when nothing else matters.

When nothing else matters, my head is clear.  Eventually.  Not at first.  It takes a bit for the voices to dwindle.  Faux conversations dim.  Cares don’t need tending.  Wheels spinning it all away.

It’s just me.

And my bike.

And my voice.

My real voice, surfaces.

Hey man, how you been?

Life okay?

What can I do for ya?

Well, ya see, it’s like this…

…and I spin…

It’s not deliberate or intentional.

It’s flow.

Ideas flow.

I stop, write them down.

Expand on them.  Think on them.  Prey on them.

The winners return, ride after ride.

Until one day they are real.

question

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Strawberry Fields

Feb 27, 2017 Todd Brown

Today, I lost my front wheel on a very slick sidewalk.  Maybe it was subliminal?… I was, after all, humming Strawberry Fields Forever… Let me take you down… and now I have a great big strawberry on my left hip. At some point you’re gonna take a tumble, whether it’s riding bikes or falling in..

Today, I lost my front wheel on a very slick sidewalk.  Maybe it was subliminal?… I was, after all, humming Strawberry Fields Forever… Let me take you down… and now I have a great big strawberry on my left hip.

At some point you’re gonna take a tumble, whether it’s riding bikes or falling in love.  How you handle the wound makes all the difference in recovery speed.  Don’t let it scab, keep it moist and heal from the inside out.

Here’s what I do:

  1.  If at all possible, keep riding… mainly because that is what tough guys do and I like to practice my tough guy skills in case I need them.
  2. Get home, strip down, get in the shower, soap up the loofa and scrub all the dirt away.
  3. Air dry the road rash.
  4. Put on too much Neosporin – you can’t put on enough, trust me.
  5. Cover with giant band aid.
  6. Go to work and hope it doesn’t leak.
  7. If you can, add more ointment during the day so it doesn’t scab – I blew this today.

If a scab forms you will lose movement because the scab isn’t flexible.

This will hurt like a son-of-a-biscuit sooner than you think.  You will ride anyway, because of step #1 and the scab will crack and bleed and that’s just a drag.  But, if it happens just pour on more ointment than you think you need and let it soften up the scab.

As the wound starts to heal you can de-breed it carefully.  All the while, you should be able to ride and enjoy life.

Keep the rubber side down!

scab
Trust me it’s nasty under there.
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Like I’m Young Again

Feb 25, 2017 Todd Brown

Rolled up to the start line behind all the dinosaurs, watched ’em roll off without me… bye-bye turds… Brownie is racing with the Category 3 kids today.  The whistle went off (no guns here) The Old Diesel led through the first turn – wanted the little ones to know who not to worry about. Dang, was..

Rolled up to the start line behind all the dinosaurs, watched ’em roll off without me… bye-bye turds… Brownie is racing with the Category 3 kids today.  The whistle went off (no guns here) The Old Diesel led through the first turn – wanted the little ones to know who not to worry about.

Dang, was I ever this young and frisky?  Suicidal attacks consistently whipping things up only to be slowly shut down by idunnowho… sorry punks.

We, Pete and I, were sporting the 2017 kits with our new sponsor’s colors:  HUNKR … I thought we looked awesome – serious bias on that.

Since getting back to road racing, I’ve been racing the age group stuff.  No teammates, just freelancing when I can.  Pete upgraded to Cat 3 last year, and this was our first race together.  He’d been freelancing his way from 5 to 4 to 3.

We had a grand master flash plan, and it worked pretty good until my Adult Onset O.L.D. flared up, withering my legs comically fast.  A mile to go and bye-bye punks… sorry Pete…

…but, I did feel young again… and I’m gonna find The Cure.

cat 3

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We Should Do This More

Feb 24, 2017 Todd Brown

At some point in your riding life you’ll settle into a great group.  Fact is, these groups become almost second families… at least brothers and sisters, and I for one am always thinking “we should have a party, or go out to dinner.” We never do. Life’s social routines rule. All these dear friends with..

At some point in your riding life you’ll settle into a great group.  Fact is, these groups become almost second families… at least brothers and sisters, and I for one am always thinking “we should have a party, or go out to dinner.”

We never do.

Life’s social routines rule.

All these dear friends with whom we wind up sharing so much of what’s happening in our lives as we pedal along and yet our wives/husbands/lovers rarely ever meet.

Tonight we met my friend and his lady at Jimmy’s.  Three hours later we parted… new, deeper friendships formed.

Such a great extended family.

We should do this more often.

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Brett

Feb 23, 2017 Todd Brown

Brett is one of those guys that you are pretty sure is completely full of that brown stuff that comes out of the back end of a bull.  We met in college, socially.  I got into riding, he said he knew a thing or two… that he was Specialized first sponsored racer.  “BS!” To this..

Brett is one of those guys that you are pretty sure is completely full of that brown stuff that comes out of the back end of a bull.  We met in college, socially.  I got into riding, he said he knew a thing or two… that he was Specialized first sponsored racer.  “BS!”

To this day, I sprint and practice sprinting the way he taught me.  He wasn’t even riding then, but would drive out to the old airport in Provo… and teach me.  Get my rpm’s up, then shift, get the rpm’s up in the bigger gear and do it again.  We talked positioning and timing the final sprint.  Not a taskmaster, just a friend sharing wisdom.

I started winning.

He laughed at my Cannondale touring bike and told me to buy a Gios.  A what?  A Gios with Campagnolo Super Record is the only bike to race on.  BS!

I saved all summer, ordered it from 10 Speed Drive.  Took the parts and frame to the local bike shop… they freaked out.  A Gios!

The Gios blue was amazing, and people that actually knew something drooled over it.

We connected about 10 years after leaving higher education.  He said he’d been hanging out with Eddy Merckx.  BS!

Yes, he had.  In fact he’d started collecting Eddy’s jerseys and they’d become friends.  Eddy introduced him to other old-time racers and Brett started buying their jerseys and old photos and memorabilia too.

The Horton Collection is recognized as one of the largest and best collections of cycling history in the world.  Before you say BS, check it out.

He has a few bikes too, one is his own Specialized with a #1 stamped in the frame and a one-page contract from M.S.

Merckx1973PR-keyline

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U23 is FREE?

Feb 21, 2017 Todd Brown

Why can racers under 23 years old can race my races for free?  When I started PEDALindustries the hippityhiphip cool tagline was Growing Cycling By Design.  I looked at that phrase every single day, many times a day.  The logic made sense:  more riders, more sales – more riders, more friends – more riders, more..

Why can racers under 23 years old can race my races for free?  When I started PEDALindustries the hippityhiphip cool tagline was Growing Cycling By Design.  I looked at that phrase every single day, many times a day.  The logic made sense:  more riders, more sales – more riders, more friends – more riders, more healthy people… which lead to what kind of event would grow the sport, which lead to HUNKR.

What does U23 mean?  Traditionally, U23 is an elite racing age group of 19-22 year olds.  The races for this age group serve as sort of a farm league for pro cycling, kind of like college sports in the US.  In fact, if you start too late in cycling as my son did you can’t realistically get a shot at racing in Europe – that’s a story for another day.

What do we mean by U23?  We mean every racer under 23 years old can race a HUNKR for free.  There may come a day when we limit that to a percentage of total racers, and won’t that be an amazing day!

How can you help?  Get your kids or friends’ kids to register and take part in an amazing event.  They don’t need to have ever raced before, the just need to know how to ride a bike and have some good fitness.  If they all ready race, all the better… they can have a real shot of making some real money – why prize money is also a story for another day.

Get Registered: HUNKR

u23

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Warm And Sunny

Feb 20, 2017 Todd Brown

It was warm and sunny.  80 degrees.  Sweat beading off my arms.  The energy! Wore the light gray jersey to stay cool, zipper cracked just past those two weird bones at the bottom of my neck. Used my cold bottles to keep my core cold. Cumulus patches waved hello with spotty shade. A red-tailed hawk eyed..

It was warm and sunny.  80 degrees.  Sweat beading off my arms.  The energy!

Wore the light gray jersey to stay cool, zipper cracked just past those two weird bones at the bottom of my neck.

Used my cold bottles to keep my core cold.

Cumulus patches waved hello with spotty shade.

A red-tailed hawk eyed me, one hunter to another?

Days like this day pull me towards summer.

I’m ready.

sunny

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What Is Makes A Standout Ride?

Feb 18, 2017 Todd Brown

STANDOUT RIDES: more memorable, more demanding, more re-living it over food, and someone – maybe you – shoots some stills, maybe video to prove it happened. If you and I were riding together – I wish we were right now – and I asked you to name a standout ride… well, there’s no telling the length of..

STANDOUT RIDES: more memorable, more demanding, more re-living it over food, and someone – maybe you – shoots some stills, maybe video to prove it happened.

If you and I were riding together – I wish we were right now – and I asked you to name a standout ride… well, there’s no telling the length of your tale

I’d listen, and we’d revel.

When, where, how far, who… shining from you, lighting up my mind.

HUNKRs are like that:

For OC, we’ll be on the best country road in the county.  It’ll be beautiful.  Some of the course is only accessible with special permission, and will be all new to (most of) you.

You’ll be prepped and out there with other riders.  The energy will thrill you, and push you to cover 100 kilometers… you’ll be getting after your personal record.

When you finish we’ll have a delightful meal for you.  Refueling and re-telling your day with your friends – nothing better.

As you relax we’ll be color correcting and editing your photo(s), and in a day or two you’ll have the digital proof to post up on the interwebs.

We can’t wait to serve you.

PS I’ve been asked lately if HUNKR is for first timers… of course it is, because there’s always time for a Standout Ride!  Just pick your starting group based on your pace, and have a blast.

memorable

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A Motivation, A Meal, A Momento… A Memory

Feb 17, 2017 Todd Brown

How do you know? If you’re fast(er) If you’re improving If you can do it How’d it go? Awesome Coulda been better As I thought, but different What’d ya do? I rode one hundred kilometers On a bike With these other fun, crazy athletes Really? Yep, check out this pic!

How do you know?

If you’re fast(er)

If you’re improving

If you can do it

How’d it go?

Awesome

Coulda been better

As I thought, but different

What’d ya do?

I rode one hundred kilometers

On a bike

With these other fun, crazy athletes

Really?

Yep, check out this pic!

2017-02-17_2033

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The Spoke N Word

Feb 16, 2017 Todd Brown

Went to dinner with my friend Mckay tonight.  He was in town on business.  Which is weird since he’s the biggest party planner I know, it’s hard to square with his business empire.  The last time we were together was Moab 2016. His plan: let’s ride the White Rim Trail in a day.  That’s 100 miles..

Went to dinner with my friend Mckay tonight.  He was in town on business.  Which is weird since he’s the biggest party planner I know, it’s hard to square with his business empire.  The last time we were together was Moab 2016.

His plan: let’s ride the White Rim Trail in a day.  That’s 100 miles of incredible views on 4×4 road.

Before that we did the entire Tour of California.

We did the 24 hours of Moab race on a 4 man team.

We took the families to Moab 20 years ago and walked along dinosaur prints.

We rode a bunch of sweet single track in NorCal where he lives and rented cabins in Tahoe with the families.

Ya need a guy like McKay to be part of your life.  Someone that’s always on the look out for an adventure… a “I wonder if we could ride from here to there in a day”.

He’s always inviting me, and I don’t go nearly enough.

Anytime I come up with an idea, his answer is nearly always the same… “let’s do it!”

On these adventures there’s always time to talk, hash out the ways to approach the current stage in life.

We ended tonight talking about The Life Of Pi.  He’s the only person I’ve met that understood the meaning of the book the same as me.

“If you stumble about believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is your problem with hard to believe?”
Yann Martel, Life of Pi

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The Hills Round Here

Feb 15, 2017 Todd Brown

Finally got TB out on the MTB! It’s so green, and alive… and it was quite warm as the sun settled over coastal fog.  Matt and Robot joined me.  Robot forgot he had to pick up plans for an inspection in the morning, he bailed early at Cactus Trail.  Matt forgot his MTB shoes and..

Finally got TB out on the MTB!

It’s so green, and alive… and it was quite warm as the sun settled over coastal fog.  Matt and Robot joined me.  Robot forgot he had to pick up plans for an inspection in the morning, he bailed early at Cactus Trail.  Matt forgot his MTB shoes and painfully pedaled with tenni’s, so we got him a RaceDay Bag and he’ll never forget his shoes again.

This time of year I like to ride from the office on Wednesday evenings.  We are two blocks from Whiting Ranch.  It’s easy to get out and do 60-90 minutes of climbing, either on Harding Truck Trail or Santiago Truck Trail.  That makes for a nice 2-21/2 hour ride.

Those types of climbs are important to be doing for my next targeted event: Whisky 50.

We hit Whiting, then crossed over into Cleveland National Forest.  The plan was to roll to Old Camp, but Matt’s feet were on fire due to shoe selection and we shot down The Luge.

Wow!  The Luge is in phenomenal shape.  New berms.  Stutter bumps filled in.  I’d say it’s like the luge of old, but it’s actually better.

Daylight was thinning out, and I didn’t mind cutting the ride short.  Still got in a couple of thousand feet of vertical, not a bad start.  10 ten more weeks to get my body ready.

The gear is mostly all there, ‘cept my shoes.

My shoes are in desperate condition.  3 seasons is 2 seasons too many for race shoes.  They are beaten, torn, and have lost quite a bit of support under the tender, aging balls of my feet.

Shoes are always a tough purchase which is probably why I procrastinate it so much.

Top choices are expensive: $300-400.  Most shops don’t carry a good selection, and even when they do you’re trying on a shoe on a floor vs a shoe attached to a cleat and locked into a pedal.  Then, the color selections can be weird.

Generally, I just go with black:  it’s in stock most of the time and I love the look of black shoes and black socks… just looks like they mean business, the mean kind of business.

As much as I think I’ve mellowed over the years, when I target a race I’m just a different guy that day… it’s kinda a weird, this Hulk-like transformation.  It can be embarrassing if I get too wound up.

Maybe I should buy white shoes this time?  NO WAY!

Once the starter’s gun fires all those days of climbing for hours straight up will come to my mind and I’ll remember exactly why I showed up to race.

flag
The beautiful view from the top of The Luge
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For The Children

Feb 14, 2017 Todd Brown

A wise man once said: “The best thing you can do for your kids is love their parent.” … that’s all for today.

A wise man once said:

“The best thing you can do for your kids is love their parent.”

… that’s all for today.

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Do You Feel Lucky?

Feb 13, 2017 Todd Brown

Is it okay to race not too lose?  Saturday I raced not too lose, and had a good result.  Two weeks ago I raced to win and had a better result.  Granted, one course I felt fit my skills and build perfectly… which had a decidedly different mindset than this week.  Saturday, I tucked for..

Is it okay to race not too lose?  Saturday I raced not too lose, and had a good result.  Two weeks ago I raced to win and had a better result.  Granted, one course I felt fit my skills and build perfectly… which had a decidedly different mindset than this week.  Saturday, I tucked for eight minutes straight at nearly 50 m.p.h. and caught up to two elite climbers… then I tucked my tail between my legs.

I quit my grit.

These two had just freewheeled down the hill.  I was all risk and made up a minute with my extra ballast.

Who was I kidding?  I was lucky to be here.

The good news was the chasers were out of sight.

We hit the climb again.  Rather than go all in as I had two weeks prior, I let them go.  I dosed my effort and raced not to lose.

Why press my luck?

When I got home I compared my times to last year.  This year’s winner, was also last year’s winner.  But this year’s winning times equaled my times of last year.  In other words, my effort from last year would have had me on pace to ride with the leaders this year.

In fact, I made up time on those two as the race wore on.

The point isn’t that I would have won this year… the point is my mindset was different.  I wasn’t feeling it.

Last year we raced an age group down, and had a much bigger field.  I knew the people between me and the winners weren’t “that” much better, and I dug a lot deeper because I “knew” I was good enough to beat the guys close to me.  Some of these other guys were riding buddies and I was confident that I could hang with them.

There was nobody in between me and the leaders this year… lonely pavement and stoic cacti.

Two weeks ago, I’d told myself if I can make it up the hill I have a chance – it was a flat finish after a long descent.  The closer we got to the finishing line the luckier I felt.

Is there something wrong with racing not too lose?  I don’t know the answer to that.

Just sometimes ya feel luckier.

Can you make your luck?  Kinda, by preparing and caring and doing all you can to be ready… picking the right course.

There’s (sic) other things outside of cycling that make me feel lucky.

They seem to spill into all the empty spaces and buoy me.  A clean office, being in synch with the TW, scoring a big order and having some extra coin in the bank, a call from one of my kids just to say hi, a good night’s sleep, seeing the sun shine at day break, taking time to pray and appreciate life before the day starts, a good comedy movie, a Rocky movie…

…maybe it’s age?…

Young TB used to just crank the metal music and get pissed off to unleash the mighty fury…

…what a punk!

dirtyharry07 (1)

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UCLA Road Race Insights

Feb 11, 2017 Todd Brown

The winners of at least two of today’s UCLA Road Race categories attacked towards the top of the climb and built a big enough lead to solo to victory. This is not Westwood, this is Pearblossom, CA a beautiful high-desert location (4700′) many miles NorthEast of LA.  The course is a 12.5 mile loop with about 1400′ of..

The winners of at least two of today’s UCLA Road Race categories attacked towards the top of the climb and built a big enough lead to solo to victory.

This is not Westwood, this is Pearblossom, CA a beautiful high-desert location (4700′) many miles NorthEast of LA.  The course is a 12.5 mile loop with about 1400′ of climbing per lap.  A climber’s course for sure, but it’s also a descenders course.

It’s physics.

The main climb will take the pro’s 10 minutes and the not-so-pro’s up to 15+ minutes.

The main descent will take the aero-big-boned about 8 minutes and the not-so-aero-big-boned up to 9+ minutes.

Don’t freak if you get gapped at the top by some little twig by 30 seconds.  Keep your head in the game.  Get low… there is no need to brake for any of the turns (this is my opinion, use good judgement.)

I saw two of today’s winners attack over the top and never look back… finishing with 2+ minutes gaps.

Putting 30-60 seconds on a group of guys means someone(s) in that group will have to ride awfully hard to catch you.  On a course like this, where the downhill is fast (I hit 49 mph), and at the bottom it rolls, it’s likely the group is going to look at each other and pray you fade on the climb – you might…

…or, you might pull off a victory never to be forgotten.

Find a position you're comfortable with... my triceps were on fire each plummet.
Find a position you’re comfortable with… my triceps were on fire each plummet.
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Lancaster

Feb 10, 2017 Todd Brown

In 2012 we came to Lancaster for Tour of California. It was a mancation and we were riding every stage. We woke up grabbed $30-40,000 worth of bikes out of the van and took off for Big Bear. Shane, my son, got in the van an hour later and the tank said empty. Dad, didn’t..

In 2012 we came to Lancaster for Tour of California. It was a mancation and we were riding every stage. We woke up grabbed $30-40,000 worth of bikes out of the van and took off for Big Bear.

Shane, my son, got in the van an hour later and the tank said empty.

Dad, didn’t we fill up,last night?

Yes.

Why is the tank empty?

Lancaster.  Someone must have drained the tank. Go fill up and catch us.

Dad, I filled up and gas was going through the filler straight to the ground.

Lancaster.  They cut the lines instead of siphoning the gas.

Shane spent all day at a Ford dealer then chasing the peloton.  We spent all day in the glories of Southern California pines.

7am start tomorrow, so we drove up.

Lancaster.  Bikes inside hotel.

IMG_2210

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Green Lights for HUNKR

Feb 09, 2017 Todd Brown

I was asked today about the light at Ridgeline. “Will we have to stop?” “Nope.” We have received a permit from the City of Lake Forest to close this intersection during HUNKR – OC. This is one of many permits we’ve had to pull in order to provide an excellent day for the participants. It’s..

I was asked today about the light at Ridgeline. “Will we have to stop?”

“Nope.”

We have received a permit from the City of Lake Forest to close this intersection during HUNKR – OC. This is one of many permits we’ve had to pull in order to provide an excellent day for the participants.

It’s not magic, it’s hard work and diligence on the part of HUNKR and the public servants who manage the roads trails and parks we’ll be using.

We have a great, big, giant vision of the HUNKR experience that fuels this effort.

Part of that experience and vision is making sure you can travel all 100k without stopping – unless you want to. Barring some sort of public emergency, you’ll be free to go for your personal record.

As we add more HUNKR events we’ll be building a database that will allow you to see how you stack up in your age group and against the fastest of the fast. Because the courses will have different features and be over different terrain – road (like OC), gravel and MTB – we assign differing degrees of difficulty.

You may prefer 100k gravel. You may find your best at 100k MTB. You may stick to road HUNKRs. No matter your preference we intend to provide you scenic open courses to challenge and delight you.

road map

 

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Good Question

Feb 08, 2017 Todd Brown

How come you can inflict all kinds of pain on yourself in a bike race and you’re such a baby at the dentist?  It’s weird, right?   I’ve cramped so hard at Tahoe 100 that I fell over and couldn’t get up by myself.  Still finished the race.  But I get in that dentist chair..

How come you can inflict all kinds of pain on yourself in a bike race and you’re such a baby at the dentist?  It’s weird, right?   I’ve cramped so hard at Tahoe 100 that I fell over and couldn’t get up by myself.  Still finished the race.  But I get in that dentist chair and look out…

I wear black t-shirts to the dentist to hide my sweaty pits.

My brow beads and drips.

A death grip on the handles.

Sure I had some youthful trauma, back in the days of hammer and saw dentistry.  But that was a long time ago, and my current dentist Paul is a college bud, nicest guy ever… he floats me a valium to take the edge off, we joke a lot, ask about each other’s kids, then I lay back… prepared to birth an alien.

I pay him for this, like I did this afternoon.

The day started off with Swami’s Wednesday beat down, which is free.  60 top athletes riding blistering through Camp Pendleton, the lungs burn and the throat is raspy, the group is whittled down to 30 after 30 minutes to cover 15 miles.  Do the math.

I control the pain on the bike, and the hurt is exquisite with an after glow and egg burrito at Ellie’s.

Paul controls the potential pain, and the potential hurt is just as real…

…with a mellow drifting into In-n-Out for a chocolate shake.

shake

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I’ve Been SSAved

Feb 07, 2017 Todd Brown

When the interwebs say rain tomorrow, I still set my alarm just in case.  5AM today came easy, fell asleep early to Silver Streak.  Horizontal, I checked Weather.com.  Cloudy?  Drops falling heavy banged through my cracked window.  Today I’d need the AssSaver. Barefoot in PJ’s, the very heavy mist sprayed me and the cold, black..

When the interwebs say rain tomorrow, I still set my alarm just in case.  5AM today came easy, fell asleep early to Silver Streak.  Horizontal, I checked Weather.com.  Cloudy?  Drops falling heavy banged through my cracked window.  Today I’d need the AssSaver.

Barefoot in PJ’s, the very heavy mist sprayed me and the cold, black asphalt below.

No TMWC today.

I read more Scott Adams, hilariously entertained and inspired.

Daylight came.

Still very wet.

Almost dug out the trainer from under the camping chairs.  Just couldn’t bring myself to ride indoors, gave it a loathing look is all.

Rest or Ride?

Ride.

Geared up with the usual:  kit, arm and knee warmers, wind/water resistant race jacket, new Deflect gloves, and the AssSaver.

Is there anything worse than water spraying up from your rear wheel, onto your rear, seeping into your chamois, and super-soaking your special purpose?  Let me just say, the AssSaver works as advertised.

12 miles and 2000′ of vert later, I rolled into the garage.  Shoes, wet.  Jacket, wet.  Warmers, wet.  Beanie, wet.  Bait and tackle, dry.

I got my AssSaver as part of my winnings at the Santa Barbara road race.  When they said I got an AssSaver I thought it was some sort of chamois cream…

…it’s a racy name to remember.

ass

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Oh The Places You’ll Go!

Feb 06, 2017 Todd Brown

Oh the places you’ll go on a bicycle will not be the same if you’re on a tourist bus or in a car or even on foot.  It’s just different on a bike.  You’re with the people, the culture.  Not quite a part, definitely not apart. I’ve ridden the entire Tour of California in 2012...

Oh the places you’ll go on a bicycle will not be the same if you’re on a tourist bus or in a car or even on foot.  It’s just different on a bike.  You’re with the people, the culture.  Not quite a part, definitely not apart.

I’ve ridden the entire Tour of California in 2012.  A week of the Tour de France in 2005.  Park City countless times.  Moab many times.  Sedona a few times.  From the sea to volcano on Maui, and all the way around Oahu – once each.

It’s not much of a list, but it’s my list and I’d like to add to it.

A week in Italy with Craig.  Moab with the latest in full suspension vs my XC whips.  Across the US would be epic, but I’m not sure my body would make it.  The Netherlands would be cool – flat and super accommodating.  PViddy says Australia is amazing – I’ve got 30 months to take advantage of that.  Definitely need a crack at LoToJa, with a few days in Jackson Hole.   The Main Divide – at least of week or two of it.  I think it would be nuts to do the Megavalance in Alpe D’Huez.  Jeff is always wanting to do one of those kookie 7 day MTB races.  Then there’s the Cape Epic.

Reading that last paragraph over I can see I still have some races I want to do, they crept in at the end… nothing wrong with that.  At this point in my life, once I feel I’ve given an event my best I like to move on.

Which brings up Whisky 50.

That one still needs a good whack.  4 years ago I rode with Trevor, back when he was just figuring out racing.  2 or 3 years ago was the snow year.  Last year I did the 30 but I was still in the over-training hole.  I signed up for the 50 this year, but that as before I realized Shane and Abbey graduate the day before – and 600 miles away.

For sure, I’ve got my excuse in place for this year’s Whiskey 50… let’s see if I can get the legs ready…

…now back to that list…

oh the places

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I Might Like You Better If We Rode Together

Feb 04, 2017 Todd Brown

Conversational paced bike rides are awesome, if you strike up a conversation.  If you’re shy, or unsure, you are a social sandbagger.  Cut loose, add your story and knowledge to our community.  You have something we need to know.  Here are some basic skills to put in your jersey pocket. Rule number 1… Everybody is..

Conversational paced bike rides are awesome, if you strike up a conversation.  If you’re shy, or unsure, you are a social sandbagger.  Cut loose, add your story and knowledge to our community.  You have something we need to know.  Here are some basic skills to put in your jersey pocket.

Rule number 1… Everybody is too busy thinking about what you think of them to actually think anything about you.  This is #legit and important to remember because as a cyclist you need to conserve energy.  Thinking people are actually thinking about you is a big, fat, FAKE obstacle for you to do a conversational wheelie over.  Once I realized this it was so freeing… you just have to go for it.

First… Introduce yourself.  “Hi, I’m Todd.” is so vulnerable that most people open up from there (refer to #1 if you’re wimping out).  You’ll get either “I’m _____” or if the don’t know about #1 they might just say nice to meet ya.

Second… “Where are you headed?”  Everybody wants to share their ride plan.  It’s easy.

Third… “Where did you start?” is a great follow up.  You can mix the order on these, and I’m probably mixing them up right now.

With these 3 questions you can usually dive down into the rabbit hole of a stranger’s life and make a new friend.  It’s not nosy because this is of interest to you.  You might be heading the same place, or you might meet a neighbor you never knew.  You might have 10 friends in common.  You might get a flat and need a tube or the reverse.

Fourth is my favorite… “What’s your big event or goal for the year?”  I love this question because here I’m going to find out what my new friend is really passionate about doing on a bike.  This question is a gold mine.  Here I’m bound to learn something new:  a race or ride, a diet, a gizmo, a travel destination, a segment of cycling in which I’m super ignorant, etc.

True passion will pour forth and I’ll (you’ll if you remember #1) be inspired – that’s a guarantee.

Fifth is right behind Fourth (see that pun?)… “What got you into riding bikes?”.  This is less about passion and much more interesting.  I ask this question because I’m always thinking about how to grow the sport.  The answers are so random and broad I’ve given up on a formula and decided it’s better to keep the community vibrant because we all get our friends involved in our own unique way.

Today, I met Dave and he shared that he got into cycling because of MS.

What???

You have MS?

No, he said… My brother has MS and I started doing the MS ride once a year to raise money.  I was 57.  I rode a 26 lb mountain bike to San Diego for the first 2 years.  Then, my friend had trouble with his vision and we rode a tandem – it was so fast I wanted more.  Then another friend loaned me his “old” race bike… I needed a seatbelt to hang onto it. Then I signed up for a double century, and I did pretty good.  Then I did a 400 mile race and qualified for RAAM.  I didn’t know what RAAM was.  I did a 500 mile race and they said I qualified for RAAM.  I decided to do RAAM (Race Across America).  I finished 2nd in my age group the first time, and won it the next 2 times.  It took him 12 days.

How cool is that?

It’s super rad.  He told me about his diet and what he’s changed how it’s improved his riding.  We talked about sleep strategies.  I got home and he’d Friended me of FB.  Will we ever ride together again?  Probably, but even if we don’t my friendship cup has been refilled.

Rule #1.

dave

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Coldzzz

Feb 03, 2017 Todd Brown

I like to stay out front.  That’s where the action is, that’s where the winning move will come from, and it’s safer.  Staying out front of cold season is the same thing.  You feel a cold coming on, take action quickly or be prepared to suffer needlessly/endlessly. My solution is an old family recipe… nnnnnot! my..

I like to stay out front.  That’s where the action is, that’s where the winning move will come from, and it’s safer.  Staying out front of cold season is the same thing.  You feel a cold coming on, take action quickly or be prepared to suffer needlessly/endlessly.

My solution is an old family recipe…

nnnnnot! my mom turned me onto this remedy and it works like magic…

… but ONLY if you take it at first hint of a cold.  Wait too long and you might miss the winning move.

It’s available at your local grocer.  Get it.  And start a write-in campaign for these cats to sponsor HUNKR – out of industry sponsors have the big bucks!

PS  Wouldn’t it be rad to find this at the local bike shop?!

coldee

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Confident, Doubtful and Scared

Feb 02, 2017 Todd Brown

The moment before you sign up for anything the confidence is high.  Then you sign up.  A momentary panic.  It’s real.  You’re committed, and you might fail.  In a bike race that could be failure to go fast, or even finish.  What to do? My dad used to say (he still does), “Todd, you’ll have..

The moment before you sign up for anything the confidence is high.  Then you sign up.  A momentary panic.  It’s real.  You’re committed, and you might fail.  In a bike race that could be failure to go fast, or even finish.  What to do?

My dad used to say (he still does), “Todd, you’ll have all the time you want to do all things you want if you’ll… Plan your work and work your plan.”  Bike racers need to have a training plan and follow it.

When PViddy and I were training for Leadville we’d get all panicky the week before, then look at ourselves and say “Trust your training”.  He’s an actual Olympic Gold Medalist, which is a little more weighty than high school varsity tennis.

Having a training partner is ginormous: accountability, sounding board, friendship and confidence.  Going it alone is heroic, but probably increases likelihood of failure 10X.

The event might be a long way off.  You get busy with your plan, and you gain confidence.  Maybe you have a testing day, things go well, you get more confident.

As the date gets closer, I get less confident.  Should I add some new gizmo? Change my diet? What about tire pressure?

The doubts creep in, bloom and scatter more seeds of doubt.

Trust your training… it’s like weed killer for doubts.

Confidence returns.

The morning of of the race, I often think Heck, I don’t even know if I want to do this… I don’t even care… I’ll probably fail.

The gun goes and whadaya know?… The training kicks in.  I feel okay.  A little confidence returns.

Some days, are just magical.  It all comes together.  The doubts are gone.  The confidence is full, and as the finish line approaches the Killer Instinct is on the prowl.

In the ride of your life, what should you be signing up for and seeing through to the finish?  What are you afraid to make happen?  What is calling your soul to do?

Make it happen… we’re counting on you to share your greatness.

no try

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Podcasts

Feb 01, 2017 Todd Brown

Podcasts are awesome.  The selection of topics is much more broad than radio, even satellite radio.  Which means the podcasters can focus on very narrow topics and then go deep.  Find a topic you like, and drown yourself in knowledge and insights. My top categories are:  cycling, economics, marketing, fitness and “spiritual/wisdom”. My favorite cycling..

Podcasts are awesome.  The selection of topics is much more broad than radio, even satellite radio.  Which means the podcasters can focus on very narrow topics and then go deep.  Find a topic you like, and drown yourself in knowledge and insights.

My top categories are:  cycling, economics, marketing, fitness and “spiritual/wisdom”.

My favorite cycling podcasts are:

SoCal Cyclist – local guy interviewing big time cyclists

Cycling Tips – it’s weird, their website doesn’t showcase the podcast but it’s there.

Cycling Time Trial Podcast – I don’t TT, but you’d be surprised about what can you learn and apply from one discipline to another.

There are many more cycling podcasts.  They all tend to go very deep into an aspect of cycling the host is really into… and you might be too.

Podcast apps are free, just download and search for what you want to listen too.  The app will download new episodes when you are on wifi and delete them once you listen to them.  Love one?  You can save it.

New episodes are always available to teach me and introduce me to new ideas and ways of seeing the world.  For free, with zero data usage.

Turn that car ride into an engaging lecture.

Long slow mountain bike rides are another great place to listen – on the road I prefer to listen for approaching cars.

Download the app, it’s easy.  Search a topic, or one of the podcasts above.  Join the new and deep conversations of podcasters.

socalcyclist facebook profile image

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Start and Finish

Jan 31, 2017 Todd Brown

When does a race start and finish? When the gun goes off? When you get out of bed that morning? When you start your taper? When you sign up? When you start your training block? When you eye the event on the calendar? When you decide you want to race? When you buy a “real”..

When does a race start and finish?

When the gun goes off?

When you get out of bed that morning?

When you start your taper?

When you sign up?

When you start your training block?

When you eye the event on the calendar?

When you decide you want to race?

When you buy a “real” bike?

When take off the training wheels?

When you are born?

When you cross the finish line?

When you recap it with your pals?

When you upload to Strava?

When you unload the car?

When you get cleaned up?

When you go to bed exhausted?

When your legs finally feel good again?

When your ready to find another race?

When you knew you were born to race the good race,

fight the good fight,

and finish knowing you couldn’t have done any better.

IMG_2170
Scouting out the start finish for HUNKR – Orange County http://hunkr.com/
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It’s About Service

Jan 30, 2017 Todd Brown

Exciting things are happening in bike shops around town.  SERVICE DEPARTMENTS.  Departments are being redesigned.  Work flow is being changed to allow for 24 hour turnaround – instant if it’s just a flat.  “And that’s pretty cool” (shout out to my daughter and our days watching Hanna Montana). It’s pretty cool because that’s where shops can..

Exciting things are happening in bike shops around town.  SERVICE DEPARTMENTS.  Departments are being redesigned.  Work flow is being changed to allow for 24 hour turnaround – instant if it’s just a flat.  “And that’s pretty cool” (shout out to my daughter and our days watching Hanna Montana).

It’s pretty cool because that’s where shops can beat the pants off the interwebs.  The net aint gonna fix your rig, but the net can give shops great scheduling tools and intel to get you and your lovely steed back out riding.

There’s more to it.  This is a signal.  Your local shop is committed to your happiness more than ever.  It’s a signal.  The local shops as a whole are in it to win it.

I’m seeing all these signals as I get out and talk about HUNKR.  There’s an excitement in the air, new energy in many of service departments.

If you haven’t seen it, get out there.

And if you really want to play the game right, slide the mechanic a 5r when nobody’s looking… or bring in a sizzling pizza at lunch time… trust me on this, the very best service you’ve ever had is a fist full of quarters away at your local shop.  Show ’em some love.

support-your-local-bike-shop-black-tshirt-900x900

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The Most Aero Upgrade Of The Year

Jan 28, 2017 Todd Brown

The car was idling.  The heater was on.  39 degrees outside.  At 8am, we were two dudes with safety pins and race numbers about to pierce pristine lycra… well, I was. Not Peter. Peter had his number turned over and was… taping it? What is that? Double-sided tape. How’s it work? Like this.  Tape all..

The car was idling.  The heater was on.  39 degrees outside.  At 8am, we were two dudes with safety pins and race numbers about to pierce pristine lycra… well, I was.

Not Peter.

Peter had his number turned over and was… taping it?

What is that?

Double-sided tape.

How’s it work?

Like this.  Tape all the edges then put same tape in the middle of the number.  Then peal the back off, and press it onto you jersey… just… like… this!

…and just like that his number was perfectly flat, pressed onto his jersey.  No more number sailing around in the wind while sprinting at 30+ mph  Poof.  Magic…

It was awesome.  Silence vs the sound of holding a piece of paper out the window of a speeding car… during 2 hours of racing.

Not just the sound… being “aero” on a road bike can be the difference between 1st and 10th place.  It matters.  That’s why aero parts and frames and wheels sell for a premium.

To be safe we put two safety pins in.  They weren’t needed.

Thanks Pete!

doubleIMG_2167

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My Favorite Bike

Jan 28, 2017 Todd Brown

My friends are flooding FB with requests that we all share pics of our favorite bike. The motivation is to change the conversation from political vitriol to something lighter, more fun and less emotionally charged. Thats the bike riding community for ya… kids at heart. The youthful heart of a kid can always overlook social/racial/economical/political/religious..

My friends are flooding FB with requests that we all share pics of our favorite bike. The motivation is to change the conversation from political vitriol to something lighter, more fun and less emotionally charged.

Thats the bike riding community for ya… kids at heart.

The youthful heart of a kid can always overlook social/racial/economical/political/religious differences and find friendship through a common love.

Go ride your bike!

My favorite bike is the one I'm going to ride or race on during a weekend escape.
My favorite bike is the one I’m going to ride or race on during a weekend escape.
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Prize Money and Spectacles

Jan 26, 2017 Todd Brown

Why have prize money for a bike race?  Two good reasons:  to support the professionals so they can continue to thrill and inspire us; to create a spectacle, a drama and catch the attention of the casual observer. Nobody really cares if Tiger Woods can sink a 6′ putt until there’s $1,000,000 on the line. Put..

Why have prize money for a bike race?  Two good reasons:  to support the professionals so they can continue to thrill and inspire us; to create a spectacle, a drama and catch the attention of the casual observer.

Nobody really cares if Tiger Woods can sink a 6′ putt until there’s $1,000,000 on the line.

Put up big money, and you bring the general public into your world.  Joe Shmoe instantly has an interest.  He’ll watch.  He might take up the sport as thousands did in the late 90’s.  All of the sudden Grampa’s sport was cool.  Lots of advertisers caught on to this and soon the putts were for much more.

Can we do that with HUNKR?  That’s certainly the grandmasterflash vision we have.

What about the women, how’s the prize money work for them?

Our singular mission is to grow the sport.  Getting female participation from 10% up to 35% like Triathlon is the first step.  Getting female participation equal to male is the quest.  Men and women are racing the same distance, working as hard as they can.

Prize money for men and women is the same

…some day that will be a big money spectacle!

prize

 

 

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You Don’t Need Permission

Jan 25, 2017 Todd Brown

You don’t need permission to pull through.  Do it. You don’t need permission to sprint.  Do it. You don’t need permission to sit in the back and recover.  Do it. You don’t need permission to start your own group ride.  Do it. You don’t need permission to put on a race.  Do it. You don’t..

You don’t need permission to pull through.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to sprint.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to sit in the back and recover.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to start your own group ride.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to put on a race.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to join Strava.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to join USA Cycling.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to call in sick and go for a ride.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to introduce a friend to bike life.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to bring extra food for others.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to ride some place new.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to write a cycling blog.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to sign up for your first race.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to teach a newbie the basics.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to design your own kit.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to create a team for your company. Do it.

You don’t need permission to thank the local bike shop.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to volunteer at an event.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to give up your spare tube.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to ask for a rule change.  Do it.

You don’t need permission to make a difference.  Do it.

abike

170.8

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Goals Are For Losers

Jan 24, 2017 Todd Brown

Scott keeps telling me goals are for losers… Systems man, winners focus on systems.  If your goal is go fast on a bike, that’s sweet… romantic.  Won’t you be cool?  Won’t it feel great?  Fit.  Fast. Svelte.  If you don’t put a system like this in place it’s never, ever gonna happen. Here’s mine: Monday..

Scott keeps telling me goals are for losers… Systems man, winners focus on systems.  If your goal is go fast on a bike, that’s sweet… romantic.  Won’t you be cool?  Won’t it feel great?  Fit.  Fast. Svelte.  If you don’t put a system like this in place it’s never, ever gonna happen.

Here’s mine:

Monday – Spin

Tuesday – TMWC group ride – I hate intervals (see Tabata), so it’s hard pulls and suicide attacks for me.

Wednesday – Tempo and play, and lately that’s either Swami’s in the morning or an adventurous MTB ride

Thursday – off is working these days

Friday – easy spin, trying to turn this into a social ride with beginner/out of shape friends.

Saturday – Race or fast group ride or epic MTB.

Sunday – rest

Depending on where the next event is on the calendar I will dial up or dial down the intensity and volume.  Tapering is it’s own system, and how I taper may or may not work for you.

This is very simple and easy to follow.

When I’m really focused I’ll get with my coach… I can only handle about 10 weeks of rigid structure.  It’s worth it to hand off the system to a pro, and my system keeps the baseline high enough for her and me to meld in a win every now and then.

Scott isn’t 100% right, but he gets your attention right?  Moses (I think it was Moses, and I’m not gonna look it up) said, “Where there is no vision the people perish.”  But it was the system of praying for manna every morning that got the people free.

just ped

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Episode 9: I Made Someone Mad Today, Now We Are Friends

Jan 23, 2017 Todd Brown

https://youtu.be/2YDUs9nDqDE (not why video player isn’t loading) A new friend (she wasn’t that mad), pinged me on FB and asked why she should do HUNKR if the women are poised to win less than the men?  Sage that I am, I slept on it.  Pinged her back, and she said let’s chat. Awesome! We chatted.  She..

https://youtu.be/2YDUs9nDqDE (not why video player isn’t loading)

A new friend (she wasn’t that mad), pinged me on FB and asked why she should do HUNKR if the women are poised to win less than the men?  Sage that I am, I slept on it.  Pinged her back, and she said let’s chat.

Awesome!

We chatted.  She has some good ideas of how to make it mo’ bettah.

Pulling off a bike race that’s sustainable is hard to do from a profit stand point.  We’ve all seen races come and go over the years. Will parity in the purse will spark more interest from women and get our numbers beyond Triathlon which is 35% women to Marathon which is nearly 50%?

We are both now asking our other friends for their opinions and suggestions regarding the women’s purse:

Equal pay for equal work?

Equal pay for equal numbers racing?

Equal pay for top 3 places?

Start women separate?

Have an all women group for those not going for the win?

Drop me an email to purse@hunkr.com… I’d love you hear what you have to say.

Thank you!, tb

PS  The flyers are in.  The posters will be in tomorrow. That email address will stop working after 25JAN17.

flyer


173.2

 

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Episode 8: When To Eat?

Jan 21, 2017 Todd Brown

Figuring out when to eat on Race Day or Big Ride Day is trial and error… the trial is the fun part, the error… well, it is only a big ride/race so it’s not gonna be catastrophic… could hugely foul up your plans.  Take today for instance. Today had all kinds of miscues. Normally, I..

Figuring out when to eat on Race Day or Big Ride Day is trial and error… the trial is the fun part, the error… well, it is only a big ride/race so it’s not gonna be catastrophic… could hugely foul up your plans.  Take today for instance.

Today had all kinds of miscues.

Normally, I try and gag down my beans and ‘dines (a substantial meal) 2-3 hours before the action.

Today, I made a drop at the airport at 7 which left me 20ish minutes to get home get changed and get out the door for 8am departure from home to Canyon Velo.  We left at 6:15, which meant gagging at 6am.  No problem.  I’m a veteran.

The problem occurred when I installed my charged UI2 battery and all systems were DEAD – I could spin a nasty yarn about this but there’s no need to share my wo’s.

No need to hustle, just text the fella’s “I’m out”.

This gave me time to read “How To Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big” by Dilbert’s creator – hilarious and good.  Took my time prepping Black Beauty for some sweet single track on San Juan Trail.

Started riding at 10ish.

4 hours is too long.  I was hungry.  Thought I could make it up with my Fluid, but was behind on calories all day. Strava says 1600 calories were burned.  That left me weak.

The ride was still awesome… it was San Juan, after a rain… super clear… not too crowded, not too wet.

Fortunately, I had a Fluid recovery mix ready to drink… if you aren’t drinking a recover drink after a ride, you are blowing it… recovery fuel makes the next ride a lot better, and if you bonk and don’t replenish quickly you can put yourself in a hole for weeks.

Speaking of eating, that Rottweiler freaked me out!

And still speaking of eating, telling the story of HUNKR is the next project I’ve got to eat… and FAST!

IMG_2105_____ 170.6

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Who Am I?

Jan 20, 2017 Todd Brown

Who am I?  After I’d been racing in college for an entire year, I graduated and moved back to CA.  I rolled into this little bike shop at in a tiny center at PCH and La Costa.  This old, crusty racer listened to me patiently and said… You won’t know what kind of racer you..

Who am I?  After I’d been racing in college for an entire year, I graduated and moved back to CA.  I rolled into this little bike shop at in a tiny center at PCH and La Costa.  This old, crusty racer listened to me patiently and said… You won’t know what kind of racer you are for at least 3 years.

He said, Look you have to do all kinds of races to figure out what you’re good at.  And, punk, trust me just because you won a parking lot crit and a puny road race in Utah doesn’t mean you know what you’re good at.

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170.6

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Episode 6: Karma Errr Grattitude

Jan 19, 2017 Todd Brown

Nobody knocks on my door these days.  No kids coming over to play.  No neighbors checking in to chat.  It’s all texting and social media, no real humans interacting at the front door.  Tonight it rang, and it was so awesome. John had found my CDL at the entrance to San Onofre Campground and tracked..

Nobody knocks on my door these days.  No kids coming over to play.  No neighbors checking in to chat.  It’s all texting and social media, no real humans interacting at the front door.  Tonight it rang, and it was so awesome.

John had found my CDL at the entrance to San Onofre Campground and tracked me down… not easy since the address is incorrect.  Super nice guy.  We chatted for a bit.  I gave him a pair of new cycling socks.  We’ll probably meet again on the road.

How nice is that?!

John, my college buddy rang me up today.  Said, Todd this is outta left field but I’ve been watching your videos and I think you’re on to something.  He says I need more lifestyle in there, like I’m a cyclists and ya know what cyclists love chairs just like this one… that kinda flavor.  I’m not sure how I’ll do that, but it’s so thoughtful of him to take time out of his day to encourage the efforts.

How nice is that?

Pretty good day of cycling lifestyle, considering I didn’t ride.

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Here’s a link to my favorite jacket

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171.4 (got it back down… weak of me not to post all those days above 174)

I guess I'm supposed to have "a look"?
I guess I’m supposed to have “a look”?
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Episode 5: Why I’m So Selfish

Jan 18, 2017 Todd Brown

A wise man said, The best thing I can do for you is take care of myself.  That’s why I carve out about 6% of my week to ride my bike. Going for a bike ride = cheap therapy, a good workout, and friendship. But my selfishness isn’t limited to the bike so… I eat the best..

A wise man said, The best thing I can do for you is take care of myself.  That’s why I carve out about 6% of my week to ride my bike.

Going for a bike ride = cheap therapy, a good workout, and friendship.

But my selfishness isn’t limited to the bike so… I eat the best food I can afford, get to bed early, read uplifting works, hang out with positive people, do work that’s fun and fits my talents.

The results are in:  I’m super selfish, in pretty good shape, have extra time to lend a hand and a few shekels to give and time to listen and write letters and….

… when the energy is Great, the output is great…

and life is good.

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Managed to lose my CDL, probably pulling out the iPhone to shoot this incredible video.  For some reason, I didn’t put the CDL in the plastic bag with my inner tube… doh!

I share that so you don’t make the same mistake.  What mistakes are you making that you could share with me?

Found a wallet on the base during the ride.  Took it back to the MP’s at the Las Pulgas gate after the ride.  They needed about 45 minutes to fill out a 3 page report by hand.  Super cool guys, apologetic for how long it took.

On a possible brighter note, the MP’s said 3 older guys rode through and had found my license and that they knew me and would get it back to me… hope they find me soon : )

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Super good night of sleep – wake up at 5am, ride hard, work all day, get a crown on molar #2

this app is awesome. what gets measured gets results
this app is awesome. what gets measured gets results
you have to have a picture for facebook to put a picture with your post, and even silly pictures like this pull better than no picture
you have to have a picture for facebook to put a picture with your post, and even silly pictures like this pull better than no picture

Relive is making some pretty cool videos, gonna have to do a write up: https://www.relive.cc/view/836255412

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Have a Plan Dr. Groggy

Jan 17, 2017 Todd Brown

If you have a plan to roll out early, I mean EARLY, then you’d better have a plan that includes laying everything out the night before.  My plan last night for this morning was flawless… it had to be with a 5:38 roll out. 5:38 gives me exactly 12 minutes to leisurely roll over to..

If you have a plan to roll out early, I mean EARLY, then you’d better have a plan that includes laying everything out the night before.  My plan last night for this morning was flawless… it had to be with a 5:38 roll out.

5:38 gives me exactly 12 minutes to leisurely roll over to the first meet up at 5:50.  5:50, gives exactly 40 minutes to the to the official start of the TMWC.  Any earlier and I go slower, which is nice, or get their early which is not nice at today’s temps.

It was all so perfectly planned.  Made my bottles of Fluid.  Checked Weather.com and laid out the appropriate clothing.  Mounted my already charged lights.  Checked my tires to make sure they were full – I top them off in the morning, just want to make sure I don’t have a flat.

Check, check, check, check, check…

Screeching halt!… my shifter battery was flashing, I’d need to top it off.  No big deal.  Popped it in the charger, when to bed, knowing I’d remember to put it in before I left.

Video above for details.

Who says you can’t teach an old diesel knew tricks?!  Just another box to check.

I have to check all these boxes because I wake up at the last moment and everything has to go perfect to get me to the church on time.

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Canopy Factory Is Slow = You Win

Jan 17, 2017 Todd Brown

(Every now and then, I gotta do a shameless promotion… this is one of about six per year.) Pro Canopy Special – Full Color, Super-lite Our canopy factory is slow this time of year, and we want to keep them busy. For $799, you can get a brand new Pro Canopy.   The top is..

CANOPY_SPECIAL2

(Every now and then, I gotta do a shameless promotion… this is one of about six per year.)

Pro Canopy Special – Full Color, Super-lite

Our canopy factory is slow this time of year, and we want to keep them busy.

For $799, you can get a brand new Pro Canopy.  

The top is long lasting, with brilliant colors – your colors, because it’s custom.  The frame is all aluminum, which means it’s light enough for woman and strong enough for a man (you old enough to get that joke?).  And, we’ll include a roller bag to make it easy to transport.

Send us your art, and we’ll get you a rendering.  That will lock in this price for you.

Happy New Racing Year

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Episode 3: SJT on MLK

Jan 16, 2017 Todd Brown

I’ve loved the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday since it was first announced.  There was a lot of controversy, and I believe more than one state refused to honor it.  Not me. A kid of the 60’s I was fascinated with 4 events:  President Kennedy’s assassination, the Viet Nam war,  MLK’s assassination and the Beatles...

I’ve loved the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday since it was first announced.  There was a lot of controversy, and I believe more than one state refused to honor it.  Not me.

A kid of the 60’s I was fascinated with 4 events:  President Kennedy’s assassination, the Viet Nam war,  MLK’s assassination and the Beatles.  These were big, big events that my parents and their siblings and friends talked about often.  At the dinner table.  At Grampa’s.  At church.  And I just listened, that’s all I could do… listen and try and understand.

Who would shoot a president?

Why was my friend’s brother shipped across the world to die?

Why were black people bad, and why was a popular preacher killed?

… and yeah, How were British people so cool?

Ronald Reagan made MLK’s (no disrespect, it’s just a long name to say in my head every time I type it) holiday a reality.  I was 21, living in Mexico.  So I came home to a new holiday, and it made me happy.

The words “I have a dream” resonated with me… just like it had with millions of others.  I read the speech multiple times.  It was good.

When my kids were kids, I’d always take the day off.  We’d go on a hike of some sort, and we’d talk about their dreams for their lives in a subtle sorta way… and I’d think about my own.

The kids are grown, so today I met up with my friends for a bike ride – the San Juan Trail in amazing form. They are kids too.  Most are at least 10 years younger and on average 15-20 years younger.

What a blessing, to be healthy and have young friends.

It’s like a dream…


The on bike video needs a lot of work.  I’m learning, I’ll get better.

IMG_2045
I keep telling myself this is proof I’m alive.
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Episode 2 – Swami’s LONG

Jan 14, 2017 Todd Brown

Got into iMovie today.  It’s not too hard to figure out, but I would like to take a class to speed up the learnin’. A few notes: Yes, I eat 1/2 a can of organic black beans and a full can of sardines before big rides… also my go to breakfast – easy, fast, tons..

Got into iMovie today.  It’s not too hard to figure out, but I would like to take a class to speed up the learnin’.

A few notes:

Yes, I eat 1/2 a can of organic black beans and a full can of sardines before big rides… also my go to breakfast – easy, fast, tons of protein and fat to power The Old Diesel.  Buy ’em both at Costco.

FLUID is my favorite drink.  Found it a Whiskey 50 last year.  Been drinking ever since – seems to be super even energy and easy on my tummy. Hard to find at shops still… buy online, or at events.

Mike’s rack on the back of Matt’s new truck (which is also awesome) is the 1UP… best rack out there, just saving my pennies to get one for myself.  It’s light, bikes never touch each other, and modular.

Shot all this on my iphone 6+.  Had to rotate some of the views – which is easy to do in imovie.  Did a little cropping and inserting.  Goofed up the kitchen scene and shot portrait vs landscape – Bryan says always shoot landscape.

The worst part of Episode 2 was getting camer(man) shy.  I should have shot the big group for a bit before it went super nova through Elfin Forest.  And the stop at Valley Center Market, which is always entertaining.  The post ride machismo at the trucks should never be skipped.

To really use the iphone, you can’t wear warm winter gloves… gonna have to start riding no gloves.

Check out the ride on Strava and ReLive (ReLive is free and cool)

Monday, I’m trying out the GoPro.  Bought the Chesty from Rock N Road on sale for $20.  Boom!  San Juan Trail here I come.

More notes from Bryan on Numero Uno – you can find him herenotes from bryan

text stay rad

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VLOG Numer Uno

Jan 13, 2017 Todd Brown

Soooooooo… Bryan says I gotta do video, to really make an impact…. and I’m all about growing cycling… here goes VLOG #1. Little tour of the my office for ya.  There’s lots more outside my door.  Stop by some time, I guarantee you won’t leave empty handed. The HUNKR poster in the background is part..

Soooooooo… Bryan says I gotta do video, to really make an impact…. and I’m all about growing cycling… here goes VLOG #1.

Little tour of the my office for ya.  There’s lots more outside my door.  Stop by some time, I guarantee you won’t leave empty handed.

The HUNKR poster in the background is part of the promotional collateral we’ve been working on.  Site is super close to launching – I’m behind, and I’m gonna need you’re help to pull this off.

A quick view of my big monitor shows the Pro Canopy Special.  I’ll be emailing it out this weekend.  It’s awesome… fully sublimated top, super light and strong aluminum frame, and a roller bag.  If you just need a top, we can do that too.

Can you tell I have a back molar that in need of a root canal next week?… check out that side breathing – weird.

Swami’s LONG tomorrow, so Brownie gotta go to bed ERly.

I love saying VLOG. Try it. VLOOOOG.
I love saying VLOG. Try it. VLOOOOG.
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You Don’t Know If You Don’t Try

Jan 12, 2017 Todd Brown

I was recently talking with a friend about the ultimate effort he ever gave on a bike.  He’d pushed so hard his vision narrowed and stars popped in and out of the periphery.  Coasting to a finish, he planted his feet.  Unsteady, he puked. That was my ultimate effort, and until I made that effort..

I was recently talking with a friend about the ultimate effort he ever gave on a bike.  He’d pushed so hard his vision narrowed and stars popped in and out of the periphery.  Coasting to a finish, he planted his feet.  Unsteady, he puked.

That was my ultimate effort, and until I made that effort I never knew just how much I more I had to give… how much I could resist my body’s wanting to quit was an unknown up to that point.

You can be mediocre and not even know it, I was.

You probably are too.

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A Moment

Jan 11, 2017 Todd Brown

Slipped out at 4 to get some dry pavement. Long shadows leapt across the road.  Wet leaves papered the bike trail.  Water gurgled and swirled the flood channel. A loner bunked down under the bridge.  Moms with kids on bikes.  Dog walkers pulled through crisp air. Green, green everywhere. A darkening-blue sky. It was dry...

Slipped out at 4 to get some dry pavement.

Long shadows leapt across the road.  Wet leaves papered the bike trail.  Water gurgled and swirled the flood channel.

A loner bunked down under the bridge.  Moms with kids on bikes.  Dog walkers pulled through crisp air.

Green, green everywhere.

A darkening-blue sky.

It was dry.

For a moment.

 

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Giving It Up

Jan 10, 2017 Todd Brown

Not that I’m a control freak, more like I enjoy every aspect of the business.  Handing over the reigns on certain parts of the business is easier said than done.  So, why hand anything over? Free up time for my most productive activities. Plus add talent that is better than what I possess. Equals serving more..

Not that I’m a control freak, more like I enjoy every aspect of the business.  Handing over the reigns on certain parts of the business is easier said than done.  So, why hand anything over?

Free up time for my most productive activities.

Plus add talent that is better than what I possess.

Equals serving more people, better.

Back to easier said than done, back to my economics studies of late.  Participation in the labor market is down, yet it takes companies much longer to make new hires.  From my own experience, this means it’s harder than ever to find good people… it also means it’s easier than ever for good people to engage in the economy.

What is good?… well, that’s a dumb question.  Good isn’t good enough.

What is a great addition to your team is a much better question.  We needed an art director for PEDALindustries, great = really creative graphic artist, passionate about cycling.  We also needed a production manager, great = excellent attention to detail and ability to track many moving parts.

As an organization and as people, we want to be irreplaceable to our customers and each other.  When you give up some of what you do, you get much better at making your biggest impact.

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Stuck On 8

Jan 09, 2017 Todd Brown

8 pull ups was my max for way too long, then I changed up my routine.  I decided to do 20 pull ups/day 4-5 days a week.  Navy Seals have the 40% Rule: you can always do 40% of your last effort, always.  Fair enough. I did 8, then 5, 3, 2, 1, 1. Two..

8 pull ups was my max for way too long, then I changed up my routine.  I decided to do 20 pull ups/day 4-5 days a week.  Navy Seals have the 40% Rule: you can always do 40% of your last effort, always.  Fair enough.

I did 8, then 5, 3, 2, 1, 1.

Two weeks in, I cruised to 5 (normally where I start to struggle) and right past 8 to 9.  Pretty cool… since I’d been stuck on 8 for about a year.

Today I did 10.

For the last month or so, I’ve committed to push hard up the corkscrew on our TMWC ride… much of last year, I’d pull the plug rather than suffer that final 2 1/2 minutes of the ride.

I’ve been getting there a lot fresher and finishing it out strong… I’m guessing this helped me make the “A” group on Swami’s Long Saturday for the first time.

Makes ya wonder just how much of life can be affected by the 40% rule.

(I also wanted to do 50 push ups a day, but I figured that was not a stretch… I did 25, then 15, 10… between the pull up sets.)

pull-ups

172.4

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It’s Not Rocket Science

Jan 07, 2017 Todd Brown

This is not a stretch, though it stretched my mind.  This is the best book on cycling I’ve read in a while.  Here’s why: winning is about often painful choices in the allocation of scarce resources which have alternative uses. You can’t get caught up in the moment and just haul tail off the front..

This is not a stretch, though it stretched my mind.  This is the best book on cycling I’ve read in a while.  Here’s why: winning is about often painful choices in the allocation of scarce resources which have alternative uses.

You can’t get caught up in the moment and just haul tail off the front of a chasing peloton.

You can’t attack and attack and attack.

Human capital is always available to help you make a successful move. But the knowledge and insights are rare and precious in any competitive venture.  This takes time, requires mistakes to be made and learned from.

(insert screeching sound here)

Rather than clumsily attempting a cycling metaphor with Basic Economics as the the foundation, I’d rather share how I picked this book.

First, I’ve read many of Thomas Sowell‘s essays and editorials.

Second, while the book claims basics in the title at 634 pages, I knew I’d be getting an education.

As to why I picked this book, frankly I’m exhausted by the political blowhards who prey on dividing us as citizens and humans and I wanted to better educate myself to better understand how the economy works.

In the process, I received much more than a refresher on Supply and Demand.  Any American my age can see the devastation centrally planned economies have left in their wake, but rarely can we articulate what is going on in our own country and time.  Too easily we are swayed by a sweet policy without digesting the incentives and ultimate nasty results that are created.  Don’t we owe it to ourselves to stop and think using established economic tools to evaluate policies and proposals in terms of their logical implications and empirical consequences?

It took me 6 weeks read, and I still have a lengthy study in the Questions section to review.

Just one idea can change your life, my friend Dan says.

Here are a few takeaways:

As for PEDALindustries, the chapter on Myths About Markets explained what brand names are.  Not just a reason to charge a higher price, brands are a way of economizing on scarce knowledge and forcing producers to compete on quality as well as price.  I had never considered the power of a brand to quickly and efficiently signal to consumers what they are buying.  In short, a business is selling not only a physical product, but also the reputation which surrounds that product.  We need to work more on our brand message in 2017.

For HUNKR, the chapter on The Roll of Profits and Losses helped me better understand the dynamic of making money on a passion I have.  Profit is a price paid for efficiency.  If we can efficiently produce a race, and deliver on our promise we’ll earn a profit.  That is a good thing, it’s that profit which will make our race series sustainable.  When the goal of the series is to grow cycling, you must have sustainable model.

At DHDwear we are constantly learning about distribution, economies of scale, and social media marketing.  This is called Human Capital, which ultimately attracts financial capital to make ideas become reality.  The difference between a rich country or culture or company and a poor one is much more about the human capital.  Like Western Europe after WW2, were we to lose it all today we could quickly rebuild if we wanted to.

For my own personal knowledge two statements stood out: Adam Smith said the wealth of a country is not to be counted in gold or resources but to be considered by the standard of living enjoyed by it’s people.  Thomas Sowell said What scientists share is not simply agreement on various conclusions but, more fundamentally, agreement about the ways of testing and verifying conclusions, beginning with a careful and strict definition of the terms being used.

Bike riding is great, because we can do it.  Were we to live in a third world country, our bike riding might be pleasurable still, but most likely it might be about surviving another day.

We are not tough, but it was a tough ride.
We are not tough, but it was a tough ride.
Not a tough read, more compelling.
Not a tough read, more compelling.
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Just Pedal.

Jan 06, 2017 Todd Brown

Whatever it is… justpedal.

Whatever it is… justpedal.

just-pedal

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There’s No Good Reason

Jan 05, 2017 Todd Brown

There’s no good reason to blog, I didn’t ride today and riding’s where I get my ideers.  Except… look at this bike!  There’s no good reason to buy it, but me want BAD… … saw it in my travels today. Imagine yourself (or me) on this sexy ride… color matching and dead silent belt-drive, the pleasure/challenge/random-leg-spinniness of..

There’s no good reason to blog, I didn’t ride today and riding’s where I get my ideers.  Except… look at this bike!  There’s no good reason to buy it, but me want BAD…

… saw it in my travels today.

Imagine yourself (or me) on this sexy ride… color matching and dead silent belt-drive, the pleasure/challenge/random-leg-spinniness of single-speeding, go anywhere tires, always dependable disc brakes, hung on a brilliant, coral-colored frame!

Perfect bike for a rainy day like today… I would have ridden and had something to write about.

There’s no good reason to buy this bike, except it’s RAD…

… and that’s always a good reason.spot

 

 

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Going LONG Swami’s Style

Jan 04, 2017 Todd Brown

Sure, I could strap on a power meter or do a stress test or some other robotic method to figure out my fitness. But, I don’t.  When the training needs to get serious I prefer to make the rounds to the out of town group rides – lots of unknowns make it more real.  This time..

Sure, I could strap on a power meter or do a stress test or some other robotic method to figure out my fitness. But, I don’t.  When the training needs to get serious I prefer to make the rounds to the out of town group rides – lots of unknowns make it more real.  This time of year, the rides are peppered with visiting and local pros out for the good weather.

Here’s my list:

Swami’s Long

Swami’s Pre-ride (harder than A) then A-ride

Donut Ride

Simi Ride

I know there are more, but these are the ones I can vouch for.  All fast, all hard, all ready to filet my softer sides.

Typically I make the rounds starting in late November, but this season is an atypical one for me: rain, family and travel.

This Saturday it starts with Swami’s Long.  Most will riders meet in Encinitas.

We all park in Oceanside at 715ish, and ride south to meet the group.  Two reasons for this:  get warmed up, the Long route pops back out to the coast here.  Specifically we park at the free parking across the street and under the bridge from Joe’s Crab Shack.

You’ll notice on the Swami’s website the “World Famous Saturday” ride is 40 miles… only in the winter is the Long route on.

Here’s what you can expect – strava link

  1.  Be prepared for the weather – we start on the coast and go inland out to Valley Center.  I’m serious, go look at Weather.com at several towns along the route… might warm up, might get a lot colder.
  2. We roll tempo down to Encinitas to meet the A group.
  3. The “A” group will have 40-100 very fast cats, ready to claw your out of town eyes out.
  4. Visitors I’ve seen – Taylor Phinney, Mark Cavendish, Chris Horner – it’s a little late to see those guys, but ya never know.
  5. Once the ride turns East, it’s on… and it’s hilly… and if you come off you have no chance of catching, so no sense in conserving.
  6. There used to be a re-group at “the church”, that isn’t happening – probably Andy’s fault.  They will slow a bit, but it’s not the 10 minute water topping, pee stop it once was.
  7. After the church, A ride goes South and Long goes North.  For the most part, it’s pretty chill for about 20-30 minutes.
  8. Woolford Pass – 2 miles up.  This is where I get dropped and ride my guts out hoping to catch a few guys at the top and be in a group to the store.
  9. The store is the only stop.  It’s long for the fast guys, and painfully short for me.  Hustle.  They will NOT wait, and you will NOT know how to get home with Toto.
  10. The ride back to the coast is probably my favorite.  Super fast, super rolly, super twisty.  Feels a lot like being in Europe, like you might just be a pro.
  11. The final feature is the parade of speed on the long bike trail.  Imagine all kinds of people out walking, skating, riding with the young families and pack of 20-30 riders going 20-30 m’s/h.  Keep your head up, and on a swivel.

We usually hit it back to San Clemente pretty fast, so bring a snack.  Traditionally, the Burger joint at Pico and the 5 is our final stop… but it has been sacrificed to the freeway gods.

Hopefully you and I won’t be sacrificed Saturday.
taylor

172.2

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Stats

Jan 03, 2017 Todd Brown

So much trust in so little matter… my bike weighs less than two 10lb. weights, the tires have a combined contact area of about 1 square inch, other than a plastic helmet, thin lycra covers my body.  Strava says I hit 52.3 m.p.h., in 39 degree weather.  My palms sweat as I add all that..

So much trust in so little matter… my bike weighs less than two 10lb. weights, the tires have a combined contact area of about 1 square inch, other than a plastic helmet, thin lycra covers my body.  Strava says I hit 52.3 m.p.h., in 39 degree weather.  My palms sweat as I add all that up… because my rear tire was flat when I unloaded tonight.

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The Climbing Quiver

Jan 02, 2017 Todd Brown

How many climbing arrows do you have in your quiver?  Snaking up the San Juan Trail switchbacks, my butt was planted in the saddle.  Though a DG (decomposed granite) trail that can handle the rain, it was not a day to stand up and unweight the back end.  Today was a day to sit and..

How many climbing arrows do you have in your quiver?  Snaking up the San Juan Trail switchbacks, my butt was planted in the saddle.  Though a DG (decomposed granite) trail that can handle the rain, it was not a day to stand up and unweight the back end.  Today was a day to sit and spin.

Hunting down my less-tardy friends while slipping through the mist, got me thinking about the climbing styles I use and when I use them.

Sitting and spinning – good for long climbs, and loose terrain climbs.

Low cadence – can work better in rocky sections, especially if you’re out of the saddle.

Knees over top tube – you see this among the pros, their knees appear to come over the top tube.  This allows you to use different muscles while staying seated.  When you try it, think ice or roller skating where your foot contact point is the inside of the arch.

Standing up, hands on top of bar – for some it’s just a chance to stretch the legs and back for others it’s the preferred way to climb.

Standing up, hands on the drops (road) – this is my preferred road climbing position.

It’s good it to be comfortable in all these positions just to change things up.

It’s better to figure out which works best for you.

It’s best to figure out which is best and train that way.

Hint: certain body geometries are better for certain styles, so don’t copy the fastest climber you know.

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