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PREAPARING TOGETHER
ONE OF THE MORE FUN THINGS we can participate in is preparing for the A race together. From the cold morning meetups, to the long chats about…
… how it’s all going to go down.
This time.
I was thinking about that today because I’d massively discounted Surfgirl’s insistence that we not only cook all the meals at the big family reunion…
… but, we’d bring all the food for 40ish people for 3 days.
The van groaned whole way.
Our son pointed out…
… Dad you don’t care about food, you eat sardines and beans from a can.
He had a point.
Which is not the point.
The point is what I witnessed the last 3 days…
- · slicing
- · cutting
- · cooking
… preparing anything together is a socially beautiful and bonding thing.
Which is why we love getting into the nitty-gritty of race prep…
- · training
- · geeking out on equipment
- · hashing out all the logistics and travel
… almost as much as racing.
Sometimes, all times?, even more than pinning on the number and towing the line.
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
168/171/-3 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE CAVE
THE ANALOGIES we come up as endurance athletes can be so disconnected from reality because, if we're being totally honest...
... it's hard to explain to the uninitiated.
Let alone those closest to us.
They're things only we understand, and as soon as we hear it, we're like...
... Yeah, totally!
I thought about this today as we dropped into one our weirder family traditions...
- from 5 on up to 78
- wiggling into the openilng
- crouch crawling the first 30' in pitch black
... slithering down into Harris Cave.
Once we're far enough in, the lava tube opens up into a cavern, then...
... pinches down again for another cramped effort.
Before opening up to yet another cavern where we can stand and feel slightly less threatened by claustrophobia and...
... whatever might be lurking down there to get us, should our lights fail.
Which is analogous to ...
- forcing ourselves in
- adjusting and relaxing in the darkness
- before doing it all again to find out how far we can go
... the pain cave we all love and loathe.
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
169/171/-11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LIFE IS PRECIOUS
TAKING RISKS these days ain’t what it used to be. Most of us live close to civilization. If we were to take a tumble, emergency medical services…
… would be helping us, whisking us a away.
Within minutes.
I thought about that, plummeting down a lonely dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Life and death.
About 90 years ago, my relatives were working a sawmill they’d built (see pic).
A young cousin was manning a large log,
the timber bucked,
catching him.
His leg was gashed.
The others gathered to try and help…
- · 50 miles to town
- · horrendous dirt roads
- · no communications, no helicopters
… but there was nothing they could do.
He was dead in minutes.
Prior to stopping at the sawmill site,
I gotta ping on my cell phone.
Service is spotty at best out here.
Our daughter had gone into labor,
they’d easily made it to the nearby hospital,
doctors and nurses and all the supplies were ready.
===
Update: mother and baby are happy and healthy!
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/168/-2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE DIFFERENCE
KNOWING THE ORIGIN of things can be empowering if we can tie it into who we are and how we operate. But, in today's connected world...
... it's easy to operate unconsciously.
Asleep.
Which is why I've sold my rather large extended family on the virtues of trekking...
- no cell service
- rustic cabins
- tents
... out to the homestead.
Land my great great grandpappy lived on for 3 years to secure the title...
- where my grampa rode out the Spanish flu epidemic
- where my dad spend his summers cowboying
- where I spent a few days every other year
... over 100 years ago.
Some of the distant cousins still ranch,
most of us are city slickers.
Soft.
Unacquainted with the land.
How it...
- feels
- smells
- sounds
... when we're living unplugged.
You know what I'm getting at right?
The feeling we have when rolling with a group,
talking and sharing...
... because plugging in would distract from the experience.
Living.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/193/-23 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOOKING BACK AT TRANSFORMATIONAL
[as I prep for my A race, I thought I'd look back how I felt the last time I did it, in 2022]
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
175/223/-49 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BAKING CAKES
HOW DO WE KNOW it's time to bring the high volume phase to an end, when preparing for the A race of the year? It's a lot like baking a cake...
... at some point we gotta put it the oven.
And, wait.
If we stretch out the build phase too long,
we run the very real possibility of over cookin' it...
... winding up burnt.
Crispy.
If we stop too far out from the A race,
well, then our training ingredients...
... might never rise.
Leaving us flat.
I'm sure there's some real science we could tap into,
or the wise voice of a trusted coach.
Barring those options, I lean toward...
- feeling exhausted
- not wanting to get outside
- residual, never-receding muskul pain
... as my top indicators.
I'm officially there.
Couldn't come at a better time.
I'll be spending an extended weekend...
- mainly talking
- hanging out
- relaxing
... at the family reunion.
Oh, that cake analogy...
... now is the time to give the training into deliciousness.
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/201/-32 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE STRONG
THE TOUR DE FRANCE took a big tumble today. Jonas, running in 2nd place, a previous winner and excellent bike handler failed to navigate a very tricky turn...
... and broke his clavicle.
Sucks.
Before the news hit, enlightening us all to one potential factor in causing him to go down...
... I was already thinking about why some crashes happen.
More importantly, why some hit the deck and shatter, while others...
... pop back up and keep racing.
My thoughts were self-centered of course.
The effort to do hundreds of...
- pushups
- pullups
- squats
... building up my body's ability to handle what is thrown at me, late into a ride or race?
It feels like it is,
as I feel in complete control 5 hours into a stout offroad ride.
At the same time,
am I putting body in a state where it is more likely to bend vs break?
These thoughts were going through my head as the skin and bones Jonas was clearly in massive pain.
Then, I heard the unthinkable.
After traveling hundreds of kilometers from yesterday's race to today's,
arriving very late in the evening...
... he was awakened for a drug test at 2am.
No matter what we are doing to keep our bodies in top shape to handle the demands of racing...
... missing sleep when we are already exhausted is a formula for disaster.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
174/228/-55 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY, IT'S ROUTINE
IN THE QUEST TO SQUEEZE IT ALL IN, we learn to develop and rely on routines. Do something consistently, and it becomes rote. Boring in the sense that...
... we don't have to think about it.
Saving us all kinds of mental energy, as well.
Here are a few examples that made today's ride, much better.
20 minutes into my 2 hour sprint to meet Smiley, I felt my rear tire losing a ton of air...
- added air with CO2
- noticed a leak
- plugged it
... took less than 60 seconds to diagnose and repair.
Thought I'd better text him to confirm my ETA, and noticed I'd left my phone at home.
Doh!
But, I have a reputation for being on time and it's routine for me not to wait, so...
- I pressed on
- arrived at Cook's at 9
- didn't see him there, waited 2 minutes at the trailhead
... and we blasted the climb together.
Mostly together,
he always starts out hotter than me,
becoming my top rabbit to chase and pace.
When I rolled up to the general store for my Saturday fix, 4.5 hours into the ride, parched and empty, without my phone to pay...
- popcicle
- Mexican Coke
... I didn't have to beg, because they know my m.o. and that I'm good for it.
And, that's just a smidge of routine evidence for operational mastery.
Carry on.
Oh, and in case your wondering...
- a mini tool
- 2 CO2s + 1 nozzle
- Dynaplug RacerPro (4 plugs)
... what's in my mini raceday bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-mini-raceday-bag-2-0-isd
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/263/-86 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
PRUNE, FOCUS, EXECUTE
HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPETENCY is a matter of choice. And, that's the challenge. In a world where we can do anything...
... it's easy to reach the end of the day having done nothing.
We know better.
Starting with pruning the options...
- uplifting
- challenging
- beneficial to others
... leaving only the good stuff.
Then, we focus...
- attracting
- believing
- feeling
... with the blinders on, seeing only our end goal.
Executing daily...
... continuously improving.
Very nice you say,
but make it practical.
Ok.
Here's an example.
I really enjoy racing and riding my XC mountain bike.
Knowing that, I've built up a race-ready rig...
... and taken it to the next level.
Most recently, that meant rebuilding the suspension...
- removing the Brain
- replacing a bunch of parts
- and all new lubes and fluids
... which now is supremely supple and plush, fork and shock.
When we are unwilling to prune, focus and execute...
... we are in our comfort zone.
The case there would be comfort with absolute crap vs...
... demanding the best performance we can aquire.
Got it?
===
165lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/169/-9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY?
AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, the set up of our equipment is highly personal. The reason is simple, we are putting in a massive amount of time. And, the minutest adjustment...
... can muck it all up.
A lot.
Leading to anything from a niggle to a...
... Screw it, I'm done with this sport.
So it was with great care that a swapped out my cleats today.
They weren't completely warn out, but they were a little sloppy and replacing them now vs a week before my A race seemed prudent.
I scrubbed up...
- pictures had been taken of the current position
- the area around the cleats taped off
- tools and lube lay at the ready
... put on my operating apron.
The procedure went as expected,
no complication.
The patient was warned to take it easy the next few days,
and expect to feel some initial discomfort.
Physical therapy, in the form of bringing a torque wrench on the next few rides, was presribed.
Like the idiot I am, I promptly headed out for 90 minutes and a fair amount of climbing...
... stopping for many adjustments.
Got close to the old position,
gonna take a few more rides to reach nirvana.
PS... if this seems dramatic, or overkill, blame my dad burning this lesson into my young impressionable mind. his first lawyering job was as a malpractice attorney and the first case was defending a doctor who cut off the wrong leg.
===
163.6 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
6800 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SCREAM
DURING THE LARGEST BUILD PHASE, the miles and hours are waywayway bigger than our norm. It can be daunting, overwhelming...
... we need a reward.
Beyond kudos.
Something to see us through.
Which is exactly what I was thinking today,
halfway through what will like be my biggest week of the year.
Building for Leadville.
The route would be much longer than my usual Dirty Wednesday...
... and it hit my like a icy bolt from the Silver Surfer.
If I stayed on the pedals,
I'd have time to stop by the General Store.
A hundred year old building I usually only visit on Saturdays.
The point being...
... the always have the best selection of Mexican popsicles.
I was flooded with a memory of my dad, and his favorite saying...
... I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
And that was all I needed to get me through the summer heat.
Today.
What will it be tomorrow?
165.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 110 push ups, 22 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 110 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/217/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS 'A' SUPER COOL CAT
MOST OF US DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY of the famous group rides. I'm not talking about the one 5 locals started a couple of months back...
... I'm talkin' the legendary loops.
And, their morphing iterations over the years.
I was reminded of how our heralded TMWC...
... took it to the next level by adding some extra credit.
Called the A loop.
About 10 years ago, Super Dave Koesel made a great suggestion.
We should add on to the ride.
Why?
So we have something to do vs waiting for the guys at the regroup.
It took us a few iterations,
carving our way through a neighborhood,
adding on two punchysprinty climbs.
Finally, we had it perfected,
arriving just in time to meet the crew...
... and keep rolling full gas.
Plus, since we had just started cracking the hour on the original TMWC, back then...
... now we had an updated hour goal.
We've hit it on the A loop multiple times,
even got closer than we've been lately today, 1:02:54 (for me)...
... could it be because Super Dave was back in town, after years of being gone?
===
ICYMI... Super Dave is an aero genius... Remember when 3T came out with their aero gravel bike, years before that was a thing?... yeah, that was Dave's project.
Here's a link to his current company... look to see top secret versions of these bikes at the Olympics.
===
167 lbs 12.7% (I keep telling myself I'm 10lbs over goal because of all the strength work, but we all know it's because
7ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/216/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT SONG!
WE AIN'T SERIOUS if we don't have a our own battle song. The one we can count on when...
... well, all the time.
Could be a playlist.
Mine, current fave for firing up...
... Born To Run, Frankie Goes To Hollywood version
On repeat.
Now Chuck shared a forgotten gem with me for raceday...
... Kickstart My Heart, by Motley Crew.
Surfergirl on vacation...
... Don't Disturb This Grove, by The System
To get pumped for motos in the desert the kids loved...
... Animals, by Nickleback
When I head off to the pearly gates, my beatbox will be humming...
... Low Rider, by War.
What's yours?
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
5900 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/181/-22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT THE EFFORT THAT COUNTS?
WHEN TRAINING FOR THE 'A' RACE, if we're really all in, it's imperative that we prepare by doing the work demanded by the course. That means we have to nail the pace...
... we can sustain.
Or do we?
Lemme splainit.
Say, I'm training for a punchy event with lots of power climbs...
... short 1-5 minutes, repeating.
I could do intervals at a specified power output...
... or I could go for the burn I know I can barely handle for 1-5 minutes.
Or, take my upcoming Leadville MTB race, I know the pace I need to sustain to meet my goal finishing time.
Training the effort required...
... is part art and part science.
The science might say we need to put out an average of X watts...
- getting over a steep, short pitch
- hustling to catch a group
- tucking a long downhill
... the art is knowing when to go above or below the power needed.
Being intimately aware of the effort > callous commitment to pace.
===
165 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/209/-46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS POLARZING
THE DEBATE RAGES ON, whether or not polarized training is valuable for the unwashed or is it just for the uber elites putting in bigbig hours. To really get a grasp on the argument...
... let's look at from other perspectives.
Take marketing.
In marketing, we tout what makes us special, unique, desirable...
... while pointing out the enemies of our awesomeness.
For example, when it comes to bags I might communicate dome bags with everything piled inside are just complete trash and chaos...
... where as our RaceDay bags make raceday smooth, easy and successful.
In politics, the party we align with makes the others out to be stupid, incompetent and evil...
... where our party is full of benevolent geniuses.
It's the same with...
- religion
- sports teams
- abortion, climate change, guns, borders, etc
... topics never to be brought up at Thanksgiving dinner.
What does this have to do with training and us?
I'm just trying to set the stage....
- too much time in tempo
- not enough aggregate training
- inadequate or non-existent recovery
... polarized training has enemies, too.
I was thinking about that today,
because I had a great day with the fellas.
Here's how I set it up...
- Monday Z1
- Tuesday romping group ride, all zones all out
- Wednesday high Z2
- Thursday low Z2
- Friday Z1, barely tapping the pedals
- Saturday, 6 hours at Leadville pace with nearly 2 hours at threshold or above
... finishing the final ride, feeling pretty darn good despite 9000' in 80 miles.
If you disagree...
... then, I have succeeded in providing you some polarizing thoughts on polarization.
===
165.4 lbs 12.7% <- this blubber has got to go!
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/241/-74 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GOING TO BE HIDDI
TRAINING FOR AN EPIC ride or race is always tricky. It's so easy to over do it on the preparation when we want to be confident that we are ready...
... to go the distance.
Battle hardened.
So, when I put together tomorrow's route and added...
... It's going to be hideous.
I had to ask myself...
... What the heck are you thinking?!
This goes against my plan to prepare for Leadville this year by staying under
- 5 hrs
- 8000'
- 80 miles
... fresh and not torched.
Aiming for more power,
and efficiency.
We're going to over every one of those metrics tomorrow,
plus it's a group of hitters and we'll be hitting it.
Yes, I could pull the plug,
or just not show.
But, who are we kidding when we say stuff like that?
(Hideous rides call to my soul. How 'bout you?)
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/152/-1 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING WHERE WE WANT TO GO takes great discipline. Not to be distracted by the lady in the red dress is...
... a skill that deserves mastery.
It's not easy.
Time and time again, ripping the course, we have to ignore the obvious perils and...
... stay focused on our goal.
Going as fast as possible,
error free.
Oddly,
limiting our vision to the best path forward is relaxing.
Calming.
Requiring less energy.
Ultimately, a heckuvalot faster.
So, we practice the skill all the time and when we have those Oh shift! moments...
... we forgive ourselves, and reset.
Perhaps the great Emerson said it best...
... What we are, that only can we see.
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/98/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
THE SLIGHT EDGE
BECAUSE WE USE OUR GEAR every day, we don't always notice the performance is degrading. It's gradual, and we are...
... more concerned with our own numbers.
But, the gear matters.
If we remember anything from the dominance of Team Sky it's...
... marginal gains.
They matter.
Not necessarily individually,
collectively they stack and become game changers.
So are the marginal losses.
I share this as a cautionary tale.
While in Park City a few weeks back,
bombing miles and miles of sweet single track...
... my fork went from finicky to very funked up
My pal Chad helped me get it working enough to enjoy the trip.
As soon as I returned, I rang up the local suspension whiz Mike and gave him the situation.
He ordered parts from Sram to rebuild and improve the fork by replacing the Brain.
Simple enough,
and 7 weeks before Leadville.
Dropped off the bike Monday, planning to have it back for the weekend and continue to perfect my oneness with my steed.
Hey Todd.
Hi Mike.
We gotta small problem.
Uh-oh.
Sram sent the wrong parts.
Dang.
Yeah, it's gonna be another 10 days.
Is the suspension torn to pieces?
Yes.
Ok, I understand.
Now, here's the part we all need to understand...
- we need to stay on top of the maintenance
- allow plenty of time for parts to arrive
- and for the mechanic's schedule
... in order to have the slight edge we need on raceday.
===
165.8 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 125 push ups, 25 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 125 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/103/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
2026 TUESDAY MORNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE LIT
ABOUT THE MOST FUN we can have is upping our game for the weekly group ride. The good ones all have memorable names. Just saying them sparks...
... anything from fear to fun.
Like The TMWC.
A ride we started 24 years ago...
- 30+ riders every Tuesday at 630
- most wearing the ride's kit
- with an annual throwdown
... and is still ripping today.
Today wasn't any ol Tuuzdee...
- the regulars
- the outta towners
- the first timers hoping to hang on
... it was the unOFFICIAL 2026 Championships.
4 categories...
- Women
- U35
- U50
- U100
... racing for glory.
Bragging rights for a year.
The course has never changed, but...
- fullgas from the start
- even paced 'till The Wall
- saving it all for the Corkscrew finish
... the raceday never plays out the same.
Today unfolded with bouts of massive power,
dropping to conversational,
and back at it.
The only thing that was the same was Alessandro...
... pulling off the first Threepeat.
He was so far off the front the camera crew mistook him as some cat who happened upon the course...
... except he raced up The Wall with god-like speed.
Put over a minute on lil' ol' me,
and nearly everyone else.
Insane.
Priscilla crushed the women's field,
snatching longstanding, legit QOMs.
It's not all about the wins, though.
Juan was voted most-improved,
and Eric picked up rookie of the year.
These aren't participation trophies ...
... they represent outstanding effort, week after week.
Congrats to these cats....
Overall
Alessandro
Kody
Andrew
Women
Priscilla
Maria
Vi
U35
Andrew
Eric
Scott
U50
Kody
Drew
Alfredo
U100
Alessandro
Rob
Mani
Still reading?
Wondering how we pull it off?
Our 4 rules are key...
- Leave on time
- Obey the law
- Make a friend
- Have fun
... plus, always be inviting.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/2024-tmwc
Use Promo Code TMWC2026 To Save 20% On The Gear
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/100/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHO HAS THE BEST TdF ANALYSIS?
THERE ARE A LOT of professional pundits pontificating the particulars of each stage of the Tour de Frants. Then, there's the amachurs. Us handlebar hams...
... handing out our homemade takes.
Who's best?
Certainly it's not Velo's...
Jonas Vingegaard was left choking in Pogi's exhaust and came to the line two seconds back after the 1.7km hilltop kick to Les Angles.
... latest retarded hyperbole.
Cycling News' take...
A devastatingly-long and sustained acceleration by Tadej... with a two-second advantage.
... wasn't much of an improvement.
Jonas said it better...
It's a shame, of course. But when we started the Tour, we expected to lose time... so it's a good starting point that I'm tied on time with Tadej.
... and more accurately.
But, he's not selling ads for eyeballs.
My eyeballs and ears like to take in...
- Chris Horner for pointing out the knucklehead moves of the day
- Lance's podcast for the entertainment
- GCN's breathy and breasty euroness
... if I have the time.
And then there's NBC's crew...
- I do feel for Brent and TJ having to educate the unwashed with silly cartoons and goofy bets
- No way I could ride the sissybar like Christian or do the man on the course stuff like Steve
- Amid correcting, Bobke does a good job as the straight man
-
Phil may miss a few deets, but that voice is still gold to me
... collecting a solid paycheck.
Nothing wrong with that.
For actual, pure analysis...
- concise
- relatable
- insightful
... I think Tom Danielson does it best.
He delivers it via blog, vlog and podcast.
You're probably thinking Nice job taking potshots at people just trying to do their jobs...
... to which I'll counter, I'm grateful we have so many real human points of view vs the AI slop sure to come our way.
Links to Tom's work:
https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/tour-de-france-stage-3-tadejs-boxing-match
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/81/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING
MOST OF US have a test course, a segment that is our fitness barometer, where we lay down a valiant effort, then upload it...
... to see where we're at.
Sometimes years of data points.
When we're prepping for the A race we'll hit it hard.
The results are instructive...
- PR'd it
- on track
- woefully wanting
... from elation to devastation.
Gratefully, it's usually good and confirming info.
But, what about when it isn't?
Like my Leadville prep test up a similar climb to Columbine...
- 1:10 in May
- 1:14 in June
- 1:15 in July
... which is honestly, quite discouraging?
The May effort I was waiting for my friends,
in June I was chasing all the way,
in July I went alone.
July's effort was the shortest
June's was much longer,
May's the longest.
Big takeaway...
... my fitness is going backwards.
So, find the positives...
- I'm descending better than I have since the TBI
- the nutrition plan seems to be on point
- the bike is nearly complete
... and make adjust ments.
I still have 7 weeks to turn it around...
- stop shredding my legs with weight training
- get back to throttling Saturdays
- stack the Zone 2 miles
... and I have some definite ideas on how to do that.
Will it work?
I dunno.
What won't work is quitting.
Thoughtful, calculated perseverance is always the right answer.
===
165.6 lbs 12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/87/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HALF THE FREEDOM
WE KNOW where the 50% mark is on the course. The distance. The estimated time it takes to get there. The food we'll need to arrive and...
... finish with good energy.
But, is that enough?
Knowing vs doing,
totally different things.
The first half of 2026 is gone.
For some, it flew right by.
Others...
- bored
- unengaged
- beset by challenges
... had a different experience.
We are free to stay the course, or...
- 10x goals
- Committed mindset work
- Severing whatever is holding us back
... recalibrate and blow everyone's minds (ours included).
God, bless America.
===
Nowza good time to crack that journal open and document the amazing things we've accomplished to date.
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
Let's rip!
===
164 lbs 12.6%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/88/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GUITY AS CHARGED
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, there is no defense for the flagrant violations of society's norm...
... we've got a problem.
And, we don't care.
It's who we are...
- city limit sign? let's race
- KOM within reach? let's race
- event 700 miles away? let's race
... we're constantly on the lookout for our tribe.
We rarely watch sportsball,
we'll watch a TdF stage start to finish.
We do find comfort in the couch,
after an absurdly long day outside ripping.
We do devour ice cream and cookies,
but only when the calorie deficit is irredeamable.
We aren't normal...
... we're race junkies.
===
If that resonates,
you might want this shirt,
which I'm pretty sure we priced wrong at $20.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
I'll fix the price after the holiday.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
===
165 lbs 12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/96/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BROKE OR BROKEN?
IT'S AMAZING what we're willing to put up with. I suspect it's just in our nature and probably why...
... we thrive at the endurance game.
We tune it out.
And, here's the dill.
Pretending things aren't the way they are...
... can be demoralizing.
Yesterday, I had my cracked front windshield replaced on the van.
It wasn't huge,
but it was slowly growing,
ever since our trip to Sea Otter.
Neighbor Rick came out to chat and asked me why I replaced it.
Honestly?
Yeah.
It was making me feel poor.
The thingaboutitis, if I'd had the rock chip fixed immediately...
... the cost would have been minimal.
Which begs the question...
... what are we allowing to languish and bring us (our performance) down?
===
166.4 lbs 12.4%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON PEPTIDES
THE TEMPTATION to tap the pharmacy is getting realer every day. Call it the effects of the human genome project or clever marketing...
... lotsa people on the train.
I've been surprised.
Just in the last month or so, some of my much younger (30s and 40s) and generally healthy friends...
- trimmer
- slimmer
- sexier?
... have let me know their results from peptides.
They aren't athletes who compete,
just dudes wanting a better bod.
My response is always the same.
Dang...
... I can't do that because I'm a racer.
I know...
- the likelihood of getting tested is practically nil
- the evidence of peptides disappears quickly
- the help they deliver is real
... but, I'll know.
So I push on in the land of...
- working hard
- eating clean
- getting rest
... and I'm quite okay with that.
===
165.8 lbs
7 hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RIDE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU WOULD RIDE WITH YOURSELF
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we get an insight that touches our hearts and when we try and explain it to others they just don't get it. Not their fault. We just need an analogy...
... we can all relate to.
Try this one.
I'll do my best to share the change of heart I had recently...
- a homeless woman sitting on the corner of a busy sidewalk in front of a food court
- people, me included, waiting for the light to change
- ignoring her sad, red eyes like they didn't exist.
... it wasn't my finest moment.
We're all rich.
I'm on a stupidly expensive bike,
but no cash on me,
gazing ahead.
Ignoring the obvious hurt and loneliness.
I was ashamed...
... of my inability to see the once beautiful baby at my feet.
What would it have cost to acknowledge her?
And it hit my heart so hard...
... Love they neighbor as thyself.
Finally I got it,
and I'll do my best to share it with you.
If we really loved our neighbors as ourselves we might...
- be a little nicer, kinder more patient
- genuinely ask how they are, if they need a hand
- we might hold the bar a little lower or a little higher, out of love
... not the awkward, stumbling empathy that paralyzes us.
Genuine desire to help others as ourselves out knowing that...
- if we were raised differently
- made regrettable choices
- had terrible experiences
... but for the grace of God go I.
It reminds me of my good friend Todd Darley, a better Todd than I, who always rolls out with food.
One day we're ripping up Mulholland with a spicy group, gonna PR it...
... and Todd disappears.
Where'd you go?
Stopped to talk to the homeless hiker?
What?
Yeah, wanted to make sure he was okay. Gave him a bagel I had.
Last Saturday, a dude in a pick up with a trailer full of tools pulled up to me and Chad and flipped us the bird...
... I laughed and asked myself Now why would I do that? Having a bad day? PTSD from cyclists?
I'll never know that dude's literal problem...
... just hoping this change of heart stays with me forever.
===
165.4 lbs
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/91/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THIS CODDLING?
WE'VE ALL HAD to face the unbearable hot situations. Sometimes in training, others in a race. But, that's the thing...
... we've all had to face them.
That's life.
So, when the geniuses at Velo led with Extreme Heat Could Force Radical Rethink of the Tour de France...
... I sighed.
Stop the coddling.
They're professionals.
Then Surfergirl chimed in...
- 2013 Tour of California
- 4pm finish
- 114º
... But, remember Palms Springs.
We started early and rode the stage ahead of the pros.
Dropping down into the desert floor was like riding into a giant hair dryer.
Oppressive and awful.
My son and I staggered into a 7-11 and chugged giant Slurpees...
... finally lowering our body temps to be able to ride to the finish.
The pros came in and literally collapsed on the sizzling black and gooey tarmac.
She had a point.
It was horrific.
After wading through the Velo clickbait I discovered the "radical rethink" just meant considering starting the races at 9:30 vs the typical much later starts that finish in the hottest time of the afternoon.
You know the real tragedy isn't the coddling, it's that...
... I won't be able to go for an early spin and watch the race finish live.
I'm sure I'll find a "radical rethink" of my entertainment consumption.
===
163.4 lbs
9 hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/99/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING THE COMFORT ZONE
IT CAN BE PERPLEXING to know a truth from personal experience, to share it because we care, and see it not be received...
... because it's scary.
Like ripping downhill.
I have a few friends who are training for a big event with me.
There will be a fair amount of climbing,
followed by a fair amount of descending.
None of it...
- steep double-track
- wide open hardpack
- a bit of chunky rocky stuff
... will give most mountain bikers any trouble.
Unless we're racing,
really going for it.
Even then, most will be fine...
... but, they could be so much better.
And here's the headscratcher...
... I can't get them to ride much harder trails in preparation.
They protest,
avoid,
skip.
Because I'm absolutely failing to ride home the point that learning to rip more challenging trails now...
- steeper
- chunkier
- twistier and slicker
... will move the comfort zone.
Moving the comfort zone means we are...
- more efficient
- relaxed
- calm
... saving all kinds of physical and emotional energy.
While others bog down with Oh shift! moments, we can turn those sections into...
- recovery
- relaxation
- moments of bliss
... something to look forward to, and potentially gain/make up time.
If we're into that.
I am.
You?
(Where else are we too fraidy catty to move the comfort zone?)
===
163.6 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/114/-23 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, DOES HE REALLY CARE (NOW)?
ON RACEDAY it's fair to say nothing else matters but the race. The training, the fine-tuning, the sacrifices...
... they're all coming together.
We need to rip.
But, when it's all said and done...
... should anybody, ourselves included, really care?
Take a dude I heard about...
- inspired and helped millions of cancer patients to believe they had a chance
- single-handedly lifted a dying sport getting legions to pedal
- operator of a massively popular podcast
- successful investor and businessman
- father of five children
... does he really care that he's not recognized as winning 7 TdFs?
For all you haters that are now triggered, the unsubscribe button is above and below.
For the open minded, contemplating our own mortality and personal achievements...
- family
- race wins
- inspiring and helping others
... what would you prefer?
===
164 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/93/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of The Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all things marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INNOVATION THROUGH IGNORANCE
IGNORANCE AND IGNORANT are such ugly words. And don't even speak ignoramus. Referring to anybody with those words...
... is just plain mean spirited.
Ain't gonna make ya friends.
Yet, the truth is, many of personal innovations come from ideas...
- never heard of
- never thought of
- never been exposed to
... we were completely ignorant to.
Here are a few of mine...
- swimming to control breathing
- lift heavy, low reps
- sprints for power
... that have helped improve over the years.
The swimming one I came up with on my own when training for Leadville in the early days. I wanted to control my breathing and keep my breaths deep.
The lift heavy, low reps I learned from one of the great Phil Mafetone books. He only pioneered Zone 2 training coaching Mark Allen to become the most complete and dominating triathlete of his era.
Lift heavy, low reps was also heavily preached in the fascinating book Underground Secrets To Faster Running, by Barry Ross.
Sprints for power came from the awesome Fred Duncan, a premiere track coach.
The idea that we are born to be athletic and should treat our bodies as such came through loud and clear in Christopher McDougall's book Natural Born Heroes.
I could go on...
- crusty old curmudgeons calling me out
- lessons learned through experience
- defeats whose sting was wicked
... but that's not the point.
The point is we've got to continually expose ourselves to new ideas and concepts and experiences in order to...
... keep innovating and growing.
Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Socially.
===
1664 lbs
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/102/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE VISION BORED
VISION WHILE RACING isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen. We gotta breathe, we gotta see...
... to move forward.
I was thinking about that today while zipping down a twisty trail.
If I let my eyes start to focus on what's up close...
... my speed drops and I become much more reactive.
When I'm focused far ahead...
... I go much faster, slipping into a state of flow and things are magically easier.
The thing I was thinking about was my vision board.
Mulling over the things already accomplished, as well as what is in the works.
The vision board seems to work the same way...
... focusing on the outcome, not how I'm going to get there.
Some of you may be thinking Dude is nuts,
others nodding your heads That's right.
Either way, I'll leave you with this thought from King Salomon...
... Where there is no vision, the people perish.
===
166.2 lbs
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/108/-19 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TUCK AND ROLL!
AERO. The term is like a science fiction blob that oozes it's way into everything, eventually killing everything in sight and taking over the world...
... with no end of it's pervasiveness in site.
Can we escape the creepiness?
The thingaboutitis, once we go slip down the aero tube...
- positioning
- equipment
- apparel
... it's almost impossible to stop.
That list falls short of the whackiness...
- hands on the mtb fork crowns at Leadville
- hydration bladders stuffed in front of jersey
- dropper seat post for bombing road descents
... which actually works.
I was thinking about that this morning as I crested The Wall, about 15 seconds behind the leaders.
Pedaling till I was spun out...
- butt hooked on end of saddle
- hands next to the stem
- chin on the Wahoo
- elbows in
- knees in
... I assumed the position (I'm not a butt on seat tube believer).
Would I, could I catch before the bottom?
Being on my lessthanaero gravel bike...
- spun out with gravel gears
- rolling shallow depth road wheels
- rockin' a well ventilated KASK helmet
... I needed every aero advantage I could get.
After rolling up on the 3 in between the two leaders...
... we rotated, taking short and speedy pulls.
It took forever to catch,
all the way to the final curve.
I'm already thinking about next week...
- actual aero helmet
- clean shave on the legs, face, arms(?)
- and, yeah, gonna bust out the Speedsuit
... what else I can do to improve my aeroness.
On my previous road bike, I clocked 51 mph...
... today's set up shows 47.4 mph.
Tuesday can't some soon enough.
===
168 lbs
7 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs
89/113/-24 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CUI BONO?
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEALS that get cut on the race course. Some are obvious, some hidden. Many between competitors...
... for money, glory and pride.
The worst deal of all?
Well, that depends on Cui bono?...
... Who benefits?
Deals between competitors kindasuck, but...
- hang on for camera glory
- work to stay in break
- straight cash
... we can usually tell who benefits,
and who pays.
No, the most insidious deals...
- staying up late
- backing off the finishing sprint
- starting the new diet "tomorrow"
... are the ones we cut with ourselves.
Because nobody benefits,
'cepting our competitors.
===
167.4 (Happy Fatter's Day - sheesh!)
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
85/90/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVE ME 10 WEEKS
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE to get into top shape for an A race is a question we'd all like answered. For an Olympian, it might be years. For us...
... we might have a few months.
Or less.
Depending on when we sign up, and the vagaries of life.
But, let's just say we are fitter than most,
not as fit as some.
Then our focus will be...
- long climbs or power climbs
- slogs into the wind or a million turns
- finishing in ones and two or a ripping bunch sprint
... more on race specific training.
Given a good baseline of fitness, my general rule is...
- our bodies
- our equipment
- our travel and logistics
... it takes 10 weeks to really sharpen the saw.
For me, aiming for Leadville on 8.15.26, I've got time...
... but, no time to waste.
And, so it begins.
===
164.6
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 60 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
81/72/9 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: The Search, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PREPARATION/EXPECTATION EQUATION
DECONSTRUCTING OUR RECENT PERFORMANCE is critical for improvement. The longer we wait, the foggier our recollection. Details we were sure of...
... become memories full of bias.
It's natural.
Who wants to remember what went wrong, when we can glory in all that went right?
Other than screwing up yet another sprint for the line, nothing really went sideways for me at BWR UT.
And, if I'm being honest, Billy tested my legs on the overpass coming into to town. Whether or not he knew it, and I stayed glued through the the pain...
... I was hurting.
There are a few things that went really right...
- The chef's pasta the night before at Chef Alfredo's, with Danny and Lisa, was delish and just what I needed.
- The AirBNB I found at the last minute - a 3-bedroom house was perfect and the beds wonderful.
- The 8:30 start was a little too late to skip breakfast, so I went with my gut and mowed down a couple of chocolate Entenmann's donuts, half an apple, and a couple of cups of my trusty mushroom hot chocolate.
- I picked up Skratch Super High Carb and ran 6 scoops in my 2-liter pack and another 3 in one bottle.
- To stay ahead of cramps, I ate a Salt Stick chews.
- For the bike set up,
- Ceramic Speed chain held up really well to all the dust, even after getting doused with cold water by Smitty at the final aid station.
- The tire pressure was pretty low, 22lbs in back 20lbs up front. I rimmed out a few times over the random chunky stuff while in a paceline. That's always risky. But, I also felt like I was much more comfortable than other competitors who dropped off the group over time.
... the last was mindset.
Preparation vs Expectation.
I came in pretty rested having spend the previous 2 weeks on my MTB in Park City.
Because of the altitude, it was difficult to put in hard efforts of any meaningful time. Hours in the saddle were solid, but even a lot of that was spent ripping down hill.
I'd give me preparation a B, which was fine for a B race.
Knowing that, my expectations were quite low.
Here's the point...
... poor preparation with high expectations is a formula for frustration and a crummy day on course.
Whereas...
... awesome preparation with low expectations always makes for a fun race and often surprising outcomes.
===
163.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 70 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
82/74/7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
IF THINGS AREN'T ENDING UP as we'd like them to, the obvious thing to do would be dong something different. But, that can be a hard pill to swallow because...
... we're comfy and don't wanna change.
Hope isn't a strategy.
Or, a tactic.
So, even though I was hoping I'd be able to fend off the change with a few hundred meters to go at BWR UT, the mofo I'd been working with for the last 30 miles...
... stuck a shiv in my back.
There was nothing I could do.
Had no answer.
Surfergirl, bless her little beating heart, could see I was frustrated with myself and...
... accidentally twisted the buried blade.
What are you going to do about it?
I think it was an innocent, honest, loving, caring question due to the fact that she's seen me frustrated with something...
... then, draw up a solution and make it happen.
Truthfully, does it really matter if close out a racing effort by taking some cat on the line who I may never see again?
Not even.
What matters, to me, is that I execute the plan.
In this case...
... having something left at the end, to rip a fast finish.
The kool kids call that durability.
I call it having your shift together when it counts, which means I'll be needing to...
... wrap up long rides with sprints that sting.
===
164ish no scale
7.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/86/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE RACE TOMORROW?
THE NIGHT BEFORE any race is not a normal night. No matter how practiced we are there's always something different to our routine. Sometimes...
... we just make it up.
Why not?
It might work,
or not.
Surfergirl keeps asking me are you excited?
I wanna say yes,
and I know I will be tomorrow...
... about a millisecond after we start.
Until then,
my energy tends to be low.
Not depressed low.
Hybernation low.
Lethargic.
Slothy.
Trying to amp me up, she asks...
... have you looked at reg to see who's going to be there?
That's the kind of thing that...
- if I glanced at it now
- the night before the race
- when I'm trying to chill and sleep early
... would def keep me up and tossing and turning.
No, that's not my agenda.
I prefer to...
- lose all hope
- ditch all desire
- punt all pretense
... and shut 'er down with my favorite pint.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/70/11 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOSTALGIA
WE ALL STARTED this endurance journey somewhere, likely not where we are today. Introduced by a friend, sometimes on purpose, others inadvertently. While we may change locales, and the friends become distanced…
… we’re still here.
In the game.
We may have the opportunity to go back to where it all started.
For me, it was…
- my roommate’s bike
- a finagled purchase of my own
- secrets of sprinting revealed by Bret, who raced track nationally for San Jose Bicycle Club
… in Provo, UT.
I rearranged my classes…
- to start as early as possible
- so I could ride every afternoon
- before cruising the library to cruise the cubicles in search of a “study” partner.
… because I had priorities to attend to.
Today I hit a climb I’d always wanted to check out, Cascade Springs, but it was a battered gravel road back in the day.
Now, it’s pristine pavement all the way up over 8000’
Followed by a plummeting descent that is as magical now as it was 40 years ago.
I’ve moved,
but, I never really moved on…
… and, I’m quite okay with that.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/68/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TRUE PRICE OF FREE ADVICE
A WHILE BACK, I connected with the COO of a well-known bike brand. We were working on a collaboration at the time. I asked him for some...
... advice on what we're doing over here.
Today, we met for lunch.
Looked at from now to the end of the year,
the objectives I want to accomplish,
what I think is possible.
No different than...
- capabilities
- weaknesses
- peak seasonal events
... planning the race season with a coach.
After some yummy tacos,
and back of napkin calculations...
... we came up with a solid methodology to implement.
Like any great coach,
my friend made it so simple to understand...
... and gave me the confidence to go for it.
I was prepared to pay a minimum of $1,000.
In the end it could be way more expensive than that...
... if I don't take action.
It could cost me 100s of 1000s.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/77/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE SUFFERING AND EPICCING TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?
WE ALL KNOW that group workouts are torturous by nature. It's not a secret. Yet, we continue to show up beating after beating because...
... suffering loves company.
Alone, for most of us, is no good.
We won't see it through,
we'll ease up when we should be hardening up.
The bonds we end up forming are often unbreakable...
... we're in agony together.
Suddenly people who barely knew each other are fist bumping and ready for the next one.
What's the opposite bondforming experience?...
... when we're pushing geographic boundaries together.
Like today.
It wasn't the 90 minute climb topping out at 9160'.
Nope.
It was the 60 minutes of downhill...
- ripping through the trees
- sliding around gorgeous berms
- jumping rocks and roots and stumps
... feeling like we were cheating life.
Epiccing, like suffering, loves company.
We set off in search of adventures that will push beyond the comforts or riding around the block...
... the unknown and undiscovered beckoning to be shared.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/71/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COOCOO FOR CLIMBING
IF WEIGHTED SQUATS are a lot better than air squats, is climbing a lot better than riding on the flats? And, if climbing is better...
... is climbing with a weighted vest mo' bettah?
Things one wonders.
And takes to extremes.
I remember backintheday, rolling out with 100oz hydration pack on my back and 2 large waterbottles filled with sand.
It seems so silly now,
almost as all the ruckers.
On a bike we can measure power.
So, we know.
We know we don't need to stress our backs with extra weight or stupid add ons...
... we can just pedal faster.
Velocity X Force - Power
Which taken a step further...
... climbing aint gonna train us any better than flats.
We gotta put out the power.
There is a caveat, if we like...
- climbing big mountains
- ripping punchy stuff
- pounding the flats
... our bodies will adapt and become more efficient at the one we love and gravitate towards.
Me personally?
I'm coocoo for climbing,
and bananas for bombing.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/63/17 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HEAR ME OUT
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN to make fun of Velo, "powered by Outisde". Whether it's their clickbaity titles, AI drivel, or soulselling advertorials...
... there's at least one good laugh a day.
Here's my current favorite.
Stop Complaining About Sound, These Are The Best Headphones for Cycling
Roight!
Because decreasing our ability to engage with our surroundings when traveling 20+ miles per hour in our underwear on...
- trails
- gravel
- pavement
... is a great idea.
Genius.
Next up...
... Stop Complaining About Night Vision, These Are The Best Sunglasses After Sunset.
There is no best.
At best, assuming it's not clickbait or advertorial would be...
... These Headphones Least Worsen Your Ability To React To Danger When Riding.
Or, for the trailrunners...
... These Earbuds Reduce Getting The Shift Scared Out of You When A Bike Rider Has Been Saying 'Hey There' For 5 Minutes and Finally Gives Up and Passes You.
Now for you in the back jumping up and down ready to tell me to not be so closeminded...
... I hear you.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
>
POP TART POWERED, BEE STUNG... ATHLETE unINTELLIGENCE
SOMETIMES, we just gotta change it up. Do something different just fer fun. Go against...
... conventional wisdom.
I thought it had been a good week...
- 177 miles
- 17:26 hours
- 20951' of vert
... given I'd been knocked down by a 24 hour bug.
Mostly in the dirt,
mostly with friends.
Yet, every single ride Strava's Athlete Intelligence...
... scored it as recovery or recovery and endurance.
Apparently, the AI couldn't account for the fact this sea leveler was suffering at 7000-10,000 elevation.
Rolling out this morning...
- a few scoops of Envy
- 4 pop tarts
- 1 Carbs gel
... I grabbed what I had + 100 ounces of water.
While I hoped to put down some power, since all I'd done was "recovery and endurance" rides...
... I knew the truth.
Leaving with a simple plan,
ride until I ran out of food and water.
It was an epic day in the mountains...
... topped off with a bee sting in the gut a few miles from home base.
Memorable.
===
164
9 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ADVENTURE
SOMETIMES, the road really is better than the inn. We realize that whatever we are aiming for may not be all that great, but...
... putting in the work gives outsized returns.
Gratitude blooms.
Like today.
My pal Charles charts out this loop...
- 32 miles
- 4700' of vert
- topping out at 10,000'
... which seems really cool.
Until we hit our first massive fallen tree and bushwhack around it.
Then, patches of snow,
too long to ride.
Followed Puke Hill.
The view...
- The Great Salt Lake to the west
- Park City to the East
- Not a soul around
... stunning.
Somehow the goals seem weak, lacking...
... when beauty abounds.
If we'll just stop to look.
===
165ish, no scale
7ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT’S MORE FUN?
Oct 12, 2017
by Todd Brown
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO RACE YOUR BIKE, some come naturally and some require great effort to master. But, what’s more fun? Sticking with the racing that suits your natural talent, might lead to greater success. But, pursuing a discipline that requires you to dramatically improve or change your body or riding style will..
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO RACE YOUR BIKE, some come naturally and some require great effort to master.
But, what’s more fun?
Sticking with the racing that suits your natural talent, might lead to greater success.
But, pursuing a discipline that requires you to dramatically improve or change your body or riding style will probably lead to greater growth…
… and even great success when you return to your natural talent…
Mix it up, often.
I’M SHOCKED
Oct 11, 2017
by Todd Brown
I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ, one of our most inspiring regulars is wimping out because… it’s tooooo cold?! First off, you are a seriously accomplished badass on the bike. You race in all kinds of conditions. Doesn’t it make sense to subject your flesh to a little harshness as part of the prep?..
I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ, one of our most inspiring regulars is wimping out because…
it’s
tooooo
cold?!
First off, you are a seriously accomplished badass on the bike. You race in all kinds of conditions. Doesn’t it make sense to subject your flesh to a little harshness as part of the prep?
Second, it wasn’t even cold today. I think you just rolled out with Indian Summer on your mind and forgot to check the Weather Channel app for Trabuco Canyon – the coldest part of our ride. Isn’t it fun to bust out the warmers and vests and jackets we so rarely wear?
Third, we are rising with the sun this time of year – with the eastern horizon brightening and lightening our day. Isn’t it the best?
Fourth, in a couple of weeks the time changes and we get an hour of sun back to warm us on the start.
Fifth, don’t the few cold days make the warm days so much better?
Sixth, the change in whether is how we now we’re alive at all. Isn’t it great to come in chilled and jump in a hot shower?
Seventh, we’re all going to be there all through the winter encouraging each other – so many others will back down the miles, drop the intensity and wonder if their scale is lying to them come Spring. Don’t you need us to stay super-motivated?
Eight, if it’s the cold this week, what’s next? Too hot? Too steep? Too, too, too?
Ninth, what about the legions that follow you on social media who you inspire daily… what will they think? do?
Tenth, you know we’re gonna heckle you… right?
I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER
Oct 10, 2017
by Todd Brown
I’VE HAD A NAGGING COUGH FOR ABOUT A MONTH, Mike confided. Oh wow! I didn’t even know. Yeah, I always feel better on the ride. Everything always feels better on the ride.
I’VE HAD A NAGGING COUGH FOR ABOUT A MONTH, Mike confided.
Oh wow! I didn’t even know.
Yeah, I always feel better on the ride.
Everything always feels better on the ride.
I MIGHT LIKE YOU BETTER IF WE RODE TOGETHER – PART 2
Oct 09, 2017
by Todd Brown
IT’S TRUE, RIDE WITH SOMEONE OFTEN ENOUGH AND YOU’LL END UP LIKING THEM A WHOLE LOT… makes me wonder: How many of the world’s problems could be solved… How many misunderstandings would be avoided… How many more friendships would be forged… How many riders would still be riding… How many social walls dissolved… … if..
IT’S TRUE, RIDE WITH SOMEONE OFTEN ENOUGH AND YOU’LL END UP LIKING THEM A WHOLE LOT… makes me wonder:
How many of the world’s problems could be solved…
How many misunderstandings would be avoided…
How many more friendships would be forged…
How many riders would still be riding…
How many social walls dissolved…
… if we all simply rode together.
THE LONELY RIDE’R
Oct 08, 2017
by Todd Brown
I RAN INTO MY BUDDY CHUCK TODAY, we shared a big hug. It’s been too long. I’m just luke warm these days. I don’t care, come up here with me. Nah, I’m more comfortable in the back. He drifted rearward, alone. After, we chatted more, got caught up on family and life. I pondered spending..
I RAN INTO MY BUDDY CHUCK TODAY, we shared a big hug. It’s been too long.
I’m just luke warm these days.
I don’t care, come up here with me.
Nah, I’m more comfortable in the back.
He drifted rearward, alone.
After, we chatted more, got caught up on family and life.
I pondered spending more time in the back with my struggling pal(s) vs going all out and hold the bar high.
What kind of bridge do I want to be, should I be?
DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Oct 07, 2017
by Todd Brown
HOW I HOPE MY DAY UNFOLDS… surf sesh and breakfast my justouttacollege friends, nice climbing day on the MTB, some good reading of S Jobs biography, clean the bikes, wash the car, zip thru emails… I hear it’s best to start with the big tasks, and work down to the small stuff. Here we go
HOW I HOPE MY DAY UNFOLDS… surf sesh and breakfast my justouttacollege friends, nice climbing day on the MTB, some good reading of S Jobs biography, clean the bikes, wash the car, zip thru emails…
I hear it’s best to start with the big tasks, and work down to the small stuff.
Here we go
ARLO N ME N SHELBY RAY
Oct 06, 2017
by Todd Brown
MY SHADOW BOUNCES ACROSS THE MUSTARD WEED… gotta shoot that, I spin around and one-hand the phone, and… Arlo Guthrie joins the ride. Good morning America, how are ya?! It IS a good morning, it’s early, it’s just me and Arlo. ‘Haven’t heard that song since forever An iTunes search later educates me the true..
MY SHADOW BOUNCES ACROSS THE MUSTARD WEED… gotta shoot that, I spin around and one-hand the phone, and… Arlo Guthrie joins the ride.
Good morning America, how are ya?!
It IS a good morning, it’s early, it’s just me and Arlo. ‘Haven’t heard that song since forever
An iTunes search later educates me the true name of the song: The City of New Orleans… I get a little misty thinking of my baby who’s living in that very city.
Shelby Ray, how are ya?
DO DIFFERENT/OFF-SEASON
Oct 05, 2017
by Todd Brown
THINK DIFFERENT IS ONE OF MANY GREAT MAXIMS revealed in Steve Jobs’ biography – my current read. It started as a challenge to the Mac team, and wound up as an invitation and a promise to the world. Do different is the challenge of the off-season. Add. Delete. Increase. Reduce. With the hope of different..
THINK DIFFERENT IS ONE OF MANY GREAT MAXIMS revealed in Steve Jobs’ biography – my current read. It started as a challenge to the Mac team, and wound up as an invitation and a promise to the world.
Do different is the challenge of the off-season.
Add.
Delete.
Increase.
Reduce.
With the hope of different results next season, I’m…
Adding weight-lifting.
Deleting bread.
Increasing surfing and paddle-boarding.
Reducing time on the bike.
Get stronger. Get relaxed.
TO THE FUTURE, WITH SUPER DAVE
Oct 04, 2017
by Todd Brown
SUPER DAVE KOESEL HAS LANDED ON TOP OF 3T NORTH AMERICA, and allowed me to check out the view with the company’s latest award-winning creation: The Strada. Check it out, he said. Dave is very precise, all about the math and science and research. I go on feel, intuition and my gut. the Strada looks..
SUPER DAVE KOESEL HAS LANDED ON TOP OF 3T NORTH AMERICA, and allowed me to check out the view with the company’s latest award-winning creation: The Strada.
Check it out, he said.
Dave is very precise, all about the math and science and research.
I go on feel, intuition and my gut.
the Strada looks really cool, and fast
Every single unnecessary part has been deleted from the bike, like a front chain ring and derailleur. Everything else has been trimmed and slimmed and hidden from the wind.
the disc brakes are fantastic
I’ve ridden disc brakes off-road for over a decade. Why aren’t all road bikes equipped with discs by now? It’s night and day, the difference in braking quality.
the 1X drivetrain is simple
Simply shifting the chain across the cassette with no front chain ring options to consider is very nice. The set up on the tester was a mid-level mechanical SRAM model, I can only imagine how awesome it would be with an electronic derailleur and the shifting duties split between left and right hands.
big tires, big comfort
Dave loves his numbers, and he pulled out all the data showing the superiority of large tires… specifically which large tires give the greatest speed advantage. With that added speed, comes added comfort. Go big.
it’s stiff
The Strada has thru axels, front and rear. These axels are supposed to greatly increase stiffness while accelerating. All I can confirm is that the bike climbed much, much better than I anticipated. I’m an outta the saddle climber, and I love the way this bike feels under massive (well, all I’ve got) torque.
The future is simple, aero and fast.
__________
172.2
We have about 15 spots left, I hope YOU can make it.
I SEE THIS A LOT
Oct 03, 2017
by Todd Brown
I SEE THIS A LOT: RIDER HEARS ABOUT TMWC, SHOWS UP, GETS SHELLED, and keeps coming back for more. Some get hit with the TMWC sledgehammer, never to return. But, most of us keep coming back, week after week. There are two reasons: Progression – One stop light at a time, they get a little..
I SEE THIS A LOT: RIDER HEARS ABOUT TMWC, SHOWS UP, GETS SHELLED, and keeps coming back for more. Some get hit with the TMWC sledgehammer, never to return. But, most of us keep coming back, week after week.
There are two reasons:
Progression – One stop light at a time, they get a little stronger and hang on a little longer.
Friendship – Either they have a friend that invited them, or they quickly make a friend.
You can do anything with a goal, and a friend.
I’LL TAKE U FOR $500
Oct 02, 2017
by Todd Brown
THE HARDEST WORKING PART OF MY BIKE, is also the hardest to spell. We say it all the time. But, can you spell it? I can’t. Not with confidence. Spellchecking is always required on this one, for me. Being a fairly new component, newer than the wheel or the handlebar or the saddle, it’s name hasn’t morphed into a million different..
THE HARDEST WORKING PART OF MY BIKE, is also the hardest to spell. We say it all the time. But, can you spell it? I can’t. Not with confidence. Spellchecking is always required on this one, for me.
Being a fairly new component, newer than the wheel or the handlebar or the saddle, it’s name hasn’t morphed into a million different languages.
It has to do with getting a train off it’s tracks.
The inventor was French, which might ‘splain a ting er two – an author, no less.
D-E-R-A-I-L-L-E-U-R
I’m going to cut n paste the main wiki details. Perhaps a little additional education will help me/you? spell it with confidence.
Etymology
Derailleur is a French word, spelled dérailleur in French,[1] derived from the derailment of a train from its tracks.[3] Its first recorded use was 1930.[1][4] At least one notable bicycle industry author has attempted to promote the anglicized spelling of derailer.[3][5] As of 2013, however, neither Merriam-Webster[4] nor the Oxford English Dictionary[1] has an entry for derailer.
History
A modern road bicycle drivetrain with front and rear derailleurs
Various derailleur systems were designed and built in the late 19th century. One example is the Protean two-speed derailleur available on the Whippet safety bicycle.[6] The French bicycle tourist, writer and cycling promoter Paul de Vivie (1853–1930), who wrote under the name Vélocio, invented a two speed rear derailleur in 1905 which he used on forays into the Alps.[7] Some early designs used rods to move the chain onto various gears. 1928 saw the introduction of the “Super Champion Gear” (or “Osgear”)[8] from the company founded by champion cyclist Oscar Egg, as well as the Vittoria Margherita; both employed chainstay mounted ‘paddles’ and single lever chain tensioners mounted near or on the downtube. However, these systems, along with the rod-operated Campagnolo Cambio Corsa[9] were eventually superseded by parallelogram derailleurs.
In 1937, the derailleur system was introduced to the Tour de France, allowing riders to change gears without having to remove wheels. Previously, riders would have to dismount in order to change their wheel from downhill to uphill mode.[10] Derailleurs did not become common road racing equipment until 1938 when Simplex introduced a cable-shifted derailleur.
In 1949 Campagnolo introduced the Gran Sport, a more refined version of the then already existing, yet less commercially successful, cable-operated parallelogram rear derailleurs.[11]
In 1964, Suntour invented the slant-parallelogram rear derailleur, which let the jockey pulley maintain a more constant distance from the different sized sprockets, resulting in easier shifting. Once the patents expired, other manufacturers adopted this design, at least for their better models,[12] and the “slant parallelogram” remains the current rear derailleur pattern.
Before the 1990s many manufacturers made derailleurs, including Simplex, Huret, Galli, Mavic, Gipiemme, Zeus, Suntour, and Shimano. However, the successful introduction and promotion of indexed shifting by Shimano in 1985 required a compatible system of shift levers, derailleur, sprockets, chainrings, chain, shift cable, and shift housing.[13]
Today Campagnolo, Shimano, and SRAM are the three main manufacturers of derailleurs, with Italian manufacturer Campagnolo only making road cycling derailleurs and Shimano making both road and offroad. American manufacturer SRAM has been an important third, specializing in derailleurs for mountain bikes, and in 2006 they introduced a drivetrain system for road bicycles.
Modern derailleur types
The major innovations since then have been the switch from friction to indexed shifting and the gradual increase in the number of gears. With friction shifting, the rider first moves the lever enough for the chain to jump to the next sprocket, and then adjusts the lever a slight amount to center the chain on that sprocket. An indexed shifter has a detent or ratchet mechanism which stops the gear lever, and hence the cable and the derailleur, after moving a specific distances with each press or pull. Indexed shifters require re-calibration when cables stretch and parts get damaged or swapped. On racing bicycles, 10-gear rear cassettes appeared in 2000, and 11-gear cassettes appeared in 2009. Most current mountain bicycles have either two or three front chainrings with single ring front setups becoming increasingly popular. Most road bicycles have two chainrings, and touring bicycles commonly have three.
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FAST AND SLOWING
Oct 01, 2017
by Todd Brown
AT 630AM YESTERDAY, I CASUALLY RODE MY BIKE 70 MILES IN 4 HOURS. At 5pm, I walked 100 feet in 12 minutes. Clutching my dad’s bony arms, my son Shane and I purposefully plodded into church. There was no place I’d rather be. We sat, and listened. My mind wandered to a time when my..
AT 630AM YESTERDAY, I CASUALLY RODE MY BIKE 70 MILES IN 4 HOURS. At 5pm, I walked 100 feet in 12 minutes. Clutching my dad’s bony arms, my son Shane and I purposefully plodded into church.
There was no place I’d rather be.
We sat, and listened.
My mind wandered to a time when my dad was strong enough to grab the dining room chair at the end of one leg and hold it straight out. (Try it some time.) He used to vault the 6′ back wall and run on the high school track behind our house. “One lap to think about each kid”. (8 laps).
I’m taller than him now, but he’ll always be a giant to me.
2017 TOUR DE DONUT – FAT OR FATLETIC?
Sep 30, 2017
by Todd Brown
FOR HUMANITY AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT, the Tour de Donut sought to answer the question: Will donuts make you fat or fatletic? At 6:30am, we began with a weigh-in. Dozens of data points would be collected and crunched along the way to reach a rich and gooey conclusion. 5 donut shops had been selected as the..
FOR HUMANITY AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT, the Tour de Donut sought to answer the question: Will donuts make you fat or fatletic?
At 6:30am, we began with a weigh-in. Dozens of data points would be collected and crunched along the way to reach a rich and gooey conclusion.
5 donut shops had been selected as the most worthy.
70ish miles were covered.
100+ donuts consumed.
Twilight found us at Surfin’ Donuts. I opted for the apple fritter, since the next stop was 25 miles up the coast. It was on the thin side, crunchy with delicious apples and cinnamon generously applied.
We passed Ole Hanson Beach Park just as the Mach 5 boys were rolling out. They were not interested in the betterment of humanity and peeled off at Laguna Canyon.
Mike and Steve caught up at Rose Bakery and Cafe. A light and fluffy sugar-covered twist lit my senses. A few of our test subjects skipped this spot. Not the TBD Racing crew, who also joined us at this point, they sugared right up. We’ll have to trust their weigh in data, hard to do knowing they are lawyers and marketers.
20ish strong we rolled into Sidecar, the most famous of shops. A huge serpentine line congoed forward. Like Disneyland, we marked our progress towards true donut creativity. Here I lost my virginity to the Bacon Donut. It smelled amazing, and tasted better. Everybody ate.
I was a little loopy, sugar-loaded I guess.
The bike trail to Donut Star was eventful… but that’s another thing.
At Donut Star, a pink cherry cruller gave me a come hither look. Soft and delicate, this beauty melted in my mouth – my favorite of the day. Some of our volunteers strayed to bagels and croissants… no research grant money for them… others, like Chris, doubled up.
Here, I noticed a repeating theme… at each stop patrons inquired how far did we ride and is this the reward? All applauded our quest, though few grasped the significance.
Most of the TBD’s pulled off here, the rest bidding us farewell in Lake Forest.
5 of us battled on to Royal Hamburgers and Donuts. My final selection, a chocolate cake donut covered in chocolate. A solid choice, and very tasty.
On the way back to San Clemente, my energy was actually quite good.
What we learned:
All lost weight.
All drank less water than normal.
Everybody was happy, and cheerful.
Nobody cramped.
Nobody was gassy.
Nobody bonked.
Nobody flatted.
All the kits fit as fine before as after.
All of the craniums functioned correctly.
In conclusion, donuts are tasty, easy to locate in all towns, with a wide ranging variety to keep you satisfied.
Touring by donut is highly recommended… especially if bacon is involved.
strict scientific measures were taken
yes, Vegans eat donuts… there’s hope
so apropos
Matt had a nice little chat with the kid in the Escalade who yelled “butt dart”
Sidecar’s selection is amazing
45 miles in, and loving it
Cheers!
________________________
ONE BAD KNEE DON’T MAKE THE WHOLE RIDE BAD
Sep 29, 2017
by Todd Brown
I HAVE ONE BAD KNEE, and one good knee. In fact, the same knee is just above my one bad foot. The knee is bad, from running… more later. The foot is bad from kicking black lava. When all is right in my world there is no pain. Today there is pain. Dianna thought it..
I HAVE ONE BAD KNEE, and one good knee. In fact, the same knee is just above my one bad foot. The knee is bad, from running… more later. The foot is bad from kicking black lava. When all is right in my world there is no pain. Today there is pain.
Dianna thought it would be fun to run home from Drew’s on a hot summer night back in 80something. I quickly calculated that 7 miles was 6 miles more than I’d run ever then added in bonus miles based on her cuteness and multiplied it by 1000 because it was her idea.
Great let’s do it.
I felt amazing, for obvious reasons.
About 3 miles in I felt a twinge in my left knee, that was left unsaid.
5 miles in it really hurt, and I cheerfully ran on… for obvious reasons.
Over the years, I’ve picked up and put down running… each time leading to a twinge and a memory of that summer night.
A little trail running, around Whiting Ranch and up on Saddleback.
A few triathlons.
One of the first of Scott Tinley’s Dirty Adventures, I finished the swim last and finished the bike first and proceeded to run so slow volunteers were putting me back on the course instead of allowing me to finish… they wanted me to do another loop, figuring there’s no way that guy is done at that pace with that form… oh, I was done. I wound up 2nd in my age group, but that was my last “long run”.
The left foot is bad thanks to immovable lava at Waimea Bay. On my way up to dive, I clipped a rock. It instantly hurt like hell. Looking down, my baby toe was at a 90 degree angle. I taped it up, kept diving. Two years have passed and it’s just worse, flopping around like a mini rag doll and rolling over so the nail is on the ground. I’ve started to tape it into place again… it kinda helps.
So there’s the background to why the knee and foot are tender today.
They both hurt because I’ve been lifting weights and pedaling a monstrous gear on my MTB – stressing the joints and muscles and tendons…
… It’s the off-season, and I want to be superstong next year like all the cool kids…
… I’m just not as cool as that one hot summer night…
GETTING BETTER, I HOPE
Sep 28, 2017
by Todd Brown
WE HAVE A MORE ROBUST STORY TO TELL, so we are upgrading our website. It’s going to be a few days until it’s buenisimo. I tried like heck to get this done in the summer, our business’ off-season. Making changes in the season, is a lot harder. Now is the season where we are going..
WE HAVE A MORE ROBUST STORY TO TELL, so we are upgrading our website. It’s going to be a few days until it’s buenisimo. I tried like heck to get this done in the summer, our business’ off-season.
Making changes in the season, is a lot harder.
Now is the season where we are going full-speed at PEDALindustries – team orders, new products, etc
Whether racing or doing business when it’s time to make hay it’s hard to maintain your focus on ancillary projects, and decisions can be poor due to fatigue or angst.
So, what changes are you going to make this cycling off-season?
Bike fit?
Diet?
Equipment?
Shoes?
Weight lifting?
None of these should be done during “the season”.
But… sometimes ya gotta do, what ya gotta do.
TOUR DE DONUT 9/30 DETAILS
Sep 27, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
PREPARE TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES of donuts and water alone. We’ll be rolling out from my house at 630am on Saturday, September 30th. Those in for the whole ride will be weighing in before we roll out… this is for science. I can only predict the first stop, Surfin’ Donuts. We’ll be there about..
PREPARE TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES of donuts and water alone.
We’ll be rolling out from my house at 630am on Saturday, September 30th. Those in for the whole ride will be weighing in before we roll out… this is for science.
I can only predict the first stop, Surfin’ Donuts. We’ll be there about 6:45.
Next stop, Rose Bakery in Corona Del Mar… should be there about 8:15.
From there to Sidecar Donuts in Costa Mesa… 9:15?.
Donut Star in Irvine… about 10:30ish
Royal Donuts in Mission Viejo is next. 11:30kinda.
Then, if we need a final hit of sugar and fat at Rose Cafe in San Clemente, wrapping it up with a weigh in. Data will be taken, poured over, scrubbed, washed and posted… to protect the innocent no names will be revealed.
If you can’t do the whole thing… join us for some of it.
Rules to remember:
- We leave on time and stop for no one – usually.
- Have fun.
- Ride Safe.
—> if you don’t know where I live, fill in the contact form and I’ll email you.
(crack open your piggy banks)
WHAT’S YOUR AVATAR?
Sep 26, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
DO YOU HAVE AN INSPIRATIONAL AVATAR? You know, are you a Marvel super-hero: Wonder Woman, Flash, Thor? Are you Rocky screaming “Adrien!” bleeding and victorious? Do you go to sleep dreaming of the RoadRunner – faster and smarter than a pack of coyotes? It’s one thing to be yourself, it’s quite another to be more..
DO YOU HAVE AN INSPIRATIONAL AVATAR? You know, are you a Marvel super-hero: Wonder Woman, Flash, Thor? Are you Rocky screaming “Adrien!” bleeding and victorious? Do you go to sleep dreaming of the RoadRunner – faster and smarter than a pack of coyotes?
It’s one thing to be yourself, it’s quite another to be more than yourself.
So, who are you?
I decided to splurge a little and create my own avatar. I wanted something I could print up to remind me in times of weakness and despair. For racing for sure, but also for the other times when things just aren’t spinning quite right.
There are two songs that surface when the racing really hurts: Fly Like An Eagle and Hungry Like A Wolf.
My avatar had to be an animal.
Which one?
Wolf or Eagle.
Wolves are hunters, they hunt in packs… but I’m drawn to the lone wolf, all the senses on high alert, ready to prey.
Eagles soar, their eyes seeing where to swoop and attack.
What style?
I always liked the timelessness of the Ferrari logo, the prancing horse. The flat, 2-dimensional look in a single color exuding pride, power and an untamable energy.
It took about a month, working with our design team to create what I was looking for. An avatar that meant something to me: speed, soaring, fierceness, the lone hunter.
I’d love to know your avatar… you have one, right?
REFUGEES
Sep 25, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
LUNCH WAS AWESOME TODAY, we were supposed to talk about T’s and other products for GQ-6 and wound up sharing family histories. Two of our respective families were 80’s/90’s refugees. Richard’s wife was on the last helicopter out of the Hanoi Hilton. Imagine that. You’re 5 or 6 years old and your parents scoop you..
LUNCH WAS AWESOME TODAY, we were supposed to talk about T’s and other products for GQ-6 and wound up sharing family histories. Two of our respective families were 80’s/90’s refugees.
Richard’s wife was on the last helicopter out of the Hanoi Hilton. Imagine that. You’re 5 or 6 years old and your parents scoop you up and your homeland disappears below, forever. You get to a camp, and wait. Or, maybe you’re parents in a strange land wondering how you’re going to care for your little family.
Richard’s father’s family was sent to an internment camp. Anxious to protect his homeland he and the other Japanese-decent young men were part of the 442nd Regiment, the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of American warfare
Steven’s parents fled Hungary in 1990. In Austria, they lived in a camp and received rejection notices from Australia and Canada – the 2 countries where friends and relatives had settled. Imagine that. You, your spouse and you young son shuttle off to America with broken English your only asset.
My history is different. Both sides of my family walked across the plains to settle in Utah, fleeing religious persecution.
All these families were in search of safety and freedom.
And, it got me thinking…
about the refugees pouring out of the Middle East and Africa,
and the contributions they will make to our rides, and lives
… how can I help?
(Me, Steven and Richard (Mr. GQ-6)… mowing down Lebanese food)
Join us for dinner and/or dessert with Chris Carmichael and Brian Co
THIS CHAMPION’S HEART
Sep 24, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
THE APPRECIATION AND LOVE WE FEEL FOR PETER SAGAN is a reflection of the man himself. Immediately after today’s race he dismounts and starts walking. Throngs press. He’s cordial, but he strides on. Quickly. Where’s he going? Who’s he searching for? The press ask, what does it mean to be the first to win 3..
THE APPRECIATION AND LOVE WE FEEL FOR PETER SAGAN is a reflection of the man himself. Immediately after today’s race he dismounts and starts walking. Throngs press. He’s cordial, but he strides on. Quickly.
Where’s he going?
Who’s he searching for?
The press ask, what does it mean to be the first to win 3 World Championships in a row?
It doesn’t change anything.
How does it feel?
I feel for the family and friends of Michele Scarponi who would have celebrated his birthday tomorrow.
I feel bad for Alexander, to beat him in his home country.
Is this your best year ever?
I dedicated the victory to my wife, who is expecting our first baby.
We’ve learned it doesn’t matter what the press ask Peter… and frankly, what more could they ask… he’s going to take time to put things in perspective: a competitor’s missed chance, a fallen friend, an expecting wife.
The post win walk through ancient streets and emotional fans illustrates why we love this champion.
(Peter finally found, hugged and giggled with Juraj Sagan… brother and teammate.)
Join us for dinner and/or dessert with Chris Carmichael and Brian Co
DINNER WITH CHRIS CARMICHAEL AND BRIAN CO
Sep 23, 2017
by TODD BROWN
LAST TIME CHRIS CARMICHAEL CAME TO VISIT… 300 people joined me at the Oakley building. Why? Because Chris is the number 1 Cycling coach in the world. This time, it’s going to be more intimate. On October 11th a few of us, less than 10, are going to have dinner with Chris and get the..
LAST TIME CHRIS CARMICHAEL CAME TO VISIT… 300 people joined me at the Oakley building.
Why?
Because Chris is the number 1 Cycling coach in the world.
This time, it’s going to be more intimate.
On October 11th a few of us, less than 10, are going to have dinner with Chris and get the juicy stories and specific ideas only he can share. The rest of us, will join for dessert and a live podcast with Brian Co – The SoCal Cyclist.
… I hope you can make it …
Here are your two options:
5:00 PM – Dinner & Dessert
Your choice from Guicho’s – San Clemente’s wonderful Itallian cuisine.
A signed copy of Chris’ book
1 month of coaching from CTS.
This is your opportunity to hang out and talk with one of the most influential people in cycling today… Chris is super approachable.
7:00 PM – Dessert
Includes a delicious helping of sugar and fat – it’s the offseason – while participating in the live taping of The SoCal Cyclist podcast.
During dessert, Brian Co will be doing a live Podcast of The SoCal Cyclist. He’ll interview Chris, and take your questions… so be prepared to participate.
WHAT A TREAT!
Click here to secure your spot.
I FOUND THIS INCREDIBLE CRAFTSMAN
Sep 22, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
I FINALLY DROVE TO SEE THE GUY who I paid in January for a new bike. He wasn’t returning my calls or my emails. So I drove 4 hours to pay him a visit. You won’t believe what I found. Your bike I hope. Yes, the bike was ready. How is it? That’s not why..
I FINALLY DROVE TO SEE THE GUY who I paid in January for a new bike. He wasn’t returning my calls or my emails. So I drove 4 hours to pay him a visit. You won’t believe what I found.
Your bike I hope.
Yes, the bike was ready.
How is it?
That’s not why I’m calling… but, it’s amazing.
Well?
Okay, this guy is a genius. He’s designed all kinds of custom parts. He owns hundreds of thousands of dollars of special machinery for carbon, titanium and steel building. But, he’s doing it all. Designing, manufacturing, assembling, emailing, calling, ordering, testing, traveling, sweeping the floors…
He needs a business manager.
I know. Imagine me doing braces, molds, consultations, answering phones, ordering, sweeping the floors…
Let me guess, you want to buy in?
Yes.
Okay, let me tell you a little story about my buddy Marv.
Marv and I used to ride Whiting Ranch every week, along with Roger. One day Marv shows up with an Intense. I’d already spotted the brand in Mountain Bike Action. Jeff Steber was the creator-designer-engineer, and the bikes mirrored Jeff’s super cool vibe. Soon, I was ripping on a tie-dye Intense of my own. I think Roger even got one. Anyway, Marv liked the bikes so much he sold his big electronics company and bought into Jeff’s baby company. I think they’d sold about 15 frames up to that point.
Together, Marv and Jeff built Intense into an International brand. 20ish years later, they sold the company and retired.
You want to do that?
Yeah, I think so… how do we do it?
Let’s call Marv.
SUNSET BLUES
Sep 21, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
THE DAYS ARE GETTIN’ SHORTER, theres a tiny bite in the air fall in Socal no leaves changing, but lights added warmers donned fair weather riders find excuses the committed. find courage and camaraderie with the faithful Us, the few that ride no matter what. (don’t let the sun go down on my spirit)
THE DAYS ARE GETTIN’ SHORTER, theres a tiny bite in the air
fall in Socal
no leaves changing, but
lights added
warmers donned
fair weather riders find excuses
the committed. find courage and camaraderie with the faithful
Us, the few that ride no matter what.
(don’t let the sun go down on my spirit)
WHEN I PLAYED FOR THE EAGLES
Sep 20, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
WHEN I PLAYED FOR THE EAGLES… wait… say that again… he smiles, When I played for the eagles… (really, how could I forget that?)… say it one more time… When I played for the Eagles, in Philadelphia… He didn’t offer this, it came up in conversation about college football – the one thing that makes..
WHEN I PLAYED FOR THE EAGLES… wait… say that again… he smiles, When I played for the eagles… (really, how could I forget that?)… say it one more time…
When I played for the Eagles, in Philadelphia…
He didn’t offer this, it came up in conversation about college football – the one thing that makes me question why I cut the cord.
Post ride, we ate at Pipes.
He’s a San Diego kid, living in AZ now. He walked on at BYU (no scholarship) and wound up the starting middle linebacker, basically the Kobe Bryant of the defense. Then, he tried out and made the Eagles… I think it was very brief, not positive. But, who cares? He was a pro.
I miss Pipes.
‘so good, I confirm and get on with what I gotta know…
Hey, what kind of weight training did you do as a football player? (Ya know, because I bought that book)
At BYU, we’d lift for 4 hours in the morning. I was so wasted, I’d go home and sleep for 4 hours then go back to the field for 7 on 7 passing drills.
That sounds crazy.
It was, we weren’t very sophisticated.
What about as a pro?
The most enlightened training I ever did was the winter before the combine. I hired a coach to get me ready. He was much more about recovery, stretching, plyometrics, nutrition, rest. We never over did it. I felt great. Best I’d ever felt in my life.
What was the dumbest workout you ever did?
At BYU, one day they had us squat our weight to failure.
How many did you do?
I squatted 260 lbs 97 times.
What?! That’s nuts!
How long did it take? (I’m thinking like an hour, right?)
About 2 1/2 minutes.
I’m speechless.
(he’s worked incredibly hard to shed 70 lbs of muscle)
AND THERE’S MY BASELINE
Sep 19, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
IT’S 547AM AND I’M HUSTLING to load Trevor’s car with our bikes. It’s been 2 years since he did The TMWC. He just bought a new bike, and this will be his 2nd ride since taking a long break from the sport. I know I’m stoked to have my number 1 riding with me, but..
IT’S 547AM AND I’M HUSTLING to load Trevor’s car with our bikes. It’s been 2 years since he did The TMWC. He just bought a new bike, and this will be his 2nd ride since taking a long break from the sport. I know I’m stoked to have my number 1 riding with me, but I can’t decide if I’m excited to be faster than him.
I like it when he’s faster… he’s one of the few people I like to watch thrash me.
Must be a genetics thing.
We get to the start, unload. He dresses. I attach front wheels and water the grass.
We’re plenty early, which is nice because… he forgot his bottle. #rookiemove.
It’s a big group, and the pace is spirited. I drift back and check on him. His form is perfect, he’s nose breathing. But we’re two miles in and he admits this is going to hurt.
I wonder if it’s discouraging, humbling or motivating to be suffering on a ride he owned when fit.
The guys welcome me back too… I’ve been traveling or loafing for 3 weeks. Damn, I love this crew. Truly.
I check on him again, still there and looking good.
We race up SMP to Melinda.
I drift back.
Back.
Way back.
I’m done Dad.
We cruise to the re-group. He pulls the plug and together we spin back to the car. I let him know the quality of the riders has increased as the group has grown. I’m not sure he cares.
Well, now we know my baseline.
There’s my answer: motivating. He’s seen what he can do, and he’ll be back next week to make it a little further.
(yes, the ride has sped up in 2 years)
HAVE YOU STARTED?
Sep 18, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
HAVE YOU STARTED THE WORKOUT YET? The rocks in my skull shifted… workout… workout… hmmmm… The Maximum Overload workout? Yeah! Not yet. Don’t have the book yet. Did you? Yes!… go easy. This is the first day in a week that I can barely walk. Haha… okay, will do. Thanks Jim! Here’s the problem, as..
HAVE YOU STARTED THE WORKOUT YET? The rocks in my skull shifted… workout… workout… hmmmm…
The Maximum Overload workout?
Yeah!
Not yet. Don’t have the book yet. Did you?
Yes!… go easy. This is the first day in a week that I can barely walk.
Haha… okay, will do. Thanks Jim!
Here’s the problem, as cyclists we are fit. As athletes, we are terrible. Cycling is a restricted motion. If you don’t mix it up and stretch you’re asking for trouble. But, you won’t know you’re asking because you won’t breathing hard or even hurting when you try something new.
I was paralyzed the day after the annual turkey bowl, one year.
This off-season I’m definitely going to back the miles down and work on strength. I’m going to start with the aforementioned book. It should arrive tomorrow. I’m going to get a trainer to make sure my form is correct.
Today, to prep, I did some of the exercises Jim was talking about: lunges and step-ups. However… I did them sans any weight. Just stretching the muscles out, checking my form. And, that was after 30 minutes on the MTB doing some big ring, out of the saddle climbing.
Have you started?
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175 – this is a guess, left my scale in UT.
Blunt
Sep 17, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
GENERALLY, I PREFER NUANCE, but I’m failing to make my point regarding USA Cycling. Saying competitive cycling is on the decline is like MySpace saying social media is on the decline. MySpace was squashed by FaceBook the minute it was purchased by Rupert Murdock… because his vision was not forward looking. Social Media has exploded,..
GENERALLY, I PREFER NUANCE, but I’m failing to make my point regarding USA Cycling. Saying competitive cycling is on the decline is like MySpace saying social media is on the decline. MySpace was squashed by FaceBook the minute it was purchased by Rupert Murdock… because his vision was not forward looking.
Social Media has exploded, because the products got better.
The new guys had a better vision.
USA Cycling… oh, how you break our hearts with your pathetic market offering.
USA Cycling should have invented STRAVA.
USA Cycling should have brought the Gran Fondo to the US.
USA Cycling should have seen the opportunities to race on different surfaces.
Instead, they saw nothing.
NOT,
ONE,
DAMN,
THING!
I came back to road cycling about 4 years ago when my oldest son developed an interested. We rode together, then he left me far behind.
But not as far behind as USA Cycling had remained.
Trevor and I went to do the Boulevard Road Race. I’d done it 20+ years before, and was looking forward to seeing how things had improved.
Nothing had changed. NOTHING!
Same crappy paper numbers.
Same ridiculous lines – longer for pre-reg racers than those registering day of.
Same lack of organization.
Same guys forgetting to bring pins for the racers’ numbers.
Same tape across the road for the finish line…. no banner, no arch… just a flipping orange cone!
Same surly race refs.
I was completely flabbergasted at the lack of interest on the part of the self-appointed governing body to put on a first class event. The guys racing were on amazing equipment, training better than ever, spending more money and time than ever. But USA Cycling had done nothing in 20 years to improve the product!
NOT, ONE, THING.
P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C.
What had they done? They’d loaded up on old people with old thinking. Collected the dues, and cried themselves to the bank at the membership’s expense.
Is it Lance Armstrong’s fault… give, me, a, break… LeMond and Lance did more for cycling in the USA than USA Cycling ever did. 2 guys. 2. Incredible guys for sure, but it was just 2 of them.
L & L inspired us.
Have you ever been inspired by USA Cycling?
Ever?
There are great intentions at the local level, investments of time and energy by smart and passionate people some working to fix USA Cycling, others have given up on USAC and are putting on hugely successful events… I personally love you for it, and have tried to do all the USAC races I could to support you.
Still doubting me? Ask yourself what happened to NORBA once USA Cycling got it’s fangs deep into NORBA’s neck.
The best mountain bike races, with the deepest purses are put on outside of USA Cycling. Go to an Epic Rides event – big money, big competition, big fun.
Take a look at The Crusher. Huge turn out, hugely competitive.
Where did Levi get his idea for brining the Gran Fondo to America? From Europe. What the heck has USA Cycling been doing in Europe all this time? #clueless
OverTheHump gets 600 people on a weeknight.
There are more races – analog and digital – than ever. Many, you can’t even get in if you don’t register in the first few hours, minutes sometimes.
USA Cycling sold out a long time ago.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
Sep 16, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
“HE LEFT KANSAS CITY IN JULY, wearing a checkered coat and un-matching pants. He had $40 cash, and his imitation-leather suitcase contained only a shirt, two undershorts, two pairs of socks and some drawing materials. But when he paid his fare for the trip to California, he bought a first-class ticket.” Who? The digital world..
“HE LEFT KANSAS CITY IN JULY, wearing a checkered coat and un-matching pants. He had $40 cash, and his imitation-leather suitcase contained only a shirt, two undershorts, two pairs of socks and some drawing materials. But when he paid his fare for the trip to California, he bought a first-class ticket.”
Who?
The digital world is magic.
But, books are magical.
Books make me think, different. Books transport me through time. Books get into the nitty gritty details of life, the characters’ minds.
Through the years, I’ve probably spent more on books than on bikes, and I miss getting lost in the local bookstore for hours.
Books like Uphill Battle: Cycling’s Greatest Climbers thrust us into the minds of the elite climbers much better than I simple Instagram post of a naked Froome on his bike. Here we discover the standards they held for themselves, and the expectations their bosses and fans rained on them. Exploring these pages brings to surface my own dreams and expectations.
The standards to which we hold ourselves, the visions of our future selves
are the wheels we ride through life.
(Walt Disney took that Kansas City train to Hollywood, and built the Magic Kingdom)
Quote from Walt Disney: An American Original
TO EVERY SEASON TURN, TURN
Sep 15, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
FROM A RESULTS STANDPOINT, this has been an amazing year. I haven’t had this much success since the kids were just hopes. Here are the variety of reasons: The kids are gone. Well, technically they’re back. They are adults now, and we run what feels like an AIRBNB while they get their careers going. It’s..
FROM A RESULTS STANDPOINT, this has been an amazing year. I haven’t had this much success since the kids were just hopes.
Here are the variety of reasons:
The kids are gone.
Well, technically they’re back. They are adults now, and we run what feels like an AIRBNB while they get their careers going. It’s a lot of fun, more than I anticipated… probably because they are so busy making their own lives, and we get a lot of snippets of the action. So… I have the time to train 10-12 hours a week.
Road vs MTB.
I’m a far better road racer than XC racer. Trevor got me back into the road, when he picked up bike racing. Prior to that it was 80% MTB. It took about 3 years to get my 1-2 minute power back. On the road, you need group savvy and you need bursts of power. Without those two skills, you’ll be looking at a lot of butts… disappearing in the distance.
Equipment
For the first time in a million years I have a truly awesome road bike I named Flashy Jack. It’s very aero, pretty light, with ceramic bearings everywhere. Plus, it looks fast. If you want to play with the best, and you’ve got decent talent, you have to have equipment that is on par with the best. If you have immense talent, you can skimp on the equipment – I don’t.
Diet
It’s hard to be svelte as you age. I do my darndest to stay under 170. I’d like to be skinny Todd of 30 years ago, but my core is just so muscular. I’ve focused on eating real food vs processed food, drinking a lot of water, and getting plenty of sleep. That’s the trifecta… oh, and removing stress from my life as much as possible.
Training
The best thing that happened this year was the massive increase in the quality of our Tuesday morning ride. It’s just so, darn, great. Really talented guys, pushing each other. We’ve all become much fitter, and better tactically.
Doping
This occurred to me after reading Seth’s blog post on USACycling participation. It’s down. That’s true, very true. “Why back in my day”, we used to have 70-100 guys in every race. The racing was very dynamic. This was my first in a long time where I did a lot of racing. The races had smaller fields, not empty, but smaller. Lots of people tell me guys stay home because they don’t want to race dopers, and others tell me the dopers all quit after they started getting caught. I’m not discounting my results at all, the guys that are showing up are plenty o’ fast, but…
… if you’re a masters racer and you’ve been away…
… come back, we’re having a blast!
(our Tuesday crew)
WE ARE SO RICH
Sep 14, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO IN OUR BIKE COMMUNITY, where we are… and hopefully where you are, too! More clubs. More group rides. More Fondos and Centuries. More bikes for more surfaces. Mobile mechanics, mobile apps. Excellent blogs and podcasts. “TV” covering cycling around the world for pennies. Up in the South Bay there’s..
THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO IN OUR BIKE COMMUNITY, where we are… and hopefully where you are, too!
More clubs.
More group rides.
More Fondos and Centuries.
More bikes for more surfaces.
Mobile mechanics, mobile apps.
Excellent blogs and podcasts.
“TV” covering cycling around the world for pennies.
Up in the South Bay there’s even an annual awards ceremony.
Everyone’s invited. I’m going for the first time this year, and expect it will be filled with hilarity and hi-jinx. Check it out.
But, some traditions are dying out.
It’s kind of like the restaurant business.
As a kid, my family ate at Coco’s and Love’s Barbeque. Both companies had many locations. They are gone. Nobody has stopped eating, nobody is starving. We’re fatter than ever. The old have been replaced by the new, catering to new demands of new generations.
If dynamic changes aren’t taking place in your cycling community, get started. Create a Facebook group, or a Strava club. It’s free, and it’s a blast to stay in touch with each other. Start a group ride. Write a race report. Put on an event. Bike riders are so much fun to be around, help your community connect.
If you love the old traditions, get involved. They are struggling due to lack of love, nothing more. They don’t need to fade away, they need to adapt. They need your energy.
Change is apedal, and we are richer for it in every way.
PAID TO RIDE – SURFER DAN
Sep 13, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
I MET SURFER DAN ON THE DONUT RIDE. after he’d ripped my legs off on every climb in Palos Verdes. I didn’t know his moniker was Surfer Dan at the time, he was just Dan and he looked like he surfed. But on STRAVA, he shows up as ” … surfer”. Later in the summer..
I MET SURFER DAN ON THE DONUT RIDE. after he’d ripped my legs off on every climb in Palos Verdes. I didn’t know his moniker was Surfer Dan at the time, he was just Dan and he looked like he surfed. But on STRAVA, he shows up as ” … surfer”.
Later in the summer of ’15, Dan came down for the unOFFICIAL TMWC. And, he’s joined us unofficially every year since.
Along the way, I figured out what he does for a living – he’s an extremely modest, world-class surfboard shaper.
Awesome.
Awesome because Trevor (my oldest) wasn’t riding bikes and kept inviting me to surf nasty shorebreak waves with him… I needed a new, high-performance surfboard.
At the ’17 TMWC I asked Dan if he’d make me a board. We chatted about the magical properties the board would need to get The Old Diesel surfing like a punk.
What an easy conversation: we’re friends + he’s at the top of his profession + I have a real need.
And, that’s how you get paid to ride.
You get to know people.
Decide you like and trust them.
Pick them to help you get what you want.
Dan never asked me if I wanted a board. He could have easily, but it would have been weird if it was on that first Donut Ride.
Part of me wishes he’d asked me if I needed a new board, because I did.
(my new board is perfectly magical – Thanks DAN!)
THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE
Sep 12, 2017
by Damion Hickman Design
THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE A KID, especially your own kid, pedal off on two wheels you know her life will never be the same. Her smile is ear to ear. She can fly. For a brief moment you’re cool… then she pedals off with her friends. You may not seem cool, you may not..
THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE A KID, especially your own kid, pedal off on two wheels you know her life will never be the same. Her smile is ear to ear. She can fly. For a brief moment you’re cool… then she pedals off with her friends.
You may not seem cool, you may not get public credit, but the two of you will always cherish the day you made this time just for her.
Each time she rides, she’ll be reminded of the love you have for her.
Kids, well most kids, grow out of bikes.
Some get back on in their 20’s, others much later.
The reasons why are countless but you can sum it up with one word: fun.
(goofin’ around at Deer Valley)
(this kid just bought himself a new road bike)
EL PISTOLERO GOES OUT WITH A POP
Sep 11, 2017
by Todd Brown
ALBERTO CONTADOR, AKA EL PISTOLERO, left us like a string of firecrackers instead of an M80. He was so close to astonishing, and I think it’s because he just mistimed his taper. I believe he could have beat Chris Froome in the 2017 La Vuelta, and I believe he planned his season around the biggest..
ALBERTO CONTADOR, AKA EL PISTOLERO, left us like a string of firecrackers instead of an M80. He was so close to astonishing, and I think it’s because he just mistimed his taper. I believe he could have beat Chris Froome in the 2017 La Vuelta, and I believe he planned his season around the biggest exit ever in the sport.
Bummer.
The 2017 Vuelta was the best grand tour of the year, by far. More drama, more suspense. Instead of Contador going out with a giant bang, Chris Froome proves his complete dominance.
(Note: Tapering is the training you do just before a key event, do too much and you are too tired/too little and you lose too much fitness. Doing it right will have you at maximum strength on the big day(s).)
To me, it’s pretty obvious Bert raced Le Tour de France as a tune up for La Vuelta. He underperformed to the point of embarrassment.
But, he had a plan…
he always does,
and it’s not what you think.
One, he just wanted to get the miles in and see how the other guys were racing. Two, he wanted to once again catch people off-guard… in this case, having his competitors underestimate his fitness for La Vuelta.
Everything was going exactly to plan.
Why then did he lose so much time on a early stage?
Based on the super exciting performances he gave us the rest of the way to Madrid, I think he came in a little undercooked. What I mean is, he started the Vuelta almost too rested with the plan being that his fitness would increase over the 3 weeks of racing. Part of that plan included banking on the other favorites to win getting more tired as the days accumulated because most of them had actually raced a lot more while he merely trained at Le Tour.
Ya follow?
It was almost so perfect… he nearly blinded us with explosive brilliance, instead it was a lovely Roman Candle of a performance.
Don’t get me wrong, only he could do what he did.
After his disastrous day left him 30 places off the podium, he attacked and attacked… when we least expected it he punched his fellow races in the face… day after day.
Finishing 4th after a start like that is masterful, but less than what he wanted to give himself and his fans.
Contador has either finished atop the podium or not on it at all at the grand tours.
So, maybe it was perfect after all?
LOTOJA – THIS IS THE END
Sep 10, 2017
by Todd Brown
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FINISH in Jackson Hole. You still have a good 30 minutes circumnavigating the city, once you’re there. The finish is on a closed road, very straight with a slight curve in the last 1k. Get off you bike and into that stream, it feels amazing. Check the results..
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FINISH in Jackson Hole.
- You still have a good 30 minutes circumnavigating the city, once you’re there.
- The finish is on a closed road, very straight with a slight curve in the last 1k.
- Get off you bike and into that stream, it feels amazing.
- Check the results – they had mine wrong… easily corrected in the morning.
- Nothing, and I mean nothing, tasted better than a crisp apple. A day later, I’m still craving fresh fruit and cold water.
- We stayed at the Golden Eagle Inn, an easy walk to the “downtown”.
- Lots of great food to be had in Jackson.
- Two trips to Hagen-Dazs, 1 before and 1 after pizza
- Pizzeria Caldera
- Café Genevieve – Belgian Waffles and Eggs Benedict were yummy.
- Stay a few days, I wish we had planned to do that.
ON THE WAY SOUTH, we stopped in Thayne WY to visit Susie’s cousins. For 6 generations they have owned the Preston Ranch.
Barley blows across rolling hills. Cattle wander. Everybody lives on a county road.
Introductions were made, and familial friendships rekindled.
All new to me.
Roger, started out a veterinarian in life and wound up moving back to take over the ranch. His hands are thick and strong, like shaking a marble statue. He and Bonnie, a California surfer, returned to save the ranch from inheritance taxes.
At the time, they were so poor they rented out their farm and lived on the ranch in the original 100-year-old ranch house.
The house is still there. Musty, tiny, rickety.
Bonnie told me it took 15 years of paying the government everything they made to clear the debt.
It’s homestead land, and the original ancestor starved out there for years. But, that’s how you got land back then. You lived on it, worked it, prayed you didn’t starve… to death.
Ron and Marcia were high school sweethearts. They married and lived all over the US. When it came time to retire, Thayne called them home. For a while they both worked with the Chamber of Commerce and coordinated with the LoToJa race organizer.
I can see why these good people stay here.
The air is clean.
The people are nice.
Just like LoToJa.
(dreamt of ice cream all day)
(hasn’t changed since the college road trip days)
(I’m glad we had our own photo finish, timing had me behind this black horse… FYI, the strength of timing chips varies)
(one of our stops along the Snake River)
(Cousins… Marcia, Ron, Susie, Bonnie, Roger… Preston Ranch in the background… it had been decades since Susie had seen some of these cousins… Find your family, they are interesting and will love to re-connect with you!)
LOTOJA – MOCHA-CHOCA-LATA-YAYA
Sep 09, 2017
by Todd Brown
WHEN YOU WAKE UP WITH CHRISTINA AGUILERA BELTING LADY MARMELADA IN YOUR HEAD, you know it’s gonna be a great day. Those lungs, that bass, you know Joe come what may you’re gonna give it a go! Ride your bike long enough, stuff’s gonna happen. Prepare well enough, and enough will go right that it..
WHEN YOU WAKE UP WITH CHRISTINA AGUILERA BELTING LADY MARMELADA IN YOUR HEAD, you know it’s gonna be a great day. Those lungs, that bass, you know Joe come what may you’re gonna give it a go!
Ride your bike long enough, stuff’s gonna happen.
Prepare well enough, and enough will go right that it don’t matta what goes…
… flat, in my case …
So… here I am, rolling along with a great group of bike racers. Really good skills, excellent fitness. We’re out of Utah, into Idaho with a group of about 15 guys… down from 50, I think.
Strawberry pass is harder than I expect. Definitely some steep pitches. My lungs feel really good, my legs are only wincing.
We decided to go with transition #6 based on some very solid logic. Lots of religious folk in these parts + 3 feed zones… so I figure no one will want to run with the Devil, 666.
My pal Jeff is in his bright green RockNRoad shirt, as planned. He hands up the sweet musette bag we made out of a Walmart shopping bag, and I’m rolling. 1st out of the transition. Just like we planned it.
The next climb wasn’t too bad and our group stayed together.
But… before Salt River things start to go off plan.
Bountiful Mazda guy rides up to the front and yells Neutral Pee, Everybody stop.
Hallelujah.
Yeah, except… 1 of the 3 horseman (there were 3 guys in black kits, all strong and pulling hard) and little green spindly guy and one other don’t stop. Party foul. Oh, and there’s one big guy that rolled off the front earlier.
The chase is on.
5 of us go over the top together, everybody else is gone.
The Old Diesel goes to the front Superman style, drops everybody, sits up, tucks again… you could say I’m slightly peeved at this cheap move.
Important side note: This year I’m rolling on an inexpensive, aero, aluminum Specialized Allez so I could put the money into the 50cm Rovals with ceramic bearings. I coasted while others pedaled – true story. My Kask helmet is also super aero. My Speed kit is super aero. Aero matters, especially over 200 miles.
Of course, we catch those turds. It’s all good, part of racing.
I’m well into the farthest I’ve ever ridden in my life.
And,
I flat.
Awesomely, a support car stops. Unawesomely, the guys are well meaning but a little green on the tire changing.
I get it all set for air,
they start pumping,
I start peeing.
Fellas, is it ready?
60 lbs.
Lemme see it… it feels like steel.
That’ll do.
Thanks fellas, your’e awesome.
Now you can do one of two things here, cry in your water bottle or be the fire breathing beast God put you on earth to be.
I’m at mile 150, 54 to go.
Red kit guy, who the race ref told us was 5 minutes back, comes by.
Let’s go!
He’s cooked, gone after 1 pull.
5 miles later I Nascar into the third #6. Trophy wife is there with my bag. I grab it going about 110 mph. Of course, I drop one of my bottles don’t grab the pickle juice… but,
… she’s packed a Twinkie, hot damn …
A mile later race ref rolls up.
How far behind am I?
Behind? You’re leading.
What?
They all stopped for food and to pee.
No way!
Yep.
Well screw ’em, they didn’t wait for me. I go full gas. Kinda wish I had the bottle now, but when it dropped I was thinking I had one shot to catch ’em.
The tailwind is powerful. Nothing worse than chasing a guy with a tailwind. Sayanora suckers!
Uh oh.
There’s one of the 3 horsemen, flatted.
Crud. They must be ahead.
Oh well.
I’m just gonna go my pace. Top 7 would be amazing.
Oh, look at that bee… with it’s stinger deep into my arm!
Whatever, everything hurts any way.
Kind people hand me water and “Gatorade” at the last neutral stop. I don’t know what that red, fizzy stuff in the bottle is… but, it’s delicious.
Through the roundabout at Holbart (sp?) the traffic is heavy. I’m going almost as fast as the cars.
And I start thinking… what’s causing this traffic? I love it, but what is it? Heehee… it’s gotta be a group of riders and cars can’t get around. Maybe it’s mine!
About 3 miles later I see a group chugging up the last hill. Might as well burn the final match, it’s my group or it’s not.
It’s them: 2 horsemen, green spindly, the reigning champ, America First, and the big guy who snuck away before.
I sit in the back for a while, then do my rotations.
I’m bonking, but ya know…
… there’s nothing like a Twinkie… all sugar and fat…
We’re cruising, and I’m feeling better.
No matter what, this has been an amazing ride for me. Perfect weather, fun trip with good friends, the best support ever from Jeff and TW, I’m happy… but, I’m also a fire breathing beast, right? : ) in my dreams anyway.
So, it’s gonna be a sprint.
We are shells of ourselves.
It’ll be slow motion. The few times I’ve stood on the pedals weren’t inspiring. I figure I can go all out with 100 meters to go. Pathetic, but that’s it.
I’m in the perfect spot.
5th guy, right behind the champ. What could be better?
Well, not letting the big guy roll up the road, doh!
I can’t believe it.
Two horsemen let him go.
They don’t want to chase, because the champ is right behind. I figure he doesn’t want to chase because The Old Diesel is chugging.
Finally, we speed up. He has about 75 meters on us with 300 to go.
I almost catch him.
2nd place, and thrilled.
(best support, ever)
(by all means, get in that stream!)
(Orthodontist by day, musette maker by night)
WELP, THIS IS IT
Sep 08, 2017
by Todd Brown
I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE DOODOO, the day before some bigrediculousginormous “ride”. Leadville does this to me. Nationals does it, too. If it’s big, my body goes into hibernation. Lethargy sets in. Usually a little fluish. I have a headache. Sitting in bed, with the AC cranked. Allergies? All the smoke the past few days? Altitude?..
I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE DOODOO, the day before some bigrediculousginormous “ride”. Leadville does this to me. Nationals does it, too. If it’s big, my body goes into hibernation. Lethargy sets in. Usually a little fluish.
I have a headache. Sitting in bed, with the AC cranked.
Allergies?
All the smoke the past few days?
Altitude?
I’m taking Coldeezz, but it’s not a cold. It’s just The Old Diesel in the station, doing it’s thing.
Next up, Why did I commit to this? conversations. What was I thinking? It’s an impossible challenge. Just sleep in tomorrow and go eat a giant Belgian Waffle with whipped cream and real maple syrup from Canada.
Dinner is soon. I’ll have no appetite, and will have to force myself to eat.
Then, it’s time to hit the hay.
I’m going to sleep GREAT tonight. I can feel a big slumber coming one. Deep.
The alarm is set for 4am. I’ll get up, eat my sardines and beans and lay in bed. Sleep some more. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
At 530, I’m up again.
I’d take a bath to heat up my legs, but we have a shower. I’ll take care of #1 and #2, pump up the tires, take care of #1 and #2, hit the chain with a final shot of lube, take care of #1 and #2, and so on…
… until about 6:00 …
… and I’ll feel great, rested, youthful and ready to ride with 2000 of my closest friends …
(my body, ready to deliver… I hope)
RED, RED, LIGHT
Sep 07, 2017
by Todd Brown
Dear Diesel, I don’t have enough experience to know what to do if I’m crossing as the light is turning when riding with a big group… should we slow,stop, go? I would like to learn… Dear Newb, Good question, and one that will be answered differently by different groups. Let’s start with this… nearly EVERY,..
Dear Diesel,
I don’t have enough experience to know what to do if I’m crossing as the light is turning when riding with a big group… should we slow,stop, go? I would like to learn…
Dear Newb,
Good question, and one that will be answered differently by different groups.
Let’s start with this… nearly EVERY, person I know who has been hit by a car has been a chronic red light runner. This is not scientific, just think about the habits you are developing as a person, and as a group.
We’ve all been on rides where every light is run, especially if the leaders have a chance to gap off the rest of the group. This is their norm. Personally, I stay clear of these rides as much as possible.
You, however, are referring to the most polite and social ride in the Northern hemisphere: The TMWC. The standard is held quite high to not run red lights, or ride dangerously in traffic.
Regardless of the ride culture you are in, running red lights is dangerous.
The leaders have a responsibility to keep the group safe.
Only a knucklehead attacks knowing the light is going to change… this is the same cat who doesn’t point out holes and glass hoping the rest will suffer the consequences.
Regarding the video footage in question, at the 1:06 mark the light is clearly red. The guys slow and go… my guess is that is because the leaders stayed on the gas. If the guys who went through first, sat up to wait the rest of the group probably would have stopped at the light.
It can also be equally dangerous to hit the brakes hard if you’re in the front as other riders may not have your quick reflexes, or worse, they may not even be paying attention to the lights.
If you happen to be at the front and you know the group has no chance to stop in time, just roll through and wait.
If you have a decent gap, no need to wait.
Ultimately, it’s a judgement call.
Same for the guys in back:
The myth that as long as your connected to the group you won’t get nailed by a car has been proven fatally wrong on Como Street.
If you’re kid/lover/besty was behind you what would you do? Probably stop, if possible. If not, wait on other side of the light.
Rules to LIVE by:
- Slow up if you know the light is going to change.
- Stop if you have time and think the group can stop.
- Wait on the other side of the light if the group gets split.
Most of us will fail at it more than we’d like… do your very best to get it right…
… let’s redline the green lights, and keep the asphalt black …
PLAYING IT SMART
Sep 06, 2017
by Todd Brown
I MAY NOT BE AS SMART AS I LOOK, but I’m still pretty darn smart. Dad, you don’t look that smart – is usually the reply. Want proof? Tonight we are going to see Fitz & The Tantrums open for One Republic. Why? Because that’s what the trophy wife requested. Why? Because that’s what she likes..
I MAY NOT BE AS SMART AS I LOOK, but I’m still pretty darn smart.
Dad, you don’t look that smart – is usually the reply.
Want proof?
Tonight we are going to see Fitz & The Tantrums open for One Republic.
Why?
Because that’s what the trophy wife requested.
Why?
Because that’s what she likes to do.
Why?
Because it’s smart to make a tiny deposit in the love account, before making a massive withdrawal.
Why?
Because she’s going to drive 250 miles Saturday so I can ride my bike at LoToJa.
Why?
I don’t know why she’s doing this, she already told me she never, ever, ever wanted to go to another one of my races.
Why?
… because she likes live music, hot beaches and good surf …
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Sep 05, 2017
by Todd Brown
RACER GIBSON IS THE ONLY GUY I TRUST to work on my bike. Tyler didn’t even hesitate. I’m in a bind. 600 miles from my local bike shop, and I got a problem I can’t fix: outta true rear wheel, creaky BB, misadjusted derailleurs. This is unpleasant at any time, and magnified with the whole..
RACER GIBSON IS THE ONLY GUY I TRUST to work on my bike. Tyler didn’t even hesitate.
I’m in a bind.
600 miles from my local bike shop, and I got a problem I can’t fix: outta true rear wheel, creaky BB, misadjusted derailleurs. This is unpleasant at any time, and magnified with the whole point of being out of town being to race that darn bike.
I need someone I can trust, and Tyler is a local friend in the area.
Racer Gibson, that’s his real name – legally changed. Look him up.
He’s easily found on the web.
I shoot him a text. He promptly replies. We set up a time.
He shows up. Super nice.
I gotta know… Is Racer really your name?
Yep. Worked at a bike shop with 3 Jareds and I was the only one that raced. It’s legally changed now.
I gotta know this too… How’s the mobil business?
Great. I owned a shop for 15 years and some developers bought the building.
Of course, you have to go with a guy named Racer, who races, and has owned a shop for 16+ years.
But, that’s not why I didn’t hesitate to call him.
It’s not his name, it’s the “name” he’s built by being awesome…
… let’s see you dot com that …
(he really test rides his work)
(If you’re ever in a bind in Provo, UT)
IT’S A TOTAL GEEK FEST
Sep 04, 2017
by Todd Brown
IT’S A TOTAL GEEK FEST at the moment. Sometimes you know there will finally be a break in the action to get _____ done. That happened today. Finally had time to plan out next Saturday’s logistics. The house is vacant. The phone is off. I’m consumed with all the information LoToJa puts out to help..
IT’S A TOTAL GEEK FEST at the moment. Sometimes you know there will finally be a break in the action to get _____ done. That happened today. Finally had time to plan out next Saturday’s logistics.
The house is vacant.
The phone is off.
I’m consumed with all the information LoToJa puts out to help us prepare for 204 miles of silliness. It’s a great packet.
They’re pros.
Great maps. Great advice. Great tips for the highly-recommended personal support crews. And I’m banking on their great neutral support – water – too.
Spreadsheets are helpful for me to visualize what needs to happen for a successful day.
Warning: you have to be a special kind of weirdo to love this.
I’ll take white electrical tape and Sharpie in the stops and miles (top 2 lines), then apply it to my top tube. When the Cuckoo clock chimes, and it will chime for nearly all of us, this will keep me sane enough to finish.
As of now, the weather looks outstanding. Good temps, favorable winds. So, I’m plugging in the fastest time estimates for me and the crew.
It’s important to give the crew a good idea of when I’ll be rolling in. Beating the crew to a feed would be a bummer for all of us. My crew has sacrificed a beautiful Saturday for me to go ride my bike.
I’ll get up early the day of and have my usual sardines and beans for breakfast. Mmmmm.
Each feed zone has 110% of what I think I’ll need. Better to roll out with extra fuel than run out of calories.
Gone in 60 seconds is the goal for the 3 stops. That seems better than fumbling around with a feedbag. I hope I’m right, and I don’t get jumped by the rest of the guys at the stops.
Will we stop and pee? I don’t know. But, I do know this: don’t crack the seal, unless you want to be peeing all day.
I’m still debating on one of my Speed kits, or the Dominator.
Also up in the air, my vented helmet or my aero helmet.
#aeroiseverything
… not necessarily, especially in a pace line with a tail wind …
… but, that’s all part of getting geeked up for a big ride or a race …
… and a last second #2 at 6:16am, 9/16/17 …
(how’s this for detail?!)
Still with me?… well maybe you can recommend a place for steak fajitas the Friday night?
170.6
FAMILY FIRST
Sep 03, 2017
by Todd Brown
FAMILY FIRST, before riding… always. Inviting family to ride, 2nd. Explaining riding, 3rd. Re-inviting to ride, 4th Re-explaining riding, 5th… … I love my sister …
FAMILY FIRST, before riding… always.
Inviting family to ride, 2nd.
Explaining riding, 3rd.
Re-inviting to ride, 4th
Re-explaining riding, 5th…
… I love my sister …
LOTOJA – LAST TRAINING RIDE/I CAN’T BREATHE
Sep 02, 2017
by Todd Brown
TYLER ASSURES ME YESTERDAY’S ALL-DAY DRIVE + ALTITUDE is making me s-l-o-w. I hope so. He doesn’t know, I was late and hustling to make up time. Oh, and the stiff headwind going up the start of the canyon is a special treat. My h.r. is okay, I’m just short of breath. We are high,..
TYLER ASSURES ME YESTERDAY’S ALL-DAY DRIVE + ALTITUDE is making me s-l-o-w. I hope so. He doesn’t know, I was late and hustling to make up time. Oh, and the stiff headwind going up the start of the canyon is a special treat. My h.r. is okay, I’m just short of breath.
We are high, and getting higher.
The Alpine loop is perfect today. 60 or so degrees. Lots of water flowing down. We are kind of early, long shadows reach across the western slope of the Wasatch Front.
Above Tibble Fork, I finally start to settle in. There are fewer cars. We ride side by side and catch up on life, family and promoting races.
Tyler is the force behind The Vision Relay. He shares some of his ideas going forward – ways to keep his super unique race fresh, other events and concepts. Fun stuff.
The summit is just over 8000′ above sea level – I wheeze.
A group of BYU students are kitted up in school colors taking selfie shots by the summit sign: 4 girls, 1 guy. I feel like Trevor just missed the blossoming of an actual cycling scene on campus.
Quaking Aspen wave and whisper alongside the curvy plunge down to Sundance.
This
could
be
the best cycling road ever.
Someone has a car just like mine parked at the resort. CA plates, just like mine.
… Back up folks, give him some air!…
Sheesh, that is my car. Someone’s driven up to hike Stewart Falls.
I’m going to get a giant cookie, some ice and mountain water. The stream sings.
Heaven.
Refueled, we hit South Fork and an unconversational speed – PRs are popping. Just testing the legs.
To sum it up, I’m pretty sure I disrespected the climbing involved next Saturday. That was dumb. Oh well, I’m smartish… I’ll think of something.
When I roll in the driveway, Nana is in the car. Passenger side. She recognizes me. Then we go to lunch, and she has no idea who I am.
Kinda puts things in perspective.
I miss Nana.
There’s no climbing like this anywhere near home.
Look at that beautiful pavement.
Hold that gut in buddy!
On my way back… the bridge that almost ended it all one snowy winter night.
Can’t miss a cruise through campus on a Saturday
169.8
I SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING, AND I LOVE IT
Sep 01, 2017
by Todd Brown
RETAIL IS CHANGING, retail has always been changing. I love it. From the general store which had to compete with the Sears catalog which had to compete with Woolworth’s then Walmart now Amazon. Who wins? The consumer, AND THE RETAILERS THAT GET IT. Who is that in cycling? From my travels, I can tell you..
RETAIL IS CHANGING, retail has always been changing.
I love it.
From the general store which had to compete with the Sears catalog which had to compete with Woolworth’s then Walmart now Amazon.
Who wins?
The consumer, AND THE RETAILERS THAT GET IT.
Who is that in cycling?
From my travels, I can tell you unequivocally that the shops who are embracing the cycling lifestyle are doing great. They are busy. There are plenty of customers in the store finding what they want.
What do they want? An experience… today’s consumer wants to drink deeply of your waters: knowledge, experience and passion. They want to be told what you recommend, what you ride, where you ride, how they can improve their ride. They want a friend, they can trust.
I was reminded of this on my way to Utah today. For the last 5 years I’ve been stopping along the way and visiting shops. Some are gone, those that remain or who are new are providing more than just a bike.
Take Las Vegas Cyclery. When you get there, you’ll see good looking logo’d vans ready to carry you and your crew into the wild via guided bike tours. Go into their beautiful showroom and you see a huge selection of accessories, lots of new bikes, an immaculate service area with trained techs in plain view. Best of all, you’re made to feel like part of their posse – even if you’re there to sell : )
Can everybody do what they’re doing? Yes.
… I’m pulling for you all! …
I’M LEAVING
Aug 31, 2017
by Todd Brown
WHEN I PACK FOR A CYCLING TRIP, I pack for 2. Me, and me. Human me, and cycling me. Tomorrow I head to Utah for the big race. Currently, it’s 9:21pm, and I want to leave at 5am. I’m not sure why I don’t have a master list for big trips. They’re all different, so..
WHEN I PACK FOR A CYCLING TRIP, I pack for 2.
Me, and me.
Human me, and cycling me.
Tomorrow I head to Utah for the big race. Currently, it’s 9:21pm, and I want to leave at 5am. I’m not sure why I don’t have a master list for big trips. They’re all different, so that’s probably part of it. Sometimes I just like the mini-drama of getting ready.
For sure, I need:
Kits
Tools
Socks
Race food.
Vitamins.
Snacks for the road.
Winter clothes – the race is at high altitude.
A cooler, chairs, and flags for my crew.
Swimsuit
Pack it all tonight.
Wake up.
Load bikes.
Hit road.
… I’ll remember everything – hopefully before I leave.
ALL I SEE IS RED
Aug 30, 2017
by Todd Brown
LA VUELTA IS MY VERY MOST FAVORITEST grand tour of the year – always. It’s 21 days, but it’s usually 21 chaotic days. It may not have all the star appeal of Le Tour, but it always has future stars. Do good at La Vuelta, you get a shot at the biggest races. Most guys..
LA VUELTA IS MY VERY MOST FAVORITEST grand tour of the year – always. It’s 21 days, but it’s usually 21 chaotic days. It may not have all the star appeal of Le Tour, but it always has future stars. Do good at La Vuelta, you get a shot at the biggest races. Most guys are a bit tired, but some have come off an early season crash and come in rested.
Mix all that up and you get unpredictable racing.
Sure Sir Froome is doing his best to feign drama, but in the end he’ll make it boring… the race for 1st. Who cares though?
All those other cats are come bearing claws, showing fangs.
The tired, dangerous like the wounded animals they are.
The young, full of piss and vinegar.
The recovering, bleeding passion.
Spectacular mountain top finishes have riders throwing haymakers daily… including the toughest climb in Spain, the awesome and feared Angrilu.
watch video before bed, nightmares guaranteed
169.8
TIME
Aug 29, 2017
by Todd Brown
MARTY YELLS TO ME, HEY TODD you know how to say what time is it in Spanish?…Que hora es?… No! Pointing wildly to his watchless wrist, Yougot da TIIIINE?! Dad says, You have all the time you need. Plan your work, work your plan. Einstein teaches time is slower for the person that is moving...
MARTY YELLS TO ME, HEY TODD you know how to say what time is it in Spanish?…Que hora es?… No! Pointing wildly to his watchless wrist, Yougot da TIIIINE?!
Dad says, You have all the time you need. Plan your work, work your plan.
Einstein teaches time is slower for the person that is moving.
… maybe there’s something to staying younger by riding?
MERINO WOOL
Aug 28, 2017
by Todd Brown
I’M GONNA CONVERT YOU, Mike tells me. Wool stays cooler on hot days, warmer on cold days, and is odorless… I won’t wear anything else. I go to this co-op, hidden away in a top secret store, buy ’em by the dozens. For cross, they’re the only way to go. Road, too. MTB, I’d never..
I’M GONNA CONVERT YOU, Mike tells me.
Wool stays cooler on hot days, warmer on cold days, and is odorless… I won’t wear anything else. I go to this co-op, hidden away in a top secret store, buy ’em by the dozens. For cross, they’re the only way to go. Road, too. MTB, I’d never do anything but wool… and not just any wool, Todd… MERINO wool…
… he’s preaching now, and I’m nodding my head…
Tomorrow I’ll repent of my ignorant ways and be baptized a Merino.
Funny thing is, we’ve been making Merino wool socks for 5 years… I’ve just never converted… I get so passionate about what we make, because for the most part I design it all then abuse the heck out of it.
But, I can’t design sheep like the Merinos, which are extra-super-soft-and-fine… from the continent of weirdo animals – Australia, of course!
Good thing I’ve got samples ready to rock… let me know if you want to join the congregation.
TOUR DE DONUTS
Aug 27, 2017
by Todd Brown
ON SEPTEMBER 30th, I’m going to celebrate the end of the “racing” season – because there is no off-season in SoCal. How? By riding to the 10 best donut shops in the county. Which ones? I hope you’ll help me decide. There are a number of lists on the interwebs – see below. It won’t..
ON SEPTEMBER 30th, I’m going to celebrate the end of the “racing” season – because there is no off-season in SoCal.
How? By riding to the 10 best donut shops in the county.
Which ones? I hope you’ll help me decide. There are a number of lists on the interwebs – see below.
It won’t be a race, but we’re competitive – right?
Maybe we’ll honor the most donuts consumed? Most weight gained? Best donut-themed kit? Best napkin collection? (Is Krispy-Kreme the only one with branded nappies?) Trust me, we’ll think of something.
Stay tuned.
Please send us your top 3, here are some recommendations:
The Donuttery – Huntington Beach
Friendly Donuts – Orange
M&M Donuts – Anaheim
Poqet Donuts- Irvine
Seaside Bakery – Newport Beach
Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee – Costa Mesa
Sweet Bubba’s Donut Cafe – Anaheim
U Jelly – Fountain Valley
Zombee Donuts – Fullerton
Rose Donuts & Cafe – San Clemente
Surin’ Donuts – San Clemente
Halfsies Doughnuts – Tustin
DK Donuts – Orange
The Doughnut Parlor – RSM
Royal Donuts & Burgers – Mission Viejo
LOTOJA TRAINING RIDE #10 – HOW MANY DAYS IS THAT?
Aug 26, 2017
by Todd Brown
WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET OUT AND SURF? Soon man, I just have one more event on the calendar. What is it? It’s this retarded race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY. How far is that? 204 miles. How many days? 2 weeks. To go 200 miles? No the race is in 2 weeks,..
WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET OUT AND SURF?
Soon man, I just have one more event on the calendar.
What is it? It’s this retarded race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY.
How far is that? 204 miles.
How many days?
2 weeks.
To go 200 miles?
No the race is in 2 weeks, we do all 204 in one day.
That is retarded.
The anticipation is killing me now. Wondering… will my body hold up? This is 70 miles further than I’ve ever ridden before. Racing. Helmets on. Cleats locked in. No rest stops. No ice cream breaks. Racing. I know my body, and I know unanticipated problems can show up over a long day of riding.
Here’s to all of us riding smart, safe, and mechanical free…
… and getting a little more balance in our lives…
… like riding with the kids …
… and more lazy rides like this …
A HARDMAN IS GOOD TO FIND
Aug 25, 2017
by Todd Brown
HE LOOKS LIKE A FAMOUS JEW who roamed around 2000 years ago. But, he’s a heartless bike racer. And, an even more evil bike event promoter. The HARDMAN Invitational is a horrible bike ride/race. It’s always in an infernal month, it mixes road and gravel and lots of plain old dirt. But, it’s in sunny..
HE LOOKS LIKE A FAMOUS JEW who roamed around 2000 years ago. But, he’s a heartless bike racer. And, an even more evil bike event promoter.
The HARDMAN Invitational is a horrible bike ride/race. It’s always in an infernal month, it mixes road and gravel and lots of plain old dirt. But, it’s in sunny Southern California where nobody is actually all that tough. Right?
Nope.
If you’re lucky enough to get invited you’ll be there. Because it’s hard. Because it will challenge all your skills. Because it goes right up Maple Springs and down Harding Truck Trail – two iconic dirt roads on Saddleback Mountain. Because the field will be whittled down to small groups of comrades who end up riding the entire distance together – returning battered and beaten and better than when they started.
All that terribleness, and you’re going to pay for it too.
Why does Mike do it?
Not for the entertainment.
He does it as a fundraiser for Community Outreach Alliance, specifically so at-risk youth can participate in bike riding activities.
Will this earn him forgiveness for his heartless racing and evil promoting?
I doubt it.
But who cares?
He’s putting in the time and effort to make you a HARDMAN
(PS… if you’re reading this, you’re invited.)
SWAMI’S, I C WHAT YOU MEAN
Aug 24, 2017
by Todd Brown
75 RIDERS SHOWED UP FOR THE SWAMI’S RIDE, on a foggy August morning at 6:30. They left in waves: A group, B group, C group. Self-selected or self-inflicted, A fastest. All ride the same route. This means, depending on the time of year or phase of our training you have 3 options. Should you get..
75 RIDERS SHOWED UP FOR THE SWAMI’S RIDE, on a foggy August morning at 6:30. They left in waves: A group, B group, C group. Self-selected or self-inflicted, A fastest. All ride the same route.
This means, depending on the time of year or phase of our training you have 3 options. Should you get dropped another group is coming – unless you’re in C.
Pretty cool.
No pressure.
Just decide, and go.
I did the B with club president Fred Muir. Typical… the B was closer to most group’s A. That’s Swami’s for ya. Fred is friendlier than most riders… also typical of the Swami’s team.
If you’re ever down that way, it’s a beautiful ride: 24 miles along the Carlsbad coast with a fair amount of rollers thrown in. Get there early, choose your wave.
La Costa Roasters was the place to be after.
Yum.
Which brings me to my question.. at our local group ride, The TMWC, we start all together and there’s an A-loop of extra credit about halfway through. This works well for most of us, but I’m wondering if it’s time for a C option… something that leaves 5 minutes early for those that want the camaraderie but want an easier ride.
Thoughts?
(mid-pack in the B group)
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