LETTING GO IS HARD

WHEN IT COMES TO RACING, I prefer to be self-sufficient. I like to know how to do everything...

... and it's a lot of fun figuring it all out.

But, I found it could be slowing me down in the long run.

Just because I "know" how to do something...

• fuel
• train
• logistics
• mechanics

... doesn't mean I should be doing it.

I can adjust my derailler,
never as good as the pro at the shop.

I can plan my nutrition,
not as competently as a high level nutritionist.

I can coach myself,
never as good as a pro.

You get the idea.

Here's the problem.

It can be hard to let go.

Which can stunt or delay our growth...

... and who wants that?

I was thinking about this today as we go through a new growth phase at PEDALindustries.

In the beginning I did the artwork.

I look back at my work 10+ years ago and laugh.

We because so much better when I got out of the way, and we brought great talent.

For example the digital camo collection, we launched recently...

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-camo-collection-isd

... it looks so rad out in the wild.

We're moving on to a new phase...

• Northwest
• Southwest
• Southeast

... kick me out of sales in the above territories.

If know of anybody who is awesome, we invite them to reach to Michael@pedalindustries.com.

XOXO

===

165.8 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps & more
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
98/-7 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHAT ARE WE OPTIMIZING FOR?

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS about racing an epic event or route is figuring out what needs to be optimized. As we prep, for going the distance... 

... we are forced to figure out what to optimize.

We want a specific outcome.

What might we consider...

• risk
  
• speed
• weight
• teammates
• replaceability 
• proven methods

... necessary for our success?

All good.

Each consideration must answer the question...

... will this make us more or less durable?

I was reminded of this when a critical suspension bolt snapped mid-ride last week. It was an easy fix, only because I had the replacement parts on hand in my garage.

===

166.4 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps 
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
98/-11 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES

ISAAC DEL TORO LOST the Giro. If i'm being honest, it was kind of a crappy way to do it. From my Monday morning sports director's chair, it looked to me like...

... a bunch of amateurs.

Dude gets ahead.

In this case, the uber-talented Simon Yates who dramatically lost this very race on this very climb 7 years ago...

... gets a little, seemingly manageable, gap.

Rather than collaborating, 
or just getting down to the business
of racing your bike like a pro who is paid...

... Del Toro and Carapaz have a stand off.

I'm not chasing

I'm not pulling

You should pull.

I'm not gonna if you're not

But, the silliness of that is not the take away here.

People are already saying...

• It's okay Del Toro you did great. 
• Pink jersey for many days
• Second on podium

You're young and will have many more chances.

To that I say...

.... at best, it's a maybe.

I hope I'm wrong.

Let's be honest...

... there are no second chances.

There might be...

... more chances.

That is not guaranteed.

What is the likelihood anybody ever gets a shot at greatness...

• our team is flawless
• we're executing perfectly
• top competitors no show or crash out.

... that the stars align and we capitalize on our hard work?

Slim.

So, when it happens...

... lock in, and get it done!

===

165.8 lbs
8.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps 
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
98/-27 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

YOU'RE FOOLIN' YOUSELF

WELL, THAT WAS A WAKE UP CALL. I've been ducking the invites to the big group road ride for longer than I should. Months...

... I had a lot of excuses.

All good...

• too early
• too hard
• too fast
• too far

... if I'm wanting to be an anti-social sloth.

I get that way some times.

Especially when I know I'm outta shape, and pudgy.

Literally, not a good look.

A funny thing happened...

• it was early
• hard
• fast
• far

... on the way to getting shelled.

I had a glimpse of how I used to ride,
as I slipped off the back,
and vanished.

It wasn't a dream.

But, it was inspiriing.

Legit gonna give up a few things.

#worthit.

The great Woody Allen said showing up is 90% of success...

... I'll add, consistency is the other 10%.

Being discouraged sucks...

... quitting sucks more.

===

165.8 lbs (so far from my goal of 160)
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps 
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
101/-4 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

HOW TO KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE

I SAW SOMETHING TODAY that was completely ridiculous. Watching the Giro, the overall race leader just blew my mind...

... was he mocking the competition?

Or, is he just that good?

I know how insane it was,
because I've tried.

And, it's impossible.

Imagine this...

• you're racing up a massive mountain climb
• going for all out
• the air is thin

... and ...

... wait for it...

... you're nose breathing!

Mouth is closed,
like your meditating,
or on a hammock reading a book.

That is what Issac Del Toro was doing this morning on his way to gaining yet more time on his rivals in the Giro.

Insane!

I can do Zone 1...

• with massive effort
• concentrating
• relaxing

... practice all you want.

I did, because... 

• helps maintain optimal oxygen/carbon dioxide balance and improve endurance
• engages diaphragm which is a more efficient way to breath
• reduces dehydration

... the benefits are many.

Lemme just say, if one of y'all were nose breathing, while I was mouth gasping...

... I'd know it was over.

For.
Sure.

===

As cool as this jersey is, I don't even think it's vibe could help me keep my breathing under control.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/aloha-pedal-collection

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/aloha-pedal-collection

===

166.4 lbs (so far from my goal of 160)
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps 
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
96/-12 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

SHOULD WE CARRY OUR PHONES?

THE DARN THINGS ARE SO USEFUL, it's hard to leave them behind. The phones can track the workout, snap pics or videos when inspired or needed...

... and make the emergency call.

I left mine at home today.

It's been nearly four years since I had to make the call of shame,
or summon an uber.

That was for a broken chain,
30 miles from home.

Thinking my bike was solid I decided to leave the thing at home.

How weird to consider that risky.

Just what have we become?

Fraidycats!

Of course, far ...

• from home
• the roads
• help

... as fate would have it.

I realized my frame was either broken or had something broken down near the bottom bracket, hidden behind the spider.

No way to fix it.

No way to summon help.

Had to do it the old-fashioned way...

... ride home slowly, stressing the frame as little as possible.

===

167.1 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps Deadlifts etc
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/-13 (fitness per Training Peaks)
2 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

IS MISSION IMPOSSIBLE'S BETTER THAN BOND'S?

WHY ARE GROUP RIDES so addicting? It can't be simply seeing the friends, or the ritual of getting up and doing something. There must be...

... something more.

There is.

And, I think I've figured it out by analyzing...

• not the actors
• not the story lines
• not the super attractive heroes and heroins

... the difference between Bond and Mission Impossible.

It's the theme music.

Bond is a moderate tempo...

• seductive
• confident
• charismatic

... like a long solo adventure.

Mission Impossible is built around 5/4 time

• unique
• urgent
• off-kilter rhythm

... fitting the high-stakes, team-based mission.

That is what keeps seducing us back to the the group ride...

... the action and suspense of how it's going to go down.

Which is better?

I dunno.

Some days I'm down for a Bond adventure...

... others, it's all about Hunt-ing with the team.

===

Oh, and yeah, Surfergirl and I just got out of seeing Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning... it's a fun one.

===

167.1 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps Deadlifts
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/-4 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

ARE YOU TRAINING HARD?

THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS to measure our efforts. Metrics for power, heart rate, weight, sleep, and the...

... dreaded completion of an interval work out.

Those are important.

Time is importanter.

What's really hard...

• abstaining from drink and dessert with friends
• never ever doom scrolling on your phone
• rising early to get the training in
  

... then, putting in a full day and an evening of kid homework.

If it were easy...

... everyone could get shift done.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all/products/off-on-classic-t-shirt

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all/products/off-on-classic-t-shirt

===

167.3 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps Deadlifts etc
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
95/-13 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

TAKING OUT-OF-TOWNER RISKS

YA KNOW WHEN YOUR FRIEND calls up and says their friend is a real good athlete and you should take them out when they're in town, and you're like...

... uhhhhh, okay.

A bike ride in my case.

Gravel.

I mean, I like people,
I like meeting new people...

... but, do I wanna ruin my ride with a friend of a friend?

What are the odds it'll be good?

Dude texted nice,
was thoroughly vouched for...

... I still didn't bother with breakfast or mix in the bottles.

Then,
$#!7!!!

He's a cat from the very fastestest of fastestest teams in Arifreakinzona!

Worse, 
I remember him from BWR AZ.

Lean,
young,
confident...

... pushing the pace, launching me from 8th to 28th, as we dove from the pavement to dirt single track.

That's the guy?!

Shoulda had breaky,
shoulda had a massage,
shoulda gone to bed early.

This little recovery ride just got R E A L.

I'm gonna get shelled.

This is not what I had planned,
this never, ever happens.

We head out,
at least I know the route
and can eliminate all the sections where I suck.

Now, I gotta talk to him.

Assuming I'm not gasping for air while trying to play like I'm in total control.

It gets worse.

Unless he's one heck of an actor,
and why would he be?

He's super nice.

And we have a ton in common.

Crap.

Can't even hate him like I did in AZ.

By the end of what had to be the first actual fun, conversational ride I've had in months...

... he's coming to Surf N Summit, and I'm riding with him when I'm in AZ.

Then, all the JetSet guys will be like Really, you're brining a dude from CA?...

... only, I'll actually live up to the friend of a friend reputation.

===

167.8 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps Deadlifts etc
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/-1 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

RACE OR BUCKET LIST?

BWR, aka The Belgian Waffle Ride, started off, and I think I have this mostly correct, as a San Diego version of The French Toast Ride. The FTR was based north of LA, invite only, viciously fast...

... with some dirt thrown in for good measure.

The idea was a preseason shock to the system.

That's how memories are made.

My pal Paul asked MMX, creator of the wildly popular BWR, how to grow his own series of races, and MMX graciously...

... gave him the secret.

Build it how you want it to be from the getgo.

And that got me thinking...

• a race series
• a collection of challenges
• a destination/bucket list adventure

... what could SurfNSummit become?

This year, we're taking MMX advice to heart and upping our game.

But, what about next year?

TBH, I wanna do...

• Maui
• 38 miles
• 10,000 of elevation

... Surf N Summit, HI.

Where else should we go?

Check this inspiration: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/aloha-pedal-collection

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/aloha-pedal-collection

===

165.8 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/-15 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

RECLASSIFYING THE TRAINING ZONES

IT'S JUST GETTING RIDICULOUS. We pinky swore it would be a zone 2 day. I actually had hope, since my legs were barking...

... we even started out friendly.

Then, all a the sudden...

• KOMs falling
• big boy Cups grabbed
• our merry band spreadin' out

... just because, that's how these cats roll.

And it got me thinkin, maybe I need to rename my zones...

• Surfergirl = Zone 1 
• Charlie = Zone 2 
• Mike  = Zone 3
• Matt = Zone 4 
• Eric = Zone 5 

... based on their Zone 2.

That way, I can just think of the type of ride I want to do...

... and ring that person up.

===

166.2 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
20 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/5 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE BIG TRAINING DAY DILEMMA

IT REALLY IS THE DUMBEST way to lose weight. In fact, it's a good way to lose fitness. Yet, I'm tempted to do it all the time...

... not eat enough.

Them calories.

The lamebrain thinks.

I'll skip some nutrition,

• calorie deficit = weight loss
• not burning like a race
• don't need as much

... I'm just training not racing. 

That ain't right..

• missed opportunity to practice nutrition
• training effort will be sub-optimal
• recovery will be worse

... and the likelihood of devouring an entire pizza is like 100%.

The tricky thing about doing it right, after years of poor habits, is when we return we actually aren't famished...

... the urge for gluttony can be overpowering.

Stay strong my friends.

===

164.7 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/-2 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

A TALE OF TWO RIDES

DIFFERENT RIDES can be hard in different ways. It depends on what we are working on, trying to improve on. The point is...

... to mix it up appropriately.

Currently, I'm wanting to improve two systems.

• Sustained power on the flats
• Quick burst of power

I'd like to say there's some sort of race or reason.

But, there's not.

Just two areas where I want to improve.

In the image above, you can see Wednesday is...

• 2 sec power 733 watts
• 10 sec power 610 watts
• 20 sec power 477 watts
• 1 min power 391 watts
• 5 min power 357 watts

... the flat sustained power day.

On Thursday you can see...

• 2 sec power 866 watts
• 10 sec power 688 watts
• 20 sec power 578 watts
• 1 min power 338 watts
• 5 min power 260 watts

... the focus on short bursts.

You regular readers might be thinking...

... Has he caved and started doing intervals?

Not exactly.

Wednesdays I tap into the power of a steamrolling group ride, getting my peaks when I pull through.

Thursdays I'm on my MTB, just charging the steep, nasty stuff as it gets offered up.

Am I getting the same benefit of intervals?

Probably.

One big difference between the efforts is on Wednesday, there really isn't much chance to recover because the group just never lets up.

Where as Thursday, the efforts are broken up every I have to roll a corner or enjoy a downhill.

I'm going to track these back to back days for a few weeks and see if the numbers improve.

Stay tuned.

What are you doing to improve?

===

165.3 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/3 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

MAYBE BEGINNER WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER?

ARE YOU EVER FACED with the responsibility of helping a friend choose a race category? They are thinking they should slot in just below Pro, and we're thinking...

... Bro, if you finish it'll be a win.

It can be awkward.

Right?

How do you explain...

• you're not that fast
• racing is different than riding with friends
• or, don't be a sandbagger, you need to cat up

... when being challenged and having fun is the outcome a first timer needs?

Had the convo yesterday.

Should I race SuperSport?

Let's start off with Sport.

Won't that be too easy?

Trust me, it'll be plenty.

No matter what, there's a lot of learning to be done early in the racing journey.

Post race...

• conditioning
• bike handling
• not missing turns

...  he had a list of things to do better.

Should he have raced down a category after getting shelled?

I don't think so, 
an easy win isn't the goal.

Because as he summed it up...

... All that said - I loved it!

===

165.3 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps 
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/12 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

IF NOBODY IS STOPPING US..

MY PAL BRIAN just rode 224 miles with 17,000' of brutal Colorado elevation. Lori completed Paris-Brest-Paris, a 750 mile bike race. Jeff battled the Badlands Gravel in Spain, 372 miles in 40 hours...

... kinda puts the long weekend ride into perspective.

We don't ask why,
we know.

We might ask how to go...

• far
• high
• long

... because we don't know.

But, we do know this.

It's crazy how far we can go ...

... if we don't let anyone stop us.

===

You down for a life changing ride?

Dana Point to Big Bear

123 miles, 15,000' of elevation

Check it out: https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-california-2025

===

166.7 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps 
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
92/12 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

PAYING DIVIDENDS ISN'T ENOUGH

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO to get ready for an event. With unlimited time, we could pick 'em all. But, on this planet, in this dimension...

... time is our most valuable resource.

So, where do we spend it?

Where are the biggest payoffs?

I was thinking about this today, as yet another event was asking for sponsorship.

When that happens, I have to compare the opportunity against other known marketing avenues and the known returns.

Same with training.

What's is the best method for me to get the best results?

Right now, I'm going back to...

• 3 zone endurance days
• 2 spicy days, back to back
• 1 giant tempo day, on the weekends

... a pyramidal approach.

Given that I want to pare back my saddle time,
that method will give me the best results.

Doing everything is not the same as

... doing only the best things.

===

166.7 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps 
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/-13 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

CHAOS THEORY

THERE ARE THE FACTS, when it comes to road racing, the most exciting stages or one day events have a lot of unpredictability. You know the ones I'm talking about, right? Those with multiple sections...

... of cobble stones and gravel.

Rather than a boring procession to a sprint,
or a mountain top showdown,
it's chaos.

Almost from the start.

Today's stage at the Giro,
was epic.

A complete reshuffling of the contenders...

... with 21 y/o Del Toro coming out on top.

What's the common denominator among the winners of such clashes?

According to chaos theory,
it begins at the start line.

I'm just gonna say it, these races are better because...

... great bike handling skills are...

... required, showcased, rewarded.

===

165.2 lbs
8.5hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
10 minutes stretching
120 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/-13 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

HOW A TAILWIND WRECKED THE PLAN

THE PLAN TO TAKE IT EASY today was a total failure. Longer than I wanted, steeper than I'd intended, I took it as easy as you can...

... when going straight up and straight down.

It wasn't my discipline. 

it was the plan.

Last night...

... I'll roll out and see what happens.

I sleep in,
good.

Eat some oatmeal with chunks of chocolate and macadamia nuts,
very good.

Greeted with a massive tailwind,
terrible!

I'm rolling at 22 mpg, HR is barely a blip, and I'm thinking...

...  I feel great, let's hit some climbs.

Not just any,
some of my favorites,
which I don't ride often enough.

Gotta charge 'em, right?

10-17% pitches aren't exactly recovery rollers.

What's that ol' saying?

Failure to plan is....

... planning to be surprised.

===

163.1 lbs
8 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/4 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHO TO FOLLOW?

WE'RE ALL TRYING TO FIGURE the dern thing out. How to get ahead of the pack, cross the finish line first...

... and set those dadgum PRs.

Who to follow?

The longer I follow people on the socials,
or study their books...

... the more I realize most of them,
are making it up.

I was following this biz guru pretty diligently, right up until he said...

... That thing I said was cool, well, it's not, this is the way to do it.

Back to the premise of Who to follow?

Those who are...

• winners
• off the front
• setting their PRs

... aren't following.

===

162.9 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/-4 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

ARE YOU AS GOOD AS THIS JOE?

IMAGINE IT, you're so ready to rip on raceday there is almost no way to hold back your confidence. The pavement melts as you smoke the start, leaping to the front, jumping the curb...

... attack down the rocky singletrack.

It's on!

You're in perfect position to exit the rough stuff and hit the road with the lead group.

One problem.

It's a big one.

You're derailleur stops working.

Personally, the amount of...

• swearing
  
• wo is me-ing
• bike chucking

... I'd display, would be just insane.

Not my pal Joe.

He keeps his cool,
focuses on getting to help.

Finds the great Paul Dunlap from Wrench House.

The goes on to record his best power numbers ever,
and, he finishes in the top 20!

That is so dang impressive.

Check out how Joe Goettl did it on YouTube...

... the video is fire.

===

164.7 lbs
7.75 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
95/0 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHY I'M QUITTING ZONE2/POLARIZED TRAINING

ZONE 2/POLARIZED TRAINING has been all the rage for the past couple of years. I committed to that focus right as it was picking up steam. It's worked well...

... but, not anymore.

What am I gonna do?

Before I get there...

• takes a ton of time
• can be boring
• unfun

... for me, these are the drawbacks of Z2/Polarized.

When I think about it,
and I do think about it a lot...

... my best performances are when I'm having fun, and rested.

Today, for example, was one of the best days of the year.

Yes, the sun was out, and temp perfect.

Rather than make sure I stayed in Z2 to meet the group, then pinning it for 40 minutes...

... I popped up the rollers with good power, on the way to meet 'em.

Rather than make sure I slogged through X amount of time...

... I pointed the steed to the barn early, still feeling frosty.

Saturday, I will head out for a good long ride, mostly endurance/tempo.

Here's the new plan.

Mid-week...

• punchy
• VO2maxie
• keep it fresh

... wanderlust on the weekend.

===

165.8 lbs
8.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/6 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

LOCAL BIKE SHOP DEALER IS FIRED UP!

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF BIKE DEALERS, and one is quickly becoming an endangered species. There's the What do you want? and the...

... Dude you gotta check this out!

Guess which one is thriving.

My pal, Talks Big Game, has been in the bike biz for a hunerd years...

• manufacturer
• repping
• dealer

... at all levels.

He swore he'd never get into retail...

... now I'm pretty sure he'll never leave.

What's up?

Dude, we are killing it.

Killing it?

Yeah, did record sales in Feb, and March and April even better.

No way.

Yeah, man, we got these...

• bikes
• locks
• helmets

... I explain why they're awesome and
why we brought 'em into the store
and cha ching!

So you're busy.

Oh yeah, because of the service. 

Service?

It's crazy, nobody wants to work. So, when people come here and we get it done fast and a fair price... boom!... word travels.

Let me just pause the convo right there.

Talks Big Game doesn't do anything for free, 
he's all about makin' a profit.

I love that about him.

The moral of the story?

If yer excited, and helpful...

... you're gonna thrive.

===

If you're in Newport Beach CA... check 'em out, and score one of these sweet T's we are making for him.

===

167 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/7 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

I USED TO WEAR WHITE BIBS... USED TO

WHY ARE WHITE BIBS making a come back? I've worn white bibs, they looked amazing in the packaging, and...

... for the first couple of days.

But, ya know what?

Ride 'em enough...

• rain
• dirt
• mud

... the stains reign.

Nobody wants to see splatter off the rear wheel, 
onto our rear crack.

ie: our dirty laundry.

Black is easier...

... better at hiding the rough patches.

I'd like to pretend life's all sun and games,
worthy of the white bibs.

But, every now and then... 

• health
• projects
• schedules

... ya know, it's too much.

So, it was both hard and easy to pull the plug on a couple of races I had been planning on for months...

... in fact, all of 'em for the foreseeable.

Body tired.
Toddy tired.

Takin' it down a notch...

• goals
• intensity
• activities

... 'till the fire's back.

Time to chop wood...

... like Rocky in Rocky IV.

===

166.4 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/4 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

A BIKE WITH NO NAME

THE VERY PRO TREND of name stickers on bikes makes a lot of sense. Seven riders on a team, three bikes a piece. That's a lot to keep track of...

... for the riders and mechanics.

We all want to feel pro.

Do we need name stickers on our bikes?

I mean, there's a quiver in our garage, but...

... it's pretty clear who's is who's.

In that case, why do non-pros name stickers?

In case our new-found friends forget our names? 

To intimidate or pacify the competition on the start line?

Me, personally, I like to think a proper name can...

... give our bikes talisman-like qualities.

Like my gravel bike's name: GRVL GHOST

EVERYBODY FEELS THE HEAT

THE FIRST HOT DAY OF THE YEAR always disappoints. No matter the the number of indoor, sweltering bouts with the Zwifties, countless smokin' hot sauna/spa sessions...

... the melting is real.

The spunky start imperceptibly grinds down.

In my case...

... to a halt.

90º+ 

Not terrible.

What was/is/might still be? terrible...

... is my/our acclimation.

As the great FosterGrants said We need 4-5 of these to get battle ready.

I hope he's right,
he usually is.

In fact, now that the initial smack in the salty head has passed...

... it's not disappointing at all.

We're one day closer to mocking his best.

Soon anything Mr. Sunshine tries to magnify us with...

... will be nothin'.

There's a lot...

• acclimation
• hydration
• apparel

... we forget about until the sitch confronts.

 Bring the heat!

===

You gotta check it out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-giro-collection

===

167 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/0 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

IL FALCO!

LAUNCHING OFF AN ITALIAN CLIMB takes guts. The roads are steep, skinny, twisty, shady. Add in runoff, debris and corrosion and...

... only the bravest, most skilled are willing to fly.

Enter Il Falco,
The Falcon, Paolo Savoldelli.

I watched one descent in the Giro where he...

• caught
• passed
• destroyed

... the competition.

By purposely slicing both wheels through the hairpin turns.

Purposely!

Now, I don't know about you, but the only time I've slid both wheels through a turn I was outta control through gravel covered turn in a crit...

... somehow, by some miracle, I stayed upright.

There is one rider capable of such feats in this year's Giro...

... Tom Pidcock.

I hope we get to see him slicing and dicing...

... with his Red Bull brain-bucket.

===

This musette bag turned out pretty rad.

You gotta check it out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-giro-collection

===

167 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/0 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

FIXING A PROBLEM

IT'S NOT THE PROBLEM, it's how you handle it. Sage advice from my grampappy. I'd like to see what he says about...

... this megannoying problem.

It's been keeping me up all night...

... that's no way for an aspiring shredder to recover.

In this case, I know...

• the root cause
• how to handle 
• and treat

.... that's not the problem.

The problem is,
I didn't know it would be a problem.

While I was busy slicing my thumb on the MTB Saturday...

• keeping up with Smiles
• the beautiful morning
• a bit of pain

... I was distracted.

A friendly vine of poison oak reached out,
and wrapped itself around my left arm.

Rather than scrubbing down with Tecnu, a special soap for poison oak encounters, my pre-emptive default after such a luscious ride...

... I did a quick rinse and hopped over to urgent care for stitches.

On Monday, the initial itchies set in.

Too late to handle the problem,
a week of suffering is on deck.

The moral of the story?

Prevention >  Problemsolving > Procrastination

===

166 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/0 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

FANTASTICO!

ONLY ROAD CYCLING has Grand Tours. Three of them: il Giro, le Tour, la Vuelta - Italy, France, Spain...

... lasting three weeks.

21 days of racing.

Does no offroad Grand Tours signify anything?

Is road...

• body
• bikes
• logistics

... just that much easier.

I can hear the roadie gnashing of teeth - lol.

Relax.

3 weeks on a bike is nothing compared to running...

• 50 days
• 50 states
• 50 marathons

... Dean Karnazes.

Which is child's play compared to completing...

• 50 days
• 50 states
• 50 Ironman's

... James "Iron Cowboy" Lawrence.

Regardless of how ya like your pain...

• beautiful country
• insane talent
• Italian flair

... the Giro starts Friday, and it's gonna be fantastico!

===

We created a special collection to celebrate https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-giro-collection

You gotta check it out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-giro-collection

===

164.6 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
95/7 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE LIST

THE LIST WAS STARTING to weigh me down. It kept getting longer, and more detailed. If this continued...

... I knew I'd quit.

Good ol' Ben Franklin's tool saved me.

I drew a line down the middle,
all the crud on the left.

All I needed was one thing that could go on the right.

Then, I could look at all the reasons stacking up in the You Can't Finish or Win column, and...

... give them the 1-finger salute.

What's on the right side of your list?

===

166 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/11 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHAT ARE WE RIDING FOR, ANYWAY?

WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, partly to be efficient and partly because we aren't bound by tradition. We're making it up...

... as we go along.

Just like two amazing charities and events I learned about today.

Best Buddies gets people with intellectual and developmental challenges... 

• outside
• socializing
• doing hard things

 ... out on bikes.

Bay to Brooklyn is a memorial ride for the 343 firefighters who lost their lives during 9-11, starting on West Coast and finishing in New York City.

How about that for a cool way to put our training to great use?!

We designed their gear on Zoom calls today...

• fast
• easy
• and fun

with their input, in real time.

That process is one of the many things we do different.

===

166.7 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/9 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE CHALLENGE OF GOING TOO FAST

ON THE BWR CA COURSE last weekend, I came in really hot to an aid station. Volunteers everywhere, helpful hands full of bottles and gels, and...

... all I can see is the gap through the cones.

I blast through,
and the yelling starts.

Wrong way!
Wrong way!
Wrong way!
Wrong way!
Wrong way!

By the time I'm 100 yards down the wrong road, I turn around and see the guy I'd worked so hard to catch and pass...

... flies through the area correctly, at full speed.

The next 5 miles, I'm going all out to catch him,
and repass.

Going fast is important for...

• winning
• attaining
• achieving

... going fast in the right direction is importanter.

===

Case in point.

I thought it'd be faster and easier to just cover my wound with Neosporin and get on with life...

... Dr. Mike texted me back: Get that stitched up, it will heal much faster.

===

164. lbs
85 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/-2 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

... THAT ENDED WELL, MOSTLY.

THE MARINE LAYER was thick, like misty with wet streets thick. This could only mean one thing, 3D printed dirt would be covering our bodies and bikes. And one more...

... really good thing.

Hero Dirt.

We would have to wait a bit for the sun to get higher,
we didn't need it to break through,
we needed the temps to rise.

In the meantime, Tim Z and I were having a blast, right up until...

• whipping through the drenched brush
• knobbies caked with almost mud
• digging deep on the steeps.

... my booboo.

As I'm cleaning a rocky ledge,
my tire slips,
I tip.

Over!

On the way down, trying to break my fall, my glove snags on my twin-lok...

... landing with all my weight onto the webbing between forefinger and thumb.

Hurts a bit.

I see red.

But, it feels good and we ride for another hour.

Back at the van I remove my glove to see this gash.

It's deepish.

In such a weird spot, I can't see any way to stitch it.

Besides it's not bleeding,
and doesn't hurt much.

Put a call into the great Dr. Delange (bro-in-law).

For now,
lots and lots of neosporin.

Do you think I deserve this peanut better donut?

===

164 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
30 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
96/14 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

I HAD NO IDEA HOW WEAK I WAS, UNTIL...

IF WE'RE NEVER TESTED or pushed, we don't know what we are capable of. And here's the sad truth to that...

... we think we're capable of a lot more than we are.

99% of the time,
we're not even close!

For example.

As a kid, I could snap off 10 pull ups...

... no problem.

When I decided to reincorporate that exercise back into my routine, I could barely to 2...

... big problem.

Now, I snap off sets of 5 throughout my work day.

Another example.

One day, we decided to climb the local 5600' mountain...

... I couldn't make it to the top.

After a year or so...

... we we're doing repeats on that same climb.

The lesson?

We have no idea how weak we are...

... until we get stronger.

===

164 lbs
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps SplitSquats <-- Don't skip the strength work.
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/15 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STATE?

GETTING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS BIAS that comes with living in a place you love, what is your favorite state or place to visit...

... and how often do you get there?

This is important.

We need...

• breaks
• changes
• adventures

... to thrive.

I have a few favorite spots...

• the North Shore of Oahu
• the lush forest in Breckinridge
• any open desert area in the winter

... I don't get to any of them often enough.

Good thing my favorite state is so close.

The best ways to get there...

• twisty single track
• long mountain climbs
• surfing good waves in warm water

... it's a magical place.

Filled by moments..

• calm
• confident
• proactivity

... when time disappears.

We don't need a passport,
plane,
or car.

The secret...

• playfulness
• honed skills
  
• vision focused far ahead

... comes with time and dedication to one's craft.

===

166 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps SplitSquats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/15 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHY IT'S SO HARD TO TAKE A BREAK

AFTER SUNDAY'S RACE, BWR CA, I swore I'd take a really good break. Stay off the bike, until at least Thursday, because I knew I was...

... exhausted and mentally burned.

This morning's excuse to break my vow was really good...

... had to drop the van off to be serviced.

And, you know, that required riding my bike home.

Surely, 30 minutes of spinning would be okay.

Was it?

I mean, the legs felt like doodoo.

Here's the real problem...

• our minds need to relax, get away from the grind
• our bodies need the physical work
• our days are organized
  

 ... we've built a routine optimized for life.

The withdrawals were killing me.

Out I went at sunset...

... with no plan but to pedal some, and coast more.

===

165.7 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
93/16 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

PURSUE IMPOSSIBLE

PRETTY GOOD FOR ME,
is not good enough.

Only knowing there was nothing left to give,
is satisfying.

Reaching for the furthest star,
is true north.

Latent talents disgust me, I demand all God has given me be uncovered,
activated and deployed.

Anything less than everything,
is failure.

I define my wins not by others, or trophies,
but by my own golden standard.

I'm in pursuit of impossible.

===

164.7 lbs
7 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/5 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

PUMP IT UP!

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT for cycling, because Shimano and the city teamed up to put in a pump track. We went over tonight with the littles, thinking there would be a few kids...

... it was mayhem.

10 kids, more like a 100!

What's the best path to...

• fun
• skills
• power

... hands down, it's BMX!

Heck, that's how I started...

• riding to school
• popping wheelies
• jumping everything in site
  

... making all kinds of friends...

• comparing scabs and scars
• daring each other to ridiculous stunts
• taking apart and sanding and painting the frames

... bonds that remain unbroken to this day.

As the great Elvis Costello said...

Pump it up until you can feel it,
Pump it up when you don't really need it. 

---

166.7 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
96/-7 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FLAT

THE THOUGHT OF RACING TODAY was underwhelming. Sleeping in, watching Liege-Bastogne-Liege, taking a lazy beach walk with Surfergirl, making pancakes...

... anything, but clipping in and pounding the pedals.

Watts up?

Surely, it's not...

• Rock Cobbler in Feb
• BWR AZ in Mar
• Cactus Cup in Mar
• Sea Otter in Apr
• BWR CA today

... racing my Classics season?

I know it wears the pros down,
but not me?

I was flat before we even got going.

When I got a flat with 15 miles to go...

... I was so tempted to call for help.

Good thing I don't race with a phone.

I'm sharing this part, because it could happen to you.

So, I'm in a good group, with Carlitos and Kristen Smith.

We're moving.

Then I hit a rock, at speed...

... all the way to the rim.

Tire starts losing pressue.

Ugh!

I stop.

No signs of sealant or a punchture.

Hmmm?

Give it a CO2...

... all the air just blows right.

Give it another, my last...

... same darn thing.

I have just enough that I can ride very slowly.

I find one of those public tool stations, with a pump.

Yes!

Attach it.

Nothing in...

... all remaining air out.

I'm dead.

A good dude pulls up to loan me his pump, only he hasn't used it in years and can't remember how it works.

I should stayed in bed.

A few minutes later, the great Nate Adams comes blasting by.

I hollar.

He stops.

Gives me 2 CO2s.

I go for it.

Tire seals perfectly.

What happened?

I think I hit that rock so hard it broke the bead free keeping it from sealing properly...

... until all the air pressure was removed.

It remained sealed the rest of the ride.

Where's the lesson?

I need...

• rest
• a break
• time off

... to remove the pressure.

Once that's done...

... I can quickly get back up to speed.

View Details

AN ATHEIST, A GOD-FEARER, AND GRAVEL RACER WALKED INTO AN EXPO

HAULING DOWN THE FREEWAY to get to the BWR Expo this morning, I realized I've become hellaborring. And, I think it might be true for the simple fact...

... I'm laser focused on so few things.

So you can imagine the thrill talking to real people, in real life... 

... about atheism.

Because, here's sitch.

I can go all day about... 

• endurance sports
• building a brand
• my familiy
• religion

... my convictions, not necessarily in that order.

As a wise man once said...

One person's convictions,
are just boring as heck to everyone else.

This truly might be one of the greatest challenges we face by spending...

... so much time alone, training.

Especially, for those addicted to filling our remaining free time with scrolling, or binging YouFlix.

Our chances to connect deeply with others are fleeting.

So, there I am catching up with Carlitos, talking about his mother's passing, my brush with death last year, the miracles of our children.

And, he says it.

I'm atheist.

Really? 

We dove into the how, where, who, what, where and why of his conversion.

Fascinating.

No God?

Well, I believe in a higher power.

Ok, that might not be atheism?

Yes, but, it's where I am.

It was a great conversation between to brothers of the endurance faith.

Then, no joke, the couple in the spot next to me in the expo comes over and we're sitting there talking about the day.

Somehow, atheism comes up again.

Oh, yeah, I was raised a Catholic, but it wasn't working for me because it didn't make logical sense.

Now, this cat, is about the same age as our oldest, so it was really interesting to get his younger take on religion in general, and God specifically.

So, no God?

Nope.

But what about the sunrise, an old growth forest, a child's first breath?

It doesn't add up to God, for me.

Each of these conversations, were at least an hour long.

Respectful.
Honest.
Raw.

The first time in quite a while I haven't felt boring,
or been bored.

I'll tell ya this, though.

My guess is each of us, probably on the terrible hike-a-bike after 55 grueling miles...

... would like to have the hand of God give us a good push.

===

165.5 (carb loading)
8 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/5 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FLAT

THE THOUGHT OF RACING TODAY was underwhelming. Sleeping in, watching Liege-Bastogne-Liege, taking a lazy beach walk with Surfergirl, making pancakes...

... anything, but clipping in a pounding the pedals.

Watts up?

Surely, it's not...

• Rock Cobbler in Feb
• BWR AZ in Mar
• Cactus Cup in Mar
• Sea Otter in Apr
• BWR CA today

... racing my own Classics season?

I know it wears the pros down,
but not me?

I was flat before we even got going.

When I got a flat with 15 miles to go...

... I was so tempted to call for help.

Good thing I don't race with a phone.

I'm sharing this part, because it could happen to you.

So, I'm in a good group, with Carlitos and Kristen Smith.

We're moving.

Then I hit a rock, at speed...

... all the way to the rim.

Tire starts losing pressue.

Ugh!

I stop.

No signs of sealant or a punchture.

Hmmm?

Give it a CO2...

... all the air just blows right.

Give it another, my last...

... same darn thing.

I have just enough that I can ride very slowly.

I find one of those public tool stations, with a pump.

Yes!

Attach it.

Nothing in...

... all remaining air out.

I'm dead.

A good dude pulls up to loan me his pump, only he hasn't used it in years and can't remember how it works.

I should stayed in bed.

A few minutes later, the great Nate Adams comes blasting by.

I hollar.

He stops.

Gives me 2 CO2s.

I go for it.

Tire seals perfectly.

What happened?

I think I hit that rock so hard it broke the bead free keeping it from sealing properly...

... until all the air pressure was removed.

It remained sealed the rest of the ride.

Where's the lesson?

I need...

• rest
• a break
• time off

... to remove the pressure.

Once that's done...

... I can quickly get back up to speed.

View Details

AN ATHEIST, A GOD-FEARER, AND GRAVEL RACER WALKED INTO AN EXPO

HAULING DOWN THE FREEWAY to get to the BWR Expo this morning, I realized I've become hellaborring. And, I think it might be true for the simple fact...

... I'm laser focused on so few things.

So you can imagine the thrill talking to real people, in real life... 

... about atheism.

Because, here's the sitch.

I can go all day about... 

• endurance sports
• building a brand
• my familiy
• religion

... my convictions, not necessarily in that order.

As a wise man once said...

One person's convictions,
are just boring as heck to everyone else.

This truly might be one of the greatest challenges we face by spending...

... so much time alone, training.

Especially, for those addicted to filling our remaining free time with scrolling, or binging YouFlix.

Our chances to connect deeply with others are fleeting.

So, there I am catching up with Carlitos, talking about his mother's passing, my brush with death last year, the miracles of our children.

And, he says it.

I'm atheist.

Really? 

We dove into the how, where, who, what, where and why of his conversion.

Fascinating.

No God?

Well, I believe in a higher power.

Ok, that might not be atheism?

Yes, but, it's where I am.

It was a great conversation between to brothers of the endurance faith.

Then, no joke, the couple in the spot next to me in the expo comes over and we're sitting there talking about the day.

Somehow, atheism comes up again.

Oh, yeah, I was raised a Catholic, but it wasn't working for me because it didn't make logical sense.

Now, this cat, is about the same age as our oldest, so it was really interesting to get his younger take on religion in general, and God specifically.

So, no God?

Nope.

But what about the sunrise, an old growth forest, a child's first breath?

It doesn't add up to God, for me.

Each of these conversations, were at least an hour long.

Respectful.
Honest.
Raw.

The first time in quite a while I haven't felt boring,
or been bored.

I'll tell ya this, though.

My guess is each of us, probably on the terrible hike-a-bike after 55 grueling miles...

... would like to have the hand of God give us a good push.

===

165.5 (carb loading)
8 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/5 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

AN ATHEIST, A GOD-FEARER, AND GRAVEL RACER WALKED INTO AN EXPO

HAULING DOWN THE FREEWAY to get to the BWR Expo this morning, I thought a rather strange thought. And, I think it might be true for the simple fact...

... I'm laser focused on so few things.

I'm boring.

So you can imagine the thrill get to talk to real people, in real life... 

... about atheism.

Because, here's sitch.

I can talk all day about...

• endurance sports
• building a brand
• my familiy
• religion

... my convictions, not necessarily in that order.

As a wise man once said...

One person's convictions,
are just boring as heck to everyone else.

This truly might be one of the greatest challenges we face by spending...

... so much time alone, training.

Especially, for those addicted to filling our remaining free time with scrolling, or binging YouFlix.

Our chances to connect deeply with others are fleeting.

So, there I am catching up with Carlitos, talking about his mother's passing, my brush with death last year, the miracles of our children.

And, he says it.

I'm atheist.

Really? 

We dove into the how, where, who, what, where and why of his conversion.

Fascinating.

No God?

Well, I believe in a higher power.

Ok, that might not be atheism?

Yes, but, it's where I am.

It was a great conversation between to brothers of the endurance faith.

Then, no joke, the couple in the spot next to me in the expo comes over and we're sitting there talking about the day.

Somehow, atheism comes up again.

Oh, yeah, I was raised a Catholic, but it wasn't working for me because it didn't make logical sense.

Now, this cat, is about the same age as our oldest, so it was really interesting to get his younger take on religion in general, and God specifically.

So, no God?

Nope.

But what about the sunrise, an old growth forest, a child's first breath?

It doesn't add up to God, for me.

Each of these conversations, were at least an hour long.

Respectful.
Honest.
Raw.

The first time in quite a while I haven't felt bored,
or been bored.

I'll tell ya this, though.

My guess is each of us, probably on the terrible hike-a-bike after 55 grueling miles...

... would like to have the hand of God give us a good push.

===

165.5 (carb loading)
8 hrs sleep
No PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
94/5 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SPONSOR AN EVENT?

BWR CA, is the 3rd event we've sponsored this year, after Rock Cobbler and Cactus Cup. Over the years, my motivation to be involved in the sport this way...

... has evolved.

Why do companies sponsor events?, is one question.

But, I'm more interested in your thoughts.

What you, as a participant...

• want
• expect
• count on 

... from your sponsors.

Do you want to see the latest and greatest products and services?

Are you wondering how much the promotor must be making from the sponsor money?

Is getting free shwag a draw?

Maybe it's just connecting better with the company?

If you didn't get a chance to see our Instagram post about the course today...

... the first sector is legit rocky, and will test your bike handlings skills.

I rode it.

My fat, 45mm gravel tires.

26 lbs up front, 28 in back.

Still very jarring.

I'm probably going to stick with that, even though the start will be a very fast and rolling climb.

Yeah, I know when we hit the dirt...

• chunky gravel
• to steepish single track
• then steep rocky climbing

 ... around mile 9 it will be decisive.

I'm will to risk slilding back some spots for two reasons:

• a lotta cats gonna explode on the dirt climb
• I'd rather be comfortable and in control over the long haul

.... worth it?

We'll find out.

Come by the canopy and we'll compare notes.

===

164.5
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
0 minutes Reading/Journaling
96/1 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

METRICS I'LL BE WATCHING AT BWR CA

IT'S NOT ENOUGH to monitor our heart rate and the amount of power we're putting out. There's more...

... we need to be aware of.

Yes, more than watching our competitors,
and surveying of our surroundings.

Here are my top 3...

• time
• miles
• heart rate

... for BWR CA.

Heart rate, because if I'm alone - which happens almost always in gravel racing - I need to know how much I can demand my body.

Miles, because I will attach white tape with each climb's pinnacle, so I know how long I need to push to reach the next downhill.

Time, because I want to stay on top of my nutrition, and for me that means 400 calories/hour.

The rest...

• speed
• power
• cadence

... are meaningless once the flag drops.

At least, 
that's my plan.

===

163.1
8.2 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/-3 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

MY THOUGHTS ON OFFROAD TIRES

TO TRULY MAXIMIZE our speed racing offroad, we must excel at bike handling skills. What ever differences we might see in road speed, cornering for example, is...

... multiplied offroad.

A split second lost leaning through a turn on pavement...

• slippery
• uneven
• rocky

... can turn into seconds in the dirt.

Consequently, the easy sprint to close the gap on the road, while taxing,
might never be closed on the dirt.

Now a lot of YouTubeGurus spout off a zillion different choices...

... depending on the make up of the soil.

You know what I think about that?

Selecting a tire that works really well in almost every case is way better than...

... the brain damage caused by picking 10 tires.

Why?

Because getting to know one tire over all kinds of terrain...

... is a sure thing.

===

163.7
8.2 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
98/0 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

I HOPE HE'S MORE PROFITABLE THAN EVER

MY LOCAL MECHANIC is really good. If something's broke, he will fix it quickly and get me back on the road. Which is a good thing because...

... I needed to get my baby in n outta there this week.

Race comin' up.

In prep, I swapped out my brake pads.

They were pretty smoked.

Normally...

• pop 'em out
• new ones in
• align

... it's no big deal.

Until yesterday,
no matter what I did,
the dawgawn things kept dragging.

After...

• sweating
• swearing
• swearing some more

... I hustled over, and begged.

Could I have just had him quickly swap out the brakes to begin with...

... instead of making it more difficult and time consuming?

Sure.

But where's the fun in that,
for me?

And, where's the profit in that,
for him?

===

164.7
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
97/0 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

IS YOUR ARG HIGH ENOUGH?

THE GREAT JIM COLLINS enlightened the business world to the BHAG - the Big Hairy Audacious Goal. I'd like to advance that a little further to...

... the ARG.

The Absurd Race Goal. 

You wanna know why?

Actually, a better question is...

... what is so great about an ARG?

Well just the fact that...

• it seems impossible
• nobody believes we can do it
• there's a possibility we might die trying

... makes it seem absurd.

To outsiders.

Not to us.

Because we'll have to...

• radically change our training
• dynamically improve our equipment
• reject anything that takes us off mission

... it's an irresistible challenge.

Anything less isn't going to...

... inspire us to reach further than ever before.

===

166.3
8 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
98/-20 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE ROPE-A-DOPER SUCKER PUNCHES TO VICTORY

THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO WIN a race. Some more honorable than others. But, If winning is all that matters, then... 

... might as well study this master class.

Amstel Gold 2025.

The winner,
was not the favorite.

The top 2 favorites,
were alone to contest the victory.

One problem.

The third guy, the favorites disrespected, was...

• feigning exhaustion
• acting submissive
• preparing to pounce

... had plans of his own.

In a nutshell, Skjelmose' one heroic move was to make the effort to chase down #1 favorite Tadej, and in the process drew out #2 favorite Remco.

Once teamed up with Remco,
he held back, going so far as asking Remco to slow down.

With Remco doing most of the work,
they caught Tadej.

In a final display of great acting, 
he cowered behind the two great champions.

While they're busy sprinting it out for the win...

.... Skelmose magically has way more power than the two best riders in the world and snags the win.

Sometimes...

... the best actor wins the race.

===

166.8
7.5 hrs sleep
PushUps PullUps
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
98/-20 (fitness per Training Peaks)
0 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHY WE NEED TO BE FAST FRIENDS

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF RACERS in the world, and we can be friends with both. Today, I lucked out and rode with the kind that pulls...

... the best out of us.

We don't ride together much.

In fact, not nearly enough.

Why is I love this kinda racer is kinda what you think,
and kinda not.

We each competed at Sea Otter last week,
I did Gravel, he did XC.

Since TimZ climbed to the top step of the Sea Otter podium,
I was excited, and slightly nervous.

Could I keep up?

Turns out,
as we casually rode,
we each managed to snag a KOM.

Not that we're into that sort of thing - lol.

Which brings up...

• spur each other on
• share what's working
• appreciate the beauty all around

... why it's such a treat to have this type of friend.

The pace is good... 

... the experience is better.

===

165.3
7.5 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
100/5 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

SHOULD THESE GUYS QUIT?

TODAY'S RACE in Belgium was a stunner. As I'm heading out for a spin, I see on YouTube the final km's of the Brabantse Pijl. There's a long-range break of two guys...

... Wout and Remco.

Nothing new there, except...

• Wout's surgically repaired knee looks horrific
• Remco still has numbness in his shoulder
• it wasn't a couple of buddies out riding

... these two dropped all the other pros with 50k to go.

I know they're getting paid,
but, they have made millions.

They don't need to get back to racing
They could stay on the couch,
throw in the lycra.

Instead, they finish 1-2.

Maybe quitting isn't all it's cracked up to be.

===

165.3
7 hrs sleep
PullUps PushUps 
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
96/-1 (fitness per Training Peaks)
20 min vision therapy

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248