IT'S HAPPENING!
TOMORROW IS A BIG DAY. It's been just over 5 months since my brain injury. We never took SurfNSummit off the calendar, instead...
... we aimed for that date!
10 of my closest friends - some I've never met - joined the challenge.
I'm so grateful for the support and camaraderie.
It's gonna be a great day.
Anytime we get the buy-in from of group of people who decide to do something epic together it's...
... a lot easier to prep and accomplish something epic.
And, this ain't nothin'...
https://www.strava.com/routes/3220522868121573398
123 miles
16000' of vert
... it's a heckfire motivating.
What are you planning tomorrow,
or in the coming months,
with your besties?
I hope you get it done, and I hope...
... it seems impossible.
---
164
7.5 hrs sleep
Pullups and Pushups Only
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
THE 5 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF FITNESS
IN WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS their own truth, it's hard to tell what is really the truth. And, it matters. Truth...
... makes everything clear and easy.
So, let me be as clear as I can be.
These are the 5 laws,
commandments if you will.
- REST. Get plenty of rest. Sleep a lot. Doing less and resting may not make sense to a beginner, but we get it. Right? Sleep is critical.
- GOOD FOOD. Keep it simple. Don't eat sugar or drink alcohol or do drugs. Do eat whole foods, meals where we can identify the ingredients. For example, a steak salad vs a protein bar.
- GO HARD SPARINGLY. We need to have the brutally hard efforts, once or twice a week. That's it. Not every day.
- GO EASY ABUNDANTLY. The rest of our endurance training should be easy and fun and rejuvenating.
- LIFT WEIGHTS. Resistance exercise, heavy weight and low reps, builds power and makes bones strong. I like large muscle groups, primarily pull ups, pushups, and squats.
That's it.
Okay, that's not it.
But, that is the truth and when we get that right...
... we're 95% there.
There, being extremely fit and healthy.
Notice, doing that is practically free...
... just takes some dedication.
---
164.9
8 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
WHY BEGIN WITH THE FINISH IN MIND?
THE PATH WORKING BACKWARDS FROM THE START is a strange one. Who the heck walks, runs, rides, swims backwards? Here's a better way...
... begin with the finish in mind.
It's more powerful.
Want to get married?
Date like the winner you know you are.
Want to raise good kids?
Raise 'em like the winner you know you are,
winners they can be.
Want to win a race, set a PR, win the group sprint?
Train like the winner you know you are.
See the finish line clearly, then...
... all we need to do becomes obvious.
Not a mystery.
Not awkward like swimming backwards.
How do you even do that?
Move forward.
---
166
9 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS MAGIC WHEELS
RIDING WITH LOVE WATTS ON THE ROAD, I'm reminded of how important wheels are. He purchased my supersnazzy, ceramic bearing carbon wheels because I just...
... had to have the latest and greatest.
Off with the rim brake wheels,
on to disc brakes on the fancyshmancy bike.
ENVE 5.6's
I'm glad he got my old wheels vs one of my direct competitors because...
... he rolls away from me any time it's too steep to pedal downhill.
It's annoying.
It bugs me.
I constantly question myself...
... What the heck was I thinking?
And, it gets worse.
The weekly roadride reminder is leaking over into all my wheelsets.
Are they magic?
Or
S-L-O-W?
How to tell?
The lowtech, yet reliable way, is to coast downhill on an windless day and determine which set of wheels is faster.
- Same tire
- Same air pressure
Then, we can go play with
- Tires
- Widths
- Pressures
And, add additional fine tuning via
- Helmet
- Apparel
- Waterbottles
- Cable routing
- Body position
Oh, boy...
... so much fun to be had!
---
By the way, we're just about ready to launch these:
---
166.8
7.5 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
TAPERING QUESTIONS
IS TAPERING OUR TRAINING ART OR SCIENCE? We've all had the big quest on the calendar, done tons and tons of training, then...
... decided it's time to taper.
Is it enough to just cut the miles?
How much should we cut?
What about intensity?
Oh, the questions we have!
Got an email this morning from Tony, who lives Downunder. He caught Covid two weeks prior to last weekend's A race, thought his event would was wrecked.
Rested completely for a week.
Did a little training the next week.
Smashed the race, setting all kinds of PRs.
Talked to Andy this morning, he was forced off his bike for months after catching a nasty stomach bug and Xterra Worlds last October.
This week he's off to Xterra Nats and feels better than he's felt in years.
I'm not saying we need to get deathly ill or break bones to have our best days ever, but...
... maybe a little more rest would do our bodies good?
---
166.2
9 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
82
>
THESE ARE THE BEST RIDES
GOOD FORTUNE TO TRAVEL, allowed me to ride a bunch of new terrain, plus explore a new network of trails. This week will be a good reminder...
... of why our favorite routes are so special.
Our most cherished rides are rarely the obscure, remote places.
Those places are great,
but they are missing something.
I'm already excited to do the local Tuesday Morning Wrecking Crew this week.
Why?
I've done it probably 1,000 times.
You'd think once a week for twenty years would lose its luster.
Instead, the times that we...
- cleared the gap on a big jump
- got caught in a snow storm
- made the winning break
- smashed a segment
- made a new friend
... make all the difference.
Take yesterday's adventure.
We have a trail in St. George that Surfergirl loves: Bear Claw Poppy. A gentle climb, and a fast and flowy return. We ride it often when we are passing through.
After an hour with her, I met up with local friend Kevi, to ride a newly accessible canyon.
We pedaled back to his house and I noticed the right rear van tire was deflating.
A piece of metal had sliced on through.
7pm on a Saturday night is not a good time to need a flat repair.
While showering, I thought...
... We're gonna get a miracle.
At the same time, Kevi thought to call an acquaintance who had just sold a string of tire shops.
My new best friend, Jake, grabs his tools and drives 30 minutes to us and fixes the flat in a about 15 minutes.
Amazing.
We were able to make it home by 3:30 am, able to spend Mother's Day at home with kids.
That was a miracle.
The kind of episode we'll remember for years to come...
... every time we ride Bear Claw Poppy.
These rides and routes we know so well become our treasures because...
... that's where many of our best memories exist.
---
166
6.5 hrs sleep
No Strength work
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
83
>
WINNING IS NOT AN OPTION
IN ANY COMPETITION, it's possible to define winning as climbing to the top of the podium. The moment we finally pull it all together and...
... look down on those who tried and came up short.
There's a problem.
This isn't the reason we are training and racing.
Sure, every now and never we might find ourselves on one of the podium steps...
... maybe even the top.
We'll get the accompanying congratulations, and rightly soak up the moment.
But, winning?
Conquerer of all comers?
Champion for ever and ever?
Not us.
We know there is always something we could do better and...
... we are endlessly fascinated with our personal pursuit, scoreboard or not.
We want to know...
... what are we capable of accomplishing?
What's next?!!
---
165ish?
10 hrs sleep
Pushups and Presses
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
83
>
HAVE YOU HIT THE WALL OF GRAY?
AT THE TOP OF A 90 MINUTE CLIMB, I succumbed to the terrain. Not the steepness, not the wildness of the area. Gravely dirt had turned...
... from bird beaks to baby heads to small boulders.
OK, it was beginning to pitch straight up.
Climbing that stuff in 40 degree weather is easy to do in a jersey and arm warmers.
We're working.
Burning calories.
Creating all kinds of heat.
I stopped,
pulled my KOM Jacket from my back pocket...
... and started bombing back down.
Is this nirvana?
Not a soul around,
tacky, fast single track,
spring's green guard rails.
I came around a bend and saw a massive wall of gray.
Uh oh!
Off the trail,
on to the road,
I pressed harder on the pedals.
Drops of rain,
turned to frozen rain,
which turned to balls of hail...
... good thing I wore my most wholey, air-cooled helmet.
The icecream-type headache became...
... Crud, this could be bad.
I snagged a PR on this slight downhill bike trail, I've ridden dozens of times.
Nobody was out.
Duh!
Moral of the story?
Shift happens...
... get used to it, everything will be easier.
---
165ish?
9 hrs sleep
No strength work
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
THE GOOD THING ABOUT BEING GOOD
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS A LEGIT CAT 2 ROADIE during peak road cycling days of late 80's, early 90's. Had I known that...
... I would have given him the thumbs up a lot sooner.
Who care's if they're happy together?
I've got someone to ride with at the family reunion.
Now, he's a good runner...
... because she's a good runner.
They do trailrunner things together.
Which means he's now merely a good cyclist.
That's the good thing about being an dedicated endurance athlete, with a little training...
... we can be good at just about any endurance activity we choose.
Not at the top of our potential, but in his case...
... the top of the relationship potential, by enduring together.
---
165ish?
8 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Airsquats
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
JUST COMMIT, AND QUIT
ONE OF MY PALS has been out of the game for a while. Fitness dropped way down, and waist expanded somewhat out. He's back, and...
... he needs a kick in the lycra.
His words...
... I made the big climb 20 seconds faster this week, just need to ditch my blubber now.
So, I gave him the honest truth.
Stop eating bread and sugar.
He hemmed and hawed, admitting either one of those to evils where his kryptonite.
It's really simple...
... just commit, and quit.
This morning, I read about a 99 year old man who is still remarkably active. He had this to say about health...
... I weigh myself every morning, it's the best indicator of health. If I'm up a few pounds, I cut back my intake for a few days.
---
165ish?
9 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Airsquats
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
86
>
WILL AI MAKE US SLOWER?
IT'S GOT AI! Yeah, AI will write your term paper. Set up your training plan for you. Of course, it will drive your car for you. And...
... make us slower.
At everything.
How does AI drive our cars?
It learns.
It learns to read the road,
calculate effects of weather,
anticipate the actions of other drivers.
Which means we don't,
or if we did once have the skill we start to lose it.
Take riding singletrack for instance.
Climbing it's not to challenging unless there are rocks and switchbacks.
We're going slow.
We have the time to make all the calculations necessary to ascend without putting our feet down.
When we turn around, it's all the same data coming at us but a lot faster.
One of two things will happen:
- We'll get behind on the calculations, panic and crash
- We'll slip into a state of flow
When we are in flow...
- We relax
- Things slow down
- We easily go much faster
... that is a beautiful feeling.
---
165ish?
8 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Airsquats
0 minutes recovery
320 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
UNFORGIVING NATURE
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED and the frozen rain turned to snow I realized staying warm could be an issue. I hustled back to the cabin because...
... nature is unforgiving.
I got back.
Cold.
The heat was on,
all was good.
Until the heater quit!
We crash.
We bleed.
We heal.
Hopefully we learn and remember things like...
- at high altitude it can always snow
- on rough terrain keep our bodies loose, fluid
- breaking down in a remote area takes longer to get back
... being prepared with gear, fuel and skills matter.
Nature is definitely unforgiving...
,.. all the more reason for us to be forgiving with each other.
165ish?
8 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Airsquats
0 minutes recovery
320 minutes reading + Journaling
85
>
HOW TO CURE TRAINING BURNOUT
AFTER TEN WEEKS FOCUSED ON BUILDING BACK SOME FITNESS, I was feeling quite burned out. We're two weeks away from the Surf N Summit...
... not the time to quit training.
The last few days have been just what the doctor ordered.
- No agenda
- No plan or route or group
- No focussing on the computer readings
- Yes, let's explore a new area
Fast, slow, long, short, easy, hard.
Mountain biking is the perfect antidote for me.
It's not what I'll be racing this summer,
or needing for the 120 miles and 16000' of vert of the upcoming challenge.
Just fun and playful.
Still riding.
Still spinning.
Still filling the lungs with air,
and the legs with lactic acid.
But, with some jumps and berms and slides mixed in.
Burned out?
Change it up.
---
165ish?
8.5 hrs sleep
No Strength work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
87
>
HOW TO PRETEND IT’S NOT A BIKE VACATION.
THE FIRST RULE OF BRINGING THE BIKE on a vacation is key. It’s not hiding it the back of the van or car, and it’s not saying…
… I’ll only ride if the amazing doll house tour falls through.
Rule No. 1: Make sure the important stuff is the priority.
Today, that meant a 3.5 mile hike out to Observation Point.
Fully appreciate it’s awesomeness.
Hike back 3.5 miles,
loving it.
Even if you have a nice blister brewing,
because you never hike or wear these shoes.
Follow that up with plans to grill up some dinner at sunset.
Once everything is taken care of…
… totally cool to check out the sweet local single track.
Exactly how my day went.
Perfect.
The single is a new addition the land here near my grandpa's cabin, which is the only reason a lugged the bike up here...
... to give it a more thorough inspection in the morning.
"May the 4th be with you"
---
The view down into Zion Canyon
One of my favorite things is my folding fire pit. Folds down, easy to travel with.
Found a place to do pull ups.
---
165ish?
9 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Airsquats
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
86
>
SOME RIDES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHERS
I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT AS A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME. I’d just crushed my phone in the van’s door jamb. Ouch. But, not as big as the ouch that precedes…
… Is my bike okay?
And, too think, I was really enjoying a playful moment on challenging single track in Southern Utah.
Feeling good,
confident,
and fast.
Shoulda stayed humble,
cautious,
aware.
Going down a rocky ledge, my front wheel caught in a hole.
The bike stopped.
I arced high through the air.
We both landed among the jagged boulders.
Nothing on me was broken.
A few tears in my fuselage.
In flight, I’d been hyper aware of my recovering cranium.
Surfergirl got to see it all.
We laughed…
… It’s only a flesh wound!
Back at the trailhead, loading my bike into the van, I noticed the cracked seat stay.
It had taken a direct hit.
Cracked halfway through.
First day of our trip.
Ugh.
Drove straight to O’Reilly Autoparts.
This is gonna sound stupid, but ya got anything to repair carbon?
Like carbon fiber?
Just like that.
We’ll let’s see what JB Weld has.
Music to my ears.
I know JB Weld can fix a cracked radiator.
Tomorrow, I’ll see how their carbon repair formula holds up.
Wish us luck.
---
165.3
6 hrs sleep
No strength work today
0 minutes recovery
10 minutes reading + Journaling
88
>
DO YOU HAVE ATOMIC HABITS
IN ATOMIC HABITS, the great James Clear, made a point about how to write a best-selling book. He's sold 15,000,000 copies to date. His directive?...
... Be the book.
The point isn't that we should quit our day jobs and write a book,
though that would be a good excuse to ride, run and swim all day long.
However, as I think of my miraculous progress since coming out of ICU in January...
... two things are pretty obvious.
- I'm basically following my own protocol from The 30-Day Rip On RaceDay Challenge.
- I've made a few updates since I wrote the content for the challenge
For example, for the last 10 weeks I've been in the base-building phase.
It's gone pretty well...
- Fitness is up
- Weight is coming down
... but I have lots of top-end to recover.
True power has been offline since the last races of the previous year.
How am I going to get that back?
How did I build the base?
What are next steps?
Since I'm being the book,
I think I ought to write the book....
... take all the content, update it and put it in book form.
To do it right, I think I need a huge challenge.
Something ridiculous,
that would be a real test.
A reason,
a Why?
Something you might even want to get in on.
I'm not sure what it is yet.
But, it's percolating.
Stay tuned as the rehab continues.
---
165.8
7.5 hrs sleep
PullUps and PushUps and Dead Lifts
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
89
>
TAKING TIME TO RIDE FAST
TO BE FASTER THAN 99% of the competition, we need to value our 1%. Or, maybe several 1%s. Assuming we sleep for 8 hours, Do you?...
... we have 960 waking minutes.
One measly 1% block of our waking hours is 9.6 minutes.
What can we do with 1% of our day to get faster?
- Chop and prep a fresh salad
- Stretch
- A massage or Hypervolt session
- Meditate
- Clean and lube our chains
- Check our tires and brake pads
- PushUps and PullUps and Squats
Most of the things, like those above, we can do in less than 10 minutes...
... yet, we act like it'll take hours.
I do.
Maybe you don't.
It's not a question of if we have the time to get faster, but...
... will we use what we have correctly?
---
166
8 hrs sleep
PullUps and PushUps and Dead Lifts
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
86
>
MOMENTUM IS EVERYTHING
IT'S NOT THAT WE NEGLECT MOMENTUM, it's that we often don't respect it enough. As the great Sir Isaac Newton said, A bike in motion will stay in motion unless...
... acted upon by an outside force.
In other words, our legs move us forward, everything else...
... conspires to slow us down.
Everything.
Take turns.
Being able to carry our momentum through a turn means we spend less energy exiting the turn and getting back up to speed.
If we're really good,
we might make those behind work much harder.
If we're unskilled,
we spend all kinds of energy struggling to catch back on.
We get worn down by momentum suckers.
Remember, the corollary is Our parked bike will stay parked unless...
... acted upon by us.
---
166
8 hrs sleep
PullUps and PushUps and Dead Lifts
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
87
>
I DO NOT THINK YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF THAT ZONE
THERE ARE FEW GUARANTEES IN LIFE. One, however, is a lock. Invite your veryfast friends to do a recon ride where everybody is "committed" to ride zone two. Then...
... let the mayhem unfold.
Here's the bad and the good of it.
I felt bad right away.
Yes, I was suffering, sure.
But I was really feeling bad for all the suckers like me who thought this would be chill with a few efforts.
Instead, the first three hours...
... was one massive effort.
- 248 watts normalized power
- Average HR 150 bpm
- 3000' elevation gain
Probably nothing for you,
definitely something for me.
The gravel roads are shift right now.
Ruts all over the place,
stutter bumps everywhere else.
Fortunately, I decided to do some tire pressure testing today.
I aired down.
26 lbs vs my normal 30 up front.
28 lbs vs my normal 32 in back.
I rimmed out a handful of times, both wheels.
Mainly sharp edges or rocks.
Tires held up great - Conti Terra Speed 45s.
I think I can go lower.
No doubt when the trails are as nasty as they are it is muchmuch faster.
I also tested having breakfast before riding.
What?
Yeah, true.
I usually wake up at the last second and eat as soon as I start riding.
This morning, I was so excited I woke with tons of time.
A full hour.
I fired up a bowl of oatmeal,
dropped in frozen blueberries,
plus macadamia nuts for some fat.
It stayed down great.
Shocking given the hideous zone too-dang-fast we were pushing.
Definitely going to try that again because I felt really good.
That's it...
... hope your weekend is epic.
---
---
165.1
7.5 hrs sleep
PullUps and PushUps only
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
89 (fitness still down 30% from last year, and darn happy to be back at it)
>
HOW DO YOU STACK UP?
BEING A COMMITTED ATHLETE pays all kinds of dividends. Which is cool. What's cooler is deconstructing what we do and...
... seeing how we stack up.
Not against each other.
Just riding
or running
or swimming
won't do it.
For example, we also...
- Eat
- Sleep
- Maintain our equipment
- Study the latest info
- Might have a coach
- Make sure we have proper fit of all our gear
- Fine tune our body mechanics
- Get as aero as possible
- Test hardware
- Train with other committed athletes
- Challenge ourselves, long and short-term
- Have our "day jobs" squared away and thriving
- Prioritize family and friends
... and all that plus a lot more stacks,
compounds and
combines.
What can we add, refine, improve so we are truly...
... Ready To Rip On RaceDay.
...
By the way, I'm getting ready to launch dog tags with one of our sayings on one side and personal info on the other.
Would you like to know when they are ready?
---
165.5
8.5 hrs sleep
PullUps and PushUps only
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
82
>
IN A MOOD FOR VIOLENCE
IT'S BEEN JUST OVER TWO MONTHS since being able to start training after my mishap. Prior to that, it was 6 weeks off the bike or anything but walking...
... my fitness was zip.
Why do base at all?
Because I was effectively starting from zero.
Sure, I had decades of consistent riding, running, etc. But, I couldn't just jump right back into it.
I needed to give my body a break...
... and a chance to recalibrate.
It's been fun.
I've been able to do some group rides...
... hanging on, then getting dropped.
Base training is good for that, for building the aerobic engine.
It's not good for putting a sting into our efforts...
... or responding in kind.
That only comes from...
- Intervals
- Racing
... there's no other way.
The racing could be the kind where we pin a number on, spicy group rides, or getting after PRs.
The intervals, well there's a million ways to flog ourselves doing those.
In short,
we gotta do the explosive efforts.
There's no way around it.
It's not for everyone.
Only those who want to find out what they're really capable of.
Me, I'm targeting two days a week for the carnage.
Tuesdays.
Saturdays.
The key to success will be...
... showing up fresh, in a mood for violence.
---
165.1
9 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
83
>
JUST BELIEVE THIS ONE FACT
THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF THEORIES: The Big Bang, Evolution, Creationism, even The Simulation. No matter which one, if any, you subscribe to...
... one fact remains.
This body is the only one we got.
I dunno why people treat 'em so badly.
Heck I've done plenty of bad myself.
But, there's nothing like racing to keep me on track.
Even just racing myself,
my times.
No matter what your beliefs...
... these bodies do their best when we eat clean.
Of course, there are a million beliefs on what that entails.
I keep it simple.
- No processed foods
- As much fresh veggies and berries as possible
- Plenty of protein
- Plenty of water
That's my belief of what actually works...
... and I think it's a fact.
Because every day we are building our bodies, it's important to remember...
... Every Day Is RaceDay.
---
167.1
8 hrs Sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
83
>
WITH ALL THY FITNESS, GET...
IS THERE MORE TO RACING, than racing? Well, yeah. Of course. A lot more, the only question is are we taking advantage of the opportunities. As the wise one said...
... With all thy fitness, get adventurous.
By that, I don't mean in a racy way.
The point is to go somewhere,
do something new,
unattempted.
We've got the fitness,
which too few people actually have,
so we can accomplish what most cannot fathom to attempt.
So, what's it gonna be...
- Ride across the country
- Travel to a remote destination
- Run the Grand Canyon rim to rim
- Go from hut to hut in Colorado
... pick something.
What's holding us back...
- A tour guide
- Language barriers
- Support in case things go wrong
... nothing that can't be solved.
Do it.
---
166.7
7 hrs Sleep
Pullups and Pushups
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
82
Tell us about it.
>
H0W ARE THEY SO EXPLOSIVE?
OK, WE GET IT THAT PROS ARE FASTER. Right? But, how they heck are they so explosive without racing? Asking for a friend, myself, and...
... anybody forced to train alone.
We gotta know.
- Personally, I enjoy the solitude.
- Others don't near other riders or group rides
- And, then there's those who's with uncooperative schedules
How are the outstanding pros doing it?
Not racing,
showing up and slaughtering their competition.
Intervals?
Well, personally I can't stand intervals for more than a few weeks without...
... wanting to take a hammer to my bike computer.
Riding and racing with the teammates?
That makes a little more sense, but only a little. Who wants to drill or get drilled by their trusted allies?
Way more rested?
Mmmmmaybe the non-racing leads to a more rested and ready body?
Healthier?
Because they aren't traveling so much:
- They aren't picking up colds and flues.
- They aren't eating whatever they can find.
- They aren't taking such large risks as when racing
E-racing?
Are they just getting on a trainer and duking it out with the online competition? If they are, don't they need to have fake profiles for privacy as well as less fitness?
Virtual racing?
Setting up race course segments on Strava and trying to beat the PRs?
I dunno, for me...
... ain't nothing like the real thing.
---
166.2
8 hrs Sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
80
>
GETTING PUSHED AROUND IN THE GROUP
THE RIDE WAS GETTING SPICEY. The pace increasing considerably, and the terrain going from flat to sawtooth. The legs were screaming, and...
... and I was moving backwards.
Then, it happened.
Just before the apex of quick power climb,
just when I needed it most...
... my pal, The Gambler, gave me some pedal assist.
Yep, he had the gaul to put his paws on my lycra and pushed me some.
And I loved it.
It was just the right amount
to keep me on.
Sly enough I quietly thought and hoped...
... Maybe nobody noticed.
That's thing about needing help.
When we could really use some,
we don't ask.
Good givers, like The Gambler, don't ask...
... the just give.
Without making a big deal about it.
---
165.8
9 hrs Sleep
No Strengthwork today
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
80
>
SHOULD WE LEARN TO TUMBLE?
LIKE MOST OF US, we have a group of regular riders. So far, 3 of the 10 of us have broken bones this year. One hit a tree skiing, one crossed wheels today...
... and, well, you know my saga.
I was off the back over the top,
and rolled up on the mishap.
If you're a real rider,
you've broken your collar bone.
Ok, I don't know if that's 100% true.
But, I have broken one,
while riding.
So, it's common.
And I gotta ask...
... Should we take tumbling lessons?
Would it help?
Would it keep us from doing the natural thing vs...
... rolling out of danger?
Maybe, sometimes.
Not a guarantee,
perhaps a skill worth...
- learning
- practicing
- investigating
... got a thought on this?
---
166.7
7.5ish hrs Sleep
No Strengthwork today
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
82
>
IS THIS THE BEST RIDE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?
IMAGINE A RIDE THAT FEATURES all the beauty and wonder of Southern California. The beaches, the shaded prairies, the tall forests with ski runs...
... covering all of it in a single day.
Oh, and almost no traffic.
Impossible you say.
Not.
100% possible.
It took us years to scout it.
Here are some pics from 2023... route below.
Here's the route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3216181932420212282
It's 120 miles, 15000' of climbing.
We start at Doheny State Beach and wind up in Big Bear, refueling at convenience stores and restaurants along the way.
It's almost all dirt most to Corona, then a 35-mile bike trail across the Inland Empire. At the bottom of the mountains, we jump on an abandoned logging road, and it's nearly all dirt to the top, and down into Big Bear.
Epic.
Insanely epic.
Are you game for the ride of the year?
Click here: https://pedalindustries.com/products/free-registration-for-the-surf-n-summit-california-5-18-24
---
Some of the FAQ's from a Zoom call yesterday.
Logistics:
1. Where to stay Friday Night? Dinner plans? Stay as close as you can to Dana Point, where we start… it’s only a few minutes drive to my house. We’ll have dinner at my place and go over last minute specifics.
2. Ride start time? Official Start is 6am, I highly recommend slower riders leave earlier to make sure we all get to Colton at the same time for the flat 35 miles across the Inland Empire – much easier in a group.
3. Where can we store bags? My van… Susie will drive it to Big Bear.
4. Confirm - unsupported? Any plan B options for repairs, crashes, etc.? It’s self-supported, be prepared.
a. Anyone we can hire to assist? Is there a way to transport overnight bag? Susie will drive it to Big Bear.
5. Big Bear
a. Anyone staying the night? TBD on this.
b. Transporation back to Orange County? TBD on this. Some ride back, some Uber back. We need a final head count.
5. Snow blocking trails? Currently yes, but it’s getting warmer and it’s a south facing climb, we should be fine.
People
1. How many people are coming and their capabilities? Unknown, people always commit and don’t show, others never commit and just show up.
a. We are locomotives not goats:). Likelihood of creating riding groups of different speeds (any forecasted pacing / finish times)? For sure start early, and KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD A ROUTE to your device. Any regrouping points? One for sure, in Colton at a convenience store… depending on pace, we might all meet up at Seven Oaks restaurant about 1/3 up the climb… some of us will do some extra climbing and single track at end of 35 mile bike trail, others will go straight to the climb, which is why we might end up there at roughly same time.
Nutrition
1. Where are the nutrition and water stops? ONeil Park is about 2 hours in, a campground with water and bathrooms. Do NOT dillydally at any stops. Next stop is Colton, about 4 hours away. These are my estimates for your speed.
2. Water stops on the final climb or is two bottles sufficient? At Seven Oaks restaurant, we can get water, soda, hamburgers, fries… depending on heat, 2-3 bottles. My bike holds 3.
3. Nutrition recommendations? 300-400 calories per hour. Whatever you like and sits well in your stomach. I like CarboRocket, 333 calories/bottle.
Equipment
1. Tire recommendation? I am running Continental Terra Speed 45s, with 32lbs in the rear, 28 in the front. Lots and lots of sealant before we roll.
What are the gravel sections like? Pretty nice, a little more rutted from rain run-off, but totally 100% ridable and fun. There’s a little single track where trail is currently flooded close to the start.
2. Other gear that would be helpful (e.g. hydration pack, lights). Lights for sure, early start, and maybe a late finish. Be able to carry 3 large bottles worth of water. Get a BLACK mosquito net, bugs can be nasty… we learned the hard way that the white nets reflect light which was blinding as the sun was setting.
3. Clothing recommendations? (Temp change to expect)? May is a tricky month, I’ll carry my KOM Jacket which is great for wind and water and small enough to go in my Barrito Bag … my bike will have a Barrito for the KOM jacket, and food and drink mix supplies in my Day Ripper bag. Only other item I’d carry would be arm warmers… but highly unlikely we’ll need them. My Wahoo died 30 minutes from the top… bring a battery booster.
---
166
7.5ish hrs Sleep
Pushups and Pullups
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
78
>
ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH TO BE...
I POLLED THE RIPPERS and 100% of them lift weights or do resistance exercise year round. Well, I was shocked by that. I had no idea if we rubbing off on each other...
... just hope.
In the beginning, after our first day with real weight, we often echo the great Cheryl Crow song...
... God, I feel like hell tonight.
Why do it?
- Strong bones
- Good posture
- Improved ability to handle challenges
Why not?
- Takes time
- Potential to get hurt
Here's my current program,
takes about 15 minutes.
- 6 pullups
- 18 pushups
- 10 shoulder press
- 5 pullups
- 15 pushups
- 6 squats
- 4 pullups
- 12 pushups
- 20 toe raises, 10 heel raises
- 3 pullups
- 9 pushups
- 10 curls (vanity muscles)
- 2 pullups
- 6 pushups
In other words, mainly pullups and pushups with something extra to break up the sets.
The focus is on large muscle groups.
In Natural Born Heroes: Mastering the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance, there's a strong emphasis on tendon strength being key to true athlete prowess. We develop that moving heavy weight with large muscle groups...
... the stuff we need to be fast.
For the bar...
- Jump up to the bar, and let yourself down slowly.
- Use a pullup assist machine
- Giant rubberbands
For pushups...
- Figure out hand positions that are comfy on the shoulders
- It's cool to start on your knees
Squats...
- Do air squats and put that arse in the grarsse
- Go half way down
Start somewhere,
just start.
---
166
7.5ish hrs Sleep
20 pullups 60 pushups 15 shoulder presses + other stuff
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
79
>
HOW TO OVERCOME INJURY
I'VE BEEN ASKED TWICE TODAY if I had any feelings of Why me? after my brain injury. And, how did I overcome that? Well, good questions because...
... we all gotta battle through the shiz.
During the darkest days, I only had one thought.
How can I fix this?
We've all been dealt multiple bad hands over the years, and if we think about it...
... we often come through them stronger, better.
It never seems like it at the time.
Our challenges, I believe, are our challenges, for a reason.
As rotten as they appear...
... they are personalized gifts.
If they weren't for our benefit and didn't totally suck,
they'd be easy to overcome,
requiring little effort,
personal growth,
or change.
With that in mind, I set about studying and researching how best to recover from this unplanned set back.
There's plenty of improvement still to be made...
... and that's exciting as hell!
---
166.7
8ish hrs Sleep
20 pullups 60 pushups 15 shoulder presses + other stuff
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
79
>
GIMME SHELTER
THERE AIN'T NOTHING LIKE A TAILWIND to blow the group to pieces. The palms were bending, for sure...
... this one was gonna hurt.
It's counter intuitive.
But, it goes like this.
Alone, a tailwind feels nice.
A chance to tap lightly on the pedals and fly along.
In a group, it's whole different game.
The strong go to the front and drill it.
'problem is, there's no draft,
no place to hide,
no rest.
Which is exactly how it went down today.
Three of us were rotating.
Hard pulls.
It felt terrible,
and great.
Nobody else was pulling through.
I didn't blame 'em,
it was hard as heck.
I glanced back...
... gap was 30 feet.
Then 300 feet.
Then, a slight bend in the road,
an every so tiny gap opened, and...
... I was ejected.
Just couldn't close it.
No draft.
How was the ride back up the coast into the wind?
Well, alone it woulda been a bear.
In the group, much easier.
Sure the brief moment pulling through stung a bit, then...
... it was right back to the shelter.
So, there you have it.
Tailwind, get on the front and get a gap.
Headwind, take it easy, nothings getting away.
---
168.4
9ish hrs Sleep
20 pullups 60 pushups 15 shoulder presses
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
78
>
DO LESS, AND OBSESS
CAN'T GET THIS CONCEPT OUTTA MY MIND, not because I've never considered it, because it's so darn rhymey. I coudn't say it better...
... Do less, and obsess.
Maybe I just needed to hear the message?
The idea of having 1 (one) 'A' race a year has always turned me on...
- It's more fun to have one focus
- dive into the nittygritty
- get granular
- geek out
... that's the shift I love.
Yeah, I might end up with a bike that's not good for much but a particular course,
training that is so specialized as to be worthless for everything else.
But, that's the point.
To be so singular,
to be uniquely prepared.
Then, and only then, I might have a chance...
... and that's all the hope I need.
When I'm that locked in, it's easy to treat...
... all other races as distractions at best.
Places to test...
- equipment
- strategy
- training
... nothing more.
When I'm that locked in, it's easy to commit...
... to training blocks and weight lifting.
When I'm that locked in, it's easy to see...
... the big picture.
To do less,
and obsess.
---
168.7
8ish hrs Sleep
20 pullups 60 pushups 15 shoulder presses
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
76
>
HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME
THE POOR WOMAN WAS RED IN THE FACE, if looks could kill her guide/date would be dead. They'd just cleared a very overgrown jungle and were now pushing their bikes up a rocky stretch...
... who could blame her?
Who could blame him?
Sometimes our sense of adventure...
... is total nonsense.
I could only laugh.
Don't kill him here, you need to get home first!
They had a ways to go.
We have about 5 weeks to prep for the SurfNSummit.
Yeah, it's far.
Lots of climbing.
But, still I'm surprised at how many people misjudge what it takes.
Some, think it's just impossible to complete...
... usually my most fit friends.
Others, show up with what appears to be no business attempting it...
... but, hope and the desire to do something epic.
It's one of those Henry Ford moments.
Whether you think can, or think you can't...
... you're right.
So, if you think you can ride 100+ miles with 15,000+ feet of climbing...
... click here to check it out:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/free-registration-for-the-surf-n-summit-california-5-18-24
---
168.2
9ish hrs Sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
76er
>
AN OBSERVATION ON UNEVEN POWER BETWEEN LEGS
ONE OF THE SETTINGS ON MY POWER METER shows the power put out by each leg. It can def ovewhelm for an entire ride, because we can...
... freak out about data we don't like.
It's on one of my Wahoo screens.
I see it from time to time on a ride.
Consciously trying to even out the power was annoying the heck out of me.
One leg was always stronger, unless I reallyreallyreallyreally focused.
Then, I had an idea.
Something to try,
that I used to do.
This came to me when I noticed standing and climbing,
power was always 50/50.
Hmmmm.
What's the difference?
Then I noticed,
same thing when it got steep and I really had to put out some power.
Well, that was nice to see...
... somewhat calming.
Hmmmm...
... how to do that all the time?
Welp, this is just an observation.
It might not work for you.
Meter could be mismonitoring, but this makes all the difference in the world...
... when I consciously focus on pedaling with the heels down.
What?
Really?
Yes.
What I think is happening is I'm eliminating a dead spot along the top of my pedal stroke...
... gonna verify with my genius bike fitter, Ashley.
---
167.3
8ish hrs Sleep
No Strength Work
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
78
>
THE WHAT AND WHY OF A PROPER EZ SPIN
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE LEGS TO COME AROUND, which means I had to actually dedicate myself to do some easy spins. Because, like most of us it's just...
... darn hard to go easy.
Or, is it just me?
First off, what constitutes an easy spin?
Two things:
- Low effort
- High rpm's
How low?
Very bottom of Zone 2, or anything in Zone 1.
How high?
90-100+ rpm's.
Why?
Well, one of my early coaches called it a Rinse Ride for a reason.
If we are really doing it correctly,
our legs feel all clean and springy because...
... we rinsed out the crud.
Why else?
- It's good on the brain
- Takes the pressure off, simply relaxing
- Great time to catch up with friends and chat while spinning
How long?
45-90 min seems about right.
The things we think about when we're just spinnin' ez.
---
166.9
8ish hrs Sleep
Just PullUps and PushUps today
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
73
>
EVER HAD THE CRUD BEAT OUT OF YOU, FOR REAL?
GROWING UP, we fought a lot. We were too weak to do much physical damage, but there was plenty of pride and shame on the line. It's not much different now...
... when we race.
If we truly get the crud beat out us by...
- the course
- the competition
- our worse, ourselves
... there is only one question.
Did we really get it beat out of us?
Or, are we destined to get pummeled over and over again because...
... the crud is still there?
Is our diet a joke?
Do our handling skills still stink?
Does our bike squeak and wobble?
'Cause if that crud is still there, then...
... it's not beat out of us.
We've just learned to live with mediocrity...
... and that's just plain cruddy.
---
167.8
8ish hrs Sleep
2 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
74
>
IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER ROAD PEDALS FOR OFFROAD?
WHEN I WAS PRE-RIDING LEADVILLE a while back, the phenom who would shatter the course record floated by me as I labored. He made it look so easy...
... was it the pedals?
99% of MTB racers,
dismount on that course.
There is no way they'd sport road shoes and pedals,
even though they are...
- Lighter
- More aero
- Offer better contact and efficiency
... because once fouled they're VERY difficult to get engaged.
Gravel,
is another deal.
Unless we are pushing the boundaries,
ripping single track,
slaloming sand...
... we're not going to dismount.
The only time would be if crashed,
or unclipped to rutter a turn.
In most gravel races,
that's not likely.
So, should we run the road set up offroad?
I have multiple friends who roll the dice in local XC races...
... and even the long, epic stuff.
It almost always works out great.
Worth the risk?
Up to you.
Worth testing?
100%.
---
167.6
7.5ish hrs Sleep
2 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
74
>
HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TRAINING BIG BLOCKS?
A QUESTION CAME UP LAST NIGHT ON OUR ZOOM CALL. Have you ever trained big training blocks like Keegan Swenson just posted. Good question...
... does it work?
Maybe.
Here's what I can tell you from personal experience.
18 months ago, I was prepping for my insane time goal at Leadville.
I was really committed.
Holed up in Breckinridge all by myself,
for the month prior.
It's easy to be selfish with the time,
when you're by yourself.
The race is in August.
In July, I did..
- 20 hours
- 22 hours
- 25 hours
... a lot more than my normal 10-12 hours a week.
It was very race specific training.
Lots of Zone 2.
Recovery
was key.
I came out of that in awesome shape,
and had the best race
of
my
life.
Does it work for everybody?
I have no idea.
But, I'll definitely do it again when prepping for a once in a life quest.
----
168.9
7.5ish hrs Sleep
2 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
73
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
THINGS TO CHECK FIRST...
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT CAN MAKE OR BREAK a race, the chief being the bike. Bikes don't win races, but they sure can make things a lot harder...
... or a lot easier.
As I went through my checklist, I found a few issues:
- Rear brake pad smoked
- Sealant dried out
- Battery low
It's kinda nice to have brakes that work, especially with a ripping downhill like Saturday's.
The course should be in pretty good shape, but that doesn't mean a small wire or piece of glass couldn't be a day-ender without sealant.
And c'mon...
... ya can't ride these modern bikes without good batteries.
And, I'm not just talking about the derailleur batteries. Many of the shifters have their own small batteries.
I have made the mistake of not checking the shifter batteries.
Heck, I didn't even know about them until the start of the Filthy 50 a couple of years ago. I didn't warm up, just saddled up and headed to the start.
Typically MTB XC start... everybody pinned to get to the single track first...
... I got there last.
Shifter was dead, I was spun out and then spit out.
15 minutes later, with some help from the mechanic on site, I was back at it.
Which is exactly why I came up with the RaceDay Bike Checklist, and made it into a sticker.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-checklist-stickers
For about a year now we've been shipping the stickers out with each RaceDay Bag purchase. They're great for tool boxes and benches.
Here's a link to check 'em out:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-checklist-stickers
----
168.7
8.5ish hrs Sleep
2 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
71
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
THE HEROIC MOVE
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT RACING GOING ON. Locally, regionally, internationally. Sometimes we witness the unfathomable attack from impossibly far out, other times...
... a second or third wind, for the win.
By inches.
We shouldn't be impressed.
I'm mean,
it's cool.
We all cheer.
But the truth is the victory was secured long ago.
When nobody was cheering.
It was dark,
lonely,
cold.
The alarm was more drill sergeant, than fan.
In those moments...
... the heroes make their moves.
If we're lucky,
we witness the results.
---
169.1
9ish hrs sleep
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
72
>
IT'S LIKE THE SUN GOING UP ON ME
40 DEGREES, 80% HUMIDITY ain't nothing. Combine that with a dawn start, the sun hidden behind the hills, and, well, when you're going 20+ mph in your underpants...
... it's bonechilly.
I left the knee warmers behind.
No vest.
No jacket.
Just arm warmers,
a base layer,
skull cap.
It's risky,
we might freeze,
this is how we do it...
... when we know sunny times are ahead.
So are they?
Whether we are enjoying the longer days,
recovering from an injury,
just getting back at it...
... we hope and plan for...
- better fitness
- decreased fatness
- all things to improve
... it's a process.
And, we know it.
Just like the sun coming up,
we imperceptibly rise to the occasion.
That's how today was for me.
Still got dropped,
but made it a little further.
I'll take it.
Here's a snapshot of where things stand.
There's nothing like a good fitness journey.
How's yours going?
---
168.7
8ish hrs sleep
10 Pullups 30 Pushups
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
73 (per training peaks)
>
MY DUMBEST PREDICTION YET
PARIS-ROUBAIX IS SUNDAY. I can't wait. It's always so fun to watch, and such a battle of machine, mind, and bike handling. Lots of drama, and this year...
... is starts before the famed Arenberg Forest.
The forest is always crazy.
Mud.
Cobbles.
A massive battle for the front ensues for those who want the best chance of getting through with the lead group...
... unscathed.
This year, the organizers decide a chicane right before entering the forest would be a good idea.
Less dangerous.
I looked at the layout.
Here's my prediction.
Rather than racing for the forest entrance to avoid carnage...
... they will race to the chicane.
And...
- have plenty of lycra on the pavement.
- or in the barriers
- or both.
... I hope I'm wrong.
Then, we have to wonder, at least I do, what is the point of racing?
Call me crazy, but I think part of it is to show bike handling prowess.
We're still gonna see it with the chicane.
Just seems like a little chicanery...
... to appease, who?
---
169.1
8 hrs sleep
15 Pullups 50 Pushups 40 Shoulder Press... no legs today.
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
69
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
BLOOD. WORK.
DON'T BE LIKE ME. Because I never get sick, I never go to the doctor. Which meant I never had my blood work done. You're too smart for that...
... here's why.
By regularly getting the blood work done, we have a baseline for "our" normal.
I don't have that.
When I had the brain injury a few months ago,
things changed.
The brain is our command center, telling the body what to produce and control and do, etc.
A brain injury often causes issues with how the body is regulated.
Today, we reviewed my blood work which was drawn a few weeks ago.
Some markers are out of range - too high on some, too low on others.
Bad news is...
... I have no reference point of "my" normal.
Could be genetic, could be from the injury.
Good news is...
... we know where I'm at, and have some corrective measures to take.
Bonus, most indicators are positive for my body, and with my overall health.
Dr. Cory King, my functional health doctor from Encinitas, went over it all with me.
Nothing too scary...
... but definitely areas to not ignore.
Things like cholesterol levels, vitamin levels, etc. that can have negative effects if left untreated.
So, we'll chock this up as another blessing from my brain injury.
Regardless of your awesome health.
Find out where you are at,
things can probably be improved.
Consider this a gentle and loving nudge from me to you...
... get the blood work done.
---
169.4
9 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
70
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
CHEAT CODE
HERE'S A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET. Okay, maybe it's not all that dirty but it is secret and fact is it's...
... a cheat code for life.
There's a reason we get out and do our thing.
Sure, it's great to be in shape.
Have that come what may attitude.
Fact is, even though the fitness is great...
... there's something better.
- The problems we solve
- Ideas we come up with
- Freedom to think
We often, nearly always, return...
... renewed.
Ready
To
Kicka$$
Even when,
especially when...
... we've rung out our body's energy supply.
---
169.1
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and pushups
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
70
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
STRUGGLING WITH WEIGHT... TRY NOT
SINCE MY AWESOME START TO THE YEAR, knocking myself out and spending a 5 days in ICU, my metabolism has changed. This is not uncommon, given the standard protocols...
... and now I'm pissed.
I didn't ask for this, and that is not the problem.
I haven't asked for a solution.
I have forgotten my own wisdom.
Well, on the eve of my bday, yesterday, I was asked...
... What do you want?
Get my lycracovered buns back in fighting shape.
I went to bed with a question...
... How do I get back to my normal, leanish self?
I woke up with an answer.
A book recommendation appeared on my Kindle.
Feast., Fast. Fit. by Fred Duncan.
It wasn't new information for me.
Heck, I preach it.
It's worked in the past.
I believe it will work again.
The lesson?
It isn't get on the diet train...
... it's ask the right questions,
and expect answers.
- How can I get lean?
- How can I climb faster?
- How can I stay cool in the blistering heat?
- How can I complete a century without bonking?
- How can I reduce the drag created by my bike and body?
Try not.
Ask or ask not.
---
170.3
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and pushups
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
70
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
THOU SHALT CARE FOR THY HANDS
TAKING CARE OF THE HANDS is importante. Road, is pretty straight forward. So is MTB. Gravel, well, it's got it's own challenges...
... what can we do?
I've seen plenty of ruined hands...
- brutal gripshift blisters
- palms filled with asphalt gravelly stuff
- a thumb's skin pealed from under the nail past the first knuckle
... all of it could have been spared with gloves.
Personally, I prefer very lightweight fullfinger gloves.
But, that ain't gonna help on the gravel bike.
No suspension.
What can we do?
I double wrap my bars with a good soft tape.
- helps with vibration
- displaces pressure points across a wider area
I was reminded of how great this is just last week.
It'd been a while since I'd ridden the roadie, been riding the gravel bike on and off road a ton.
As soon as I got going the bars felt weird.
Sharp.
Oh yeah, the single wrap bar.
It's lighter.
More aero.
But, I'd never go back to a single wrap on the gravel bike.
---
170.5
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pull ups and pushups
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
67
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
WHICH NUMBERS ARE WE CHASING?
THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE between the kinds of numbers some of us focus on putting up. Some chase big power numbers, while others chase small numbers...
... what's the corresponding motivation?
You know.
Are we more interested in the low numbers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd...
... or, increasing our own personal power numbers?
Do we need everybody to see us on the podium...
... or, are we thrilled when we privately snag a new PR?
We can go out to the race,
or we can design our own incredible adventure.
We can train to beat everybody,
or our training can help us live our best lives.
They're not necessarily mutually exclusive,
there are four seasons for a reason.
---
169
8.5 hrs sleep
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
67
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
IS IT TIME TO STOP BINGING?
SATURDAYS ARE MY DAYS. All week long, I look forward to getting up early and rolling out with no particular plan but wasting time via hours in the saddle...
... I call it binge riding.
Not today.
It was raining
When that happens on the 6th day of the week,
my day,
I'm typically grumpy.
This time,
I was looking forward to it.
Why?
Honestly, I'd been binge riding too much.
Too many days in a row spent
slipping out after work
staying out too long...
... the time change being my enabler.
I was unconsciously due for a break.
Some call it overtrained...
... overbinged is more accurate,
for me.
---
168.2
7.5 hrs sleep
Lots of pull ups, pushups and squats.
10 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
68
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
THE OL' WHAT IF YOU KNEW...
THESE TWO PUNKS SHOWED UP TO MY HOUSE, and dragged their dear ol' dad out for his favorite thing. Riding MTBs with them...
... that wasn't the best part.
Sure, it was fun to keep up with 'em.
Mostly.
Then, completely overdoing it at Cheesecake factory.
The best part was dropping by the Audi store...
... and hotrodding around in a $70k RS3.
So.
Dang.
Fast!
It's good to get in the dream car, and throw it around some corners...
... to keep the dreams alive.
But, what if it wasn't a dream.
What if...
... you knew you could PR any segment, win any race?
What would it be?
If we don't know,
can't quickly answer the question..
... likely not going to happen.
But,
what
if
we
knew...
... then,
what would we do with today's training?
---
1680
7.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
69
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
JUST BECAUSE IT'S FREE MEANS...
SO MUCH INFORMATION, and so much of it free. Free is a weird price, because we know it's gonna cost time and there's probably...
... an ask down the road.
Don't be fooled.
Sometimes the really expensive stuff is great,
sometimes it's terrible.
Same for free.
Price is a signal.
Should we be swayed?
I recently got an offer to save 30% on a $6000 frame.
6K!!!...
... must be awesome.
Maybe.
But, how do we know?
Really?
The glossy magazine ad?
The pro riding it to a win?
It can be frustrating.
When it comes right down to it, most of us...
... are swayed by our friends' reviews.
Like these -> https://pedalindustries.com/pages/reviews...
... which I'm extremely grateful for.
---
168.3
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
69
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
DOES YOUR DOG BITE?
THE GREAT INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU encounter with a dog is classic. The dog is off leash, he asks Does your dog bite? The answer is, No. He bends to pet the dog...
... only to have the dog viciously latch on to his hand!
I thought you said your dog does not bite?
That is not my dog.
I thought about that since Surfergirl has...
- demanded
- pleaded
- asked
... that I let her track me on my rides.
I feel like a dog on a leash.
The Jason Bourne in me wants none of that.
There's nothing to hide,
when I ride.
But, really?
She does have a point.
I often venture into the wild.
Signs with warnings of mountain lions and snakes about.
Trails are often treacherous to the bike,
and potentially me.
Humans few and far between.
If, if, if I should need a rescue,
which I never have...
... I'll just need two things.
A cell signal...
... and a friend who cares.
It's kinda romantic when ya think about it,
guess we're doing all right.
---
168.2
8ish hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
69
Do you want to Rip On Raceday?
>
BLUE PRINT FOR ASPIRING RACERS
Jul 02, 2023 TODD BROWN
HERE IS MY BLUE PRINT FOR RADICAL CHANGE. It's worked for me, for numerous grateful readers, it might work for you but you'll scoff...
... because it's not conventional.
Instead, you'll keep focusing on more miles and gadgets.
For those seeking real change,
here is the daily practice:
- Review your 'A' race on your calendar
- Record your rides
- Weigh yourself first thing
- Record hours slept
- Do Pull Ups
- Do Push Ups
- Do Squats
- Read transformational works, in paper form, min 30 minutes
- Journal, min 30 minutes
- Stretch and massage
- Eat whole foods
- Drink enough
- No alcohol
- No bread
- No soda
- No sugar
Which is the most important daily practice?
The most impactful?
I'll give you a hint.
In fact, I'll bet my bottom bracket you think...
... reading and journaling are a waste of time.
---
165.7
8 hrs
PushUps and PullUps
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE 3 PHASES OF A RACER'S LIFE
Jul 01, 2023 TODD BROWN
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?! The young guys are slowing down, the old guys are speeding up. Does this prove my point in the folly...
... of trinket and KOM chasing?
Here are a few examples:
- UK Luke skips the hardest part of the climb,
- Bonifast only rips 1 of my legs off,
- The old fossil Mark drops me.
Then this dawned on me...
- BK
- DK
- AK
... the 3 phases of a racer's life.
Before Kids, the youthful are nothing but merciless marauders on every ride. They're always improving, recovering in no time...
... living the life of Riley.
During Kids, things settle down and responsibilities expand, crowding out training time. With the right juggling...
... they sneak out to turn the cranks a bit.
After Kids, with a little luck and determination, these same racers find themselves with extra time and often a little extra coin...
... to put into rejuvenatiing their parentbods.
Here's the thing.
Regardless of where we find ourselves, only we know where we are and where we need to be...
... and we have no idea the commitments, responsibilities and burdens of others.
So, for all you DKrs...
... do your best and forget the rest.
---
165.8
7.5 hrs
PushUps and PullUps
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
TOMORROW SHOULD BE A DANDY
Jun 30, 2023 TODD BROWN
WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF CHARACTERS committed to a little adventure. Some new, some regulars. The regulars will appreciate the deleted 20 minute climb...
... on the way to the weekly slaying.
The new and uninitiated will wonder why so easy.
Well, I'll tell ya why...
About 30 miles in, the heat will turn up,
and like the frog in the fryer failing to perceive danger,
a good chunk of this merry band of pedaling fools is gonna be cooked.
... that's why.
Then, the question will likely return to...
Why the heck did I join these guys?
How do I get back home?
Will I ever recover?
... but, I like these questions better...
Did I PR any of it?
How do I get faster?
When can we do it again?
... because it ain't about winnin'
it's about gittin' better.
---
167
7 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
TWO OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE NUTRITION HACK VIDEOS
Jun 29, 2023 TODD BROWN
I LOVE YOUTUBE. I learn so much there. Why kids still go to school escapes me, when there is so much free and awesome content...
... like these two videos.
It's important to watch them in their entirety and in order.
One is from the 70's and is still timeless in its wisdom and wit. With a very deep dive into the uselessness of willpower and the overwhelming importance of the right friends.
The other is a very snappy take on how to get your protein to calories number and easily manage the input while still eating dessert from one of my favorite entrepreneurs.
Remember, this one first...
... all the way through.
What's more important...
... willpower or proper environment?
How do you friends stack up?
Then, and only then...
... this one.
Do you have a formula...
... that is this clear and simple?
Here are some of my protein staples:
---
166.2
7.3 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
TWO REASON TO DO TWOADAYS
Jun 28, 2023 TODD BROWN
YESTERDAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE I rode two times. Once in the morning, once in the evening. Among the several reason to do so...
... these are the top of my list.
I had a race.
Reason number one then, is any time there is a less than 60 minute effort in the latter part of the day, it's beneficial to get out for an hour or so in the morning...
... it really helps loosen up the body and flush out the legs.
In my case, I had a blistering XC race on tap.
Normally, I would warm up for an hour or so before the race. But, with the hour of very easy spinning already, my pre-race warm up was cut to about 25 minutes.
And, I felt great.
The other reason to do a twoaday is because, and this could be a myth, but I like it so I'm going with it, placebo or not...
... the body generates HGH each time we work out.
So, while yesterday was an oddity in that I rode twice, I do a lot of twoadays...
- Crosstraining in the morning, ride in the afternoon
- Paddlesurf in the morning, ride in the afternoon
- Ride in the mornining, surf in the evening
- Run in the morning, ride in the afternoon
... I post most of it on Starva, check it it you like.
It's working for me,
might work for you.
---
165.9
7 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THAT'S A WRAP
Jun 27, 2023 TODD BROWN
THE WEEKLY MTB SERIES IS CONCLUDED. Each week was a battle, and I really enjoyed the closeness of the racing. Even as Coxy beat us race after race...
... he was so gracious it didn't sting.
How are some competitors so easy in their wins, as well as their defeats?
Is it perspective?
Is it easier because they are winning?
Is it because they've been on the receiving end of a rude winner?
Do you know why it's so impressive?
Because the only way to make it to the top is to be a killer,
a merciless marauder,
a soul crusher...
... and they keep that to themselves.
Win or lose.
---
164.5
7.5 hrs
PushUps and PullUps
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH EVENTS
Jun 26, 2023 TODD BROWN
I LOVE GOING TO EVENTS, especially the ones we sponsor. To get there early and set up the canopy and chairs and stickers and a few samples...
... is the second best.
The best is leaving all that behind.
Yep, if you see the van, the canopy it's highly likely you won't see us.
We're out riding.
Racing.
Banging bars with our friends and frenemies, ripping the trails and carving the tarmac...
... that is the best.
That's where the ideas come from,
the friendships deepen,
things get done.
So, why sponsor the event?
Well...
great parking,
great place to hang out,
great to help these dern promoters do their thang,
... oh, and "free" race entries.
See at the racing,
but probs not the canopy.
---
163.8
8.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
REVIEWS
Jun 25, 2023 TODD BROWN
REVIEWS CAN BE WEIRD, in particular the negative ones. I used to think I was just overly sensitive for the occasional negative product review I receive...
... then, this happened.
In narrowing my selection for my book club, I thought I better read the reviews.
I'd settled on 10x Is Easier Than 2x.
Most of the reviews were 5 Stars, confirming my own impressions of the message and lessons being conveyed.
It was the 1 and 2 Star reviews where things got funky...
Did they even read the book?
Why was it so difficult to accept certain examples?
... then I realized it's the same with the rare negative review we get.
Check this recent review...
Bag is too large.
... which is funny because while I'm reading his review I see he orders the smallest size, the Classic.
I mean bro..
... we have size charts and videos all over the site.
What's the point of all this?
While many negative reviews are legit and can positively contribute to product development...
... some are lazy, with an axe to grind.
Which begs the question...
... How often do I dismiss a person, product or experience as lacking when I have been lazy or blinded by prejudice?
---
167
8.5 hrs
No strength work
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS A THING.
Jun 24, 2023 TODD BROWN
THIS IS A WEIRD ONE. We were having a discussion about the various exercises I've incorporated in the last year and the neuromuscular connection to my dramatically reactivated pedal stroke. Turns out...
... 50% of the cycling world thinks it's a waste.
Now how could that be?
Is it that 50% doesn't no jackshift about pedaling?
You know who I'm taking about right, the stabbers. The people you show a one-legged drill to and they have a massive deadspot in their pedal stroke.
Apparently, and this is hard for me to believe...
... this group is 100% convinced there is zero (0) benefit to applying pressure all the way around.
Let me hearken back to the time I paid the renowned and great Joe Friel to fly out and speak to a group of about 300 cyclists and kick off the year.
Half way through his presentation he busts out these very unusual charts which show incremental improvements in efficiency the more a rider was able to deliver power all the way around the pedal stroke.
Each one seemed negligible.
But, taken together the measured improvement was anywhere from 1-8%.
Anyway, if you want a quick check on this...
... get on a flat road, in your easiest gear, and unclip one foot.
If you can't pedal all the way around, smoothly, for a long time...
... you might have a problem.
Which brings me back to today.
Unbelievably to me, I managed to PR a climb I've done a million times.
Yes, I was hanging on for dearlife as we started,
Yes, I was popped about 75% up...
... yes, I stayed seated and relaxed and felt those hammies and ankles FIRING!
Oh, what are the exercises?
Take the Challenge to find out.
---
165.5
7ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
I'M NOT HERE TO CODDLE YOU
Jun 23, 2023 TODD BROWN
I WAS RECENTLY LISTENING TO A GROUP OF GUYS AND GALS I love and respect report on their training. To me it sounded like they are dumbing down what...
... they agreed to be held accountable to.
Here is my message to them (and you).
As you tailor your metrics, be sure you aren’t holding the bar low. We are here to be stretched, not coddled.
For example, my minimum is 5 pull ups, 15 pushups, 3 squats every day – often 2-3 times more. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday… I run 1 mile, and do the whole Rip On RaceDay circuit which adds: sled, nodics, hip flexors, box jumps, toe raises, calf raises… and other things I think up. Recently, I added the running because I feel everybody should be able to easily jog a mile without feeling like they’ve been in a car wreck the next day.
Here’s what I’ve found.
Doing the minimum daily makes it normal.
What was once a major stretch becomes the baseline,
it’s no harder than walking up a flight of stairs.
It is so powerful to always have an A race to look forward to.
Right now, I have two: one in September of this year, and the other in August of 2032. If you don't have an A race, find one and sink your teeth into it.
Otherwise asking this question makes no sense…
… Will this make me faster?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
164.9
7 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Crossfit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
HOW OFTEN DO YOU ASK THIS QUESTION?
Jun 22, 2023 TODD BROWN
I CAME ACROSS A QUESTION so powerful and clear it startled me. Not because I had never asked it...
... but, that I don't ask it enough.
It's a game changer.
The British Rowing Team put it into practice for the 2012 Olympics. Prior to that, they hadn't won a gold medal in nearly 100 years.
They used this filter to judge the worthiness of every action, every day.
Will it make the boat faster?
or, for us...
Will it make the bike faster?
Simple.
There's obviously the bike itself and it's many parts,
then the person piloting the bike,
their food and drink choices,
their home environment,
their social lives,
their recovery,
etc.
The closer we get to an 'A' race the more we need to ask it. Then again, every day is raceday...
... how we race reflects how we prep.
Well, will it?
---
164.8
7.5 hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats
60 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ARE YOU DOING THIS ON PURPOSE?
Jun 21, 2023 TODD BROWN
I SURE THE HECK HOPE YOU AREN'T DOING THIS for the wrong reasons. There are so many, fortunately there are...
... just as many right reasons.
But, let me tell you the biggest wrong reason.
The number one, No. 1, biggest, hugest, ugliest reason is to win some silly trinket.
Take last night for example.
I had an incredible race, and a massive breakthrough...
... I also, got whacked on the final climb by Tommy.
For the first time all series I felt really good. In fact, I PR'd the climb which I've done 19 times prior according to Starva...
... and I felt totally in control doing it.
Plus I had the big breakthrough, and I think I've discovered why I have struggled a few times this season.
I was racking my helmet holder.
What was different? What has changed? Why did I feel like I couldn't breathe? Why was tonight so veryvery good?
The weeks I have felt just awful and battled to finish were the same weeks we were tasked with caring for the granddog. I think it's extremely likely I've developed some sort allergy to dogs...
... and this dog is a massive shedder.
Kids are gonna be sad,
but, dad very glad.
Here's the problem with trinket chasing...
... it's never enough, and is often a killer of mental health.
If winning had been paramount, it's highly like I would have missed so many good things on the evening...
- PRd the climb
- Figured out the breathing issue
- Made some really good biz connections in the vendor area, teams needing new gear
- Plus, might have found the perfect fit for a position I've been looking to fill
... there's a secret though.
Rather than look at the trinket that was missed...
... look backwards and see all that was accomplished.
I can see I'm slightly off track here because I'm not listing a few of the reasons to go to the races, beyond the podium climbing...
... which is always a bonus.
Here are a few of the reason I show up to race...
- Stay in shape which has allowed me to play with my kids and be most effective at work
- Develop friendships and bond with dudes - we need this
- Get outside and enjoy nature
- Go some place different
- Learn how to maintain and operate something in the physical world
- Scare the crud out of myself from time to time
- Savor the experience of finishing something huge
... don't let trinkets be your purpose, they are a byproduct at best.
Yes, I display and talk about them but that's mainly so y'all don't think I'm completely full of shiz...
... which reminds me of a troll I once had.
He paid me the highest compliment.
I'd gotten so good, so fit, so fast...
... he accused me of cheating.
Now, that is high praise.
Not that I'm into that.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
Wanna hang out with some cool peeps?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
165.8
7 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Crossfit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
'A' RACE SECRET NO. 7
Jun 20, 2023 TODD BROWN
IS THE NUMBER 7 REALLY LUCKY? Is this really Secret No. 7? These questions and others will be answered...
... will you take action?
I'm not into luck.
Luck is for the unprepared.
7, in scripture, signifies perfection or completion.
I am into that.
But, here's the dirty little secret.
The races we pick determine the racers we become,
the training we do,
skills we master.
If I want to become the most complete racer possible,
I must pick the most challenging race.
Then commit to be ready to rip.
Numbers aren't lucky,
people seem lucky when in reality they are prepared.
By the way,
this is the seventh secret I've dropped in the last 7 days.
---
166.2
7.5 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups only
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THE MAGIC MICHELANGELO TRAINING TECHNIQUE
Jun 19, 2023 TODD BROWN
I SPENT MY FIRST SUMMER AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, working for a tour company. As the advance scout, I would take a train to a day early and make sure accommodations were in order...
... then, read up on local attractions.
That is where I learned one of the greatest secrets of life.
In Italy.
Reading The Agony and The Ecstasy,
a biography of the great Michaelangelo.
I was fascinated,
then blown away.
I apply this secret to this day.
While carving the most impressive 17 foot tall statue called The David, which was one of his first projects, he described his method:
The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.
Imagine that.
Really.
When it comes to prepping for races or building a company or caring for friends and family...
... what can we chisel away?
There's the obvious few (many) extra pounds around the waist,
the few upgrades we might make to the bike.
What about time on social media, watching shows or surfing the web?
Unnecessary relationship drama at home or work?
Time spent making food vs a quick trip to Chipotle?
A home gym vs driving to the gym?
Work meetings for no reason, starting late, running over?
A checklist vs prepping from scratch each race?
A clean and pristine drivetrain vs debris and drag?
A proper bike fit for maximum efficiency?
Stocked up on special race nutrition vs running around at the last second?
Early travel plans for savings and most restful accommodations?
Early morning training vs the often uncontrollable late day training times?
Still reading?
Let's take it up another level.
Some might call this repentance, ceasing to do things that hold us back from being nearer to what we want...
... be that God or the finish line.
Think of it as ascension vs giving something up...
... isn't that the point of creating our next masterpiece anyway?
---
166?
7ish hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IS IT REALLY ALL ABOUT BALANCE?
Jun 18, 2023 TODD BROWN
WE USED TO LEARN TO RIDE TWOWHEELERS by starting with training wheels...
... that turned out to be a bad idea.
The training wheels were essentially a crutch, keeping us from learning about balance.
Now kids as young as 2 learn to balance and coast on a bike with no pedals.
Once they learn to balance we can add complexity like pedals and brakes.
Ditch the training wheels.
Keep it simple.
Balanced.
---
166.3
7.5ish hrs
No strength work
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE NUMBER 1 REASON TO CUT THE RIDE SHORT
Jun 17, 2023 TODD BROWN
YEARS AGO, nearly all my rides ended early. Even on the weekends, I'd head out early and be back by 830 or 9...
... because I had another ride to do.
These were the best rides,
with my best riders.
We lived right next to this beautiful canyon, with a pristine singletrack.
followed by a mile or so fire road climb,
and a ripping, bermy, flowy ride
to the bottom.
The best 5 mile loop for these little troopers, ever.
It started with a bolt on half-bike thingy and our oldest.
Then we got ahold of some tiny cranks and a bottom bracket that allowed him to ride and pedal on the back of the tandem, with our second son bolted onto the back of that on the half-bike thingy.
I loved it.
They loved it.
It was a heckuva workout for me,
with them doing what the could when I really need Full Power!
26 years ago today, the sassy little sister joined the party...
... which is why I needed to cut the ride short this morning.
We're all gettin' together from her bday and Father's Day, at the beach.
The bike riding didn't really take hold...
... but, getting outside and doing fun things sure did.
---
165.3
7.3ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
BUT, SERIOUSLY...
Jun 16, 2023 TODD BROWN
IT'S JUST A SPORT, a passion, a hobby. Consequently, a lot of times we don't take ourselves seriously...
... when we could.
Look back a few years, to that first bike ride.
Slow.
Dorky.
Not good.
Look at you now.
Much better.
Faster.
Or maybe back to slow?
Here's the dill.
When we look back and see where we've come from vs where we are now...
... it's obvious we've improved.
We did something.
Take stock of that, then ask...
... who can help me take the next leap forward?
I did just that today.
Thinking about my commitment for Marathon Nats, I realized I'm going to need to take my fitness up a notch.
Quickly.
So, I hired a coach,
someone who knows more than me,
who can teach me something I don't know...
... quicker than I'd learn it on my own.
Seriously,
time is short.
Who is the missing piece of your puzzle?
---
165.1
7.2ish hrs
Full RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT A GREAT DAY!
Jun 15, 2023 TODD BROWN
A DAY IN MY LIFE.
Get up to factory to review new prototype jerseys, bibs, tech t's and base layers with our new pattern maker.
We're close.
But, I'm picky.
And, she's pickier.
It's take much, much longer than anticipated to develop these new patterns...
... and I think we are a week or two from our final revision.
From there, I hustled home to do a podcast with Tom Danielson.
What a story.
Scrawny kid,
rips on a mountain bike,
switches to road as a climbing specialist,
races at the highest levels all the way to the Tour de France...
... falls from grace.
Regroups.
Rebuilds.
... fall again and crashes and burns.
Regroups.
Builds something new.
From nothing.
Amazing.
I had no idea the depth, breadth and details we'd cover.
Popped on my kit,
barely caught up to the fellas,
got shot out the back to do some purposeful Zone 2.
Quick shower.
Jump on our Alliance call, where this gold is dropped by Kyle.
Marty, you mentioned you still get anxious and nervous before a race even after doing 1000s of races.
Yeah.
I'm an anesthesiologist and early on I mentioned to my mentor that putting kids under made me really nervous...
... he told me, Good, if that ever stops it's time to quit.
I tell ya, it was a truly great day.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
164.4
7ish hrs
PushUps PullUps Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
6- minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
MY WOMAN MEETS MY OTHER WOMEN
Jun 14, 2023 TODD BROWN
WE'VE BEEN THREATENING TO DO THIS, get our other women together and see how things go. You know jump on...
... the trending societal debauchery.
Tonight was the night where Surfergirl found out my other woman...
... is a man with a bike.
Kidding aside.
I put out a text the DRTY WDNSDY crew,
Susie is making tacos after the ride.
Here's the thing.
We spend all this time riding together,
talking about work, kids, life,
the good, the trials,
dude bonding.
We need it.
Too few of our contemporaries have any kind of male only interaction. Dude loneliness is a thing, and for some can be a killer. In that sense, we are extremely fortunate.
While we know each other so well,
our partners only know of us...
And, I reckon more than a few have wondered...
... Who the heck is he spending so much time with?!
So, to finally get together and put faces with stories it can be an amazing experience for everybody because truth be told most of us are...
... riding with incredible human beings.
---
164.8
7 hrs
Full RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ZONING OUT
Jun 13, 2023 TODD BROWN
ZONE 2 TRAINING HAS BECOME ESSENTIAL TO ME. There is nothing better to build a huge cardio engine...
... but that is only the half of it.
Nearly all of my zone 2 training is alone.
Like most, my schedule can get hectic, and it is a challenge to meet others for a session more than once or twice a week...
... so, it's just me.
Not only am I riding in solitude, but the majority of the rides are off-road, in nature. Or, off the highway on a bike path.
Here is where I tap into the superpower of zone 2...
... and maybe you do the same.
I noticed it long ago, when a certain infamous champion dominated cycling's collective consciousness. As I rode along, I imagined I was him. My posture changed, my cadence changed, my thoughts were elevated to those of a champion.
Years later, I realize zone 2 can be a meditative workout.
Far from the distractions of life, I am with my thoughts. Sometimes, for sure, I am envisioning a great outcome on the bike. Reviewing what I'll do in preparation, and how I will perform at a given time...
..., but, that's not all.
I take this time to imagine all areas of life having the outcomes I desire. My marriage, our kids and grandkids. Our long-term physical and spiritual health. The people I serve. And, most definitely, where PEDALindustries is headed.
That is how I do zone 2 training...
... how about you?
---
165.4
7.3 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE GEARS
Jun 12, 2023 TODD BROWN
IT'S PROBABLY NOT NEW TO YOU, but I was stunned to see this. Right before my very eyes, binge watching...
... the Tour de France.
Have you seen it?
On Netflix?
We sat down for the first episode, with steak and veggies.
The initial scenes are incredible.
And suddenly I'm thinking, maybe just maybe, my friends and family will finally get it...
... why I'm so crazy for this sport.
The insane technology,
incredible athletes,
massive danger,
fans so close,
this is it.
Maybe.
Maybe they'll be drawn in.
Because, how cool would it be to get a whole bunch more friends and family out riding, and dreaming of...
... going that fast,
being that good,
on two wheels.
---
164.8
7.5 hrs
Circuit training
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SO TAKE MY STRONG ADVICE
Jun 11, 2023 TODD BROWN
YA KNOW, it's a shame I have to be reminded of this every year or so. But, here it is very late spring, and the signs couldn't be more clear...
... there's evil creeping in the woods.
It's unseen,
unless you slow down.
But, who has time for that?
While we were out ripping it up on DRTY WDNSDY the evil was doing it's thing...
... wrapping around my arms and legs.
Painless.
Without a trace.
Until last night when I awoke in misery.
My right arm got it the worst.
Everything from sleeve to glove is inflamed, in a weird rhino-skin way.
So, here are my top 2 remedies.
- If you suspect in the slightest, use Tecnu immediately after returning from a ride.
- If you've blown it, like I have, Ivarest is great at knocking back the urge...
... to rip the skin off your body.
Roadies, you got nothing to worry about.
Gravelers, maybe a teeny chance if you poach singletrack.
Mountainbikes below 5000' in moist, shady areas like the bottom of our trail network...
... beware, and take care.
It ain't called Poison Ivy for nothing.
---
166.2
8.5 hrs
No strength work
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HOW HARD WAS THIS WORK OUT?
Jun 10, 2023 TODD BROWN
SINGING ANDY came up for some MTB fun this morning. An outstanding road racer and accomplished runner, he's found a new focus...
... offroad triathlon, Xterra.
Today's mission: have some fun.
The heavy mist provided amazing traction, zero dust...
... and 3D printed our legs and bikes with mud.
Since he's at the end of a big training block, and I'm starting to lay base for my September showdown neither of us was looking to push too hard...
... but, what do you make of that pic of my BPM up there?
We had done a number of steep pitches...
... however, nothing to warrant 225 BPM.
Yes, I know, the ongoing saga of my Wahoo device.
I looked at Andy's bike.
No bike computer?
Nah, I don't measure anything any more.
Nothing?
Only on my road bike, when I do intervals, I track power.
No Strava?
Not for 4 years.
No heart rate monitor?
I'm pretty sure it's still beating.
Hmmm...
Yeah, I just like to ride on feel and be in the moment.
I can respect that.
Especially given the worthless data I was receiving.
The Apple watch came through with HR data, but it always records about 10% less vertical than the Wahoo.
Which is correct?
Does it matter?
Or, would we all be better off riding on feel and in the moment like Singing Andy?
---
Afterwards, I caught myself in the mirror on the way to the shower. It wasn't good.
I thought my gloves were tucked stowed in my jersey, I often throw them up there post ride...
... that little pooch in front of my jersey wasn't my gloves!
Time to face reality...
... I've let something slid on the meal plan and it's gathering in plain sight.
As much as I assure myself my current weight trend is from all weights, I now 100% sure it's not.
---
166.4
7.5 hrs
PushUps and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
A TOUR DE FRANCE PREDICTION
Jun 09, 2023 TODD BROWN
LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME, I predicted the The Vampire (aka Jonas Vingegaard) would win the Tour. My logic was simple...
... he was making his team captain Roglic look old and slow.
You can read about it here.
So, what about this year?
First off, I'm excited as heck to see my favorite mountain biker in action...
... Pidcock is so fun to watch.
There's a lot of hype around his descending skills, deservedly so. He's so hard to classify as a racer, extremely aggressive...
... and supremely confident.
Wout, Mathieu, Remco all race like that.
As if they've just escaped from jail and they ain't going back.
Then there's Tadej.
He's currently recovering from a broken wrist.
However, that won't be driving him.
He's coming for redemption.
He was embarrassed.
If you think this year's exploits in the Classics were to focus on something else besides the Tour, I'd guess you're wrong. In my eyes, those peloton stomping wins were much more...
... a show of force, shock and awe.
Is the vampire rattled?
Judging by his performance so far at the Dauphine, I'd say nope.
Should he be?
Definitely.
No Roglic to misdirect the competition.
Kuss just rode the Giro and could be weaker than last year.
It's early, it's risky...
... it's gonna be Tadej.
There.
I said it.
Who are you picking?
---
164.2
7ish hrs
No strength workout
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
MY SECRET ALLIANCE
Jun 08, 2023 TODD BROWN
I HAVE THIS CORE GROUP OF ATHLETES I meet with once a week on Zoom. In the beginning, it was simply to hold each other accountable. Six months in...
... it's become a trusted group of advisors and motivators.
If you're like me, very few people can relate to what I want to accomplish.
Why do you want to do that?
Ugh... I hate that question.
Is it to make me feel guilty?
Is it because I'm making them look bad?
Or, maybe it's just jealousy that I have something I'm passionate about.
Personally, I just want to go for it.
Simple as that.
I want to.
Which is what makes my alliance so invaluable.
They all get it because they are on a similar quest.
We ask why, so that we know how to support each other.
We ask how, and we get gold from the group.
We ask when, to cheer each other on.
Each week, we check in and update each other on our progress on and off the bike, our challenges, our races, our PRs, etc...
... and I love it.
I hope you have something like that in your life.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
If not, check this out.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-alliance
---
164
8ish hrs
Push Ups, Pull Ups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
THE INFINITE RACE
Jun 07, 2023 TODD BROWN
LAST NIGHT WAS A CLOSE ONE. Pre-riding part of the course, my chain was skipping a bit. Can't have that racing...
... luckily, my local bike shop was there.
So, I cut my pre-ride short figuring the course was unchanged from the previous week.
Big mistake.
(Note: this is why I highly, highly recommend supporting the local shop)
The other mistake, as The Coathanger pointed out, was not dialing in my bike before showing up.
Hey, I saw your bike hanging up and being wrenched on.
Yeah, chain is skipping.
Aren't you supposed to be raceday ready?
Yes, I am.
Don't you make a checklist for having the bike ready on raceday?
Yes, I do.
Well?
Well... shift happens.
Anyway, we line up to race and within about 3 minutes we've nearly caught the wave that stared 30 seconds ahead of us and as 3 of my competitors gap me with ease...
... I'm thinking Why the heck do I sign up for this torture?!!
My breathing is so loud and laborious, even I'm concerned.
Fortunately, along with my derailer not working well my Wahoo HRM wasn't working either.
Let the records show that both of these devices were working fine the day before.
If I'd been about to see the HR recorded by my back up Apple Watch, I probably would have quit.
It was really hard.
Towards the top, I made up a bit of ground and while the leaders were being held up a bit by slower traffic on the single track return to the bottom, I was able to connect once we hit the pavement.
Remember how I skipped riding all of the course?
Yeah, well, if I had, I would have known to be first into the final single track, which we haven't ridden all year.
It's not that hard.
But, it does have some very steep and tight turns that must be attacked with power...
... the kind of turns that can get in your head.
Sure enough, the rider in front of me misses the last 180 and we all have to dismount.
Ugh.
Winding around to hit the big hill for the second and final time, I'm feeling a little better.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I pulled away from the fellas and established a big enough gap by the bottom to comfortably ride away.
The point is this.
Sometimes, I (we?) just want to quit.
It hurts.
I'm tired of suffering.
Inevitably, at least for me, I almost always start to feel good.
As the great Mike Tyson famously said...
... Everybody's got a plan until the get punched in the face (gapped off the back.)
The thing is though, while the pain is real, it's not infinite...
pushing through,
giving it our all,
persevering,
... is what we do, and who we are.
It doesn't always work out, that we catch back on or feel better. Sometimes we just get shelled and do the ride of shame back to the start line.
You know what would be a real shame?
To never go back,
to stop clawing and battling,
to never chase another outrageous PR.
The real race is the infinite one, against ourselves.
---
164.7
6.8 hrs
RaceDay Ready Circuit Training and Run
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
DRAFT OR BOTTLE?
Jun 06, 2023 TODD BROWN
HAD A RACER PING ME and let me know he'd beat anybody, anytime, anywhere. He'd put up $500, cash. He just had one requirement...
... no drafting.
Then asked me my thoughts,
poor soul.
They are many.
- He would lose to any pro male, and most pro women.
- Drafting requires a level of skill and cunning, I personally enjoy.
- Drafting is important in decreasing order:
- BMX
- Road
- Gravel
- Mountain
- Time trialing.
- Don't wish things were different, with you were better.
So rather than bottle up that angst,
go for something where drafting matters less, or not at all.
MTB
or, TT
Prove it.
Now, I really like this cat. He has sent me a number of emails over the years...
... I hope he is encouraged to go for it.
Winning a Cat 1 race in either of those would be a truly massive feat.
I hope he does it.
I hope he rips it up,
climbs to the top step,
and claims the all elusive Gold medal.
That would be rad...
... then, we can find a pro who he can give $500 to.
If you're still reading brother,
I send this in love and as a challenge.
Let me know.
Meanwhile, I'll be finishing at to top of my age group tonight...
... 15+% slower than the pros.
---
165.2
7.5 hrs
PushUps and Pull Ups
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
VISION PROBLEMS?
Jun 05, 2023 TODD BROWN
ALLRIGHTY KIDS, you may be having the same challenge I am. Oddly, and this is happening on and off the bike, I have found myself challenged...
... to look far ahead.
That's a problem if you're trying to go fast.
For some inexplicable reason, I am having to really force myself to keep my eyes up...
... searching for the next turn or obstacle.
Instead, I find myself rather myopic (kids, that means only seeing what's right in front of me.)
The result is instead of being in a state of flow, I often find myself being reactive and overly cautious.
Do I need glasses?
Mmmmmaybe.
But, I don't think so.
In fact, after a deep dive into 10X Is Easier Than 2X, I'm convinced my vision has just gotten lazy on the bike.
Lazy?
Maybe not the right word.
Bad habits?
It could be I've been doing more road riding and it is so easy to just focus on staying glued to the wheel I'm drafting off.
In the 10X Book, Dan and Ben propose that by focusing on 10X goals our mind will develop the pathways to get us there.
Rather than looking far down the trail and having the faith my body will fill in the gaps...
... which is what it does when I'm in a state of flow,
when the stakes are sky high...
... I'm looking only a few feet ahead.
This puts me in a much more reactive state when ripping, far from flow. Much more of...
... a state of Oh, shift!
Not good.
Slow.
Not joyful.
Danger.
Where I should be loose and attacking,
I'm tense,
rigid.
The only cure I can think of is to get out on the trails more,
and go a lot faster than I've been going lately...
... because going 10 times faster,
used to feel a whole lot easier.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
One of the secrets to going faster is...
... expecting good things to happen.
I talk about this in Chapter 4.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
---
165.8
8 hrs
RaceDay Ready Strength Work
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
IT'S NOT AN 'A' RACE IF...
Jun 04, 2023 TODD BROWN
AS RACERS AND ATHLETES, the 'A' race is our north star. Everything we are doing is aligned to achieve a specific result. To be truly powerful...
... 'A' races are something we have never done.
Doing LoToJa for the 'nth time is not an A race...
going for a PR is,
arriving at a never before race-weight is,
completing it when life derailed nearly all training plans is,
shooting for the podium after being pack fodder for years and years is...
... if it isn't scary, it's not an A race.
It's just a race that will B nice to do and allow us to C our friends
Which is fine, but hardly a north star by which all decisions are going to be weighed against...
... is this going to help or hinder the A race?
In that light, most us fail.
Me, especially.
We plan poorly,
make up excuses,
create unrealistic fears,
anything to keep us from facing the fact...
... we are scared shiftless.
Recently, I was talking myself out of going to USA Cycling's MTB Marathon Nationals...
- It's so far away.
- I hate flying (I really do)
- Work is so busy that time of year
- It's gonna cost a ton
- ... on an on.
... What a freakin' baby (I'd say pussy but I know that offends a lot of people, but that's what I was thinking. What a freakin' pussy to come up with all these excuses when it's been on my bucket list for years to go and to win.)
You know the difference between an A race and a B and a C?
Courage.
Because we don't know how we're gonna do it.
We've never done it.
It's impossible.
There is a secret, however.
It starts with Registration.
Just because we can't fathom the outcome we want to achieve,
doesn't mean it's unachievable.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
If you've read my book, which apparently I need to read again for a kick in the bibs...
... then you know Registration is where the magic begins.
And, until that happens we are only fooling ourselves.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-way-of-the-racer
---
165.8
8.2 hrs
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
I THINK I'VE BLOWN IT
Jun 03, 2023 TODD BROWN
ON THE VERY FIRST BABY CLIMB, I suspected I was in trouble. 2 hours later, when riders from all parts met up, I received confirmation...
Bro, you're overtrained.
I was shot right out the back 2/3s up a power climb...
... the lonely ride of shame ensued.
Dangit!
I knew it'd be risky, this little plan o' mine to put in a big training block during our racing break in order to up my fitness a bit.
5 out of 8 days, hitting it hard...
Saturday
Sunday off
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday exhausted, skipped the ride
Friday, very easy
Saturday
... plus weights, Mon-Wed and Fri.
Now, what to do in the next 72 hours?
- Get plenty of sleep - I've struggled a bit lately by adding an early morning commitment, but I think my rhythm is coming around.
- Hypvolt and stretch daily.
- Recovery walk tomorrow.
- Monk-like on the diet.
- Easy spin Monday...
... with any luck, I'll feel better.
We have 4 races left.
My plan, going forward, is back to back hard days with race Tuesday, hard MTB Wednesday...
... then lots of zone 2.
Ideally, the last 3 races I'll be feeling really good.
We'll see.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
At least I was looking good with these superlight gloves to match my kit above...
... we have lots of colors and did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
Nothing like matching gloves to make the kit look slick.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
163.9
6.8 hrs (no bueno)
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE POWER OF A GOOD TAIL WIND.
Jun 02, 2023 TODD BROWN
WAS I REALLY GOING 24 MPH on my gravel bike, with underinflated tires and a heart rate of 114 bpm? It sure felt good, plus the sun had finally broken through after a month of May Gray...
... and, it dawned on me.
Everything is easier with a tail wind.
Except for one thing.
And, that can be a problem.
The tail wind speeds everyone up. Suddenly wind is not an issue, and the most powerful riders, if allowed to breakaway, can be nearly impossible to catch.
But, what if we had our won personal tailwind?
Wouldn't that be grand?
Some of us do.
And you can, too.
For a coupla bucks you can have a home gym,
and in 20-30 minutes knock out enough work to make a lot more watts.
Normally, I'd point you to the RaceDay Ready Challenge right here, where I unveil all the strategies I use...
... to Rip On RaceDay.
But, I'm not gunna.
I can't.
Hundreds and hundreds have started the challenge, but failed to make it.
That's on me.
And, it makes me sad.
I really do want you to have your best days ever...
... so, I'm revamping the program.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
So, allow me to point out that these supersexy, superlight race gloves are amazing...
... light and airy enough to wear ih the hottest temperatures.
Plus... there's a deal going on...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
You know how cool these are gonna be on the 4th!
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
163.6
7.5 hrs
Pull Ups, Pushups, Squats
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
ARE YOU A PROTEIN HACKER?
Jun 01, 2023 TODD BROWN
IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE TO EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN, which our bodies need to repair and maintain muscles. With all our efforts to be fueled for the ride, it's easy to skip or skimp on...
... whatever your thoughts on how much protein you need.
The studies can be startling.
A study showed the young really don't need any protein because their bodies manufacture their own supply, while aging athletes need more because their bodies can't utilize it as efficiently.
What are we supposed to do?
Me, I have a goal to eat a gram of protein for every pound I weigh.
To stay on track and make it easy I try and knock most or all of my protein consumption prior to dinner...
... then, I can eat whatever the family, friends or I want to eat.
There are bonuses to this program:
- Your full all the time
- Not consuming a bunch of unneeded calories
I created a journal my protein consumption, the rest is a focus on eating "clean".
For example, here's today's entry...
6/1
30 Kodiak waffles
7 Bacon
7 Cheese
22 Sardines
12 Rx Bar
25 Kachava Shake
50 Poke (dinner)
36 Greek yogurt (dessert)
... a little over gram/pound of my body weight.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Good thing the Superlight Race Gloves...
... provide such a powerful connection to my bars.
Did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.
Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
165.6
7.8 hrs
0 cross training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
DON'T LOOK BACK, BUT DO LOOK DOWN.
May 31, 2023 TODD BROWN
THE DRTY WDNSDY RIDE is one of my favorites. We meet at the corner, chase each other up the climbs, search out new and challenging downhills...
... what could be better?
The Assassin had gone to the front, and as the trail got a lot steeper, the pace stayed the same...
... I was afraid to look back.
If I looked back and saw The Gentlemen gapped off,
I'd probably drop anchor myself.
If I looked back and he was on my wheel,
I'd press on and blow up before the top.
Now, why do we do these rides?
Adventure, for sure.
Chance at coming home bloodied, that too.
But, there's something else.
Something bigger.
We're all training for A races in a couple of months. What we are doing now, is laying down the foundation:
- Lots of saddle time
- Riding trails much harder than we'll race
The Great Alex Hormozi shared a great and applicable story we can apply to base training.:
Two men set out to build a building.
One lays the foundation for a 10-story building and finishes the entire building in nine months.
The other lays the foundation for a 100-story building and it takes him the entire nine months just to build the first few floors.
The first “being ahead” mocks the second for taking so long. He decides he wants to build his building into a 100-story building to prove how good of a builder he is. So he tries to add stories on top. He gets to 15-16 stories and then the foundation begins to crack. He starts reinforcing things. But no matter what, he feels he can’t put anymore on top.
Over time, the second guy keeps building and passes the first man. Two years later the second man completes his 100-story building despite barely having his foundation finished by the time the first man finishes his entire building.
The first man, goes to a mentor to ask his advice on growing his building taller. The mentor tells him “you need to tear down this building or start another one new”
He says “and waste all the time I spent building this one? Can’t I just add it on top if I just knew how?”
The mentor replies “there’s a lesson here: The fastest way to build a 10-story building isn’t the fastest way to a 100-story building. Your desire to grow fast ruined your ability to grow big.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
All of us had on the Superlight Race Gloves...
... with the perforated palms, real leather and device friendly thread.
Did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.
Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
166.1
7 hrs (not enough, trying to shift my sleep pattern)
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
DO YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY?
May 30, 2023 TODD BROWN
THERE I WAS, MOVING QUICKLY UP A STEEP CLIMB through a local neighborhood. The bottom far below and the top nowhere in sight, when a lovely lady said...
... Wow, you make that look easy.
I smiled back and wished her well.
She wasn't flirting with me, I don't think.
But, her assessment wasn't quite accurate.
What she couldn't appreciate was the miles I've logged,
the discipline I've learned to exercise,
the wonderful feelings in my body,
the challenges I've faced,
the skills I've developed.
I wasn't making it look easy...
... I was making it look enjoyable, pleasurable.
And that is all the difference,
why I'm endlessly fascinated with this sport.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
I was wearing these superlight gloves...
... with the perforated palms, real leather and device friendly thread.
Did you know...
... it's Buy A Pair, Get A Pair for FREE?
I wear 'em all year long, they're that good.
Anyway, if you're in to Patriotic stuff like me, get a pair for you and a friend.
Note: be sure and order 2 pair, the discount is automatic when you check out.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
166.6
7.7 hrs
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
HOW TO GET PRs WITH RUBBER LEGS
May 29, 2023 TODD BROWN
WHAT COULD GO WRONG WHEN YOUR PAL, who is already faster, invites you for an easy and lazy holiday spin? Nothing, unless he's noticeably lighter and says...
... We're just gonna cruise up a few hills.
To start, we did something I reallyreallyreally didn't want to do first
Nyes Place.
20% grade.
So steep when the homes were constructed cement trucks were mandated to carry half loads.
I PR'd Nyes, and that was just the beginning of the magic.
Let me tell you how weird this was.
I'd already done the full Cowboy Strong Circuit, plus my legs were still feeling fatigued from Saturday's 80 mile adventure.
Strangely, probably because everybody dropped me on Neyes, I rode that sunnuva climb faster than ever before. I'd only been up it a few times, but still.
Then, I PR'd 2 of the next 3 steep climbs, and got a 3rd fastest on the 2nd of the 4 climbs.
It was just so strange because the remaining 3 climbs seemed so much easier than they ever had before.
Yes, I was huffing and puffing.
Yes, it was a high threshold, nearly anaerobic effort.
Yes, we were regrouping and actually cruising from climb to climb.
But, how could that be?
All these PRs when I'm a lot older?
Maybe the cross training got my muscles firing?
I remember the hearing of the Lakers, in the glory days, hitting the weights before the game.
Maybe it was the nice 45 minute warm up ride over to the climbs?
I do appreciate a good warm up more and more.
Maybe it was the perfect, 60ish degrees and misting.
Maybe it was just physics?
I hadn't done any of these climbs since before I got back into racing and dropped at least 10 pounds.
Maybe it was fitness?
I'm just a lot more committed and fit than I was when Strava first came out.
Maybe it was the bike?
My current road bike is super legit, much more than the bikes I rode for fitness and getting road miles in.
Maybe it was chasing my very fast friends?
There really isn't anything like seeing someone else ahead and tapping into the mental magnet to get pulled along.
It coulda been any one of those, all of those, or some combination.
But, I reallyreallyreally think riding the beast that is Nyes first...
... made everything else seem a whole easier.
Maybe there is something to the Rubber Arm Experiment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdxlT68ygt8
---
166.6
7.5 hrs
1 cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT TO DO WHEN IT REALLY, REALLY HURTS
May 28, 2023 TODD BROWN
THE BIKES WENT FLYING EVERYWHERE. It was a spectacular finish line crash, but I suspect that was nothing compared to the pain felt yesterday...
... which must have been overwhelming.
So, what do we do when we're really banged up?
If you watched the last, incredible stage of the Giro today you might have missed it.
- Not the crash
- Not G Thomas' massive pull
- Not Cav's insanely dominant sprint
A couple of kilometers out, I saw something none of the pundits caught.
Did you?
Geraint Thomas began the healing process from what had to be a supremely bitter and painful loss...
... by helping a friend in need.
Go back and watch it.
He' not paid to pull Cav's lead out man, LL Sanchez, but he pulls along side and says Get on my wheel.
Then, Thomas strings out the race at just the right moment, keeping the pace extremely high and making all the other sprinters work very hard to get into position while Cav is cruising in the perfect position.
With 1k to go, the other sprint teams' momentum carries them around Cav and he's perfectly slotted in 10 guys back on the wheel of the guy rocking the Sprinter's jersey.
It couldn't be better,
it wouldn't have been better if Thomas hadn't done a very good deed.
---
165.6
7ish hrs
0 cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SMALL RING, SMALL DETOUR, BIG FUN
May 27, 2023 TODD BROWN
THERE'S A LOCAL RIDE I'VE DONE A THOUSAND TIMES, which is why I don't do it that much of late. We hit it today because my pal TimmyV texted up...
... I'm outta shape and need a hard ride.
Perfect, CV is a ride he knows well and knows how to get home.
A mile from home, I realized my front derailer was dead. Same as yesterday, only this time I'd charged the battery...
... good thing there's lots of vert, little flat riding.
We picked up Charlie and met about 30 fire breathers, soon we'd be feelin' that burnin' he'd been yearnin' for.
The first little pitch I stretched my legs, looked back and saw a gap.
Hmmm.
I pressed on, made a light they missed.
I coulda waited, but I was really wanting to ride hard and the group didn't seem that interested.
After 8ish minutes, I eased up and waited and waited and waited...
... they were missing all the lights before the canyon.
We all dropped down the corkscrew, leanin' hard and singin' brake pads, pouring out onto the downhill run before blasting up the other side of the canyon.
I was about 7 guys back.
The pace was heating up, finally.
With zero warning, we hit a road closure. Stopped. Trees down. Turned around.
This is where it got fun.
Paralleling the road is a paved stretch through a campground, which turns to dirt for the final 1/2 mile or so.
Surprisingly, only a few of us knew the route.
A few roadies, balked and bailed out.
The rest loved the detour.
Back on the climb up the canyon, things got going again. It felt so good to be sweating, hearing my heavybreathing, watching the leaders ride away over the top...
... reeling them back in by the 120 degree turn at the bottom,
and hanging on.
Ryan, Chase and I opted for the extra credit, 20% pitch over the very top before regrouping with the rest.
Tim's text came through,
I'm done.
Fried.
I'm glad he got me out,
I'm glad I kept going with only the small chain ring.
It was good to see the friends,
good to get pushed hard,
good to test the legs.
When I got home, I saw the most amazing thing...
... the mark of a winner.
Primoz Rogic dropped his chain,
remained calm and put it back on.
Didn't freak out.
Didn't get emotional.
Didn't give up and quit.
That's focus.
---
166
8ish hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WANTING A LOT MORE RESULTS IN 2023
May 26, 2023 TODD BROWN
THERE IS A BIG PRICE TO BE PAID when we have a true A race. It's not the entry fee, the bike upgrades, travel, lodging, food, time off work, time away from family...
... it's a lot more than that.
This is what makes it so hard, and why so many of us fail to accomplish that big A race goal.
The price we must pay is...
... saying NO! to every other race and event and thing we also want to do.
Sure, we'll do other races. Go for PRs. Race our friends to the City Limit signs all year long.
As the great Derek Sivers says in Anything You Want...
... If it ain't Hellyeah! then it's No.
Trust me, I'm battling like hell with this right now.
I had my A week back in March,
that fitness carried through to an exceptional April,
and now we are halfway through a weekly MTB series and it's been a real battle.
I'm burned,
My body is burned,
My MTB is even burned.
But, that competitive bug has bitten and I'm sick with a desire to see if I can manufacture some fitness for the last 4 races...
... then, I'll take a break before building for the next A race.
This could be really dumb and back fire.
If you love racing, which I'm guessing you do since you are reading this post...
... it's one thing to know you need a break, another to take it.
It actually takes courage,
and faith.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023
Thanks to Neal F for the photo above...
... it's a progress shot from his 10-Week Challenge, so rad.
(photo credit RVAHUB)
---
165.6
8ish hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
SOMETHINGS ARE BETTER NOT SAID
May 25, 2023 TODD BROWN
I RAN INTO A FRIEND OF MINE who asked if I was going back to Leadville this summer. He said he needed to go back because he'd had a major mishap...
... and couldn't let that be his last attempt.
Who wants to end on a low?
Not him.
Not us.
We want to go out on top, whatever that top is.
Here's the weird thing though...
... few of our family and friends can relate to what we want to accomplish.
That's actually not that weird, because our standards are so insanely far above the average adult.
What's weird is the reactions of these friends and family.
The questions they ask, the looks on their faces.
They just don't get it.
I told him I wasn't going back that I needed a break, it's a massive commitment.
You going back?
For sure, can't let last year's flop be my last.
That's cool, I'm stoked you're taking it on again.
I knew you'd understand.
For sure.
It's gotten to the point where I rarely share these adventures and quests because nobody gets it.
I'm right there with you. We do these epic challenges just because we want to, it's our thing.
You know what else?
There's a lesson there, one we all know but...
... might not recognize.
At least I didn't recognize it until recently.
Wanting things magical. Simply wanting something a lot opens up the pathway to making it possible. In our case...
... the training, knowledge and plan.
It all starts by simply wanting to do it, regardless of what everybody else thinks.
We gotta want it.
---
165
7ish hrs
Minimal cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
MY SECRET COMBINATION
May 24, 2023 TODD BROWN
THE THORN JAMMED IN MY THIRD KNUCKLE wasn't bothering me at all during my ride. I could feel it catch as I slid my glove off, which was no big deal. Then I knocked against the counter...
... yeah, I felt that real good.
It was a reminder of how great the day had been.
I'd gotten up early.
Done my morning reading and writing.
Followed by a quick session of cross training.
I settled in at my desk and knocked out some good work.
And finished the day riding single track trails with The Gentleman.
It's amazing how quickly things can be accomplished when the habits are in place.
James Clear, in Atomic Habits, says...
... If you want to do 50 pushups start by doing 5.
Naval Revekant says...
... At the end of the day, we are the combination of our habits and the people we spend the most time with.
To which I'll add...
... If you want to rip on raceday, start riding with purpose and meeting up with faster riders.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
Did I mention, I'm relaunching this and the price is going up? Join now, and get the current price.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
165
7ish hrs
1 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
YOUR CATEGORY LEADER
May 23, 2023 TODD BROWN
THE ANNOUNCER RAN DOWN THE LIST OF CATEGORY LEADERS, while I unloaded the van.. A few of my friend's names, and of course my frenemy's name...
... stuck out the most.
This is the 4th week of our 8-week series.
Only 6 count.
It's on.
At this point, everybody who has a chance at the series championship has raced at least once. The leaders have all raced 3 races...
... but not everybody has.
And those who have can still toss out 2 races.
In other words, now the fun begins.
My frenemy, Bob, got a coach this year. My coach! Damnit!!...
... maybe I should get back on a formal training plan.
I probably should.
I might.
My A race is still months off...
... I got time.
For now, it's time to see how the weekly MTB race season unfolds. We've had 2 different race winners and a lot of jumbling in the placings.
Each week is gonna have some drama.
The closer we get to race 8, the more the bars will be banging.
---
By the way, how rad was today's final climb of the Giro?!. They only have a few more days of hard climbing...
... it's gonna be epic.
Nobody wants to leave it for the last hilly time trial.
Too risky.
But, sometimes fate has it's say and we just might get down the last day or two with seconds still remaining between the leaders.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
Can't wait to check in with the club.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
164.5
7ish hrs
0 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED?
May 22, 2023 TODD BROWN
THE FIRST CRIT SERIES I EVER DID made all the difference in the world. Not because it was well run, or fancy, or challenging, or had any fans at all...
... it was the opposite.
The amount of blood I shed on the second race still stains my memory.
Who would go back to that week after week?
Me.
Here's why.
The race was put on by the college ski coach, to help his athletes stay in shape. They raced the B race. The actually racers did the A...
... newbs like me the C.
Like all asphalt-roots crits, this one was staged in an out of the way place...
... the giant, aging football stadium parking lot.
It was more packed gravel than pavement in spots, particularly the the turn I slid out in.
I didn't care.
Only 10 guys lined up.
None of us knew what we were doing.
Most of us placed, and occasionally won on a hot summer night.
I was hooked.
I hadn't won anything sporty to speak of since grade school...
... I was a very, very, very late bloomer.
Finally, I'd bloomed and found something I was good at.
But, what if first race was a legit California crit as a Cat IV?
150+ racers on the line was common back then.
The speeds seemed insane.
It's hard to imagine surviving a few laps.
Nope, I needed Bobby Bills and his girlfriend telling us to Go!,
Holding their silly posters with laps remaining,
The ensuing squabble over who won.
No photos or video,
No race numbers on our back,
No friends or family or spectators of any sort.
A handful of athletes...
... tasting victory for the very first time.
That's often all it takes to find a whole new world of adventure and the pursuit of personal excellence.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
165.9
7.5 hrs
1 round of cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE BEST SUPPORT MONEY CAN'T BUY
May 21, 2023 TODD BROWN
I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS YOU TO RIP ON RACEDAY, there are a whole lotta people pulling for you. But, sometimes it feels like we're...
... grinding up hill with a headwind.
Why?
Because we aren't using our calendars properly.
We have 'em.
Sometimes fill 'em out.
Completely neglect the most important parts.
Here's how I do it, and it's improved every relationship I have and given me superior support on my A race...
- Pencil in the A race, the sooner the better.
- Show it to your important relationships - family and work for sure.
- Add the the family and work dates in pen to your calendar.
... then go back and fill in your A race in pen - I like a fat, red Sharpie.
Share your calendar with all that matter, often.
Here's how to screw it up...
- don't share the A race until it's a few weeks or months away
- don't consider other events your supporters deem important
- only have your A race on the calendar
Can I share a little story?
Here's how I set up my A race in 2022.
- I put it on the calendar 3 years out.
- I blocked out time to take Surfergirl on a surf trip to Mexico months prior to my A race.
- I made sure to get to every family and work event I could.
You know how you want your loved ones and friends to crush it at their thing?
They want the same for you...
... the calendar and caption above are a perfect example.
Pro tip: check out their calendar, figure out a way to be there for them.
Bonus: if your calendar and goals aren't freaking you out, raise your standards. A lot.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
I'm in the process of dramatically upgrading the accountability club.
The price is also going to increase.
Those who join prior to the upgrade will be grandfathered in.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-accountability
---
164.8
8+ hrs terrible tossing and turning, too excited?
No cross training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SYNCHRONIZED SPRINTING FOR THE BURRITO
May 20, 2023 TODD BROWN
MY PLAN WAS TO MAKE THE RIDE HARD. When I found the Gambler and the Hulk loading up on caffeine at the corner bakery ...
... my little heart skipped a beat.
Then 1 X Beard, Captain Smith, along with the regulars and some cat named Nico pulled up.
Hellyeah!
This was gonna give me a real read on my new favorite segment.
... how fast can we do it?
Like the young buck I'm not, I started firing. At Jeffery and Alton, The Hulk hit it so hard, only 1 X Beard and I latched on, trying to get through the next light about a half mile away...
... so began the synchronized sprinting.
We barely missed it.
Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!
Over the freeway,
through the first round about,
1 X Beard, Hulk and I were swinging.
Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!
Up a little hill,
through the second, faster roundabout.
The three of us are gone again.
Charging to make every light we can,
pulling through hard...
... I gotta skip a pull.
Okay.
These guys are a little bigger, and I hung on over the freeway which felt like an alp.
Rotating,
Pulling.
Red light!
The Gambler and Nico catch.
Green light!
The next climb up Tesla...
... my batteries are shot.
Hulk, 1 x Beard
gone.
Nico
in between.
Gambler,
on my wheel.
It hurts so flipping bad.
What should be a 2.3 minute power climb,
ends up being a too dang close to 3 minutes.
We catch Nico.
Quick rotations.
Somehow, the idiot who wanted to make the ride hard,
the fool who thought he was a young buck,
pulled to the next short climb.
We're closing.
All 3 of us out of the saddle.
One of us off the back.
Dadgummit!
There's a shortcut.
I scoff and chase onward.
On Church Hill
i can see 'em.
Then I see the shortcutters.
All together over the top for the long, long drop to the coast.
Captain Smith waits,
friends!
We pedal like hell.
There are lights coming up.
Synchronized sprinting?
No luck.
But, we are making the lights too...
... at the last light before the 4ish miles to Laguna, we catch.
Red light!
Regroup.
Green light!
We're in the mid-30s, rotating strong.
This is just what I had hoped for.
Captain Smith and I head South,
they head North.
Only 3 miles and 1000' to go...
... For The Burrito!
It took us 1:07.
Can we break an hour?
First person who does, the burrito is on me.
---
163.6
6.8 hrs terrible tossing and turning, too excited?
Just PushUps and PullUps and a few Squats today.
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
TALK ABOUT BLOWING AWAY A PR
May 19, 2023 TODD BROWN
LAST NIGHT'S PODCAST WAS A GOOD ONE. My scheduled guest had to bail due to emergency surgery. Luckily I had a PRO MTB racer...
... and he had a very clear lesson.
The thing about the podcast interviews is they always bring something neither of us were thinking of to the surface.
This dude is a total stud.
- Outstanding husband and father of 3
- 2-Time winner of Leadville
- National MTB Champion
- Founder of Rouleur Development
2 things stuck in my mind, which you might relate to.
- His 20-year quest to qualify for MTB Worlds
- Obliterating a difficult PR
I knew he'd represented the US at MTB Worlds in Switzerland. What I didn't know was that as a Junior, age 17, he was half a point away from going to Worlds...
... how heartbreaking would that be?
Someone would quit.
Many do.
At 40, he was in the best shape of his life. One a bunch of races, got the points and fulfilled his dream to carry our flag on the world stage.
His son is now beating him, and his next quest is to hang on to his pro status so...
... they can race pro together.
In the meantime, he's taken up Hard Enduro motorcycle racing. If you don't know what that is, it is by far the most difficult and challenging offroad racing on the planet: https://youtu.be/pD5qc9aAB4w
2 years ago, when he got into the sport, he found a terrible 1 mile climb. It took him and a buddy 2 hours to get to the top...
... this week he did it in under 7 minutes!
Bryson, how did you do that?
Well... the same way I won Leadville and went to World's, I kept at it.
Anything else?
I entered and trained for 5 Hard Enduros.
That's it?
I also found a new group of people to ride with that taught me so much I could never learn on my own.
Sound familiar?
- Practice
- Enter hard races
- Ride with better riders
That's Bryson Perry's raceday ripping, pr crushing formula.
Here's the link to the actual podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raceday-ready-with-todd-b
---
164.6
8.2 hrs
Just PushUps and PullUps today.
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHAT'S MORE COMPELLING... RIPPING OR CRUSHING?
May 18, 2023 TODD BROWN
BECAUSE MY 10-WEEK CHALLENGE has been incredibly successful in terms of downloads and attempts and an...
... utter failure at people finishing...
... I'm going to do a 5-Day Challenge.
To get the name right, I texted 60 or so of my friends a question:
Which is more compelling: Crush Your PRs or Rip On RaceDay?
The answers were almost a 50/50 split, with a slight lean towards Rip On RaceDay.
Of those, 50% were a quick answer and 50% quite thoughtful.
Some people had a lot to say, but I think the winner was Cameron Hoffman...
... Crush your PRs is worn out.
Before you tell me what matters more to you, and I do hope you'll reply and let me know...
... here are my thoughts.
PRs are such a good measure for our personal progress and readiness for racing. In a world of tailwind assits, ebikes, and questionable supplement choices it can be hard to win a race or snag a KOM segment. Only we know if it's a legit PR.
Winning is not the goal of racing for me. Yes, I definitely like to win and place well and climb the podium. But, if I didn't have to go all out because I registered in an unchallenging category or few if any participated it can be a truly hollow victory.
Ripping On RaceDay is the win for me. Making a plan, working out the details and through the many challenges, arriving at the start line absolutely ready to rip and then racing hard start to finish...
... that is what compels me the most.
As I'm writing this, my former t-shirt biz partner, Damion Hickman, votes for PRs with this...
... #PRCRUSHER.
Now I'm swayed right back to Crushing PRs because that sounds so cool...
... we'll have to make that tshirt.
Maybe we gotta go Johnny Cash at this point...
... PR Crushing, RaceDay Ripping, Sunuvagun!
How about you?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
One of the most fun things I do is create a custom kit for the biggest A races. It's such a fun process. That jersey up at the top is one I'm working on for Nationals. I added a fiery look, because I want to be on fire for that race.
Did you know we have No MInimums for custom orders, and the designs are free?
Crazy, I know...
... but, I'm crazy about helping you Rip and Crush!
Creating custom gear is the best gift you will ever give your...
... PR Crushing, RaceDay Ripping Self.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
---
165.4
8 hrs
Just PushUps and PullUps today.
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
BLOODIED AND SCARRED
May 17, 2023 TODD BROWN
MY GLOVES TOLD THE ENTIRE STORY. Once white and pristine, they were now covered with the stains of battle...
... will they ever be the same?
My shins and forearms weren't much better. A thousand little tears received as...
... we tore through the wildly overgrown trails.
Thistles and nettles pricking and stinging.
This is real.
Physical.
Fun.
The blood and weed stains are the proof we are alive and well. Screw the encroaching digital world...
... and its isolation and safety.
We want adventure,
and challenge,
and danger.
We need this,
it bonds us together,
strengthens our humanity.
The best part is we are fit enough to love it!
MY GLOVES TOLD THE ENTIRE STORY. Once white and pristine, they were now covered with the stains of battle...
... will they ever be the same?
My shins and forearms weren't much better. A thousand little tears received as...
... we tore through the wildly overgrown trails.
Thistles and nettles pricking and stinging.
This is real.
Physical.
Fun.
The blood and weed stains are the proof we are alive and well. Screw the encroaching digital world...
... and its isolation and safety.
We want adventure,
and challenge,
and danger.
We need this,
it bonds us together,
strengthens our humanity.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Good thing we have a Buy One Pair Get One Pair glove offer going...
... those little stitches across the forefinger are heat sensitive so we can operate our devices with gloves on.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
THE BEATER RESULTS ARE IN
May 16, 2023 TODD BROWN
RACED THE BEATER TONIGHT. It was rough. According to Starva, I worked significantly harder than previous two races. According to the race results...
... I got smoked, again.
This is going to be a fun nut to try to crack.
There are 5 more races.
5 more chances to figure out what the heck is going on.
5 more weeks to get my race bike back in racing condition.
But, I really don't think it's the bike.
The guys are all riding really well.
We had two new guys show up this week, and the Coxy, who's been beating us, skipped.
Emilio won. For those of you keeping score at home, Emilio is my pal who I desperately managed to hold off for 2nd at the state road race last month.
Look at his lap times.
That's crazy, right!...
... how did he dose his effort so perfectly?
Compare that to mine.
Clearly, I cracked on the 2nd lap.
I passed 4th place on the first lap, then he passed me back and put a minute and half into me. Had to cheer him on...
... he's also named Todd.
What am I gonna do between this week and next?
- Order the parts to fix the race bike, but doubt they'll get here in time.
- Try and drop some of the extra pounds I'm carrying.
- Get in one more hard ride Saturday.
- Recover, recover, recover.
Anything else?
- See what moving parts can be improved on the beater.
- Maybe throw on some new tires.
Is that it?
- I'm tempted to cut out the daily cross training for the remaining weeks.
---
165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
BUSTING OUT THE BEATER
May 15, 2023 TODD BROWN
TOMORROW IS GONNA BE INTERESTING. I'll be doing the local race on the bike I spend the most time on...
... I consider it my beater.
Not only do I do most of my training on it,
but I loan it out when someone comes to visit,
and, I haven't done a lick of maintenance on it in months.
Why do I ride it the most?
Because it's oldish,
identical fit to my race bike,
and ridiculously reliable day after day.
Why race it?
Well, the race bike's suspension is wonky and in need of love.
Here's the interesting thing though.
Is the ol' bike really a beater or have I just treated it like one?
In its day it was top of the top,
lots of carbon and tech,
super light.
It's lighter than my current race bike,
shifts as good as or better than the electric stuff,
and has a fork that is so plush I still giggle when it gets rough.
Ya know what I'm gonna have to do, right?
Convince myself this is fastest dern bike I own.
Which reminds me about the second chapter in my book, The Way of The Racer...
... All You Can Do.
All we can do is enough...
... not a haul pass to complain or make excuses.
---
165.4
8 hrs
1 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
HOW TO DO MAINTENANCE MODE
May 14, 2023 TODD BROWN
WHETHER MY NEXT A RACE IS IN 6 MONTHS OR 6 YEARS, this is my maintenance mode. It's tried and true...
... and might be good for you.
Because here's the deal.
We can't race all the time.
Can't be always on.
Gotta rest.
Here's my formula for successful maintenance:
- Know what the next A race, or could be.
- Ride hard twice a week.
- Do other stuff.
Knowing what the next A race, however far off, is a powerful motivator to maintain our good habits we practice when we really want to preform well.
We might drift off course from time to time,
but we always come back because that big challenge is out there.
Riding hard twice a week is simple enough in concept. It can be difficult to do alone. The best way I've found is to have a group to ride with on those big effort days.
For sure somebody in that group has an upcoming A race,
and their energy will get us to regularly push ourselves.
There are lots of other activities I enjoy that compliment riding and racing. Most of them involve family and friends, and it's great to connect more often and deeply than I might when living the A race life.
During maintenance mode the ride time often fluctuates wildly. Long days when there's time, short days or skipping days when time is short. Often, it's just a matter of taking a mental break that necessitates this...
... lack of a regimen.
I've gone years between A races, but I've always had something big out there...
... haunting me to stay fit and healthy.
When is your next A race/event/challenge?
Who is pushing you twice a week?
What can you add?
---
164.9
8.5 hrs
0 Circuit of RaceDay Ready Resistance Training
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
