No bad days

When you think the world is going to you-know-what-in-a-handcart. When things seem dark. When negative thoughts fill your head, try to think of the positive.

On a rides over 100 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing, it’s hilarious moments at which you realize how insignificant all the “noise” we perceive to be important is just that. Noise. Too much of it, frankly, that we make all-consuming at times.

When the only sounds you hear are the beating of your heart, and the rhythmic heaving of your lungs, it’s really nothing more than being in the moment. Easy. Keep moving. And don’t forget to smile. Photo credit: AdventureCORPS, San Diego and Death Valley, CA.

Some days are like that Rain outside means no ride. Pavement is soaked. Puddles are forming and re-forming. Sunday looks no better. I’m doing a short keyboard session. Indoors, fueled by coffee, cookies and whatever else gets in my path. Channeling an inner hunger for a good ride and scenery. Saving up. Some days are...
Rest days Admit it. You slept in this morning, right? The Tour de France and its riders took a rest day. So should you. I slept in. My legs feel great. The extra tall French press that’s been making strong espresso before 5:30 a.m. is pristine. I was almost ready to degrease...
30 days of biking Howdy. I wrote a guest post today for a cool idea out of MPLS called “30 Days of Biking.” The goal? Just as you would imagine: Encourage people to ride a bike every day, for the next 30 days. For some, the challenge offers the opportunity to shed old habits...
Pain cave Pain. There are so many variations. Pain in the ass. Painful memory. Growing pains. Emotional pain. Busted teeth pain. Broken skin pain. Ruptured Achilles tendon pain. Snapped collar bone pain. Post surgery pain. Lost a great companion pain. Lost a loved one pain. Excruciating pain. Inconsolable pain. Subsiding pain. And...
Less is more Ran the numbers tonight. Not bad. YTD mileage is nearly identical to 2009 — a tad under 3,000 miles, or closing in on 5,000 kilometers (counting missed mileage from Mt. Laguna Cycling Classic, Death Valley Double, Borrego Double Ordeal and a few in-town shorties). But one major change in the...