Hey Todd Help Me Find A Bike

I am honored that so many people – friends and friends of friends – reach out to me for guidance with selecting a new bike.

More commonly now I don’t really know the person I am speaking with, so I always start with a few questions to size them up.

How much do you plan to spend?  Anyone answering with, “how much do I have to spend?” or “I don’t really know if I will ride or not” begets the internal scoff and will receive a bit of a lecture about having the wrong stuff guarantees that you won’t like it.  The minimum you can spend is $650 + shorts, shoes, water bottles and a helmet = $1,000.  Wrap your head around that and call me back if you are serious.

Sometimes I get the used bike question.  I do know people who have bought used bikes that worked and just happened to fit and not make their asses or their hands hurt.  This is sort of a miracle and at best a lottery.  It is so difficult to find a used bike that fits and to do so you may need to fix something, or change the seat or pay for a $65 bike fit, which comes free with a new bike.  You really need to know what you are doing for a used bike to work out.  It is generally better to borrow one until you come to love cycling as much as I do … and you will. Then you will have to spend a LOT to be happy.

It is very important that the bike fit you.  Asses hurt from poor fitting bikes and, generally speaking, not the saddle.  Also, real bike shorts, with the chamois, worn WITHOUT underwear, are a must.  Again, the more you spend the better they generally are to a point.

If the bike seeker is deemed serious, we move on…  Think of a bike as a frame, components, and wheels.  some manufacturers start with a great frame and less expensive parts or vice versa.  I always say, get the best frame you can afford.  The more carbon fiber the better.  The drive train, wheels and other parts can all be upgraded later.  All of these parts become lighter and more efficient with price.  But, there is a law of diminishing return beyond which is sort of a foolish investment (which is exactly one step away from what I currently have).

Then I usually guide the would-be cyclist to a reputable bike shop who sells bikes I like in their price range.  I also steer them away from bike shops run by people who have pissed me off.  Hey, it is hard to piss Todd off, but he has a VERY good memory.

For lunch, or if the person is unusually serious, I will go with them and help them get started.

Cid Cardoso, Jr. (owner of Inside-Out Sports) and I created these videos which we hope will help.  Please feel free to share this article and my contact information with your friends and friends of friends.  I will be glad to do what I can.

More Related Videos:

Proper Road Bike Fit

Selecting Between A Road Vs A Time Trial Frame

Lance Did Edgar Allan Poe

I haven’t believed Tyler Hamilton for a long time, but I believed his story from the 60 Minutes interview last Sunday.  I think the guy is finally giving it up.

Hamilton Interview Part One

Hamilton Interview Part Two

Can the world come to grips with the fact that Lance doped?  Personally, I am fairly certain that he did in 1999 and through at least 2002.  After that maybe not – as cycling finally began to clean itself up.

In 2011 Livestrong will provide more than $45 million dollars for cancer research and programs for patients.  Cancer has or will touch all of our lives – perhaps very close to home.  There are 12 million cancer survivors in the U.S.  The answer to the moral dilemma may come by polling them.

But, more than cheating to win, Lance may have lied to a Grand Jury, defaulted on a contract with the United States Government (I thought that the USPS was a quasi-governmental organization?) and duped all of the world into believing that his fairy tale was completely legit.

Let’s just say that he is found guilty of doping in 1999 and he is stripped of his Tour title from that year.  To whom are we going to give the victory?

This is the top 10 General Classification from the 1999 Tour de France

1. Lance Armstrong – probable doper
2. Alex Zulle – admitted doper in Festina Affair
3. Fernando Escartin – admitted doper
4. Laurent Dufaux – admitted to EPO
5. Angel Casero  – busted in Operation Puerto
6. Abraham Olano  – never admitted, but implicated with Michele Ferrari
7. Daniele Nardello – never met his potential and never implicated, but was coached by Rudy Pevenage (Ullrich’s drug dealer)
8. Richard Virenque – doper
9. Wladimir Belli – not implicated but on the 1999 Festina team
10. Andrea Peron – minor drug implications

….Hmmm.  We could go with Olano who is the highest placed rider not busted.  Or, maybe Nardello who had such incredible talent which never translated to victories – perhaps because he didn’t do drugs.

Is hauling Lance off to jail going to help anyone?  I doubt it.  It won’t prevent anyone from doing drugs to win.  But it may have a catastrophic impact on those millions more cancer patients and their families.  The truth is that I just don’t care if Lance did Edgar Allan Poe (EPO).  He was clearly the greatest amongst the dopers for a very long time.  His punishment may be living with the giant lie and the constant worry that it will spill out uncontrollably – as it did for Tyler.

To Shave Or Not To Shave: What Are The Injury Rules?

My legs are at that critical stage today.  The hair has grown to the point where it looks silly and is especially itchy.  What is the projected injury timeline whereby cessation of shaving is logical and/or acceptable?

My appendix was taken out five days ago.  The surgeon explained the high risk of hernia if I resume training before at least two weeks.  Which means that real training won’t resume for another twelve days or so.

So, five days in and twelve to go. Maximum itchiness is today.  I am feeling very lazy.  If I let it go one more day, past the stupid looking itchy stage, I may be in for the duration.

What to do ??  What to do?  Are there any rules for this?  Cool factor is very important to me!

Related Blog: Leg Shaving Explained

Circumspect Upheaval

I smiled,
I waited,
I was circumspect;
O never, never, never write that I
missed life or loving.

In the last two years I have experienced:

- Three surgeries; leg, wrist, and an appendectomy yesterday
- A broken thumb and two broken toes – yeah, I dinged a toe again last week
- Stitches in a thumb and calf
- The continued chaos that is Cisco
- Acceptance that Lance probably doped
- Moving from the Cleaver house to a beaver lodge
- A personal investment typhoon
- Love American Style
- Much less time with my boys
- And, the loss of my mom

I have always believed that Chaos = Opportunity; this period of upheaval has had its opportunities.  In many ways this has been the happiest time of my life.  Life rages in me.

I know Todd much better.  I know what is important to me.  For the first time, in a long time, I have real goals.  Pursuing the Tri-life has renewed my faith in the value of hard work and dedication.  Coach Alex McDonald has helped me focus.  And, I have been able to develop many close and long-lasting friendships.

It may be Karma or luck, but somehow because of, or despite the upheaval, I am circumspect about happiness.

Not Everyone’s Gonna Like Ya

My theory is that humans are genetically wired to seek the approval and acceptance of others.  Perhaps this is such that we can remain in the tribe and be allowed in the shelter during a storm or to jointly stave off the sabre tooth tiger attack.  This distinctly human need has driven all sorts of actions and behaviors in me.  Many of which I have spoken to in previous blog posts.

A long time ago, I was new to Cisco and leading a large global IT Team.  Our mission was to design and build web-based systems to help our HR department interview, hire and onboard 400 new employees per week.  (I told you it was a long time ago)

Each day I worked with a young lady in California named “Kelly.”  She was very good at managing up and really thought of herself as being on the fast track.  This was my first gig at a large company and with thousands of stock options and the the price rising every day, I planned to check out a very wealthy man after just a few years. To me, every day was a celebration of my future wealth and I was really diggin’ my job. Except for Kelly.  She was a pain in the ass.

We had a great team and I got along very well with everyone except Kelly.  She was simply never happy with what I said, how I said it, or how I approached problems and openly argued every single point I tried to make.  I repeatedly flew to California to work with her in person.  We went to lunch and I tried being extra nice…  Nothing worked.

One day, in utter frustration, I approached her boss who was my peer and told him this story.  His answer was very simple and profound, “Todd, not everyone’s gonna like ya!”  Yeah, Bob, but I’ve tried this and this and this.  “Yeah, Todd, not everyone’s gonna like ya.”  “Some people aren’t gonna like ya because you are too happy, too kind, too fun, whatever.” “Let it go.”

This was very difficult to accept.  It still is.  I really want everyone to like me.  In fact, I hate thinking that someone may not.  Yet, since hearing this message from Bob, I am much better at living my life by my own values and valiantly trying to let the results be what they will.  The worst scenarios are those whereby it is impossible to make everyone happy.  Frankly, I still suck at letting this go, but am still valiantly trying and am still getting better.

Related Blogs:

Harsh Truth Vs Loving Lie

Object To Focus

Shoulding On Myself

Whatever The Mind Expects, It Will Find

Physician Assisted Near Death Experience

Ok, the title is a bit dramatic.  It wasn’t that bad, but it was hard for a short period of time.

Coach Alex McDonald of Fast Forward Triathlon decided that we needed baseline Lactate Threshold (LT) and Max Heart Rate (HR) numbers in order to dial in my training zones. Lactate threshold is the point in exercise where your body produces more blood lactate than it can reabsorb.  Once this threshold is reached, an athlete can only continue at the same output level for minutes.  One goal of training is to raise the HR where LT occurs such that athletes can perform at higher watts output for a longer period of time.  We also measured my maximum power output, measured in Watts, to gather a baseline with the goal of increasing this number through specific training.

How many of you are using the (220 – Age = LT) method?  This is, at best, an approximation, but chances are very slim it will work well for you. Training LT requires a more precise measurement.  UNC Wellness Performance Center and The Meredith Human Performance Lab both do a great job with LT and VO2 Max testing.

I met Alex at UNC Wellness. Of course I failed to return the questionnaire in advance, thus it had to be quickly reviewed before we could start.  “Wait a minute – we have a problem – you are in a high risk category Todd!”  “My age?”   “Uhhh, yes.”  Thank goodness Dr. Alex was there to monitor the EKG of the elderly patient per hospital protocol.

After the chest was shaved, glue sprayed on, and pads applied, all of the EKG leads were hooked up.  I also had a blood pressure cuff remain on my arm through the testing.  We decided not also do the VO2 Max testing and therefore didn’t have the mask and headset to measure expired gases.

Alex dictated the testing protocol as my bike was set up on the CompuTrainer.  I controlled the watts of exertion through a thorough warm-up.  Then the technician took over and we began the test by slowly ramping up the watts as I maintained a constant cadence.  As the test proceeded, my finger was pricked and blood lactate measurements were taken every two minutes.  With each cycle the watts were increased up to a point of very hard effort when it was clear that I had crossed the LT  and Anaerobic Threshold (AT).  Alex also monitored the EKG with the goal of ensuring I didn’t croak.

Afterward, I had a brief cool down period and then we set up for the Max HR test.  This is very straight-forward – continue ramping it up until you can’t do it any longer.  Then stand up and go some more.  In my case, the plastic block placed under front wheel broke in half as I stood up and I damn near fell off the trainer.  Yes, I am a brute or a giant fattie.  The whole process took about an hour and Coach Alex let me use this in place of my trainer ride for the day.

The truth is that I was not so happy to see the results.  It is amazing how my body has changed in the last few years with age.  My Max HR is down several beats and so is my LT.  The good news, is that this is important to know and we can develop a specific plan such that I can hang on a bit longer an perhaps even get a bit faster along the way.

Related Blog: What Have I Done?

My Golgotha Within

Spirituality sometimes refers to the inner path, enabling a person to discover the essence of their being; offering meaning in this temporary balancing act called life.

Being spiritual yields a connectedness to others, community, nature, the vast cosmos or that which is divine.  This inspires us and gives meaning to the shadows on the cave wall in front of us.

Sacrifice and suffering, my Golgotha within, is more than necessary to reaching the podium or some personal record in sport.  It is requisite for spiritual growth.  Sacrifice often takes the form of the endless choices we must make as humans and the suffering which endlessly smacks us as the results of our choices – or worse – the regret of paths not taken.

Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book “Something More”, states that, Change comes through Crisis, Chance or Choice.  We Choose to pursue this lifestyle.  With luck, we’ll avoid Crisis and hopefully Chance will be kind to us.

Make your choices count.

What Have I Done?

I have to say that I am starting to feel good.  My bike speed and endurance have been improving and there are times when running is actually fun.  And, I have even dragged myself to the pool for several weeks straight.

But, oh my goodness, what have I done?  This burst of pseudo-fitness led to a decision to partner with Coach Alex McDonald, MD and Pro Triathlete of Fast Forward Triathlon

Alex is very good to work with.  He has taken time to understand my goals, my recent history of injury and recovery, and capabilities as an athlete (ok, more like limitations).  We have met and spoken several times this week and he is very detailed about my workouts and how I felt.  He quickly honed in on my weakest areas and we are focusing there as a priority.  (no laughing that was a serious statement – I do have some strength areas by comparison to my weak areas)

All that being said, Alex sets a high bar and is very focused on my achieving my goals.  Following my swim workout today, I literally had to recover for a bit by laying in the water and did not have the strength to pull myself out on the side of the pool.  I had to use the ladder. I hope he has not confused passion and desire with talent.

My goals are simple this year: I want to go faster in all three events.  Alex knows how to get me there and I will follow every word he writes for me.

I can only hope that my Geritol and Chocolate Milk make an effective recovery drink.

Shoulding On Myself

Are you living a life you never wanted? Perhaps you are just doing what you have to do in order to fund the things you like to do?  Maybe it is just easier to stay where you are?

When I was about 16, I used to hang out after school, or instead of school, in my friends basement smoking pot.  Through the haze, the song Day After Day by Alan Parsons became more than a mantra, it is now part of my DNA.

But day after day,
the show must go on.
And time slipped away,
before you could build any castles in Spain,
the chance had gone by.

This has driven me to not arrive at age fifty saying “Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda.”  Because of this, and the early loss of my dad, life has had a sense of urgency and I absolutely HATE to waste time.  I don’t want any chances to slip by.

In my early twenties I began racing bikes.  Greg LeMond became my idol.  I closely followed his career and his advanced training methods.  I even went to one of his training camps.

Much like now, I took it very seriously.  With a new wife and daughter, trying to fit racing into my life was very difficult.  I resisted, so very strongly, the societal demands to be an “adult.”

Then Greg goes off and wins the 1983 World Road Championship.  For me the celebration ended when VeloNews arrived (yeah, in the mail) and the headline over his image was “Building Castles In Spain.”  I realized right there that I was not ever going to be a great bike racer.   Perhaps it was time to become an adult.  I succumbed – I changed – I let a valuable piece of me go – I should on myself.

Fast forward: College > Job > Mortgage > Kids > Irregular Riding > High School Reunions > Promotions > Stock Options > Lifestyle > STUCK!  More than two decades passed before I blew it up.

My oldest son just turned 18 (see his story here).  His life is full of measureless opportunity.  He has the brains, talent and drive to be practically anything he wishes.  I have refused to reinforce that he has to choose between job (work) and happiness (play).  Society will do this for him.  When he asks me what I think he should do I tell him to learn to live with little such that way he can do whatever he chooses.  Or, I say “be a poet.”   Just don’t should on yourself.

 

Achieving A Racing Mind

The Cary Duathlon was probably my best race ever. Typically my mind rages through a disaster movie of thoughts powered with ADD-rocket fuel.  This was hugely different, I was totally in the moment.

I am not completely sure why, but I had a very relaxed and focused mind.  At the start the usual nerves were just not there.  As a result, the race seemed to pass very quickly and yet my mind worked through each section patiently and carefully.  This is my first real feeling of a true racing mind and I liked it.

It was sort of like I had a heads up display of perceived effort, current terrain, the upcoming course,  and where the competition was on course.  At the same time, I knew exactly where I could to lose or gain time.  With each section and sub-section I made real time adjustments.

Maybe it is somewhat like my Mac.  All other applications were closed, leaving maximum memory and CPU cycles for a singular task.

 

Related Blog Posts:

Whatever The Mind Expects It Will Find
Take A Deep Breath And Let It Go
On Being Fearless

Interesting Related Videos With Stacey Richardson:

Mental Preparation For Triathlon Racing Part I
Mental Preparation For Triathlon Racing Part II