So I felt like crap all day. I got up in a foul mood, which hardly ever happens. Did some email for business. Then yoga, and felt great. Smoothie. Then bike but felt horrible the entire ride. I kept thinking “I’ll ride out of it.” Never did. Skipped the hills and just went flats. Staring at the ground and daydreaming. Today’s daydream was living in a Sprinter Van, traveling around teaching yoga and doing bicycle repair.(I don’t know that much about either.) How’s that for a departure. Now you know a little more about how my brain works. Didn’t have ANY power today. Not sure why. Old age, feebleness, Lyme, bad attitude, lack of skill? All the above? Bad luck? Maybe if I had a $12,000 bike? And while I’m complaining. Jesus I need some new scenery, new routes. About a hundred miles this week, but it was as struggle.
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How was your diet yesterday? Maybe that’s why no power. Has it been good? Maybe you need a cheat day.
And a $12,000 bike.
Author
Mark,
Diet was part of the issue. I normally eat VERY well, but the day before I had, and not in this order……a glass of wine(rare), dried apricots, nuts, fruit, salami of some kind(rare) and a bevy of other strange things that you would eat if you attended 9 hours of photo events.
I’m all in for living off the grid out of a van and repairing bikes. The simplicity of that is so appealing. Instead, I’m on way back to visit my lovely friends at the TSA…
Number uno rule is to ride how your body tells you. Wether your diet is good or not, if you’re legs tell you no, then just go slow. Meander. Be lazy. Many moons ago, one of my coaches, Martin Graff (cousin to Steffi Graff the tennis player), drilled into me that in order to go fast, I need to learn how to go slow. It took me many years of racing to really learn that. I had told him that maybe I would’ve learned quicker had he just introduced me to Steffi. He didn’t buy it.
It isn’t old age. I’m going to be 44 this year. I’m riding stronger and faster than I have in many years. I still have those days where the pedals just don’t want to turn over and, yes, looking at some of my Strava segments and seeing Taylor Phinney at the top can be as much of de-motivator as a motivator. Sometimes it’s just boredom. I try to mix things up to alleviate that. Long days, short days, climbing, speed work, dirt days, loops in reverse.
You always seem to go to the coast. Maybe try heading east. Go out to Cook’s Corner. Take the back way into RSM down Live Oak and past O’neill park. Or ride out Santiago Canyon past Irvine Park then come back on the Santa Ana river trail. You could just down hill repeats on Newport Coast. Google is your friend. I’m sure there are published routes out there you haven’t tried.
I just finished a book that you should read as well. It made me think about you and your Lyme. What Doesn’t Kill Us by Scott Carney. It’s about a guy by the name of Wim Hof (https://www.wimhofmethod.com/). He’s crossed my radar a few times over the years and I find what he does very intriguing. You should read the book.
On the subject of a 12k bike, you don’t really fall into the dentist category… 😉
Author
Sean,
He was right. Slow is WAY harder. Same with doing yoga, but with yoga is feels great to go slow. On the bike, sometimes yes and sometimes no. My diet the day before wasn’t great. I didn’t have enough fuel but it was also something else, the unknown issue. I’ve done most of the rides you list. Some good for sure. I’m itching for New Mexico where it’s endless and mostly unridding by me.
Instead of the $12,000 bike I recommend buying two Leica M-10s boom done.
Author
Jim,
I can’t imagine. I’d love to have one, but I’ve never spent that much money on a camera. In fact, I’ve never spent that much money on any SYSTEM I’ve ever had. And I mean ONE M10 would cost more. I really wish they would make something affordable.
I’ll sell you my bike for $12,000 Daniel. U.K. – buyer collects.
Author
Do you take personal checks?
Daniel
Well if an M-10 is out of the question then Dr. Jim recommends a nice hot shower followed by a nap. Works for me.
Author
Jim,
Or I could shower with the M10.
Uh, now you’re getting weird…