Cycling in a Toque

Cycling in a Toque: December 2012

Sunday 30 December 2012

Small Goals...Not Resolutions

Mt. Taranaki with music from JSparls
Resolutions are for those who lack the courage to change today. It is silly. The natural order of change is to do just that! CHANGE! To undergo metamorphosis. Yes, it often means that in the process you discard that which is no longer useful, but no where does the word change or metamorphosis indicate that we have to wait until tomorrow, or next year to begin!

The fear of the unknown and fear of loss is what holds us in violent patterns of consistency. The beauty of change resides in its spontaneity, its lack of reason (or reasons we cannot comprehend at the given moment) and its often rejuvenating nature (to those listening).


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Wednesday 26 December 2012

BIKES 2013: Winter Special (Sneak Peek)

So since I've been home in Canada, I've had the chance to visit with two new schools, one including my very first group of high school students. There were both great visits and I am stoked to bring them on board.

Here is a quick sneak peek at the winter episode coming out shortly. It will include an interview with a 2x Mt. Everest climber, an avalanche lesson and a few questions from the students. Happy Holidays.

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Sunday 23 December 2012

Ain't no time like the present!

Daffy
It's the holiday season again and everyone likes to give themselves a present right? Well then try the gift of a caffeine-free lifestyle. A number of my coaching clients have recently challenged themselves with this journey of detoxification and are now, just two weeks later, realizing large improvements to their health and fitness.


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Thursday 20 December 2012

1 Step Forward

Don't be frog...become a ninja turtle!
We've all heard it before, the old frog in the well story: "2 steps forward, 1 step back". Similar to the ancient Japanese Proverb "Fall seven times, get up eight", it inspires one to be patient  and persevere. This time of year it is all about avoiding the flu, and if you could strengthen your body to the point where you no longer took those inevitable steps backwards, would you?

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Sunday 16 December 2012

Mini Camps

Ride till it's dark
December is a tricky time of year for cyclists with too much time on their hands. How hard should I train? I don't want to burn out! But I don't want to waste my time! What to do?

Step 1: Look at your race season. How many days of stress are you going to be dealing with? Multiple days in a row?


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Thursday 13 December 2012

Get it done

Source: Cycling Year Round Blogpost
Everyone says...just deal with it. It makes you tough. You'll be better off during the April Spring Series. You'll have an edge at every rainy race. The group riders will think you're a badass. Or if not, at least you think you are! Ride in the rain, snow, sleet, thunderstorms, tornadoes....get nuts!

Whow Ace....chill out. Inclement weather is just that, so respect it. But let's take the ego out of the equation. Like this group of kids in Calgary. They ride to school because they like to ride their bikes. Period.

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Sunday 9 December 2012

Clear your mind

Ask yourself and listen,
especially before listening and asking others
Trends are cool, patterns are powerful, fractals are fundamental and so is meditation. If you haven't tried meditation yet..."it sounds hard, I don't get it, sounds boring", then I would strongly suggest you invest some more time in yourself.


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Thursday 6 December 2012

Rediscovery

Epiphanies through adversity
It's dark, raining, cold, and slippery, but instinct is conquering habit so I keep pedaling.  Bright reds and whites glare off the glossy black of the surface out ahead of my handlebar spotlight. Shoulders hunched up close to my ears, forehead tipped down slightly, I squint my eyes away from the beating raindrops. 


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Tuesday 4 December 2012

BIKES: Episode #3

New Team!
So the big news coming out of the BIKES Foundation this week is the announcement of a new 2013 sponsor in Tim Dattel and the Dattel Family.  Thanks to his support, I'll be able to continue to bring you great insight from the world of cycling as I venture through the 2013 season as a member of the Team Smart-Stop presented by Mountain Khakis Professional Cycling Team. His support has also allowed me to focus more energy on the developments for 2014 while initiating a new cycling kit design for BIKES. Look for a video introduction featuring Tim and I coming out next week.

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Sunday 2 December 2012

Riding the Wind

Manual For Speed (FB)
What a ride! The last two years has been a rollercoaster of adventure that I'll cherish for a lifetime. Remi, Dave, Tad and Scott took me in under their wing back in the autumn of 2010 and I've since worked hard to both honor their investment and earn their respect. I've already been in touch with all of you guys this week to thank you but just to say it again, thank you for this chance to pursue my athletic dreams. When I sat on a wind trainer in 2007 next to my best mate, collegiate teammate, and first mentor in the world of cycling, Duncan McGovern to watch the film Pro as snowflakes silently settled upon the christmas light-lined roof tops of Walla Walla, Washington, I only dreamed of competing in the Philadelphia International Championship. So thank you to everyone who made these past two years possible.


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