This past Friday marked a significant milestone in my cycling journey—it was my third-ever mountain bike race, the grueling Fuego XL at the Sea Otter Classic. Coming into this race, my goal was clear: set no high expectations but seize the opportunity to hone my skills and immerse deeper into the mountain biking season. Being involved primarily in road racing and attending events like Redlands and Gila while in school, the Sea Otter Classic was a new and exciting experience. It was my debut at Sea Otter and an incredible chance to engage with the cycling community in a setting I had longed ..read more

Participating in group fitness offers numerous advantages and is an increasingly popular choice for many. This collective exercise phenomenon, often referred to as the "strength in numbers" effect, taps into the communal energy and motivation that can make workouts more engaging and effective. The phenomenon of group workouts, whether it's joining a boot camp at dawn with a friend, enduring a challenging set of squats in a class, or competing in a 5k race, is grounded in the motivational boost that comes from being part of a crowd. This social aspect of exercise not only increases physical ..read more

VO2 max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is a measure of your body's ability to consume oxygen during intense exercise, and it's particularly important in endurance sports like cycling. It essentially indicates the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight. The concept originated from the work of Scandinavian scientists in the 1920s, who were looking to understand how the body uses oxygen during physical activity. They developed the term to describe the point at which oxygen consumption plateaus, no matter how much the exercise intensity increases. This ..read more

Mastering Nerves and Preparation for Cycling Races & Events In the grand tapestry of cycling, where every thread is a path laid out in front of you, full of twists, turns, and the occasional steep climb, the art of preparation is not just about physical readiness. It's about mentally embracing the journey ahead, including the flutter in your chest and the tremble in your legs that speaks of anticipation and nerves. This is your story, told in second person, inviting you to step into the shoes of a cyclist who faces not only the physical demands of racing but also the mental challenge of k ..read more

Our mids are incredible... So I wanted to take today to dive into psychology. Understanding Sub-Threshold Performance Sub-threshold efforts in cycling are those exerted just below your lactate threshold—the point at which your body starts to accumulate lactate faster than it can be removed, leading to fatigue. Operating just below this threshold allows you to maintain a high intensity for a longer duration, making it a critical aspect of endurance cycling performance. The Role of Mental Toughness Mental toughness is paramount when you're pushing your limits without crossing into the red zone ..read more

Embrace a life filled with more joy because you truly deserve it.Crafted by Michelle Darrisaw and Arielle Tschinkel Wondering about your own happiness seems like a straightforward query. Yet, delving deep into evaluating your happiness levels might reveal an imbalance, leading to the question: how can one rectify this? Happiness, in essence, varies significantly from one individual to another. A Gallup poll from 2022 indicates only 38% of Americans feel content with their everyday lives. Furthermore, the General Social Survey highlights a phenomenon known as "happiness inequality" in the US ..read more

Is the concept of manifestation merely a pseudoscientific notion, or could there indeed be some truth behind it? This question surfaces as we recall the journey of Rhonda Byrne, an Australian television producer who, in 2004, found herself at a life's low. Her discovery of what she termed 'the secret' turned her fortunes around, leading to a bestselling book and film. This 'secret,' long held close by the successful few, proposes a simple yet profound idea: our thoughts mold our reality. Byrne emphasizes the 'Law of Attraction,' which suggests a cosmic dialogue between our desires and the uni ..read more

Cycling, with its unique blend of physical exertion and mental strategy, offers a fascinating concept known as the "sweet spot." This term refers to a specific intensity level within your training that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness, striking a perfect balance between effort and reward. This is where the magic happens in cycling training. The sweet spot typically falls within zones 3 and 4 of your training intensity levels, where you're exerting yourself at 90-95% of your Functional Threshold Power (FTP). FTP, a pivotal metric in the cycling world, represents the highest power you can ..read more

You are a creature of habit, your brain finely tuned for efficiency and naturally inclined to resist change. This inclination is a testament to the millions of years of evolution that have shaped human behavior, making you adept at navigating daily life with ease but often at the cost of struggling to break free from detrimental habits or to establish new, healthier ones. Understanding the intricate dance between the psychological and neurological forces at play can illuminate the path to mastering your behaviors and adapting to new challenges. Delving into the Evolutionary and Neurological U ..read more

Tempo Zone 3, often referred to in the context of cycling and endurance training, is a specific intensity level that plays a crucial role in improving athletic performance. Understanding the psychology and science behind training in this zone can help you harness its benefits more effectively. Let's dive into what happens in your brain and body when you're working in Tempo Zone 3. Understanding Tempo Zone 3 First, to put it in context, Tempo Zone 3 is typically defined as training at a moderate intensity level that is sustainable for extended periods. It's often described as a "comfortably ha ..read more