Cycling in Alignment with Colby Pearce

Nathan Haas: Cycling is like Fishing - Ep169

In this episode of Cycling in Alignment Nathan Haas and I drive to Steamboat for the SBT GRVL race. As a former World Tour professional and seasoned gravel veteran, Nathan has some great perspectives to offer on the newest addition to the cycling world. In cased you missed the memo, this is gravel [no, e-bikes don’t count]. 

We do speak a bit about the upcoming SBT race, and also take a bit to unpack Nathan’s analogy that in fact, cycling resembles fishing in many ways. 

I won’t spoil the analogy by giving away all juicy bits in a social post, go listen to the podcast you lazy sod. 

All humor aside, I am sure you will enjoy Nathan’s thoughts, as he is indeed a philosophical and reflective person. 

“I see you have found a sense of humor. If only just a sense.”

A Centered Experience - Ep168

In this walking podcast I tie together the concept of physical center with energetic center. 

By understanding this relationship, it helps us keep the perspective that sport is training for life.

I hope this collection of thoughts is helpful in your evolution as a person and athlete. 

The Great Illusion: Dr Scott Frey and Brent Bookwalter - Ep167

In this episode my discussion with Dr Frey and former World Tour rider Brent Bookwalter is about training the mind to better handle the demands of sport. Rather than simply leaving race day flow state or a high level of motivation to chance, Dr Frey has developed tools that athletes can use to condition their minds in a way that cultivates a state of high performance with intent. Brent has used many of these tools and proven their efficacy. 

The conversation may offer the audience a perspective on how it is possible to train in more ways than simply pedaling harder. 

To find out more, search Dr Scott Frey and you will find his site. 

Cerebral Performance Instagram ►► https://www.instagram.com/cerebral_performance/

Brent Bookwalter's Instagram►► https://www.instagram.com/brentbookwalter/

The Coin Part 2 - Ep166

In this walking podcast I unpack more about the concept of The Coin and the influence of our emotional state on our riding and racing. 

In medical QiGong, we understand that the emotions reside in the organ system. If we are unaware of this, it can be problematic. The first rule of athletics is to Know Thyself and this means understanding your own emotional state. Witnessing emotions is the first step in claiming agency over your adult life. Without the willingness to look at our own emotions, we remain a child. There are many children walking the planet in adult bodies. Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it. 

The Coin - Part 1 - Ep165

In this walking podcast I discuss how the psyche influences riding posture and spiral patterns while cycling. 

It’s not a topic you will find in your average post about climbing better or improve your FTP. 

Enjoy. 

Thoughts on the Teeter Totter of Cadence and Torque - Ep 164

Most often, riders associate making power with pushing harder on the pedals. The sensation of the bottom of the shoe providing resistance against the plantar surface [bottom] of the foot is how the sensation of “going hard” is processed. 

However, speed on a bicycle is dictated by the complex interaction of weather [including wind, temperature, pressure and humidity], terrain, inertia, riding surface, and the output of the rider. Output = power, and power is comprised of two components: torque and cadence. 

Thus, in certain conditions, it is advantageous to be able to make power by pedaling faster, not only by pedaling harder. If your only strategy to make more power is pushing harder on the pedals, at the expense of any capacity for triple digit cadence, your abilities as a rider will be limited. 

A Conversation with Brendan Housler: Bits and Pieces about Bicycle Practice - Ep163

This is a conversation with Brendan Housler of EVOQ.BIKE. It’s a friendly game of verbal ping pong in which we discuss many topics that seem to bounce around in cycling at the moment. These include what FTP is, the challenges with ERG mode when indoor training, how group rides impact your training program, and figuring out whether a rider might benefit from more aerobic or more glycolytic work in their program. 

I hope you enjoy this conversation as we dissect these topics. Disclaimer: my opinions tend to be contrary to the norm. You have been notified. 

Links:

Evoq Website ►► https://www.evoq.bike

Evoq Podcast ►► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evoq-bike-cycling-podcast/id1500663458

Austin Einhorn: Thinking Critically - Part 2 - Ep161

This is part 2 of this discussion. In this episode, Austin and I continue to slay some sacred cows in the fitness world such as “shoulders down and back” and “brace the core”. Austin explains why he doesn’t agree with these platitudes. 

We also discuss at length the concept of standards of strength for all athletes.

We agree that cycling is fundamentally biomechanically similar to running up stairs, and this is why the foot and ankle are so important for cycling. 

I also propose my timeless, non-controversial statement that foam is evil, and Austin shares his perspective on this line of thought. 

We break down the idea of tensegrity patterns in the body and how we can use these as a map to understand and improve movement. 

As our conversation ran over two hours, this episode will be released in two parts. 

Thank you for listening and for your contributions to the podcast, conversations like these are funded by the audience and I am grateful for your consideration.

LINKS:

Corridor Crew YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CorridorCrew

Austin's Instagram: @austineinhorn

Austin's Website: https://www.theevolvedcoach.com

Austin Einhorn: Thinking Critically - Part 1 - Ep161

In this discussion with strength coach Austin Einhorn, 

Along the way, we slay some sacred cows in the fitness world such as “shoulders down and back” and “brace the core”. Austin explains why he doesn’t agree with these platitudes. 

We also discuss at length the concept of standards of strength for all athletes.

We agree that cycling is fundamentally biomechanically similar to running up stairs, and this is why the foot and ankle are so important for cycling. 

I also propose my timeless, non-controversial statement that foam is evil, and Austin shares his perspective on this line of thought. 

We break down the idea of tensegrity patterns in the body and how we can use these as a map to understand and improve movement. 

As our conversation ran over two hours, this episode will be released in two parts. 

Thank you for listening and for your contributions to the podcast, conversations like these are funded by the audience and I am grateful for your consideration.

Pre-50, Post-50 Relationship to Cycling - Ep160

In this walking podcast, I unpack my thoughts on training and how it might differ for athletes younger than 50 vs older than 50. On a previous podcast, I spoke to Phil Cavell about his book The Mid Life Cyclist, which also covers this topic. 

Concepts I consider: I really don’t like the “getting old sucks” mentality. I think it is regurgitated bullshit. 

I think while it is tempting to push a bit more on days when you feel really good, more often is it better to keep it dialed back a bit and finish with a bit in the tank. When we zoom out and look at the big picture, it is far more common to be treading water or a bit under water in terms of the total load of life + work + travel + training, so when we are feeling like we have a surplus of energy we don't need to spend it immediately. 

Perhaps you will find my thoughts useful, this is always my intent.