Hahahaahah I just sit there and think about how much I hate losing
Re the Lifetime Grand Prix…
I feel like something was missed here and the hard line from the guys was a bit odd but perhaps with Keegan and Sophia being involved, it created a more robust/angry tone. I think the point about seeing competitive people is valid, especially as we tend not see competitive women (or this trait is seen/presented as being undesirable). That said, I completely understand why Lifetime focussed more on other narratives* – people want stories, people want to connect – it’s entertainment. Sport is entertainment at every level and Lifetime are in the business of entertainment (and aspirational event marketing). I cannot relate to Keegan or Sophia. I respect them, admire them and have only good things to say about their skills, ambition and stints on AACC but I cannot relate to them as I share so few of the qualities they posses and that make them so successful. Maybe it’s a British thing but over here we tend to be bored by success (and we are also sceptical of self-confidence). We like the underdog, the backstory, the character.
Anyway, yeah I just thought it was a pretty tough response by the guys (Ivy was somewhat more nuanced/reserved on this). FWIW I also think some of the arguments against aero bars/not stopping etc. are more understandable than AACC give them credit for – people that helped form this multi-million dollar cycling niche (or not so much anymore) are being pushed out and sidelined and that’s tricky to deal with.
*misrepresenting and highly selective editing is not cool though so I appreciate if this is going on it’s bad form.
It should be pointed out that people are slow in the winter for four reasons.
Winter air is thicker
Winter is windier
Winter kit is slower
Winter legs are weaker
I would argue that engaging in an activity which in itself is not bearable without distracting myself from the activity itself calls into question whether this is something I truly want to be doing.
I think this is a bit of a reductionist problem. My partner enjoyed a Lemon Drop at happy hour the other day, which is a delightful mixed drink while the vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice are all pretty unpalatable in a shot glass on their own. The sugar could be considered a distraction from the alcohol, but we wouldn’t drink the sugar without the balance from the bitterness in the vodka.
In the same way, I could sit on the couch and listen to an album for an hour and then sit on the trainer in silence for an hour. Neither would be as nice as listening to the album while on the trainer, and time isn’t unlimited. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”
I definitely agree with embracing your own thoughts and some level of boredom, just to me the 10+ hours a week I spend walking the dog, riding, or running is a much more productive way to do that. I spend enough hours looking at drywall while working from home.
I agree with you to a very large extent. My point is simply that if one cannot do any training, at all, without distracting themselves from the activity itself because of its inherent boring and unbearable nature, it may be time to reevaluate why one partakes in the activity. If one simply enjoys riding while watching TV, I see no problem with that. However, if the TV is the only thing making training fun, I would argue it may be time to have a think about exploring alternate forms of exercise which are actually enjoyable in and of themselves.
most people do some amount of things they do not enjoy in order to achieve some goal.
I think of indoor riding like that. Do I love indoor riding. No. Is it the most miserable experience. No. But watching tv makes it a little more tolerable. But I ride indoors to help achieve my outdoor riding goals. If I lived someplace where I could safely ride out my front door after work and do an outdoor cycling workout I would. But since I can’t indoors is most efficient and effective way to do this during the week.
for me, I have plenty of 2-5 hour solo outdoor rides to be alone with my thoughts.
I think that sounds very healthy, and I would never argue that you should change that if you enjoy it.
Yup, means to an end (train for better fitness when I’m able to get outside).
I could do all my training without those adders, but I fail to see how using them is hurting my overall goals. No harm, no foul… and these tools actually make me more motivated and likely to actually do the hard work inside that pays off so much outside.
And even with any/all of my distractions, I still do plenty of personal focus where I dig deep inside myself. Those points end up with me essentially tuning those out and living with the effort, pain, breathing and such that pull themselves right into the forefront of the experience.
Like many things for me, it’s less of a black/white, either/or situation and one that is adding flavors and textures to the experience like mentioned above.
I’ll [quote=“Calle, post:113, topic:81141, full:true”]
I think that sounds very healthy, and I would never argue that you should change that if you enjoy it.
[/quote]
I’ll add that if I’m doing hard intervals I may have tv on or a podcast but they are not something I can focus on. I doubt I hear that at that point. I may briefly during recovery intervals but not much.
I think for less taxing workouts is when I watch tv or listen to podcasts.
My favorite thing used to be going to a cycling studio with about 10 computrainers and about 10 people all suffering on the trainer together. Not quite the same doing that remote.
Same…fully admit I was reliant on the social aspect to get me there in the early AM to ride the trainer.
But once COVID hit, self-discipline took over and I no longer needed the motivation of knowing people were there “waiting” for me…
But TR Group Workouts are a decent substitute for that environment…shame they never rolled it out for tablets and phones.
I’ve usually been pretty good about being consistent with my workouts but once a week I would do an in person class and my coach who ran the studio would do a short 30 minute workout before the computrainer session. Just usually some sort of circuit style strength workout. So it was always a good workout day and the social aspect was enjoyable.
Less enjoyable was when she would occasionally secretly increase your resistance without you noticing mid workout as a bit of a test or if she thought things looked too easy. 
Hahahaha good lord that sounds like my worst nightmare 
we’re all very different it seems!
Haha I definitely thought it would be awful at first but I definitely grew to love it. One older guy was there often on the trainer next to me and he was one to vocalize his discomfort with lots of loud grunts and groans. I told him he was making my intervals harder even when I wasn’t yet struggling.
Hahahah that is ratchet😂
I used to be really into the gym, so I recognise the type of guy lmao
Just listened to this one. I love the Hot Takes format. Thank you!
Have to say I laughed when Jonathan said “Moab sucks” but then went on to name some great Moab trails (Brand, for example). Maybe he doesn’t consider those “Moab”, but if you buy a Moab shirt or map, it’s going to have all the trails in the area.
Still working though this podcast, but it is a solid start and worth a listen for anyone considering a fit. Stuff about tech and pro related data are key elements of my interest.
Just in case you haven’t…have you seen Francis Cade’s “Bike Fit Tuesday” videos on YouTube? There are a ton of them with James. He is a fun watch, and definitely isn’t afraid to share his opinions.
Never been to Bentonville either. The riding in CO/Utah is too good. Plus, any town that gives itself the name of ‘mtb capital of the world’; I can’t take it seriously. I do want to check it out sometime. Maybe in the fall.
This quote from a PinkBike article is funny: Bentonville is the “mountain bike capital of the world” as much as Applebee’s is the capital of fine dining.
Yup, I’m a regular follower of that channel. I don’t always agree on all topics, but it is a reliable resource with good thoughts and experience driving the bus. Would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for fit related topics.
Bentonville is a fun trip. The downtown area has good walkability and there are lots of different kinds of mtb and gravel trails. Definitely worth the trip.
They do have a couple of big issues though, not the least of which is that the Slaughterpen area often smells like…a slaughter pen, and I’ve gotten some kind of sludge/crap on me and my bike before that was gag worthy.
I get being “anti-hype”, but honestly, the Walmart grandkids have sunk tens of millions of dollars into making that area a desirable place for mtb’ers to live and visit. I can understand them wanting to hype it up and pay advertisers to get people there.