four letter word - "CAN'T"

I came across the video this week and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. This dude is amazing! ENJOY

 

 

Things I've been thinking about this week:

 

Do you think Richie ever said the phase "I can't"?

 

What do you think he thinks when he hears someone say "I can't" or "It's too hard"?

 

Is he Pissed or does he feel sorry for them?

 

 

 

If we all had Richie's attitude think of how the world be different place to live. I'm guilty of using that phase but I think and hope every time I say it I think of Richie. People are awesome!

 

Feel free to leave comments below, id love to hear what you think.

Acting lessons

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It's also a great way to achieve a goal. For instance, if you wanted to play basketball in the NBA. Who might you try to imitate? Definitely not me! Maybe its Kobe Bryant, or Lebron James. You should find how they train and do the same. It might be shooting 100 free throws everyday, or going to the gym and do drills, or playing street ball. I want to race and would love to be competitive. Unfortunately I don't personally know Adam Myerson, Jeremy Powers, and Tim Johnson, but I can still train like them. Cross season is fast approaching (less 3 weeks away) and I'm not where I had hoped I was going to be. Sickness, vacations, lack of motivation are all excuses!

This past week the shop I was working at closed its doors for good. I must say I was pretty disappointed. It's the end of the season and bike shops tend to scale back hours in September-April so the chances of landing another job are very slim. So I going to look at things a bit differently this year. I'm going to be a bike racer! No not professionally but I'm going to act like I am. I'm looking at this as an opportunity, not as a setback. I'm free to train and race all fall and Winter. The old Mike would typically get depressed and feel that this is a set back. But I'm planning on taking full advantage if this time. Yes, I know how lucky I am! Then come spring I'll start looking for another job. 

So what does all of this mean?

It means I'm going to treat my body like a machine. 

It means eating well- whole foods, no junk!

It means training, no matter what.

It means riding in the heat, rain, cold, or when I'm sore, tired and unmotivated. 

It means when I'm not training, I'm resting so I'll be ready to train.

It means pushing hard during the workouts.

It means doing all of the workouts. 

It means racing as much as possible.

It means putting in time on the trails not just the road.

It means staying positive!

It means getting out of my comfort zone.

It means not giving up.

It means planning training, racing, and meals ahead of time.

If I want to be a bike racer, I better start acting like it.

Goodbye Rocky, Hello Bronson!

Ok, so those of you that know me,  I was more of a quite hum. I rode Bent Creek (Greens Lick) yesterday on the new bike, a Santa Cruz Bronson. Ever since I ordered the bike over 2 months ago I've been eagerly waiting to ride this trail. The climb up was brutal, it was very humid, and trail was washed out from all of the rain we have had the last 40 days and 40 nights. Like I said I've been waiting to get to the top of Green's Lick for 2 months. For those who don't know Green's Lick is a very fast sometimes steep downhill full of jumps and berms. And its pretty long! How long? I'm not sure because we kept stopping and re-riding the fun sections of trail. Check the trail out if you are ever in Asheville. The bike wants to be in the air! And the landing are pillowy soft. I'm still learning how get the bike airborne buts a lot easier than the Rocky. It's a Plush bike, but at the same time it pedals very well- actually better than my Rocky XC bike. The biggest difference is the suspension design. There is no chain growth when the suspension flexes. The VPP suspension is great for bigger riders - I'm running 70 psi less pressure in the rear and its still not using all of the travel. The bike is way more capable than it's rider.

highlights: 650b wheels
                  6" travel
                  67 degree head angle
                  VPP Suspension
                  It's a Santa Cruz!

 

 

 

3x10 Drive train - probably going to switch it a 2x with a bash ring. Looking forward to trying out the Shimano clutch Rear Derailleur.

The Avid Elixir 5 Brakes are great. And the VPP suspension is awesome! No chain growth and suspension remains active. 

Santa Cruz!

 

 Burly Maxxis High Roller 2.3

 

I love this picture - wish the neighbors house wasn't in the background (may need to retake it). Oh and by the way these pics were taken before the ride- it's a little dirty now.