Cycling in Alignment with Colby Pearce

Power is not a Goal with Nathan Haas - Ep182 In this episode I recorded a walking podcast with Nathan Haas, in Girona. We discuss Nathan’s coaching philosophy and talk about how power is not a goal of training. This statement flies in the face of just about every conventional paradigm of cycling.  If you are wondering what the hell we are talking about, give it a listen.  Have thoughts to share? Hit me or Nathan on the 'gram.  Links: Nathan's Instagram ►► https://www.instagram.com/nathanpeterhaas/    

Obstinately Intolerant - Ep181 In this walking podcast, I make the case that cyclists should be completely, totally and unequivocally intolerant of saddle discomfort.  It’s your genitals, people. Have higher standards.  Now is the off season. It’s time to find a better saddle. 

What is Your Orientation in Time? - Ep180 In this walking podcast, I talk about the four orientations we can have in time, and how they impact our relationship in sport.  Without any plot spoilers, the objective, of course, is to be like Neo.  “You are seeing the world without time, Neo. We can never see past the choices we don’t understand. You have already made the choice, you are here now to understand why you made it.”  Go forth and investigate my words. Send comments, questions. 

Lawrence van Lingen: Moving from Center - Ep179 This conversation is with running and movement coach Lawrence van Lingen. We talk about how the psychology of athletes impacts their movement patterns, the concept of movement from center, and force transfer through the ankles in pedaling. Amongst other topics.    Lawrence has worked with professional cyclists and triathletes at the world and olympic level, which has given him an excellent understanding of how these athletes present and move in sport.  I am sure my audience will benefit from the wisdom he shares in our discussion.   Links: Lawrence's Website ►► https://www.lawrencevanlingen.com/ Lawrence's Instagram ►► https://www.instagram.com/lawrencevanlingen/  

Chris Balser: Your Cranks are Most Likely Too Long - Part B - Ep178 In the continuation of my discussion on crank length with Chris Balser, we talk about factors that may drive a fitter to recommend shorter cranks, pros and cons of shorter cranks, and of course wander off into related topics.  I am sure anyone who is considering crank length as a possible limiting factor in their cycling will benefit from this conversation.  Disclaimer: I made an attempt to keep the language less anatomical as this can be challenging for some listeners but it gets a bit technical here and there.  Chris's Website ►► bicyclefitguru.com Matt Appleman Cranks ►► https://www.applemanbicycles.com/shop/2xr-crankset/

Chris Balser: Your Cranks are Most Likely Too Long - Part A - Ep177 In Part A of this podcast I discuss crank length with Chris Balser. We talk about factors that may drive a fitter to recommend shorter cranks, pros and cons of shorter cranks, and of course wander off into related topics.  I am sure anyone who is considering crank length as a possible limiting factor in their cycling will benefit from this conversation.  Disclaimer: I made an attempt to keep the language less anatomical as this can be challenging for some listeners but it gets a bit technical here and there.  Enjoy.

Tripping over Dollars to Pick up Pennies - Ep176 In this walking podcast I talk about the tension between looking for marginal gains in contrast to focusing on basic principles.  Far too often I see athletes putting carts before horses. Or, tripping over dollars to pick up pennies. Choose your analogy, but the message is: getting lost in details when they don’t have foundational health and sporting principles in order.  Even more controversial: for an athlete who has their 80/20 dialed, rather than occupying time and energy over turning every small stone looking for “more watts”, turn your 80/20 into 85/15. 

Post Script to Finding Dead Space - Ep175   A few more thoughts on finding dead space can be found in this podcast, amongst some random movie quotes, poorly delivered jokes and esoteric analogies. Standard Operating Procedure in my universe. I hope this helps expand on the idea of finding “dead space” in your riding, life, and relationship with sport.     

Finding Dead Space – Ep 174 In this walking podcast I discuss the concept of finding dead space in the breath, and in your life. This is also known as equanimity, or being content with the present moment as it is. It’s a concept that has utility for athletes, as they are often rushing from thing to thing, and this rushing is often a consequence of the mentality that they are not inherently enough.  “The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people.  All of these embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don’t love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.”  Tao te Ching, Stephen Mitchell translation 

RPE is Fundamental - Ep173 Riders use P as a goal and think it is an objective. It is not an objective, it is a measure of output. It is an artificial construct, a mathematical calculation.  The objective of training is physiological load: SAID principle. It does not matter how many watts you do, what matters is, did you load the system appropriately given the context of your training?  The objective racing is not P. It is speed. In mass start racing, it is speed at the right time. In time trialling, it is also speed at the right time.  RPE is primary to power in the hierarchy of relationship to the sport of cycling. Unfortunately, many modern riders misunderstand this. We might say their entire relationship with the sport is upside down.  In this walking podcast, I discuss the proper relationship of Power and Relative Perceived Exertion.

The False Glorification of Suffering - Ep172 The culture in our sport often glorifies suffering as though it were a badge of honor or something to aspire towards. This is incorrect. In this walking podcast, I explain why. Thank you for listening. Smash and subscribe!

Shame - Ep171 In this walking podcast I talk about the insidious emotion of shame and how it can multiply.  I also talk about the lunar cycle and how it is related to our breathing a bit. More to come in future talks no doubt.  And I was visited by a frog which is a fortuitous event. Obviously.  Don’t worry, all of this gets tied into cycling and your relationship to sport. But I don’t mention FTP or grams of CHO, even once. 

Nathan Hass: SBTGRVLRDX - Ep170 What the heck does NHSBTGRVLRDX stand for?  Why, it stands for Nathan Haas Steamboat Gravel Redux of course. I thought that would be obvious.  I am sure you will be captivated stupendified by our post race banter on the 2025 Steamboat Gravel race, where vowels are so 2018.  Fun was had and gravel cornering shall be discussed.  Enjoy. 

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.  Links: 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