Blog

  • Virtual Cycling Adventures: Exploring the World of Zwift from Your Living Room

    In the scorching heat of July, beneath the towering peaks of Telluride, fate dealt me a cruel hand—or rather, finger. The Telluride 50 mountain bike race, a thrilling event I had eagerly anticipated, took an unexpected turn. A tumble on a rocky descent left me nursing a broken finger and a bruised ego. Returning to my home in the heart of Southwest Colorado, near the quiet town of Mancos, I face the daunting prospect of recovery.

    But as fate would have it, the world of indoor cycling, particularly the enchanting realm of Zwift, is becoming my unexpected savior. Through this digital portal, I embark on a virtual cycling adventure that not only mends my finger but also rekindles my passion for pedaling.

    Recovery and Rehabilitation

    The pain and mostly stiffness from my fractured finger constantly remind me of my ill-fated race day. Traditional outdoor riding is out of the question. I’m grounded, confined to the walls of my home. Yet, this misfortune leads me to a revelation—the world of indoor cycling.

    Indoor cycling offers a haven for recovery. Its low-impact nature allows me to pedal without aggravating my injury. I can control the intensity, easing into workouts at my own pace. It’s not just physical therapy; it’s a sanctuary for my restless spirit.

    Safety and Convenience

    The beauty of indoor cycling lies in its safety and convenience. My injury has rendered me vulnerable on the rugged mountain trails, exposed to the whims of nature. But within the cozy confines of my living room, I’m impervious to the elements and the chaos of traffic.

    The convenience is equally compelling. My work demands time and flexibility. With an indoor trainer and Zwift, I can schedule my workouts at my convenience. No more battling the elements or adjusting my life around erratic weather patterns.

    Zwift: My Virtual Escape

    As I sought solace in indoor cycling, I stumbled upon Zwift, a virtual world that recreates the real world of cycling. It isn’t just a training tool; it’s a captivating adventure.

    Zwift’s gamification of training breathes life into my rehabilitation. My rides become epic quests, with achievements and rewards waiting around every digital bend. I can set personal challenges, chasing virtual jerseys and conquering mythical mountains, all from the comfort of my home.

    The social networking aspect of Zwift is a revelation. Despite being physically isolated, I’m never alone on my rides. Group rides and races allow me to connect with fellow cyclists from across the globe, creating a sense of community that transcends physical boundaries. We pedal together through digital landscapes, forging friendships in the process.

    Cooperative Gameplay and Structure

    What truly sets Zwift apart is its cooperative gameplay. I am teaming up with riders I’ve never met in the real world, collaborating to conquer virtual challenges. The camaraderie on Zwift is palpable despite the physical distances that separate us. Even if we aren’t explicitly working together, the simple benefit of drafting creates random teams on the fly.

    Zwift’s structured workout plans are instrumental in my recovery. It provides a guided path to rebuild my strength and endurance. I can tailor workouts to match my fitness level, gradually pushing my limits. Progress tracking keeps me motivated, as I watch my strength return, one pedal stroke at a time.

    Ultimately, what begins as a journey of recovery becomes an adventure of the spirit. Zwift gives me an opportunity to heal and reignite my love for cycling. It shows me that even in the most unexpected of circumstances, there exists a path forward—a virtual road to recovery and rediscovery.

    As I pedal through the digital landscapes of Zwift, I realize that the world of indoor cycling has opened new horizons. It’s not just a temporary refuge; it’s a revelation, a reminder that the love of cycling knows no bounds, even when confined to the four walls of a living room in Southwest Colorado.

    So, to my fellow cyclists, I say this: Whether recovering from an injury or simply seeking a new adventure, consider the world of indoor cycling. Zwift can guide you on that journey by being both a distraction and motivation. The road may be virtual, but the joy is very real.

  • Steve Roberts: Computing Across America – BIKEPACKING.com

    What a crazy awesome story! I don’t know if I would be disciplined enough to actually do any work though.

    Steve Roberts may well have been the original digital nomad. Learn more about him and his fascinating computerized bicycles here…
    — Read on bikepacking.com/plog/steve-roberts-computing-across-america/

  • Standing up before the light turns off

    These people are not paying attention. Either willingly or unwillingly they have played their cards.

  • Perception: dim

    Human life. Duration: momentary. Nature: changeable. Perception: dim. Condition of Body: decaying. Soul: spinning around. Fortune: unpredictable. Lasting Fame: uncertain. Sum Up: the body and its parts are a river, the soul a dream and mist, life is warfare and a journey far from home, lasting reputation is oblivion. Then what can guide us? Philosophy
    Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

    I’m reading Meditations for the first time and it’s a good one for this time in my life. I took a substantial amount of philosophy classes at university. I was interested but my limited life experience meant a t was distant for me to comprehend. I understood the words but not necessarily the set and setting of them. Now I’m here and have experienced much more, merely from the passage of time. There have also been a few adventures and misadventures which have spiced up my understanding of life and philosophy.

    Perception: dim

  • How Did We Get Here? – Dive Into HTML5

    How Did We Get Here? – Dive Into HTML5
    — Read on diveintohtml5.info/past.html

    It’s wild to read about the start of the web. All of this happened while I was in high school and then undergrad at CU Boulder. I was aware of some of it. I recall someone telling me in 1996 to start learning html tables. I wish I had paid more attention. Only option is to pay attention now.

  • Busy month of snow sporting

    February has been a month of snow sporting like I haven’t experienced since I was a teenager. In November I bought a used set of skate skis and got back into a sport if barely done over thirty years ago.

    That prompted me to get snowshoes and start backcountry hiking. Which prompted me to start and backcountry Facebook group to meet other people like me to share tips and tricks.

    At the end of January while I was enjoying a couple of big days skate skiing I ran into some group members out on the trails. They prompted my to sign up for two ski races in February.

    Last weekend I completed the second race and while I was no where near the leaders I finished and was smiling. I had a good time and have met more people who share my love of the outdoors and exercise. The competitive part is a fun way to motivate myself and also keep humble. Anytime I start to think I’m hot shit I can do a race and be put back in my place.

    Now I’m thinking of what’s next. We have a big snowboard trip coming up in a couple weeks. That’s gonna be fun and since I’m in pretty good shape I should be able to maximize my time on the slopes each day.

    After that I’m thinking ahead to the month long NOLS course I’m doing this summer. I’ve bought a book on mountaineering training and have added strength training to my cardio routine. The main issue I will have with mountaineering training is that I cannot run anymore. Hiking with a weighted pack will be the answer.

    All this is to say that it’s never too late to get an exercise plan and set big goals for yourself. I’m already thinking of what mountains I’m going to climb this summer and maybe go international for some bigger peaks like Kilimanjaro.

  • Flying on snow

    This winter, I have gotten into the sport of Nordic Cross Country Skate Skiing, aka Skate Skiing. In the winter, the weather limits me from riding my bike. It’s freezing, but also, when there is snow, it can be dangerous. Cross Country skiing is a great winter activity when there is snow; this year, we have snow! Once you have the equipment, it’s all about practice.

    I grew up cross-country skiing with my family and friends. We would split the time between going to the ski resort for downhill skiing and cross-country skiing. We would go to a groomed ski track on a flat area like a golf course or go into the backcountry and go wherever we wanted.

    Skate skiing is a relatively new version of cross-country skiing. Until the 1980s, all cross-country skiing was done with what is now termed classical technique. A groomed ski track is set, and all skiers ski on the track. They use their poles and a backward kicking stride to propel themselves forward. A particular type of ski wax is applied to the middle of the skis, under the foot, that sticks to the snow and improves the kicking action. It is also known as kick wax.

    Then in the 1980s, skiers began using a skating technique to go faster and not have to use the sticky kick wax, which slows the skis down when gliding. At first, this was not a welcome progression in the sport of cross-country skiing, but eventually, the powers that be relented and created two types of cross-country ski competition: Classic and Freestyle (You can use any technique here, but skating is the fastest. Multiple styles of skating can be used. Its a rabbit hole which is why they went with Freestyle.)

    Skate skiing is a fun activity that gives me a fantastic workout. It is similar to swimming and running in that technique is essential for efficiency. The big difference is that you have skis on your feet that are long, narrow, and slippery. You also have long poles for pushing with.

    There is a lot of technique involved: part skiing, part ice skating, and part pole vaulting. Similar to cycling, there is a glide mode in all skiing styles. Downhill skiing has the most glide cause you ride a chairlift up and ski down. Classic skiing is around 50% glide. Skate skiing varies depending on the slope, but you are trying to maximize the glide and efficiency all the time.

    A few years ago, I injured my knee to the point where it is no longer a good idea for me to run. I miss running because you are self-propelled and can feel like flying. With skate skiing, I have found this feeling again, and it is very nice. I have signed up for two races, a 15k on Feb 11 and a 30k on Feb 18. I will be slow compared to the rest of the pack but the entry fees are really small and it will give me a chance to see some other ski tracks in the area.

    Overall the physical exercise and mental technique aspects of skate skiing serve as a beautiful distraction from the rest of life. I am beginning to meet more skate skiers and learn from them. The internet is an excellent resource with videos of techniques and drills to help me learn faster. If you can take a lesson, I highly recommend it.

  • LeVar Burton Reads to me

    I have been winding my days down lately listening to these podcasts. LeVar is such a good reader and the production quality is so high that I cannot believe these are free. I listen to them by myself but I could see a group listening to them like people used to listen to the radio.

    In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Neil Gaiman, Haruki Murakami, Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury and more to life.
    — Read on www.levarburtonpodcast.com/

  • Prepping for the morning

    As a recent morning person convert, I have found that preparing the night before helps my morning be successful. This preparation has two significant parts: clothing and a glass of water.

    The first thing I do after waking up is brush, floss, and put my contacts in. After that, it’s time for my 30-60 minute outdoor walk. For this, I place my walking clothing in the house’s mudroom. This is also where my shoes or boots are located. I can get dressed and walk out the door in one fell swoop.

    I also place a glass of water on my bench in the mudroom so that I can drink up while I am getting dressed. Staying hydrated is so critical for functioning. I use a large 3-cup glass and drink it all before heading out the door.

    Once I am back from my walk, I fill it up and keep drinking and filling it all day. I usually drink 4 to 5 glasses a day. Yes, I have to use the restroom often, but I am okay with that.

    Having these two things ready means I am not scrambling around looking for socks, a shirt, or my water glass. Everything is in one place, and all I have to do is go there and keep going—nothing groundbreaking but essential preparation.

  • Putting your phone on alert

    As I work to reduce my screen time, one of the most significant and effective changes has been disallowing my phone from entering the bedroom. Again this is a tip I picked from Ryan Holiday, who says he leaves his phone in the kitchen to charge overnight. This prevents him from looking at the phone before going to bed and when he wakes up.

    I have copied this exact process, and the effect was immediate and incredibly positive. I have a few books at my bedside, so if I am restless and want to read before going to sleep, I have that option. Generally, I am exhausted when I go to bed, so I just lay down and sleep. No more last-minute checking of the weather forecast which inevitably leads to quick looks at Strava, my news sites, or my Activity Rings.

    Then in the morning, I wake up, get up, and get going. The first order of business is my 30-minute walk outdoors. I might take my phone only to snap a photo if something is fantastic, but more often than not, I don’t even take my phone at all. This helps me stick to the first hour of the day with zero screens.

    It can feel like a giant leap to leave your phone but trust me; it’s not. You’ll be able to do it.