Colby Pearce has been a Steve Hogg Certified expert bike fitter for the past 10 years and has worked with elite athletes and WorldTour teams, including EF Education First. He is also an elite cycling coach and has been passing along his wisdom to the riders he coaches for decades. Pearce’s repertoire of knowledge spans 30 years, five continents, hundreds of races, and countless miles in the saddle. The minutiae of cycling and riding technique are just part of the story that Colby shares. Alignment with nature, foundational principles of health, and treating the sport as a practice are some of the philosophies he shares. Cycling in Alignment features a diverse guest list, including those who may or may not be familiar names in the cycling world. Prepare to have your belief systems shattered.
Episodes
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
Relationship to Cycling - Ep151
In this final walking podcast for this year, I ask you to consider what your relationship is to cycling, and does this relationship serve you? I unpack a few archetypes of riders I have worked with and raced with over the years.
Everyone has their own relationship to the sport. From my perspective, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to relate to cycling, this is a child’s perspective. We can think past The Disney Bias, everything in life is not good or bad. In fact, most things aren’t. That said, I think some people are likely playing out unconscious programming while they practice sport. This won’t lead to anything good in and of itself usually, although it can medicate your problems to some degree.
I would offer that most will be served by looking inwards at the true reason why the practice cycling, or any sport. The only way to do anything properly is with presence, which gives reverence, and with consciousness.
Otherwise, you might as well just live someone else’s dream.
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
More Thoughts on Shoes and Feet - Ep150
This walking podcast is a bit of a rambling pile of thoughts on shoes and feet, in relation or response to some discussions I have had recently including feedback from my audience.
Specifically, I address the commonly held belief that in cycling, the best way to have good “power transfer” is to immobilize the foot in a rigid cocoon of carbon fiber and thermoplastic. This is incorrect.
The human foot is not meant to be locked in place, and while this may result in good performance in the short term, over any length of notable time, the performance of the athlete will suffer.
To hear me slay this sacred cow, go forth and make the keyboard mudras to play my thoughts in your mind palace.
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
The Two Fulcrum Problem of Cycling - Ep149
In this walking pod, I talk about the Two Fulcrum Problem of Cycling, which is a term I made up during the walk to encapsulate the challenges many riders face in their relationship to this relentlessly symmetrical machine.
I also offer a few short rants on various topics related to modern life. Hopefully these don’t distract too much from the bigger points I am trying to convey.
Pedal consciously, think critically, act intuitively.
Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Reflections on the 2004 Olympics - Ep148
In this walking soliloquy, I share some reflections on the 20 year anniversary of the Olympics in Athens, Greece, which I attended as a member of the US team. I competed in the 40KM points race, finishing 14th out of 24 competitors.
Being on the Olympic team is something I can be proud of, but at the same time something I don’t feel compelled to talk about often. While it is certainly a significant landmark in my cycling history, it is also simply another experience that has shaped my perspective on sport and life. In both senses, I am grateful to be an Olympian [as they say, there is no such thing a “former Olympian”, you earn the title for life].
“You are looking at the world without time, Neo.”
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Why Bike Fitting is Stupid - Ep147
On this episode I thought I would just dive in and stab a sacred cow in the face.
I share my thoughts on why bike fitting is “stupid” and by that, I really mean what a few of the challenges are in bike fitting.
Perhaps you agree or perhaps you do not. Either is OK but if the latter, I hope it is with good critical reasoning instead of someone else’s regurgitated opinion.
I look forward to your comments and thoughts, and as always, thank you for listening.
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Michael Holt: Always the Middle Path - Ep146
This discussion is with Micheal Holt, whom I regard as a friend, teacher, and colleague. I first met Michael at a course at the Chek Institute about five years ago, where I learned he had been teaching meditation for many years. I ended up studying with him online and in person, and I have learned a tremendous amount from his curriculum.
In our discussion today we speak about his new email course, which will be released shortly and details Five Indispensable Skills. I think this course will be invaluable for anyone in my audience.
We also speak about Michael’s free online meditation course, which can be found on YouTube.
Links:
Michael's Savage And Saint Website ►► https://savageandsaint.com/
Micheal's YouTube Course ►► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIeRtRkxvQ8&t=1357s
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Thoughts on Sounds - Ep145
In this episode I discuss the relationship between music, health, and athletic performance. Some of my ideas and experiences are pretty orbital so fasten your cosmic seatbelt, or whatever, and then enjoy some tunes.
I made a playlist on Spotify of my of my most recent played tracks. These probably all fall in the category of Conscious Hip Hop. I am not really sure what that means but I vibe with it.
Links:
My Spotify Playlist ►► https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6go2ZDpt8KlFh5n3EwILnO?si=53b250a1b2f14856
Follow-up on Steamboat GRVL ►► https://youtu.be/4Pbaxrlo7G8?si=o-yDwvmihoGUuA8t
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
** THIS IS PART 2 OF THIS EPISODE **
More with Dr. Courtney Conley. We Continue our discussion about all things feet including toe spacers, cycling shoes, and how to help me with my hallux limitus. Isn’t Latin great?
Dr Courtney is endlessly passionate about the human foot and I am grateful she took the time to come and nerd out with me on this topic. I am sure you will find our conversation interesting, in particular if you have ever been challenged by your own feet during riding or off the bike. Which is pretty much every human on earth.
Links:
Courtney's Website ►► https://gaithappens.com
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
The Fractal of the Feet with Dr Courtney Conley - Part 1 - Ep143
This conversation with Dr Courtney takes place in my fit studio. We speak about all things feet including toe spacers, cycling shoes, and how to help me with my hallux limitus. Isn’t Latin great?
Dr Courtney is endlessly passionate about the human foot and I am grateful she took the time to come and nerd out with me on this topic. I am sure you will find our conversation interesting, in particular if you have ever been challenged by your own feet during riding or off the bike. Which is pretty much every human on earth.
Links:
Courtney's Website ►► https://gaithappens.com
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
SBT RDX - Ep142
In this walking pod I offer some lessons I learned during the 2024 SBT GRVL race. I competed on the Black course and suffered epic cramps with about 35KM to go in the race, something I have never experienced in over 35 years of bike racing.
I discuss some hypothetical explanations for this outcome and also share thoughts on the race load for someone such as myself who trains a reasonable amount by normal person standards, but arguably not enough to race a 200KM gravel race.
In the end, I conclude that I simply overcooked myself heading into this event. Being fresh is critical for any race that will eventually bring you to your knees. Somehow after all this time showing up for bike races, I managed to miss the mark on this one. Hopefully my experience illustrates how easy it is to do this, even for someone as experienced as I am at playing stretchy bike time.