Cycling in Alignment with Colby Pearce

RPE is Fundamental - Ep173

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.