The Tri Town Times: 3/25/24
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- By Antonio Gonzalez
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Survey results, prioritization, and the rules of bike fit & aerodynamics.
Hi all,
Thank you for the incredible response to last week's Dump Loop survey. With nearly 400 responses, your feedback is truly invaluable in gaining insights into the concerns and needs of our local cycling community. You'll find a brief summary of the survey findings in this presentation.
In the presentation, you'll notice that a significant number of you opt for riding the Dump Loop due to its challenging climbs. This brought to mind a test I conducted several years ago to explore which type of bike performs best on hilly terrain: a road bike, triathlon bike, or e-bike. The results proved to be rather interesting.
Here is your weekly Tri Town Times newsletter:
Quote that struct a chord:
"You cannot be great by being great at little things." Baltasar Graciån
This quote reminds me of a story about a Spartan and an Athenian:
"Once, a Spartan was visiting Athens and his host was showing off his own mansion, complete with finely detailed, square roof beams. The Spartan asked the Athenian if trees grew square in Athens. "No, of course not," said the Athenian, "but round, as trees grow everywhere." "And if they grew square," asked the Spartan, "would you make them round?"
This anecdote, drawn from The Warrior Ethos by Steven Pressfield, is a light hearted look at differing priorities between the Spartan and Athenian culture. Spartans prioritized military training and readiness above all else. To reinforce this point, the Spartans passed a law: nothing more than an axe could be used to shape beams, meaning their homes were simple log cabins. Their food, like their lodging, was also kept basic. To a Spartan, to focus on the culinary arts or architecture was to place your focus in the wrong place.
Prioritization simplifies life, freeing us from the burden of endless choice. By focusing on what truly matters, we can channel our energy and time effectively.
This time of year the shop begins to get busy and our days are filled with the demands of our craft, and I'm reminded of the importance of prioritization. It's more than just ticking off the daily checklist; it's about saying no to the myriad distractions and honing in on what matters most. We do not have time to excel at everything, but we can excel at the most important thing.
"Where does endurance training and fitness stand in the priorities of you life?" This is one of the first questions we ask an athlete when they come on board for coaching. This is a particularly important question for those competing in long endurance events. While it needn't be #1 (I would be concerned if it was), I do expect it to feature in the top five. Endurance pursuits demand commitment, and prioritizing them ensures we allocate the necessary time and energy necessary for success.
Time, if left unchecked, has a way of directing our lives towards entropy. A simple, prioritized life streamlines decision making and frees us from distractions, allowing us to devote what limited time we have to those things we care the most about.
If you have a moment to spare:
A friend shared a YouTube video featuring aerodynamic specialist Jim Manton discussing the fastest athlete he's ever tested. Roughly five years back, Jim held a private seminar on bike fit and aerodynamics at Tri Town. You can access the notes and audio file from that seminar here. The principles and general "rules of aero" advocated by Jim over five years ago remain relevant and applicable today.
Have a great week!
Antonio Gonzalez
Tri Town Bicycles
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