I Don't Date, I Train

I was at the Silverman 70.3 last November and saw a guy with a t-shirt that said, "I Don't Date, I Train." First thought? Toolbag. Second thought? Toolbag. Eight months later, what do I think? Toolbag. Now that we've covered how I feel about this strapping young lad's need to wear this shirt let's focus on what it says. Ultra Marathon Runner, Dean Karnazes, wrote "Endurance sports either strengthen a relationship or destroy it." I think most of us can attest to this. Type-A people with addictive personalities tend to flock to the multisport community like flies to horse pucky. However, not only do endurance sports test your relationships with others, for me, it has tested the relationship I have with myself. On a daily basis I ebb and flow between love, hate, doubt, resentment and then back to love and finally settling on contentment - I never go to bed angry with myself. I find it makes for an awkward morning.

Although this is nothing groundbreaking, it is worth a thought. If you are going to date a multisport athlete, be sure to buckle up and be ready for  the ride. In general, we are quirky, regimented, sometimes messy (physically or mentally) and prone to severe introspection. In fact you may need to buy a bike and start riding it for us to even notice you...we tend to look from the ground up - we notice shoes and bikes before faces. If you ever get the compliment "you have nice eyes" from a triathlete that means they are Sooooo into you. We rarely get that far. I typically judge by calves and top tube length. But that's just me.

Peace.Love.Bikes

The Sounds of Recovery

Oh sweet rest day. As of late, I've been pushing the training pretty hard and loving every minute of it. However, recovery is just as important - so I'm told. In light of  a fantastic thunderstorm last night and a dehydration headache this morning (oops) I decided to take the morning off and start working bright and early. I'm finding the experience to be delightful. I must admit that the songs that have been popping into my head have been equally as amazing. I have no idea where they are coming from but here they are, just weaving themselves into my morning routine. In fact, why don't I share them with you the best way I know how - Casey Kasem style.

Dear Casey, this morning the alarm went off at 4:10am and despite having nothing to do at that hour, I couldn't fall back asleep. Can you play me a song to help me relax? signed, Sleepless in Scottsdale

Dear Sleepless, I think I have just the thing to help you get some rest - take some advice from Frankie Goes to Hollywood and "Relax, Don't Do It."

Dear Casey, this morning I searched high and low for something that I actually wanted to eat in the kitchen. Finally, I settled on a bowl of fruit. Not only is my stomach still empty, I feel like I'm still on the hunt for something more in my life. Signed, On the Prowl.

Dear Prowler, it sounds like you are a hunter in search of soul food. Avoid the excess starches in your diet and take a dose of Duran Duran to ease your wolf-like hunger.

Dear Casey, I was driving to Starbucks this morning and was thinking how people can really act fake with one another. Why do we always have to be nice and obliging to others when we have no interest in their lives? And somedays, I don't want to behave like an adult. Why does society have to be so...civil? Signed, Impolite Society.

Dear Impolite, you sound like a b#$ch. However, I believe Men Without Hats may have created a world you may enjoy where "you can act real rude and totally removed..." in their chart topper Safety Dance. 

Dear Casey, Australian, Cadel Evans won el Tour de France yesterday. I was thinking we should honor his win with an Aussie band that demonstrates his determination and overall bad-ass...ness. Any ideas? Signed, Doesn't Know how to use Google to look this up himself.

Dear Computer Illiterate, first, you easily could have found this yourself. Second, I can't believe you couldn't come up with an appropriate Aussie song by yourself. Let me simultaneously educate you on one of the greatest bands and songs from down under...EVER. From INXS, here's Devil Inside. Congrats Cadel...you're an animal. 

So those are just a few songs that are going through my head during this day of recovery. My question is - What runs through your head when you're not thinking about the workout ahead of you?

Peace.Love.Bikes

Bike Shop or Beacon of Hope

The idyllic bike shop of yesteryear is small and located in some quaint downtown area surrounded by coffee shops, bars, and live music. But honestly, what bike shop can afford those prime locations anymore – without being the only guy in town? With limited space, the inventory of this “perfect” shop is often restricted to a very particular type of bike – mountain bikes in a mountain town, high-end road bikes in affluent neighborhoods and in those hip neo-urban areas of today’s rebel youth, vintage frames with the latest in Italian components hanging from ironic rafters, displayed by hipsters in tight jeans and scarves that sigh as you walk in the door. Do any of these sound appealing?

When I first moved to Scottsdale and got into cycling, I was in search of a bike shop I could call my own. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about a bike. I wanted the people in the shop to know me by name. I searched and searched and was ignored time and time again. Maybe they could sense the un-coolness as I walked in the door. I have never apologized for ignorance more in my life. It was as if I had to bow down to their superior bike knowledge before they would even look up from their computers or get up from behind the counter. I honestly thought I was going to have to start kissing chainrings to prove my unworthiness.

Soon after, the decision to fuel my addiction was made and I began to look for work in a bike shop. With roots in Scottsdale as well as being family owned and operated I knew Landis Cyclery was the shop for me. It had the makings of a perfect bike shop - cruisers, hybrids, a wide range of road bikes, mountain bikes to hit every trail and for the first time ever, I walked in the door of a shop and was greeted with a smile. This was a shop for everyone. Lucky for me, I was hired and have never been happier. I’m surrounded by beautiful things all day that hold unique significance to everyone that walks through the door.

I’ve discovered that everyone in the shop works here for reasons beyond financial. A mecca for those in a transition period or those that have a profound love for bikes. In my triathlete community I am surrounded by carbon fiber, free speed, and aero bars. But, at the bike shop, I have been exposed to the bmx punk, the century-lovin’ roadies, the hardcore mountain “dude,” and a world of fixies, cruisers and some of the most beautiful steel frames I have ever seen - I'm "April in Wonderland."

It is this passion for ALL bikes that has kept Landis Cyclery relevant since 1912 and one of the many reasons I am proud to be part of their business. With that in mind, I have decided to write this weekly blog, to show our passion for bikes – from the Diamondback with cobwebs at the back of the garage to the Pinarello with a Campy Record groupo. We all ride for some purpose – fitness, social, competition, DUI. Landis is here to build a relationship with you and your bike – because often, that bike is not just a machine. It may have a name and a personality all its own. Personally, my tri-bike is a Russian assassin named Sasha and my mountain bike is a frisky little rascal named Roxxy. Come and introduce us to your bikes!

Also, I will be chronicling the triumphs and tribulations of the triathlon game. I’ve noticed that there are a ton of people that want to get into the sport, but may feel intimidated. Hopefully we can breakdown some of those barriers and help you to feel comfortable at the start line. I look forward to getting some feedback - please feel free to email me your questions or stop by the shop!

Peace.Love.Bikes