Photo c/o www.bicycling.co.za

Getting or having saddle sores is probably something us cyclists would like to keep to ourselves, right?  I don’t get them very often, but here I am publicly announcing that I just so happen to have a couple right now and they sure did make today’s ride a little uncomfortable.  Yeah, it’s a nasty subject to talk about so I’ll keep things very short.

My Cycling 360 co-hosts and I recently did a show all about saddle sores….including what causes them and a secret remedy to cure them (trying that one out myself right now).  It’s worth taking the time to listen in so that you can be sure to prevent this painful experience from happening to you this summer.

You can tune in directly to the podcast by clicking the play button below.  If you like what you hear, be sure to click the subscribe link as well so that all the podcasts will automatically be downloaded to iTunes or your MP3 player.  You can also check us out at www.cycling360media.com.

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The Saddle Sores Podcast from Cycling 360

I’m definitely of the opinion that we should strive to be the best person that we can possibly be….but sometimes making comparisons to your “best self” can have negative results.

When I was around 14 years old, I spent a lot of my summers playing golf.  My friends and I would bike over to the course and play a round almost every week day and as far as I can remember, it was a lot of fun (especially the freedom of getting there on our own).  I don’t have a lot of specific memories about that time in my life, but I can remember having spells of frustration when my performance on the golf course was not as good as my best rounds.  Yes, I even remember a few instances of chucking my golf club up in the air.

If I could go back there and give that aggravated little kid some advice, I would tell him to keep doing his best…..and not get hung up on matching the results of the best game he ever played. Along the way I have learned that I’m not always going to perform as good or better at the things that I do, and to just continue moving in a positive and forward direction.  Sure there will be bad days (and going half  mad days), but continually comparing them to the best day ever is a definite recipe for disaster.

The Journey is the Destination

I don’t golf any more, but I do ride a bike….and my approach now is so much different from what it was. Maybe it’s because I love cycling much more than I loved golf, I’m not sure.  But even on the days where my performance is not quite where I know it could be, I always arrive home feeling great and being so thankful for the ride I just had.

For any of you who are making a comeback to cycling after a period of time away from it, I want you to consider this piece of advice.  Focus on the fact that you’re making the positive choice of getting back on the bike and all the goodness it will bring you.  Don’t worry about being as great as you once were…use it as your goal, and just relax in the fact that you will get there.  Oh, and one more piece of advice…..I encourage you to have a listen to a recent podcast that we did over at Cycling 360 which talks about making a comeback to cycling.  It’s full of great tips and advice for any of you coming back to a love for the bike.

Cycling 360 Podcast: Making a Comeback to Cycling

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.

- Charles Darwin (proabably!)

Whether you have just bought your first bike or have been racing for years, there is a podcast out there so full of intelligence, knowledge and heart that it transcends listener experience. The Cycling360 podcast is FOR YOU and if you haven’t heard it yet, I hope after reading this your next step be strapping on your ear goggles.

Before we get into this I just want to clear up any preconceptions you may have with my reasons for writing this and my legitimacy as a reviewer. Some may say that promoting something your boss has helped create may seem pretty sycophantic… but luckily for me Darryl isn’t my boss… he’s a friend. And he hasn’t asked me to write this article, so you can rest assured this is an independent review by a listener and a fan. As for my legitimacy as a reviewer, I’m not quite sure… we’ll find out!

The Review Show

Darryl 'The Boss' Kotyk

The Cycling360 Media team is made up of Darryl ‘The Boss’ Kotyk, ‘Coach’ Rob Grissom and Victor ‘The Bike Guru’ Jimenez and each of these experienced gents are aiming to use their podcast, “to make you a better cyclist”. With such a sweeping proposal it would be easy for the casual listener to write it off as hyperbole, but this podcast really can hold its head above the parapet. I regularly listen to cycling podcasts, I have quite a few favourites but most of these are produced in the UK. I think the main reason for preferring the smaller number of UK produced podcasts is the relevance it has to me as a rider this side of ‘the pond’. As cyclists we go through very similar experiences wherever we are riding and these should easily transcend the medium of podcast but unfortunately I’ve been left feeling unaffected and bored by most American podcasts I’ve listened to.

Victor 'The Bike Guru' Jimenez

Then I listened to the Cycling360 Media podcast. Yes I’ll admit I did initially listen to it because Darryl and Victor were involved and I knew from personal experience that they were two of the most generous and knowledgeable people I’d met on Twitter but it didn’t take long for me to see the appeal in this new podcast. With a mix of quirky ‘coffee shop’ style banter and an informative drop-in clinic, the issues and topics are discussed in a way that is accessible to many different people but never makes you feel like you are being look down upon the all powerful and intelligent hosts… they would be the first 3 to scrap that myth I’m sure! With a range of subjects such as; how to prepare for a ‘century’ ride, how best to travel with your bike and giving tips and experienced insights in ways to overcome fears about being out on the open road there is something for everyone. And that is the productions indisputably greatest feature… the ability to make you feel new again. I love learning and trying to become the best I can… I think it’s a good trait to have but it can be a double edged sword as I often feel like I’ve lost that beautiful spark that I felt when I first got into cycling – that feeling of trying to learn everything I can, as fast as I can, from the people best qualified to give me that information. I have spent the last 4 years immersed in all things cycling, which has made it harder to get that ‘hit’.  That feeling of being a kid and turning your first pedal stroke without training wheels… that’s what I missed… and this has given it back to me. Essentially… I thought I knew it all and each and everyone of these podcasts has taught me something new and enthused me to get out and on my bike. Whether that makes me a better cyclist or not I can’t be sure, but it does make me more of a cyclist, which I really like!

3 is the magic number

The Cycling360 team is an eclectic mix of experiences neatly tied together using the power of Skype! Here’s what the team have to say about themselves:

'Coach' Rob Grissom

Darryl is definitely the least technical guy in the Cycling 360 peleton, but there is no denying his love and passion for the bike.  He adds a nice balance to the mix by bringing his unbridled enthusiasm and fun loving attitude to each of the podcasts, and really enjoys the interaction he has with his co-hosts.

Rob is the tech guy on team Cycling360 and a USA Cycling Coach. Rob brings his lifelong love of cycling and his insights into training to help Cycling 360 listeners with training and fitness concerns. Rob is having a blast working with his co-hosts in getting Cycling 360 up and running.

Victor is our resident professional bicycle fitter and overall cycling and bicycle industry expert. Victor, has been fitting bicycles to people and helping them hone their technique for over twenty five years. Has teaches clinics and workshops for USAT coaches and athletes on bicycle fit, efficiency and technique. He also works closely with coaches and medical professionals to educate them on bicycle fit and how the body interacts with a bicycle. After years as a triathlete, then bike racer; American College of Sports Medicine trainer, and fitness testing specialist he began to apply his knowledge and experience to bicycle fit. Victor studied bike fitting in the mid eighties, and continues to study and consult with some of the most respected bicycle fitters and builders in the industry.

Contact

You’ve heard what I think, now it’s time to make a decision. Do you want to be that kid who sits inside and stares out of the window, watching everyone else ride their bikes around the block or are you going to get out there, strip those training wheels off and scrape some knees!? You’re decision… I suggest you choose Cycling360

You can access the podcast from iTunes the Cycling360 Media website and contact the guys on Twitter at @Cycling36o, on Facebook and you can email them at questions@cycling360media.com. All of the previous podcast editions are available to download and listen to see get over there and enjoy!

Stevie

Lead, follow or get out of the way…