Relax for the Same Result (2015)
sivers.org
Relax for the Same Result (2015)
1–10 of 48 posts
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#2Another interpretation: if you push yourself and keep your mouth closed, birds can't poop into it.
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#3Article gist: achieve a flow state / allow yourself to engage the default mode network to reduce exertion, perceived or real, on a physical task with low cognitive overhead (non-competitive cycling).
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#4I saw the mountain bike he was (presumably) using and figured the takeaway was “if you want to ride fast, get a road bike”
Put another way: investment in the right tools for the job will get the results faster than killing yourself.
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#5Another interpretation: if you push yourself and keep your mouth closed, birds can't poop into it.
This. This wins for the best comment.
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#6For engine powered stuff when you relax you get better results.
Every time I try to push for lap times on the track I end up exhausted after 20 minutes with worse times, inconsistent laps, plenty of oh shit close moments and most importantly I don't enjoy myself. Instead when I relax, focus on riding with good technique I end up with faster times.
But of course the temptation to push is huge, especially if you can't get any faster for longer periods.
Also interesting: I've broken my records multiple times right out of winter after 3 months of not riding. Can't explain that.
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#7This only worked because his relaxed pace/speed was fast and built up by MONTHS of intense training first.
He would not have had that time if he had gone at the relaxing pace the entire time he spent training.
Relaxation is good, no doubt. But there is a time and place for, as they say, "going hard in the paint". Building muscle and associated stamina is one of those times.
This is a perfect example of why experiments require a control group to mean anything at all. I am surprised that the intelligent Mr. Sivers would fall into this rookie trap.
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#8I saw the mountain bike he was (presumably) using and figured the takeaway was “if you want to ride fast, get a road bike” Put another way: investment in the right tools for the job will get the results faster than killing yourself.
The photo is credited to someone else - I imagine it was chosen for beauty rather than truth. Earlier in the article there's a link to an actual bike, and it is a road bike: https://surlybikes.com/bikes/legacy/pacer
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#9Riding a bike works like that. 2-3 minutes is a huge difference in terms of power output required. Headwinds can sap your power. Going slightly above your average feels like a headwind. A coach potato like me can output about a hundred watts on a good day so if you have money to spare and want to go faster, buy upgrades. 3 watts here, 2 watts there and you are at +10% ;)
Re: Relax for the Same Result (2015)
#10>A few years ago, I lived in Santa Monica, California, right on the beach. There’s a great bike path that goes along the ocean for seven and a half miles. So, fifteen miles round trip. On weekday afternoons, it’s almost empty. It’s perfect for going full speed.
For anyone familiar with the area, it’s clear that this article plays fast and loose with reality. The path is narrow, and nowhere near “almost empty” except in the middle of the night. Further, it’s so twisty that you’ll only reach “full speed” on short sections. Your time will be dominated by cornering technique, not power output.