Cycling in Alignment with Colby Pearce

Reflections on the 2004 Olympics - Ep148 In this walking soliloquy, I share some reflections on the 20 year anniversary of the Olympics in Athens, Greece, which I attended as a member of the US team. I competed in the 40KM points race, finishing 14th out of 24 competitors.  Being on the Olympic team is something I can be proud of, but at the same time something I don’t feel compelled to talk about...

Why Bike Fitting is Stupid - Ep147 On this episode I thought I would just dive in and stab a sacred cow in the face.  I share my thoughts on why bike fitting is “stupid” and by that, I really mean what a few of the challenges are in bike fitting.  Perhaps you agree or perhaps you do not. Either is OK but if the latter, I hope it is with good critical reasoning instead of someone else’s regurgitate...

Michael Holt: Always the Middle Path - Ep146 This discussion is with Micheal Holt, whom I regard as a friend, teacher, and colleague. I first met Michael at a course at the Chek Institute about five years ago, where I learned he had been teaching meditation for many years. I ended up studying with him online and in person, and I have learned a tremendous amount from his curriculum.  In our discuss...

Thoughts on Sounds - Ep145 In this episode I discuss the relationship between music, health, and athletic performance. Some of my ideas and experiences are pretty orbital so fasten your cosmic seatbelt, or whatever, and then enjoy some tunes.  I made a playlist on Spotify of my of my most recent played tracks. These probably all fall in the category of Conscious Hip Hop. I am not really sure what...

** THIS IS PART 2 OF THIS EPISODE ** More with Dr. Courtney Conley. We Continue our discussion about all things feet including toe spacers, cycling shoes, and how to help me with my hallux limitus. Isn’t Latin great? Dr Courtney is endlessly passionate about the human foot and I am grateful she took the time to come and nerd out with me on this topic. I am sure you will find our conversation inter...

The Fractal of the Feet with Dr Courtney Conley - Part 1 - Ep143 This conversation with Dr Courtney takes place in my fit studio. We speak about all things feet including toe spacers, cycling shoes, and how to help me with my hallux limitus. Isn’t Latin great? Dr Courtney is endlessly passionate about the human foot and I am grateful she took the time to come and nerd out with me on this topic. I...

SBT RDX - Ep142 In this walking pod I offer some lessons I learned during the 2024 SBT GRVL race. I competed on the Black course and suffered epic cramps with about 35KM to go in the race, something I have never experienced in over 35 years of bike racing.  I discuss some hypothetical explanations for this outcome and also share thoughts on the race load for someone such as myself who trains a rea...

Michael O'Brien We Are Kintsugi -  Part 2 - Ep141  This is Part 2. This episode is a discussion with cyclist Michael Obrien, who had a transformational life experience in 2001 when he was hit by an SUV while riding his bike.    We speak about the Japanese form of pottery known as Kintsugi, in which a broken bowl or vessel is repaired, and the glue is layered in gold leaf. Rather than attempting to...

Michael O'brien We Are Kintsugi - Part 1 - Ep140 This episode is a discussion with cyclist Michael Obrien, who had a transformational life experience in 2001 when he was hit by an SUV while riding his bike.    We speak about the Japanese form of pottery known as Kintsugi, in which a broken bowl or vessel is repaired, and the glue is layered in gold leaf. Rather than attempting to conceal old wound...

Movement is a River  - Ep 139 During this walking podcast I discuss the idea that all movement is like a river. I offer that we must direct and cultivate the qualities of the river of our movement with a specific intent, or this river will be wild, untamed, and end up in the wrong place.  I offer this analogy to help people understand that their daily movement patterns impact their movement in spo...

Saddle Forward! - Episode 138 This walking podcast is a commentary on two different perspectives about forward saddle positions that have been floating around in the intersphere. They got me thinking so I figured I would drop some thoughts on this topic.  The first discussion is around an article Dan Empfield posted on his website slow twitch dot com. I agree with some of what Dan says, and some o...

Three Attributes of Cyclists - Ep 137 In this night time walking adventure I speak about the three characteristics a cyclist must have in order to express their highest potential as an athlete. The episode is inspired by conversations with Jonathan Vaughters about what it takes to be good. His list included 1) Marathoner 2) F1 Driver. He has a video about this in our Team EF Coaching education por...

Forest Walking in Japan - Episode 136   In this discussion I speak to my audience of somanauts about impressions Japan has left on me and how these concepts can help us in our practice of sport and life.  Wandering through the forest, I discuss cleaning your room, respect for other humans and reverence for nature.  As always, I hope you find this discussion helpful.  Questions or comments? Hit me....

Locavore - Episode 135 Today’s conversation is with Craig Taber from Locavore Delivery. Locavore works with the highest quality farms across the front range of Colorado to deliver meat to your doorstep.  We speak about the relationship between scale and environmental impact in an economically driven market, the convenience of Amazon, and the boundaries and belief systems people put around meat. Cr...

The Cold is my Teacher - Ep134 Grandpa Pearce is here to tell you a walking story again. The story is about cold.  Cold can teach you a lot about yourself. It is an opportunity to work with the breath and to have an alternative means of generating a focused state.  It also brings about an experience of equanimity following the event.  Do you work with cold to enhance your durability or health? Wha...

Dr. Allen Lim: All About Salt - Ep133 This conversation with Dr Allen Lim covers a broad range of topics including heat stress adaptation, handing up water bottles and driving busses when you have a doctorate, salt and the sodium - potassium balance.     

Go For A Walk - Ep132 This episode of Cycling in Alignment is about the most fundamental pattern of human movement: Walking. Old school cycling would command that riders stay off their feet but I would offer that this is an old ideal that should be lit on fire and kicked off a cliff.  Walking is an absolutely essential aspect of the human experience and one that is easily taken for granted. Withou...

GOATA: Ricky Stanzi - Ep131 This conversation is with GOATA Movement coach Ricky Stanzi. In our discussion, we unpack the philosophy of GOATA movement, what it is and the origin of this philosophy. GOATA stands for Greatest Of All Time Athletes. It is a movement education system that is based on movement principles observed in young children, tribal peoples, and the best movers in many different s...

Shop Local and Organic / Birdwatching for Cyclists – Ep130 One more solo walking podcast in which I tell you a story, grandpa Pearce is here to tell you about the way things used to be.  The point I am making specifically is about how modern training has become dictated by head units and power zones, and why this is problematic.  Riders assume that they are more productive or will make greater gai...

Forging, hardening, quenching, sharpening – Ep129 This episode is a discussion of how the creation and construction of a Japanese samurai sword, or katana, is an excellent analogy for training in cycling. I break down these concepts in parallel so we can have a better understanding of how cycling training is performed in the proper sequence, and I explain how and why modern cycling is attempting t...

How to Pedal a Bike V3.0  - Ep128   In this pod, I discuss the importance of proper and correct form again. I get a lot of questions on this topic, so thought I'd revisit it.   SEATED: Like you are on a flat pedal. Push early in power phase. Do not pull up.  Axial extension of the spine. Feel shoulders depressed and retracted. Vertical movement of diaphragm, 360 deg expansion of lower ribs.  Head...

Training in the Rain and Running from Thanos - Ep127 This episode is about a client who has undergone significant life and health challenges. We have exchanged several emails about his situation and had very honest discussions regarding his choices and trajectory in the sport of cycling. He has given me permission to share his story with my audience, we agree it may be of value for others to hear...

Ideas to Restore Health - Ep126 This episode is a discussion about restoration of health when you are not feeling quite so perfect. Here, I reflect on my own state of health and strategies I have employed with myself and my athletes to spring back to full vital capacity.  Understand that illness is usually a sign that you have done too much and are in a depleted state, rather than an indication of...

Moon Walk - Ep125 Well here I am wandering around my neighborhood in the dark with a microphone like a crazy person. Or someone who has lot of thoughts.  On this moon walk I take some time to answer a few comments and questions from my audience.  Discussion points include the relativity of diet, errors in logic and dictation of intensity using RPE, heart rate and power.  Go forth, make the listen,...

Grant Thomas: Finding Center Through Primal Movement - Ep124 This episode of Cycling in Alignment is a conversation with natural movement practitioner Grant Thomas. We had an excellent conversation about his journey of integrating primal movement and animal flow in his movement practice. We also spoke quite a bit about the concept of finding center, from the lens of movement as well as the lens of...