BreakRoomBethesda

Tag: biking

  • Caught in the Storm: How Consistency (and Chaos) Led to My Best Ride Yet

    Caught in the Storm: How Consistency (and Chaos) Led to My Best Ride Yet

    I didn’t plan on riding into a storm.

    June 18th was supposed to be a light spin — a 27.3-mile after-work loop to keep the legs moving. Nothing heroic. Just another notch on the consistency belt. I clipped in around 5:30 PM, partly cloudy skies, 823 ft of elevation on the agenda, a gentle breeze in the forecast… or so I thought.

    The Downpour

    About 25 minutes in, the skies opened. First a drizzle, then a full-on tropical deluge. The kind of storm where cars pull over and runners duck under bridges. But me? I kept riding. Not out of toughness — more like momentum. I was already soaked. Might as well see it through.

    Sheets of rain, crackling thunder, wind whipping sideways. I should’ve turned back. I almost did when I slipped through a flooded crosswalk and almost ate 💩. Twice. But weirdly, something clicked mid-downpour. My legs kept turning. The rhythm locked in. The chaos around me forced total focus. And suddenly… I was flying.

    Performance Gains (and Surprises)

    Distance: 27.3 mi
    Time: 1h 39m
    Elevation: 823 ft
    Conditions: Heavy rain, thunder, low visibility, slick roads

    Despite the mess, I walked away with a few PRs. I still don’t know how. Maybe it was adrenaline. Maybe it was muscle memory taking over. But something about that storm stripped away distractions. It was me, the bike, and the road. Raw riding. Honest effort.

    What I Learned

    Consistency doesn’t always look like structure. Sometimes, it looks like showing up when you least want to. Or finishing what you started even when the weather turns sideways. That ride reminded me that growth hides in the messy miles — the unscripted, uncomfortable, soaking-wet ones.

    Next Week?

    I’m thinking about doing a side-by-side breakdown of my wet weather gear (spoiler: I had none) and what I wish I wore. Might even test a few rain jackets and fenders. For now, I’m just grateful for the reminder that storms pass — and sometimes, they make you faster.

    Over to You

    Ever ridden through a storm? Hit a PR in the rain? Drop your wildest weather ride stories in the comments or hit me up on Instagram. Let’s swap war stories.

    Ride often. Ride consistent. Even when the clouds roll in. 🌩️🚴🏽‍♂️

  • Dialed In: My Bike Fit with Dr. Hurt @bhurtinem

    You know when something’s almost right, but not quite? That was me on the bike this season — strong legs, good rides, but always feeling a little cramped. Like there wasn’t enough space between my knees, bars, and chest. That tight, compressed feeling was low-key messing with my comfort, and honestly, my confidence.

    So I booked a bike fit session with Dr. Brianna Hurt at B. Fit Performance Therapy. Let me tell you — it was next level.

    From the jump, Dr. Hurt was kind, professional, and super knowledgeable. I got to change into my gear, hop on the bike, and go through a full live scan. Every adjustment came with a clear explanation: why we were tweaking the saddle height, what the handlebar rotation would change, how my shoe position was affecting my pedal stroke. Nothing cookie-cutter — all tailored to me and my Giant Defy. This was meticulously done, the entire process was almost 2hrs long and I loved every second of it.

    The key changes?

    Raised saddle

    Saddle tilt adjusted

    Handlebars set to my hands

    The result? Instant comfort. On my first ride after the fit, the bike finally felt like an extension of me. No more knee-elbow traffic jams, no more feeling like I was folded in half. I felt more stable, more in control, and — this is a big one — more powerful on the climbs and sprints. Even cornering felt sharper.

    There’s something special about that feeling when everything clicks. I’ve still got a lot of riding ahead this year, but now I’m doing it from a place of comfort and confidence.

    Major thanks to Dr. Hurt (@bhurtinem) for getting me dialed in. Getting this bike fit was the best thing I’ve done after getting a bike. 🚲

  • Smooth Moves Only: Officially Repping Chamois Butt’r🍑

    Smooth Moves Only: Officially Repping Chamois Butt’r🍑

    Big news from the BreakRoom — I’ve officially joined the Chamois Butt’r Happy Trails Bike Club as a 2025 Ambassador!

    If you’ve been following along, you know how much I rely on gear that keeps the ride smooth and the legs turning. This winter, Zwift kept me riding indoors, and Chamois Butt’r? It kept things comfortable down there. No distractions, just miles and progress.

    Getting the email from Hannah and the Chamois Butt’r team was a super cool moment🤩. This is a brand I’ve been using since I got into riding🚴🏽‍♂️, and now I get to share the love 💜🍑— literally. I’ll report on, product drops, group rides, and a whole community of fellow cyclists who get it.

    I’ve already joined the private FB group, made my ambassador announcement on social, and I’m working on a post about some of my favorite winter riding gear (yes, Chamois Butt’r is on the list). More to come soon.

    For now, I’m just stoked to be part of a crew that rides hard and supports each other harder. Let’s go 2025.

    Stay smooth💜🍑. Ride strong💪🏽☺️

  • Riding in Watopia: My Zwift Ride Setup 🚴‍♂️📲

    When the temps in the DMV dropped below freezing, my outdoor rides hit pause. I didn’t fall off completely. I made one of the best winter moves I could’ve made. Aside from going to Florida for the holidays and bringing my bike, I got a Zwift Ride setup!

    If you don’t know what that is, picture this: a futuristic steel-frame smart bike. It plugs you into a virtual cycling world. The hills feel real. Yes, it changes resistance automatically 😮‍💨. The motivation is surprisingly high. It looks slick, runs quiet, and it connects flawlessly to my iPad or TV via the Zwift app. I’ve even got it synced with my Wahoo heart rate monitor — buttery smooth. Check the full specs here

    But here’s the kicker — I used my HSA account from work to get it. So it felt like I got the whole setup for free. Shoutout pre-tax perks.

    Since joining the Zwift Facebook Group (yes, I’m in there), I’ve learned a ton. Like what an FTP actually is — and how to measure mine. It helped me fine-tune my setup too: made a few handlebar, pedal, and saddle tweaks that made a big difference. The whole thing’s so plug-and-play it’s wild.

    zwift bike setup

    Watopia — the virtual world — is honestly sick. It’s engaging, immersive, and weirdly addictive. The group rides? Super fun. The training programs? Legit. I’ve been hopping on 2x a week, 25–40 mins per session. Over the last three months, I’ve increased my FTP from 155 in early November to 184 as of this month. Gains, baby.

    new ftp record detected

    This smart bike didn’t just keep me fit through the winter — it low-key leveled me up. And the best part? I didn’t even have to freeze my face off to make it happen(or bank account).

    New favorite training tool? Might be.

  • Cortaditos, Cramping Legs & Florida Roads: My Final Ride of the Year 🚴‍♂️☀️

    I wrapped up 2024 the best way I know how. I biked through warm Florida air with salt on my skin. I had a cortadito in one hand (okay, after the ride). 😅

    I had to grab new bottles last minute because I forgot mine… and couldn’t find a matching set. So yeah, I 100% looked like a rookie. But honestly? Worth it.

    Deerfield Beach isn’t what I’m used to. It’s flatter, oh so much flatter. It’s warmer and way more bike-friendly than I expected. Bike lanes everywhere. Even on the big roads that usually scream “don’t even try it.” But I went for it anyway… and it felt good..

    The ride itself? A clean 24.83 miles, 207 ft of elevation, cruising at about 15.4 mph. Temps hovered around 69°F with that classic “Florida humid” in the air. Not too hot, not too breezy — just right. I even scored a solid tan out of it. ☀️

    From the start, the ride had good energy. I felt confident, rolling with the ocean on one side and palm trees doing their best postcard impression. Cyclists were everywhere — solo, in groups, all giving the nod or wave. It felt like I’d joined a giant ride I didn’t even know was happening.

    Then… the quad cramps. On my way back, about 2 miles to go, my legs started to lock up hard. First time that’s ever happened mid-ride — and it was 100% on me. Forgot to hydrate properly. Rookie move. Luckily, I stopped near Hillsboro Beach, refilled my bottles, stretched it out, and that quick pause saved me. Lesson learned.

    My mid-day reward? A cortadito and a ham empanada. If you know, you know. Perfect fuel for Florida vibes and a chill beach cooldown.

    This ride wasn’t about breaking records. My only mission was to enjoy the day — and I did. Smooth roads, friendly riders, warm weather, and a midday snack that felt like a reward.

    Back-to-back rides before the New Year weren’t just about closing out my stats — they were about closing the year with intention. Confidence. Adventure. And a little Cuban flavor.

    Would ride again. Will hydrate next time. 😎

  • 3D Printed Bikes: The Future of Cycling Tech Is Here, and It’s’ Cool 🚴‍♂️🤖

    3D Printed Bikes: The Future of Cycling Tech Is Here, and It’s’ Cool 🚴‍♂️🤖

    Alright, here’s something wild: imagine a world where you can print your bike. You don’t just order it online. It doesn’t just get shipped to your door. You actually have it 3D printed specifically for you. Actually have it 3D printed specifically for you. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, that future is closer than you think. The Argentinian cycling team already raced with them in the 2024 Paris Olympics. And trust me, this tech is about to change cycling forever. 🏅🚴‍♂️

    So here’s the deal: 3D printing isn’t just for making action figures or cool prototypes anymore. We’re talking about custom-built, high-performance racing bikes made specifically to fit the exact needs of individual riders. This means geometry, stiffness, weight, and grip—all tweaked and dialed in to fit you like a glove. It’s not just a one-time process. They can print a bike, let the rider test it, make adjustments, and print another version in less than 24 hours. Mind-blowing, right? 💥

    Take the X23, for example. This custom-printed track bike is created by the folks at Toot Engineering. It has a high-tech alloy frame made of Scalmalloy. It sounds fancy because it is—think aluminum, magnesium, and scandium. Sure, carbon fiber is lighter, but this bike’s design is all about stiffness and performance on smooth tracks. And with 3D printing, you can fine-tune every tiny detail—handlebars, geometry, you name it. They’re printing specific parts in steel, titanium, and even funky materials that are tougher than your typical bike build. ⚙️

    Why does this matter? Because now they can produce bikes that are tailor-made for each rider and course. Think about that: A rider can say, “Hey, this handlebar feels a little off.” Engineers can then tweak the design and print a new one. Boom—problem solved by the next day. That’s revolutionary for cyclists. They are tired of adjusting to the bike instead of having the bike adjust to them. 🚴‍♂️🔧

    And don’t think this tech is just for the pros. Soon, the rest of us can roll into a shop and order a custom-printed bike. Want a bike that’s just right for the climbs on your favorite local loop? Easy. Need something stiffer for sprinting? Done. They’re already working on iterating the design of handlebars. This is to better fit the course a rider will be on. It could be a smooth velodrome track. Or, it could be a twisty, turn-filled road race. It’s like Mario Kart, but real life. 🎮🚵‍♂️

    The whole process is super fast too. A rider tries a prototype, offers feedback, then engineers tweak the design, run simulations, and print the next version. The bike gets tested in a wind tunnel. And—get this—they can even measure vibrations and deformation. This helps them figure out how to make it even better. It’s like getting a bike fitting, but on steroids. 💨🚴‍♀️

    So, here’s why I’m stoked about this: the days of “one size fits all” bikes are about to be gone. We’re moving into an era where your bike can be yours. It will be tailored to fit your body. It will match your riding style and your performance needs. And it’s not just a tech flex for engineers; it’s a game-changer for how we all ride. In the near future, we’ll all have bikes made specifically for us. These bikes will be printed out of crazy materials. They will be optimized for how we like to ride. 🔥

    Sure, 3D printed bikes might sound like sci-fi today, but they’re on track (pun intended) to become the new norm. And when they do? We’ll be riding faster, more comfortably, and more in tune with our bikes than ever before. The future is here, and it’s gonna be a wild ride. 🌍🚴‍♂️

    Stay tuned—because when these custom-print bikes start hitting local shops, you know I’ll be all over it. 💥