*CultFit 2014 Events*

What does it mean to be the best? It means you have to be better than the number two guy. But what gratification is there in that? He’s a loser—that’s why he’s number two-

Oddly, many of you have been asking where I will be riding this year. The list below is by no means complete, who knows? I may not be “feeling” particularity motivated one weekend to go out and grind some gravel, choosing to lie on my yoga mat instead. Either way, listed below is a tentative list of events I plan on riding in (minus club rides, charity rides and late season cyclocross).

I’m always open to ideas and rides in your neck of the woods as well!

February 2nd 2014 – Frosty Bike Ride

February 16th 2014 – Ice Bike Fourteen

March 16th 2014 – Iowa Spring Classic

March 23rd 2014 – Iowa Spring Classic

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April 5th 2014 – Renegade Gents Race

April 19th 2014 – Red Hills Roller

May 31st 2014 – Dirty Kanza 200

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June 28th 2014 – Odin’s Revenge

July 12th 2014 – GONG Ride

August 16th 2014 – Gravel Worlds

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September 13th 2014 – The Wicked Wilson 100

October 18th 2014 – Omaha Jackrabbit

November 1st 2014 – Gravelicious Gravel Grinder

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अलग दृष्टिकोण

It’s calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion-

Pop Quiz Hot Shot(s): Name your favorite restaurant? Cool Now name your greatest strength? Why was the second questions harder to answer … Self reflection, open and honest dialogue and talking about the dirty stuff in our lives. Can we agree that breaking through and acknowledging self-love, our true selves is pretty tricky?

Many of us are blind to our best qualities. When asked to name our strengths, we often come up empty-handed, stumble for words and say something that isn’t very meaningful. We tend to overlook the very essence of our true selves, our core qualities, our strengths. The craziness of daily life, past injuries, lamenting a medical diagnosis – hypnotizes, controls, and impedes our progress moving forward.

Sometimes it is easier to “see” our true selves when viewing from a different angle.

Daily Meditation:

What are your passions in life? Seriously, please do not blow off what I am about to write

What activities fill your heart with love and warmth? What activities are effortless and give you a sense of passion and freedom? Biking, yoga, playing a drop in hockey game, talking with your best friend over lunch, trying a new restaurant on a first date? Dig deep in your soul for a definitive answer! Like you, its effortless for me to construct such a list of passion(s).

What follows is what I hope you dwell on this weekend: What character strengths you are using during each activity? Confidence riding a new trail, honoring yourself during a strenuous power yoga class, moderation playing hockey, listening attentively over lunch, openness to exploring new “thingsThese are your greatest strengths!!!

CultFit Strength


Flowers

The deep strangeness
of flowers in winter—

the orange of clivia,
or this creamy white rose

in its stoneware
vase, while outside

another white
like petals drifting down.

Is it real?
a visitor asks,

meaning the odd magenta
orchid on our sill

unnatural
as makeup on a child.

It’s freezing all around us—
salt cold on the lips,

the flinty blacks and grays
of January in any northern city,

and flowers
everywhere:

in the supermarket
by cans of juice,

filling the heated stalls
near the river—

secular lilies engorged
with scent,

notched tulips, crimson
and pink, ablaze

in the icy
corridors of winter.

Linda Pastan

CultFit Rays


Door, Propped – Wide Open

Good resolutions are like babies crying in church. They should be carried out immediately-

If this is your first time visiting CultFit? Welcome and I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit. If you came in search of some prophetic wisdom pertaining to life, yoga, mediation and whatever else tickles your fancy? Don’t let the door slam your tush as you scurry away

Wanting to be a super flexible yogi and actually being a super flexible yogi are two entirely different “things“. After a restless nights sleep, a twenty-five minute drive to the studio, biting morning temperatures and sitting on a frozen yoga mat (Top Tip: Bring your mat in the house …), morning yoga practice is the last thing I feel like doing. Although, on these days when I’ve given up and decided to cut myself a break to head to Dunkin Donuts instead of having a frozen tush? Leaves me feeling restless and anxiousinstead of feeling centered and energized. I find myself being uncomfortable at work, daydreaming about some exotic, yoga beachfront retreat somewhere in Mexico-Land as I continue making bullshit promises to myself that I’ll practice when I get home, with little to no chance of ever getting played out.

I know my heart would feel calmer and more fulfilled if I went, if I merely had the drive to simply show up and stop making lame ass excuses 

So here I am at work, having to microwave my coffee because its cold now, trying to relax, while simultaneously pushing the thoughts of being a bum further back into my mind. I need time to think and reflect this morning. There just has to be a path, an avenue, where I can drift, and break free from the must-dos, appearing to look busy and productive.

Daily Meditation:

A text appears on my phone, a few streaks of coffee racing down the side of my stained Kahlua coffee cup, a thought appears in my mind  Smile, open the door gently and go for a walk.

CultFit Walk


Temor de Flujo

Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom-

Any” act of creative expression comes with its own unique perils and fear, I believe its safe to say fear, is the antithesis of flow, and that flow is an engaged state of mind in whatever we are doing? Flow feels entirely effortless and free.

Am I talking about yoga, brushing your teeth, trail running, cycling or mixing the perfect cocktail?

Like you, I have rather nifty collection of fear, fear that hinders my flow in life. Let me know if any of these resonate within you?

The fear that I am lacking talent or a particular set of skills (name the movie and you win a prize). The fear that, if anyone notices me (as a dude practicing yoga) they will think less of me. The fear of appearing foolish cycling about the countryside. The fear of not being able to finish a century. The fear that I’ve wasted my time writing this blog. The fear of offending a reader – you. A fear of leaping into the unknown, jumping in over my head The fear that I’ll run out of fresh – insightful ideas.

Daily Meditation:

If “whatever” you are doing today feels dreadful and tedious? Maybe you and I are doing something wrong. Maybe we need to try again, in a different way  Am I still talking about yoga, brushing our teeth, trail running, cycling or mixing the perfect cocktail?

CultFit Birch