Navigating A Privateer Life

You can watch the Video on the story here:https://youtu.be/SboHc-tE_gkThese are my thoughts and opinions on the most heartbreaking crash of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Shanaze Reade, a teenage phenom, was dominating woman's BMX making her the favorite for the gold medal at BMX Racings debut in the Olympics.   Coming out of retirement, the indomitable   Anne-Caroline Chausson, brought competition to Reade that ended in the last corner of the 2008 Olympic BMX Finals.Support the show

The year is 1951 and the points have come down to the final race in Barcelona.  The greatest racer of all time lines up next to his rival in a newer more powerful Ferrari.   This was the culmination of the just the second official Formula One championship season.  The pre war Alfa Romeo's that dominated Grand Prix racing went head to head with Enzo Ferarri and his newly built monsters.    Rivalries are essential to racing, knowing the stories the heart breaks and the passion of these legends helps ground yourself in how the world of racing works.  Ascari and Fangio are the perfect example of two men who raced with different styles in a time period of change.  They also laid the base that modern Formula One is based.  Support the show

In 1997 the deep throated sound of a four stroke graced the ears of all that attended the Supercross finals in Las Vegas.  Amongst the choir of high pitched racing it was Doug Henry aboard the YZM400F that took the podium.  While that moment in the Las Vegas night was the shining example of change in the bikes that would line the gate, the YZM400F itself had a story of its own.Support the show

We, cyclists, are a little crazy.  Finding new hills to put your lungs on the verge of exploding.  New trails that actively try to figure out new and creative ways to break your bones.  Even the bike that you call your best friend will seem to find the perfect moment to crush your spirit.We all find ways to make ourselves continue on as the world does its best to destroy us.  Whether it's by having some internal conversation with yourself for two hours or shutting down any emotions you have, well prepared for the night terrors that will haunt you later that night.  These are just two examples of what are known as Grit.In 1910 during the Milan-San Remo, a spring blizzard blew over the Turchino pass.  A small, stern and very practical Frenchman by the name of Eugene Christophe showed the true depth a man with an endless tolerance for pain can endure.  This story is a tale that you can look back on as your legs are on fire and you don't think you can go any further and tell yourself that, maybe, you ne

The finale of the Rivals series.  Circumstances had taken their toll on Laurent Fignon and Greg Lemond.  The lead up to the showdown at the 89 Tour de France was upon them.Support the show

After the split between Hinault and Renault, we find Lemond getting the contract of a lifetime to become Hinault's super domestique.  This lead to the greatest internal rivalry a team had ever seen and the first racer from the United States to win the Tour de FranceSupport the show

 The epic finish of the 1989 Tour de France which ended in the tightest margin victory in the races history, just 8 seconds, was the culmination of a decades worth of rivalry, team camaraderie, and the career twilight of the racing master who took the young talents under his wing. While the decade ended with a dual of two champions, it started with Bernard Hinault, on the hunt for dominance. Powered by the French industry titans of Renault and Elf, Bernard Hinault led a charge to snag as many Tour championships as he could. Little did he know an injury would open up the opportunity of a lifetime. This led to a battle between Laurent Fignon and Bernard Hinault who left Renault to the newly created, hyped up, La Vie Claire team. Hinault would not only have to race against his young replacement but an up and comer in the form of the American, Greg Lemond. Support the show

Ways to ease your way back into training.  Of course its more mental, its stupid cold and wet outside and the trainer is boring.  You haven't lost your fitness its just sleeping waking it up will be about you not getting burned out on training because the couch is a nice warm place to hang out at night.Support the show

Knowing yourself is probably one of the most difficult ways to become a better cyclist and most likely a better person in general.  The work will pay off though.  Knowing yourself means you'll know how to better yourself.  From knowing how to avoid poor racing situations or being able to manipulate the race to suite you.  This podcast can dive into a few reasons you should zen out and meditate your way into knowing who you are little better.Support the show

I was reading an article on Cycling Tips about Dr. David Spindler and how he helps pro cyclists in the peloton most notably the former Dimension Data team.His interview was full of insight in what it was like to work with athletes at the highest level, with their needs and wants against their struggles with normal life.The idea of how much we as cyclists ignore out mental state as we grind through training and racing really hits home.  Especially when you have responsibilities.  Take a listen and think about taking care of your mind as begin your 2020 season.Support the show

I dig into the benefits of being tied to a specific brand or staying free of influence. Being able to approach a sponsor by knowing everything there is to know about their product or having the ability to be a candid reviewer are two examples of being tied to a brand or not can bring. Also I want to know what goes through your head during those last 5 miles of a hard ride or race?  The things that drive you when your body has thrown in the towel.  If you want to be on Navigating a Privateer life, email me at Nathan@Freebooterracing.com and we can set up an interview or we can give you an outlet for you race reports.  I want to here and share your stories.Support the show

This weeks podcast is about the term wabi-sabi.  Embracing the beauty of imperfection.  If you have ever seen a run down place or enjoyed an older part of town that has been repurposed you are a fan of wabi-sabi.  Use this as you develop yourself as a racer.  Don't try to chase perfection, the people are just as interested in the journey and all its short comings.Support the show

Finding skills that will help you add value to yourself as you approach sponsors.  Whether its taking pictures or being a personal trainer, you can use these skills to get sponsors.  Support the show

I'm finally back after all of my packing, moving, unpacking, unpacking, and unpacking.  This week I have a Privateer tip on why not to eat a burrito and climb a bike.  One of my favorite racers and OG freerider passed away.  The Pinkbike article linked here.Support the show

This week I dip my toes into the dangers of the hyped up crowdfunded bike companies of SpeedX and Sick Bicycle Co.  Two companies with completely different paths but in the end the same outcome.  Pinkbike and Cycling tips did great journalism on these stories.The privateer tip this week is to pick something unique and stick with it.  Do something that will set you apart from the masses on the line then keep with it as trends change, it will help you brand yourself. Support the show

This episode focuses on Copy.  It's what advertisers use to sell product.  Learning how to create good copy will make you incredibly valuable to sponsors and help them sell product, which in turn will get you better sponsors.  Going through the different levels of copy and how you can utilize them is the key point you, as a privateer, can use to help your career as you grow.I talk about Morvelo and their amazing advertisements.  They are coming to the US and they are going to bring some amazing product with them.An awesome story about Justin Williams and his Legion of Las Angeles crushing it at Tulsa Tough.  An awesome read you can check it out here.Support the show

This week I rant about how nature is what makes bikes great and how much I like air.  I also do a news segment that gives privateers takeaways from the Dirty Kanza, Leogang, Fort Willam, and the horrible state of bicycle retail tariff obsession.The privateer tip for this week is about how you should prepare your mind for long solo days.  Don't let you mind over think your problems and sink you into a depression when you need your body to do work.Freebooter Racing coaching and season support is now available on Freebooterracing.comSupport the show

Hey everyone, sorry for the audio, I did this one all on my iPhone.This week I tell the story of how I went for a ride and ended up bare assed in the rocks.  I also talk about the new XT and SLX 12 speed drivetrains, and how you should be carful just taking people on rides.  Sometimes they just aren't into it and you let your super enthusiasm wreck your ride and potentialy bicycles for them.Support the show

Here is a quick one on Niki Lauda.  He was one of the greats in Formula One.  He died last week and I felt it he had a story that we can learn from.Support the show

In your life as a Privateer racer you have to get used to crashing at the worst times.  It doesn't elude even the highest level racers.  We will go through three racers and their crashes that all ruined great opportunities and how each one had a different outcome in their careers.The privateer tip is to get you own personal jersey printed.  As a Privateer it will help you stand out and give you a sales platform to pitch sponsors.I still need racers stories, write them, record them, film them, whatever you want and then email me at Nathan@freebooterracing.com and we will put them on the podcast.  It's a perfect outlet for you to get your team or sponsor out there to different listeners.Support the show