Cycling in Alignment with Colby Pearce Obstinately Intolerant - Ep181
Nov 9, 2025
This episode dives deep into why cyclists should never settle for saddle discomfort. Colby challenges the glorification of suffering in cycling, making a case for higher standards. He explores the root causes of discomfort, distinguishing between fitness fatigue and equipment-related issues. Discussions on proper saddle selection and the importance of comfort at contact points take center stage. Listeners learn how to effectively test saddles and shoes, emphasizing that true pain tolerance shouldn't include unnecessary equipment-related pain.
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Differentiate Useful Pain From Equipment Pain
- Suffering on the bike often comes from poor relationship with equipment, not virtue.
- Distinguish productive sensations from preventable discomfort to train smarter.
Failure Is Not The Only Path To Endurance
- The belief that you must always train to failure is misleading for endurance cycling.
- Endurance gains come from sub-maximal, long-duration work, not constant maximal efforts.
Fix Foot Function Before Moving Cleats
- If your feet hurt, stop blaming cleat tweaks and restore foot function with stronger arches and proprioception.
- Try shoes with a natural toe box and work on foot strength instead of band-aid adjustments.