We're in a slump
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- One of the dangers of this lifestyle is that you end up with a really, really good highlight reel. And sometimes, it can be tempting for us to only show the highlights on this channel. Over the past four weeks, we raced BC Bike Race and both snuck into the top 10, we then immediately drove to Downieville, California, where Macky had a super competitive result in the Downieville Classic. Then another 16-hour drive, and a 24 hour race with friends that ended in a win.
And then…well….we found the wall. In today’s video, we’re going to hit pause on the highlight reel and talk about the post race blues, and what happens when you don’t achieve your goals (or you do, and then you have to decide what comes next).
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Thanks!
Thank you!!
This is why we watch. The good the bad and on ugly. All the best to you two.
Don't forget you are both living your dream and doing what you love to do. It doesn't get much better than that.
Yeah no shit.
Syd and Macky, I know this feeling. In 2022 I've been training for a 24H race solo. Been planning everything from 2021 and only two signed up for the 24H category. The race promoter decided to move us to the 12H category, which I was ok with, but still wanted to continue for 24H. Mother Nature decided that 9H was enough for the event and I could not achieve my goal. Had depression for that summer, but took advantage of the new form and completed lots of century rides. Then Covid finally hit me towards the end of 2022 and I am starting from 0. I have a goal for spring, which I am keeping to myself, but the main thing I am telling myself is: forget who I was in 2022. Focus on who I will be in 2024.
Keeping it real is what makes you two worth the watch. We're all familiar with the struggle bus, post-big-event negativity/loss of desire, and needing to change plans and get in a good mental space. If you weren't showing that, it would be suss. Edit to add, nice work in this race Syd! Macky, changed tubeless tires faster than I do it in my stocked garage, lol!
I've had times this season when I just wasn't having fun. I always take a week off the bike and hit the gym and do a complete tear down of the bike. Then I watch Syd and Macky videos. Always re-news my enthusiasm. Thanks for all you do. Great race BTW! 👍👊
Another great video. Thanks! At almost 69 years old, almost all my rides start out with me asking myself, "Why do I feel so bad?" I have to start almost my group rides an hour early just to warm up at my own pace. Cheers!
SOOOO close to 100k, you are about to bust it and I am pumped for you. With that out of the way, I appreciate this video and I appreciate how you both always show all sides of your racing career, good bad and everything in between. I look forward to your videos and the neat that comes from super competive series to fun with friends races.
Great job you two! Appreciate the honesty and the commitment to keeping us part of your team!
Your two are just great, and keeping it real. A pleasure to watch.
Omg good thing I subscribed cause you are literally almost at 100k!
I've been watching you guys for a couple of years. This is the first one that pissed me off. Goals are something you strive for. If you achieve them, wonderful. Did you do your best ... doesn't get any better. Can you do things to get closer to your goals ... that is what you've been doing throughout the efforts shown in your videos.
Thanks for keeping it real! Nice to see some of our local routes in the video!!
Bravo you for the openness. You may not see it looking through your side of the lens, but you are helping a lot of people to better themselves.
Will the flat result in future beefier tires?
I've been there and found that in order to break the wall I had to focus on new short-term goals for the next season. You two had great measurable progress and successes this season.
Nice to see other sides of the experience. This was enjoyable
Man, that tire swap was insane. 5 minutes is so fast!
I’m feeling the struggle too so thank you for showing that that is okay. A 4 minute flat repair (not counting the pedal time to/from the pit) is pretty damn impressive! I think it’s pretty amazing that you both can be competitive in so many different disciplines of mtb. Awesome!
At this point I want to race just to be passed by Syd and Macky.
Love the behind the scenes! Love the changing poncho…I need one of those for cycling. 🚴🏻🚴🏻
Thanks for being REAL. I admire your courage to be yourself out there for others to see.
Sid at 5:37 exactly how I feel pre riding little sugar last week. Nothing really wrong. Just flat and uninspired. Glad to see real riders feel this way too.
You 2 Both Looking Good To Me👍Keep Racing & Enjoy It.
I can't thank you both enough for this. I've really had a rough season after a rocky start and haven't been able to pull myself out of it. But it's okay. You two reminded me that it is okay to fail from time to time and it doesn't equal the end of all this work we put into racing. Thank you both so much. Here's to next year! 🍻
I’m no pro, but I like to wear my wristband for about a week or so after events, it helps me get through the slum feeling is what I call it. It takes me a little while to recover mentally as well, and staring at the wristband and remembering something awesome during the ride by looking at it just seems to push me to the next ride. 🤷🏼♂️
That was RAD! Seeing first hand a complete tire change during a race... And then finishing FIFTH! The moral of the story: It ain't over till it's over!
Another great video. It's nice to see your vulnerable side, as well. And Macky ... The last time I changed a tubeless tire, it took me around 30 minutes.
Great video and very educational!👍 You're a great couple and team, keep that way!👍👍👍...😎
These videos are the best and show the not so good keep it up guys!
Super impressed you guys are still racing!. I thought I had a long season, and didn't do nearly as many races as you. Podiumed on my final race though so a great ending to a great season. Good luck in Madera!
Congrats!
Excellent tire change!!!
Glad to see you guys rip in the Sandias!
Go New Mexico!
Technically I think it was in the Manzanos, but they are practically the same thing. 🙂 Love riding the Tijeras area.
They're attached to each other, I really don't know where the Sandias end and the Manzanos begin. The Tijeras on 40 is my turnoff to the ski area.
So close to that 100k!
Keeping it real! Really impressive how much Macky rallied even though he had to swap the tire. If you guys had a closer parking spot he would have at least podiumed!
Madeira is beautiful and the trails are rad. Traveling there is a bit awkward but worth it. Good luck and have fun.
Goals are usually set at a level that will be challenge to hit so it doesn’t take much to throw a spanner in the works, often through no lack of trying. That can be de motivating when you gave it everything and for some reason the planets didn’t quite align. As they say the only constant in life is change, so slumps like everything else are temporary. Your videos are certainly not in a slump, I luv watching
Practice and experience isn't all that needed to "level-up" at what you do. You also need not ignore another VERY important thing: You have to recharge your battery. You have to. I suggest that you guys might need to take a short break from races to instead do something else you like to do for week. Give your bodies time to heal a bit, your brains time to learn, and remind yourselves why you love doing what you do in the first place. I'm a professional artist/illustrator, and I find that I have to do all of those things sometimes before I can experience growth in my abilities. If I keep doing the same things over and over without recharging, I plateau. When I take some time to do something else--to recharge--I always come back with new energy, better skills, and with a renewed confidence that serves me well going forward. I hope this advice proves to be of some help to you both, as I love your channel, and enjoy your biking journeys.
It can always help to take a break from your bike or ride a different bike just for fun. I find when I start to get into a slump on my mountain bike, I give myself a few days off the bike and then ride my road bike or gravel bike. This renews some enthusiasm for riding and then getting back to the MTB after a little hiatus makes me feel much better on my bike
You two are doing great. If I enter a race I would just be happy to finish in the top 10. My day job doesn’t let me ride as much as I’d like.
We used to call it PCSD or Post Canaan Stress Disorder. It occurs after competing in a 24 hour race. You don’t feel like riding, or dealing with the stinky/steaming pile of riding gear on the garage floor!
Impressive tire change including getting equipment out.
I watch my kids and how they handle their goals, both different, but interesting how both you too have the same highs and lows as my kids. As the dad who is probably too close and struggles see solutions and guidance sometimes. I get mom to weigh in who provides a fresh perspective and brings the boys back on track. Remember it’s got to be fun and enjoyable
Keep it up!! You guys are awesome.😍
Ok, we all have ups and downs, but please remember, you guys. are. amazing.
Well I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with a down period. It's though sometimes... I try to just not fight it, roll with it and waiting until the spark comes back. It quite surely does 😁
I remember what Finn Iles said in one of his early videos right after he got on with Specialized. He at the time was Jr Champion...had won pretty much everything he'd ever competed in...life for him up until "easy." But Pro Racing for anyone as you know is not even in the closest proximity to ever being "easy." He was crashing, panicking, feeling like a loser. He said he was for the first time in his life, not feeling like he was the conquerer. His teams trainer finally had a serious sit down with him and explained that it was normal what he was going through. To TRUST the process...that being plenty of sleep, rest, good diet, hydration, no drugs, no alcohol and to train smart...(sounds like what you guys live by) Anyway, I'm not a pro...I'm just a retired bike shop owner who never even raced...lol...ever! But you two I'd say are veteran pro riders who need to simply "trust the process.) Enjoy the ride. It'll come around, it'll pay off, there'll be a reward. I'm kinda in a situation like this right now...same but totally different...I look at the calendar; and well...I see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. Stick to it...things are gonna get better...love one another and just be the good people that I know you are. Cheers!
Would you guys be kind enough to post a link to your storage setup that is in the back of your Explorer? Please!
We have two sets of these: ironman4x4america.com/storage-systems/locksafe-twin-drawers-1000mm/
Hi Macky - I saw your Downieville video where you didn't have any issues with these same tires. Perhaps this course had sharper rocks. Either way I would suggest trying a more robust tire that's less susceptible to punctures. I have had great success with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35 Anthracite tires. I won't use any other tires now. Never had much luck with Maxxis in the past.
NASCAR has nothing on a Macky tire change 😅
The struggle is real…but you’re both rocking it so think a bit, get some rest and keep enjoying the ride of life !
Ha ha 505 for a tire change. A true New Mexican.
Nice work!
I commend you guys and thank you for your honesty and opennes in sharing the lows as well as the highs. So many times it's difficult to remember that we're just seeing the highlights.
It really helps to have a reminder that even the most of the most awesome hit a slump here and there.
Amazing performance on that race, way to race!
Syd looking strong and in control, and Macky, taking the chance to hit us with a masterclass in race composure and crisis managment lol
I'm curious. What was your final time gap from 1st place? How much time did you lose from running the flat for the rest of that lap and the tire change? 5th place after a 5 minute pit stop sounds absolutely insane, you're a wild man hahaha
I was able 10 mins behind so I think it would have been a good race had I stayed mechanical free!
@@sydandmacky definitely! Great job keeping calm. I would've freaked out super hard.
AWESome!!!!!
oh no, hope you two the best!
Time of year guys. Being fit late in the year ends up impacting next season
You guys are quicker than I would ever be. Next time for flats run IRC Cujos with foam skin walls. You have to get a time machine and go back to the 90s.
Amazing how fast you can ride through rock gardens on you xc bikes.
Question: if the tire repair had worked, would this just have been a temporary fix and the tire be replaced for the next ride, or are these fixes more long lasting?
You can ride tire plugs for a long time (and we have) but we generally replace plugged tires before a race just to make sure they aren't compromised in any way.
You should come try the Iceman Cometh in November sometime. It's always the first week in November in Northern Michigan and you never know what the weather is going to be like. They have a pro category that starts long after everyone else does. There are typically around 4000-5000 riders per year at this event.
Another great video.😊 Just curious as why you guys don't have spare wheel sets ready to go instead of a tyre change?
Maybe try a heavier tire for your B races. An Aggressor rolls well, stops well, corners well and I know you could turn the extra 200 grams or so and still win.
Green Chili in two recent videos oh man serious NM withdrawals going on... You guys rock! You guys going to the balloon fiesta?
We have to set goals otherwise we're just doing something with no real idea of where we're going with it. That goes for everything we do in life. SURE "freestyling" it can be fun but at the end of the day, GOALS is what drives us. The fun and excitement can wear thin at times no matter what we are doing. Keep focused. Remember we're only human. Speedbumps happen. Stay strong people.
That's wild they allow you to go off course to fix flats. Congrats on the placing with all that lost time.
Macky is my hero dealing with flats in racing situations. There was a race video a while back where he plugged a flat in under 30 seconds or sthg. I remember him using the Muul Kit. I've searched for the video but can't find it!!! I want to show it to my NICA Student athletes ... can you help?
I believe this would be the video you're remembering: ua-cam.com/video/aZ9j5y4yGlQ/v-deo.html
@@sydandmacky YES!! Thank you! at 13:27 45 second flat fix.
Macky is a world class tire fixer. If I ever go pro he is on my shortlist for mechanic. Honestly, I rarely bother to fix my flats until I get home. Nothing wrong with a 5 mile hike every once in a while.
Takes me about 12-15 minutes to change a tube. So hard to get the rear wheel off and on. Its always the rear one that flats.
Hi!!!! I am currently starting to race XC/marathon on my Jet 9. I was wondering if you can share your suspension setup? Front and rear. Thanks in advance, love the channel!
Jet 9 rdo 3 star
We generally set our suspension based on Fox's recommended setup. Just Google "Fox setup" and you should find a PDF guide. And for the shock we set the sag based on Niner's sag indicator first to figure out the air pressure then use Fox's recommendation.
@@sydandmacky awesome! Thanks I’ll make sure to go and look.
Sometimes it’s okay to just go for a bike ride and have fun. Not just training and racing.
Great video.
Do you guy ever carry spare wheels and could you have just changed the wheel or is it against the rules?
did you cut the aspen near the rim? do you think another tyre like rekon race, would be better in such a rocky terrain?
It was a pinch flat so the only thing that might have helped was an EXO+ casing. But I was already running a tubeless insert so really the thing that would have helped was not smashing my tire into a rock as hard as I did 😂
awesome vidio
Macky, what do you grab from your handlebars at 13:11?
looks like a tyre plug/bacon strip to plug a puncture
Yup. It's made my MUUL Mounts (there's a link in the description along with a discount code)
Hoorah
Any plans for a Brasil Ride (stage race)?
I’ve seen it many times even winners and champions dwell on the one that got away. Welcome to competitive sports.
What I learnt is don't use tubeless tyres. I've been using tannus inserts and zero punches in 2 years.
The mind is such a fickle thing, it makes no sense that can lose motivation after achieving a goal or milestone, but it happens all the time.
Probably wouldn't hurt to keep an extra wheel set in the car.
You guys are awesome. Keep it up. The good, the bad, and ugly, all good to see. I like the guys are yelling out if you wanted to pass Macky, good deal. And no syd, your changing poncho makes a terrible ugly dress lol. Looks like something my great grandma would of worn for a dress. But maybe you could wear it out for Macky for a date night though.
It’s just life. Human emotions and all.
Sign up for the Marji Gesick race! I would love to see you guys do it (and get my doors blown off as you both fly past me)
Don't forget to take some time off!
What are the 3 things on the wall behind Macky?
Images from the cookbook "Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat"
Will we finally get to see the WFOs go racing?
People don't always meet their goals, think for a minute of all the good things that happened at those races. :)
I don't set goals anymore. They caused me frustration and disappointment.
Macky you could have won this race for sure ,if you didn't get a flat.
please consider shifting gears into gravel racing including but not limited to, The thrill of racing , competition , new territory to explore, less hard knocks on your young bones. The Body Keeps The Score.
is it against the rules to have a spare wheel ready to go in your pit?
Take a break. Its rest that gets us charged.
It seems to me that there is too much. The regime is too loaded. Over training and too many races, too close together. I know you guys are experienced with this obviously but as I watch this I hear and see the results of overextending yourselves. In running when running a marathon, people hit “the wall” at around mile 20-24. This is when the glycogen stores deplete and lactic threshold is reached and basically you’re just going through the motions of finishing the race. When everything in your head and body tell you to stop, you keep going. You’ve hit the wall. Don’t fight it guys. Take rest. You’re going to be better for it. You know yourselves that you can’t push 100 percent 100 percent of the time. Even the best most driven athletes need time off. So take it!
Can you put on a new tire and rim to save a little time fixing a flat instead of putting in a tube. Good luck. 👍
turn off the computer, forget the stats and just ride for fun a few times and remember how much fun it can be when you dont have any specific goal for that period.
Even if you had both hit all of your goals you’d still end up feeling this way…. That’s the problem with trying to find contentment in the things of this world…. Jesus will set you free from all of it!!
A slump is no fun, you spend a lot of time training and planning then comes and goes the big day and then what, it's almost like the big day was to soon in the year. Watched on the spin bike at the gym
Maybe youve reached that point where your next life plans become less about cycling.
Why do riders let you pass them by shouldn’t they not want them too and win themselves?
It's just MTB etiquette. If someone has caught you they're obviously faster. No sense in slowing someone down that's faster than you and has a chance to improve their place.
Also, in XC racing there tends to be a certain amount of back and forth so you let other riders pass so that when you want to pass them they'll let you in return.
Nobody wants Mackey on your rear tire .
Another great video. Thanks! At almost 69 years old, almost all my rides start out with me asking myself, "Why do I feel so bad?" I have to start almost my group rides an hour early just to warm up at my own pace. Cheers!