Fasting and conserving energy

Just completed a 6-day fast. Too much to put into words here. Will definitely discuss in a podcast episode, and hopefully soon. I will also share my spreadsheet with all info I’ve recorded from the 3-week episode (keto-fast-keto), including my labs. Also, on the podcast front, excited to release tomorrow’s episode with D.A. Wallach. He has such great insight into an array of topics. I’m sure there’s something for everybody in this one.

Lastly, I read a fascinating piece on the physics of cycling (How to win the Tour de France, in one image), in terms of just how “protected” one can be in the pocket of a peloton. I think most casual fans of cycling know that riding in a peloton can provide an energy savings, but this just floored me: “Practically speaking,” the article notes, “the energy savings is the equivalent of pedaling 9.3 miles per hour while actually flying down the road at 33.5 miles per hour” if you’re in the right spot.

Considering riders spend 21 days and 80 hours+ on their bikes — and the difference between standing on the podium versus finishing in the triple digits often comes down to a few relative flashes of brilliance in a time trial, on a mountain stage, and fending off brief (and ferocious) attacks — conserving energy and relying on your teammates is the sine qua non of donning the Mellow Johnny (as one rider from Austin used to put it) in the end.

– Peter