“By the end of the summer, you’re going to be riding 60 miles with me” Chuck Faison still vividly remembers this comment from his friend Dave in 1989. Now, 34 years later, Chuck is eternally grateful for his buddy, whom he thought had lost his mind decades ago.

After all these years, Chuck is still cycling daily, even if it means indoor training during Minnesota winters. What drives him to keep pedaling?

Cycling In Community

While pursuing fitness and functionality, Chuck found an unexpected benefit in cycling. Community. He joined a group called the Twin Cities Bicycle Club to find other local riders. Now, nearly 10 years later, he considers this group to be some of his best friends. Chuck is now a ride leader and leads the club through various rides around the Twin Cities.

Starting with his friend Dave, and growing into an entire club, cycling has provided Chuck an avenue to meet and stay connected with people who are on the same mission. Together, they push one another on and off the bike to continue challenging their limits.

Thinking about his cycling journey, Chuck is blown away by the advancements in technology over the years. He remembers when he first got into cycling, he was solely focused on how he felt. He said, “All I was thinking about is if I was breathing hard or not.”

Trending Up With Technology

Eventually, Chuck got his first biking computer that tracked his ride’s length and intensity. This technology was game-changing in an era when riders were not accustomed to any data during their training. Gradually, things like sports science and nutrition started to be better understood by casual athletes.

A breakthrough also came from testing his body. In 2013 Chuck discovered VO2max testing and was intrigued by the information it could provide. The only problem was he did not know what to do with the data or how to apply it to his training goals. While the information was interesting, he did not have the time to dive into understanding how to bring the information to life.

The biggest obstacle in Chuck’s training journey has always been time. He recalls, “Balancing working out and staying healthy with raising children, work and life has always been a challenge for me.”

Discovering The Missing Pieces

This spring, Chuck was shopping for a new bike when an employee at the bike shop suggested that he visit this new Human Performance testing Lab in Edina. The worker suggested that Chuck would get personalized information that would help his training. While the idea sounded interesting, he wasn’t completely sure it was right for him. He remembered his previous VO2max experience, and having as many questions as answers. He said, “I remember asking myself, is this too intense for me?”

Pushing through his mental resistance, Chuck scheduled a consultation and planned his visit to the lab. He scheduled a VO2max test and a Bike Fitting. Having previous experience with both of these, Chuck was excited to get new baseline data that would improve his training. What he was not expecting was the results of his assessments.

After completing his VO2max, Chuck was recommended that he focus more of his training in Heart Rate Zone 2. This Zone 2 training would be designed to improve his endurance and allow him to bike for longer distances without getting winded. Instead of pushing his body to the limit, he was advised to train in Zone 2 and focus more on the duration rather than the intensity. He said, “I was shocked when they told me I needed to work less hard.”

Aside from his VO2max, Chuck also knew he needed to get his bike dialed in for summer riding. What he didn’t know was that his pedaling form needed tweaking, and that his muscle tightness was preventing him from performing at his peak. He expressed, “I discovered how important stretching and loosening my muscles is for my riding.”

Training Smarter and Harder

Finally equipped with knowledge about his unique physiology, Chuck is more prepared than ever for his winter training. Combining his decades of dedication with personalized insights, he is excited about unlocking new heights into his 60s. After observing technology come so far over the last 30 years, he is amazed at what he’s learned about his body and how it performs.

Chuck was amazed by the information he received, saying, “I thought you would have had to be a pro cyclist to get half the information I got access to at Human Powered Health.”

When winter training is complete and warmer weather returns, what are Chuck’s goals for the upcoming season? He answered, “I am looking at picking up a few competitive races next year. I want to be able to fly by the guys who are half my age next season.”

Wherever Chuck’s fitness journey takes him, we’ll be cheering him on. We are inspired by his 30+ years of commitment and are excited to continue supporting him in surpassing his limits. As Chuck knows firsthand, True Health is Self-Made.