Take a listen to this new one that dropped last Friday by American Authors. While it may not be destined to be as popular as ” Best Day of My Life” and “Believer”, it's still pretty catchy and makes a great fast flat road. I'll also be using it as a warm up. Here is “Pride”:
With the holidays upon us, I thought it was only appropriate to dedicate this post to a song or two that you might use over the next few weeks. I personally don't create playlists dedicated to strictly holiday songs. I typically sprinkle a few in here and there in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and I try to keep them pretty non-traditional. One of my favorite go-to bands for Christmas tunes is the progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Here are two of my favorites:
Christmas Eve/Sarajevo: This one starts out slow and then picks up at about the 30 second mark. Slowing down again at around 1:30, then really picking up around 2:20 all the way to the finish.
Wizards in Winter: I use this one for accelerations on a flat road. Accelerations happen at :30 (20 seconds); 1:15 (25 seconds); and 2:10 (50 seconds: begin to accelerate and build to a sprint for the final 20 seconds).
One of my favorite climbing songs of all time is “Preliator” by Globus (from their album Epicon). I use this type of music sparingly in my classes, but I really love coaching my classes through songs such as these. The music provides so much motivation and just begs your legs to climb. Globus' music has been described as ‘symphonic rock' or ‘symphonic metal', and this particular song is epic enough to have been used in several movie trailers. Check out the live version here:
I was recently turned on to another song from the same album called “Europa”. I'll be using this one as a seated climb at around 70 rpm's, adding gear every minute. The music slows briefly at 2:10, but don't let that slow your climb. Continue on and finish this nearly 4 minute climb strong! Enjoy!
One band that I always love playing in my classes is Panic at The Disco. The band was formed in 2004, but they have that classic rock sound that I love. A few of their songs that I've used recently and had great luck with are Miss Jackson and This is Gospel from their 2013 album Too Weird To Live, Too Young to Die!.
Their newest album, Death of a Bachelor, is set to release in January of 2016 and I'm loving the singles that have been released so far. Here they are, in order of release:
“Hallelujah” was released as the lead single on April 20, 2015. Use it as a hill or flat road at 80 rpm's. Fun fact: The very beginning of the song samples Question 67 and 68 by Chicago.
“Victorious” was released on September 29, 2015. I've used this as as fast flat road and a warm up. It could also be used as a flat road.
“Emperor's New Clothes”was released on October 22, 2015. Another fast flat road at around 96 rpm's. You can also use this one as speed work-accelerating on the chorus.
“LA Devotee” was released on the 27th of November 2015 (today)! It's around 88 rpm's so it would work great as a flat road. It would also make a great warm up.
I can't wait to see what the rest of the album brings!
iTunes links:
I think this week's post should be called “Classic Track of The Week” because I'm sharing a song from 2003. That's right-2003. That's before I even started teaching indoor cycling. This is one of those songs that you can keep in your archives and use over and over. It's timeless beat and simple lyrics never go out of style:
“There is a place within all of us,
It is sacred, so free of judgement.
And this is yours to share with who you wish
This is your sanctuary…. sanctuary.”
I've created a playlist with the radio edit as well as several of the remixes, so you're sure to find one that will fit into your next playlist.