My name is Scott Schofield, I’m the owner and frame builder at Indigo Custom Bicycles in Crested Butte, Colorado. I specialize in designing and building awesome custom road and gravel bikes. I’m finding more people are gravitating to gravel riding and it’s the most popular model of bike I design and build.
I no longer race, hell that’s way in my rear view mirror at this point in my life, but I’ve always enjoyed riding and being on the bike. My riding goal now is not to get dropped on a group ride! As it happens with most people, trying to stay engaged in a passion can sometimes be difficult when “life gets in the way”. I reengaged with cycling through gravel riding. Getting out on dusty back roads, free of cars and viewing new scenery was quite a change of pace from the concentrated efforts of road riding.
Wanting to improve my fitness, I finally decided to commit myself to a focused training program. What better way to get back into it than to commit to The Mid South (Land Run 100) ride in Stillwater, Oklahoma? I had heard it was a great ride so I decided to register. Then I had to figure out how I was going to survive! I knew I needed to get on a program with a coach so I reached out to Robin to get me jump-started. I purchased a new smart trainer, signed up with Zwift and created my own little pain cave in the back of my shop. I had recently moved from the flat lands of Oklahoma to live at over 9,000 ft. in Crested Butte, Colorado. To say this was a mild shock to the aerobic system would be an understatement! So, I finally got my trainer and Zwift connected and ready go…Robin had me all set up on a program…I’m psyched!
Of course, the first project on the calendar was to take an FTP test…yay! Let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. I was somewhat out of shape, riding at 9,000 ft. and taking an FTP test…what could possibly go wrong?! I thought I was going to die! I was bummed out, but realized there needed to be adjustments if I was going to adapt. Robin and I chatted and we set some realistic trainer goals with progressive workouts to build my system. For a while I struggled, but after a period of time I found that I was feeling better on the bike and noticed my body adapting to working out at a higher altitude. I actually found myself looking forward to getting on the bike each session! Which is saying a lot considering my general aversion to trainers. I’m not cranking out any pro level wattage, but I feel stronger each ride and enjoy pushing myself. Being on a structured program keeps me focused and committed to getting the work done.
I’m looking forward to The Mid South ride even though my tires won’t see dirt until I arrive in Stillwater! I’ll have my tent at the expo showing my bikes the day before the ride. Stop by and say Hi if you’re there…and look for me on the Oklahoma back roads!
Scott Schofield
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