We're All Seeking This
Playing Bikes with Butch Keahiolalo
The Why
“Cycling helped me escape what I was going through and connect with something else.” - Butch Keahiolalo
The Tour de France is the world's biggest bike race. And it's considered the hardest of the Grand Tours. The 2024 Tour will be the 111th edition of this legendary event.
The Tour de France is comprised of 21 stages. Each stage offers a different challenge. Some phases are famous for their mountains, others are flat, making them all out sprints to the finish.
The distance athletes cover changes yearly, as does the route. The Grand Départ occurred in Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Germany in previous Tours.
In 2024, the Tour will set off from Florence, Italy, and finish in Nice, France. In the past decade, the total distance covered ranged from 2,068 to 2,275 miles.
Millions of people line the streets every year to watch the professionals compete. And millions more tune in. The 2023 Tour drew a total TV audience of 42 million viewers, which represents an almost 3% increase over last year.
The uptick in viewership represents a larger trend: people are riding bikes more. And not just road bikes. Bikepacking is having a moment. Gravel cycling is picking up steam.
People everywhere are beginning to appreciate the power of two wheels. But a bicycle has always been Butch Keahiolalo's favorite way to get around.
"I grew up riding bikes," says Butch. "As a kid, riding bikes was the sole mode of transportation. I don't remember being in my parent's car unless it was a special occasion."
The increasing interest in cycling also reflects the power of finding a community. Subcultures such as rock climbing, running, and cycling are tight-knit. Their members support and look out for one another.
Organizations like Le Loop are well aware of the power of community. Le Loop is the principal fundraising event for the William Wates Memorial Trust.
The family of William Wates created this trust in his memory after William was killed during his gap year in Central America.
The William Wates Memorial Trust aims to "help disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfill their potential." They do this by giving grants to charities that help young people become engaged in sports, arts, and education.
During Le Loop, amateur cyclists follow the exact route of the Tour de France. Athletes of all levels can ride one or all 21 stages of the Tour a week before the pros do.
Le Loop isn't about competing like the pros, though. It's about fostering a connection with people who share a similar passion.
This sense of community is baked into everything Le Loop does, too. For instance, everyone cycles the first 40km at a group pace. No one can leave the first feed stop until everyone arrives.
"I didn't have the best greatest childhood," says Butch. "My dad was abusive. I moved out of the house in high school and was living in my car. Cycling helped me escape what I was going through and connect with something else. Sports, health, and fitness become this source of connection and escape, especially for kids in trouble."
Butch’s first foray into the cycling world came when he was 14. At the time, he was working at a bike shop. There, he learned about the connection riders have with their bikes and each other.
The community Butch found at the bike shop laid the foundation for the next chapter of his life. He grew up in Indiana and began racing at a young age, eventually earning a spot on the Purdue Cycling Club.
Butch raced through college and competed at the highest level of amateur status. While riding for Purdue, he became the Midwest Collegiate Conference Champion, which earned him a spot at the Collegiate Nationals.
The podium finishes were necessary. But they were never the aim for Butch. Cycling showed Butch that he wasn’t alone. And that freedom was just over the next hill. So, when Butch learned about Le Loop, it wasn’t a question of if he should do it.
Le Loop is a culmination of everything Butch loves about cycling. He’s participated in Le Loop every year since 2018. And through his efforts, he’s raised over $12,000.
"I always wanted to do the Tour de France. I grew up watching the race," says Butch. "Cycling is still a form of escape and connection for me, though. But now I can check off the Tour and do it for a worthwhile cause."
The Community
Every year, Le Loop creates a WhatsApp group for all the participants. Riders share stories from previous Loops, training tips, or simply catch up.
Butch's 2018 chat is still active today, which is how he got invited to participate in Race Across America.
"You start to see the same people every year. Even with a large community like Le Loop, though, you still have your niche groups," says Butch. "You have the beer drinkers, the more competitive folks, and everything in between. You can pick and choose which group you tap into. You can get many different experiences during one event."
But the Le Loop community is more than the cyclists. When you think of community, you focus on the athletes. But events like Le Loop wouldn't happen without the volunteers.
Le Loop's volunteers ensure the three-week experience goes off without a hitch. So, it's important to acknowledge the individuals who make your experience better.
"There's a core group of volunteers that support the three-week event," says Butch. "The lead cyclist is the same person who is loading your luggage. The person you got a massage from in the morning also prepares your food at night."
The Training 🚲
Tackling Le Loop means you'll spend a lot of time in the saddle. A good litmus test is if you can do back-to-back century rides and feel good, you can do Le Loop. Training for Le Loop shouldn't detract from other areas of your life, though. "Make sure your life is in order. You want to enjoy training. You need to take care of the other areas of your life, so your ride is worth it," says Butch.
Training for Le Loop
Butch starts training for Le Loop 6 months prior.
Butch will start by riding 10-hour weeks. As the event approaches, he'll hit 20-hour weeks, which equals 400 miles, depending on where he's riding.
Enjoying Le Loop
Le Loop is meant to be fun. And your training should be fun as well.
So, Butch recommends not taking riding too seriously. A phrase he likes to say is he's just playing bikes.
Pro tip:
FOCUS = consistency. "It's more about having the discipline to be consistent over doing big chunks of biking," says Butch.
The Food 🥪
Putting 350 miles in the saddle a week will add up your grocery bill, especially if you're a gel person. So, Butch prefers to eat real food and opts for DIY methods. Le Loop also shares the real food mentality. The folks at Le Loop provide everything you need regarding nutrition and hydration.
Butch's concoctions
Instead of gels, Butch combines honey, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. He'll store this cocktail in a running flask so it's accessible.
Instead of buying pre-made bars, Butch will make his own using fresh berries and dates.
Staying fueled during Le Loop
The volunteers at Le Loop keep four feed stops stocked with fruits, sandwiches, and other necessities.
Butch recommends not overeating at the feed stop, though. Instead, he suggests eating light and taking food with you that you can eat while riding.
Pro tip
After a long day’s work, double down on your food. “Eat and drink for tomorrow," says Butch. "Most of the time, you eat and drink for what you do that day. But at Le Loop, you must think about tomorrow's ride."
The Gear 🤙
Spend 20 hours a week on a bike, and you'll develop a relationship with it. Like a best friend, you'll start to pick up on its subtleties. It's easy to get caught up chasing the newest and brightest. But these carrots lack the nuances of an old friend.
Butch's gear philosophy
When looking for gear, Butch prioritizes connection. If a piece of equipment doesn't enhance his relationship with fellow riders, the bike, or the environment, it's not worth it.
The Advice
Butch on perceived effort
“I just go by feel. I don’t ride with a power meter and rarely even pay attention to my heart rate. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers and metrics. But for the most part, I’m not trying to ride a certain distance or sustain a certain power. It’s about deciding whether to suffer and/or enjoy the moment, sometimes at the same time, to achieve my goal(s).”
My $0.02
Finding or creating a community is a good first step when chasing big goals.
Want to run a marathon? Ask your favorite brewery if they have a run club. If they don't have one, start one.
Want to do your first multi-day hike? Ask the local outfitter if they do guided treks. If they don't, ask if they know of someone who does.
The connections you create will expedite your learning curve. It'll also make your training and preparation more enjoyable.