A few weeks ago, Alex Ovechkin began training for next season, aiming for a Capitals repeat. Ovechkin, through the guidance of his personal trainer Pavel, has changed up his workouts to keep his training fresh.

We’ve observed Ovechkin kayaking, doing frogger jumps at the beach, and turning himself into a human car.

“He came to camp last year in good shape and I think it wasn’t by accident that he was able to have the start that he did,” Capitals head coach Todd Reirden said recently in an interview with NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “So that’s something that’s been discussed with him, and just to make sure to continue to maintain and stay committed to that type of conditioning throughout the year to really set him up to be able to have success in the long run for us. That’s the best two-way hockey that he’s played.”

Tuesday, Ovechkin returned to the DC area and practiced for the first time at MedStar Capitals Iceplex ahead of the new season. Later in the afternoon, Ovechkin was back working on his cardio, biking on the the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Caps fan Andrew Bird, dumbfounded, noticed Ovechkin and snapped a picture with the Caps captain.

Andrew writes:

I actually ordered a capitals cycling jersey online a few weeks ago, and it came today. I was pretty pumped to use it so I braved the heat and went out for a ride after work. On the way home, I passed him on the trail in Herndon and turned around to see if it was him.

He was riding with his trainer Pavel and they pulled off to take a break at the benches at Crestview Dr.

I felt bad bugging him but had to get a pic. I walked up and said I don’t f***ing believe it, and asked for a pic. He obliged and I asked what he was up to and he said new training. He was rocking a mountain bike without a helmet, but I am sure that’s ok cause Russian machine never breaks! Either way, amazing to meet him!

My advice? Never wash that cycling jersey again. That thing is good luck.