Bikes or Death

Patrick Farnsworth

Bikes or Death is a podcast centered around the growing sport of bikepacking, adventure cycling, and the outdoors. The show features the amazing people who participate in these activities and contribute so greatly to the cycling community. The Bikes or Death Podcast is dedicated to sharing the stories and experiences of these individuals with the hopes that it inspires others to get outside, get on their bikes, and experience what our natural world has waiting for them. At its heart Bikes or Death is more than just a podcast. Bikes or Death is a lifestyle. It's the idea that a life without bikes is a life not worth living. Now go ride your damn bike!

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

219 episodes
Updated July 23
Explicit

Episodes219

Newest first

Mar 23, 2020 · 1 hr 38 min
Ep. 40 - Jenny Schmidt, bikepacking along the Border
In this episode I meet up with Jenny Schmidt at Rocky Hill Ranch to ride bikes and record a podcast. She had just completed a solo bikepacking trip along the US/Mexico border from California to Texas. For her this trip was about grappling with her own mental health and an opportunity to learn first hand about the issues surrounding the border and the wall. When we recorded this episode on Feb. 25th we had no idea that when she flew back to her home state of Washington that she would soon find herself in the epicenter of America's battle with the Coronavirus. As I listened to this episode it was eye opening to realize what a different world we were living in only a month ago. It was actually refreshing to remember back to that day and relive the simplicity of going for a mountain bike ride with new friends, recording an episode in @vanordeath, and then going out to a restaurant for tacos. All of those things are on hold now as we hunker down and wait. I've been reflecting on how connected we ALL are. This virus has shown that the actions of one man in Wuhan, China can have a huge impact on the entire planet. In this case, it is a negative impact, but it's opened my eyes to the realization that we really are in this together, that our actions do matter, that one person can make a difference. There is so much we can't do right now you may feel helpless, but I'm encouraging everyone to realize how impactful their actions are and to be mindful of what you do and how you treat people and our environment. I am going to take advantage of this "down-time" by recording and releasing as many episodes as I can. The Bikes or Death Podcast: NOT CANCELLED.
Mar 10, 2020 · 2 hr 15 min
Ep. 39 - Drew Echelberger, I rode here from Kentucky
Drew Echelberger is a 29 year old adventure cyclist, writer, glassblower & rapper from Louisville Kentucky. The eccentric aspiring novelist, & travel show host has been making & hiding marbles all across the country throughout the course of the 37,000+ Miles (over 1.5 x around the planet earth) 30 states & 3 countries he has pedaled though solo & self supported over the past 5 years. Two weeks ago he celebrated 1,000 days on the road since last leaving home. Last month I had the pleasure of sitting down with him on a camping trip to hear him read some poetry, do his best Johnny Cash impression, ramble on about bicycle advocacy politics, "Leaving Monday", sensory deprivation tanks, secret beaches, sky islands, & many other obscure rabbit hole bike related tangents. He describes his trip as "If Anthony Bourdain & Hunter S Thompson went on a bike tour, this would be it". Later today he will release the clues to a newly hidden marble in honor of his 1,000 days on the road, & in a few weeks he will host a "How To Do A Bike Overnight" presentation on behalf of the Adventure Cycling Association. Follow along on his profile @NightmareTheRustyRobot to stay up to date on all latest & most recent adventures he's got cookin up in the Austin area for now & in anticipation for that faithful Monday when he finally does get back out there on that long open road. Rumor has it this time he's heading for the Caribbean. •My Website: IRodeHereFromKentucky.Com •Instagram: @NightmareTheRustyRobot#IRodeHereFromKentucky https://www.instagram.com/nightmaretherustyrobot/? •Facebook- Bike Travel: "I Rode Here From Kentucky" https://www.facebook.com/IRodeHereFromKentucky/ •Facebook- My Glass Art: "Echelberger Glass Art" https://www.facebook.com/Echelberger-Glass-Art-1856929101187778/ •Facebook- Marble Hunt: "Worlds Biggest Marble Hunt" https://www.facebook.com/groups/1701482663452819/?ref=share •YouTube: Rap Song Music Video "Dr. Dundiff & Friends - State Of The Art Remix feat. Jim James" https://youtu.be/ggOtCFZ4zoc •Strava Interactive Heat Map (to see every wrong tune I've ever made all 37,000+ miles of them): https://www.strava.com/athletes/645781/heatmaps/15f1f818#3/27.35231/-94.68742 •Strava Athlete Profile: "Drew Echelberger" https://www.strava.com/athletes/645781 •Warmshowers/Couchsurfing: "Drew Echelberger" •Article I mentioned about flotation therapy: https://www.irodeherefromkentucky.com/blog/2018/10/26/sensory-deprivation-flotation-therapy •Full Gear Breakdown: https://www.irodeherefromkentucky.com/bike • Other Featured Articles (not written by me): http://louisvilledistilled.com/2018/01/09/cyclist-drew-echelberger-journeys-hip-hop-u-s-sightseeing-mission/ https://www.adventurecycling.org/sites/default/assets/resources/20181201_OpenRoad_CaplanidesPoore.pdf
Mar 4, 2020 · 1 hr 44 min
Ep. 38 - Kerry Staite is kLite
I'm excited to release my second interview with Kerry Staite, Chief "Mad Scientist" at kLite. Kerry is a forward thinking guy with perspectives that will make you go mmmmmhhhhh. If we are starved of anything in today's world its authenticity, but not today, not this episode, and especially not Kerry Staite. Hold onto your headphones, this one's coming in hot.
Feb 25, 2020 · 1 hr 15 min
Ep. 37 - Katie & Henley Phillips, alone across Australia
Katie Visco is fresh off a 2,200 mile, 119 day run across the Australian outback, but she didn't do it alone. Her support vehicle was a Surly Troll loaded down with all the food, water, and provisions they would need to make the traverse. This "Monster Bike" was powered by her husband, Henley Philips, making this the first anyone has ever ran across Australia complete supported by 100% human power. You can find out more here: Www.katievisco.com @katievisco @henley.phillips
Feb 19, 2020 · 1 hr 41 min
Ep. 36 - Scotti & Ernie Lechuga, ARHCR FKT holders
I had the pleasure of interviewing Scotti and Ernie Lechuga in Little Rock, AR on my way to ride a portion of the AR High Country Route. Brannon Pack who works for Fayetteville recommended them as a great interview to get a feel for what I had to look forward to. I went into this interview completely blind to their background as professional road cyclist. I was planning to talk to them about their FKT they set on the High Country Route and get some pointers, but as their story unfolded I found myself with an endless list of questions and an increasing interest in knowing all about what lead them to bikepacking. What unfolds is one of my personal favorite episodes. They are equally impressive on and off the bikes and I truly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them better. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! You can learn more about them and their coaching business at LeborneCoaching.com. Also, check out the video documenting their ARHCR FKT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jyWi7lpyRs This years Arkansas High Country Race takes place in Fayetteville on June 6th. Registration opened on Feb. 15th and there are only 24 spots left (at the time this was published). I hope to see you there! Bikes or Death will be there for a couple of days before the start conducting interviews, hanging out with you fine folks, and rolling out on the start with you. If you'd like to be a guest on the podcast and are competing in the race please send me an email at bikes@bikesordeath.com. To register CLICK ME
Feb 11, 2020 · 55 min
Ep. 35 - A Visit to the High Country, Previewing this year's High Country Race
Y'all know I love me some Arkansas, so when Brannon Pack called me with an "idea" to give me a guided tour on a part of the High Country Route I started packing my bike bags. This is the second year for the Arkansaw High Country Race which will start and finishes in Fayetteville, AR for the first time. The race is based on a route that was created by Chuck Campbell in partnership with the Adventure Cycling Association and covers 1,035 miles through the northwestern portion of Arkansas, including the Ouachitas and Ozarks. Last year 20 people registered for the inaugural race, but this year I'd like to see all 50 spots sold out when registration opens! Listen to this episode, get stoked, and set your alarms for 8am CST on Feb. 15th when registration for this years race goes live! The race kicks of on June 6th and Bikes or Death will be there to cover the event, meet the racers, and ride out with you on the official start. We will also be selecting two participants (male and female) to interview prior to and after the race. If you'd like to through your name in the hat, first register, then send me an email at bikes@bikesordeath.com.
Jan 28, 2020 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 34 - Jolene Holland on womens racing
As a follow up to the last episode with Roger Gilles, where we discussed his book Women on the Move about women's racing at the turn of the century, I asked Jolene Holland if she would be willing to come on the show to discuss women's racing now. Jolene has been cycling for the past 10 years and now rides for Colavita as a Cat 1 racer. She is also the creator of Ultra Violet Racing Team, which focuses on helping bridge the gap for women in bike racing. Her enthusiasm for competitive bike racing and getting other women involved really shines through as you listen to her. Another focus is FUN, she says if you ride with her there is a good chance a bike ride will be followed by a beer (or three) which has led to your friendly neighborhood strip club in the past. There is no one right way to ride a bike or be a member of this community. Jolene is a great example of someone who finds joy in all types of cycling and is working to make the sport more inclusive and FUN for everyone. The topic of women in sports is larger and more complex than than can be adequately covered in an hour long podcast. I appreciate Jolene's willingness to discuss this topic and share some of her own perspectives and experiences as a female bike racer in 2020. Now, go ride your damn bike!
Jan 14, 2020 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep. 33 - Roger Gilles author of Women on the Move
In this episode I interview Roger Gilles, author of Women on the Move: The Forgotten Era of Women's Bicycle Racing. I originally became interested in this book when a documentary I was watching (called Bicycle) mentioned a bike racer by the name of Dottie Farnsworth. As a Farnsworth myself, and knowing that it is an uncommon name, I knew there was a good chance I was related to her. My mom happens to be a genealogist, so I put her to work on the lineage while I started my search to track down everything I could find out about Dottie Farnsworth. As it turns out there was very little out there, but I did find some pictures and other bits of information floating around on the internet. Dottie Farnsworth Shortly after I started my search, Roger released his new book Women on the Move featuring Dottie as one of the main characters, along with many other equally fascinating women. What started as a search to find out more about a distant relative turned into a eye opening journey that paints a picture of a time period in our sport that I was completely unaware of. The book covers a 7 year period from 1985-1902 when women's endurance cycling races were at an all time high in America. The women who dared to race were truly pioneers, pushing the boundaries of not only what everyone thought was physically possible, but also the clothing and social norms of the time. They truly had to fight on and off the track to pursue their goals, and what they accomplished is truly astonishing. We all owe these women so much, but I hope women in particular will find inspiration in these stories of courage and athletic accomplishments that took place only 120 years ago.
Jan 6, 2020 · 1 hr
Ep. 32 - Alana Rose Parent, 16 year old bikepacker - Be Inspired
At the age of 14 Alana was introduced to bikepacking through The Anchorage GRIT Program put on by Lael Wilcox and Cait Rodriguez. If you've been following along you have probably heard Lael's version of meeting and getting to know Alana, and now you get to hear from the young lady herself. As a seasoned bikepacker at the age of 16 she has already completed a 1,000+ mile trip in Alaska and a tour of the Pacific Coast and she's done both SOLO. Check out this episode to learn more about those trips, what she loves about bikepacking, and her plans for the future! If you'd like to support her in her adventures, Alana has an Etsy Shop were she sells bike art jewelry she made herself.
Dec 4, 2019 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 30 - Bikepacking Summit Series - Ultraromance
You don't schedule an interview with Ultraromance. The universe must align in such a way that your paths cross and you may find yourself sitting down with the most mythical personality our sport has ever seen. In this exclusive interview I ask the questions you've been dying to know like, "What's your name?" and "Do you take showers?". Find out his answer to these and many more in this ultra episode of the Bikes or Death Podcast. Follow him on Instagram (ummm just in case you don't already) You can find the products we discussed on the show on his website www.ronsbikes.com and his new tire corporation www.ultradynamico.com
Nov 21, 2019 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 29 - Bikepacking Summit Series - Lael & Rue
At the Bikepacking Summit I had the honor of sitting down with Lael Wilcox and Rugile Kaladyte (Rue) in their first interview together. After they found themselves in the middle of drama on the Tour Divide this year it was nice to chat with both of them to hear their thoughts on riding and documents bikepacking events. Personally, I'm grateful for what they are trying to do through documenting this great sport that we love. Inspired to Ride spurred a new generation of bikepackers and Tour Divide participants, myself included. I am grateful for the efforts they have been making to tell the stories of events like the Tour Divide or the Navidad 1000. Those stories inspire and inspiration leads to more people on bikes and that's something we should all be rallied around. Having been fortunate enough to spend time riding, socializing, and interviewing both Lael and Rue I have seen first hand their love for this sport, the community, and their desire to share these stories in the most respectful way possible. Yesterday Pearl Izumi launch Rue's new film I Just Want to Ride documenting Tour Divide 2019. It is worth a watch and then a rewatch. How cool is it to be able to watch the dots, see some social media post from time to time, and then watch a film about the event and see first hand some of the conditions and challenges that the riders were facing only five months ago!? Thank you Lael and Rue for keeping the course in the face of adversary. As you will hear on this episode there is nothing easy about documenting an event like this and to do it under such scrutiny from the community you love added a whole new level of difficulty. The new film is a beautiful look into the lives of the ultra endurance riders we love and the routes we aspire to ride. I look forward to future projects and more content like this. Maybe in the future people will put down their keyboards and go ride their damn bikes!
Nov 12, 2019 · 51 min
Ep. 28 - Bikepacking Summit Series - Kate Gates
Kate Gates is one of the owners of Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Getaway in Ellijay, GA, the venue for this year's Bikepacking Summit. Their property is located in the southern Appalachian Mountains of northwest Georgia and is surrounded by National Forest, gravel roads, and cycling friendly trails. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that their facility is an oasis for cyclists and outdoors people. The proprietors of this family owned and operated business are a large part of what makes Mulberry Gap so special. This is very much a family business. Grandmas are LITERALLY in the kitchen whipping up some of the best homemade southern comfort food your hungry little heart desires. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the coffee and cold beer as both are a necessity to most. Their hospitality neither starts nor ends with the food, but it's a good place to get your attention. The true magic of the place comes from the top down. Everyone who runs this facility loves what they do, the community they do it for, and the people involved on an individual level. Just add awesome cyclists and hot damn you've got yourself a party! Thank you Kate and Andrew Gates (and their families) for hosting such a great event and making each of us feel welcome in your home.
Nov 3, 2019 · 43 min
Ep. 27 - Bikepacking Summit Series - Joe Cruz
Joe Cruz is a powerful and incredibly insightful person, which surely stems from his background as a professor of philosophy at Williams College and his decades of bikepacking and bike traveling all over the world. Additionally, he is an editor at large for Bikepacking.com. Joe was the opening presenter on Friday morning at the Bikepacking Summit this year. What we as the audience experienced was a powerful lesson in fear, our understanding of it, and our relationship to it. Joe's understanding and relationship with fear is probably deeper than most of our own. It's the kind of relationship you have after spending three decades traveling the world via bicycle. He would tell you, any moments of fear he experienced are greatly outnumbered by the good, positive, and wonderful experiences. So how do we look at fear in contrast to these amazing experiences? I'll let Joe tell you in his own words. This interview was very impromptu. I had just finished recording with Greg Hardy and had a small window before my next interview. Joe's stellar presentation had put him on my radar for a possible interview. So when I looked around and saw him chatting with some fellow attendees I took the opportunity to have him share some of this presentation with you. I wish you could have been there on Friday morning to hear his presentation, to see the emotion in his eyes, and to feel that emotion reverberate through the room. If you weren't able to be there I hope you will get a taste of what we all experienced through this podcast.
Oct 29, 2019 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 26 - Bikepacking Summit Series - Greg Hardy
On Oct. 27th 2018 I sat down with Greg Hardy of Rockgeist in his shop in Asheville, NC to record the first ever Bikes or Death podcast. What has transpired since that day can only be described as a whirlwind. On that day I started a journey that has taken me further than I realized possible or likely. However, here we are a year later and I'm sitting down with my friend Greg again. On this new episode we share some thoughts about the Bikepacking Summit, catch up, I ask some follow up questions to our first episode, and of course we talk shop! And he's got some juicy stuff to share!! Greg is offering a 10% DISCOUNT CODE to all BoD listeners. Use the promo code BIKESORDEATH at check out on Rockgeist.com and watch those dollars just fade away.
Oct 22, 2019 · 1 hr 42 min
Ep. 25 - Bikepacking Summit Series - Miles Arbour
Like most modern friendships, I linked up with Miles Arbour through Instagram. Miles is the one responsible for putting together a Q&A article that appeared on BIKEPACKING.com after my first six episodes here at Bikes or Death, sending a surge of new listeners my way… an article I'm still stoked about. Miles is a writer and editor at BIKEPACKING.com, reviewing products and bikes, managing the events calendar, and working directly with the small team that handles the site's daily tasks. He's also a funny dude who is just as goofy in person as he is on Instagram. On this episode, we sit down at the 2019 Bikepacking Summit to learn more about him, van life, and his work with BIKEPACKING.com. As an added bonus, shortly after the summit Miles came to visit me in College Station, Texas to record the intro and outro for this episode, and we debrief the Summit a little further. We both hope you'll get a good laugh during this episode. We sure did.
Sep 13, 2019 · 1 hr 47 min
Ep. 24 - Kurt Refsnider
Getting to talk to Kurt Refsnider was a true pleasure. His achievements on and off the bike are quite impressive and my conversation with him left me feeling inspired, hopeful for the future of our public lands, and also a little like I could be doing more! I caught up with Kurt after his win at the Colorado Trail Race. This is a race that he hasn't had good luck with in the past, but this year everything came together for him to claim first place. In doing so, he became the first person to achieve the Triple Crown of Bikepacking, which means that he is the first person to win the Tour Divide, AZT, and CTR. Let that sink in for a second. In addition to his accomplishments on the bike he is also running Bikepacking Roots, a non-profit focusing on important issues that can and will impact land use and access among other things. The work he and his team are doing is invaluable to us as a community and I encourage you to listen to the podcast and then go to BikepackingRoots.org to become a member and take action on the items they present to the members. Kurt is a leader on and off the bike and I truly enjoyed his time and what he was able to share.
Sep 3, 2019 · 1 hr 57 min
Ep. 23 - Rebecca Vader, The Freedom Tour
Rebecca Vader set off on her bike a little over two months ago on what she called The Freedom Tour. She didn't have a destination in mind, just a bike and her adventurous spirit. On this episode we learn where that combination leads. She has a unique approach to life that is refreshing on some level and intimidating on the other. Our conversation had me looking inward to check in with myself at different times during the chat. I didn't know anything about her (except what I saw on instagram) before our interview. However, I quickly realized I was talking to a different type of human, one that finds her own path in her own way. As you'll hear that doesn't mean life is perfect or easy, but you already knew that. You will hear some great quotes like, "Wait! You are telling me there is a bike I can ride anywhere I want?!?!" and "I just went to fucking life school"! After our talk Rebecca sent some great pictures that really give a sense of what her tour was like. If you want to put visuals to the words in this interview, check out some of Rebecca's pictures here. I love talking to all the different personalities that make up this great sport. There are so many ways to recreate and participate and they are all good. It's up to you to find our own path....maybe you can steal some ideas from Rebecca....
Aug 22, 2019 · 2 hr 29 min
Ep. 22 - Kerry Staite, the "Mad Scientist" at kLite
Kerry Staite is the owner and founder of kLite. I've been a customer of his for a couple of years and have followed him on social media (@klite_dynamo_power on Instagram) with growing curiosity. It was this post that made me reach out to him immediately: "This is ME, I am kLite I wear no shirt of social conformity. I wear no hat to hide my hairless shame I am flesh and blood, I am free to be me. I am kLite" ~ Kerry Staite I pictured him as a mad scientist inventing cool electronic gadgets that are beyond my ability to comprehend. While I do still see him as a mad scientist type, he does an excellent job of explaining his products and how they work. After interviewing him for two hours I can confirm the statement he made in that Instagram post, "I am free to be me." He shared his ideas and perspectives without hesitation or fear of any backlash. It was refreshing. It was also informative. He is a wealth of bike and life knowledge that has come through a lifetime of experiences. I learned a lot and truly enjoyed our conversation. My favorite quote from the podcast was, "I don't give a shit if all I have is a bag of rice. As long as I get to do something I love that makes me happy." We will be recording another episode in the near future. If you have some questions for Kerry drop them in the comment section below and I'll get you answers!
Aug 15, 2019 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 21 - The Girls of GRIT
On this episode I chat with Anna Claire Beasley and Beckie Irvin, creators of Grit Fest: a women's mountain bike festival going down this November in Arkansas. The three day festival is open to womxn (cis, trans, and non-binary) riders of ALL levels and will focus on skill development, community building, outdoor advocacy and education. The schedule is packed with workshops and clinics, speakers, social events, a gear swap, camping, beer, and more. Bikes or Death is proud to support Grit Fest as a sponsor, and I'm excited to have these two awesome women on the show to tell us what it's all about. Beckie and Anna Claire share a passion for mountain biking and a commitment to inclusivity that really shine through in this interview. I couldn't agree more with their philosophy that it doesn't matter what bike you have, what you wear when you ride, or whether your gear is basic or fancy. As their website says: "It's not about the gear, the kit, or the bike. It's about the ride + where it takes you." In addition to Grit Fest, we also touch on plenty of other interesting topics: the psychology of how different genders learn in sports, the importance of inclusivity in the world of cycling ("If you have a bike, and you ride it, you're a cyclist"), and the unexpected popularity of women's ultra-endurance cycling races back in the early 1900's. If that caught your interest, here's a link to the book we talked about: Women on the Move, the Forgotten Era of Women's Bicycle Racing. Grit MTB Festival details: Nov. 15-17th, 2019 Tickets go on sale Aug. 19th at 9am CST Spots are still available for sponsors, vendors, and presenters. To learn more, visit www.gritfestival.com or check out gritmtbfestival on Instagram. "Grit Fest is a 3-day grassroots festival designed to bring womxn (cis, trans, and non-binary) together around the sport of mountain biking. Regardless of skill level, every woman is welcome. In addition to helping you develop your skill set, Grit Fest will focus on building community, outdoor advocacy, and education."
Aug 7, 2019 · 1 hr 39 min
Ep. 20 - Vince Colvin, CHUMBA USA
On this episode I meet up with Vince Colvin, co-owner of Chumba USA, at his home in Austin, TX. Before recording the podcast he built up a couple of his bikes SS and we went out to shred some trails and eat tacos. We had a great convo and it was cool to ride bikes and talk bikes with the owner of this rad company. www.chumbausa.com Photo by Cass Gilbert @whileoutriding in Ecuador