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!

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219 episodes
Updated July 23
Explicit

Episodes219

Newest first

Jun 22, 2022 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep. 119 ~ Nick Marzano, Live from Tour Divide
Last week I put a call out to anyone currently racing the Tour Divide to come on the podcast. I knew it would be a bit of a challenge, but I thought it would be really neat to hear from someone who is currently racing to give us a live account of this years Tour Divide. Nick Marzano answered the call via instagram and after a few days trying to make our schedules align we were able to chat while he was posted up in a hotel room in Pinedale, WY. Nick Marzano - Trackleaders / Instagram EPISODE SPONSORS Embark Maple - Maple Energy Adventure Packs for the Modern Explorer. Use code "bikesordeath" to receive 3 free samples! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Daniel Heaton Join him won't you?
Jun 15, 2022 · 1 hr 38 min
Ep. 118 ~ John Stamstad, Tour Divide History, Rules, & Ethos
In 1997 the Adventure Cycling Association released the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. What was billed as a touring route, caught the attention of ultra distance mountain biker John Stamstad. In 1999 John set out on the first ITT (individual Time Trial) of the GDMBR and set a the first FKT (fastest known time) of 18 days and 5 hours. His record stood until the 2007 edition of the Tour Divide Race. Visit www.bikesordeath.com for a full writeup on todays episode EPISODE SPONSORS Athletic Greens ~ Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Quad Lock ~ The toughest phone case and mounting system on the market 💪 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Andrew Holt Join him won't you?
Jun 1, 2022 · 2 hr 29 min
Ep. 117 ~ Kuya Takami & Dennis Lastochkin, from road to bikepack racing
This year the East Texas Showdown welcomed 100 riders from all over the US, but it was two road cyclist from nearby Austin that would push the pointy end of the race. Kuya Takami was our 2022 East Texas Showdown winner with a time of 23h 56m, setting a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) and Dennis Lastochkin was the second person to cross the finish line, but his time did not officially count after he accepted assistance on course. Read the full report with a full gallery of pictures at www.bikesordeath.com Community Spotlight Velo Cruces, 'Every Body Rides with Grace' is hosting adaptive cycle parade in Las Cruces, NM on Saturday June 4th. Please click the link for more info on how you can attend and be part of the important work Grace and her family are doing. Episode Sponsor Kuat doesn't also make great racks, they give back too. One way that do this is through their Future Forest Initiative through which they have planted 592,875 trees today. Visit Kuat.com today to learn more about what they are doing for our forrest and check out their racks while you're there...wink...wink... 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Todd Crafter Thomas Sumter Join them won't you?
May 25, 2022 · 2 hr 14 min
Ep. 116 ~ Jacob Loos, DOOM SS FKT
On Friday the 13th of May, 25 racers gathered at the Oark General Store early on a foggy morning to take on the first ever DOOM race. By the end there would be only 10 finishers and Jacob Loos would take 2nd place overall and set a new Single Speed FKT (fastest known time) with a time of 2d 11h 18m. Read the full writeup at bikesordeath.com EPISODE SPONSORS Ruby Coffee - Today we want to focus on their certified organic year-round coffee options. You can check out Organic August Seasonal Blend, which is designed to be a bright, easy-drinking all-day coffee blend, or Organic Tomorrow Seasonal Project, which highlights coffee from a single farm that's transitioning to quality focused coffee farming. Athletic Greens ~ Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Ashely Manuel Busse Joel Freudenberg Nic Fox Join them won't you? This episode includes 30 minutes of bonus audio available only to Patrons!
May 19, 2022 · 1 hr 56 min
Ep. 115 ~ Jerri Sterling, Riding the Tour Divide, Spreading her Husbands ashes
We all have our own path to cycling and bikepacking and each is special and unique. However, Jerri's introduction to bikepacking was much different than any I have heard before. Her story is tragic, sad, romantic, inspiring, and real, and it all started when she fell in love with a cyclist named Kyle. When she met Kyle she wasn't a cyclist, when she married Kyle she wasn't a cyclist, and when Kyle passed away, she wasn't a cyclist. So what lead her to take on the Tour Divide only seven months after laying her late husband to rest? The answer to that question can only be told in Jerri's words, and they are powerful and inspiring. EPISODE SPONSORS Quad Lock ~ The best system for keeping your phone safe and c in almost any environment or situation. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Tatiana Rogowsky Scott Walker Kyle VanPelt Morgan Bogdanski Alison Carrizales Drew Carlson Join them won't you? This episode includes 15 minutes of bonus audio available only to Patrons!
May 11, 2022 · 1 hr 51 min
Ep. 114 ~ Hailey Moore, New DOOM FKT!
Just last week Hailey Moore became the fourth person to ever complete the Doom Route, created by Andrew Onermaa. She didn't just finish though, she set a new FKT (fastest known time) with a time of 2d 15h 30m, setting a new benchmark for racers this weekend. Hailey drove herself from Boulder, CO to Oark, AR so she could do an ITT (individual time trial) on a seriously tough route. This is bikepack racing in one of its most pure forms, just you, your bike, and territory unknown, finishing only to an empty parking lot late at night. EPISODE SPONSORS Athletic Greens ~ Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Kuat ~ The Sherpa 2.0 is the lightest, sexiest bike rack available suitable for carrying most bikes out there. When I say light, let me break it down for you. You have a beer, you drink it Boom. Empty aluminum can. It's light. Right? Because it's aluminum. The Sherpa 2.0 is 98% aluminum! That means IT'S light! I'll drink to that! Beer sold separately. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Rocky Robert H Logan Mumma Bob Vaile Chris V Join them won't you?
May 4, 2022 · 2 hr 3 min
Ep. 113 ~ Sofiane Sehili weighs in
Recently Sofiane sent me an DM that said, "Hey Patrick, what's your take on Lael's Arizona fkt? I'd be happy to discuss it on the Podcast". Instead of answering his question, I just scheduled an interview and answered his question on the podcast. Going into this conversation I had no idea what his thoughts were, but he was already on my list of people I wanted to talk to and I know him to be a thoughtful person who cares deeply for this sport and community. Not surprisingly Sofiane had an important message and some valuable insights as a top athlete in our sport who has dealt personally with media as well. There are very few people who have been doing this long enough to be exposed to every manor of race environment as Sofiane, because of that he is in a unique position to share thoughts from a personal perspective. Maybe most important is the love and passion he has for this sport as evidenced by his thoughtful and honest approach to our conversation. I'm a big fan of listening to as many perspectives as possible on issues like this. There is a lot to consider as we evolve as a sport and it's important to be able to have these discussions. I appreciate Sofiane for taking the time to chat and I hope it adds value to the larger conversation surrounding self supported events. EPISODE SPONSORS Athletic Greens ~ Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. If you'd like to support these episodes our Tip Jar is open!
Apr 25, 2022 · 1 hr 36 min
Ep. 112 ~ Lael & Rue, Asterisk*
On Thursday Lael Wilcox set a new FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the famous Arizona Trail Route. Now the AZT boast 827 miles thanks to new sections that race director John Schilling added. Lael completed her ITT of the route in 9 days, 8 hours, and 23 minutes, besting the previous FKT set by Nate Ginzton who came in at 9d, 10h, 23m. But almost immediately after drama insued online. Read the full story at www.bikesordeath.com EPISODE SPONSORS Mulberry Gap ~ Looking for something to do this summer? Mulberry Gap has you covered, check out their events page on their website for a full list! Use code "BOD10" at checkout for 10% off! Wren Sports ~ Has a sale going on for some of their forks, check them out here and use "BOD10" for 10% off your purchase! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Stevan Beer Zach Allen Caleb Eichelberger Matt Dixon Benjamin Wainhouse Matt Seehusen Join them won't you? Gas prices are high, inflation and cost of living is high, and we are feeling the pinch. Please pitch in if you can!
Apr 14, 2022 · 1 hr 49 min
Ep. 111 - Cheech, Crust Bikes Co-owner
Recently, I was scrolling instagram and came across a post by Cheech, co-owner of Crust Bikes, that really struck a cord for me. I immediately reached out to see if she'd be down to chat! Visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full writeup on todays episode! EPISODE SPONSORS Athletic Greens ~ Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Kuat Racks ~ Kuat has a wide range of bike racks to suit every need and budget. The Transfer v2 is their price point rack, but as light as the price can be, it's heavy on features. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Daniel Searson Corey Eichelberger Broken Spoke, Santa Fe Join them won't you? Gas prices are high, inflation and cost of living is high, and we are feeling the pinch. Please pitch in if you can!
Apr 7, 2022 · 3 hr 9 min
Ep. 110 ~ Indy Schulz, Showdown Yo-Yo
When Indy showed up at the East Texas Showdown he told me that he's doing a Yo-Yo and if he doesn't complete it to DNF him. Fortunately, I didn't have to because after 760 miles he became the first person to attempt and complete the Showdown Yo-Yo with an offical time of 3d 12h 20m! Check out BikesorDeath.com for a full writeup with pictures and links to the first 2 episodes I did with Indy. Episode Sponsors Atheletic Greens ~ Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Ruby Coffee ~ Use code "BIKESORDEATH" at checkout to get 15% of any coffee purchase or 20% off your first shipment of any subscription." 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Larry Wagner Join them won't you?
Mar 30, 2022 · 2 hr 22 min
Ep. 109 ~ Emma Flukes, Round 2
Almost two years ago to the day Emma Flukes came on the podcast for the first time. You may remember that we were at the very beginning of a global pandemic that you change our lives more than we could have imagined at the time. She is a Tasmanian native and the founder of Tassie's Gift. When she's not pedaling her bikes or petting wombats she's busy monitoring the decline of our habitable world as a Marine Scientist. I took this opportunity to ask her "How fucked are we?". After detailing the decline of our species we cheerfully switch gears to bikes, bikepacking, murder shanties, and wombats. Visit www.bikesordeath.com for a gallery of images from Emma's rides in Tasmania! Episode Sponsors Kuat – On today's episode Patrick shares why you should always use the integrated cable lock included in your Kuat rack! Mulberry Gap – Not only a great Adventure Base Camp, they can also host your Wedding, Birthday, Reunion, Corporate Retreat, or just about any gathering! Learn more at MulberryGap.com 👰 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Eric Weninger Justin Keene Korey Deese Join them won't you?
Mar 24, 2022 · 2 hr 26 min
Ep. 108 ~ Mental Health and the Outdoors
This week's episode tackles the important topic of mental health and the outdoors told by this years Adventure Media Course. Long time listeners will be very familiar with Adventure Media by now, but for the uninitiated it is a course at Texas Tech University. Each year as part of their class project the professors scheme up a bikepacking trip and a media objective for the students to complete. This year the students did the Billy the Kid and Smokey Bear Route and their assignment was to vlog about their personal experience, with a focus on mental health and the outdoors. Read the full article and check out a gallery of images from the trip at www.BikesorDeath.com Episode Sponsors Kuat – We all know that Kuat makes bomb-ass bike racks, but they've got a lot more options for other sports like snow, ski, and water! Check out their whole lineup of awesome adventure products at www.kuat.com Ruby Coffee - Now offering certified Organic coffee with 4 options to choose from! Use code BIKESORDEATH during checkout for 15% off any one time purchase or 20% off the first shipment of any subscription. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Kurt Pitts Eddie O'Dea Martin Saur David Lieble Join them won't you?
Mar 9, 2022 · 1 hr 26 min
Ep. 107 ~ Bikerafting Big Bend
For our birthdays the past couple of years Connor Thomas and I have gone to Big Bend to celebrate the only way we know how. This year Connor put together a bikerafting trip that would be the inverse to the Big Bend ~ Rio Revival that we did the year before. Last year we did a bikepacking trip that included a 6 mile hike up to the top of Mariscal Canyon with views of the Rio Grande 1800' below. This year we brought our new packrafts and floated through Mariscal Canyon with our bikes in tow. A lot more information is available at www.BikesorDeath.com. You'll find this years bikerafting route, last years bikepacking route, tons of pictures, and a historical companion that Connor produced to compliment these trips. Episode Sponsors Rockgeist – This week Greg Hardy joins me to talk about my new favorite piece of gear, the Mr. Fusion seat pack. *Patrons of this podcast get free shipping and a free patch with their order! Quad Lock ~ Bikepacking and exploring on your bike isn't new, but smartphones are and it's important to protect these expensive devices. The Quad Lock Bike Kit is the best way to secure your phone and keep it safe on your rides! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 David Valle Andrew Pledger Alfred Lau Harrison Shotzbarger Join them won't you?
Mar 2, 2022 · 1 hr 54 min
Ep. 106 ~ East Texas Showdown
This week we are talking all things East Texas Showdown & Slowdown. We asked this years participants to send in their questions and we brought in 5 previous racers to answer them! Even if you aren't doing the race this year, this episode is chalk full of bikepack racing goodness! Our panelist are: Alex Maldonado Katya Morzhueva Davis Sims Lisa Cervantes Dave Easley Thanks to support from our race sponsors: Wren Sports Ruby Coffee Kuat Quad Lock Bullet Grill Rockgeist
Feb 24, 2022 · 2 hr 34 min
Ep. 105 - AMA with Patrick
Recently the Bikes or Death instagram account hit 10k followers. I figured that's as good of a reason as any to do my first AMA (Ask Me Anything). We put out the call to listeners, instagram followers, and Patrons to submit your questions and we got a Bunch! Today's episode is hosted by Bronco Tryhard (previously known as Matt Mason). He did a great job hosting the episode, asking your questions, and throwing in a few of his own. This episode is a nice mix of serious and silly, which we hope is a nice balance. Episode Sponsors Ruby Coffee – We know Ruby makes great coffee, but what makes Ruby a great company? Jesse comes on to share his thoughts. Use Code BIKESORDEATH during checkout for 15% off any one time purchase or 20% off the first shipment of any subscription. Kuat ~ There is a lot of hype around the new Piston Pro X, with good reason, but Kuat makes a bunch of great bike racks and Tom comes on to tells about some of them. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Harry Mahler Join them him won't you?
Feb 16, 2022 · 2 hr 36 min
Ep. 104 ~ Ben, Ezra, Stephanie, 2 episodes in 1
Ben Playter and Ezra Ward-Packard are currently on their bikes riding across American. Today is actually the final day of their trip which ends in Florida. I caught up with them in Austin thanks to Stephanie Hall who turned me onto them and gave us a spot to record. So today's episode is kind of a two for one. First I chat with Ben and Ezra about their trip which was highly entertaining. These two friends have much different approaches and it resulted in an interesting dynamic they had to work through. Hint, one of them is touring and the other is training for a run at Tour Divide this year. Then Stephanie joins Ezra to discuss riding with Type 1 Diabetes. Both of them have accomplished some cool things on the bike and learning to manage their diabetes is a critical part. They share some of their experiences and tips to help other people with diabetes get out on their damn bikes. Ezra was actually on Team Nova Nordisk, a professional road cycling team made up entirely of racers with Type 1 diabetes. How cool is that? Episode Sponsors Mulberry Gap – This week we chat about the Cohutta Cat bikepacking route that is right out the front door of Mulberry Gap! Wren Sports ~ Cameron shares about a new pilot program they are rolling out to help support women owned bike shops, email cameron@wrensports.com to start a conversation! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Bradley Cordaro Nick Marzano Gavin Bailey Nemo Sandoval Join them won't you?
Feb 9, 2022 · 1 hr 25 min
EP. 103 ~ Nickel Potter and the Dodge Ram Truck Lady picture
A couple weeks ago Nickel Potter and a 100 or so other cyclists were participating in the Rule of Three in NW Arkansas. They had just turned onto a remote gravel road in the Ozarks when a lady in a Dodge Ram came up behind them and when the cyclist got over to the side of the road she gunned it around them, losing control, and ultimately rolling her truck. After checking to make sure she was okay Nickel did the next logical thing which was to take a picture and post it on instagram. When I saw the image originally I laughed and shared it to my stories and spent the next couple of days seeing it re-shared within the cycling community. Then I was on Reddit and his image was posted on several different subs with thousands of likes and comments and there were link to news articles as well. Thats when I realized the true impact of this picture. It broke out of the cycling community and found itself floating all over the internet which stirred up a long of conversations, most that I read were mostly positive towards the cyclist which was a nice surprise. So today, we talk to the guy who took that iconic picture, hear his side, and chat about our rolls as cyclist when we are out on the roads and representing the community as a whole. Visit www.bikesordeath.com for a full writeup and links to Reddit and News articles related to this event. Episode Sponsors Rockgiest – This week Greg Hardy comes on to tell me all about their new 52Hz Welded Waterproof Framebags available now! Remember Patrons of this show get a code for Free Shipping and a Patch with your order. Quad Lock ~ Everyone knows that Quad Lock make the best bike mount + phone case system, but did you know they make all kinds of mounts? Patrick shares some of his experiences with Quad Lock over his 10 years of use. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Tobias Wessendorf Daniel Young Join them won't you?
Feb 2, 2022 · 1 hr 57 min
Bikepacking the Queen's Ransom Route
In mid December Miles Arbour, with Bikepacking.com, and I headed to Phoenix Arizona to check out the Queen's Ransom Route developed by John Schilling. Miles flew down from Canada and I drove up from Texas, each of us coming from completely different riding environments and levels of fitness. To be honest, this trip was planned last minute and neither of us did much homework before setting out on the 230 miles Queen's Ransom Route that features a lot of singletrack, some of which is rated Black. Miles was there to ride the route with the goal of publishing it on Bikepacking.com. I was there because he invited me, and I invited my recording equipment. So, what happens when a Canadian and Texan ride off into the Arizona Desert? Only one way to find out! Check out this episode and then go ride your damn bike, maybe even on the Queen's Ransom. Episode Sponsors Mulberry Gap - This week Kate comes on to talk to us about the Trans North Georgia Route that is almost right outside their from door and how it's become known as "Mulberry Trap". Wren Sports ~ The new Perseverance Bars from Wren Sports are shipping soon and Cameron came on to give us the deetz. Use code "BOD10" for 10% off your entire order New Patrons 🎉 Jessica Alexander Chris Hodgkins Andrew Drury Dennis Feeney James Collins Mark Norford Marty Johnson Jorge Callado Tim Colebrooke Scott Grossman David Gaus
Jan 26, 2022 · 1 hr 16 min
Hal Russell "Smilin' Hal" Tribute
Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Hal Russell. The bikepacking community and the world lost a true legend on January the 19th when he passed away in his home surrounded by family. Hal lived a full and adventurous life that touched almost everyone that he met, you could say he Touched Both Lines. Today we pay tribute and celebrate the life of Hal so that his story and example can continue to have a meaningful impact. Todays episode features stories and tributes from the bikepacking community and clips from my first interview with Hal back in June of 2019 right before he completed the Tour Divide for the 6th time. On this episode we hear stories about Hal from: Sofiane Sehili Marty Johnson Bonnie Gagnon Josh Kato Shelia Reiter Billy Rice Followed by some of my favorte segments from my interview with Hal back in June 2019. Visit Bikesordeath.com for funeral and visitation information and for information about how to buy Hal's book, "Touch Both Lines".
Jan 19, 2022 · 2 hr 23 min
Dylan Morton, Utah Mixed Epic Winner
Dylan's name has come up on the podcast many times and many of you have sent in request to have him on the show. Is it because he is heir to a salt empire? Maybe it's his epic mustache? Or his high level mechanic skills? Seeking answers to some of these tough questions I pointed my van in the direction of Arkansas to meet up with this international man of mystery at the Meteor Cafe in Bentonville, AR. When I interviewed Lael in Bentonville for Episode 10 she talked about a local that made a route from Colorado to the start of Unbound XL in Emporia, KS. That "local" was Dylan Morton who would go on to ride to Emporia with Lael and compete as well, completing the course in 25h 16m. During the pandemic he found himself living with Lael and Rue in Alaska and working with Pepper Cook at the Anchorage bike shop. Dylan is a guy who says "yes" and this podcast is a reflection of that. He is also no stranger to big efforts on the bike. Most recently he won the Utah Mixed Epic with a time of 7d, 16h, 38m which is well known to be a challenging course. He has also done an ITT of Arkansas High Country, completed the Atlas Mtn Race, among others! He is no slouch on the bike and he's a pretty darn good mechanic too. On this episode Dylan shares his passion for cycling, the bikepacking community, and a well dialed bike to adventure on. Episode Sponsors These episodes aren't possible without support! Kuat ~ Besides making great bike racks, Kuat is also making a difference with the Future Forest Initiative. Every time you buy a rack from them, they plant a tree for your future. Ruby Coffee ~ With so many options to choose from Jesse comes on the show to give us some guidance on which coffees to try! Huge Thanks to our Newest Patrons: 🗝 Keith E Smith 🗝 Brian K Davidson 🗝 Jocelyn De La Rosa 🗝 Terry Woods 🗝 Diane Prekup Join them on Patreon to support your favorite podcast, plus get access to bonus content, the BoD After Party, Patron Perks, and more!