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
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Episodes219

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Jan 10, 2022 · 2 hr 13 min
Ep. 99 ~ Brett Stepanik, Ozark Gravel Doom FKT
Four days ago Brett Stepanik became the first person to complete the Doom Loop with a time of 3d 12h 9m. Doom is the brainchild of Andrew Onermaa, it's located in the Ozark National Forest it's 376 miles with 41,375 ft of climbing and almost all gravel. Andrew joins us at the top of this episode to share his thoughts on Doom before Brett hops on the mic. Brett is no stranger to bikepacking and ultra endurance efforts. He first got into bikepacking in 2012 and his most notable accomplishment is becoming the Single Speed Triple Crown Champion (TDR, CTR, AZT). At this past Arkansas High Country he set a new SS FKT and finished 4th overall. Something about Arkansas got under his skin and Ozark Gravel Doom was a perfect excuse to come back to Arkansas. It's by happenstance that Brett and I were able to meet up. I had coincidentally reached out to him about being a guest on the podcast at the same time he was scheming up this FKT, the stars aligned and we were able to meet up after he finished his race. Brett faced challenging conditions, namely freezing cold temps and lots of water crossings, making his effort even more impressive. Brett wanted to start the year off right and I'd say he accomplished that! Now what will he do the rest of the year? I'll be watching. Episode Sponsors These episodes aren't possible without support! Quad Lock ~ Professional downhill mountain biker Ben Moore has been riding with QL for 4 years and he came on to share some of his experiences! Huge Thanks to our Newest Patrons: 🗝 Drew Raney 🗝 Jim Sevaly 🗝 Eric Warren 🗝 Jessica Swanson 🗝 Kyle Gilbert 🗝 Ryan Bozzell 🗝 Andrew Young 🗝 Howard Chapman 🗝 John Gibson 🗝 Kayce Peters 🗝 john campbell Join them on Patreon to support your favorite podcast, plus get access to bonus content, the BoD After Party, Patron Perks, and more!
Dec 2, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 98 ~ Ally Johnson, Bikepacking Roots New Executive Director
On today's episode I get to meet Ally Johnson who is taking the reins over at Bikepacking Roots. She was hired in October, but we wanted to give her a little time to get acquainted with her new role before having her on. Ally brings with her an impressive academic resume. From Bikepacking Roots, "Ally has a master's degree in Policy, Organization, and Leadership from Stanford University, undergraduate work in nonprofit leadership, and last taught US history and civics at the high school level. Ally was chosen from a large candidate pool of highly qualified individuals, a testament to the passion and diversity of experiences in the bikepacking community." Please visit www.BikesorDeath.com for the full article along with how you can support and get involved with Bikepacking Roots. Episode Sponsors These episodes aren't possible without support! Kuat ~ Check out the new Piston Pro X coming March 2022! Did you know they salt spray tested this racks coating for 750 hours and had NO corrosion? Competitive Cyclist ~ This time of year got you feeling like doing some shopping? Check out the offerings over at CompetitiveCyclist.com/BikesorDeath and use code "BIKESORDEATH" to get 15% OFF & FREE SHIPPING! Huge Thanks to our Newest Patrons: 🗝 Stew Sowers 🗝 Ethan Croft Join them on Patreon to support your favorite podcast, plus get access to bonus content, the BoD After Party, Patron Perks, and more!
Nov 25, 2021 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 97. ~ Ryan Van Duzer & Matt Mason
On this episode Ryan Van Duzer joins me for the first time and Matt Mason is back on the podcast for a chat about the New Mexico Bikepacking Summit and Dangerbird that took place in Las Cruces in Nov. Ryan did the whole course and filmed a four part series for his YouTube Channel, which is worth subscribing to, if you don't already. Full write up with picture and video gallery available on www.bikesordeath.com. Episode Sponsors These episodes aren't possible without support! Wren ~ Use code "BOD10" for 10% off your entire order. This week Ryan Van Duzer shares his thoughts on the Wren Inverted Fork. Check out his interview about the fork with Cameron! https://youtu.be/QX9lQKzDKvc Huge Thanks to our Newest Patrons: 🗝 Cory Ostertag 🗝 Chris Stewart 🗝 Kyle Russell 🗝 Ethan Croft Join them on Patreon to support your favorite podcast, plus get access to bonus content, the BoD After Party, Patron Perks, and more!
Nov 23, 2021 · 1 hr 59 min
Ep. 96 ~ Tales of the High Country
Y'all probably know by now that I love Arkansas. Last Tuesday evening I was sitting on my couch getting caught up on all the instagram-goings-ons when I came across a post i had forgotten about. Natural State Rock & Republic was going to be hosting "Tales of the High Country" the very next evening, and I knew I had to be there. The next morning I woke up early, threw some stuff in the van and pointed it in a northeastern direction for a 9 hour drive. When I got there I found out that they wanted me to co-moderate the evenings events. I had a solid 30 minutes to prepare questions for a live audience, so of course I agreed. Just two weeks ago I leant Lilly my bullhorn at Truffle Shuffle and now she leant me her microphone. I'd like to thank her personally for not only moderating one helluva event, but for allowing me to share in the experience. For a full write up and picture gallery from the event please visit www.BikesorDeath.com _____________________________________ Episode Sponsors I always say that these episodes aren't possible without support and this trip was the perfect example. Being able to take 24 hours out of my "normal" life to drive to Arkansas and capture this event is only possible with support. As I creep closer to making this my full time job I hope to make more impromptu trips just like this! Ruby Coffee ~ Ruby is currently offering a promotion through the 28th that any orders over $150 will get a $10 gift certificate sent to the purchaser as thank you, and as always, you can use the code BIKESORDEATH during checkout for 15% off any one time purchase or 20% off the first shipment of any subscription. Mulberry Gap ~ Visit Mulberry Gap during Winter Weekends and SAVE! Use codes: WINTER20 - Stay 2 night and save 20% WINTER30 - Stay 3 nights and save 30% WINTER40 - Stay 4 night and save 40% Huge Thanks to our Newest Patrons: 🗝 Tom Surly 🗝 Aaron McLuckie 🗝 Andreas Löfgren 🗝 Maggie Ross 🗝 Brian Young 🗝 Melissa Patrick 🗝 Jacob Join them on Patreon to support your favorite podcast, plus get access to bonus content, the BoD After Party, Patron Perks, and more!
Nov 10, 2021 · 1 hr 55 min
Ep. 95 ~ Scotti Lechuga, ARHCR Winner and New FKT
I'm honored to have this years Arkansas High Country Winner, and new Women's FKT holder, back on the podcast. Scotti Lechuga completed this years race in 5d, 10h, 49m, besting everyone in the field. For the uninitiated, the Arkansas High Country Race is quickly earning a reputation for being extremely challenging 1,000+ miles course that covers much of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. The conditions this year were challenging due thanks most to heavy rainfall that reached havoc on gear and racers. Scotti overcame a lot on her journey to this years big win. Visit www.bikesordeath.com for a full writeup with pictures! Here is a link to my episode with Scotti and Ernie Lechuga _________________________ EPISODE SPONSORS These episodes aren't possible without support! Competitive Cyclist – Use this link with promo code BIKESORDEATH at checkout to receive 15% off your first full priced order and FREE Shipping on orders $50 or more. Some exclusions apply. Kuat – Did you know the new Piston Pro X is 99% metal, just like Bikes or Death! This thing is built to last and look good doing it. Visit your LBS or favorite online retailer to order yours now for Spring 2022 delivery. Huge Thanks to our Newest Patrons: 🗝 Charles Matthew Hudson 🗝 Kyle Day 🗝 Kevin Spicher 🗝 Jill Holloway 🗝 Ranse Stanley 🗝 Cynthia Sayre 🗝 Kyle Beckel 🗝 Noah Baker 🗝 David Beattie 🗝 Taryn Davis 🗝 Nate Branch Join them on Patreon to support your favorite podcast, plus get access to bonus content, the BoD After Party, Patron Perks, and more!
Nov 3, 2021 · 2 hr 5 min
Ep. 94 - Cjell Monē
For day 3 of Monumental Loop Week, we are featuring a podcast with Cjell Mone', owner of Mone' Bikes based out of Silver City, NM. He is know for producing functional steel bikes with an aesthetic flare out of the back of a 1990 Wonderbread Truck (Seriously!). Words won't do his bikes justice, so let's take a look at a few of my favorites at www.bikesordeath.com. Link to Monumental Loop Fund that I mentioned on the podcast. _______________________ EPISODE SPONSORS These episodes aren't possible without support! Ruby Coffee - Cjell Mone' approved ✔️ Quad Lock - The best damn smartphone holder for bikes. Patrick Farnsworth approved ✔️ Huge thanks to our newest Patrons: 🗝 Brendan Haren 🗝 Michael Reardon Buy me a cup of coffee or a glass of whiskey as a thank you for this episode on Patreon
Oct 28, 2021 · 1 hr 28 min
Ep. 93 - ETS Winner & Winner, Alicia & Hannah
This is the third episode to come out of a podcasting trip I made two Austin right after the East Texas Showdown. I interviewed five participants of the ETS in less than 20 hours just days after the their ride ended. It was really cool as a first time event director to get all of their feedback shortly after finishing the event. Alicia Danze and Hannah Simmons shared first place this year on the East Texas Showdown route with a time of 2d, 1h, 21m. It was both of their first times to do a bikepacking race, but they each came in with experiences that gave them confidence. Alicia is a well rounded cyclist with bikepacking experience and as a member of Ultra Violet Racing. Hannah is the shop manager at CycleEast in Austin and the first bike tour she did was the Texas 4000 that starts in Austin, TX and ends in Anchorage, AK, she did it almost on a whim because a friend asked. This time she was sucked into the ETS by her Austin friends, Alicia included, but I don't think she needed much convincing. Full writeup along with a nice gallery of images of Alicia and Hannah from the race on www.bikesordeath.com. EPISODE SPONSORS These episodes aren't possible without support! Rockgiest is a cottage gear company specializing in custom framebags and welded, waterproof gear. If you're looking to improve your bikepacking set up, looking for tailored gear, or searching for waterproof solutions definitely reach out to them by visiting rockgeist.com. In addition to their custom work, they have a wide selection of universal gear that prioritizes stability for singletrack use. Most recently they have re-release their super stable Barjam harness, which now uses locally machined brackets made in Asheville, NC. Visit rockgeist.com or email bikepack@rockgeist.com to see all their gear options and to get in touch with their team. East Texas Showdown - April 1-3rd, save the dates! Huge thanks to our newest Patrons: 🖤 Hank Doupe 🖤 Dave Brink 🖤 Matt Heckler Buy me a cup of coffee or a glass of whiskey as a thank you for this episode on Patreon
Oct 20, 2021 · 2 hr 14 min
Ep. 92. - Katy McGuire, our 2021 ETS Lantern Rouge
From Wikipedia, "The lanterne rouge is the competitor in last place in a cycling race, the phrase comes from the French for "Red Lantern" and refers to the red lantern hung on the rear vehicle of a passenger railway train or the brake van of a freight train, which signalmen would look for in order to make sure none of the couplings had become disconnected." I first met Katy at a 6 hour MTB race in 2016, she had just moved to town and we became fast friends. Since then we've both found our way into the bikepacking world. She spent the past 5 months riding 5 routes and accumulating over 4,000 miles of bikepacking, most of it solo. Somewhere in there I announced the East Texas Showdown and I sent her a personal invitation to participate. She accepted and lined up with high expectations for the race. She had just spent 5 months riding some impressive routes and she was ready to put it to the test. Also seeing old friends again after months of solo riding was a big draw for her as well. Unfortunately, illness prevented her from achieving her race goals, which turned to more survival than bike race. That is what makes the Lantern Rouge a honored position, it usually indicates some that had a tough go of it, wanted to quit, but didn't. That is worth celebrating, as is ever single person who lined up and started regardless of how far they made it. Many people are too scared or are unable to even try something like that, so I applauded them all. Katy and I met up at a park in Austin, TX four days after the race. We had a enjoyable chat thanks to her open and honest approach to live and bikepacking. We wish her luck on her job hunt, and if an interviewer is seeing this....you should definitely hire her!! Here are the routes Katy did that we mentioned in the episode. Has anyone else ridden any of these? The comment section is open at www.bikesordeath.com. C&O Canal Great Allegheny Passage Western wildlands Route Baldy Bruiser, CA SoCal Desert Ramble Episode Sponsors These episodes aren't possible without support! Mulberry Gap - Is a new advertising partner, but Kate Gates and Mulberry Gap are no stranger to the podcast. I conducted 5 podcast interviews at the 2019 Bikepacking Summit which was hosted at Mulberry Gap. Of the 5 guest, Kate was one of them. The story about how Mulberry Gap came to be and how it is run is quite fascinating. If you'd like to learn more about Mulberry Gap, check out my episode with Kate Gates and a write up I did on my experience riding and eating there! Huge thanks to our newest Patrons: 🖤 Drew Pittman 🖤 Mark Smith 🖤 Matt Christensen 🖤 Caleb Schnatz Buy me a cup of coffee or a glass of whiskey as a thank you for this episode on Patreon 🙏
Oct 13, 2021 · 1 hr 55 min
Ep. 91 - Kyle Gilbert & Nick Ybarra on their ETS Experience
The inaugural East Texas Showdown is over and now comes the podcasts! Hearing everyones stories after their rides as we shared food and beverages was a true pleasure, enjoyed by all. It was really probably the magic sauce that made this event special. I went to Austin shortly after the race and recorded 3 episodes with five guests and I look forward to sharing some of that post race fodder with you over the next couple of weeks. First up are Nick Ybarra (Showdown, 4th) and Kyle Gilbert (Showdown,. 6th). We meet the Wednesday after the race at Kyles workshop in Austin, which made for a cool backdrop to our conversation. On this episode Nick and Kyle share their experience on this years ETS. It was both of their first bikepacking race and they had different approaches. For example, Nick wore sandals for, had rim brakes, carried very minimal gear, and no aero bars. Whereas, Kyle was clipless, with disc brakes, ran aerobars, and lived on crackers. It created some good conversation about different approaches to the same course. It was a lot of fun for me to get to hear about my event from their perspectives. I had all kinds of concerns as a first time racer director with a brand new route, but as I heard more and more stories like these all of my concerns have been squashed. The feedback I got from participants was overwhelmingly positive. In fact, a Spring date was highly requested and we are happy to make that happen. Dates coming soon! These episodes aren't possible without support. Thanks to this weeks supporting partners: Kuat - They just released the Piston Pro X, and it's badass. How do you tell your bike you love it without saying I love you? Answer, you get it a Piston Pro X. NM Bikepacking Summit - Part Summit, Part Bikepacking Party, 100% good times, good rides, and good tacos. Schedule Oct. 21st at 6:00pm - 12-15 mile mellow gravel ride Oct. 22nd 8:20-11:00am & 2-5pm - Bikepacking Summit - @7:30pm I'll be interview Cjell Mone' with a live audience Oct. 23rd at 9:00am - Dangerbird Group Start Contact Matt Mason for more info! Huge thanks to our newest Patrons: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Ryan Can Mikaela Koch Paul Lichtenauer Edward Anderson Nicholas Campbell Andy Simmons Anderson Simmons 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Sep 29, 2021 · 1 hr 22 min
Ep. 90 - Matt Fitzgerald, How Bad Do You Want It
In 2018 I took on the biggest challenge in my life, a 500 miles bikepacking race. To prepare mentally I relied heavily on the book "How Bad do You Want it" by Matt Fitzgerald. Matt is an endurance athlete himself and has made a career out of the study of endurance. He's written over 20 books on the subject, coaches endurance athletes, host his own podcast, and is a wealth of knowledge on the topic of endurance sports and athletes. In this episode we focus on his book "How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle" which as you can infer by the title is all about how our mind is the thing that limits us, not our physical ability. Matt uses real examples of athletes overcoming obstacles to showcase the scientific principles outlined in his book. I found this format to way more digestible and relatable than a scholarly paper. Thankfully, Matt has done the hard work of reviewing and collecting the science and stories of athletes to add context to the science while making more relatable. Visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full write up and pictures of Matt. _____________________________ This weeks episode is brought to us by the Sponsors of The East Texas Showdown Rockgeist Wren Sports Kuat Ruby Coffee Quad Lock Avani Salon Big thanks also to our newest Patrons! 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Thomas Buttery Shane Hitz 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Sep 22, 2021 · 1 hr 40 min
Ep. 89 - Miles Arbour and the Tree to Sea Loop
On this episode my buddy Miles Arbour is back on the podcast for a 3rd time to talk about his newly published route called the Tree to Sea Loop. This was a great excuse to catch up with Miles and also hear all about this epic new 1,000 km route in British Columbia. Because Miles works at Bikepacking.com he is exposed to a lot of different facets of the industry. I took this opportunity to ask him about his favorite bikepacking tire, favorite cycling shorts "that don't look like cycling shorts", we also talk poop stories, and much more. We always have a great time, and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. You can find our episode link below and find all the route info over at Bikepacking.com _________________________________________ Episode Sponsors: tell them thanks for making this episode possible! Wren Sports: Cameron is back on to talk about the new bikepacking specific gravel fork they call the Beefcake. Use code "BOD10" for 10% off your entire order. Ruby Coffee: Jesse comes on to tell us about coffee from different regions and what makes them different. Use code "BIKESORDEATH" for 15% off your first order or 20% off your first order of a subscription. This week's newest sustaining Patrons! Welcome to The After Party 🎉 David George – Newest patron Paul Drees – 2nd longest patron Miles Arbour – 3rd longest patron
Sep 15, 2021 · 1 hr 32 min
Ep. 88 - Quinn Brett, First to complete the Tour Divide on a Adaptive Handcycle
This year the Tour Divide produced a new record, but one that wasn't set to be beaten. Quinn Brett just became the first person to complete the Tour Divide on an adaptive handcycle, with a time of 25 days. For her, this was more about showing the world what is possible for disabled people and that adventures like this are not only for the abled bodied. Thanks to advancements in bike technology, there are now some very capable options available, and Quinn's accomplishment are proof of what these machines are capable of. For a full write up with lots of pretty pictures visit BikesorDeath.com. ___________________________________________________ Episode Sponsors: tell them thanks for making this episode possible! Quad Lock: Professional downhill mountain biker Ben Moore has been riding with QL for 4 years and he came on to share some of his experiences! This week's newest sustaining Patrons! Welcome to The After Party 🎉 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Joshua Perry Dewitt Lunsford Kyle Koch Daniel Osman Ryan Mcnabb - Longest Patron 🥇 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Sep 9, 2021 · 1 hr 54 min
Ep. 87 - East Texas Showdown
Join me in the van as I scout a re-reoute for this years East Texas Showdown and Slowdown. Back in July on a scouting mission we discovered a 25 mile section of road that looked good on the maps, but once we saw it in person it was an obvious "no go" for safety reasons. This left a huge hole in the route and with only 4 months until race day I had to scramble for a solution. On this episode I take you along the journey as I scout a new section for the route. Along the way I share what to expect for people who are signed up for the race or may want to ride it at some point in the future. I speak directly to folks from all over the world who have never been to Texas and have know idea what to expect, but I hope locals will find it helpful as well. As we go along I share updates on the progress and also important details about surface type, tire choice, weather, a little Texas history, and anything else that pops in my head. If you are considering creating a route/race like this you may also find this episode helpful as I share some of my reasons for this event, what I hope to accomplish, challenges I faced, and how I am tackling things that come up. At the end of this episode I answer questions that have come up since releasing the route and I also announce the live Facebook event for race participants. This will be part route overview and part Q&A to tie up any loose ends that may still be dangling in the wind. Showdown Route Stats 373 miles 15,800 ft. elevation 60% gravel The hardest part of this route may be the last 40 miles. At mile 329 you will pass the Bullet Grill and you may be tempted to stop for a burger and beer, but will you get back out on route?? Time will tell! If it helps, the last 20 miles on the route are some of my personal favorites. Slowdown Route Stats 273 miles 11,300 ft. elevation 64% gravel There are 2 days left to register and 3 spots left. Episode Sponsors: tell them thanks for making this episode possible! Ruby Coffee: This week Jesse shares some tips on brewing the perfect cup of coffee at home. Use code "BIKESORDEATH" for 15% off your first order or 20% off your first order of a subscription NM Bikepacking Summit: Matt Mason tells us a little about what they've got brewing for the first ever NM bikepacking summit on Oct. 22nd in Las Cruces, NM. Thanks to this week's newest sustaining Patrons and welcome to The After Party 🎉 Jonas Schaller Christy & Ross Jones Jim Barrow Brandon Masters
Sep 1, 2021 · 1 hr 15 min
Ep. 86 - Jeff Kerkove, Determined to Finish
This episode is all about determination and perseverance. In 2007 Jeff Kerkove took on the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) as his first bikepacking race. He came into the bikepacking world with an accomplished racing career in 12 and 24 hour events. That year he DNF'd due to trench foot, a mistake he never made again. He would go on to attempt the CTR 5 more times, each with the same result, a DNF on the CTR. This year would be different for Jeff. He lined up to the start line for his seventh time, armed with all the knowledge of his previous attempts, and just as determined to finish. This year his perseverance and determination paid off with his first finish on the CTR. He finished in a very respectable 7th place with a time of 5 day, 1 hour. I love this story and I'm so glad Jeff got that "monkey off his back" and he came on the show to share it with us. Jeff is also one of the main folks behind Ergon USA, so I took the opportunity to talk about their grips and saddles particularly as they relate to bikepackers and ultra endurance cyclist. Hand pain, wrist pressure, saddle sores, are common issues that come up and they make some good products that help address these issues. *This is not an advertisement for Ergon, he happens to work there, and I was curious. Visit www.bikesordeath.com for the full writeup, pictures of Jeff's CTR, and picture from a 2018 bikepacking trip Jeff helped me plan in Colorado. Episode Sponsors: tell them thanks for making this episode possible! Kuat: This week Tom Lampe came on to tells us a little about the Piston Pro X Quad Lock: Ben Moore has been riding with QL for 4 years and he came on to share some of his experiences! Thanks to this week's newest sustaining Patrons and welcome to The After Party 🎉 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Anders Hedegaard Annie Bilotta Angela Kremers Reese Stanley Reid mikalsen Bill Dietrich Adam Murphy Hans Noodleman Indiana Schulz Minnie Irizarri 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Aug 26, 2021 · 1 hr 38 min
Ep. 85 - Chris and Marni Plesko, "The Parent Trap"
Chris and Marni Plesko, aka The Parent Trap, just became the first couple to complete the Colorado Trail Race on a Tandem. And I had a lot of questions. How is there relationship doing? How did they train while working and being parents of two boys? Who's idea was it and how did it go? We talked about the bike and their attention to detail with the build, and about their transition back to the real world after 10 days on the CT. My partner Sarah and I just purchased our first tandem, which will be introduced to the world soon, and so I've had an increased interest in all things tandem. Which is how I found Chris on instagram. It just so happens he and his wife Marni were preparing to tackle the CTR on their tandem. During the race, I was glued to their dot, I would try to image what they were going through, and I couldn't to chat after their record setting race! While researching this podcast I learned that Chris holds the current Single Speed Record on the Tour Divide. He set the record in 2009 and then he broke his record again in 2016 while chasing Mike Hall on his record setting run. His record still stands, so I took this opportunity to dig into his personal history. I equally enjoyed Marni's introduction to bikepacking and ultra endurance cycling, first as an observer and supporter of Chris, and then as his tandem partner in crime. I walked away from this conversation with a smile on my face, my heart, and wishing we lived closer so we could trade babysitting and go on tandem rides. I hope you take away something from this conversation as well. I sure did! Episode Sponsors: tell them thanks for making this episode possible! Wren Sports: This week Cameron comes on the show for a quick chat about their Inverted Fork Tech. Check out their website, if you see something you like, put it in your cart, use code BOD10 for 10% off your order. To learn more about their Inverted Tech check out Cameron's chat with Ryan Duzer on Youtube. Thanks also to this week's newest sustaining Patrons and welcome to The After Party 🎉 🖤 🖤🖤 🖤🖤 Iain Truesdale Amir Hill Nicholas Erdos-Thayer 🖤 🖤🖤 🖤🖤
Aug 18, 2021 · 1 hr 40 min
Ep. 84 - Ned Bachanko, 2021 CTR Winner
This week I had an opportunity to catch up with Neil Beltchenko, who raced the 2021 CTR under the pseudonym Ned Bachanko. Neil is no stranger to ultra endurance racing, he's been pushing his limits on the most demanding routes since 2013. In 2014 he and his wife Lindsay started Bikepacker Mag which was an online publication about bikepacking, routes, and gear. In 2017 Bikepacking.com absorbed Bikepacker Mag and Neil. You will now find Neil creating some amazing content for Bikepacking.com's YouTube channel, which I highly recommend. Whether on the bike or behind the camera Neil is always moving the sport of bikepacking forward and we are lucky to have him in our community. Neil and Lindsay, also put on the Bikepacking Summit, which is where I met them in 2019. I can tell you, they know how to throw one helluva bikepacking party. We talked about the future of the Summit on the podcast, but you'll have to listen to find out 😊 We were able to cover a lot on this episode, we chatted about content creation, his introduction to bikepacking and ultra endurance racing, his 2015 Tour Divide race, pre-race anxiety and pressure, his soon to be fatherhood, his bike setup, this years CTR 1st place finish, and of course we talk White Sox. After almost 10 years we had a lot to talk about and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I mostly enjoy Neil's seemingly unlimited positivity, it's contagious and I like it. Follow Neil on Bikepacking.com's YouTube Channel or on his instagram @neil_beltchenko, he takes a nice picture, check'em out! Episode Sponsors: tell them thanks for making this episode possible! Rockgeist - This week we had Jessica on to tell us about some new fabric offerings! If you haven't checked out their Fabric Page, you should! They have collected an impressive about of data and information about fabric types, how they wear, and suggestions on what may be best for you. Quad Lock - Personally, I dumped my bike computer years ago and have been using Quad Lock on all my bikes ever since. For me it was about simplicity. One less thing to charge, upload, download, update, etc. It's been a great solution for me whether I'm going on a mtb ride or a 5 day bikepacking trip. Thanks also to this week's newest sustaining Patrons and welcome to The After Party 🎉 🖤 🖤🖤 🖤🖤 Terence Bonsey Joseph Knight Keaton Haney James Turner Bob Brill Chris Clodfelter Vincent Schumaker 🖤 🖤🖤 🖤🖤
Aug 11, 2021 · 1 hr 49 min
Ep. 83 - Cameron Sanders, a Man of Many Hats
Cameron Sanders is a man of many hats. He's worn a spelunking helmet, a bicycle helmet, a race directors cap, and a work hat as the VP of Product Development and Marketing for Wren Sports. On this episode we focus on the Stetson hat he donned as a Park Ranger shortly after a armed group of far-right extremists seized and occupied the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. Cameron went into a very difficult situation where tensions were high and a community was divide and, as a good outdoorsman, he left it better than he found it. Cameron used his love for public lands, the people who use them, and his love for exploring the world on his bike to help a community heal. That healing came by way of a gravel bike race that showcases the this region of Eastern Oregon in a whole new light. This armed takeover of a government building is complicated with a history that goes deep. To have a better understanding of the issues in this episode, that we only touch, we recommend that you check out the Bundyville Podcast. They do an excellent job of detailing this event, it's well done, and I binge-listened to the whole thing! Or you can read the cliff notes on Wikipedia. For a full write-up on this episode with pictures please visit www.BikesorDeath.com. Support for this episode is thanks to... Ruby Coffee - Use code "BIKESORDEATH" for 15% off your first order or 20% off your first order of a subscription ☕️ 🎉 Wren Sports - Use code "BOD10" for 10% off your entire order 🚲 🎉 Patreon - Sign up to help support future episodes. This weeks NEW Patrons 🖤 🖤 🖤🖤🖤 Thomas Sutton, Derek Atkins, Mike Wallace, Joe Vunchetich, John Hickman, Kyle Forshaw, Randy Windle, Kyle Anstine, Butt Cheeks 😂 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Aug 4, 2021 · 1 hr 22 min
Ep. 82 - Jefe Branham, Colorado Trail el Jefe
Jefe Branham's just completed the Colorado Trail Race for the 9th time, and he's won 4 of them! He lives in Gunnison, CO which puts the Colorado Trail in his "backyard", his relationship with the trails goes back almost 30 years. He is also the race director, so you can see why he's earned the title Mr. Colorado Trail. This year he completed the race in 4 days, 16 hours, and 8 minutes on his Why Cycles El Jefe, setup single speed. After setting a new AZT 300 ss record earlier this year some were looking at Jefe to potentially take down the Colorado Trail Race ss record this year as well, but weather wasn't on his side. And as we learn in this episode, the record time of 4d, 6h, 39m held by Timon's Fish, may be a tough one to beat. Jefe's accomplishments are greater than my knowledge of them. Mostly because he isn't one to tout them. Instead he focuses his time and attention on the doing, and he's damn good at it. To follow Jefe you can find him on Instagram or his Blog. * * * * * * * * Today's episode was made possible with support from Kuat and Quadlock Thanks also to this week's newest sustaining Patrons. This show is made possible by the community. If you're enjoying the show please consider signing to help keep the lights on and the podcast flowing. Mike Munroe Lee Johnson Matt Winsor Mark Bryson Pierre-Mi Jauvin Steve Capps Bas Bertrand Brieann O'Neill Eric Elbert
Jul 28, 2021 · 1 hr 37 min
Ep. 81 - Tyler Wacker, Quit his job to cycle around USA!
At the beginning of 2020 Tyler Wacker quit his engineering job to cycle the circumference of USA on his Surly Long Haul Trucker. His plans were derailed when COVID shut down reliable camping and provisions along the way. When he did continue his tour, it wasn't to complete his tour around USA, instead he pointed his bike NE towards Boston. Where he would hop on a plane to Iceland where he is now a grad student in Isafjordur, Iceland, studying Coastal Communities and Regional Development. His bike exploits don't stop in Iceland! Listen to this episode and learn about what motivates Tyler to pursue a life a little different than the norm. I got to meet Tyler in Austin, TX while he was home during a break from school. I really appreciated the way he meaningfully approaches life by making choices that enhance his own life as well as the ones around him. He is also a wealth of information when it comes to Active Transportation, which is a subject we both enjoyed. Tyler is heading back to Iceland, follow him on instagram @tyler_vision Today's episode was supported by the new Wishbone from Rockgeist! It's a U shaped metal bracket that bolts to one of the seat tube bottle bolts and supports the side of the framebag from the outside. So basically an exoskeleton for the framebag, positioned low where the crank arm rotates around. It prevents the bag from ballooning out and getting a hole where it rubs the crank arm. Thanks also to this week's newest sustaining Patrons. This show is made possible by the community. If you're enjoying the show please consider signing to help keep the lights on and the podcast flowing. Angela Freeman Christopher Grady Brad Lankford David Boswell Derek Bowers Jerod Foster Sally Turner Bryan Anderson Larin Davis Erin Wood Joshua SpiersKyle JohnsonPat SmithBrian ArfmannPeter StewartLuke GallowayNic DoyleBobby EllisKasey Hochmuht (Hawk-moot)
Jul 21, 2021 · 1 hr 28 min
Ep. 80 - Sarah Swallow, professional Adventure Cyclist
Sarah Swallow was introduced to bicycles, and the cycling community, at the young age of 12 when she started working for a bike rental company in Ohio. She wasn't a cyclist at the time and had no idea that one day she'd be a sponsored Adventure Cyclist. Today Sarah has carved out a cool career for herself that allows her to pursue the things in life that brings her joy and share them in a way that is authentic to herself. She's worn many hats over the years. From bike rental to, bike shop owner, route creator, race director, and spreader of stoke and adventure on 2 wheels. Her most recent exploit was on this years Tour Divide Classic where she earned a 2nd place finish. Her Tour Divide attempt almost didn't happen. As she was driving to the start her bike flew off the back of their truck and the impact cracked the carbon frame. With only days before the race she scrambled to piece her bike and gear back together and thanks to efforts from many members of this community she made it to the start! The stoke she received from the outpouring of the community set her up for a successful ride. Today's episode was supported by Ruby Coffee. Listeners of this show receive 15% off their first order or 20% off the first order of a subscription, just use "BIKESORDEATH" at checkout! Thank you also to this week's newest sustaining Patrons. This show is made possible by you. If you're enjoying the show please consider signing to help keep the lights on and the podcast flowing. Christopher Buratta Carrier Denis Miles Camp Brian Farren Mike Zande Timothy Dufault Ryan Gilmore Ryan Zimmer Katy MaGuire Bradley Ortego Lars SmithMartin HoldregeJohnny De MartinBrent YoungGenevieve BirchKevin EmeryBlake KingfischerKristen WileyAndrew CullenKevin Keilitz