NE Dirt: WWR Live - Single Speed New England
NE Dirt
On this episode of New England Dirt, I’m joined by Seth Page and Stuart Horner of Gigantic Hawk Racing, 2 of the 4 event organizers responsible for bringing Single Speed New England to life. I’m also joined by Taylor Clark and Paul Martin, members of the Clark Brothers’ Racing team who came out in force for the first annual New England Single Speed event. This episode is recorded live at the event, so I apologize in advance for any inconsistencies in the audio, as well as the background noises from other attendees and weather. Overall this event was a freaking blast....
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NE DIRT: WWR, Ep 4 - Noelle Battle of Bikepacking Roots
NE Dirt
Welcome to another episode of “Why We Ride” on New England Dirt, the show that brings you the joys of riding bikes on dirt here in New England. As always, I’m your host MTB Ben! In this episode I’m joined by Noelle Battle, Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots, a Not for profit organization dedicated to supporting, advancing, and diversifying the bikepacking community, the access to lands for bikepacking, and conservation of the places we ride. I was just recently named one of the board members of Bikepacking Roots, and I wanted to take some time to bring more attention to this...
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NE DIRT: Why We Ride, Ep 3 - Pat Engleman
NE Dirt
Over the years I’ve learned that even some of your closest friends have some of the greatest stories to tell and lessons to teach. I’ve had the pleasure of recording many episodes with various friends since I launched this pod back in 2018. But in this episode, you’ll hear from one of my best friends, Pat Engleman, who is a lifelong cyclist, event and race organizer, NICA Coach, and all around good dude. Simply put, Pat is as dedicated to getting more people on bikes as anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, riding with, or getting to know. The fact that I get to call him a dear...
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NE DIRT: WWR, Ep 2, Single Speeding in New England
NE Dirt
Thanks for tuning in to another episode of New England Dirt, the show that brings you the joys of riding bikes on dirt here in New England. As always, I’m your host MTB Ben! In this episode of New England Dirt, I’m joined by Brian Gilman and Eric Corum, local riders who, along with their partners Seth Page and Stuart Horner of Gigantic Hawk Racing have teamed up to create Single Speed New England. A single speed race, ride, and party that will bring together a fun loving community of riders late June in Gorham NH (exact dates are Friday the 28th through Sunday the 30th). Continuing...
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NE DIRT: Why We Ride, Ep 1
NE Dirt
New England Dirt is back for another season with a new series, "Why We Ride" which focuses on the reason behind the ride for MTB Ben, his friends, and those who inspire him. MTB Ben gives a very personal look into his past few months, beaten down by depression and self-doubt he struggled to not only find inspiration to record new episodes for NE DIrt, but to also just go out and ride. After a close friend suggested a new series - "Why We Ride" - Ben found the inspiration he was looking for. The next 35-ish minutes will bring you into his world, his struggles with hitting the mid...
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NE Dirt Ep. 10, Cross Vermont Trail with Ex. Dir. Greg Western
NE Dirt
In this episode, inspired by a recent bikepacking trip in Vermont, MTB Ben talks with Greg Western, Executive Director of the Cross Vermont Trail Association. This past Labor Day Weekend, Ben and his buddy Kris Ivers (who you might remember from Adventures in Bikepacking Ep 2) and I rode the Rivers, Ridges, and Rails bikepacking route through North East Vermont. This 75 mile, overnight route starts in St. Johnsbury VT, following route 5 south into Wells River, where you pick up the Cross VT Trail west through Groton State Forest (where you camp for the night) and then into...
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NE Dirt Ep 9 - How to Get into Bike Pack Racing, with Maggie Livelsberger
NE Dirt
MTB Ben is joined by longtime friend and accomplished bike pack racer Maggie Livelsberger in this episode of New England Dirt. In 2023 Maggie has competed in, won, and recorded an FKT in three major Bikepacking races, The DOOM in Ozark, AK, The Coast to Coast in Michigan, and the GRUSK in West Virginia – all on a single speed Otso Fenrir. The duo catches up on old times before Maggie talks about how she got into endurance sports, from swimming to running and eventually bike pack racing. Maggie then shares her highs and lows while learning to compete in endurance bike pack...
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NE Dirt Ep 8. Top 5 Favorite MTB Spots in New England
NE Dirt
When I originally started this podcast back in 2018 my goal was to shed a light on the amazing mountain biking we have here in New England. I wanted to highlight the trails, groups, brands, shops, and community that makes this region of the world what it is. If you missed any of my original shows which were featured as part of the Mountain Bike Radio Network, go check out the link on NE Dirt.com for the archived shows on Spotify. As I was talking about the show with one of my riding buddies and giving him the backstory it dawned on me that I’ve never given a rundown of my...
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NE Dirt Ep 7.5, Part 2 - The Great Belgium Randonnee
NE Dirt
Part 2 of the Great Belgium Randonnee get's us back into the mix with MTB Ben and Aidan. They continue their adventure where we left them at the tiny trailer. Aidan has to start the day with a 7km round trip ride into Malmady to get some money to pay for the trailer the boys slept in, and then they're off again on the Ardennes Abralete. After another great day on the bike - with some more substantial climbing, which leads Ben to crack due to calorie depletion, they make it into St. Viht. A planned side trip into one of the instrumental cities during the Battle of the Buldge. The guys...
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NE Dirt Ep 7, Part 1 - The Great Belgium Randonnee
NE Dirt
In Part 1 of this 2 part episdoe, MTB Ben and his son Aidan take you on their journey riding the Ardennes Arbalete in Belgium. After a day full of traveling, they explore the city of Brussels by bike visiting beer gardens, the EU Parliment, and some local cafes for tasty food. Day 1 of the ride, Ben and Aidan hop a train to Liege and begin their ride on the Arbalete route. After learning that everything was closed due to the Easter Holiday, they travel to a hotel in Verviers so they can do some much needed supply shopping before continuing on the route. Day 2 the boys begin to really get into...
info_outlineOver the years I’ve learned that even some of your closest friends have some of the greatest stories to tell and lessons to teach. I’ve had the pleasure of recording many episodes with various friends since I launched this pod back in 2018. But in this episode, you’ll hear from one of my best friends, Pat Engleman, who is a lifelong cyclist, event and race organizer, NICA Coach, and all around good dude. Simply put, Pat is as dedicated to getting more people on bikes as anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, riding with, or getting to know. The fact that I get to call him a dear friend is something I’m honored to do.
Pat and I delve deep into his childhood, growing up on the bike, his family dynamics and exploring the world on two wheels. We then transition into his young adulthood - his ventures into being a bike messenger, working for some of the country's top bike shops, and eventually landing at Keswick Cycles, the same bike shop that I worked at in Philadelphia.
We move on to Pat’s current role within the cycling world, especially the growth of cycling in the North East PA area, including his two gravel events Lu Lacka Wyco Hundo and the Starrucca Crossing. We also discuss what Pat’s legacy is and how his biggest goal is to increase awareness of, and appreciation for NE PA region as an active sports area, suitable for endless joy on the bike.
Why we ride was intended to bring stories like Pat’s to the New England Dirt audience. We all have great stories and experiences that drive us to ride the bike. I hope you find inspiration and joy in my conversation with Pat, who truly leads by example.
Thank you again for tuning into this episode of New England Dirt! Please take some time to learn more about Pat’s events at his website Cliff View Productions. Also make sure to check out the NEPA region for a great next cycling trip, as well as the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and their work in protecting and developing cycling resources in the region.
As always I love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with me anytime you want. Email ben@nedirt.com or on instagram @MTBBEN603 or @NE_Dirt_Podcast
Until next time, I hope you get a chance to ride your bike today!