Bikes or Death
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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Ep. 219 ~ Remembering Kerry Snow-Alley
09/15/2026
Ep. 219 ~ Remembering Kerry Snow-Alley
A memorial ride and Celebration of Life are planned for Saturday, Sept. 19th. More information can be found here: Kerry's fight has left significant medical expenses behind. Funds are being raised to help cover those expenses and care for the person who spent these last years caring so deeply for her. Learn more here: It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dear friend Kerry Snow-Alley. She is the person whom I credit most with not only introducing me to bikepacking, but also inspiring me to enter my first race in 2018. When I did my first century, she was there. When I did my second century, she was there. The second time I ever went bikepacking was with her. And the first time I raced, she was in the field. Behind the scenes, she was helping me in tangible ways as I navigated new ways to ride my bike and explore the world. Less tangible were the ways she inspired me on a personal level. After my first divorce, she and her husband, Christopher, took in my 6 year old daughter and me while we got back on our feet. During that time, I got to see where the results were really being made: at home, in quiet, and without fanfare. She was dedicated to this life and to putting her best foot forward in everything she did, always with a cheery disposition. On the bike, she was a beast. In 2017, she entered the GranGravel 500 as her first bikepacking race and came in 2nd place in the women’s category with a time of 2d 6h 18m. Learning a lot from that experience, she came back the next year and finished 2nd overall, only two hours behind the infamous Indiana Schulz. She finished in 1d 19h 45m — almost 11 hours faster than her 2017 time. Side note: That was also the year I entered the GranGravel 500 — inspired by Kerry. I was a tad bit slower and literally limped into the finish with a time of 3d 10h 8m. Fast forward many years, and the spark and inspiration she instilled in me had turned into a full-blown obsession. Later that year, I’d go on to create Bikes or Death, and a couple of years later, the Texas Showdown Series. In 2024, she signed up for the East Texas Showdown 400 and crossed the finish line 2nd in the women’s category and 10th overall, with a time of 1d 13h 46m. Two days after the race, she learned she had Stage 2 breast cancer. For some people, a diagnosis like that might resign them to the couch, but not Kerry. She never let cancer or treatment stop her from living a full life. She continued to work, do CrossFit, and ride her damn bike. In 2025, she again signed up for the ETS 400, this time while undergoing chemo — what she playfully referred to as “Chemo Doping.” She wasn’t just there to ride. She was there to compete. Two hundred and fifty miles into the race, sitting on the steps of a convenience store in Trinity, she recorded a video saying, “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done on a bike, but I came to ride 400 miles and that’s what I’m going to do.” She and her good friend and training partner, Maegan Fitzgerald, rode straight through two nights, stopping only once for a brief five-minute power nap. When they reached the Bullet Grill, before setting out on the final 68 mile Death Star Loop, Kerry looked like she was in the midst of the hardest ride she’d ever done. I stayed back, gave her space to recuperate, and quietly rooted for her to continue. She did. Kerry and Maegan broke the Death Star into three manageable 23-mile sections. They crossed the finish line together around 3 a.m. Sunday morning, sharing 2nd place in the women’s category and finishing 10th overall. After that performance, I took the opportunity to meet Kerry at one of our local mountain bike trails and record a podcast. The original episode, Ep. 200, aired in May of 2025. Over the past couple of days, I re-listened to that conversation and edited it in a way that allows Kerry to shine through even more. I did not edit Kerry. I didn’t take out any of her umms or pauses. I just let her shine through. I did take out some of my commentary so that Kerry’s story, her spirit, and her voice could be more present. I’m so grateful to have this conversation with her, and I hope it will also be a comfort to those who knew her. If you didn’t know Kerry, I hope you’ll find inspiration in her story, her accomplishments, and her never-ending optimism — even while fighting for her life. Kerry did not want to be defined by cancer. She was not defined by cancer. It was a part of her journey, but it was not the whole story. So let’s remember Kerry for who she was and for the way she inspired us, pushed us, and showed us the way forward. Please join me on today’s episode as we take a moment to remember and honor my dear friend, Kerry Snow-Alley. Ride in peace, Kerry. With love, Patrick
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Ep. 218 ~ Justinas Leveika, King of Chaos Conquers Silk Road
09/09/2026
Ep. 218 ~ Justinas Leveika, King of Chaos Conquers Silk Road
When Justinas Leveika last joined Bikes or Death, he had just set a new Fastest Known Time for the Bikepacking Triple Crown. He wasn’t done. In the 21 months since, Justinas has lined up for nine ultra-endurance races across an astonishing range of formats and conditions: The Accursed Race, Trans Balkan Race, Transcontinental Race, Arkansas High Country Race, GranGuanche Audax Trail, Tour Te Waipounamu, Iditarod Trail Invitational 350, Highland Trail 550 and Silk Road Mountain Race. That résumé stretches from road racing and free-route navigation at the Transcontinental to technical singletrack in New Zealand and Scotland, extreme winter riding on the Iditarod Trail, and remote, high-altitude racing through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The results include six victories, a second-place finish, three additional FKTs and, most recently, a commanding win at Silk Road. The longest and most demanding Silk Road course to date covered 2,052 kilometers through Kyrgyzstan, with more than 35,000 meters of climbing and a non-finisher rate of roughly 65 percent. Justinas entered the race claiming his expectations were “lower than the floor.” He finished in 7 days, 16 hours and 56 minutes – more than 21 hours ahead of second place. In this episode, we catch up on everything Justinas has done since our last conversation, including his victory at the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 – an experience he describes as the hardest thing he has ever done. We also dig into Silk Road: how he erased an early 4.5 hour deficit, the enormous push that broke the race open, and the illness, river crossings and general chaos he encountered along the way. But the larger question is how Justinas continues to race so consistently across so many disciplines while remaining one of the most feared and successful ultra-endurance cyclists in the world. We discuss recovery, motivation, balancing life with cycling, and what continues to drive him toward such wildly different challenges. After everything he has accomplished, one question remains: Why is Justinas Leveika so damn good at this? After everything he has accomplished, one question remains: Why is Justinas Leveika so damn good at this? Maybe you’ll get some clues in today’s episode… Episode Sponsors Episode Sponsors Old Man Mountain and the new Manzanita Cradle - use code OMMORDEATH for 15% off Save the dates: Sept. 25th @ High Noon - ETS 7th edition registration opens Oct. 4th @ 6pm - Bikes or Death Live -- Night of Showdown @ Trek W. University in Houston Follow @bikesordeath and @texasshowdownseries for updates! New Patrons Clay Ditzend Join them won't you!? Patreon.com/bikesordeath
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Ep. 217 ~ Cruz Blue, Youngest Ever Triple Crown Finisher at 17
08/21/2026
Ep. 217 ~ Cruz Blue, Youngest Ever Triple Crown Finisher at 17
What had you accomplished by 17? Not what dreams did you have, but what dreams had you already made come true? One thing I know for sure: You weren’t the youngest person ever to complete the Bikepacking Triple Crown…unless your name is Cruz Blue. When I was 17, I spent most of my time skateboarding, avoiding homework, and chasing girls. Not exactly my finest years, but I’d argue my experience was probably more closely aligned with that of the average teenage boy than Cruz’s was. Over the past year, Cruz has quietly been making a lot of noise in the bikepacking world. He has no social media, no blog, and no YouTube channel. He seems motivated almost entirely by a sense of adventure and what he calls youthful ignorance. So, unless you’ve been paying close attention, you may not have realized that a star was rising in Flagstaff, Arizona. Cruz comes from an adventurous family and grew up inspired to seek out adventures of his own. For him, racing is simply another form of adventure. He isn’t particularly concerned with times, watts, records, or results—but he does place a premium on finishing. His only DNF came in 2025, when he attempted the Arizona Trail Race 800 as an individual time trial at just 16 years old. But let’s back up a little. Cruz entered his first bikepacking race in 2024 at age 15. Just two short years later, he finds himself among an elite group of athletes credited with completing the Bikepacking Triple Crown. A brief history of his racing career: Age 15 Pinyons and Pines — 2d 15h 53m — 14th overall Age 16 AZTR 800 ITT — DNF Pinyons and Pines — 2d 7h 23m — 10th overall AZTR 800 ITT — 17d 7h 42m — Youngest solo AZTR 800 finisher Age 17 Pinyons and Pines — 3d 5h 19m — 17th overall Tour Divide — 19d 11h 6m Colorado Trail Race — 6d 17h 49m — Youngest-ever CTR finisher In less than 10 months, Cruz completed the Arizona Trail Race 800, Tour Divide, and Colorado Trail Race, becoming the youngest person ever credited with completing what we call the Bikepacking Triple Crown. Technically, the formal Triple Crown Challenge requires completing all three races within the same calendar year. Cruz completed his within a rolling one-year period. But the keepers of the records at Bikepacking.net officially list him as the youngest Triple Crown finisher, and who am I to argue! The results, however, are only a small part of Cruz’s story. The real story is Cruz himself – and it’s his to tell. On today’s episode, I have the privilege of getting to know one of our sport’s youngest athletes, who has quietly been making a whole lot of noise. EPISODE SPONSORS & = use code mountainsordeath for 15% off = code ctsordeath for 15% off = code wtsordeath for 15% off NEW PATRONS 🫶🏻 Gabe Dillon Jarran Zen Support the show at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
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Ep. 216 ~ Anna Claire Beasley, No Big Bend Wall
07/23/2026
Ep. 216 ~ Anna Claire Beasley, No Big Bend Wall
In 2019, I joined a group of students from Texas Tech on a five-day bikepacking trip through Big Bend Ranch State Park. That trip is where I met Anna Claire. On the morning of day two, she and I sat down to record Episode 6 of the Bikes or Death Podcast. That conversation provides important context for today’s episode, as it showcases AC’s longstanding love for Big Bend. We play a clip from it in today’s show, but the is worth a listen if you want to join us on a journey through Big Bend in a pre-COVID world. Fast-forward seven years. Anna Claire is now a resident of Terlingua, Texas, which sits on the doorstep of both Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park. As a result, she has had a front-row seat to the border-wall activity happening throughout the region. A full-time photographer and passionate lover of the outdoors, especially Big Bend, Anna Claire couldn’t sit idly by. She picked up her camera and began documenting what was happening. It wasn’t long before a coalition of residents and allies joined her to form , a nonprofit organization established to inform, educate, and fight the construction of a border wall in Big Bend. While today’s episode deviates from our typical bikepacking fare, it does so for a very real and important reason. Our public lands are under attack. We as trail users, outdoorsmen, and adventurers are able to enjoy these places because public lands were protected by those who came before us. Throughout history, when those lands have come under threat, coalitions have formed to defend them. Now it is our turn. Today’s episode isn’t about politics. It is about one of our nation’s most sacred outdoor sanctuaries being under attack. Big Bend needs you right now. In this episode, Anna Claire breaks down some of the misinformation circulating online. We discuss the real-world implications of the proposed wall, explore alternative solutions, and provide tangible ways you can take action to help preserve Big Bend and keep it unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. TAKE ACTION Visit to take a deeper dive into the topics discussed in todays episode and take action where you can! Are you a business owner against the construction of a Big Bend Wall? ! DEADLINE IS JULY 29TH Today's episode is provided ad-free courtesy of Old Man Mountain 🫶🏻 For 15% off at use code: OMMORDEATH
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Ep. 215 ~ Meaghan Hackinen, New Tour Divide FKT
07/10/2026
Ep. 215 ~ Meaghan Hackinen, New Tour Divide FKT
Meaghan Hackinen just made history on the Tour Divide, completing the 2026 Grand Depart in 14 days, 10 hours, and 2 minutes. In the process, she lowered the previous fastest women’s time, set by Austin Killips during a 2024 ITT, by more than 13 hours. She also improved her own Grand Depart record by nearly 37 hours, one of the largest leaps we’ve ever seen at the front of the sport. For a full write-up and photo galley of today's episode, please visit BikesorDeath.com EPISODE SPONSORS – Today we highlight the new . Use code OMMORDEATH at checkout for 15% off your order. If you enjoyed today’s episode please consider supporting our work at Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
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Ep. 214 ~ Daniel "Dirty Dan" Connell, Pacific Coast FKT
05/19/2026
Ep. 214 ~ Daniel "Dirty Dan" Connell, Pacific Coast FKT
Daniel Connell, aka “Dirty Dan” is fresh off setting a new FKT on the Pacific Coast route from Alaska to the Mexican border. Dan ripped down the coast on his new, yet-to-be-released Trek Domane, setting a new time to beat: 6 days, 15 hours, 53 minutes. What some people may not know is that Dan is also preparing for a Guinness Book of World Records attempt on the Pan-American Route from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina this July. He initially approached the Pacific Coast ride as part of his training for Pan-Am, but it became much more than a tune-up. For Dan, this was a stand-alone achievement and a deeply personal accomplishment. It also gave him the perfect opportunity to test the bike, setup, systems, and mindset he plans to carry into July. By the numbers, and by his own account, it was a clean run — the kind of ride that should send him into the next big challenge with a whole lot of confidence. One thing that really stands out, besides the overall time, is his daily mileage: Day 1 — 280 mi / 11,738 ft / 16h 55m Day 2 — 212 mi / 10,019 ft / 14h 27m Day 3 — 240 mi / 12,423 ft / 16h 57m Day 4 — 198 mi / 13,174 ft / 14h 6m Day 5 — 238 mi / 15,679 ft / 17h 17m Day 6 — 492 mi / 20,471 ft / 32h 24m That’s remarkably consistent… until the final push, where he absolutely emptied the tank. In today’s episode, we talk about that monster final effort, how the ride unfolded, what he learned from the bike and setup, and what comes next as Dirty Dan looks ahead to his Pan-American World Record attempt. EPISODE SPONSORS - Today we highlight the new . Use code OMMORDEATH at checkout for 15% off your order. If you enjoyed today's episode please consider supporting our work at Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
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Ep. 213 ~ Maddy Nutt, Traka 560 FKT
05/08/2026
Ep. 213 ~ Maddy Nutt, Traka 560 FKT
Maddy Nutt just made her mark on ultra-cycling in her very first attempt at this year’s Traka 560. She is no stranger to big efforts on the bike — or The Traka itself. Over the previous three years she competed in the 360km event, notably finishing 7th last year despite tearing her AC ligament only 100km into the race. She’s also raced some of the biggest gravel events in the world including Unbound Gravel, Migration Gravel Race, and The Rift (among others). Coming into this year’s Traka, Maddy believed the previous women’s record of 28h 52m was within reach, but respected the field enough to know that anything could happen. She wasn’t listed as one of the favorites, she shares in today’s episode, and maybe that helped take some of the pressure off. In the midst of the many conversations surrounding this year’s Traka, Maddy’s story stood out as something worth celebrating. Her ride was thoughtful, calculated, and deeply intentional. She visited Girona multiple times to prepare, pre-rode sections of the course, and even used Google Street View to scout water fountains and resupply locations. She left no stone unturned in her preparation. At the Traka 560, Maddy rode through the night for the first time. She rode farther than she ever had before. And in doing so, she rode herself not only into victory, but into an entirely new realm of possibility. She can now officially add “ultra-cyclist” to her already impressive list of accomplishments. Congrats Maddy…welcome to the club. Can’t wait to see what comes next. Presented by Support at Ride your dam bike
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BONUS: RYDB Fest Preview
05/06/2026
BONUS: RYDB Fest Preview
We’re gearing up for the second edition of RYDB Fest in Fayetteville, AR. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down everything you can expect this year. So what is RYDB Fest? A bike festival? An ultra-cycling race? A friendly bikepacking overnighter? The answer is: yes. RYDB Fest is an open invitation to ride your damn bike, any damn way you want. Built by the bikepacking community, for bikepackers of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Everyone is welcome to play bikes with us in NW Arkansas! In today’s episode, you’ll hear from the team and supporters behind RYDB Fest as we get ready to welcome you to Northwest Arkansas for a full weekend of Bikes… or Death. RYDB Fest is brought to you by and Bikes or Death, with help from key partners and friends who are making this whole thing happen. Expect grassroots vibes, strong community turnout, and some of the best damn bike riding in Arkansas. ~Show Notes ~ More info about RYDB Fest click Register for the Fayetteville Ultra Circuit **Use code FUCBOD at checkout for $15 off reg Register for the Bikepacking Overnighter **Use code bod_rydb_26 for 20% off reg Find out more about the Wander Outdoor Adventure HUB Suppor the show on
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Ep. 212 ~ Live From the Bikepacking Campout at Sea Otter
05/01/2026
Ep. 212 ~ Live From the Bikepacking Campout at Sea Otter
Something new came to Sea Otter this year, and I went to get the scoop. Sea Otter is widely regarded as the largest bike expo in the world, but calling it a “bike expo” doesn’t quite cover it. With over 70,000 attendees, 1,000+ brands and exhibitors, and 10,000+ athletes competing across a huge variety of races, it’s… a lot. And with all of that, it’s hard to imagine anything was missing. Enter Old Man Mountain. Five years ago, Erik Fenner, OMM’s Marketing Manager, attended Sea Otter for the first time. That night, he organically invited a few folks to join his campsite hangout. Nearly 30 people showed up. An idea was born. This year, that idea became reality with the inaugural OMM Bikepacking Campout and After Party at Sea Otter. OMM and their partners staked out a beautiful campsite about a mile from the main expo, tucked into a serene setting that felt worlds away from the chaos. People came from far and wide. Some rode their bikes. Some drove. Some flew. Some may have crawled. However they got there, everyone seemed to find what bikepackers tend to gravitate toward: a little dirt, a little community, and some grassroots vibes. It turns out, in the sea of Sea Otter, something was missing. Bikepacking is still a small but mighty corner of cycling, but it’s clearly on the rise. You could see it in the growing number of adventure cycling booths, the people stopping by to ask questions, and the strong turnout for the first-ever OMM Bikepacking Campout. In today’s episode, I take you into Sea Otter as a first-time attendee. But I wasn’t there to see how many grams I could save if I sold a kidney. I was there to see what my friends at OMM were cooking up. Spoiler alert: it was really damn good. This episode is made up of five conversations with sponsors, vendors, and attendees of the OMM Bikepacking Campout. You’ll hear from: Chris Kratsch — Co-Owner of Old Man Mountain Carley Boyce — Campout attendee who attempted the Great Divide with her dog Rowdy, then went back the next year to attempt the Tour Divide Noelle Battle — Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots Wade Green — Managing Partner for Tout Terrain in the U.S. Erik Fenner — Marketing Manager at Old Man Mountain I had an incredible time at this inaugural event. It was so good to be far from home, but still feel like I had a built-in community of “my people.” Big thanks to everyone who took a little time to chat with me about their experience at Sea Otter. Let’s do it again next year! SHOW NOTES As heard on today's episode, Carley is racing the Tour Divide for a cause. She is raising money to support the Autism Society of Oregon. Find out more at EPISODE SPONSORS Old Man Mountain would like to thank their supporting partners and sponsors that made this event possible: Priority Bikes Tout Terrain Ortlieb Swift Industries Outershell Sklar Feedback Sports Revelate Salsa ABUS Fayetteville Ultra Circuit: on today's episode Alex Kowalski, FUC race director, comes on the share a little more about the route. Take a deeper dive, and register, . For being a loyal listener you can take $15 off reg when you use the code: FUCBOD NEW PATRONS Oregoniangal Join them won’t you at
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Ep. 211 ~ Jacob Ashton, World Tour | DOOM | ETS
04/15/2026
Ep. 211 ~ Jacob Ashton, World Tour | DOOM | ETS
Can you imagine packing up everything you own on a bicycle, riding away from your home with plans to cycle the world over the next four years? Now imagine it’s your first bike tour. That’s exactly what Jacob Ashton did in 2016 when he rolled away from his home in Idaho. Over the next four years, he would cover roughly 77,000 miles, visit 100 countries, and ride across six continents. His travels were not without challenges. He was confronted by machete-wielding villagers in Mozambique, lost a finger to frostbite while climbing Ojos del Salado in Chile, and experienced a bowel obstruction in Khorog, Tajikistan that required major surgery and temporarily paused his tour. To date, he’s accumulated over 120,000 miles, visited 108 countries, and ridden on six continents—and he’s not done. Recently, Jacob has been trading touring miles for racing miles, testing his skills in events like the Tour Divide, the AZT, and most recently, DOOM and the East Texas Showdown. Jacob and I both competed at this year’s DOOM, which is where we first met. He rode the long course and came in a respectable 7th place, following up a 2nd place finish the previous year. After a 32-hour “nap,” he loaded up his full-suspension Starling Murmur and rode 400 miles to Point Blank, Texas, to compete in the 400-mile East Texas Showdown. ETS is a solidly a gravel ultra, and he was the only rider on a full-suspension bike—but he rode that thing like it was on fire, averaging 15 mph moving speed and finishing in an impressive 6th place. Coincidentally, after ETS he had plans to ride over to my hometown to visit an old friend, so I took the opportunity to meet up with him and dive deeper into his story. You can learn more and follow along with Jacob here: Instagram - @occasional_bikepacker Tour Reports - His book, "Until the Road Ends" - EPISODE SPONSORS – Going to Sea Otter? Make sure to swing by the OMM Bikepacking Campout & After Party. . I'll be there too, come find me :) - May 22nd - 24th in Fayettville, AR. Use code bikesordeath_rydb_26 for 20% off reg. New Patrons David Lieble Tomas Perez Andrew Humes Robert Keller Join us won’t you at
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Ep. 210 ~ Tyler "Freakin" Reynolds, Texas Slowdown SS Triple Star
03/11/2026
Ep. 210 ~ Tyler "Freakin" Reynolds, Texas Slowdown SS Triple Star
Tyler “Freakin” Reynolds and the First Texas Triple Star In 2025 the Texas Triple Star was born. Complete all three events in the Texas Showdown Series, in the same category, within a calendar year, and you’ll earn a handmade belt buckle crafted by Texas builder Kyle Gilbert. Last year the series became official with the addition of West Texas Showdown, and seven riders stepped up to attempt the full trilogy. By the end of the year only one rider was left standing. Tyler “Freakin” Reynolds. Racing in the Slowdown Singlespeed category, Tyler completed the entire series and etched his name into Showdown history. Tyler’s Triple Star Stats ETS – 1d 9h 37m — 2nd place CTS – 1d 4h 37m — 1st overall WTS – 1d 15h 45m — 1st place Total Time: 4d 5h 59m The time to beat for the Slowdown SS category. For a full writeup and photo gallery of this episode visit BikesorDeath.com SHOW NOTES March 27th – 29th Use code getoffthecouch at checkout for 15% off presented by April 16th – 19th May 22nd – 24th Use code bikesordeath for 20% off the Community Overnighter registration
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Ep. 209 ~ Kurt Refsnider, First to ride the 5,000 mile Orogenesis Route
01/30/2026
Ep. 209 ~ Kurt Refsnider, First to ride the 5,000 mile Orogenesis Route
My guest today is someone who is no stranger to the front of the field. A perennial podium finisher as a professional mountain biker, and over the past decade-plus one of the most accomplished ultra-endurance cyclists on the planet, he has first-place finishes at the Tour Divide, AZT, CTR, and many many more. The truth is, I’d need to create an entirely new podcast series to fully unpack the range, depth, and longevity of his career as a lifelong cyclist. For that reason, he’s a man who truly needs no introduction: Kurt Refsnider. Most recently, Kurt became the first person to ride the 5,000-plus-mile -- a project more than a decade in the making, shaped by many contributors over the years. Like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Orogenesis Route traverses North America from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, but it instead features as much singletrack as they can pack in - 50% of the route is singletrack. And when it reaches the border, the route doesn’t stop. It intercepts and continues down the , one of the most iconic bikepacking routes in the world. This was no small undertaking. Not only was this Kurt’s biggest bikepacking trip to date, but he was also the first person to put bike tires on large portions of the route—sections that had only been scouted digitally and pieced together through community knowledge. Inevitably, that meant running into real roadblocks. This wasn’t just a bikepacking trip; it was a true bike adventure. I can think of no one more qualified to take on a project of this scale, both physically and mentally, than Kurt. It was an absolute pleasure to have him back on the podcast. He’s a true OG and a legend in the sport for very good reason. And beyond all the accolades, he’s simply a genuinely kind and thoughtful human being. The Bikes or Death Podcast is Presented by To support this work: www.Patreon.com/bikesordeath Kurt's website: https://www.ultramtb.net/ Orogenesis Collective: https://orogenesiscollective.org/
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Ep. 208 ~ Turning the Mic Around: Eric House Interviews Me
01/16/2026
Ep. 208 ~ Turning the Mic Around: Eric House Interviews Me
We’re kicking off the year with a special guest—Eric House! We met up in the Sam Houston National Forest for a bit of a role reversal; this time, Eric took the mic to interview me. I gave him free rein to ask anything, resulting in a wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from the silly to the serious. The heart of our chat focused on the last six years of work that culminated in 2025 with the launch of the WTS Showdown and the completion of the Texas Showdown Series. We also looked ahead to 2026, discussing my goals for Doom High Watch and my current training mindset. Eric is a fantastic interviewer who asks truly meaningful questions, including a "gamut" of listener inquiries that kept me on my toes. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper meetup without some trail time—prior to recording, we squeezed in a mountain bike ride that turned into a total adventure involving getting lost, a minor collision, and hiking our bikes out on our shoulders. It was perfect. Bikes or Death is presented by to support the show ☠️
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Ep. 207 ~ Kyle & Hannah - West Texas Showdown, 1st & 2nd Overall
12/05/2025
Ep. 207 ~ Kyle & Hannah - West Texas Showdown, 1st & 2nd Overall
For the past five years, the Texas Showdown Series has been slowly, inevitably, drifting west. We started in the dense, pine-soaked forests of East Texas, moved through the rugged limestone of the Hill Country, but the destination was always clear: Big Bend. Few landscapes in the world capture the heart and soul the way West Texas does. For those willing to push themselves to the edge, something different waits out there—something ancient, indifferent, and extraordinary. In the world of ultra-cycling, that “something” takes the shape of the West Texas Showdown. The WTS doesn’t just test riders. It strips them down. It pushes them to their limits and then, without apology or sympathy, asks for more. Out there, the desert becomes your only companion—its silence broken only by your groans, your breathing, and the steady reminder that you are very far from comfort. And the numbers tell the story: only 32% of the field finished the course. In the Showdown category, the desert claimed all but three riders. Fifteen started. Three rolled into Terlingua. Despite the brutality of the route, the racing was electric and equally unrelenting. A small but mighty group battled back and forth across the miles, creating genuine, edge-of-your-seat dot-watching. It wasn’t clear who would take the win until the final stretch, and by then everyone—riders, spectators, and the desert itself—had given everything they had. When the dust settled, here’s who was left standing: 1st — Kyle Gilbert — 2d 5h 44m 2nd — Hannah Simon — 2d 16h 17m 3rd (DFL) — Robert Shine — 2d 19h 33m These three deserve every ounce of praise and recognition—not just for surviving the desert, but for putting on one hell of a race. Everyone who was out there knows how hard they had to fight, and they earned the respect of the entire field. On today’s episode, I sat down with Kyle and Hannah in the back of DogSpeed Cycling in Austin, TX to talk all things WTS. At this point, they are the leading experts on the event, and we went deep: strategy, equipment, tire choice, water management, drop bags, preparation—you name it. Whether you're thinking about tackling WTS or you just want to hear two incredible humans break down an unforgettable ride, this episode is for you. On a personal note, hosting both Kyle and Hannah at their very first ultra-cycling race back at ETS 2021 was one of the highlights of my time in this community. Seeing them return nearly five years later—stronger, wiser, and standing atop the WTS podium—was a full-circle moment that I’ll never forget. I couldn’t be prouder of these two, and I have no doubt they’ll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring others along the way. --------- The party starts again at the at the Bullet Grill in Point Blank, TX. Need to know: - March 27th-29th, 2026 - - Showdown (395 miles), Slowdown (275 miles), Lowdown (160 miles) - NEW FOR 2026 we're introducing a Gravél option. Please say "hi" to the 69 miles Gravél Throwdown. This is a unique race format that introduces another opportunity for others to get in on the action over the weekend, but it also presents a new challenge for the ultra-cylists - anyone who finishes the Showdown or Slowdown before Sunday at 7am can enter the Throwdown for free. Should make for a really dynamic race...a battle between gravel racers and ultra-cyclists - its the Gravél Throwdown y'all! - more info can be found at Thanks to our newest Patrons!!! Dustin Mareth Indiana Shulz Manuel Busse Dave Milam Borja G Join them won't you?! -
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Ep. 206 ~ Central Texas Showdown w/ Andrea Roelofs & Javian Quinones
08/28/2025
Ep. 206 ~ Central Texas Showdown w/ Andrea Roelofs & Javian Quinones
We’re 60 days out from the 3rd annual Central Texas Showdown grand depart, so let’s talk about it! To talk about CTS I brought in a couple experts. Andrea Roelofs has participated in the Central Texas Lowdown the first 2 years. And Javian Quinones has participated in the East Texas Slowdown and came in 5th place this last year at the Central Texas Showdown. I’m stoked to have both of them in the studio to share their experiences and expertise. It was great to get both perspectives from the competitive and non-competitive fields as both are an important component to the CTS experience. Listen to today’s episode. Get stoked. And join us in 60 days for the 3rd Central Texas Showdown in the Texas Hill Country. “The Hills are Calling” EPISODE LINKS TxORA: TxORA Hill Country Relief Fund: RYDB Fest: Central Texas Showdown: NEW PATRONS Chuck Willox Join them won't you?
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Ep. 205 ~ Rockstar Women, hosted by Kayla Hall
08/13/2025
Ep. 205 ~ Rockstar Women, hosted by Kayla Hall
Today on the Bikes or Death podcast it's all about the ladies! For the first time ever I turned the microphone, and podcast, over to the talented Kayla Hall who guest hosted today's episode! Her guests for today's podcast are Abi Snyder, Jenny Klecak, and Leila Husain, who among other things, participated in this year's Rockstar Challenge. A 270ish mile, singletrack focused, backcountry bikepacking race in Virginia that boasts about 40k feet of elevation. Each of these Rockstar Women put on an impressive performance, all beating the previous Fastest Known Time. Abi took the overall Grand Depart win and set a new FKT. Leila was 3rd overall and 2nd place female. And, Jenny, who had to scratch from the Grand Depart came back just 2 weeks later and set a new FKT, besting Abi’s time by 2 hours. Another story from today’s episode that caught my ear was when Leila got a stick lodge into her leg on a descent. I’ll let Leila tell that story, but trust me, you’re gonna wanna hear it (or maybe not 😬). I want to send a special shout out to Kayla for doing such a fantastic job facilitating a fun and engaging conversation! She emailed me this idea a couple of months ago and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to turn the platform over to the ladies for this conversation. And she killed it! Kayla is lining up for the Silk Road Mountain Race in a couple of days, so make sure to send her some good vibes. Housekeeping: my computer is on the fritz and I can’t post this to the Bikes or Death website yet, so in the meantime just find it wherever you pod (or in my bio links). Episode Sponsors: : Three days of riding bikes in the Arkansas Ozarks. We’ve got a little something for everyone: a Beginner Friendly Community Overnighter, the Fayetteville Ultra Circuit, and Gravel Crit, and we’ll have workshops and an expo for you to enjoy on Friday. Come ride your damn bike with us in Arkansas! : The second in the Texas Showdown Series we visit the iconic Hill Country. With distances from 88 to 500 miles, competitive and non-competative options, we’ve got a little something for everyone who loves to ride bikes in beautiful places with rad humans. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a first timer, this is the perfect event for you to ride your damn bike in the Texas Hill Country! New Patrons 🫡 Matthew Trinneer Paul Mendricks
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Ep. 204 ~ Andrew Onermaa, Tour Divide 1st Place Singlespeed
07/09/2025
Ep. 204 ~ Andrew Onermaa, Tour Divide 1st Place Singlespeed
This year's Tour Divide was one for the books - and the record books. With good weather and a very competitive field we saw dots moving so faster than anything we'd seen before, putting all the previous FKT's in potential jeopardy. Among those dots was Andrew Onermaa who was taking on the Tour Divide for the first time, and on a singlespeed! For much of the race Andrew's dot was ahead of the 2016 FKT set by Chris Plesko. It looked as though we were witnessing history as Andrew dug deep to stay ahead of the record. Towards the very end of the race reality would sink in as Andrew was forced to take the new CDT section (added since 2016) while Chris's dot took the highway to Antelope Wells. In the end Andrew would finish with a time of 15d 11h 15m, less than 3 hours behind Pleskos' FKT of 15d 8h 4m. Any way you look at it, this was a historic and impress run by Andrew, but we did take this opportunity to have a discussion about the differences in the routes and about FKT's in general on today's episode. A record would have been nice, but nothing can detract from Andrew's performance on his first Tour Divide attempt. He said on the podcast that the Tour Divide should feel like something you "have to do". Andrew rode like a man possessed by a feeling of need, not want. During his race he did not open Instagram or social media one time. He only took 4 selfies to send to his girlfriend Taylor, no other photos the entire race! He was locked in. But he did check Trackleader's often, especially Chris Plesko's dot. To say he was focused would be a significant understatement and the results speak for themselves. It was an easy decision for me to rent a car and drive 14 hours so I could have this conversation with Andrew in person and I'm glad I did. You can watch or listen to my chat with Andrew with the links below. Instead of Sponsors this week, we'd like to highlight ways you can help with the Texas Hill Country flood recovery and rebuilding efforts. - The Texas Outdoor Recreation Alliance is accepting contributions that will bring critical, near-term relief and support restoration for the Central Texas Floods. The small businesses, venues, parks, and fixtures of our recreation community along impacted areas of the Guadelupe River will be the recipients of these funds to align with our status as the Texas outdoor business alliance. - Grants from the Fund will support nonprofit organizations, first responder agencies, and local governments actively involved in response, relief, and recovery efforts. While we are unable to award grants directly to individuals or families - or to fund repairs to private property or replace personal belongings - we are committed to channeling resources to the trusted organizations working tirelessly to help our neighbors in need. Together, we can make a meaningful difference during this challenging time. - The CTS route/s go directly through the areas of Texas that were most impacted by these floods. Many of the families and businesses along the route are hurting right now. We will be doing everything we can to support the communities along the route through our event. For starters a percentage of all registration will go to the TxORA relief fund. We will also be highlighting businesses along the route that could use your support. We always have an opportunity to leave a positive impact in the communities we ride through. This year that opportunity is even greater, please consider joining us as a way to lift of and support these communities.
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Ep. 203 ~ Arkansas Graveler with Ariel & Patrick
06/23/2025
Ep. 203 ~ Arkansas Graveler with Ariel & Patrick
Last year I participated in the inaugural where we traversed the State from Fayetteville to Jonesboro through the Ozarks into the Delta. This year Arkansas invited Ariel Marlowe and I to check out their new course for year two. This year the route would take us from Mena to Russellville mostly in and through the Ouachita Mountain range. The Arkansas Graveler can best be described as a 5 day bike festival + bike tour on some of the best backroads Arkansas has to offer. Put on by the Ozark Foundation and led by race director Scotti Moody, no stone is left unturned as it relates to the rider experience. Unlike bikepacking, the Graveler staff carries your gear from camp to camp so all you have to do is ride your damn bike. At each stop along the route we got to experience charming and hospitable Arkansas towns, and the Graveler always made sure we were well fed before and after our rides. Once at camp, participants also had activities like fly fishing, archery, live music, and more! All of the support and festivities allows riders to just focus on enjoying the ride, the scenery, and Arkansas hospitality. Ariel and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience and tell you all about it on today's episode. We hope to see ya at the next one :) EPISODE SPONSORS Today's episode is provided ad-free thanks to !
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Ep. 202 ~ Stephen Fitzgerald, Pinyons & Pines Winner and Rodeo Labs owner
06/11/2025
Ep. 202 ~ Stephen Fitzgerald, Pinyons & Pines Winner and Rodeo Labs owner
Stephen Fitzgerald is a husband, father, owner of Rodeo Labs, and accomplished cyclist. When time allows he's been known to dabble in gravel and ultra cycling races. In 2020 he placed a respectable 19th in the Atlas Mountain Race. Building on that experience he signed up for Pinyon & Pines this year. It was a stacked field of experienced riders and Stephen found himself in the lead group for most of the ride. His goal was to be efficient and maintain forward progress. When the dust settled, Stephen's strategy paid off with his first win in an ultra cycling event. Since this was Stephen's first time on the podcast I also took the opportunity to get to know him better and, of course, talk about his work with Rodeo Labs. Rodeo Labs was founded in 2014 with a fresh take on the gravel bike which quickly gain popularity within the adventure cyclists community. For Pinyon & Pines Stephen rode a prototype Show Pony, a mtb that they are currently developing in the USA. Stephen's influence in the adventure cycling community cannot be overlooked. Whether on the bike or from within the walls of their Denver, where Rodeo Labs is based, his passion for cycling and the outdoors is infectious. It was a true pleasure to have him on the podcast. EPISODE SPONSORS – Registration open now! Use code “bikesordeath” to get $20 off registration. New Patrons Kimberly Join us won’t you at
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Ep. 201 ~ Cjell Moné, AZT 800 World Record!
05/07/2025
Ep. 201 ~ Cjell Moné, AZT 800 World Record!
Cjell Moné just did the unthinkable by riding his custom with coaster brakes on the . The AZT 800, which is actually 840 miles, traverses the length of Arizona from the USA/Mexico border to the border of Utah. It's infamous for being one of the most challenging bikepacking routes in the world. Riders will face extreme temperatures, brutal desert terrain, long stretches without resupply, all on a trail that was designed for hikers, not cyclists. While the route is riddled with challenges it is equally beautiful and awe-inspiring, which only adds to it's mystique and it's growing popularity among those with a sense of adventure and maybe a slight penchant for abuse. For the uninitiated a Coaster Brake bike is like the one you probably road as a kid. When you pedal backwards it engages the rear brake. And that's it. No hydraulic disc brakes to control your speed to keep you from flying off the trail and into the abyss. Coaster bikes can only work on Singlespeed bikes, so on top of taking on the AZT 800 with a coaster bike, he was also only had one gear. Crazy? Maybe. Wild? Yes! But if you know Cjell Moné you wouldn't be even a little bit surprised. Cjell is known for his style, flair, and fondness for individuality. Which is represented in everything he does, from how he rides his bike to the bikes he builds at his custom bike factory (which is a truthfully a 1990 Wonderbread Truck). Learn more about Cjell and the beautiful bikes he builds over at . EPISODE SPONSORS – Use code “bagsordeath” at checkout to get 15% off your order! – Registration open now! Use code “bikesordeath” to get $20 off registration. New Patrons None this week. Join us won’t you at
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Ep. 200 ~ Kerry Snow, 2nd place at ETS while undergoing chemo
05/02/2025
Ep. 200 ~ Kerry Snow, 2nd place at ETS while undergoing chemo
On today's episode I'm joined by a long time friend and cycling buddy of mine, Kerry Snow. Kerry was our 2nd place East Texas Showdown in the women's category and was 10th overall. While an impressive accomplishment on its own, Kerry's effort was even more incredible considering that she is undergoing chemotherapy for stage 2 breast cancer. Determined to not let cancer dictate her life, she has continued to maintain an active lifestyle by working out, riding her bike, and even competing in the 400 mile East Texas Showdown this last March. Along her way she raised money for a local non-profit, , and was able to raise over $15,000 for this organization alongside her friend and riding partner Maegan Fitzgerald. Kerry and I live in the same town and have been riding bikes together for longer than I can remember. I know her to be a physically and mentally strong rider and I credit her with being one of the people who inspired me to get into bikepacking. It was a true pleasure to have her on the podcast. I appreciate her sharing her experiences on her cancer journey and wish her well as she kicks it's ass! Kerry's favorite local gravel rides: - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49836607 - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45676352 EPISODE SPONSORS - Use code "bagsordeath" at checkout to get 15% off your order! - Registration open now! Use code "bikesordeath" to get $20 off registration. New Patrons Stephen Flusche Joey Acuff Aleksander Scully Join them won’t you at
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Ep. 199 ~ Dr. Eliza Sampey, Athlete + Coach + Physical Therapist
03/17/2025
Ep. 199 ~ Dr. Eliza Sampey, Athlete + Coach + Physical Therapist
My guest today is the one and only Dr. Eliza Sampey who brings her wealth of experience to the podcast. Eliza was a professional adventure athlete for 13 years. Her adventures and expeditions have taken her all over the world by way of all modalities of human powered travel. She is also a doctor of physical therapy, a concussion specialist, and a coach. Needless to say, we had a lot to chat about! Several years ago she sustained a concussion on a bike ride that ultimately ended her career as a professional athlete, but it spawned a new passion for helping other athletes who are managing their concussion rehabilitation. She's even written a book about it that you can on her website. On today's episode we hear about some of her adventures and athletic accomplishments before diving into a robust conversation about concussions, especially for backcountry athletes. We also weave in some topics about her work as a physical therapist and coach. Eliza's vast experience in the adventure athlete sphere contribute to a highly entertaining and educational episode. EPISODE SPONSORS – a five-day cycling adventure winding through the moody Ouachita Mountains. Starting in Mena and ending in Russellville, this route traverses incredible backcountry. June 3-8th - - Enter to win a AND support the BPR Bipoc Bike Adventure Grant Program. New Patrons Andrew C. Join them won’t you at
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Ep. 198 ~ Eric House, Atlas Mountain Race on Singlespeed
02/27/2025
Ep. 198 ~ Eric House, Atlas Mountain Race on Singlespeed
I'm stoked to bring you my latest chat with Eric House fresh off his finish at the Atlas Mountain Race in Morocco. After being laid off from his job in September he decided to go full send on bikepacking and has an epic 2025 planned. Probably most notably, he'll be doing all three of the Nelson Tree's Mountain Race series on a singlespeed. Something no ones ever done before! He's got a lot more on his plate for 2025 as he tries to pack in as many adventures on his bike as he can during this time of unemployment. We go over all his plans for this year on today's episode. We also have a healthy does of fun tangents and a brief period where we both take off our pants, a Death or Death first haha! Most importantly, we hear about his experience at AMR this year and what a successful year will look like to him. Eric and I met up in the Sam Houston National Forest which was the perfect backdrop to an awesome chat. He's one of the nicest, most down to earth humans I've met and he's pretty damn good at riding bikes too. All of which contribute to a helluva good chat. Eric's able to do all of this in part to support from his sponsors, who he'd like to personally thank: - Old Man Mountain - South City Stichworks - K-Lite - Doom Bars - Race Ready Repair EPISODE SPONSORS – Use code “mountainordeath” at checkout to receive 10% off your order! New Patrons Aaron Newbury Annie Bilotta Join them won’t you at
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Ep. 197 ~ Indiana Schulz, Cycling the World
02/07/2025
Ep. 197 ~ Indiana Schulz, Cycling the World
For the past 8 years Indiana aka "Drive by Dildo" has been focused on bikepack racing. He's got a laundry list of accomplishments to his name. Including being a Triple Crown Challenge finisher. He's one of only 23 people in the world to have accomplished this feat. I met him in 2018 when we were both participating in the GranGravel 500 and he was the first (and only to-date) to Yo-Yo the East Texas Showdown in 2022. Since the age of 6 he's dreamed of traveling the world. Once he discovered bikepacking he soon decided he wanted to fulfill the dreams of his 6 y/o self by cycling around the world. Over the past 8 years he's been dreaming, scheming, planning, and selling everything he wouldn't need to take on his bike. In May of 2024 Indy's planning and preparing was done, now it was time to ride his damn bike around the world. He set out on this adventure starting in Deadhorse, Alaska on the Dalton Highway. Now, almost a year later I catch up with him in La Paz, Mexico on a rest day. Indy is living a dream of mine, to one day live on my bike and see the world. It was so great to see my old friend again and get to hear more about the journey that I've been living vicariously through him online. Tune in to today's episode to hear about how and why Indy choose to live on his bike and travel the world and how his trip has been going so far! EPISODE SPONSORS - This week we are highlighting their Tour Divide rack. Use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout to receive 10% off your order! New Patrons None this week, but we'd like to thank the 356 patrons that support this show monthly 🫡 Join them won’t you at
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Ep. 196 ~ Matt Annabel, AZT 300 Yo-Yo on a Singlespeed
01/13/2025
Ep. 196 ~ Matt Annabel, AZT 300 Yo-Yo on a Singlespeed
While you were sipping egg nog and opening the presents that Santa Claus brought you, Matt Annabel was starting his AZT 300 Yo-Yo attempt. And while you were watching the ball drop or lighting fireworks to ring in the New Year, Matt was still out riding the AZT 300 Yo-Yo. I can’t think of a more epic way to close out one year and ring in a new one than riding your damn bike on one of the most beautiful and challenging routes in bikepacking, the Arizona Trail 300. In true legend fashion, and in true Matt Annabel fashion, he did it on a singlespeed! Matt’s ride was not an official time as he didn’t stay on the official race course and he also stayed with a friend in Tucson, but that was never Matt’s goal. He had other goals and intentions behind this ride that are just as valid as an official ITT, at least in my opinion. On today’s episode Matt shares with us how this trip came together at the last minute, with literally zero training or planning, his personal reasons for being out there, and some really insightful background on some of the AZT trail history. He also reveals some big plans that he has on his bike for this year! Matt is a true wordsmith, who provided daily recaps during his ride. I strongly recommend you checking those out on his for more context and perspective to this conversation. I also recommend you read, for a good laugh, his account of the that impacted Indy Shultzs’ face during the 2023 AZTR. He also has created and published a route called in Colorado that sounds truly special. EPISODE SPONSORS - Introduced their Experimental Bikepacking Team on today's episode. To save 10% at OMM use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout – We've got 195 registered and 55 spots left, so if you'd like to see what all the hype is about we'd love to have you join us. New Patrons Pierre Reid May Matthew Hall Christopher T - Increased monthy contribution Mike Christensen - Increased monthy contribution Join them won’t you at
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Ep. 195 ~ Justinas Leveika, New Bikepacking Triple Crown FKT
11/27/2024
Ep. 195 ~ Justinas Leveika, New Bikepacking Triple Crown FKT
At this point Justinas needs no introduction. In 2024 he completed a total of 10 ultra cycling races, winning most of them. Among them was a win, and new FKT, at the Tour divide, where he bested the long standing record Mike Hall set 8 years ago. He then went on to finish first, but not win*, at the Colorado Trail Race. Followed by a first place finish at the Arizona Trail Race, a time that would have been an FKT if it weren't for a re-route due to fires. His total time for the Triple Crown was 25d 5h 30m, which was 2d 13h 3m faster than the previous record time set by Jay Petervary 9 years ago. What Justinas accomplished this year has left me speechless and fumbling to find the words to fully emphasize the magnitude of his accomplishments. Luckily for me, I was able to chat with the man himself and we can hear from him on his own reflections from an incredible year of bikepack racing. EPISODE SPONSORS - Shop their LIVDN line of products, the online marketplace to buy and sell pre-loved, repaired, and reimagined LIVSN clothing. Use code "BOD10" at checkout to get 10% off your order! – Take $20 off when you register when you use the code "blackfriday2024" at checkout. Sale ends Sunday Dec. 1st at 11:59pm New Patrons Risto Sarvas Join them won't you at
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Ep. 194 ~ Annabelle Bitterman, Central Texas Showdown 3rd Overall
11/14/2024
Ep. 194 ~ Annabelle Bitterman, Central Texas Showdown 3rd Overall
Annabelle Bitterman was our 2024 Central Texas Showdown (472 miles) 1st place female, which was also good enough to secure 3rd overall. This was her third time participating in a event. Her first bikepacking race was the 2023 Central Texas Slowdown (297 miles) and was our 1st place female finisher. Next she signed up for the 2024 East Texas Slowdown (280 miles) where she was our 3rd place female finisher. She only started riding bikes seriously a few years ago and was quickly bit by the cycling bug and was further hooked by the cycling community. Hailing out of Austin, TX she's found a robust community of other rad cyclists that continue to ignite her passion for throwing a leg over the top tube and go for long rides. Those long rides led her to find ways to continually challenge herself which is when she discovered the Texas Showdown Series. Since then, she's become a staple at the events and a staple on our podiums. On today's episode we take a deep dive into CTS, ETS, and Annabelle's experience as a relatively new cyclist who's looking to challenge herself on her bike. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ The preferred gps tracking service for the Texas Showdown Series New Patrons Pierre Delecto Ryan Staffen Now is a great time to sign up at !
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Ep. 193 ~ Tim Krueger, Esker Cycles CEO
10/23/2024
Ep. 193 ~ Tim Krueger, Esker Cycles CEO
Tim Krueger has been in the cycling industry for almost three decades. He got his start at a local bike shop breaking down boxes as a teenager. After college he landed a job at Salsa Cycles as the Product Manager during the birth of the "Adventure by Bike" category. A pivotal time in the bike industry that ultimately led to an entirely new market and category of Adventure Bikes. After his time at Salsa he went on to start his own company, Advocate Cycles. Advocate featured a rad lineup of steel adventure bikes with a unique business model that donated all of its profits to philanthropic institutions. After attempting that business model for a couple of years it became clear to Tim that businesses needed their profits to sustain their employees and grow their company. It was at that time that the decision was made to transition the brand into Esker Cycles that we know today. Tim's contributions and commitment to the cycling community and influence in the cycling market at large has been nothing short of impressive. I've been following his career, and awing over the cool bikes he's helped bring to market, for years. It was a true honor to get to pick his brain about longstanding questions and curiosities I've had about him and some of the bikes he's brought to market. EPISODE SPONSORS – Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order! - Check out their new New Patrons Daz Richard Hart Christopher T - Increased their pledge Now is a great time to sign up at !
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Ep. 192 ~ Hannah Simon, Answers Listener Questions
10/08/2024
Ep. 192 ~ Hannah Simon, Answers Listener Questions
Hannah Simon is quickly becoming a dominant force on the ultra bikepack racing stage. She recently added another feather in her cap of accomplishments with a win at this year's Silk Road Mountain Race, with a time of 8d 20h 16m. At this point, Hannah probably needs little introduction, especially to the Bikes or Death audience. This is her 7th appearance on the show and this time we turned to you, the listener, to come up with the questions for Hannah! It's been so inspiring to watch Hannah's progression in the sport of bikepack racing. I had the privilege of being at the finish line when she won her first ever bikepacking race, the inaugural East Texas Showdown. Since then, she's been on an absolute tear, winning many of the biggest races bikepacking has to offer. Along the way, she's been kind enough to share her experiences with me and my audience. Some of you have been following along on her journey from the start, so it was only fitting to give you guys the opportunity to provide the questions this time around! I caught up with Hannah at CHUMBA headquarters in Austin, TX, where she is currently employed. A big thanks goes out to Vince Colvin, CHUMBA CEO, for letting us commandeer his office for our conversation! Thanks to the listeners for all of the great questions. We had a blast using them as fodder for our chat! EPISODE SPONSORS – Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order! - Use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout to receive 10% off your order! New Patrons None this week, this is a great time to sign up to support the show 🙂 Now is a great time to sign up at !
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Ep. 191 ~ Jen Kelly, professional poker player and winner of 3 bikepacking races this summer
09/25/2024
Ep. 191 ~ Jen Kelly, professional poker player and winner of 3 bikepacking races this summer
In her first year as a bikepack racer Jen Kelly has already racked up an impressive resume. She entered into 3 bikepacking races this summer and won them all! She's also a professional poker player who picked up cycling 4 years ago when she moved into a condo next to a rails to trails. She quickly fell in love with it and just wanted to ride further and further. Last year she put her career, as a professional poker player, on hold to focus on riding her bike. Her first bikepacking race was the inaugural , a 3,600 mixed surface race across America which she placed 4th overall and 1st Female. Just 6 weeks later she entered the 900 mile in Montana where she took 1st overall. Then only 5 days after finishing Big Sky she entered the 1,750 mile and took the overall win again! Needless to say her gamble to focus on bikepacking is paying off! We had a great chat and it was great to talk to someone who is new to the sport and already having so much success. EPISODE SPONSORS – Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order for being a loyal listener! New Patrons None this week, this is a great time to sign up to support the show 🙂 Now is a great time to sign up at !
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