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. 178 ~ Patrick's AZT 300 Attempt
04/22/2024
Ep. 178 ~ Patrick's AZT 300 Attempt
Since my youth I've had a passion and love for the outdoors. While all wilderness landscapes appeal to me in their own unique way, desert landscapes have always been my favorite. So it's no surprise that when I got into bikepacking and found out about the AZT it quickly ascended to the top of my bucket list. After 5 years of hoping, dreaming, and planning, I finally made the leap and signed up for a Spring ITT. On April 11th at 7:12am myself and 3 others (Gregg Dunham, Alan Jacoby, and Ian Quigley) set out on the AZT, each of us doing ITT's. The AZT (Arizona Trail) is a hiking trail that runs North/South across the length of Arizona. It is one of the routes that make up the Bikepacking Triple Crown and considered to be the most difficult route by many who have done all three. There are two route options, the 300, which ends at the Picket Post Trailhead, and the 800 that ends at the Utah border and requires riders to disassemble their bike and carry through the Grand Canyon. My AZT challenges started months before the start and just getting to the start line would prove to be one of the biggest challenges. Life was throwing everything at me all at once and, at times, I seriously considered postponing my AZT attempt. Ultimately, I put my head down and worked my way through, over, and around, all of the barriers that threatened to end my attempt before it even started. I lined up on the morning of April 11th feeling unprepared, undertrained, and down right afraid of what I was about to do. In moments like that all you can do is push aside any lingering doubts and just ride your damn bike, so that's what I did. Ultimately, my ride was cut short in Tucson due to heat related illnesses. But my time on the trail was everything I could have hoped for and a lot more. The trail lives up to its reputation as being difficult, but it also exceeded my expectations of beauty. No amount of hike a bike, heat, or ruggedness diminished my enjoyment during my time out there. I truly had the time of my life and am only left with overwhelming sense of love for this world that we live in and a body that took me as far as it could. The trail isn't going anywhere and I'm already looking forward to attempting it again one day. On this episode I mic myself up during my attempt and share my experience on the Arizona Trail. I hope this episode helps other people who are wanting to ride their damn bike on the ATZ. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ I used their Axle Pack and Elkhorn rack on the AZT, both of which performed flawlessly and allowed me to take full advantage of the full suspension bike I rode. Use discount code “mountainsordeath” for 10% off site-wide and use this so BoD gets a Thank You check in the mail New Patrons Cary Holt Fabian Schwaerzler Find out more at
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Ep. 177 ~ Meaghan Hackinen, DOOM 3rd Overall
04/08/2024
Ep. 177 ~ Meaghan Hackinen, DOOM 3rd Overall
Meaghan Hackinen is your 2024 DOOM female winner and 3rd place overall. On day one she skipped a critical resupply point and found herself leading the field for a good part of the day. Dexter Kopas would eventually catch her and go on to take the win. Overall, it made for some exciting dot watching and resulted in an impressive finish for Meaghan. Meaghan got into competitive ultra cycling events back in 2016 and she has a that include wins and FKT on several courses. Notably, she was the overall winner at the BC Epic 1000 in 2021 and she is the 24 hour World Time Trial Champion where she set a new course record. Next up, Meaghan is taking on the Tour Divide. She's on my dot-watching list, she should probably be on yours too! EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Use discount code “mountainsordeath” for 10% off site-wide and use this so BoD gets a Thank You check in the mail New Patrons None this week. Nows a great time to support the show :) Find out more at
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Ep. 176 ~ John Schilling, AZT Race Director
03/07/2024
Ep. 176 ~ John Schilling, AZT Race Director
On today's episode John Schilling, AZT Race Director, is here to talk all things AZT. He became the race director in 2019 when Scott Morris passed the torch after 14 years of creating and overseeing the race. John is no stranger to the AZT. He first attempted it in 2012 and completed it in 2013. He's a local to the Pheniox area and is well known for his hard work developing routes, leading rides, and for his great work on the AZT. Quickly after becoming the AZT race director he made changes to both the 300 and 800 routes. In fact, the long version used to be 750, but thanks to John there are an extra 50 miles of AZT goodness for you to enjoy. On today's episode we are going to be learning more about those changes and what prompted them. We're also going to be getting to know John a little better and learning about his personal history with the AZT. Among other things we touch on the history of the AZT for bikepacking, the Arizona Trail Association, and discuss tips and insights to help prepare you to take on either of these epic routes. The AZT is one of the jewels that make up the Bikepacking Triple Crown and has been an important part in the history of our sport. It was a true pleasure to take a deeper dive into this iconic trail and get to know the man currently at the helm a little better. ⚡️EPISODE SPONSOR⚡️ - Is your premier destination for AZT preparation. Whether you needs gear, supplies, or a pat on the back, they've got you covered. The also host 7 rides for riders at all levels that are great for AZT training. If you can't make it into their amazing shop they have you covered with an e-commerce store featuring their new Make-It-Mine Bicycle Configurator! 🎉New Patrons🎉 Seth Gerring Rob Lorenz Derek Bowers Find out more at
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Ep. 175 ~ Jenny Tough, Adventure Athlete & Writer
02/29/2024
Ep. 175 ~ Jenny Tough, Adventure Athlete & Writer
Jenny Tough is one of the most impressive adventure athletes I've had the pleasure of chatting with. Her accomplishments in sports and writing are truly inspirational and mesmerizing. She is an ultra runner and bikepacker with numerous accomplishments to her name. Among her accomplishments, in the running world she was the first person to run across Kyrgyzstan solo and unsupported. Following that trip she set out to run across 5 other equally challenging terrains in different parts of the world. In total she complete 6 runs in 6 continents over a 6 year period which she chronicled in her latest book . If that isn't impressive enough, during that time she was also introducing herself to the bikepacking world by entering, and winning, some of the most challenging bikepacking races in the world. In 2018 she won the Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR) and followed that up with a win at the Atlas Mountain race in 2020, before going back to SRMR in 2021 and winning again. By any measure Jenny lives up to the name "Tough" and in doing so she is finding was to inspire and motivate others. She has made it her mission to not only do tough things, but to encourage others, especially women, along the way through her writing and creative outlets. It was an honor to have her on the show and I hope your enjoy this chat as much as I did! ⚡️EPISODE SPONSOR⚡️ - The Axle Pack is here to solve your fork mounting needs. Gone are the days of ducktaping water bottle cages to your forks. Check out the and use code "mountainsordeath" at check for 10% off your order! - BPR is a non-profit organization built on the three pillars of Ride, Connect, and Protect. Please visit and find ways to help support the important work they do for the bikepacking community. 🎉New Patrons🎉 Rob Mccarty Esker Cycles Find out more at
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Ep. 174 ~ East Texas Showdown Preview for 2024
02/23/2024
Ep. 174 ~ East Texas Showdown Preview for 2024
The East Texas Showdown is in its fourth year and it's our biggest one yet. With 250+ riders from all over the world decending on East Texas we wanted to produce an episode to help you have a successful weekend in the woods. We surveyed all the riders participating in ETS 2024 and I brought in a panel to help me answer your questions. The panel consist of one person from each of the three categories from last year. From the Showdown we have Harrison Kroos, the Slowdown is represented by Vince Colvin, and our Lowdown representatvie is Aja Roberts. I appreciate each of them for helping me answer your questions and producing a fun and informative episode to help other riders have a successful weekend! Even if you aren't participaiting in the offical ETS, the route files are available for free at TexasShowdownSeries.com and anyone is welcome to ride the routes anytime. We'd like to thank our ETS sponsors for this year: Chumba Handup Gloves Kuat Racks Mulberry Gap Ombraz Old Man Mountain The Radavist Ruby Coffee Stans Thomson Bikes Woom Bikes The Bullet Grill
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Ep. 173 ~ Lewis Ciddor, 3rd Place at Tour Te Waipounamu
02/08/2024
Ep. 173 ~ Lewis Ciddor, 3rd Place at Tour Te Waipounamu
Today we are catching up with Lewis Ciddor after his impressive 3rd place finish at Tour Te Waipounamu. Many of you will be familiar with Lewis. He won the Tour Divide in 2018 and was the host of the Overland Archive Podcast for many years. Lewis was on the show in Aug. of 2020 for Ep. 51. Since then I've noticed he's been keeping a lower profile. Not entering races, not releasing episodes of his own podcast, not posting on social media as much, so when I saw him back in the race lineup I was eager to catch up with him. I was also eager to hear more about the Tour Te Waipounamu. It takes place on the south island of New Zealand and looks to be equal parts challenging and beautiful. The route is known for a variety of terrain, river crossings, hike a bikes, and off trail navigating. In other words, it’s a real challenge. In the world of ultra endurance mountain biking, this race stands out as being particularly hard, and that’s saying something. It had been four years since Lewis had raced before lining up at TTW. Any doubts he had going into that race about being the racer he once was were going to be faced on the beautifully rugged terrain that is Tour Te Waipounamu. Not all victories come in the form of winning. For Lewis, his victory came by facing and overcoming challenges during the race that at one point had him in 12th place with only 300 miles to the finish. On today’s episode Lewis takes us through his journey as he made his way through the field and onto the podium in his first race in 4 years. ⚡️EPISODE SPONSOR⚡️ - Today we highlighted the which is Panoramas carbon gravel bike and the bike that Patrick has been personally riding for over a year. 🎉New Patrons🎉 Noelle Battle Find out more at
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Ep. 172 ~ Dogpacking with John & Mira
01/25/2024
Ep. 172 ~ Dogpacking with John & Mira
John and Mira are a bikepacking duo who were the first to complete the Tour Divide Race as a human and dog team in 2023. They also emBARKed on a world tour in 2023 with the goal of dogpacking all 7 continents of the world. A feat that is so big that if you think about it too much it seems almost unattainable. But, John and Mira have over six years experience traveling the world together by bike and that experience, I believe, will lead to their success. Today's episode starts with an introduction to John and Mira and how they got started dogpacking. We also go into some of the how-tos of dogpacking and John shares with us some of the tips, tricks, equipment, and best practices to help you get out on epic adventures with your furry friends. Then we learn all about their world tour, what their plan is, how they approach route building, and their overall approach to dogpacking and cycling the world. And, of course, we discuss their record setting run at the Tour Divide Race and their plans to go back and try again, this time using everything they learned in an attempt to set an even faster time. John and Mira have an excellent YouTube channel with tons of adorable and inspirational videos. So when you're done listening to this episode, make sure to go watch some of those. It's worth it just to see Mira comfortably sitting in her basket with her goggles on as they bomb down hills. ⚡️EPISODE SPONSOR⚡️ Bikepacking Basics: East Texas Edition April 26th - 28th Information + Registration: Support the Show: Patreon: Affiliate Links:
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Ep. 171 ~ Angus Morton, filming "The Divide"
01/17/2024
Ep. 171 ~ Angus Morton, filming "The Divide"
On today's episode, I sit down with Angus Morton to chat about his latest film: The Divide. This masterpiece follows Angus's brother, Lachlan Morton, on his 2023 ITT of the Tour Divide. The Divide masterfully captures Lochlan's Journey, the landscape, and the beauty and challenges along the way. Lochlan traversed 2,700 miles, 2 countries, and 5 states over a period of 12.5 days. Showcasing a route that covers so much distance, so many different terrains, and carries with it so many unknowns is a daunting endeavor, but Angus pulled it off brilliantly. As a content creator and storyteller myself, I was eager to talk to him about it. In today's episode, we discuss the power of media to inspire as well as its controversial nature in today's bikepack racing climate. We also get a peak behind the scenes into what it's like to film an elite athlete's tremendous effort on the Tour Divide, including some of the technical, logistical, and emotional challenges for Angus as he bears witness to his brother's trials, triumphs, and occasionally questionable decisions. EPISODE SPONSORS️ ~ Purpose built backcountry bicycles with versatility and sustainability in mind. Use our when ordering and BoD gets a small commission :) New Patrons Mathew Crouch Whitney Houck Katherine M. Grosz Find out more at
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Ep. 170 ~ Sofiane Sehili, "Where Do I Go From Here?"
01/10/2024
Ep. 170 ~ Sofiane Sehili, "Where Do I Go From Here?"
At the end of the year Sofiane made a post on social media that caught my eye. The first line read, “So where do I go from here?”. Sofiane is arguably the best ultra bikepack racer in the world. A position that he earned by winning some of the most grueling races in bikepacking, in some cases multiple times. Having accomplished so much, he now finds himself in a unique position and wondering what’s next. Today we dig a little deeper into Sofiane’s thoughts about his career, his accomplishments, and what, in fact, is next for him. EPISODE SPONSORS️ - Exclusive offer for Bikes or Death listeners: OMM is launching a new product called the Axle Pack and BoD listeners are getting early access to be the first to own one! Just visit and to get 10% off your order use the code "mountainsordeath" at checkout! New Patrons Samuel Graham Dennis Vandegrift Patrons who increased their pledgeChris Clodfelter Crispin Hoult Find out more at
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Ep. 169 ~ Part 3: Ask Me Anything, with Patrick & Natalie
12/29/2023
Ep. 169 ~ Part 3: Ask Me Anything, with Patrick & Natalie
In the final installment Patrick answers listener questions and he gets his girlfriend, Natalie, to ask your questions. We got a ton of questions, so this episode will be sure to make the "long live long-form" listeners very happy. Thanks for riding bikes with us in 2023. After five years of podcasting I'm never not grateful to the listeners who support our work. As always, I've got big plans for next year and I look forward to riding with y'all again in 2024.
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Ep. 169 ~ Part 2: Meet the Team
12/28/2023
Ep. 169 ~ Part 2: Meet the Team
Bikes or Death is growing and I’ve hired some people to help. In this episode I sit down with Mckensie Barney, Ariel Marlowe, and Ben Crannell, to introduce you to the people that help make what Bikes or Death does a reality.
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Ep. 169 ~ Part 1: BoD Awards + 2024 Goals
12/27/2023
Ep. 169 ~ Part 1: BoD Awards + 2024 Goals
It's that time again. Time to look back at a year of podcasting, give some awards, and make some promises for next year that I'm sure to break a few :) This is the last episode of the year, and it's a doozie. Originally intended to be one episode, I've broken into 3 parts due to its length. So here's what we've got for ya with this one: Part 1: Bikes or Death Awards - Today We asked our listeners to help us vote on the best episodes from 2023. In this episode we look back on a great year of podcasting and give awards in the following categories: Best Episode of the Year, Most Informative, Most Entertaining, Most Inspirational, and Most Downloads. I also share some stats from 5 years of Bikes or Death and a look forward with some goals for 2024. Part 2: Meet the Team - Dec. 28thBikes or Death is growing and I've hired some people to help. In this episode I sit down with Mckensie Barney, Ariel Marlowe, and Ben Crannell, to introduce you to the people that help make what Bikes or Death does a reality. Part 3: AMA with Patrick - Dec. 29thIn the final installment Patrick answers listener questions, and he gets his girlfriend, Natalie, to ask your questions. We got a ton of questions, so this episode will be sure to make the "long live long-form" listeners very happy. Thanks for riding bikes with us in 2023. After five years of podcasting I'm never not grateful to the listeners who support our work. As always, I've got big plans for next year and I look forward to riding with y'all again in 2024. ️EPISODE SPONSORS️ – Get hundreds of dollars in free accessories with any Lectric eBike purchase this holiday, including America’s best-selling eBike, the XP 3.0 – Go to www.drinkag1.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. New Patrons Levi Walls Thomas Seymour Patrons who increased their pledgeDiane Prekup Alsksandar Radan Find out more at
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Ep. 168 ~ Hannah Simon, Bikepacking Triple Crown Completed!
11/28/2023
Ep. 168 ~ Hannah Simon, Bikepacking Triple Crown Completed!
For the final episode in this series, we catch up with Hannah Simon after finishing 3rd at the Arizona Trail Race last month. The AZT was the last race in a three race series dubbed the Bikepacking Triple Crown. Prior to that she tied for 3rd at Tour Divide in June, followed by a 6th place finish at the Colorado Trail Race in August. The Triple Crown is the hardest and most prestigious accomplishment that our sport has to offer. By completing the Triple Crown, Hannah became one of only 6 women to have ever completed this challenge. Not only that, but her time was good enough to have the record for the 3rd fastest female, and she beat the previous FKT by 28 minutes, a record that stood since 2015. Hannah's Triple Crown, by the numbers: Tour Divide 3rd Place (tied) 2,745 miles 18d 11h Colorado Trail Race 6th Place 530 miles 6d 8h Arizona Trail Race 3rd Place 800 miles 11d 11h In total Hannah would ride 4,075 miles in 36d 6h, making her the 3rd fastest female to every complete the Bikepacking Triple Crown. ️EPISODE SPONSORS️ – Get hundreds of dollars in free accessories with any Lectric eBike purchase this holiday, including America’s best-selling eBike, the XP 3.0 – Go to www.drinkag1.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. New Patrons Ed Pinskey Bryan Thelen Preston Williams Find out more at
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Ep. 167 ~ Kurt Refsnider, Continental Divide Trail by Bike
11/08/2023
Ep. 167 ~ Kurt Refsnider, Continental Divide Trail by Bike
Kurt Refsnider just became one of only a handful of people to have ever successfully traversed the Continental Divide Trail by bike. The trail is 3,300 miles long and spans the length of the United States along the Continental Divide. In many ways it's similar to the popular Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. However, there is one big distinction, the CTS is primarily singletrack. And much of it is unmaintained, overgrown, and sometimes nonexistent trails. It's not surprising that Kurt would be included in the elite group to have completed this trail. He's been a cyclist and athlete from a very young age. In fact, we hear about his first century on today's episode. He's gone on to set so many records in cycling it's easier to point you to for a full list. Kurt also holds many hats in the cycling industry. He is a profissional adventure cyclist, the co-founder and Route Developer for Bikepack Roots, and he is an endurance coach, among other things. Today's episode touches on all of these topics and more. ⚡️️EPISODE SPONSORS⚡️️ - Use our your order! - We've made it easier to find the links that support this show and provide deals for our listeners. You can find them on our ! When you use our links you support this show and the partners who support us. 🎉New Patrons🎉 Andrew Dordal Find out more at
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Ep. 166 ~ Alex Schultz, Arizona Trail Race Winner & New FKT
11/02/2023
Ep. 166 ~ Alex Schultz, Arizona Trail Race Winner & New FKT
My guest today is the winner of this years Arizona Trail Race 800, Alex Schultz. Alex is no stranger to bikepack racing or the AZT. In 2019 he entered his first bikepacking race, the Colorado Trail Race, and was hooked! In 2022 he entered the AZT 300 and won it. This year he came back to take on the 800 with only the goal to finish and do his best. It turns out his best was good enough to win and set a new FKT (Fastest Known Time). His time of 9d 5h 43m was five hours faster than the previous FKT set by Nate Ginzton in 2022. By the sound of it Alex is just getting started with his bikepack racing career. With a lot of adventure sports experience and some good results under his belt, I have a feeling we'll be seeing his name at the top of other big races soon! EPISODE SPONSORS - Get hundreds of dollars in free accessories with any Lectric eBike purchase this holiday, including America’s best-selling eBike, the XP 3.0 - Go to www.drinkag1.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 None, this week, but thank you to the 316 patrons that support this show! Find out more at
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Ep. 165 ~ Patrick & Natalie, Ozark Rando 120
10/25/2023
Ep. 165 ~ Patrick & Natalie, Ozark Rando 120
Last month Natalie and I took on the Ozark Rando 120. This is a new event by Ozark Gravel Cyclist and hosted by Experience Fayetteville. As the name suggests, the format of this ride is a Randonneur -a non-competitive long-distance unsupported endurance cycling event. I used this ride as part of my training for an attempt at the 475 mile Central Texas Showdown Route. I’ve also been really interested in doing a Randonneur ever since came on the podcast. And, I never turn down an opportunity to ride my damn bike in Arkansas! Natalie on the other hand would be taking on her biggest ride, by a long shot! Previously, her longest ride was 60 miles in Texas with only 1,200’ of climbing. The Ozark Rando boasts over 12,000’ of climbing over 122 miles. For her, this would be a huge physical and mental undertaking. By signing up, she committed to the unknown, and that’s scary. Spoiler alert: We finished Dead Fucking Last, and I couldn't be more proud of her and us. As the day unfolded, the miles passed slower and slower, and the finish time goal post kept moving, but we kept riding our damn bikes. On today’s episode, join Natalie and I as we embark on an epic day (and night) in the Ozarks on our bikes. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ To start planning your next cycling vacation just visit experiencefayetteville.com where you’ll find a large selection of curated routes for every riding style including road, gravel, mountain bike, and urban adventures. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Buck Crockett Borden Mann Blake Marquis James Brodhurst Katherine Helbig Find out more at
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Ep. 164 ~ Patrick & Ariel, Central Texas Brokedown
10/10/2023
Ep. 164 ~ Patrick & Ariel, Central Texas Brokedown
After I scouted the route by car it was time to ride the damn thing. Last time I did an ITT of the ETS route my editor, Ben Crannel, joined me, but aside from the start and finish, we never saw each other. That experience taught me how much different an ITT is vs a group start. I still wanted to do an ITT of the CTS, but this time I wanted to invite some people. Invitations went out, but my friend Ariel was the only person to accept. I’m not surprised, texas, like much of the country, has been under a heat wave, with much of the state experiencing 100 x 100º days of heat. For a full writeup on todays episode, and a gallery of images from the ride, please visit EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Fun, Functional, and Affordable eBikes! ~ Go to www.drinkag1.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Rose Shivers Anonymous Find out more at
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Ep. 163 ~ Jay Petervary, Unearthed Interrupted
09/27/2023
Ep. 163 ~ Jay Petervary, Unearthed Interrupted
Ultra-endurance and bikepacking legend, Jay Petervary set out on his solo and unsupported FKT attempt of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route which he called “Great Divide Ride Unearthed”. Over 2,000 miles into his ride he was struck by a motorist. Suffering multiple series injuries, Jay’s resilience is unwavering. He may be battered, but he is not broken. He continues to inspire with his mantra “ride forward” and reminds us that he’s not done with this ride yet. Watch or listen to this episode, link in bio! ️⚡️Episode Sponsors ⚡️ - Used on the inaugural run of the Tour Divide in 2008, . 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 None this week, but you can change that! Join them won’t you? Find out more at
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Ep. 162 ~ Hannah Simon, Bikepacking the Triple Crown, Part 3
09/22/2023
Ep. 162 ~ Hannah Simon, Bikepacking the Triple Crown, Part 3
By now I'm sure you are familiar with Hannah and her quest to take on the Bikepacking Triple Crown. She's agreed to share her journey with us at each stage along the way. So far she's been able to complete the first two races, the Tour Divide and Colorado Trail Race. In this episode we follow up with her after finishing 6th on the CTR and only a month before taking on the 800 miles of the Arizona Trail Race. It's been amazing to follow along as she takes on the biggest challenge our sport has to offer. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Fun, Functional, and Affordable eBikes! ~ Go to to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Andy Fields Find out more at
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Ep. 161 ~ Phillip Crosby, aka "Weston" from To Shake the Sleeping Self
09/13/2023
Ep. 161 ~ Phillip Crosby, aka "Weston" from To Shake the Sleeping Self
Ten years ago Phillip Crosby and Jedidiah Jenkins set out on a bike trip that started in Oregon and traversed Central and South America and ended in Patagonia. Jedidiah, was an aspiring author at the time and was on the trip to have an experience worth writing about as he grappled with his sexuality and Christian faith. He wrote that book, and it's titled, "To Shake the Sleeping Self". For a full write up and and photo gallery from their trip, please visit EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Check out their new line of bikepacking bags and panniers. Use and get 15% off your order! **Must use to get 15% off order. It's the only way to beat the robots! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Paul Mendricks Matthew Trinneer Find out more at
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Ep. 160 ~ Katya Rakhmatulina, Colorado Trail Race Winner & FKT
09/07/2023
Ep. 160 ~ Katya Rakhmatulina, Colorado Trail Race Winner & FKT
Katya Rakhmatulina just won the 2023 Colorado Trail Race and set a new FKT in the process. With a time of 5d 1h 53m she beat the previous time of 6d 1h 34m set by Alexandera Houchin in 2019. Prior to this she placed Second at this years Tour Divide behind Lael Wilcox. For a full writeup please visit BikesorDeath.com, this episode is available to watch on our website as well. New Patrons Spencer Snider Dan Perez Alexander Getty Find out more at
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Ep. 159 ~ Miron Golfman, 2023 Colorado Trail Winner
08/30/2023
Ep. 159 ~ Miron Golfman, 2023 Colorado Trail Winner
In 2022 Miron Golfman set a new FKT on the Baja Divide. Then he set his sites on an even bigger challenge in 2023 by attempting to race the Iditarod Invitational, the Tour Divide, Colorado Trail, and the Arizona Trail Race, all in a calendar year. A feat that I've never heard of anyone attempting before. For a full write up on todays episode along with photos and links from todays episode please visit EPISODE SPONSORS None this week, but you can help sponsor next weeks episode! Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
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Ep. 158 ~ Payson McElveen
08/24/2023
Ep. 158 ~ Payson McElveen
Payson McElveen probably needs no introduction. Among many of his achievements he is a Red Bull Athlete, 2x Marathon National Champion, 2x MidSouth Campion, and he is the host of the popular . He’s also a wizard at production and social media which has added to his visibility. Please visit for a full writeup, show links, and photo galley from todays episode! EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Get $20 off any pair of Ombraz, just use code “bikesordeath20” at checkout. As a bonus, Ombraz will send $20 to BoD as a thank you 🙂 - A new event by Ozark Gravel Cyclist and Andrew Onermaa. Two route options, 120 or 200 miles. I'm signed up for the 120 and would love to say how to as many of you as possible! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Peter Mergaerts Jaque Parisien *increased monthly pledge Find out more at
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Ep. 157 ~ McKenzie Barney, Cycling the World Solo
08/16/2023
Ep. 157 ~ McKenzie Barney, Cycling the World Solo
Last month McKenzie Barney peddled her bike into Colombia, the last country in her Cycle the World project that started years before. In total McKenzie cycled 18,000 miles, through 28 countries and 5 continents, and most of it was solo. Her travels would take her through Africa, South America, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South East Asia. For a full writeup on McKenzie's episode and for photos of her journey, please visit BikesorDeath.com EPISODE SPONSORS Ombraz ~ Get $20 off any pair of Ombraz, just use code "bikesordeath20" at checkout. As a bonus, Ombraz will send $20 to BoD as a thank you :) 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 McGraw Coaching Find out more at
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Ep. 156 ~ James Collins, Central Texas Showdown ITT
08/09/2023
Ep. 156 ~ James Collins, Central Texas Showdown ITT
This June James Collins became the first person to attempt the new route as an ITT. James is a 3 time veteran of the and will be leaving Texas before the CTS group start this October. Not wanting to miss out on this new route in his backyard, he decided to tackle it as an ITT (individual time trial). This episode is a great introduction to that route and to James, who's been such a large part of the Texas Showdown Series. After you listen to this episode if you want to take a deeper dive, I recommend you check out about his ITT. He goes into great detail and is an excellent resource for anyone looking to ride or race that route! ⚡️EPISODE SPONSORS⚡️ ~ Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. ~ A special offer ONLY for BoD listeners... get their at a MASSIVE 50% off just use code "HaveCakeEatItToo" at checkout! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Scott Folland Andreas Hagbarth Find out more at
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Ep. 155 ~ Hannah Simon checks the first box in her Triple Crown attempt with a 3rd place finish at Tour Divide
07/27/2023
Ep. 155 ~ Hannah Simon checks the first box in her Triple Crown attempt with a 3rd place finish at Tour Divide
In todays episode we catch up with Hannah Simon two weeks after finishing tied for 3rd on the Tour Divide Race. If you've been following along you'll know that Hannah has committed to attempting the bikepacking Triple Crown, which is the Tour Divide, Colorado Trail, and Arizona Trail, all in a calendar year. With only four weeks left to prepare for the Colorado Trail I caught up with her on a park bench in Austin, TX to hear about her Tour Divide experience and how she is preparing for the next leg of the Triple Crown. If you didn't listen to my first episode in this series, . This conversation will pick up where we left off before Hannah left for the Tour Divide. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Your source for reliable and hard to find gear for bikepackers and adventure cyclist. Including a full line of kLite dynamo products! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Jacob T. Rex Robert Watson - Increased pledge! Find out more at
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Ep. 154 ~ GRUSK w/ Maggie Livelsberger & Chris Joice
07/20/2023
Ep. 154 ~ GRUSK w/ Maggie Livelsberger & Chris Joice
is a bike race that has been taking place in West Virgina since 2016. It’s evolved over the years and now offers distances from 25 miles up to 260 miles. Each route features a long out and back up Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virgina at 4,863’. Please visit for a full write and a large gallery of images from my weekend in West Virginia! EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Use code BOD20 for $20 off ANY pair of sunglasses, plus Ombraz will send BoD $20 as a thank you! ~ On todays episode I unbox a new MK4 wheelset from Stans. Spoiler alert, I'm in love 😍 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Find out more at
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153 ~ Chris Burkard, Tour Divide 2023
07/12/2023
153 ~ Chris Burkard, Tour Divide 2023
Chris Burkard is a well known photographer and storyteller who has brought his passion for life and his dedication to be successful to the endurance cycling world. The results are hard to argue with. In 2019 he set a world record of the WOW Cyclothon in Iceland traveling 844 miles in 52h 36m 19s. He then put together a team and did the first ever interior travers of Iceland on the bike. This time Chris entered arguably the hardest cycling race in the world, the Tour Divide. For a full write up and a Gallery of images Patrick took of Chris' Tour Divide finish please visit www.BikesorDeath.com. If you've enjoy this episode I've recorded two others with Chris that you may enjoy. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Your source for reliable and hard to find gear for bikepackers and adventure cyclist. Including a full line of kLite dynamo products! ~ Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Jason Willis Patric Brown Kevin Lang Amanda Shih Quig Find out more at
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Ep. 152 ~ Ulrich Bartholmoes "Uba" the 2023 Tour Divide Winner
06/24/2023
Ep. 152 ~ Ulrich Bartholmoes "Uba" the 2023 Tour Divide Winner
Yesterday Ulrich Bartholmoes aka "Uba" finished the 2023 Tour Divide in first place with a time of 14d 2h 23m. For much of the race he was head of the record setting pace of Mike Hall. In the end he would finish only 4.5 hours behind that record setting run. Considering the rain, mud, and wind on this years Divide his time is beyond impressive. I sat down with him the morning after his win at the Bike Ranch in Hachita, NM to capture this interview. Please visit to view a full gallery of images I captured of him during his ride and at the finish line. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Bikes are tools to help facilitate your next adventure. OMM wants you to get creative and they have the gear to help. Use code "racksordeath" at checkout to recieve 15% off your order and use this and they will send BoD a little something as a thank you :) ~ Your source for reliable and hard to find gear for bikepackers and adventure cyclist. Including a full line of kLite dynamo products! 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Therros Western Find out more at
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Ep. 151 ~ Jesse Turner with Slow Southern Steel bikes
06/15/2023
Ep. 151 ~ Jesse Turner with Slow Southern Steel bikes
This week we are talking with Jesse Turner who is the custom bike maker and artist behind based out of Fayetteville, AR. Jesse started this new company less than a year ago and I've been following with interest since the beginning. I love to showcase and support people who are following their passion and doing things to make the cycling world a better place. I'd certainly include Jesse in this category. His first job was in a bike shop as a mechanic, he would go on to get an Art degree, and then become a welder. If you mix all that with a person who is passionate about bikes and an Arkansas native you get Slow Southern Steel. For a full writeup and photo gallery of Jesse's original shop, plus lots of bike photos, check out EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Use code "BOD20" at checkout to get $20 off any pair of Ombraz armless sunglasses and Ombraz will send BoD a $20 as a thank you :) 🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Jesper Thunstedt The following Patrons increased their pledge 🙏 Robert Rupp Manuel Busse Find out more at
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