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. 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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Ep. 190 ~ Nicolette Jones, 2024 Colorado Trail Race Female Winner
08/29/2024
Ep. 190 ~ Nicolette Jones, 2024 Colorado Trail Race Female Winner
Nicolette Jones just won the 2024 Colorado Trail Race on her first attempt. Not only was this her first time racing the Colorado Trail, it was her first bikepacking race ever! Which makes her finish time of 5d 12h 21m even more impressive. Although this was her first bikepacking race, she is no stranger to adventurous pursuits or the Colorado Trail. She is the only person in the world to have thru-hiked, skied, and biked the Colorado Trail. So she is no stranger to this trail and, in fact, probably has a higher familiarity with it than most people. In 2023 she toured the trail in 11 days with thoughts of racing it one day on her mind. This year, those thoughts turned to reality and she rolled out at 4am with about 75 other racer at this years CTR. She was able to get a lead on her competitors early on and then maintain it for the entirety of the race. On today's episode we talk about a host of interesting topics. From her jobs as an adventure guide and coach, to making your own bikepacking bags, her love for tandems, and a 7.5 month bike tour she did with her Husband, Mark, from Arizona to Argentina. And, of course, we talk about her impressive win at the Colorado Trail Race. At only 25 Nicolette has a huge adventure resume and it was a lot of fun getting to know her and hear about some of her adventures. If you'd like to learn more about Nicolette after you listen to today's episode you can take a deeper dive on her blog, . EPISODE SPONSORS – Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order for being a loyal listener! - Epic gravel race in Wisconsin on Oct. 12th, 2024. Smash the link for more information and registration. 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. 189 ~ Justinas Leveika, Colorado Trail Race 2024
08/23/2024
Ep. 189 ~ Justinas Leveika, Colorado Trail Race 2024
Justinas Leveika is fresh off an impressive Colorado Trail Race finish. This was his first time at CTR and he finished in 4d 7h 17m, which was over 8 hours faster than the next rider. However, due to a rule violation, which was unknown to him at the time, he was not the official first place finisher. That honor goes to Xavier Chiriboga with a time of 4d 15h 55m. Going into Leadville Justinas destroyed his rear wheel on a gnarly decent which shattered the wheel, rendering it unrideable. To get it fixed he hiked to a trailhead, hitched a ride into town, replaced the rear wheel, and hitched a ride back to where we left the trail and continued on. Unlike other solo self supported bikepacking races like the Tour Divide, you are not allowed to get in a vehicle at anytime during the Colorado Trail Race. Justinas was unaware of this rule at the time, but it didn't stop him from putting on an impressive performance. After returning to the trail with his shiny new wheel he quickly started packmaning his way through the field and finished ahead all the other riders. The broken wheel wasn't the only challenge he had to overcome on the race this year, but you'll have to listen to the episode to hear the whole story. Regardless of an unfortunate rules oversight, what Justinas did was undeniably impressive. Even more so considering that he broke the long standing FKT on Tour Divide less than 2 months ago. Now, he sets his sights on the Arizona Trail Race in an attempt to complete the Bikepacking Triple Crown. EPISODE SPONSORS - Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order for being a loyal listener! New Patrons Alliy G Julian Strait Now is a great time to sign up at !
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Ep. 188 ~ Chris Smith, Racing the Tour Divide Legally Blind
08/14/2024
Ep. 188 ~ Chris Smith, Racing the Tour Divide Legally Blind
In 2000 Chris Smith was diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease, by 2009 he was declared legally blind. No longer able to drive he turned to the bike as a way to get to work 3 miles from his house. At the time he tipped the scales at over 300 lbs and the 3 mile ride to work was a real challenge, but Chris wasn't discouraged. He kept at it, joined friends for group rides, and eventually went on to earn a buckle at Leadville in 2019, to mark his 10th year of blindness. He went back the following 3 years, each time earning a buckle. For his 15th anniversary of being declared legally blind he set his sites higher, much higher. After watching Ride The Divide he decided to take on the holy grail of bikepacking, the Tour Divide. An ambitious goal for anyone, but particularly so for Chris since he hadn't done a multi-day bikepacking trip, and he's blind. Undeterred, he hired a coach, and started training for the Grand Depart, only 8 months away. It took him 47 days and 10 hours, he was the 2nd to last finisher, but nothing stopped Chris from accomplishing his goal, and after riding the Tour Divide, I doubt anything ever will. Chris was riding to bring awareness to blindness and raising money for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Through his efforts he was able to raise which will go to help finding cures for blindness diseases like his. You can find out more about Chris, and donate, on his . EPISODE SPONSORS - Epic gravel race in Wisconsin on Oct. 12th, 2024. Smash the link for more information and registration. - The official tracking service for Texas Showdown Series any many other premier events. New Patrons Nathaniel Ray Now is a great time to sign up at !
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Ep. 187 ~ Edyn Teitge, Youngest Tour Divide Solo Finisher at 15
07/31/2024
Ep. 187 ~ Edyn Teitge, Youngest Tour Divide Solo Finisher at 15
Edyn Teitge, at 15 years old, just became the youngest person to complete the Tour Divide solo. He set out with a goal of finishing in 20 days and was able to complete the race in 19d 13h 14m. An accomplishment that may be shocking to outsiders, but for Edyn, this just feels like the next step in his progression as a cyclist. Edyn first joined me on the after he finished his first ultra bikepacking race, the Smoke and Fire 400. He didn't just finish, though, he came in 6th place, 8 hours after legendary Jay Petervary. At that time he was only 13! Since then he's been busy entering, and gaining experience, in many other ultra events, including, Fat Pursuit, Stagecoach 400, and Drift 100. All of which gave him the confidence and experience to tackle the Tour Divide. When we recorded today's episode Edyn showed up on Zoom with his hands completely covered in car grease. He had been working on replacing the radiator on a Ford Astro Van that someone gave him as his first car. So while he may be doing things that are very uncommon for a 15 year old boy, he's also a kid who's excited about cars, going to school, and riding bikes with his friends. Episode Sponsors - Use code "BOD10" at checkout to get 10% off your order for being a loyal listener Support the show directly: - Monthly Donation Paypal - One time Donation
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Ep. 186 ~ Spencer McCullough, First to visit all 51 National Parks by Bike
07/25/2024
Ep. 186 ~ Spencer McCullough, First to visit all 51 National Parks by Bike
Spencer McCullough just did something that's never been done before! He visited all 51 National Parks in the lower 48 by bicycle. This epic trip around the U.S. involved 411 days of riding, 18,000 miles covered by bike, and a total of 28 flat tires. Spencer was inspired to do this trip after reading an article in the New York Times, titled . His goal? To visit all the National Parks in the lower 48 to experience them before climate change impacts them even further. Along the way, he educated himself about cycling safety and infrastructure and compiled invaluable data on dedicated hiker-biker campsites in our National Parks. Through his ride, he's been able to bring awareness to some of the issues facing cyclists who dream of visiting our National Parks by bike. One of his initiatives to promote bike touring in America is a website that lists all the hiker/biker campsites in one place. This site is a combination of his own research and efforts, but community members are encouraged to submit campsites to the map as well. This is an ongoing project, but he's already mapped 508 campsites (at the time of this writing) and more are being added by the day. To check out this resource and/or to add more campsites, please visit . On today's episode, Spencer and I dive into his motivations and goals for this trip, what it's like to live off your bike for 411 days, some of the best (and worst) Parks and places to ride in America, and what to do if you find a gun on the side of the road! Those topics, and more, can be found in today's chat with Spencer McCullough. EPISODE SPONSORS – Get 20% off your next order with code “7MESHXBOD20” – Get 10% off your next order with code “mountainsordeath” New Patrons Maurice Kerins Join them, won't you? Find out more at
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Ep. 185 ~ Justinas Leveika, New Tour Divide FKT!
07/13/2024
Ep. 185 ~ Justinas Leveika, New Tour Divide FKT!
Eight years ago Mike Hall made history and etched his name in the record books, and in the hearts of an entire community, with his record setting Tour Divide time of 13d 22h 51m. Since then, hundreds of others have lined up for the Tour Divide grand depart to chase his dot to the US/Mexico border. This year, on his second attempt, Jusinas Leveika became the first person to best Mike Hall's record with an official time of 13d 2h 16. Justinas entered the world of ultra bikepack racing in 2021with a 4th place finish at Transpyrenees. Since then, he's racked up too many podium finishes to list, in the hardest bikepack races our sport has to offer. Last year, at Tour Divide, Justinas came in 2nd to Uba Bartholmoes and was plagued with mechanicals and bad weather. This year he came back with one goal, fix his mistakes. While weather played a major role in this year's Tour Divide, nothing was going to stop Justinas. He got an early lead over his competitors and Uba, in particular, put on a hell of a chase, but in the end Justinas wouldn't be caught. On today's episode we get to know the man behind the dot, the man who has the honor of besting Mike Hall's time, Justinas Leveika. EPISODE SPONSORS - Get 20% off your next order with code "7MESHXBOD20" - Get 10% off your next order with code "mountainsordeath" New Patrons None this week, but you can change that Find out more at
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Ep. 184 ~ Ulrich "Uba" Bartholmoes, Tour Divide 2024
07/10/2024
Ep. 184 ~ Ulrich "Uba" Bartholmoes, Tour Divide 2024
Last year Ulrich Bartholmoes, aka Uba, won the Tour Divide on his first attempt. This year he came back to do it again, but with a larger goal of completing the Bikepacking Triple Crown. We will be following Uba's Triple Crown attempt at each stage along the way. This is the second episode in the series, you can listen to our first chat we recorded just days before the Tour Divide Grand Depart on . This was a record setting year on the Tour Divide and one that will go down in the history books. For the past 8 years the late Mike Hall's record has stood up against hundreds of others who have tried to beat his dot to the border of Mexico in Antelope Wells. This year Justinas Leveika set a new FKT (fastest known time) besting Mike Hall's time by over 20 hours! I'll be releasing an episode with Justinas about his recorded breaking ride in the coming days, but today we turn our attention to Uba who put on brilliant ride and also came in ahead of Mike Hall's time. The friendly competition between Uba and Justinas is a fun one for fans of the sport. Last year Uba won the Tour Divide with Justinas coming in second and they've had other similar epic battles in races like Atlas Mountain Race. This year on Tour Divide Justinas got a small gap early in the race and Uba was hot on his heals with sometimes only a few miles between them. Weather played a big factor in the ultimate outcome, but you have to admire and appreciate the epic battle to the finish line from both of these amazing competitors. On today's episode we hear about the race from Uba's perspective and next up we get to hear from Justinas. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Check out of this podcast to learn all about the inaugural , a 6 day bike tour across the state. New Patrons None this week, but you can change that :) Find out more at
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Ep. 183 ~ Tales from the Arkansas Graveler
07/03/2024
Ep. 183 ~ Tales from the Arkansas Graveler
The Arkansas Graveler is a supported bike tour across the state of Arkansas. It boast 366 miles and 26,700 feet of climbing over 6 days. The route takes you into parts unknown, showcasing some of the most remote rural roads that I’ve had the pleasure of riding. This inaugural year attracted 300+ riders from 35 states. It’s clear that the word about Arkansas is spreading and cyclists are traveling far and wide to get a taste of the seemingly unlimited gravel roads that showcase why Arkansas is called “The Natural State”. The Arkansas Graveler, not content to offer riders a beautiful route and scenery, offered a host of off bike activities each afternoon, like archery, zip-lining, fly fishing, skeet shooting, cave tours, and the list goes on. Riders were well fed each morning and evening by Chef Biju Thomas and his team. Our bikes were maintained by Phat Tire bike shop. There were medics on site each day to attend to boo-boos and heat related illness. And we were treated to local musicians each evening with curated music that highlighted the region we were in. In other words, this isn’t your average bike tour. The Arkansas Graveler created a traveling bike festival that followed, supported, healed, and entertained, 300+ riders as we traversed the great state. After riding across the state I assembled a small panel of participants to share their experience on the Arkansas Graveler. Our esteemed panel features: Philip Alderfer, Bobby Finster, Hilary Lex, and Scotti Moody (race director). Please join us on this weeks episode as we relive the highs and lows of this inaugural event. EPISODE SPONSORS Today’s episode is provided ad-free thanks to support from Arkansas, The Natural State. New Patrons Jordan Quon Dave Weil – increased pledge Find out more at
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Ep. 182 ~ Ulrich "Uba" Bartholmoes, Triple Crown 2024 Begins
06/14/2024
Ep. 182 ~ Ulrich "Uba" Bartholmoes, Triple Crown 2024 Begins
Last year Ulrich Bartholmoes, who goes by Uba, won the Tour Divide in his first attempt with a time of 14d 2h 23m. This year he's back to defend his title at the Tour Divide, but he's got bigger goals than that. This year he will be attempting to complete the Triple Crown of Bikepacking (Tour Divide, Colorado Trail Race, and Arizona Trail race) and he's gunning to beat the current record time of 27d 18h 33m set by Jay Petervary in 2015. Uba's approach to ultra bikepack racing is different from most. He's incorporated advanced training methods inspired by pro tour riders and driven by his passion for optimization of himself, his equipment, and his training. And he seemingly attacks his training and preparation with the same detail and veracity that he applies to his racing. I caught up with him days before the start of the race at his hotel in Calgary. We dived into his plans for this year, his goals, and his unique training protocols. It seems that he's left no stone unturned, no bolt un-torqued, and no bearing un-greased. But as he says in the episode, it's a long race, and training and preparation can only take you so far. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ You will see OMM racks and axle packs adorning many of the bikes on the Tour Divide this year. Check out what all the hype is about at and use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout to get 10% off your order. Use our and we get a little commission :) ~ A 6 day bike festival in the Ozark Mountains that offers not only amazing riding, but also activities, live music, food, and so much more. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out there. Don't be shy come up and say hi if you see me! New Patrons Chase Bauduin Garret Hall Find out more at
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Ep. 181 ~ Daniel Connell, aka "Dirty Dan"
06/04/2024
Ep. 181 ~ Daniel Connell, aka "Dirty Dan"
Daniel Connell has become a regular on the bikepacking race scene and in the cycling community. You will often see him on Trackleaders under his trail name, Dirty Dan. It was under this pseudonym that he recently set a new FKT on the Race Across Arizona and will be lining up in a couple of weeks to race the Tour Divide for the 4th consecutive year. Each year he's done it he's been able to shave a day off his finish time. This year he's on a new bike and gunning for a 15 day finish. His entry point into cycling was a 4,000+ mile bike tour with a buddy from California to Columbia in 2017 after graduating college. Armed only with a bike, some gear, and very little planning of what was to come. It was on that trip that he found the bike to be the "perfect form of travel". Since then he's only progressed as a traveler and cyclist racking up credentials too numerous to list, but to give you a taste, here's what he's done so far in 2024: Baja Divide Transcordilleras race (Colombia) Bikepacking trip all over Colombia Double Everest Stagecoach 400 Tour de Los Padres Race Across Arizona He's packed more into the first 6 months of this year than many will experience in a lifetime. It feels like every time I log into social media he's on another trip or lining up in another race. I've grown fond of following him on all of his adventures. He brings with him a big smile and a big appetite for adventure, fruit, and white milk. All of which we discuss on today's episode. EPISODE SPONSORS - Four distances to choose from, 28 spots left, 100% Texas. Come find out why the call this part of Texas the Hill Country on Oct. 25th, 2024. ! New Patrons None this week, but you can :) Find out more at
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Ep. 180 ~ 20,000 Miles by Bike, Exploring Wild w/ Alissa Bell
05/29/2024
Ep. 180 ~ 20,000 Miles by Bike, Exploring Wild w/ Alissa Bell
Alissa Bell is the creator and owner of and . Both projects are inspired by her 20,000+ miles traveling by foot and bike all over the world and her passion for helping others find their own adventure. In 2018 she quit her job to travel the world – a move that many of us dream about making, but that few of us ultimately find the bravery to take the plunge on. When she left for Africa in 2018, she wasn’t just walking away from her career. She was also leaving behind a supportive husband, her home, her friends, and all of the comfort and familiarity that comes with a happy, whole, and rich home life.The urge to discover the world and herself in it is a primary motivator for Alissa, but it’s not one that comes easy or without cost. It requires constant juggling and negotiating between a home life she loves and an adventurous life that fills her soul. From ExploringWild.com, “I won’t pretend all this is easy. I’m introverted, nerdy, and more risk-averse than you might think. I have cranky knees and hate being cold. I used to think all this stuff was only for people braver and tougher than I am. If I can do it, you definitely can too.“ In other words, she’s a lot like me and you. Luckily for us, Alissa has dedicated her life – through her example, her writing, websites, and – to helping others chase their own version of the life they want for themselves. On a personal note, I met Alissa digitally in 2019 when she extended an offer to help with BikesorDeath.com. Over the past 5 years she’s been an unsung hero for BoD behind the scenes. What started as a kind offer to help led to her building an entirely new website from scratch. She’s also been invaluable in her help every time the website crashes (which is more than you’d think haha). It’s through these interactions that I became aware of, and impressed by, her boldness and unfettering determination to pursue a life that is more meaningful and representative of the version of herself she identifies with the most. After years of coaxing, it was a pleasure to have her join me on the podcast. A great way to keep up with Alissa and get notified about her projects is through her . EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Did you know that OMM makes panniers specifcally for bikepacking that pair perfectly with their legendary racks? Learn more on today's episode and use discount code “mountainsordeath” for 10% off site-wide and use this so BoD gets a "Thank You" check in the mail :) ~ Alissa is offering BoD listeners 15% of her , just use coupon code "kitsordeath" at checkout! Patreon Geoffrey Meredith - increased pledge 🎉 Find out more at
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Ep. 179 ~ The Midsouth Experience, w/ Patrick & Natalie
05/14/2024
Ep. 179 ~ The Midsouth Experience, w/ Patrick & Natalie
It's Midsouth Week! At least here at Bikes or Death headquarters ;). This week, we are going back in time and reliving Midsouth through the lens of Patrick and Natalie's experience. Whether you’re Midsouth curious or you got hit with those post-race blues and are feeling like a little Midsouth 2024 nostalgia, this episode is for you! So charge your headlights and grab your chamois butter because you’re invited along for the journey as Natalie and I experience our first ever Midsouth. From the Midsouth beer release party at The Iron Monk, to the expo show, and all the way through 100 miles of Oklahoma dirt roads, we're mic'd up and taking you along for the ride! For me, Midsouth has been a bucket list item for many years. Unfortunately, I'm usually busy preparing for the as it traditionally takes place the week after Midsouth. However, this year, I made sure to get my ETS prep done early so I could enjoy a weekend on the famed red dirt gravel roads that have catapulted Midsouth into the upper echelon of the gravel racing circuit. As an event director myself, I was both personally and professionally interested in taking part in this event. Not only was I excited to spend the day riding bikes, but I was also counting port-a-potties, taking notes at the pre-race meeting, and marveling at the well-orchestrated machine that is Midsouth. In their 14th consecutive year, Midsouth puts on one hell of an event, and I was eager to learn from their expertise. Natalie had her own goals. This would be her first proper century, but it wasn't her first time riding 100 miles. In September of last year she and I participated in the Ozark Rando, a 120 mile randonneur in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas. We recorded that experience as well and you can go back and if you haven't already. We spent 22 hours making our way through the Arkansas backcountry, rolled in DFL a solid 7 hours after the official cutoff time, and learned so much from that experience. One thing we learned is that it may have been a little ambitious for Natalie’s first century +20 miles. The Midsouth was an opportunity for her to take on her second ever 100 mile ride on a more approachable course. Midsouth still boasts a lot of climbing, but it's only half the elevation gain of the Ozark Rando. So for Natalie, this was a chance to reclaim some of the confidence that was lost in the hills of Arkansas and find the joy in long distance cycling efforts. Her goal for Midsouth was just to finish it, and ideally not as DFL this time. For Midsouth our plan was to prioritize time on the bike and focus on maintaining momentum throughout the day. Listen to today's episode for a peek into the Midsouth experience and follow along with us as we race to not be DFL. For the record, there is absolutely nothing wrong with DFL. We are very proud to hold that title in the 2023 Ozark Rando but for Midsouth, we wanted to let someone else enjoy the honor. EPISODE SPONSORS ~ Is taking applications and donations for their Bipoc Adventure Grant Program. Click the link or email [email protected] for more info! New Patrons Evan Zipperer Kirk Everett Janis Brunner Chris Marshall
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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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