Ep. 202 ~ Stephen Fitzgerald, Pinyons & Pines Winner

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. TxORA Hill Country Relief Fund - 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.   Kerr County Flood Relief Fund - 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. Central Texas Showdown - 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.

Last year I participated in the inaugural Arkansas Graveler 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 Arkansas Tourism!  

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  Central Texas Showdown – Registration open now! Use code “bikesordeath” to get $20 off registration. New Patrons Kimberly Join us won’t you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

Cjell Moné just did the unthinkable by riding his custom Moné La Roca with coaster brakes on the Arizona Trail 800. 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 MoneBikes.com. EPISODE SPONSORS  Farther Bag Co. – Use code “bagsordeath” at checkout to get 15% off your order! Central Texas Showdown – Registration open now! Use code “bikesordeath” to get $20 off registration. New Patrons  None this week. Join us won’t you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath  

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, BCS Fights Cancer, 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  Farther Bag Co. - Use code "bagsordeath" at checkout to get 15% off your order! Central Texas Showdown - 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 www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

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 download for free 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  Arkansas Graveler – 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 - Register Here Bikepacking Roots - Enter to win a custom Chumba Slackr MTB plus a lot of other cycling goodies AND support the BPR Bipoc Bike Adventure Grant Program. New Patrons  Andrew C. Join them won’t you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

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  Old Man Mountain – Use code “mountainordeath” at checkout to receive 10% off your order! New Patrons  Aaron Newbury Annie Bilotta Join them won’t you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

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  Old Man Mountain - 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 www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath  

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 social media page for more context and perspective to this conversation.  I also recommend you read, for a good laugh, his account of the Drive-by Dildo that impacted Indy Shultzs’ face during the 2023 AZTR.  He also has created and published a route called Rolling Horse in Colorado that sounds truly special.   EPISODE SPONSORS  Old Man Mountain - Introduced their Experimental Bikepacking Team on today's episode. To save 10% at OMM use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout East Texas Showdown – 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 www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

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  LIVSN - 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! East Texas Showdown – 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 www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath