"Slightly Obsessed" with Nick Jones

Justin Spangler is back on the podcast after setting the fastest time ever at LOTOJA, America's longest single-day bike race. It's his second overall win, and he did it on a 202-mile ride from Logan to Jackson. Justin talks about his path from "the second fattest kid in middle school" to marathoner, student body president at the University of Utah, Googler, and now elite cyclist. He goes back over the flat tire and the bonk that ended his first two LOTOJA attempts, and how coaching and consistency led to his 2026 course record. YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/FpiNgFsukM0

What happens when a kid who falls in love with mountain biking at 14 follows that passion for the rest of his life? For Neil Shirley, it meant becoming a professional racer, standing on national championship podiums, racing around the world—and eventually landing what he calls his dream job at ENVE. Today, Neil is Vice President of Marketing and Product at ENVE Composites in Ogden, Utah, where some of the most advanced cycling equipment in the world is dreamed up, engineered, prototyped, tested and manufactured under one roof. We go inside ENVE to talk about what makes the company different, why manufacturing in Utah matters, the evolution from wheels to complete bikes, and the remarkable story of how UAE Team Emirates tested ENVE wheels on its own before approaching the company about a partnership. Neil also takes us behind the scenes of developing equipment for Tadej Pogačar and the world’s best riders—and explains how those same innovations eventually make their way to the rest of us. But underneath all the technology and racing is something much simpler: a lifelong love of bikes, the people we ride them with, and what can happen when you let passion lead the way.

Nick Jones joins Stu for a wide-ranging conversation about Nick's cycling journey. Nick shares his story growing up in Southern California, finding football and work ethic, drifting through his early 20s, and then rebuilding his life through faith, family, and school. They dive into his COVID-era entry into cycling, LOTOJA experiences, obsession with stats and heart rate, sentimental streak, balancing investment banking with training and family life, and the simple mantra that guides him now: there’s always more speed on the other side of pain.

In this episode, Stu and Andy Compas sit down with longtime rider Russ Nelson to trace his full-circle journey in cycling—from Boy Scout merit-badge miles and junior crits in the late ’80s, to stepping away during the heavy family-and-career years, to coming back 20+ years later with LOTOJA in his sights. Russ talks about dropping some pounds, finding joy (and speed) in climbing, creating big adventure routes and why group rides, Zwift hacks, and early-morning canyon sunrises still light him up. Along the way, he shares stories about Moab, keychain derailleur fixes, life as the youngest of ten with nine older sisters, and leaves us with a powerful idea: aiming for harmony—not just balance—between family, work, and the bike.

In this episode, Stu and Chip talk with Jason Munns, the new Executive Director of the Utah NICA Cycling League, about how youth mountain biking is transforming lives and communities in Utah. Jason shares his journey from small-town BMX kid and engineer to founding the Box Elder Composite team and now leading a league of 7,400+ student-athletes. The conversation covers the unique culture of NICA—its focus on inclusivity, personal growth, and “meeting kids where they’re at”—along with favorite race and coaching memories, mental health wins, and what makes riding bikes such a powerful lifelong activity. They also discuss Utah’s outsized role in the national NICA landscape, trail access and community impact, new ideas like adventure/“party” laps and pit-zone games to bring more fun to race days, and big upcoming events including Western Regionals and the World Cup at Soldier Hollow, where NICA riders may get a taste of the world stage.

Sam Gray was born in Orange, CA. The oldest of six boys, growing up felt like living in a locker room: sweaty and loud. If the walls could speak, the gashes would tell tales of baseball impacts and errant fists. He finished high school in Springville, UT, where he and his friends spent their days skurfing canals and blowing stuff up.  The black sheep of the family, he became the “art freak,” studying graphic design and graduating from the BYU Design BFA program. He’s spent years nurturing a successful design career, specializing in branding and brand strategy, but unfortunately, he peaked* way back in high school when he was chosen to create the Springville High red devil logo (which is still in use today, and can be found on every trailer hitch cap and bumper sticker in town). *He once got out of a speeding ticket while in city limits because of this claim to fame. After graduating from college, he took a wife and moved to NYC to be a big shot designer. They only lived in the city long enough to become addicted to Fairway bagels, which ruined their expectations of bagels for life. They soon moved to the Bay Area, bouncing around Berkeley and Oakland for almost a decade. They popped out three kids, and somewhere along the way, Sam found his one true love: cycling.  Sam started with a thrifted road bike in the hills above Berkeley, eating asphalt several times. When the family moved to Utah, he set his sights on the canyons and forced his wife to buy a house on Wasatch Blvd for easy access. He then spent their life savings on bikes and gear, and especially APPAREL. But, at least he looks good doing it.

Adam, a 54‑year‑old Utah native and 10‑time LOTOJA finisher, joins Stuart to share how cancer, divorce, and a late start in endurance sports led him to a life centered on health, community, and time outside. From his daughter Lauren’s heartfelt introduction to stories of hot‑springs trips, near‑miss hikes, and long race days with his kids as crew, Adam reflects on resilience, self‑care, and why he keeps showing up on the bike year after year.

In this episode, Stuart and Chip catch up with professional gravel and mountain bike racer Melissa “Mel” Rollins as she reflects on a transformative few years. Mel shares how she went from working as a chemist in a kidney stone lab to betting on herself, quitting her full-time job, and ultimately winning Leadville in 2024. She talks candidly about the mental side of that leap—dealing with pressure, redefining her goals after a dream result, and learning to see herself as more than “just” a Leadville specialist. Mel walks through her 2025 season goals (from winning a sprint finish to conquering singletrack), the crash that left her with two broken wrists, and how she came back stronger. The conversation then looks ahead to Cape Epic 2026, where Mel will team up with world champion Kate Courtney. She explains how the pairs format works, what it takes to race eight brutal days in South Africa, what she’s learning from training with Kate, and how she uses process goals, preparation, and adaptability as her “superpowers” on race day. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of long-distance love across time zones, tent camping in South Africa, mid‑valley community roots, and what it really feels like to chase big, scary dreams with your whole heart.

In this episode, Stuart sits down with Mitch for an intimate deep dive into how an everyday athlete builds an extraordinary life around the bike. You’ll hear how Mitch went from thinking road bikes were “for old people” to riding 11 straight years of Lotoja, finishing with the lead group in Masters 35B with a 9:10 time, and what he’s learned along the way about training without a formal plan, early-morning discipline, and using Strava segments to chase that 1% better every day. Mitch shares how riding with his dad shaped both his cycling and their relationship, how he balances big rides with being a loan officer, husband, and dad of three, why loyalty and positivity are his core values, and the power of team community to make suffering on the bike something you actually look forward to.

New for 2026 we want to launch a team ride calendar. Ryan Welch and Stuart discuss the details behind how it will work and what we can look forward to.