Local Legends

Local Legends - Episode 44 with Rawley Macias of Rouleur Brewing Brewmaster In this episode of Local Legends, I sit down with Rawley, the multifaceted force behind Rouleur Brewing located in Carlsbad, CA. Rawley isn't just a rider; he's a talented brewer and a dedicated community builder. Rawley shares the intriguing story of how he ventured into beer making. Was it a hobby that turned into a profession, or was it always part of the plan? We discuss his evolution as a brewer and get a glimpse into the vibrant brewing scene in San Diego. He also opens up about the inspirations and influences that have guided him along the way. Rawley is heavily involved in the community through RTNGR and his contributions to race events, providing both support and excellent beer. He elaborates on these efforts and what they mean to him. Rawley’s dedication and skill have earned Rouleur Brewing an impressive 30 awards, including four medals at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and one World Beer Cup award, the two biggest competitions in the world of brewing. Rawley reflects on the most rewarding aspects of his journey so far and shares valuable lessons learned as an entrepreneur. Tune in to hear Rawley's inspiring story and gain insights into the business of bikes, beers, and the people that love both! Enjoy my next Local Legend.

Local Legends - Episode 43 with Kylie De Jager - Having the Time of her Life. In this episode of the Local Legends podcast, we have the pleasure of chatting with Kylie, a 17-year-old cycling sensation who’s already making waves in the competitive racing world. With a recent BWR Wafer win under her belt and national titles in both gravel and XC, Kylie shares her journey from young enthusiast to national champion. Tune in as she talks about her training routines, the influences that have shaped her career, and her goals for the future. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just starting out, Kylie’s story is a testament to the power of dedication and passion in achieving great things on two wheels. Kylie lives in Yucaipa with her family and her home base for training.

Local Legends - Episode 42 with Escape LA AN INTENSIVE MOUNTAIN BIKE EXPERIENCE Welcome to a fun-filled, adventure-driven episode where I chat with Jason Shafer and Gregg Dunham of Escape LA. These two guys fell in love with the city and its trails, turning their passion for riding into something bigger—something stupid hard. In this episode, we dive into their lives, the vast open spaces in LA, and the stories behind the inaugural Escape LA Grand Depart in November 2023—a grueling 298 miles and 45,000 feet of climbing. The stories they shared were surprising and insightful, offering a deep look into the world of bikepacking and pushing past tough moments. Don't miss this episode if you're into adventure, bikepacking, or just love hearing about epic journeys on two wheels and to hear the release of the next Escape LA!!! You can learn more about Escape LA, the route and Snake visit https://www.labikepackingsucks.com/ or @labikepackingsucks on Instagram To listen to previous episodes on bikepacking - Episode 7 - Brendon Collier of Stagecoach 400 Episode 30 - MIC CHECK: Bikepacking To learn more about Shelly and her bikepacking training - https://www.outdoorfitnesscoach.com/blog/athlete-highlight-shelly

Rhonda Quick - Mountain Bike World Champion & World Tour Pro (Ep. 41) In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Rhonda, a powerhouse in the cycling world. Rhonda's impressive list of accomplishments includes being a World Tour pro, professional road racer, professional mountain biker, and World Champion mountain biker. Currently residing in San Diego with her teenage daughter, Rhonda continues to dominate the cycling scene across multiple disciplines, including road, mountain, and gravel riding. From a young age, Rhonda was a competitive swimmer. However, once she discovered cycling, it didn't take long for her to reach the podium. Her early success set the stage for a stellar career in competitive cycling. Rhonda is a true local legend, known for her strength, technical skills, and boundless energy. Whether she's racing or riding locally, her speed and determination are unparalleled. If you've ever had the chance to ride with her, you know just how quick and relentless she is. In our conversation, Rhonda shares how cycling has shaped her life and how she, in turn, has influenced the sport. From mountain biking to racing the classics, and now excelling in gravel riding, Rhonda's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to hear about Rhonda's incredible career, her passion for cycling, and her insights into the ever-evolving world of competitive riding.

Welcome to "Mic Check," a special episode of Local Legends where we delve deep into the lives and stories of extraordinary individuals. In this edition, I'm stoked to welcome back three phenomenal women who graced our podcast before: Makenna Kellerman, Joy McCulloch, and Tammy Tabeek. Join us for a fun discussion touching on life's various stages, training, and performance. Each of these women boasts an impressive racing and performance background, and they'll share their personal journeys navigating womanhood, education, careers, relationships, and the evolution of their cycling pursuits. Securing an hour of their time was no small feat; it was a juggling act of schedules and commitments. We had very little time to prepare for this gathering, and they didn't get much time to reflect on the questions which made their candid answers a genuine slice of life. As we explore their experiences and insights, I'll also pose some questions for you, the listener, to ponder: What do you do to keep yourself healthy? How have you seen things shift over the last five years, ten years, or even twenty years (if you're over 40)? What excites you about your future, and what are you curious about? After the episode, I will offer coaching tips on staying young, fit and fierce at any age. (Gentlemen - there will be an episode dedicated to you all. We will earmark Ep. 50 for a discussion with men through different stages of life. ) Enjoy!

UNLEASHING PERFORMANCE I'd like to introduce Dr. Jason Richardson - a former professional BMX rider now sharing his love for riding and performance as a Sports Psychologist and Mental Skills and Executive Coach. Jason got into a racing as the little brother tagging along as his brother excelled at the sport. Jason got his own chance to race and that is when things changed and his trajectory in riding and life transformed. In Episode 39, we dive into the journey of Dr. Jason Richardson, tracing his path from the adrenaline-fueled world of BMX racing becoming a Pro BMX World Champion and a PanAm Games Gold Medalist. We go through his journey riding to bike parks, 'practicing', getting chances and losing them and learning about himself and what he is made of. It was also fun to get some of his insights as a Sports Psychologist discussing breath work, confidence and the power of being free. Jason lives in Carlsbad with his wife and two sons. You can learn more about Jason here and follow him on Instagram @realdrjrich Enjoy my next Local Legend.

Local Legends - Episode 38 with Dave Malwitz of Gravelstoke In its sixth year, Gravelstoke is known for its community around riding great trails with great people and having an adventure. I had the chance to sit down with Dave Malwitz, the mastermind behind Gravelstoke. Gravelstoke, known for their rides that seamlessly blend challenge, fun, and adventure, has become a trailblazer in the gravel riding community. In this chat, we dive deep into the origins of Gravelstoke, exploring how it all began and the unexpected ways it's evolved over the past six years. What sets Gravelstoke apart is not just the thrilling rides but the unique culture and inclusive atmosphere they've cultivated. Dave shares insights on how they've set the bar high, not only in terms of the rides but also in fostering a sense of community that welcomes riders of all levels. We touch on the transformative power of group rides like those organized by Gravelstoke. These rides aren't just about conquering challenging trails; they're about meeting new people, discovering fresh trails, honing your riding skills, and boosting your fitness. And let's not forget the camaraderie – turning strangers into riding buddies and friends. TO LEARN MORE: SEND IT CAMPAIGN GRAVELSTOKE STRAVA CLUB Follow on Instagram - @gravelstoke YouTube - Bike Set Up Enjoy this conversation with our next local legend, Dave Malwitz of Gravelstoke!

Local Legends - Episode 37 with Victor Sheldon. The Victor Kind of a cheesy title, I know but truly with a name like Victor makes you realize that the name stems from Victory (or is it the other way around). Delighted to have Victor back on the podcast. Victor was my very first guest in Episode 1 back in October 2021 talking about the creation and drive for Quick'n'Dirty Mountain Bike Racing. I invited Victor back to highlight his racing career and achievements. He has a fair share of accolades stemming from the 80s and 90s as a professional Jet Skier traveling the world; and as he states, "help to create Victor Sheldon". RACING HIGLIGHTS Gravel, World Nationals - 3rd place (Oct 2023) Gravel, National Championship, Men 55-59 (Sept 2023) 24-hours Old Pueblo 4 person team winner, 3x's - course record in 2023 Mountain Bike, National Champion - 6x's Cyclocross, National Championship, Masters 50-54 (2016, 2018) JetSki, National and World Champion - 8x's Victor also runs a MTB series, Quick n’ Dirty, which is a nationally recognized grass-roots, mountain bike race series with events year round and all throughout San Diego County. Their diverse racing calendar consists of several one day feature events and mid-week racing. Over the past 6 years, Quick n Dirty has grown in size and stature and attracts racers and their families from all walks of life. quickndirtymtb.com Victor and his family and family live in Vista located in San Diego County. Articles mentioned in our conversation https://granfondodailynews.com/2023/10/08/former-uci-world-road-champion-and-epo-doper-laurent-brochard-wins-gravel-worlds-title/ https://zapbikemedia.com/columns-1/f/2023-gravel-worlds-review-with-top-american-victor-sheldon Photo credit: Craig Huffman Photography

Local Legends - Episode 36 with Brian McCulloch - Spirit of a Champion Meet Brian McCulloch, a true legend in the cycling world. With a stellar track record, he's a two-time National Champion in Mountain Bike Marathon, conquered the challenging Belgian Waffle Ride in 2018, and claimed victory at the Whiskey 50 Off Road. As a pro road racer, he showcased his skills with Elevate from 2017 to 2020, iSpeed in 2023, and now proudly represents Enve & Big Wheel Coaching. Racing Highlights: 2023 Mountain Bike Nationals Champion (40-44 AG) 2021 Mountain Bike Nationals Champion (35-39 AG) 2018 Belgian Waffle Ride Champion      3rd General Classification Valley of the Sun Stage Race 2015 1st Ladera Ranch Grand Prix, 2015 2012 SCNCA District/State Road Race Champion 2011-2021 Integral member of the Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling In this conversation: We go into his latest win at Mountain Bike Nationals with strategy and nutrition. We discuss his journey with Artery Endofibrosis - the diagnosis, the surgery and recovery. We talk about his training now and how it compares with his road racing days. And he shares insights along the way of being the best and the mindset to press on. For more insights into Brian McCulloch's journey, check out his profile on the Belgian Waffle Ride website: Brian McCulloch - The People's Champion Learn more about Brian McCulloch and Big Wheel Coaching.

Local Legends - Episode 35 with Brian Lopes Multi-time world Champion, BMX & Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Brian is a name synonymous with excellence in cycling, boasting a multi-time World Champion title and a well-deserved spot in the BMX and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. In this exclusive interview, I had the privilege of delving into the life and experiences of this legendary rider. From his early days as a BMX racer at the age of 4 to conquering disciplines like Downhill, Dual Slalom, 4X, Mountain Biking, Enduro, and even Sprint Eliminator, Brian's mastery of the bike is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With a racing career spanning two decades, Brian has an impressive list of achievements, including nine national championship titles, six UCI World Cup wins, and four UCI Mountain Bike World Champion titles. It's safe to say, the man is a living legend. But that's not all... He's also a published author, co-authoring the acclaimed "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills," now in its third publication and available in multiple languages. In 2008, Brian received the well-deserved honor of being inducted into the BMX and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats in the cycling world. Currently residing in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA, Brian continues to inspire riders and enthusiasts alike. Learn more about Brian Lopes on his website and on Instagram @brianlopes Enjoy my next Local Legend.