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!
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Ep. 202 ~ Stephen Fitzgerald, Pinyons & Pines Winner
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
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Ep. 201 ~ Cjell Moné, AZT 800 World Record!
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
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Ep. 200 ~ Kerry Snow, 2nd place at ETS while undergoing chemo
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
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Ep. 199 ~ Dr. Eliza Sampey, Athlete + Coach + Physical Therapist
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
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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