Dirty Chain Podcast: A Cycling Podcast

Trevor and Sheldon sit down and reflect on a full weekend of racing - from Melting Mann, the first gravel race in Michigan, to Sheldon's new obsession with bikejorning.

Polar Roll 2026 - Finisher, Jason Mudget, and not-yet-finisher, Tristan Smith, join the podcast to re-live the chaos, the finishing pride, and the quitter heartbreak of this year's Polar Roll mass start.

Andy Rohrer, Executive Director of the League of Michigan Bicyclists, joins the podcast to talk about the work and mission of the non profit that has been advocating for and educating in support of the cycling community in Michigan for over 40 years.

Iceman Cometh Challenge 2025! Time to nerd out with Ben Snyder and Stephen Spry - creators of the now infamous data set of pass counts, wave finishes, and alternative podiums for the Iceman Cometh since 2019. Hear how it all started, how they crunch the numbers, and the unique story the data reveals for this iconic race!

Brian Zajac joins the podcast to talk about Bootleg - the non-race downhill event that occurs the Sunday after Iceman in Traverse City. Brian also schools Trevor on all things pertaining to downhill and gravity biking and shares his super interesting background in the sport.

The 2025 Marji Gesick saw something many people thought was impossible - three women finished the 100 mile bike in under 12 hours, earning them the coveted Marji Buckle. One of those incredible women, Kristy McBride, joins the podcast to talk about her several-year journey leading up to this historical accomplishment - from starting as a runner, why she bought her first bike, and why she chose to ride a single speed at this year's Marji.

Ben Alter re-joins the podcast to share about his experience at this year's Salty Marie ultra race, RAMBA 24 Hour Shenanigans, and his general progression as an ultra endurance athlete.

Sheldon is back, making his yearly podcast appearance (needs to be more btw). We crack some beers and talk what’s on his bike-mind - including single speeds, his latest weird-yet-beautiful bike builds, and recent, dumb bike injuries.

Michigan's own, Mark Kransz, returns to the podcast to talk about World Cup Marathon racing, Ore to Shore, and more!

Episode 112: The Crusher 2025 - A Crusher in the Keweenaw. New year. New route. Same glorious bull$hit. Steve Rodgers joins to share about his mass start 175 adventure while Tristan Smith and Sebastian Stankiewicz take us through their 500+ mile point-to-point experience. Starting line photo credit: Rob Meendering

We ignore the cold Michigan early spring and turn our attention to the warm Sonoran Desert to talk all about the 24 Hour in the Old Pueblo with first-time racers, Jim Owens and Jeremy Frew.

Podcast regular, Sebastian Stankiewicz, joins the episode to talk about his attempt, finish, and buckle-ing of the winter ultra fat bike event, the Polar Roll Ultra!

Iceman Cometh Challenge 2024! Local Traverse City resident and avid cyclist, Tim Pulliam, joins the podcast to share about the inspiration of the epic jump over the race at the Make It Stick climb.

The Marji Gesick 2024 from three perspectives. First, Trevor and Sebastian talk through their failed attempt at the 200+ mile Out and Back #QUITTER Second, pro cyclist Jeremiah Bishop shares about his 100 mile 4th place race and his overall stoke for the race itself and the nonprofit, 906 Adventure Team, that organizes the race. Finally, Matt Wilcoski takes us through his extremely impressive dead last finish of the Out and Back, earning him the title of DFL and winning a brand new 1Up bike rack. Photo: Rob Meendering

Sheldon's back! OG co-host of the Dirty Chain rejoins the podcast to talk North Country Trail, Lord of the Springs, reminisce about the 26er Autumn Mixer, and rant a little about current cycling gear trends.

Cycling photographer and videographer, Avery Stumm, joins the podcast to talk about his progression from Michigan BMX kid to full blown professional photographer shooting at events like the Olympics, his extremely successful partnership with pro cyclist, Alexey Vermeulen, and his recent attempt at the Tour Divide.

The Crusher 2024 - one man's journey to complete 200 plus miles of "enhanced" gravel out of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Scott Richard returns to the podcast to talk about his experience of The Crusher and finishing the third neccessary race for acceptance into the 906 Triple Crown - Hall of Pain. Photo: Rob Meendering

Michigan Coast to Coast! 200+ miles spanning across Michigan's lower peninsula, starting at Lake Huron and ending at Lake Michigan. Nick Stanko, Coast to Coast veteran, joins the podcast to talk about this year's monsoon-like conditions versus previous years, the Lumberjack/Coast to Coast double (LumberCoast), and why Trevor might finally need to accept aero bars into his cycling life. Photo: Rob Meendering