Dirty Chain Podcast: A Cycling Podcast

On this episode, the gang processes through their race experience at the Cohutta 100 and Big Frog 65 out of Copperhill, Tennessee - part of the popular National Ultra Endurance MTB Series, the NUE Series.

Pro cyclist and world record holder, Ashton Lambie, joins the podcast to chat about everything from Zwift racing, track cycling, his first mountain bike race at the recent Sea Otter Classic, and why he decided to go full off-road this season with the Life Time Grand Prix series. Photo: John Daniel Reiss

Snow, wind, ice, mud - racers were greeted with a spring weather smorgasbord in Hastings, Michigan as they took on the 18, 36, 62, and 100 mile distances of the largest gravel race in the world - Barry-Roubaix. Tom Keller (@the_tiki) from Bloomington Cycle Racing Team out of Bloomington, IL, joins me to share about his 100 mile race experience and how found a creative way to "relieve" his drivetrain issues mid race. Photo: www.robmeenderingphotography.com

In this episode, Trevor, with help from Mark Bryson (The Doubler), Paige Peters, and Brady Gibney, share all about their incredible Mid South Gravel experience out of Stillwater, OK. Also, Sheldon Little (yes, that Sheldon Little) returns and to share about his Mid South back in 2019.

Trevor and Scott recap their Polar Roll fat bike adventure out of the UP of Michigan, and trail master, Danny Hill, joins the conversation to talk about grooming and the work it took to keep the trail conditions dialed.

Jeremy Kershaw from Heck of the North Productions joins the podcast to talk about his trio of gravel events out of Duluth, Minnesota. We also talk about his film, The Good Line, that explores the intersection of cycling and mental health. Podcast regular, Tristan, also joins Trevor to talk about fatbike adventures, and the newly announced version of the Tristan’s favorite gravel race, the Sancho 200 (now the Sancho UP). https://www.heckofthenorth.com/ The Good Line - www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq76q2sMsq8

"More butts on saddles" - a simple mission from Michigan based brand and app, Down To Ride. Connor Grant joins the podcast to talk all about DTR, community building, and shares what might be the best way to sell a bike.

Adventure athlete, Rebecca Rusch, joins to podcast to share about her life in sports and the guiding principles she uses to better herself and others. www.rebeccarusch.com Be Good Foundation - www.rebeccarusch.com/be-good-foundation Rebecca's Private Idaho - www.rebeccasprivateidaho.com Blood Road - www.redbull.com/us-en/films/blood-road

Founder and CEO, Brian Fruit, of Lizard Skins joins the podcast to tell his amazing story of building one of the most well-known and respected sporting brands in the industry. Also, Trevor heads out to his local Global Fat Bike Day celebration to see what all the fuss is about. Spoiler - it was pretty damn cool.

Pro mountain biker, Rose Grant, joins the podcast to talk about her recent Iceman win, her incredible 2021 season, and her life as an athlete.

Iceman men's champ, Cole Paton, joins the podcast to talk about his incredible race win, his 2021 season, and his passion for youth cycling. We also recap Iceman with friends of the podcast, Mackenzie, Sebastian, and Tristan, and hear about their experiences - from wave 36 to riding in the pro wave. Photo: Rob Meendering

A mountain bike event ridden only on $150 Walmart bikes? What could go wrong? Mitch DeYoung joins the podcast and shares all about his latest bad idea ride and perfect tribute to our friend, Brett Miller.

It's that time of year again, and after two years, the Iceman Cometh Challenge is back! Race director, Cody Sovis, joins the pod to bring us up to speed on the weekend fun - from the expo, race and course details, after-party, and why you might want to leave your gravel bike at home.

After two and a half years, Barry-Roubaix, the popular gravel road race out of Hastings, MI, is back! Trevor and Brady give an extensive recap of their Psycho Killer 100 race, and gravel pro, Pete Stetina, shares about his first Barry experience.

Two #finishers, two with #unfinishedbusiness, one non-starter, and several beers all come together for a great conversation about this year's Marji Gesick - the infamous mountain bike race out of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Bob and Dawn Cooper, Rei Tallet, Teresa DeLisle, with hosting help from Scott Richard, join the podcast to share about their unique Marji experiences.

This episode we get a recap of the recent Moran 166 gravel race from three different perspectives - from the overall female winner, Paige Peters (3:10), from familiar voice and friend of the podcast, Mark Bryson (13:00), and from someone who decided to bikepack two days to the starting line, Erik Binggeser @truemarmalade (37:25).

On this episode Trevor gets some help from his brother, Brady, and friend, Tony, to recap their experience of the Belgian Waffle Ride - North Carolina.

Now in its eighth year, the MSU Gran Fondo is one of the largest cycling events in Michigan. Creator, Bob Hughes, and course director, Jill Martindale, join Trevor and Sheldon to chat all about the details, history, and of course, the after party, of this fun event.

Jason and Chelsey Magness from Team Bend Racing join the podcast to share about their amazing experiences as adventure racers, race directors, and the importance of teamwork on and off the course. Also, Sheldon checks in from the west coast.

John Murphy joins the podcast to talk about his former pro road racing career, carbon wheel/spoke tech with Gulo Composites, and gives us a preview into the Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina course. Check out the BWR Survival Camp, Aug 16th-20th. https://belgianwaffleride.bike/blogs/news/want-an-insurance-policy-on-finishing-source-endurance-bwr-survival-camps Episode Breakdown John's Pro Career - 5:40 Gulo Composites - 20:43 Belgian Waffle Ride Preview - 44:00

This episode we hear all about two popular endurance races in Michigan - the Lumberjack 100 and MI Coast to Coast. Grand Rapids cyclist (and first place winner of both races), Julie Medema, joins the podcast to share about her two incredible rides. Guest co-host, Dustin Derrick, also shares about how the Lumberjack, unfortunately, got the best of him once again. Photo: Rob Meendering

Pro cyclist, Cody Kaiser, joins the podcast to talk CX racing, starting and running his own racing team, and his love of the Michigan race scene. We also hear from friend-of-the-podcast, Mark Kransz, about how not to approach Unbound 200.

Mark Bryson and Tristan Smith join the podcast to talk about this year's Sancho 200, Don Quixote, and the importance of a strong mustache. Hear Tristan's recap of last year's Sancho on episode 37 Photo by Rob Meendering @robmphoto

Pro Cyclist, Robin Carpenter, recaps his race experience and 6th place overall finish at Unbound. Photo Credit: Wil Matthews Photo @photowil

Pro cyclist, Geoff Kabush, joins the podcast to talk drop bars, FKTs, Iceman, and...Zwift? We also talk all about Unbound, Sancho 200, and Sheldon's recent running bad decisions. Episode Breakdown Geoff Kabush - 25:18 Unbound - 8:48 Sancho 200 - 16:59

Endurance and gravel cyclist, Kae Takeshita, joins the podcast to talk about gravel cycling, her incredible experience at the Iowa Wind and Rock endurance race, and her love of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Photo: Brian Powers / Des Moines Register

Artist, cyclist, and content creator, Dustin Klein, joins the podcast to talk about how he combines his passions of cycling, creativity, and community through his popular YouTube channel, Everything's Been Done. Trevor and Ryan recap last weekend's Fast Fitty gravel race out of Charlotte, MI. And we get a rare interview with Chet Bearclaw as he shares about the upcoming fall gravel race, the Moran 166. Episode Breakdown: Dustin Klein - 24:46 Fast Fitty Recap - 15:28 Chet Bearclaw/Moran 166 Preview - 9:33

Cycling journalists Patrick Brady and Mike Cushionbury from the Cycling Independent join the podcast to talk cycling media, gravel, and all about their new fully independent cycling news outlet. Trevor also gives his recap of the Hart Hills gravel race out of Hart, MI. Spoiler: lots of sand and wind.

Trevor's brother, Aaron Gibney, joins the Midpack to share his experience tackling the 50 mile Mid South route out of Stillwater, OK. Trevor and Sheldon also recap a couple recent Michigan gravel events - the Dirty 30 and the Lowell Classic Gravel Race.

Two great conversations for episode 44! Brad Garmon from Michigan's Outdoor Industry Office joins the podcast to talk all about Michigan outdoor brands and outdoor lifestyle potential. We also chat with Jason Lowetz from Bearclaw Bicycles about big tires, titanium frames, and drop bar fat bikes. bearclawbicycleco.com www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79137_87865---,00.html

The Mid South race director, Bobby Wintle (with help from Mid South veteran, Matt Acker), joins the podcast to talk about the incredibly socially distant version of the event for 2021 and the multiple opportunities to participate all over the country.

Ultra endurance racer, Jill Martindale, joins the Midpack to talk about winter fat biking, bikepacking gear and preparation, her events the Winter Shake Down and Skirts in the Dirt, and much, much more!

Filmmaker, event director, and former pro, Ansel Dickey, joins the podcast to talk gravel, his production company, Vermont Social, taking over direction of the Vermont Overland gravel race, and who has better beer - Vermont or Michigan. Trevor and Sheldon also discuss Gravel Worlds and how long is too long for a gravel race. Photo by Nick Keating

Michigan cyclist, Alex TenElshof, joins the podcast to talk all about his new love of Zwift racing and what it took for his team, the Finesse Rockets, to earn a spot in the Premium Zwift Racing League.

Pro cyclist and pure Michigander, Alexey Vermeulen, returns to the podcast to talk about his 2020 “season”, his 3rd place finish at Belgian Waffle Ride Cedar City, why he hates Everesting, and a couple surprises he might have in store for 2021.

Trevor and Sheldon discuss their recent three day bike adventure through the Manistee National Forest - recapping the challenging routes and the 26er drop-bar single speed mountain bikes that inspired it all. They also give their hot take on the new name and branding of the now former DK200 - Unbound Gravel. Takeaways from the 26er Autumn Mixer -When you find yourself in a rut, plan something fun (whether a trip, ride, or stupid bike build). -Adventures come in all distances and sizes. -ALL bikes are fun. Special thanks to Jenny Acker for the rad logo and Matt Acker for the rad routes through the Manistee. Get yourself a Dirty Chain mug! https://komcycling.com/collections/dirty-chain/products/dirty-chain-mug

The adventure continues in 2020 and friend Tristan Smith joins the Midpack to recap his amazing 2nd place finish of the Sancho 200 out of Traverse City, MI. We also chat about how great it was to see a full week of racing in Michigan and throughout the country - from friend of the podcast Alexey Vermeulen killing it at the Belgian Waffle Ride in Cedar City, UT to seeing so many of our local friends getting after it at the Dirty 30 out of Saranac, MI and the VineCross CX race up in the Leelanau Peninsula. Episode Breakdown Belgian Waffle Ride - 2:18 Dirty 30 - 5:07 VineCross - 6:25 Future Race Calendar - 8:14 Sancho 200 2019 vs 2020 - 10:00 Sancho Bike - 15:20 2020 Recap - 18:30 Hydration and Nutrition - 31:25 Recap Continued - 34:00

Ty Schmidt joins the Midpack to talk all about Notre - Traverse City's youth and community based cycling advocacy organization. Trevor and Sheldon also, as always, check in with their week in the midpack, look at a few local past and upcoming races, and discuss how sports and bikes played a part in their own life growing up. For all Norte information, check out their website at elgruponorte.org Episode Breakdown Sheldon's Week in the Midpack - 1:39 Trevor introduces Rachel to Barry Roubaix - 3:45 Race Calendar - 5:34 Future Adventure Ride - 8:03 Trevor and Sheldon's experience growing up with bikes - 9:44 Ty Schmidt and Norte - 15:00

Professional cyclist, Amity Rockwell, joins the Midpack to talk gravel, endurance racing, and more! Trevor and Sheldon also discuss more Crusher EX, Fargo Sub 48, and their unfortunate recent run-in with a Carolina Reaper. Breakdown: Beers - 3:10 Crusher EX - 5:00 Fargo Sub 48 - 11:20 Carolina Reaper - 14:15 Amity Rockwell - 19:52

Professional cyclist, multiple DK200 winner, race director, and UnTapped cofounder, Ted King, sits down with the Midpack to talk van life, gravel cycling, and work/life balance. Trevor also recaps his race at the Cow Pie Classic and Sheldon ditches his drop bars for a legit mountain bike.

Ian Boswell joins the Midpack to talk about his transition from professional World Tour cycling to gravel racing, joining the workforce as a Wahoo Fitness employee, and his favorite Vermont-based snacks. Trevor and Sheldon also (finally) get to talk about local Michigan racing, including Trevor's experience at The Watermoo out of Dexter, MI.

Trevor with help from Mitch DeYoung, Brett Miller, Sebastian Stankiewicz, and event organizer Todd Poquette, recap their 250 mile Crusher EX experience of enhanced gravel through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. https://crushergravel.com/

Fat bike racer, course designer, and local Michigander, Roy Kranz, joins the Midpack to talk about his Dirty Kanza experiences, why people who attempt his event, the Kranza, hate him so much (spoiler - it's all the sand), and about how he got serious into cycling and racing in his 40's. https://www.bikereg.com/45004

Professional cyclist, national champ, and multiple olympian, Katerina Nash, joins the Midpack to share her story as a lifelong athlete and cyclist. We also get a race recap (that's right, racing is BACK) of the Mohican 100 from 5th place overall finisher and local Michigander, Alex Tenelshof. Photo by the talented Rob Meendering

Zwift national champion, Holden Comeau, joins the Midpack to talk indoor racing and what led him as an athlete to this new form of competition. Sheldon and Trevor also finally solve the ongoing White Claw mystery.

Tyler Pearce, a.k.a The Vegan Cyclist, joins the Midpack to discuss his wildly popular YouTube channel, content creation, cycling, and his plant-based lifestyle. We also get an update with new details from Todd Poquette about this year’s enhanced gravel race, The Crusher. Check out our new Website! https://komcycling.com/pages/thedirtychain

Professional ultrarunner and endurance athlete, Hillary Allen, joins the podcast to share about her life as an athlete, her incredible story of perseverance and recovery through serious injury, and about her new book, "Out and Back" out in early 2021.

Sheldon and Trevor join Larry and Brian from the Local Roots Podcast to talk Barry Roubaix, Iceman, and, of course, beer. Check out the Local Roots Podcast at localroots.us

3x national champ and master storyteller Stephen Hyde joins the Midpack to share about his life, his introduction to the bicycle, and his progression from volunteer bike shop mechanic to racing at the highest professional level in the world.

Overall winners Jill Martindale, Casey Fagerquist, and Petr Ineman join the Midpack to recount their incredible experience competing in the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000. We also hear from Grand Rapids rider, Emily Mileski, on how her community is finding creative ways to stay motivated.