Explore every episode of the podcast Ope! Bikes.

Born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Aaron has spent years developing an intimate relationship with the rivers, forests, gravel roads, and forgotten places that make the Ozarks one of the most captivating landscapes in the United States. Whether he's pedaling remote backroads, floating rivers with a loaded bikeraft, or documenting bikepacking races across the country, Aaron has a remarkable ability to uncover stories and places that most of us would ride right past.

Many of you have probably seen Aaron's work without even realizing it. Through Mixed SOiL Media, he's helped capture the spirit of events like the Arkansas High Country Race, DOOM, the Fayetteville Ultra Circuit, Mishigami, and countless other races and adventures across the country. His videos and photography don't just document an event—they tell the story of the people, the landscape, and everything that happens in between.

But Aaron's impact reaches far beyond the camera. He's also the mind behind the route entitled MOzark—a 1,320-mile bikepacking route that stitches together some of Missouri's most spectacular public lands, and countless small towns, rivers, and historic landmarks that give the route its character.

In this conversation, Aaron and I talk about growing up in Cape Girardeau and where his fascination with maps, rivers, forests, and exploration first began. We dive into the world of bikerafting and how combining bicycles with packrafts opens up entirely new ways to experience the backcountry. We also discuss the evolution of Mixed SOiL Media—from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most recognizable names in bikepacking storytelling—and what race organizers can expect when they bring Aaron on to document an event.

And finally, we spend some time exploring the MOzark route itself. We talk about the monumental task of turning hundreds of miles of disconnected roads, rivers, public lands, and historical points of interest into one cohesive journey, why the Ozarks continue to inspire him after all these years, the highlights of Mr. Randy Windle’s ride back in June, and what it means to share these places with the cycling community in a way that encourages both adventure and stewardship.

Spend enough time around Aaron, and you start looking at a map a little differently.

Today we’re sitting down with someone whose path into bikepacking is truly one of the more fascinating evolutions in the sport: the incredible Kendall Park.

Kendall’s story starts far from endurance riding. Long before multi-day pushes through rugged terrain and the patient, measured rhythm of ultra-distance events, Kendall was a football player and strength athlete built for power and explosiveness. Her roots are in weight rooms and locker rooms, in a culture shaped by strength, fast-twitch movement, and ‘force = mass times acceleration’. And somehow, that foundation—one built around strength, and physical dominance—eventually set the stage for a surprising and deeply intentional shift into the slow grind, long days, and mental steadiness of endurance cycling.

Kendall’s move into bikepacking is as extreme as it gets. She’s not just testing the waters—she’s taken on some of the toughest events out there, including completing the Iditarod Trail Invitational twice, racing Unbound XL, and tackling (get it? tackling) North-South Colorado. These aren’t just rides; they’re multi-day, physically punishing tests of endurance. Going from short, explosive bursts on the football field to this kind of sustained, grueling effort speaks volumes about her adaptability, focus, and personal determination.

In our conversation, Kendall and I explore what it really looks like to transition from a strength-based athlete to an endurance athlete—how your identity shifts, how your body adapts, how training philosophies flip on their head, and what it takes to exchange one form of discipline for another. We talk about the cultural contrast between the gym and the bikepacking world, the habits she carried over, the challenges she faced, and the ways her strength background still shows up in her riding today.

Kendall is forever learning, and also pursuing her MD & PhD in computer science and medicine, so of course, as an analytical person, Kendall and I dig into the training science that fuels her approach. Kendall is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and incredibly intentional with her work. She breaks down how she blends strength principles with endurance demands, how she structures training now, and how she prepares herself for the demands of ultra racing.

And of course, we dive into one of the defining chapters of her endurance novel: DOOM 2024, where she spent 6 days, 12 hours, and 3 minutes battling one of the most notoriously brutal courses in Arkansas. Out there, Kendall wasn’t just contending with relentless climbs and unforgiving terrain—she was carrying the weight of losing a close friend from high school, processing that grief mile after mile. She also faced inclement, incoming weather, forcing her to seek shelter and steady herself—physically and emotionally—while deciding how to move forward safely. Yet even amid all of that, she found genuine trail magic: unexpected kindnesses and small, grounding moments that helped her stay present and keep going. We talk about how she held her commitment when everything pushed back, and how her “finish-first” philosophy continues to guide the way she races.

In this episode, we’re venturing beyond the world of ultra distance racing and into something a little more poetic and a little more unconventional—with our guest, nomadic rider and storyteller, True Marmalade.

Erik Binggeser—better known by his rolling moniker, True Marmalade—has spent the past few years crisscrossing the U.S. by cargo bike, logging over 50,000 miles on a titanium Omnium as part of a slow, deliberate, and deeply intentional life on the road. Born and raised in Michigan, Erik’s journey winds through a former corporate career, a stretch of vanlife, and ultimately into a mode of travel that blends bikepacking, minimalism, food rescue, and a whole lot of human connection.

Last weekend I caught up with Erik right here in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was hunkered down for a bit—recharging, resupplying, and taking a short pause from the road. While in town, Erik joined a group ride with Matt and the crew over at HoboHubWorks, and showed up to soak in the action at Penrose Park Velodrome. It was a short stay, but a perfect opportunity to sit down and talk.

In this conversation, Erik and I talk about what it means to leave behind the idea of accumulation and lean into subtraction. We unpack his use of the Wandrer app, discuss life as a Type 1 diabetic on the road, and explore the mental and physical shifts that come with living from a bike. We also dig into the gear that keeps him moving—from custom bags by South City Stitchworks to a variety of collaborations with builders and bagmakers across the bike industry, turning his journey into a rolling canvas of creative partnerships.

And of course, we dive into Erik’s daily practice of dumpster diving and food rescue: how it began, why he continues to share it so openly, and what it’s revealed about waste, resourcefulness, and our connection to community.

There’s something gently radical about the way Erik moves through the world—what he’s doing feels like a form of protest, a kind of anarchist calisthenics, if you will. Erik challenges the status quo and invites us to rethink how we live, travel, and connect with others.

On this episode, we’re shifting gears a bit and diving into the world of custom bike building and the artistry of frame crafting with today’s incredible guest, Brian Hall.

Brian hails from River Falls, Wisconsin and is the founder, builder, and creative mind behind Rare Earth Cycle. Not only does Brian design and handcraft beautiful, purpose-driven bikes, he’s also living proof that blending artistry, engineering, and a passion for adventure can lead to some truly remarkable machines. From touring the Baja Divide on a bike he built himself—affectionately named Horse With No Name—to tackling the Tour Divide aboard his Huckleberry Dragon, Brian’s work isn’t just about building bikes…it’s about creating vehicles for adventure, exploration, and personal transformation.

In this episode, Brian and I catch up on his journey from a successful career in outdoor footwear design to becoming a full-time bike builder. We dive into the creative and technical sides of frame building, how he balances artistry and craftsmanship, and the ethos behind Rare Earth Cycle — where riders are encouraged to bring their dream builds to life. We also talk about the inspiration he draws from the trails, the vibrant powder coating finishes he's known for, and where he hopes to take Rare Earth Cycle in the coming years.

We’ll even get a sneak peek into Brian’s plans for Made.Bike this August and what future bikepacking adventures might be on his radar.

On this episode we’re once again diving into the world of ultra-distance bikepack racing with our incredible and courageous guest, Kayla Hall.

Kayla hails from Roanoke, VA and is an ultra-distance cyclist, nurse, and all-around powerhouse. Kayla doesn’t just compete in ultra-distance bikepack racing, she conquers some of the nation’s most challenging routes. From the TransVirginia route to the Arkansas High Country Race, Kayla has endured the intense physical and mental demands of long-distance racing, navigating both the unpredictability of blood sugar fluctuations and the ever-changing challenges of ultra-distance competition.

In this episode, Kayla and I catch up on her life in Roanoke, discussing her current training program and how she’s deepening ties with the local cycling community. We also dive into her reflections on last season's racing experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. We dive into Kayla’s life as a Type 1 diabetic and how her background as a nurse has helped her with her diabetes management. And finally we chat about Kayla’s 2025 event calendar…including Appalachian Journey, TransVirginia, RockStar Trail, and the monumental Silk Road race in Kyrgyzstan.

Hailing from the rolling foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, Randy has made his mark in both the ultra-distance running and bikepacking communities. Known by many as the "spiritual heartbeat of Arkansas bikepacking", Randy’s infectious energy and unwavering resilience have earned him a well-deserved reputation as an adventurer who brings his personality and his passion to every mile.

This past October, Randy completed the full course of the Arkansas High Country Race with a time of 8 days, 7 hours, and 3 minutes. Although this wasn’t Randy’s best performance on the course from a historical perspective…what’s most interesting is that Randy has logged over 2,800 miles on the route since 2021, earning him local legend status across the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges.

What I admire most about Randy is how his self-expression and personality bleeds into the bikes he rides, the bags he runs, the patches that are sewn onto those bags, the photographs he captures and shares, the Spotify playlists he curates, and the smiles and warm reception he elicits from the community. 

During this conversation, Randy and I chat about his experience during this year’s Arkansas High Country Race and how he first learned about the event. We cover some memorable and not so memorable moments from Randy’s 2024 season. We chat about Randy’s previous life as an ultra-distance runner and how it has influenced and informed his bikepacking career. We chat about ‘intention’ and how Randy, and other racers, navigate this complex mental state. And lastly Randy gets his turn to ask myself some questions about this year’s bikepacking adventures.

My guests today are Tanner Frady and Dave Easley from Oklahoma City, OK. Tanner and Dave are ultra-distance cyclists, their single-speeders, and, given their relatively short racing career, have already reached impressive milestones. Between the two of these guys…Tanner and Dave have accumulated thousands of miles racing events like MidSouth, East TX Showdown, Osage Passage XL, Kansas Cannonball 500, Rule of 3, Ozark Gravel DOOM, and the Arkansas High Country Race.

In this conversation Tanner and Dave talk about how they each found their way to ultra-distance racing and how the bike has served as a vessel of transformation for the both of them. We discuss the upcoming event Mega MidSouth (starting this Wednesday, September 18th) and how Tanner and Dave test rode the course during its development, we talk about the subculture of single speed racers hailing from the state of Oklahoma and the legends that exist within that community, and finally we discuss Tanner and Dave’s preparation, expectations, and dreams for the Arkansas HIgh Country Race coming up on October 5th.

I’ve previously mentioned that bike packing and ultra-distance racing has brought many new friends and a supportive, welcoming community. Tanner and Dave are prime examples of this community and are two friends that I’m forever grateful to know…

Joining me for today’s conversation is none other than Jen Swartout. Jen lives in Bella Vista, AR and, in March of this year, completed the daunting DESPAIR course as part of Ozark Gravel DOOM.

Jen’s story and overall perspective is an intriguing one. Jen’s been riding bikes as a hobby cyclist for almost 20 years but really didn’t start her journey into bikepacking and ultra-distance events until recently. Jen is also a ride leader for Femmes Gravel in Northwest Arkansas which is a community of female-identifying riders with a mission of empowering, inspiring, and training women to achieve their first 100 mile bike ride. 

As a quote/unquote beginner bikepacker, Jen has served as an inspiration and role model for other women who are interested in joining the sport. In this conversation Jen and I reminisce about her entrance into bikepacking and what aspects of the community resonated with her, we chat about her involvement with Femmes Gravel, her experience during the torturous but rewarding Ozark Gravel DESPAIR course, and finally we chat about the ‘Women of the High Country’ and Jen’s plans to tackle the 430 mile Central Loop of the Arkansas High Country Race this October.

I truly enjoyed catching up with Jen, listening to her story of transformation by bike, and getting excited for her adventure coming up this fall.

My guest on the show today is Alex Kowalski. If that name rings familiar it’s probably because you 'followed the dots' during this year’s 2024 Tour Divide. Not only did Alex leverage his infectious attitude and good vibes to capture the hearts of dot-watchers and Instagram followers alike, he did so while ultimately winning the single-speed category with a total time of 17 days 22 hours and 16 minutes. And the most impressive part was that Alex did all of this on his rookie attempt on the course.

For those who may be new to the scene, the Tour Divide is a 2,700 mile bikepacking course that traverses the spine of the Rocky Mountains from Banff, Alberta down to the US/Mexico border crossing in Antelope Wells, NM. For ultra-distance athletes, this race serves as a bucket list event that requires years of training and accumulated experience to complete.

I first met Alex earlier this year when we raced East TX Showdown and Ozark Gravel DOOM & Despair together. I’d known of Alex for a while before that while following his adventures on the Ouachita Triple Crown, The New Colo, and many other high-level courses. Alex seemed to be pushing himself consistently all while maintaining such a positive, joyful attitude. 

Last Friday, I was able to sit down and catch up with Alex and his dog Luna as they traveled from Fayetteville, AR through St. Louis, MO on their way to Michigan. During this episode, Alex takes us through his experiences on the Tour Divide, how this year’s single-speed category competition unfolded, why riding single-speed resonates with him so much, and his intention to tackle the Triple Crown of bikepacking later this year. Stoked to know Alex, stoked for the conversation we had, and stoked for everyone to listen.

My guest today is Dr. Chanel Mitchell aka Chanel Tsunami from St. Louis, MO. Chanel is many things but labels herself as a disruptor. As a member of The Regulators Cycling Club and ambassador for Ride For Racial Justice, Chanel is continuously finding ways to disrupt the norm, create sustaining change, and provide more opportunities for BIPOC cyclists. As a plus-sized woman, Chanel has also proven that the cycling community welcomes everyone no matter your race, gender identity, or body style.

Aiding Chanel in her quest for disruption is the fact that she also possesses her Doctorate in Philosophy in Social Work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Behavioral Therapist, and Adjunct Professor. Not only is Chanel healing her community as a professional but she’s finding ways to do it from the saddle of her bike.

In this conversation Chanel and I cover the early days of her discovering and riding a bike, the intersection between life as a LCSW and her involvement in cycling, how Chanel serves as an agent of change for marginalized groups of people, and finally we talk about Chanel’s plans for an exciting 2024 season.

My guest today is someone I stumbled upon rather naturally. Over the last few weeks I’ve been reflecting on my journey as an athlete especially while preparing for UltraMegaJoy in March of next year. For those who weren’t aware, I spent several years as a competitive powerlifter and strongman athlete post graduate school. However, once I found the bicycle the rest was history. And I’ve always wanted to chat with someone about this athletic progression and, low and behold, Nino Giganti arrived at the forefront of my brain.

I first met Nino through a mutual friend in St. Louis and he’s been someone I’ve kept in touch with off and on over the last few years. As I got to know Nino a little more, I discovered he also came from the realm of strength sports and, much like yours truly, recently discovered all the joy to be had while riding and racing a bike. So, I texted Nino, got him to say yes to this mess and, before I knew it, we had another episode recorded and ready for publishing. 

In this conversation, Nino and I wax nostalgic about our powerlifting days and how we both ended up ditching the weight room for long days in the saddle. Nino also takes me through his formative years as a strength athlete and the people and events responsible for converting him from muscle man to an accomplished cyclist. However the most enlightening part of the conversation comes when Nino discusses his recent move from Missouri to Utah and how that transition has continued to influence his progression as a cyclist and budding bikepacker. Lastly, Nino shares an intimate story about how he was able to more deeply connect with himself and his late father during his 6 day, 600 mile bikepacking trip across the state of Utah. This conversation with Nino really resonated with me and I think it’ll hit home with you…

My guest today is Stephanie Hall. Stephanie is someone I met a few years ago at the Arkansas High Country Race and has been someone I’ve admired and enjoyed keeping up with as the calendar turns. Plain and simple, Stephanie is an ultra distance athlete and is someone who continues to push the envelope on what’s possible during the events she’s competing in.

In this conversation Stephanie and I discuss her recent move from Austin, TX to Vermont and what that transition has been like for her, we chat about her experiences at Vermont Super 8, we chat about how Stephanie manages life and racing bikes as a Type 1 diabetic, we dive into some mental health related topics, and then finally we close the conversation with Stephanie’s plans for the 2024 season.

My guest today is Mike Weiss, owner and founder of Big Shark Bicycle Company located right here in St. Louis, MO. If you ride or race bikes in St. Louis there’s a very significant chance you’ve come across an organized event or race that is sponsored and supported by Big Shark. With three store-front locations in the St. Louis area Big Shark’s mission has always been to share the adventure and passion of cycling with members of all age groups. 

Not only is Mike the owner and founder of Big Shark but he’s also a founding member of the American Criterium Cup, a Professional Crit Series composed of several races held across the United States.

In this conversation Mike and I talk about the history of Big Shark, how it was founded, and what motivated Mike to take the leap of opening the shop at 23 years of age. We also touch on the oral history of cycling in St. Louis, the people who laid the foundation for our community, we hit on some of Mike’s personal racing experiences, and lastly we wrap up the conversation with the history of Gateway Cup and how Mike sees criterium racing, and the American Criterium Cup, evolving in the coming years.

It was a pleasure sitting down with Mike for this conversation however I felt like we simply scratched the surface of the stories, history, experience and knowledge that he possesses.

My guest today is Olivia Reeve from St. Louis, MO. Olivia and I sat down earlier this week to celebrate and discuss her recent signing with Women's Domestic Elite cycling team, United Cycling.

In this episode we dive into Olivia's journey from a Category C racer at Tuesday Night World's to competing in the Women's Pro peloton. We also discuss how Olivia plans to find balance between her professional and athletic careers next season,  her past athletic experiences, and what the process of joining United Cycling looked like.

At just 23 years old, Olivia's wisdom, character, and unwavering drive for success are truly impressive, and I believe listeners will find her story inspiring.

Back again to tell us their personal tales of the Arkansaw High Country Race are my good friends Zach Smith and Matthew Roeleveld.

Zach and Matthew raced the South Loop this year which features 487 miles of gorgeous, backcountry Arkansawyer roads mixed with a healthy 32,000 foot dose of elevation gain. In Part 2 of Talkin' High Country, Zach and Matthew revel us with their experiences while on the course, the long days and longer nights they endured, the new friendships they forged, and their renewed sense of appreciation and connection for riding bikes in Arkansaw.

I couldn't be more proud of these two for their valiant efforts and I hope you enjoy this intimate conversation with two of my closest friends!

Hey everyone! And welcome back to Ope! Bikes. My guests this evening are Zach Smith and Matthew Roeleveld from St. Louis, MO. Zach and Matthew are both small business owners and two dudes who are genuinely stoked on riding and racing bikes. Not only do they excel at cycling, but they’re also amazing fathers, friends, and family men. I’ve known these guys for a few years now and I’m grateful to be included in our “DaddyFriendGroup” activities which includes racing bikes, talking about bikes, and doing our best to raise our wild children in this wild world.

In two weeks time, Zach and Matthew are headed South to Hot Springs, AR for the 2024 rendition of the Arkansaw High Country Race. Both of them are registered for the South Loop this year which boasts 487 miles and 32,000 elevation gain of pure Arkansaw joy and pain. Having completed the course last year, Zach comes into this conversation with a little more knowledge and understanding of what awaits each of them. However Matthew, having never completed the course or participated in an ultra-distance bikepacking event in Arkansaw, comes into the conversation with an open heart, open mind, and a bit of 'what the hell did I get myself into?'.

During the conversation, I question Zach and Matthew on their bike and bag setup for this year’s race, what their mental and physical preparation has looked like, their overall strategy while out on the course, and what feedback they hope to get out of this year’s event. If you’ve done the Arkansaw High Country Race before then you understand how challenging yet rewarding it can be, and I love hearing what each racer hopes to learn about themselves in the process.

My guest today is none other than Chuck Campbell. Chuck is a retired science teacher who lives in Russellville, AR and is someone who is passionate about the state’s natural and human history. This passion Chuck possesses is something that inspired him to create the Arkansaw High Country Route, a 1,000 mile tour through some of the most beautiful and challenging parts of The Natural State. Not only is this route recognized and established by the Adventure Cycling Association, but since 2019 riders and racers from all of the world have been descending upon the great state of Arkansas to try their hand at completing the route while vying for the opportunity to call themselves the holder of the Fastest Known Time. That honor has been held by legends of the sport including Rebecca Rusch, Ted King, Scotti Lechuga and, most recently, Ernie Lechuga.

In this conversation Chuck takes listeners back to the days of gravel riding and bikepacking before it was cool and before anyone knew what the Arkansaw High Country Route even was. Chuck also peels back the curtain on his passion for teaching and showcasing the beauty of his home state and we also sit in the saddle with him as he details his experience on The Tour Divide. To close out the conversation, Chuck and I chat about this year’s race, how it’s evolved over the last few years, and what racers can expect as they roll into Hot Springs for the grand depart on October 7th. Chuck has been someone I’ve admired and have been curious about since I first started racing in Arkansas a couple years ago…and I hope Chuck’s passion and cycling background captivates you as much as it did me.

Today’s episode features the one, the only Lindsay Shepard. I met Lindsay in 2021 while riding together during the Arkansaw High Country Race. Since then Lindsay has been one of the most inspiring and most influential members of the bikepacking community that I’ve had the opportunity to follow and become friends with.

Lindsay is no stranger to hard things. She’s been adventuring on her bike since 2014, having completed the Tour Divide, the French Divide, and the American Trail Race. Most recently Lindsay set sail on what we’ll call the Arkansaw Singlespeed Yo-Yo Extravaganza which consisted of Ozark Gravel DOOM, the Quachita Triple Crown, and the Arkansaw High Country Race. A 'Yo-Yo' is when a rider or racer completes the course in one direction and then turns around to finish the course in the opposite direction. Altogether, Lindsay racked up an estimated 3,200 miles and 280,000 feet of elevation gain before it was all said and done.

During our conversation, Lindsay and I touch on how she was introduced to riding a bike, her entrance into ultra-distance bikepacking, why she chooses to tackle such difficult events, and what she discovers about herself in the process.

Do you know Kayce Peters? You should.

Kayce is a friend, cyclist, USA Cycling official, and a pillar of the St. Louis cycling community. Not only is Kayce from St. Louis but he's been around long enough to see the community evolve and grow. Kayce's contributions extend far beyond his personal pursuits. As a USA Cycling official and dedicated advocate to the cycling community, you can find Kayce scoring points races on Thursday evenings at Penrose Park Velodrome or officiating our local, and regional, criterium races.

In this episode we dive into Kayce's formative years as a fixed gear bike messenger, Big Shark employee, and how he's grown into the position he's proud of today. We 'wax nostalgic' on what the St. Louis cycling scene looked like in years past and talk about what we think lie ahead.

Recording is easy when it's with your friends. Enjoy the show!

My guest for today’s episode is Maggie Livelsberger from Erie, PA. Maggie is coming off an impressive showing at DOOM where she took 1st place in the women’s category and became the first woman ever to complete the route on a singlespeed. Maggie finished the 390 mile course with a time of 3 days 4 hours and 3 minutes. Maggie has an impressive ultra-distance resume. She took 1st place at Coast to Coast Gravel Grinder in Michigan, 1st place single speed and 3rd place overall at Gravel Worlds, and 1st place at the Arkansas High Country South Loop.

In this conversation Maggie and I get into how she was introduced to bikes and ultra distance bikepacking, how she interacts with and supports the cycling scene in Erie, her stories and experiences while racing DOOM, and how she’s able to connect with the child-like, adventurous part of herself during these ultra-distance events. I’m incredibly grateful to have met Maggie last year during the Arkansas High Country Race and I’m honored to have her as a guest on the show.

Hey everyone! And welcome back to the second edition of Ope! 'N Mic with my friends and guests, Nate and Steve. On this episode we're recapping Week #1 of the National Cycling League that took place on Miami Beach in Miami, FL earlier this month on April 8th.

The race was streamed live via GCN+ so Nate, Steve, and myself decided to get together and discuss what we observed during the first week of racing. In this conversation we give a brief recap of the race, offer our first impressions, provider our takes on how the broadcast went, and discuss how we think there's some room for improvement going forward.

Much like last time, we do not claim to be experts in this field, but instead, three very good, mid-pack friend who love talking about, and participating in, bike racing.

We hope you enjoy the show...

My guest this week is Travis Finan, the creative engineer behind Art of Shralp. Travis is a local St. Louis resident who has been riding (and sometimes racing) bikes since he was a wee lad. Over the last few years Travis has redirected and refocused his energy for bikes into the artistic endeavor Art of Shralp. If you’ve seen stickers around St. Louis that showcase a Sucky Panther complaining about gravel, a grim reaper riding a tall bike, or a mind melted smiley face cruisin’ and shroomin’ on a bike, you’ve likely stumbled upon some of Travis’ work. But Art of Shralp doesn’t just stay local, Travis has collaborated with industry participants and independent artists such as Paul Components, Mone Bikes, Oddity Cycles, Send It Safely, and DangleBong, just to name a few.

I first discovered Art of Shralp at Death by Gravel, which is a local, show-and-go bike ride in Steelville, MO. Travis designed the sticker for the event and I was stoked to add it to my collection. At the time, I didn’t realize I had ridden a mile or two with Travis but many weeks later a good friend pointed out on a local group ride that yes, indeed, that was Travis from Art of Shralp.

Joining me this evening are my friends Nate and Steve from KewlBeanz Cycling. We’ve been homies for a few years now and we often find ourselves discussing current events surrounding cycling. So, instead of continuing our seemingly endless text message chain, I decided to bring them on the show to discuss these items in podcast format.

Tonight we’re talking about the new NCL racing league, how the racing is structured, and whether or not we believe it’ll find success in today’s environment. We also discuss the Life Time Grand Prix, the docuseries Call of a LifeTime, and whether or not that format of storytelling is applicable to crit racing. 

Keep in mind…we are not experts on these topics but a group of mid-pack friends who are excited about the cycling season and who love to chat about bikes.

Enjoy the show!

Today’s episode features the one, the only, Mr. Scott Ogilvie. If you ride or race bikes in St. Louis, there’s a good chance you know who Scott is. Not only is Scott a pillar of the cycling community but he’s also the Complete Streets Program Manager for the City of St. Louis, working as part of the Planning and Urban Design Agency. In this role, Scott is committed to making our streets safer and more accessible for the city’s residents. Prior to Scott’s tenure as Program Manager, he also served as Alderman for the 24th Ward from 2011 to 2019. 

In this conversation, Scott and I talk about how he got his start riding and racing bikes, some of his more memorable moments as a racer, and how bike racing has evolved since he first fell in love with the sport. As the discussion unfolds, Scott offers listeners insight into his tenure as Alderman and his efforts to help refresh and revitalize the track we all love, Penrose Park Velodrome. To wrap up the conversation, Scott walks us through his role as the Complete Streets Program Manager and a handful of the projects that are in the works for 2023 and beyond. Scott believes transportation, and our local streets, are the connective tissue of our community and that they should serve people at all stages of their life, from childhood, through adulthood, and into the senior years.

Tonight I sat down with Monica Cox from St. Louis, MO. Monica is a video editor, producer, photographer, and freelance content creator. Last year, Monica's capstone project was a film documentary focusing on women's crit racing in the 2022 American Criterium Cup. Together with her production crew, Monica sat down to interview racers from ButcherBox, LA Sweat, and a local St. Louis racer vying for her seat at the proverbial table. The bulk of Monica’s documentary focused on Day 3 of Gateway Cup, the Giro Della Montagna, which was the last opportunity for these teams of women to score points for the season.

Monica is passionate about visual storying-telling and human connection, all while learning more about her subjects. Monica believes everyone has a story to tell, and she’s eager to bring those stories to life.

On this episode I sit down with Andrew Onermaa from Fayetteville, AR. If you don't know Andrew, that's OK. He's only been on the ultra distance bikepacking scene for a few years now. Most notably, Andrew is the 'local kid' who went head to head with Ted King during the 2020 Arkansas High Country Race, pushing Ted to ultimately claim the Fastest Known Time...at least for a couple years. Andrew's resume doesn't stop there. Andrew is the founder of Ozark Gravel Cyclists which is a community focused on the exploration of backroads in Arkansas by bike. While building the gravel community in Northwest Arkansas, Andrew is continuing to challenge himself as an endurance athlete. In 2021, Andrew took 3rd place at Iowa Wind & Rock and in 2022, Andrew won North South Colorado which is a 600 mile gravel bikepacking race starting in Fort Collins and finishing in Trinidad.

In this conversation Andrew and I dig into a few topics...the creation of his hellish bikepacking race called DOOM, Andrew's transition from racer to race director, and we also dig into what fuels Andrew's passion for this insanely difficult sport.

My guest today is Kat Lin who races for Road Crew Coffee & Cycles right here in St. Louis, MO. Kat came over last Friday evening and I had a wonderful time learning more about Kat and her background, her entrance into riding and racing bikes, and also her motivations for continuous performance and improvement within the sport. Kat does it all, and she's always there. She races crits, track, gravel, and cyclocross and is always a joy to be around both on and off the bike. I speak for everyone when I say we're lucky to have Kat involved in the St. Louis cycling community.