ShiftLess: Gravel, Bikepacking & Unpaved Bicycle Adventures

The Unconventional Justin Cary Returns for an Unbound XL Deep Dive!
In this episode of ShiftLess, Kevin and Brad sit down with our favorite ultra-endurance rule-breaker, Justin Cary. With Unbound XL right around the corner, we are milking this preview for all it's worth. Justin is gunning to shave three hours off his time from last year, and to do it, he's taking some massive swings with his gravel bike setup that fly in the face of conventional cycling wisdom.
We dive deep into the logistics, gear choices, and mental tactics required to survive and thrive at the pointy end of ultra-endurance gravel racing and bikepacking events. Whether you are gearing up for a 300-mile race, fine-tuning your bikepacking rig, or just love nerding out over tire rolling resistance, this episode is packed with real-world takeaways.
Topics Covered in this Episode:
Unbound XL Preview: Goal setting, race tactics, pacing, and drafting in a 350-mile race.

The Unconventional Setup: Why Justin is ditching aerobars in favor of a high stack height, and how he's running "Fast on Flats" pedals for ultra-distance events.

Gravel Tire Tech: Testing the puncture resistance and rolling speed of the Michelin Power Adventure 48s on a 2025 Specialized Crux.

Ultra-Endurance Nutrition: Fueling massive efforts with no solid food using Simple Cycling Nutrition, plus extreme hydration and caffeine strategies for riding through the night.

Bikepacking Gear & Battery Management: Navigating the logistics of cache batteries, Exposure lights, SRAM RED shifting, and action cameras over multiple days.

Industry Talk: The Rule of Three course changes, the ongoing debate around suspension forks on gravel bikes, and why 32-inch wheels might be the "Blackberry" of the cycling industry.

Bonus: Kevin's sous vide beef tenderloin revelation.

Keywords:Gravel riding, gravel racing, Unbound XL, bikepacking, ultra-endurance cycling, specialized crux, gravel bike setup, bikepacking gear, fast on flats pedals, Michelin power adventure, cycling nutrition, Rule of Three gravel, Tour Divide, 32-inch mountain bike wheels, ShiftLess podcast.

Justin's pedals (use coupon code SHIFTLESS for 10% off): https://www.simplecyclingnutrition.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Justin's bike overview on his channel: https://youtu.be/aDOl5X0O5s0?si=Cq0Q8pu4c-ZNhFCg

In this solo edition of ShiftLess, host Kevin Lee dives deep into the heart of gravel cycling culture and the reality of ultra-endurance progression. Recording live from "The Distance"—Spinistry’s inaugural Gravel Max Adventure—Kevin explores the diverse paths riders take when transitioning from beginner gravel clinics to daunting 300-mile straight-through efforts.
We break down the "incremental change" philosophy, explaining why your cycling mindset and mental toughness are far more critical than high-end "bling" or titanium components. Whether you are interested in bikepacking, gravel racing, or preparing for epic routes like the RAT 1000 and the upcoming USA Trail, this episode provides a masterclass in building your skills one step at a time.
The Beginner Spectrum: Why one-on-one coaching is the most effective way to start your unpaved adventure journey.

Incremental Progression: How to scale your distance from 35 miles to 300+ miles without "cratering" your performance.

Gear vs. Grit: A look at why functional equipment and proper nutrition/hydration schedules outweigh marginal gains from expensive bike parts.

Mental Toughness: The fine line between "riding through pain" and "riding through injury" in ultra-cycling.

Club Spinistry Evolution: Introducing a new "Titanium" membership tier focused on personalized mentorship and year-round event access.

Primary Keywords: Gravel Cycling, Ultra-Endurance, Bikepacking, Gravel Racing, Cycling Education, Adventure Cycling, USA Trail, RAT 1000, Spinistry.
Secondary Keywords: Gravel bike setup, mental toughness for cyclists, gravel clinic for beginners, long-distance cycling nutrition, endurance bike training.
Are you looking to take your riding to the next level? Join the conversation by emailing [email protected] and let us know what challenges you're facing in your own progression. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your local gravel community!
Key Topics Covered:Optimized Metadata & KeywordsEngagement Call to Action

Is the cycling industry "circling the drain," or is the 32-inch wheel the life preserver it needs? In this episode of ShiftLess, we dive deep into the controversy surrounding the next big wheel size, comparing it to the 29er revolution and discussing its potential for gravel cycling, bikepacking, and high-speed stability.
We also check in on the final verification of The USA Trail, specifically tackling the "Bradshaw Trail" segment—a 100-mile stretch of California desert with zero resupply. Whether you call it basepacking or extreme endurance, we break down the water logistics, tire choices, and mental grit required to cross the country unpaved.
Other highlights include:
Time Trial Gains: Guest Austin Whittington breaks down the aerodynamics of elite TT racing, from shoe covers to the "10-watt bottle" rule.

The 32" Salsa Fargo: First impressions of the newly announced production frames and how geometry must change to accommodate bigger hoops.

Gravel 101: Effective coaching strategies for beginners and finding the "sweet spot" for introductory event distances.

Event Logistics: Managing the "Distance Gravel Max" 300-miler and the importance of remote caches for self-supported riders.

Industry Deep Dive: Why major brands like Shimano and Giant are facing an inventory backlash and what it means for the future of bike tech.

Whether you're prepping for Unbound, scouting remote routes, or just curious if your next bike will have 32-inch wheels, this episode covers the gear and the grind of modern adventure cycling.
Primary: 32-inch wheels, gravel cycling, bikepacking, The USA Trail, basepacking.

Secondary: Salsa Fargo 32, cycling industry trends, time trial aerodynamics, self-supported cycling, Bradshaw Trail, gravel race logistics, Club Spinistry.

Key Performance Keywords (For Metadata)

In this post-Sea Otter 2026 recap, the ShiftLess crew dives deep into the "internet-breaking" debut of 32-inch wheels and what they mean for the future of gravel cycling. Join Kevin, Brad, and special correspondent Caleb as they unpack the latest from the expo, including a firsthand review of the gravel racing scene at Laguna Seca and the "treacherous" reality of the pro course.
We’re also talking bikepacking and basepacking updates as Kevin shares the latest progress on The USA Trail, including physical verification milestones and the upcoming Fall 2026 Beta testing phase. From the tech behind the new Salsa Fargo to a heated discussion on the rising costs of ultra-endurance unpaved cycling versus adventure motorcycling (featuring Kevin’s new Kawasaki KLR650), we explore whether the cycling industry is in dire need of consolidation.
Keywords & Highlights:
Sea Otter 2026 Recap: Recapping the Lifetime Grand Prix and the expo's biggest surprises.

32-Inch Wheel Debate: Is this the salvation of gravel or just the next big hype cycle?

The USA Trail: Latest route scouting and bikepacking logistics for the transcontinental unpaved route.

Basepacking: Exploring the intersection of vehicle-supported camping and remote gravel routes.

Gear & Tech: GRX DI2 updates, ultra-endurance nutrition (the "hummingbird approach"), and the "ShiftLess" take on industry standards.

Summary of Key TopicsTopicHighlightsSea Otter 2026Review of the expo, the "Monster" climb, and the Lifetime Grand Prix gravel race.32-Inch WheelsDiscussion on the Salsa Fargo 32, tire molds from Maxxis and WTB, and geometry challenges.The USA TrailPhysical verification is complete from Florida to California; Beta testing begins Fall 2026.Industry CritiqueComparing bicycle pricing to motorcycles and the potential need for brand consolidation.New GearInsight into radio communication in racing (Cena), high-carb nutrition, and electronic shifting.

Sea Otter 2026 Recap: Gravel Chaos, 32-Inch Wheels, and Industry FixesCaleb reporting from a Shimano VIP/vendor perspective. They discuss the Lifetime Grand Prix gravel race (pros on Thursday, open race Friday), Caleb missing his men’s start and riding with the open women, and describing the 2x29.99-mile course as “treacherous,” featuring steep climbs, washboards, sand, and high speeds; they note local results including Lauren’s 2nd in women’s elite and Matt winning the open. The expo talk centers on the “32-inch wheel” hype, prototype challenges (forks, hub standards, geometry), and standout booths/products (Salsa’s production Fargo 32 in small sizes, Surly’s themed display, WTB tire updates, Bird 32 wheels, X-Lab value bikes).00:00 Sea Otter Kickoff01:31 Casa Verde Catchup03:29 Caleb Reports In04:04 Sea Otter Scale06:40 Expo Business Side09:54 No Sponsors Pitch11:34 32 Inch Takes Over12:43 Calebs Shimano Role15:25 Gravel Race Chaos19:24 Course Treachery23:11 Local Heroes Podium26:42 Best Booths Finds27:12 QBP Shakeup30:25 Wild Booth Vibes38:10 Bikepacking Plateau40:30 Deep Dive 32 Inch42:36 Bikepacking Media Check43:54 Lightweight 32in Wheels44:51 Esker And Newhouse Finds48:31 Geometry And Sea Otter Coverage49:53 Spot Tracker Tease52:10 Race Radios Debate59:05 Sea Otter Weather And Location01:02:36 Flying With A Bike01:07:19 DI2 Setup And Garmin Tricks01:13:48 Sea Otter Food And Films01:19:08 Dessert Interlude01:22:41 Movies And Cycling Docs01:26:46 Documentary Feels Genuine01:29:36 Humanizing Colin Aftermath01:33:29 Fixing Bikes Industry01:33:54 32 Inch Wheels Debate01:37:16 Racing Getting Faster01:40:20 Slow Training Health Talk01:41:58 Motorcycle Price Reality Check01:48:49 Bikes Need Consolidation01:53:23 Standards Geometry Forks01:56:44 Salsa Fargo For Everyone02:03:00 Motorcycle Vs Bike Costs03:42 Sea Otter Highlights Wrap02:10:39 Made Bike Show Plans02:12:56 Laguna Seca Corkscrew02:13:58 Final Sign Off

In this episode of ShiftLess, we’re pulling back the curtain on the ultimate adventure cycling project: The USA Trail. Kevin and Brad just returned from completing the massive 4,100-mile scouting trip, verifying the final unpaved segments from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, to Del Mar, California. We discuss the logistics of a coast-to-coast gravel riding effort, the best seasonal windows for crossing the desert, and the "choice" camp spots along the rim.
We also dive deep into the latest cycling tech and industry hype. With Sea Otter around the corner, we tackle the "spicy" topic of 32-inch wheels—is it the industry’s next big life preserver or just a shiny new object? Plus, we review the stunning Atherton 3D-printed titanium cranks and compare them to the timeless reliability of White Industries.
In this episode, we cover:
The USA Trail: Verifying 4,100 miles of unpaved glory and the logistics for beta riders.

Basepacking: Evolving the bikepacking experience with a mobile HQ/Van Life approach.

Gear Talk: Why 2.2” tires are the bare minimum for the Bradshaw Trail and the reality of 32-inch bike viability.

Cycling Culture: Keegan Swenson, Dylan Johnson, and the "corporate filter" of the Life Time Grand Prix.

Nutrition & FAM: Brad’s "Meat Cave," dry-aging cattle, and the upcoming Pie Ride in collaboration with Sweet Mother of Pies.

Whether you're a hardcore gravel racer, a weekend mountain biking enthusiast, or an aspiring bikepacker, this episode is packed with the raw, unsanctioned truth of life on two wheels.
Episode Links & Mentions:
The Pie Ride: Join us for gravel, pies, and multi-course meals.

FAM (Food Adventure Memories): Book your spot for the next culinary adventure.

The USA Trail: Follow the development of the transcontinental unpaved route.

This episode is most assuredly NOT sponsored by the Life Time Grand Prix or the UCI. We're off the back, off the record, and keeping it real.
Adventure Cycling, Gravel Riding, Bikepacking, The USA Trail, 32-inch bikes, Keegan Swenson, Dylan Johnson, Gravel Racing, Mountain Biking Adventures, Basepacking, White Industries, Atherton Bikes, Tour de France, Spinistry, Sea Otter Classic.

00:00 Cold Open Banter00:07 Podcast Intro Buzzwords01:24 AI Assistant Talk03:18 Tour Spoilers And Salami Prep05:29 Food Adventure Memories Plug08:06 Titanium Cranks Trend15:32 USA Trail Verified17:10 Route Timing And Weather23:58 Ideal Bike Setup 32 Inch26:13 Sea Otter And 32 Hype29:21 E Bikes And Camping Vibes37:36 Food Stops And Water Logistics48:12 Julian Pie Stop49:29 Ramona Burrito Gold52:03 Baby Mango Discovery54:00 Desert Scouting Challenges55:27 Railroad Crossing Detour01:00:17 Trail Quality Expectations01:02:24 Del Mar Finish Feast01:04:16 Flying And Bike Shipping01:07:36 Audiobooks On The Road01:09:52 Pie Ride And Fam Plans01:11:46 Dry Aging And Sausage01:22:52 Van Camping Comforts01:28:25 Trip Wins And Wrap Up