ShiftLess

Reach out and touch us: [email protected] episode 127 of Shiftless, we celebrate New Year's Eve in Argyle at the newly opened Dusty Roads Bicycle Shop. We sit down with Nico Smith, the shop's founder, to discuss his extensive 21-year career in the bicycle industry, ranging from working in California shops to becoming a Shimano race mechanic. Nico shares his vision of creating a community-focused bicycle lounge where enthusiasts can hang out, learn, and get high-quality service. The conversation spans topics like e-bikes, the local cycling community, and the importance of proper bike maintenance. 00:00 Introduction and New Year's Greetings00:14 Excitement About the New Location01:07 Introducing Dusty Roads Bicycle Shop01:58 Meet Nico Smith: The Bicycle Expert03:04 Nico's Journey in the Bicycle Industry05:19 Moving to Texas and Embracing the Local Cycling Scene08:06 Challenges and Opportunities in the Bicycle Industry09:43 Community and Culture at Dusty Roads Bicycle Shop13:18 The Importance of Local Support and Community Engagement16:40 The Vision for Dusty Roads: A Community Hub33:33 Demo Bikes and Customer Experience37:07 Challenges of Offering a Wide Range of Bikes37:28 Embracing E-Bikes and Manual Bikes38:00 Building a Community-Focused Bike Shop40:11 Navigating the Bicycle Industry's Ups and Downs43:07 The Rise of E-Bikes in the Cycling Market46:02 Texas: A Hub for Cycling Enthusiasts51:27 The Importance of Bike Maintenance and Service53:50 Opening a New Bike Shop: The Journey55:02 Stocking the Best Brands and Products01:03:09 The Future of Cycling: Digital and AI Integration01:12:58 Excitement for the New Shop and Community

Reach out and touch us: [email protected] Trail Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1768323947209749Exploring the Tour Divide with Rick Ashton: A Veteran's JourneyIn episode 126 of Shiftless, host Kevin is solo in Florida and joined by an esteemed guest, Rick Ashton, a veteran of the Tour Divide. Rick shares his extensive experiences of completing the challenging bike race multiple times since 2009, discussing the evolution of the event, the physical and mental demands, his training regimen, and the equipment he has used over the years. The conversation delves into memorable encounters with wildlife, race logistics, advances in biking technology, and the camaraderie within the biking community. The episode also touches on Rick’s interest in the new Trans-U.S. Bike and Adventure (TUBA) route, highlighting his enthusiasm for off-pavement adventures and potential future rides.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:45 Meet Rick Ashton: Tour Divide Veteran01:39 Rick's Tour Divide Experiences04:33 Challenges and Adventures on the Tour Divide09:15 Technological Evolution in Bike Touring17:29 Rick's Background and Other Adventures20:09 Future Plans and the Tuba Route24:50 Hubs and Hops and Local Bike Culture28:59 Starting a Business in Thomasville29:49 Training for the Tour Divide30:30 Camping Gear and Preferences31:09 Racing in Costa Rica32:03 Challenges of Organizing Events32:52 Personal Luxuries on the Tour Divide34:45 Surviving on Gas Station Food36:03 Transition from Triathlons to Tour Divide36:14 Memorable Tour Divide Routes41:46 Riding in Cold Weather43:45 Training Routine and E-Bikes46:06 Planning for the Tuba Ride46:38 Spiritual Connection with Nature52:26 Packing for Long-Distance Rides54:01 Light Setup for Night Rides57:14 Logistics and Mentoring New Riders01:00:03 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Reach out and touch us: [email protected] this episode, Brad and Kevin discuss a variety of topics, starting with confirming the episode number and moving on to various subjects such as movie reviews, their recent TV series binge, and their experiences with different streaming services. The conversation then shifts to cycling, including trail conditions, night riding, and bicycle maintenance. They talk about recent and upcoming events, including dinners, trips, and special rides. The hosts also discuss their plans for scouting trips, potential guest appearances, and new cycling gadgets they are testing. They close with a fun tangent about a new stun gun gadget and its effectiveness.00:00 Introduction and Episode Number Confusion00:22 Podcast Theme and Off-Topic Movie Discussion02:11 Streaming Services and Subscription Deals03:29 Weather and Trail Conditions06:01 Night Riding and Light Systems15:11 Heart Rate and Training Plans16:55 Upcoming Events and Family Plans34:36 Bike Brands and Trends38:48 Indecision and Aromas: Finding the Perfect Meal39:37 Po Boys and Local Eateries40:44 Exploring Winslow and Road Trip Food Stops44:25 Tandem Bikes and Technical Details55:23 E-Bikes and High-End Cycling01:03:03 Upcoming Events and Podcast Plans

Reach out and touch us: [email protected] Updates and Unexpected DetoursIn this episode of 'Shiftless,' the hosts Kevin and Brad discuss various cycling topics, including personal anecdotes, weather impacts on cycling, and the dynamics of horseback riding on shared trails. Brad discusses his unexpected trip to Mississippi due to his mother’s health concerns, impacting his cycling goals for the year. They talk about upcoming cycling events, event planning challenges, and the intricacies of organizing races. Additionally, there's a discussion on the transition from traditional mechanical brakes to hydraulic systems and the current state of the cycling community . The conversation also touches on the logistics of multi-use trails and the evolving landscape of bike events in Texas.00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter00:25 Welcome to Shiftless Podcast00:45 Weather and Recent Rides01:34 Mississippi Trip and Family Matters02:33 Cycling Goals and Challenges02:53 Holiday Plans and Events05:56 Tuba Route and Adventure Planning12:10 Bike Mechanics and Preferences17:25 Mississippi Food Recommendations26:38 Lifetime Grand Prix Discussion38:30 Sponsorships and Live Events39:00 Lifetime's Strategy and Competition40:24 Race Event Coordination Summit43:06 Challenges in Organizing Race Events54:23 Trail Usage and Etiquette58:18 Horse Trails and Equestrian Interactions01:09:36 Tornado Aftermath and Trail Conditions01:12:43 Upcoming Events and Calendar Planning01:16:47 Concluding Thoughts and Sign Off

Reach out and touch us: [email protected] Challenges and Records: A Conversation with Austin WhittingtonIn this episode of Shiftless, recorded from Casa Verde, host Brad discusses various biking challenges and achievements with guest Austin Whittington. Austin shares his recent experience of setting a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Triple Crown route, which includes demanding trails from the International Mountain Biking Association's Epic Trails list. The conversation delves into the details of the 184-mile route, the physical and logistical challenges faced, and the strategic planning that went into accomplishing the feat in 21 hours and 25 minutes. The discussion also touches on the importance of equipment choices, nutrition, and the mental aspects of long-distance biking. Brad also contemplates future biking goals and potential challenges on the horizon, such as Doom and the Race Across Texas. The episode concludes with anecdotes of past rides, gear talk, and the camaraderie of the biking community.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:19 Guest Introduction: John Austin Whittington00:41 Exploring the Triple Crown and Epic Trails01:05 The Wasaw Lake Route and Trail Challenges01:37 Race Day Experiences and Challenges06:44 Equipment and Gear Insights08:34 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies12:39 Reflections on the FKT Attempt24:20 Garmin and Tracking Devices30:52 Training and Preparation Insights39:33 Race Across Texas and Future Plans42:00 The Three-Day Challenge42:12 Time Commitment and Training42:26 Breaking Records and Fueling Strategies44:07 The Importance of Carbohydrates45:59 Endurance and Sleep Strategies48:14 Gear and Equipment Choices51:11 Upcoming Races and Goals54:17 Reflections and Future Plans56:46 Navigating Trails and Technical Challenges01:19:06 E-Bikes and Trail Etiquette01:20:22 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell