In 2019, I joined a group of students from Texas Tech on a five-day bikepacking trip through Big Bend Ranch State Park. That trip is where I met Anna Claire. On the morning of day two, she and I sat down to record Episode 6 of the Bikes or Death Podcast. That conversation provides important context for today's episode, as it showcases AC's longstanding love for Big Bend. We play a clip from it in today's show, but the full episode is worth a listen if you want to join us on a journey through Big Bend in a pre-COVID world. Fast-forward seven years. Anna Claire is now a resident of Terlingua, Texas, which sits on the doorstep of both Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park. As a result, she has had a front-row seat to the border-wall activity happening throughout the region. A full-time photographer and passionate lover of the outdoors, especially Big Bend, Anna Claire couldn't sit idly by. She picked up her camera and began documenting what was happening. It wasn't long before a coalition of residents and allies joined her to form No Big Bend Wall, a nonprofit organization established to inform, educate, and fight the construction of a border wall in Big Bend. While today's episode deviates from our typical bikepacking fare, it does so for a very real and important reason. Our public lands are under attack. We as trail users, outdoorsmen, and adventurers are able to enjoy these places because public lands were protected by those who came before us. Throughout history, when those lands have come under threat, coalitions have formed to defend them. Now it is our turn. Today's episode isn't about politics. It is about one of our nation's most sacred outdoor sanctuaries being under attack. Big Bend needs you right now. In this episode, Anna Claire breaks down some of the misinformation circulating online. We discuss the real-world implications of the proposed wall, explore alternative solutions, and provide tangible ways you can take action to help preserve Big Bend and keep it unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. TAKE ACTION Visit No Big Bend Wall to take a deeper dive into the topics discussed in todays episode and take action where you can! Are you a business owner against the construction of a Big Bend Wall? Sign this petition NOW! DEADLINE IS JULY 29TH Today's episode is provided ad-free courtesy of Old Man Mountain 🫶🏻 For 15% off at Old Man Mountain use code: OMMORDEATH  

Meaghan Hackinen just made history on the Tour Divide, completing the 2026 Grand Depart in 14 days, 10 hours, and 2 minutes. In the process, she lowered the previous fastest women's time, set by Austin Killips during a 2024 ITT, by more than 13 hours. She also improved her own Grand Depart record by nearly 37 hours, one of the largest leaps we've ever seen at the front of the sport. For a full write-up and photo galley of today's episode, please visit BikesorDeath.com EPISODE SPONSORS Old Man Mountain – Today we highlight the new OMM Manzanita Cradle. Use code OMMORDEATH at checkout for 15% off your order. If you enjoyed today's episode please consider supporting our work at Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

Daniel Connell, aka "Dirty Dan" is fresh off setting a new FKT on the Pacific Coast route from Alaska to the Mexican border. Dan ripped down the coast on his new, yet-to-be-released Trek Domane, setting a new time to beat: 6 days, 15 hours, 53 minutes. What some people may not know is that Dan is also preparing for a Guinness Book of World Records attempt on the Pan-American Route from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina this July. He initially approached the Pacific Coast ride as part of his training for Pan-Am, but it became much more than a tune-up. For Dan, this was a stand-alone achievement and a deeply personal accomplishment. It also gave him the perfect opportunity to test the bike, setup, systems, and mindset he plans to carry into July. By the numbers, and by his own account, it was a clean run — the kind of ride that should send him into the next big challenge with a whole lot of confidence. One thing that really stands out, besides the overall time, is his daily mileage: Day 1 — 280 mi / 11,738 ft / 16h 55m Day 2 — 212 mi / 10,019 ft / 14h 27m Day 3 — 240 mi / 12,423 ft / 16h 57m Day 4 — 198 mi / 13,174 ft / 14h 6m Day 5 — 238 mi / 15,679 ft / 17h 17m Day 6 — 492 mi / 20,471 ft / 32h 24m That's remarkably consistent… until the final push, where he absolutely emptied the tank. In today's episode, we talk about that monster final effort, how the ride unfolded, what he learned from the bike and setup, and what comes next as Dirty Dan looks ahead to his Pan-American World Record attempt. EPISODE SPONSORS Old Man Mountain - Today we highlight the new OMM Manzanita Cradle. Use code OMMORDEATH at checkout for 15% off your order. If you enjoyed today's episode please consider supporting our work at Patreon.com/BikesorDeath  

Maddy Nutt just made her mark on ultra-cycling in her very first attempt at this year's Traka 560. She is no stranger to big efforts on the bike — or The Traka itself. Over the previous three years she competed in the 360km event, notably finishing 7th last year despite tearing her AC ligament only 100km into the race. She's also raced some of the biggest gravel events in the world including Unbound Gravel, Migration Gravel Race, and The Rift (among others). Coming into this year's Traka, Maddy believed the previous women's record of 28h 52m was within reach, but respected the field enough to know that anything could happen. She wasn't listed as one of the favorites, she shares in today's episode, and maybe that helped take some of the pressure off.  In the midst of the many conversations surrounding this year's Traka, Maddy's story stood out as something worth celebrating. Her ride was thoughtful, calculated, and deeply intentional. She visited Girona multiple times to prepare, pre-rode sections of the course, and even used Google Street View to scout water fountains and resupply locations. She left no stone unturned in her preparation. At the Traka 560, Maddy rode through the night for the first time. She rode farther than she ever had before. And in doing so, she rode herself not only into victory, but into an entirely new realm of possibility. She can now officially add "ultra-cyclist" to her already impressive list of accomplishments. Congrats Maddy…welcome to the club. Can't wait to see what comes next. Presented by www.OldManMountain.com Support at www.patreon.com/bikesordeath.com Ride your dam bike www.texasshowdownseries.com  

We're gearing up for the second edition of RYDB Fest in Fayetteville, AR. In today's episode, we're breaking down everything you can expect this year. So what is RYDB Fest? A bike festival? An ultra-cycling race? A friendly bikepacking overnighter? The answer is: yes. RYDB Fest is an open invitation to ride your damn bike, any damn way you want. Built by the bikepacking community, for bikepackers of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Everyone is welcome to play bikes with us in NW Arkansas! In today's episode, you'll hear from the team and supporters behind RYDB Fest as we get ready to welcome you to Northwest Arkansas for a full weekend of Bikes… or Death. RYDB Fest is brought to you by Ozark Gravel Cyclists and Bikes or Death, with help from key partners and friends who are making this whole thing happen. Expect grassroots vibes, strong community turnout, and some of the best damn bike riding in Arkansas. ~Show Notes ~ More info about RYDB Fest click HERE Register for the Fayetteville Ultra Circuit HERE **Use code FUCBOD at checkout for $15 off reg Register for the Bikepacking Overnighter HERE **Use code bod_rydb_26 for 20% off reg Find out more about the Wander Outdoor Adventure HUB HERE Suppor the show on PATREON 

Something new came to Sea Otter this year, and I went to get the scoop. Sea Otter is widely regarded as the largest bike expo in the world, but calling it a "bike expo" doesn't quite cover it. With over 70,000 attendees, 1,000+ brands and exhibitors, and 10,000+ athletes competing across a huge variety of races, it's… a lot. And with all of that, it's hard to imagine anything was missing. Enter Old Man Mountain. Five years ago, Erik Fenner, OMM's Marketing Manager, attended Sea Otter for the first time. That night, he organically invited a few folks to join his campsite hangout. Nearly 30 people showed up. An idea was born. This year, that idea became reality with the inaugural OMM Bikepacking Campout and After Party at Sea Otter. OMM and their partners staked out a beautiful campsite about a mile from the main expo, tucked into a serene setting that felt worlds away from the chaos. People came from far and wide. Some rode their bikes. Some drove. Some flew. Some may have crawled. However they got there, everyone seemed to find what bikepackers tend to gravitate toward: a little dirt, a little community, and some grassroots vibes. It turns out, in the sea of Sea Otter, something was missing. Bikepacking is still a small but mighty corner of cycling, but it's clearly on the rise. You could see it in the growing number of adventure cycling booths, the people stopping by to ask questions, and the strong turnout for the first-ever OMM Bikepacking Campout. In today's episode, I take you into Sea Otter as a first-time attendee. But I wasn't there to see how many grams I could save if I sold a kidney. I was there to see what my friends at OMM were cooking up. Spoiler alert: it was really damn good. This episode is made up of five conversations with sponsors, vendors, and attendees of the OMM Bikepacking Campout. You'll hear from: Chris Kratsch — Co-Owner of Old Man Mountain Carley Boyce — Campout attendee who attempted the Great Divide with her dog Rowdy, then went back the next year to attempt the Tour Divide Noelle Battle — Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots Wade Green — Managing Partner for Tout Terrain in the U.S. Erik Fenner — Marketing Manager at Old Man Mountain I had an incredible time at this inaugural event. It was so good to be far from home, but still feel like I had a built-in community of "my people." Big thanks to everyone who took a little time to chat with me about their experience at Sea Otter. Let's do it again next year! SHOW NOTES As heard on today's episode, Carley is racing the Tour Divide for a cause. She is raising money to support the Autism Society of Oregon. Find out more at Racing for Awareness EPISODE SPONSORS Old Man Mountain would like to thank their supporting partners and sponsors that made this event possible: Priority Bikes Tout Terrain Ortlieb Swift Industries Outershell Sklar Feedback Sports Revelate Salsa ABUS Fayetteville Ultra Circuit: on today's episode Alex Kowalski, FUC race director, comes on the share a little more about the route. Take a deeper dive, and register, here. For being a loyal listener you can take $15 off reg when you use the code: FUCBOD NEW PATRONS Oregoniangal Join them won't you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath  

Can you imagine packing up everything you own on a bicycle, riding away from your home with plans to cycle the world over the next four years? Now imagine it's your first bike tour. That's exactly what Jacob Ashton did in 2016 when he rolled away from his home in Idaho. Over the next four years, he would cover roughly 77,000 miles, visit 100 countries, and ride across six continents. His travels were not without challenges. He was confronted by machete-wielding villagers in Mozambique, lost a finger to frostbite while climbing Ojos del Salado in Chile, and experienced a bowel obstruction in Khorog, Tajikistan that required major surgery and temporarily paused his tour. To date, he's accumulated over 120,000 miles, visited 108 countries, and ridden on six continents—and he's not done. Recently, Jacob has been trading touring miles for racing miles, testing his skills in events like the Tour Divide, the AZT, and most recently, DOOM and the East Texas Showdown. Jacob and I both competed at this year's DOOM, which is where we first met. He rode the long course and came in a respectable 7th place, following up a 2nd place finish the previous year. After a 32-hour "nap," he loaded up his full-suspension Starling Murmur and rode 400 miles to Point Blank, Texas, to compete in the 400-mile East Texas Showdown. ETS is a solidly a gravel ultra, and he was the only rider on a full-suspension bike—but he rode that thing like it was on fire, averaging 15 mph moving speed and finishing in an impressive 6th place. Coincidentally, after ETS he had plans to ride over to my hometown to visit an old friend, so I took the opportunity to meet up with him and dive deeper into his story. You can learn more and follow along with Jacob here: Instagram - @occasional_bikepacker Tour Reports - Read it here His book, "Until the Road Ends" - Buy it here EPISODE SPONSORS  OMM x Sea Otter Campout – Going to Sea Otter? Make sure to swing by the OMM Bikepacking Campout & After Party. Find all the deets here. I'll be there too, come find me :) RYDB Fest Community Overnighter - May 22nd - 24th in Fayettville, AR. Use code bikesordeath_rydb_26 for 20% off reg. New Patrons  David Lieble Tomas Perez Andrew Humes Robert Keller Join us won't you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath  

Tyler "Freakin" Reynolds and the First Texas Triple Star In 2025 the Texas Triple Star was born. Complete all three events in the Texas Showdown Series, in the same category, within a calendar year, and you'll earn a handmade belt buckle crafted by Texas builder Kyle Gilbert. Last year the series became official with the addition of West Texas Showdown, and seven riders stepped up to attempt the full trilogy. By the end of the year only one rider was left standing. Tyler "Freakin" Reynolds. Racing in the Slowdown Singlespeed category, Tyler completed the entire series and etched his name into Showdown history. Tyler's Triple Star Stats ETS – 1d 9h 37m — 2nd place CTS – 1d 4h 37m — 1st overall WTS – 1d 15h 45m — 1st place Total Time: 4d 5h 59m The time to beat for the Slowdown SS category. For a full writeup and photo gallery of this episode visit BikesorDeath.com SHOW NOTES East Texas ShowdownMarch 27th – 29th Use code getoffthecouch at checkout for 15% off Sea Otter Bikepacking Campout & After Party presented by Old Man MountainApril 16th – 19th RYDB FestMay 22nd – 24th Use code bikesordeath for 20% off the Community Overnighter registration

My guest today is someone who is no stranger to the front of the field. A perennial podium finisher as a professional mountain biker, and over the past decade-plus one of the most accomplished ultra-endurance cyclists on the planet, he has first-place finishes at the Tour Divide, AZT, CTR, and many many more. The truth is, I'd need to create an entirely new podcast series to fully unpack the range, depth, and longevity of his career as a lifelong cyclist. For that reason, he's a man who truly needs no introduction: Kurt Refsnider. Most recently, Kurt became the first person to ride the 5,000-plus-mile Orogenesis Route -- a project more than a decade in the making, shaped by many contributors over the years. Like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Orogenesis Route traverses North America from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, but it instead features as much singletrack as they can pack in - 50% of the route is singletrack. And when it reaches the border, the route doesn't stop. It intercepts and continues down the Baja Divide, one of the most iconic bikepacking routes in the world. This was no small undertaking. Not only was this Kurt's biggest bikepacking trip to date, but he was also the first person to put bike tires on large portions of the route—sections that had only been scouted digitally and pieced together through community knowledge. Inevitably, that meant running into real roadblocks. This wasn't just a bikepacking trip; it was a true bike adventure. I can think of no one more qualified to take on a project of this scale, both physically and mentally, than Kurt. It was an absolute pleasure to have him back on the podcast. He's a true OG and a legend in the sport for very good reason. And beyond all the accolades, he's simply a genuinely kind and thoughtful human being. The Bikes or Death Podcast is Presented by Old Man Mountain To support this work: www.Patreon.com/bikesordeath Kurt's website: https://www.ultramtb.net/ Orogenesis Collective: https://orogenesiscollective.org/    

We're kicking off the year with a special guest—Eric House! We met up in the Sam Houston National Forest for a bit of a role reversal; this time, Eric took the mic to interview me. I gave him free rein to ask anything, resulting in a wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from the silly to the serious. The heart of our chat focused on the last six years of work that culminated in 2025 with the launch of the WTS Showdown and the completion of the Texas Showdown Series. We also looked ahead to 2026, discussing my goals for Doom High Watch and my current training mindset. Eric is a fantastic interviewer who asks truly meaningful questions, including a "gamut" of listener inquiries that kept me on my toes. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper meetup without some trail time—prior to recording, we squeezed in a mountain bike ride that turned into a total adventure involving getting lost, a minor collision, and hiking our bikes out on our shoulders. It was perfect. Bikes or Death is presented by https://oldmanmountain.com/ www.patreon.com/bikesordeath to support the show ☠️