Episode 164 - Leadville. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
What up party people. Welcome back for another episode of the Bonk Bros podcast and I hope you’re not sick of Leadville talk just yet because we’ve got plenty more of that packed in this week. There’s crashes, there’s course records, there’s controversial DQs, and Dylan’s giant bag of emotions, plus plenty more so stay tuned for it.
Shout out to everyone we ran into this past weekend while out in Cloud City, it’s always so fun and cool to mingle with the fans and hear about some of your favorite takes from the show. Speaking of running into people, DJ and I also got to meet Adam Barker, founder of Bolt Skin + Shave, for the first time in person at their expo booth and he was stoked about how many of y’all mentioned hearing him guest appear on the show last week and stop by the booth to check out their products after. So thank y’all for that. And if you did stop by then you know that we weren’t joking about how heavy those razor handles are (in a good way) so hopefully you picked one up so you too can get level up your shave game.
Another big shout out to the Silca folks, always good catching up with them at the events, and I was even lucky enough to bring home some new hardware in the form of their Ultimate shock pump. Now, if y’all have been listening to this show for a while then you’ll know I’m a pretty die hard SRAM boy so I was a little hesitant at first to step away from my trust Rockshox shock pump but let me tell you, this Ultimate shock pump is just a thing of beauty. Head over to Silca.cc today and use the code "BonkBrosAug15" for 15% off!
For updates on any and all of our supporting partners including the latest discount codes for y’all, check out the show notes each week so you can get access to some of our favorite items from partners like Silca and Bolt Skin+Shave, Bike Tires Direct, KetoneAid, or those amazing and intelligent lawyer folks over at Scarborough Bicycle Accident Law.
Alright, enough business chat for now. If you have any questions or feedback you can always email us at
[email protected] or hit us up on Instagram. Or you can sign up for Patreon. If you haven’t made your way over to our sister show then what the hell are you waiting for but seriously, go check out the Bonk Babes Podcast who’s killing it on their first few episode. SO yeah, go ahead and like and subscribe to their channel too so you can get double the BONK action each week. Alright, let’s get this party started.
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Summary
This conversation explores various themes surrounding flight delays, race experiences, and the dynamics of gravel racing. The speakers share personal anecdotes about airline experiences, discuss the challenges of the Leadville race, and delve into the impact of media on racing narratives. They also address professionalism in gravel racing, safety concerns when amateurs and pros race together, and the crucial role amateurs play in the success of professional events. The discussion concludes with thoughts on the future of gravel racing events and potential changes to enhance safety and participant experience. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the emotional experiences of racing, particularly focusing on the Leadville race and its record-breaking performances. They discuss the controversy surrounding a disqualification in the women's race, exploring the ethics of calling out rule violations and the implications of such actions. The conversation also touches on the evolution of drop bars in racing, highlighting how they have become more mainstream and accepted over time. In this episode, the hosts delve into various topics surrounding cycling performance, particularly focusing on tire technology, race standings, and strategies for improvement. They discuss the recent performance of riders, the impact of tire choices on race outcomes, and engage with listener questions that highlight community insights and experiences. The conversation flows from technical discussions about tire performance to personal anecdotes and community engagement, creating a dynamic and informative episode for cycling enthusiasts.
Chapters
00:00 Flight Delays and Travel Woes
05:31 Leadville Race Experience
08:29 The John Gaston Incident
11:21 Feed Zone Chaos and Professionalism in Gravel Racing
20:18 The Intersection of Pros and Amateurs in Gravel Racing
21:44 Safety Concerns in Mixed Racing Events
23:40 The Epic Rides Model: A Blueprint for Success
26:17 The Need for Change in Race Structures
29:07 The Ethos of Leadville and Its Evolution
29:58 Racing Perspectives: Insights from the Live Event
34:20 Emotional Connections to Racing Experiences
38:39 The Weight of Victory
39:15 Record Breakers and Race Highlights
39:58 Controversies in Competition
43:14 Intent and Integrity in Racing
45:48 The Aftermath of Disqualification
48:49 The Ethics of Calling Out Cheating
53:17 Comparative Penalties in Sports
56:42 Future of Athletes in Competitive Racing
01:00:00 Upcoming Races and Training Focus
01:02:01 Race Strategies and Performance Insights
01:04:53 The Evolution of Drop Bars in Racing
01:06:37 Tire Technology and Performance Discussion
01:12:48 Race Experiences and DNF Decisions
01:14:39 Listener Questions and Community Engagement
01:16:48 The Evolving Landscape of Gravel Racing
01:18:32 Tire Choices and Race Strategies
01:19:29 Listener Questions and Insights
01:21:16 The Impact of Social Media on Cyclists
01:22:57 Health and Performance: Personal Experiences
01:24:35 Aerodynamics and Racing at Altitude
01:26:23 Wrap-Up and Future Races