Bikes or Death

Jerry Kopack followed the "laminated playbook" that many Americans are familiar with; go to college, get a job, buy the house, save for retirement, have the family, etc. etc. While he was on the path to a traditional standard of success, he wasn't fulfilled. In 2016 he set out on a 4 week bike tour in Zimbabwe with the goal of resetting himself in search of what's next. That 4 week trip turned into 2 years through a chance encounter with a mindset of "alway saying yes".

Visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full writeup and gallery of images from Jerry's travels.

Jerry's Book: The World Spins By

Ombraz – Use code "BOD20" for $20 off your order AND BoD will get $20 from Ombraz as a thank you!

Athletic Greens – An important part of my health and wellness routine and a great way to provide the nutrients your body needs on the go and on bikepacking trips. Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Kevin Lee ~ Spinistry Zac Ramsey

The following Patrons increased their pledges!

Mathew Wells

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

Ronnie is roaming around the states on a much deserved vacation. He was in Austin for a few days and we were able to meetup at Cycleast for a little chat. A lot has happened since the the last time we spoke back in the Fall of 2019. During the pandemic he moved back to Connecticut and ended up staying there and ramping up on his entrepreneurial efforts. What he's been able to accomplish in the cycling industry is truly inspirational. One may be tempted to say he got there by being counter culture, but I'd argue that he has created a cycle culture that is unique to himself.

Old Man Mountain ~ Since 1996, Old Man Mountain has made durable, functional cargo racks for all types of bikes. We're excited to continue the legacy!

Ombraz ~ Use code "BOD20" for $20 off your order AND BoD will get $20 from Ombraz as a thank you!

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Andy Stockman

The following Patrons increased their pledges!

Mike Christensen

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

As the East Texas Showdown heads into it's third year the excitement is growing and so are the questions. To help answer the questions we brought in a few past participants who are also competing again this year. Our guest are Kuya Takami who won the Showdown last year, Emily Miller who is hoping to ride the Slowdown without sleeping, and Brendan Hare who was our Pro Slow winner last year and is stepping up to the Showdown this year.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Gravel Ride up Spruce Knob aka GRUSK - Join me in West Virginia on July 6-9th for one of 6 gravel rides they have to choose from. Find out more at www.MountainRides.net or Register Here

Athletic Greens – An important part of my health and wellness routine and a great way to provide the nutrients your body needs on the go and on bikepacking trips. Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Mindaugas Urbontaitis Julien Millan

The following Patrons increased their pledges!

Corey Eichelberger

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

On today's episode Holden and I chat about a little bit of everything. His day job is at a hot rod shop in Ft. Worth and he's owned a few pretty rad cars over the years. He put his mechanical abilities to use and built hims a rad Tall Bike, which is the fodder for many of my questions on this episode. When he's not tooling around on his tall bike you may see him on his fixie cruising the streets of Ft. Worth with a cycling syndicate that goes by the name of "Smash Bros Plus One".

Visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full writeup, plus pictures of Holden's Tall Bike, Cars, and more.

Panorama Cycles - Patrick is stoked to be riding and representing this forward thinking Canada based company. They build Backcountry Bicycles for the adventure cyclist and they are the only Certified Climate Neutral Bike Company on the market. Patrick is the new U.S. Sales Rep, so if you're interest in learning more please reach out at [email protected]

Athletic Greens – An important part of my health and welness routine and a great way to provide the nutriens your body needs on the go and on bikepacking trips. Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Christopher Rahilly Michelle Jensen

The following Patrons increased their pledges!

Ash Werner

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

Scarlet & Flint Ziegler just made waves in the bikepacking community when word got out that they had completed the Tour Divide Route in 42 days. The Tour Divide is a well established route that many have done, but what sets this father daughter duo apart is that Scarlet was only 13 years old when she completed it.

Please visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full writeup on todays episode and a photo gallery of Scarlet and Flint!

Old Man Mountain - Since 1996, Old Man Mountain has made durable, functional cargo racks for all types of bikes. We're excited to continue the legacy!

Athletic Greens – An important part of my health and welness routine and a great way to provide the nutriens your body needs on the go and on bikepacking trips. Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 MTB Shenanigans Ville Haataja Patty Short Steve Lindemann Steve Thompson Keith Buchanan Gary Cors

The following Patrons increased their pledges!

Alfred Lau Chris Hodgkins

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

In October my friend Connor (Natalie joined us on day one) and I were the first ones to ride a new route I created as part of the East Texas Showdown. This one is called the Lowdown and is for participants who want to ride (not race) and enjoy the East Texas Piney Woods with a group of other riders. It's 160 miles with a little over 5,000 ft of elevation, with four camping options, and plenty of resupply points. Of course, you don't have to wait to ride it, the route has been vetted and you can find it on BikesorDeath.com.

For a full writeup on today's episode, a gallery of images from this trip, and the finialized Lowdown Route, please visit www.BikesorDeath.com

Athletic Greens – An important part of my health and welness routine and a great way to provide the nutriens your body needs on the go and on bikepacking trips. Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

Ombraz – Use code "BOD20" for $20 off your order AND BoD will get $20 from Ombraz as a thank you!

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Zachary Loudon Holly The Dog Grant Beauprez Travis Olson Jared Proegler

Patrons who increased their pledges!

John Hickman Allen Boardman Johnny De Martin Shane Hitz Nick Marzano

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

Today's episode is a hodgepodge of topics as we look at the year in review, reveal the winners of the BoD Awards, and I answers questions from the listeners. 2022 was a year of first, of growth, both personally and for the podcast, and I can't wait to do it again in 2023.

As I reflect on the previous year, and over the past four years, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to share these stories and podcasts with a community that I love. While we had a ton of success, it wasn't without it's challenges. For long time listeners, supporters, and fans of BoD I have a special request at the end of todays episode, please listen to the end if you can.

Athletic Greens - An important part of my health and welness routine and a great way to provide the nutriens your body needs on the go and on bikepacking trips. Go to www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to take advantage of a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

Ombraz – Use code "BOD20" for $20 off your order AND BoD will get $20 from Ombraz as a thank you!

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Joó Árpád Amelia Waves

Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath

In Oct. the first iteration of the Rhino Run took place in South Africa. After being delayed by covid for 2 years the first 32 adventurous souls lined up at the starting line. Among them was Abdullah Zeinab and Kevin Benkenstein who would establish and early lead in the race that they were able to keep until the end. Their battle for first place is the stuff of Hollywood movies, caulk full of drama, despair, hope, and, of course, an epic battle at the very end that would result in Abdullah pulling ahead by a mere 17 minutes.

Please visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full write and picture gallery from today's episode.

Embark Maple has teamed up with MidSouth to offer a FREE entry into the 2023 MidSouth Race! They are requesting application for entry by December 19th and a winner will be selected by December 24th. Find out all the details and apply here.

Kuat doesn't just make amazing racks, they also make a difference! In 2015 they partnered with the National Forest Foundation as well as other tree planting organizations like One Tree Planted and Trees For The Future to plant over 592,875 trees to date, most of which have been planted in fire-damaged national forests within the US. So when you buy a Kuat Rack you get a great rack and Kuat makes an investment in the future of our forest!

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Rob Adams jake ramos Jo Raber Paul Vidovich Katrina Hase Denver Luttrell Monica Baumgartner

Join them won't you? You can find details at Patreon.com/bikesordeath.com

Eddie O'dea recently became the first person to complete the Eastern Divide Trail which runs through Mulberry Gap in Georgia, which was also the location for the first BoD Takeover. This made him the ideal candidate to be my first guest with a live audience. This conversation took place on Saturday morning at the Mulberry Gap Barn with about 40 bikepacking enthusiast in attendance.

Please visit www.BikesorDeath.com for a full write up and gallery of images.

Eddie did this ride as a way to also raise money for the Georgia Cycling Association.

Athletic Greens – Great for bikepackers on the go! Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

Gilmer Chamber of Commerce – One of our title sponsors for the BoD Takeover at Mulberry Gap.

Help support this podcast by becoming a Patron!

On Sunday before the group start of the Arizona Trail Race Katie Scott was texting her friend who was doing the race with the typical well wishes. That short interaction sparked something in Katie that had been brewing for years. After thinking about doing the AZT for years she decided in that moment that this would be her year. So she threw fears and doubts to the wind and moved forward with her last minute decision and started to gather everything she need. A process that would continue up till the morning of the race.

For a full writeup and gallery of images please visit www.BikesorDeath.com.

Meditation Institue Katie mentioned in the episode.

Athletic Greens – Great for bikepackers on the go! Visit www.athleticgreens.com/bikesordeath to get a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.

Gilmer Chamber of Commerce - One of our title sponsors for the BoD Takeover at Mulberry Gap.

🎉 New Patrons 🎉 Miles Brown Jake Thurston

Join them won't you? Now is a great time to sign up on Patreon. For a limited time Jefe Velo will be matching all new pledges made at Patreon.com/bikesordeath.com