Brad Copeland is Kate Courtney’s mechanic of over seven years. But while “mechanic” may be his official title, he is so much more. Bodyguard, grocery shopper, and fan favorite are just a few of the many other roles he plays when he’s with her on the race circuit. Kate even wrote a song about him. He’s also one of the most experienced and respected mechanics on the World Cup circuit. 

In today’s episode, recorded before the pandemic, Payson and Brad discuss the unique position he holds in Kate’s racing life and within the bike mechanic field more broadly. He talks about why their working relationship has lasted so long, why it’s important to make friends with everyone at races, and his worst experience working with Kate so far. He also talks about his wife, Sarah (guest on episode 54 of the show), a leading expert in nuclear nonproliferation, and why her career is not so dissimilar from Kate’s as it might appear. He ranks his three favorite tools (he has over 85), talks about the time he got food poisoning in South Africa during the Cape Epic, and tells an epic story of a prank gone wrong which led to a prank gone very right, featuring World Champion Nino Schurter, the White House, and an FBI agent. 

Instagram: @withpacepod
YouTube: Payson McElveen