Local Legends

EPISODE 15 with Brian Scarbrough - Professional Racer & National XC Champion

Brian Scarbrough is a local San Diegan, who raced BMX as a young child.  He didn’t find cross country mountain biking until much later.  Now in his thirties, Brian races professionally with Competitive Metals.  You will often see Brian racing at in local races such as the QnD summer series and the BWR San Diego;  racing shoulder to shoulder with other local legends such as Pete Tholl (Ep. 4) and Phil Tinstman (Ep. 11), as well as national pros like Pete Stetina, and against junior racers who are coming up hot on his heels.

Brian won the national XC championship in 2016 and recently won the 2022 BWR Dubbelberg Header in San Diego which includes racing the waffle + wafer on consecutive days...that’s approximately 200 miles.  His cumulative time was 11 hours and 15 seconds.  Just to put in perspective, an athlete aims to do the waffle in 9-10 hours and the wafer in 5-6 hours.   This interview was recorded two weeks after his win back in May.

It was a delight to get a chance to talk to Brian about his racing, his BMX racing history, and how that influences his racing today. We discuss his current training, balancing his work, and also the success of his most recent BWR Dubbel, .  It’s funny because I’ve seen and known Brian for years but never got to know him.   he is a thoughtful and genuinely nice gentleman that is true to himself and his riding.

Enjoy this conversation with Brian Scarbrough.

Local Legends - Episode 14 with Lauren Lentz - Kevin Lentz Legacy  

In this conversation, I sit with  Lauren Lentz, Kevin’s widow, to share his story.  Whether you knew him personally or perhaps only heard about him, this conversation highlights who he was as husband, a friend, a father and a rider.

I knew Kevin from our time together on the TASCO-mtb race team back in 2016.  He was a strong, skilled rider with a no-nonsense way about him.  He had no ego and he was always super chill.   

He wasn't just a mountain biker, he also road and raced road bikes with the Celo Team.

In addition to talking about how he got into riding and his love for riding, we go deep in this conversation about loss and death.

While I struggle to know what to say, Lauren's warmth and openness brings light and lightness to the conversation. She has such a strong hold of her emotions and words that it helps bridge the silence

Kevin had an impact on everyone who rode with him and had deep friendships with many of his cycling friends.  The intent of this interview is to honor him and his spirit.

Local Legends - Episode 4 with Pete Tholl

Pete was born and raised in San Diego growing up Encinitas and graduating from San Dieguito High School.  Pete got into riding by some friends and later started road racing in 1988 with the Swamis Race Team.  In 1993, he took a hiatus from racing and riding when he started a family.  Later when his kids were in high school he picked up the bike again and has been riding and racing ever since.

In this interview 

As i mentioned, I didn’t know about his road racing experience before this interview; however,  I did know Pete consistently performed at the top of mountain bike races competing in Cat 1 as well as gravel races.  I’ve known Pete since 2016 when we raced on TASCO-MTB race team.  This was a unique race team that was curated by Milwaukee Marc and with Nate (TASCO owner) after a virtual Strava race called "Tour de Dirt" brought riders out of their holes competing on segments and later created a home for a band of misfits.

For me, I always leaned into what Pete had to say because he shares lot of wisdom as a racer and athlete with no nonsense, no ego, no bullshit.

This interview may seem out of order because it was originally recorded on Dec 1, 2021  when I was doing Local Legends on Instagram Live. For those new to Local Legends and this podcast, I originally interviewed my guests on Instagram Live not knowing what would come of these interviews.  It wasn't until after sixty interview, that I decided to change to a podcast platform to be more easily accessible.

It also seemed fitting to re-release this episode after the most recent interview with Chris Horner where Pete is mentioned a few times. It’s because of this interview with Pete that I learned about Pete's road racing history and about Chris Horner.

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Local Legends - Episode 12 with Chris Horner  "100% commitment, 24 hours a day" 

Chris trophy shelf as a professional cyclist of 25 years is stacked including Tour de France 7-time racer, winner of Tour de California, 2012 Olympics, with his greatest achievement - 2013 Vuelta a Espana win at the age of 41 becoming the oldest and only American to ever win the Grand Tour.

Chris Horner grew up in San Diego, spending much of his youth riding bikes around town and to the beach. In this interview we discuss

Local Legends - Episode 11 with Phil Tinstman

Phil is an highly accomplished and decorated cyclist with an X-games gold medal and the RAAM world record to his name (((mic drop!!)))

Phil is also a fellow San Marcos neighbor who is raising 2 children, works, and continues to ride his bike 10-20 hours a week!!   Riding bikes all his life including BMX, Motocross, Downhilling, Road and Gravel, he continues his journey and his passion for riding thrives.  At the time of this interview in January 2022, he was training to do the grueling 24-hours of Old Pueblo with his teammates Victor Sheldon (Ep. 1), Pete Tholl (Ep. 4) and Brandon Mills.

He continues to stay busy in the cycling community and...

This interview is jam packed with stories from professional downhilling in the 90s, burning out and then finding the love again, dappling in triathlons, integrating riding and raising a family and his experiences with RAAM.  The documentary "Four by 3000" is worth watching and is inspiring to say the least!

Welcome to the first installment of Mic Check - a different kind of interview where turn the mic on myself and share part of the lifestyle, training, and lessons of leading a life of riding and outdoor adventure. 

This interview is special because I bring my children forward and have them give their thoughts and reflection on how life was like having a mom who was training.  I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve but things related to my children, I keep those cards close to my heart.  Their voice (literally) have a lot of value.  As a parent, I have try to imagine what lessons and values they are learning but they have their own story to tell. Poetically and to the point.  Originally, I was going to share my story solo; and later asked them if they wanted to be part of it.  Serena (17) and Jade (21) both happily wanted to participate.  The girls received the questions prior to this interview, as to not blind side them. Alex (15) didn't want to be interviewed live; however, I share her responses to these questions at the end. 

They were asked: 

I really loved this conversation and glad it was recorded.  I will cherish this and would be fun to see how their feelings and thoughts evolve over time. 

In this interview we discuss 

We recorded this interview as a Zoom Meeting on the computer so there is a little distortion in the sound when the computer wasn't facing the speaker. 

** If you are enjoying these conversations about training, riding lifestyle and riding in San Diego, your support is greatly appreciated. Visit https://www.patreon.com/outdoorfitnesscoach**  

Local Legends - Episode 9 with Leeann Folse

Honored to interview Leeann.  She has a rich history, experience and knowledge of bikes and racing.  Leeann raced as a professional downhill racer in the mid 1990s at national and world level representing USA in 1994.  She also was a team manager to many race teams including Yeti, 3D, Barracuda, and Stratos overseeing racers such as Juli Furtado, John Tomac, and Johnny O'Mara.  She continues to ride her bike competitively, is a NICA Level 3 coach and lives with her teenage daughter and husband, Dee, in Vista, CA.

In this interview, we discuss

In this interview, there were lots of names mentioned.  If you are curious who they were here is a cheat sheet of some of those athletes.

** If you are enjoying these conversations about training, riding lifestyle and riding in San Diego, your support is greatly appreciated. Visit https://www.patreon.com/outdoorfitnesscoach**

Wanted to share a little about the purpose of this podcast, how it got started and where it is going.  

This is a podcast to highlight passionate cyclists in Southern California (specifically San Diego) that influence how, where, what, we ride.

Thank you for listening.

Cheers!

Chi

Local Legends - Episode 8 with David Hekel, Ranger, Rider, Photographer 

Ranger Dave is many things - a ranger, rider, and passionate about all things in nature.  If you ride Hodges, raced in the QnD Filthy 50, or participated annual Archipelago or the BWR, you have been on the trails he oversees and directly affects these trails.  The funny thing is I've talked to Dave many times not knowing he is Ranger Dave.. I knew him from gravel rides.  You learn quickly that he is a very cool guy, strong rider and genuinely fun laugh.  Then I learned he was a ranger and his cool factor went up. I had so much fun talking with Dave about his role at SDRP and how he became a ranger which is a fun story, also talked about how he got into cycling and his passion for riding, and learned so much about his direct affect on the trails.  It was also fun to talk more about his Scottish heritage and the trips he offers in Scotland and future bike trips which he accounts is because of the Freedom to Roam and 3 Rules that allows people to bike ANYWHERE in Scotland.   

Learn more about San Dieguito River Park events (e.g. docent hikes) - www.sdrp.org 

Learn about Scotland Nature tours - https://www.ksnaturephotography.com/workshops-tours/ Follow Dave at @scotlandgravel on IG You can also see his artwork on IG #rangerdavephotography

** If you are enjoying these conversations about training, riding lifestyle and riding in San Diego, your support is greatly appreciated. Visit https://www.patreon.com/outdoorfitnesscoach**

Local Legends - Episode 7 with Brendan Collier, Stagecoach 400 and Hub Cyclery

I met Brendan almost ten year ago when I was mountain biking with friends in Idyllwild.  Like many bike stories go, a soon got to know him and people in the bike community with rides that were hosted by The Hub Cyclery, the only bike shop in Idyllwild.  And then I got an invitation to DO the Stagecoach 400 in 2014 which I was very new to.

Fast forward to 2022, Brendan recently relaunched The Hub Cyclery in NE Los Angeles, has his own business with carpentry and airstream renovations.  He splits his time in LA and Idyllwild and continues to ride including a new gravel bike.  Although he no longer is the 'not race director' of the Stagecoach 400, as the creator of this bike packing annual ride, we talk about how it originated, the rules of the race, and some highlights of this unique type of cycling event.  

You can follow Brendan on social media through a few accounts - @brendanbcollier, carpentry - @airstreamjedi, bikes - @hubcyclery 

Learn more about the Stagecoach 400 and follow along - https://www.facebook.com/groups/710242629008593

The Hub Cyclery can be found in à bloc @abloc at Highland Park located at 5025 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

** If you are interested in supporting this podcast, visit https://www.patreon.com/outdoorfitnesscoach**