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If you have not ridden Angelfire Bike Park in Northern New Mexico, then stop what you are doing right now and plan a trip. It’s a bucket list destination.

In this episode Angelfire’s Bike Park Manager (Patrick West) and Gravity Trail Development Manager (Tucker VanOrmer) give us the inside scoop on the park’s history, operations, trail design, build process, and future plans.

Angelfire is the largest Bike Park in the Rocky Mountains. It was voted Best in the Southwest by MTBparks.com 7 years in a row.  Built on land privately owned by the resort, it features a 10,650 foot summit, 2,000+ feet of vertical, 32+ trails, and 60+ miles of purpose-built, lift-served terrain with some of the best jump lines, manicured flow, and super chunk in the United States. It’s fast, incredibly fun to ride, and caters to all riders from the greenest beginner to the most seasoned shredder.  The rental options for bikes and protective gear are vast, current, and well maintained.  The park has a solid core of bike park instructors catering to all riding levels.  The park recently opened two “bunny-hill” style trails serviced by a magic carpet named “mac&cheese” and “spicy mac” for beginner riders and kids.

And that’s not all… the resort and the local area offer an astounding amount of diverse recreational activities including; epic cross country rides, white water rafting, fly fishing, golf, zip-lining, ATV-OHV adventures, horseback rides, hiking, disc golf, and more…

(not to mention the winter activities of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobile riding…) 

Stop thinking about going.  Just go.

Angelfire Resort

Bike Park
https://www.angelfireresort.com/activities/summer-activities/bike-park/
Angelfire Bike Park Instragram
https://www.instagram.com/angelfire_bikepark/
Angelfire Bike Park Trail Crew Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/angelfiretrailcrew/
Cross Country Trails
https://www.angelfireresort.com/activities/summer-activities/cross-country-trails/
Golf
https://www.angelfireresort.com/activities/summer-activities/golf/

Red River, New Mexico (cool town, ~40 min drive from Angelfire)

ATV-OHV Adventures
https://redriver.org/things-to-do/off-road-ohv/
Fly Fishing
https://redriver.org/things-to-do/fish/

Rio Grande (~60 min drive from Angelfire)

White Water Rafting / Tubing
https://www.newmexicoriveradventures.com/trip-category/rafting-santa-fe-taos/?duration=&river=Rio+Grande

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Our hosts are joined by guest Josh Lipton, founder of Campfire Cycling, a brick & mortar and online shop that specializes in bikepacking and bicycle touring.

Lipton shares his expertise and the trio dive deep into specific bikes, components, bike setup, and unique gear used in bike packing and touring (all of which are available for sale on campfirecycling.com).

Beyond the technical aspects, this episode  explores the transformative power of bikepacking. Lipton discusses the deep connection with nature that comes with  a bikepacking journey and how it can be a catalyst for self-discovery.

Stay tuned for a future episode, where we plan to chat with Toby Smith, Campfire Cycling Shop Manager, to learn about their brick-and-mortar operation and how they foster community engagement. 

Campfire Cycling – https://www.campfirecycling.com

Tour Divide https://bikepacking.com/event/tour-divide-2023/

Arizona Trail Race - https://bikepacking.com/event/arizona-trail-race-2022/

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There are three types of people in the world…  
1. those who - wonder what happened 
2. those who - know what happened, but were not involved
3. those who - make things happen  

This week’s guest Brad “T-bone” Knox is in that third category.  Years ago, he decided to transform himself into an elite athlete, and he did it.  In this episode T-bone joins Josh & Mike to discuss his path to qualifying and training with Tenac coaching for the 2023 Leadville 100 MTB race.  The race takes place on Aug 12th, 2023 (45 days from publish of this episode.)  

What’s the Leadville 100 MTB you ask? By some, it’s been referred to as the “Tour De France” of Mountain Biking.  Category: Ultra Endurance Length: 105 miles.  Starting altitude: 10,200 ft.  Lowest altitude: 9,200 ft. Total elevation gain: 11,928’.  Fastest time ever 5:58 minutes. Lance Armstrong won it in 2009. 

Brad’s journey is extremely interesting and this episode is full of laughter and good times.  You’ll dig it.

The race: https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/

The race wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadville_Trail_100_MTB

Tenac Coaching: https://gotenac.com/

Enve Rider Profile: https://www.enveracing.com/athlete.cfm?aid=8587

The bike: https://mtbdatabase.com/bikes/2020/orbea/oiz/2020-orbea-oiz-m10/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knoxford_brad_/

Barn Burner Race (now defunct): https://www.facebook.com/BarnBurnerAZ/

Tour of the White Mountains Race: https://epicrides.com/events/tour/event-guide/

Race Against the Sky Movie: http://www.raceacrossthesky.com/

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Josh and Lacey take our listeners on a journey around the world on two wheels with extraordinary guests Marti Shea (aka the Gazelle), an esteemed elite athlete, cyclist, and owner of Select Fitness, and Joe Tonon (aka Luca), owner of Destination Cycling. As Marti and Joe join forces, listeners are treated to an insightful and entertaining discussion as they dive into their experiences and insights, exploring the world of elite cycling and the realm of high touch European bicycle tours.

The episode takes off with Marti's illustrious career, from her early beginnings to becoming a renowned elite athlete. They explore the challenges she faced and triumphs she celebrated, including becoming an accomplished cyclist specializing in hill climbs. Marti also discusses her experience as a personal fitness trainer for over 35 years. Her story is one of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering passion for the sport.

Shifting gears to European cycling tours, Joe Tonon, seasoned cycling entrepreneur, shares his inspiration for creating a platform that combines his love for cycling with Europe's illustrious road biking scene. Since 1989 he has helped his cycling clients attain their dreams of biking and experiencing some of the most incredible parts of the world.  Joe provides a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous planning, including carefully curated routes showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Europe to luxurious accommodations and gourmet dining. Joe leaves no stone unturned in his quest to provide a truly immersive and memorable journey while exploring the world on two wheels.

Embrace the allure of bicycle touring cycling on this episode of our podcast . . . “Love the bike . .  Just keep riding.” 

https://www.destinationcycling.com/

https://martisheacoaching.com/

http://www.selectfitnessinc.com/

https://homegrownmtb.com/

https://www.kingdomtrails.org/

https://www.killington.com/

https://www.skiburke.com/

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The week is the first of a periodic and recurring new series on bike riding destinations.  We call it… Go ride a bike.  This first episode highlights Mission Beach, California, where you can park your car and use a bike to get to 100’s of great activities and venues.  Mike & Josh are joined by 10 year old Matt Anderson who offers his unfiltered perspectives on the topic.

Location: 2 mile beach. North of San Diego. Built on a sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay.  

Type of Riding

Beach Cruising - Amazing Views - Point A to B. No car needed for weeks on end!

Rides

Mission Bay Bike Path (12 miles) https://www.sandiego.org/articles/biking/bike-path-mission-bay.aspx

Mission Beach / Pacific Beach Boardwalk (3 miles)

https://goo.gl/maps/YW6xRUmZmViXsNaFA

Mission Beach to Ocean Beach - Sunset Cliffs Blvd Bridge (3.5 miles)

https://goo.gl/maps/kx9XoG7CwGNVWWYf9

Mission Beach to La Jolla Beach - Boardwalk & La Jolla Blvd (4.7 miles)

https://goo.gl/maps/8HQ2UhmH9w7F2KJ5A

Mission Beach to Old Town San Diego - (5.3 miles)

https://goo.gl/maps/2ezR9XAzE3cnwfxn9

Mission Beach to Sea World (3.1 miles)

https://goo.gl/maps/Qu7HqyPsqi1nsuur5

Cool Stuff - Off The Bike (but you should ride to them)

Public Parks - several along the paths.  Play. BBQ.

Ocean: Boogie Boarding - Surfing | Bay: Paddle Board - Kayak - Jet Ski

Public basketball court on the South end Mission Beach. Volleyball courts throughout.

Bonfire rental & setup: https://beachandbaybonfires.com/

Fishing

Crystal Pier - Pacific Beach https://www.pierfishing.com/crystal-pier-san-diego/

Ocean Beach Pier - https://www.pierfishing.com/ocean-beach-pier/

Surf Fishing - https://surffishingsocalsd.com/

Mission Bay Fishing - https://fishingbooker.com/blog/fishing-in-mission-bay/

Charter deep sea fishing.

Places to Eat

The Fish Shop: https://thefishshops.com/pacific-beach/

Pizza Port - Ocean Beach:  https://www.pizzaport.com/brewpubs/ocean-beach

Bareback Grill - Pacific Beach: https://barebackgrill.com/

Pacific Beach Alehouse: https://pbalehouse.com/

The Mission (breakfast): https://themissionsd.com/

La Jolla & Old Town offer great food options.

Places to Stay - VRBO - Air B&B 

Catamaran Resort - https://www.catamaranresort.com/

Bahia Resort - https://www.bahiahotel.com/

Cool Bike Product

Tru Tension Tyre Iron: https://www.tru-tension.com/product/tire-monkey-tire-lever/

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Framebuildingschool.com offers 7 day (carbon) & 11 day (steel) courses in where you learn to design and actually fabricate a custom frame!  Only 2 students allowed per session.  

In this episode of the MCP, we have the privilege of interviewing Dave Bohm, the founder of Bohemian Bicycles and Framebuilding School.com. Dave is an accomplished framebuilder who has won numerous awards, including People's Choice and Best Tandem at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS). With his extensive experience in custom framebuilding, Dave shares his insights into the artistry and process behind building bespoke bicycle frames.

The podcast explores the evolution of framebuilding techniques and materials, highlighting how advancements have influenced the industry while still valuing traditional craftsmanship. We learn about the philosophy behind Bohemian Framebuilding School and the unique approach Dave takes in teaching his students. Dave shares stories of memorable projects, challenging builds, and the satisfaction of witnessing students' creations come to life.

Whether you're a cycling enthusiast, aspiring framebuilder, or simply intrigued by the fusion of art and engineering, this episode provides a captivating insight into the world of custom framebuilding.

FramebuildingSchool.com - https://www.framebuildingschool.com/

Bohemian Bicycles - https://www.bohemianbicycles.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bohemianbicycles/

Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/dbohemian/

Dave Bohm, Bohemian Bicycles, Winner Best Handmade Tandem - www.cyclingnews.com presents the EICMA show

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This episode features Sherwood Gibson, the founder of Ventana Mountain Bikes USA. The conversation covers the origins of Ventana Bikes, Sherwood’s passion for bicycles, and how it led him to establish the company.

Sherwood and his team set out to create top-quality bikes that were manufactured in the USA. He discussed how he mastered a meticulous design process, aluminum manufacturing techniques, all while emphasizing the importance of crafting bikes that strike a balance between performance and elegance.

We also learn that in addition to manufacturing Ventana bikes, Sherwood’s company manufactured OEM bikes for several well known bike companies including Ellsworth, Felt, and Moots (and many more).

Sherwood's passion and dedication is truly inspiring.

Ventana Mountain Bikes USA: https://ventanausa.com/bikes/

BMX Side Hacks: https://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=6140260

2008 Interview w/ Sherwood https://www.bikeradar.com/features/interview-ventana-mountain-bikes-sherwood-gibson/?image=5&type=gallery&gallery=1

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In this episode of the Mountain Cog Podcast, we delve into the world of endurance coaching, single-speed racing, and leadership training with the remarkable Troy Jacobson. With a vast array of experiences and expertise, Troy shares his insights and stories of helping people boost their performance whether on the race course or in their business career.

Coach Troy opens up about his pioneering work with Spinervals, a series of cycling training videos that revolutionized indoor cycling. With a focus on high-intensity interval workouts, Troy discusses how Spinervals became a cornerstone in the training regimens of cyclists worldwide, elevating their performance and overall fitness to new heights.

Troy also discusses the exciting world of single-speed racing, a discipline that demands exceptional strategy and mental fortitude. He shares his personal experiences as a single-speed racer, revealing the unique challenges and rewards of competing in this thrilling sport.

But Troy's impact extends beyond athletics. As the founder of the transformative Jacobson Leadership Academy, he empowers leaders, teams, and businesses to optimize performance for winning results. Throughout the podcast, listeners gain valuable insights into effective leadership strategies, mindset cultivation, and self-improvement, leaving them equipped with practical tools for growth.

Get ready to be inspired and motivated with the knowledge to reach new heights in your athletic pursuits and personal development journey, or what Coach Troy refers to as a High Performance Life.

Jacobson Leadership Academy: https://jacobsonleadershipacademy.com/
Jacobson Coaching Group, LLC: https://www.endurancecoachtroy.com/
Coach Troy Jacobson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troykjacobson/
A Day in the Life with Troy Jacobson: https://u.ironman.com/article/day-life-troy-jacobson
Basic info / spinervals / cycling etc,  https://www.youtube.com/@coachtroy07
Outdoor retreats, camping, etc: www.joyrancharizona.com
March cycling / tri camps: www.tucsontricamp.com
Surly Karate Monkey: https://surlybikes.com/bikes/karate_monkey
Campfire Cycling: https://www.campfirecycling.com/

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This week’s episode features Mike Piccini and Paul Thomas from Carbon-Fix. The Carbon-Fix team is made up of a few individuals with a combination of many years of cycling experience and more importantly over 35 years of carbon composite experience gained while working in aerospace and defense. These guys can repair just about any damage to a carbon fiber frame.   Rather than making a sizable investment on a crash replacement frame, why not let them repair your frame for a fraction of the cost.  How do the repairs hold up?  Typically, the repaired part is stronger than the original frame.

In addition to Carbon-Fix, we also talk about Paul’s other company, Squad Cycles.  Squad is a bicycle brand based in Canada that offers carbon fiber gravel, road, and triathlon bikes (all with custom paint jobs).  Squad was born in July 2011 from stubbornness & passion to create the next generation of carbon bikes that share our dreams & vision.

If you like carbon or have ever considered a carbon fiber bike, you should listen to this episode. 

Carbon Fix: https://carbon-fix.com/

Squad Cycles: https://squadcycles.us/

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In this episode, we hear from Scott Wraith (aka Scotty Van Halen), coach of the Vail Composite Mountain Bike Team, and his daughters/team riders, Shelby and Riley. They discuss the team's history, its mission, and the benefits of participating in competitive mountain biking.

The Vail Composite Mountain Bike Team, a member of the Arizona Cycling Association (ACA), was started 10 years ago by Ben “Bubbles” Chandler with one student and has since grown to include over 50 middle school thru high school age riders from the Vail, AZ area. Demonstrating a culture of inclusivity, Vail Composite welcomes boys and girls of all skill levels with a focus on personal goals and teaching community and social responsibility. The program is successful largely because of the total group effort consisting of many parents and volunteers. The Team’s Booster Club recently applied for their 501(c)(3) to help subsidize race fees where needed.

Scott also shares information about a philanthropic program called El Tour Bikes for Change, which has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs Tucson, Serve Our City and other non-profit entities to deliver new bicycles, helmets, locks and lights to underserved youth.  In 2022, they distributed 560 bikes to disadvantaged kids. They hope to more than double that this year . . . with your help. Click on the link in the show notes for details on how to donate.

Overall, the Vail Composite Mountain Bike Team is a great example of how two-wheeled sports can promote fitness, teamwork, and personal growth. This episode provides valuable insights into what it takes to be successful in competitive mountain biking and highlights the positive impact that this sport can have on young people and their families.

DONATE to Vail MTB Team: https://www.venmo.com/u/vailmtb

DONATE to El Tour Bikes for Change https://eltourdetucson.org/el-tour-bikes-for-change/

Vail Composite Mountain Bike Team https://www.facebook.com/vailhighschoolcycling/

Arizona Cycling Association https://arizonacycling.org/

Canyon Ranch Arizona Wellness Resort & Spa: https://www.canyonranch.com/tucson/arizona-resort/

Pivot Cycles https://www.pivotcycles.com/en/

El Tour voted USA Today’s Best Road Cycling Event https://eltourdetucson.org/el-tour-de-tucson-wins-usa-todays-10best-readers-best-road-cycling-events/

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