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This is the 1st of our 2 part series with O.G. BMX pro Dusty Horton.  The episode starts off with Dusty telling about his BMX roots in Milwaukee, his time riding for DK, his discovery of 22" BMX bikes and his current gig riding for Ditto BMX.  The episode is full of laughs and fun stories including riding brakeless, how Turf Skatepark turned into a strip club, and highlights Dusty's Tucson LBS (local bike shop) Transit Cycles.

Ditto BMX (specializes in 22" BMX bikes)
- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dittobmx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/DITTO-BMX/100033142909286/
- Webstore: https://lmnod.bigcartel.com/category/ditto

Transit Cycles in Tucson - https://www.transitcycles.com/

Josh's bidet (~$44 on amazon) - LUXE Bidet 120 Plus

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Ever wondered about the intricate science behind cardiovascular fitness and the mysterious VO2 max readings on your smart devices? Or pondered about the impact of bike crank lengths on your cadence? Well, your curiosity is about to be satiated as we explore these fascinating topics with our guest, Wolfman. An exercise physiologist turned real estate agent, Wolfman's unique journey is sure to captivate you as much as his insights on physiology and bike mechanics.

Imagine hitting a wall during your training because you've been pushing too hard—overtraining is a genuine concern, and we'll be uncovering the importance of recovery and mental strength and how renowned athletes like Chris Horner and Mark Spitz handle training. But it's not all about the physical; we also delve into muscle cramps and the science behind them, plus the long-term impacts of high-intensity training. We're also going to take a closer look at the significance of bike fit, from saddle height to handlebars, and how it can make a world of difference to your cycling performance.

In the final segment, we explore the intersection between real estate and bicycles in communities, the advantages of bike paths, and the perils of sidewalk riding. We delve into the role infrastructure plays in creating not just an easier, safer cycling experience, but also how it can up the value of your home. And if you've ever struggled with sleep hygiene, you'll want to tune in as we discuss its impact on training performance and the benefits of sleep studies and CPAP machines. So grab your headphones, hop on your bike, and join us for a conversation that promises to be as enlightening as it is engaging.

Wolfman's 1st MCP Episode - MCP 027
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2052531/12243471-027-turns-out-your-body-matters-on-a-bike-andrew-wolf

Get a bike fit!  Ask around your local area.  In Tucson?  Here's a couple options...

Kurt Rosenquist: https://www.fitworkscycling.com/kurt-rosenquist

Frank Kaiser: https://www.bensbikestucson.com/

Physiological measures of bicyclists’ subjective experiences: A scoping review - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369847822002066

Real Estate Topics: Trails and Greenways - https://www.nar.realtor/trails-and-greenways

Active Transportation and Real Estate: The Next Frontier - https://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Active-Transportation-and-Real-Estate-The-Next-Frontier.pdf

Room with 18 Bicycles incorporated into Active Couples House - https://www.trendir.com/room-with-18-bicycles-incorporated-into-active-couples-house/

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This week's guest is 15 year old road cyclist Brady Hogue (joined by his mom  Sarah).  Throughout the episode Brady walks us through his cycling journey starting with the Vail Composite Mountain Bike team thru his transition to road cycling, including racing in nationals and participating in USA Cycling's European Training and Race Camp in Sittard, Netherlands.  This up and coming rider has got amazing discipline, talent, and was just invited to join the EF-Education-ONTO Junior Race team.  Brady's very cool story, passion, and energy make for a great episode that we know you'll all enjoy.

https://ontocycling.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bradyhogue_/
https://usacycling.org/team-usa/road#Development

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In this episode we chat with Sirena Rana, owner of Trails Inspire.  The episode covers many cool outdoor topics including Amerind Museum's grand opening (Oct 7th, 2023) of a new hiking trail system in Texas Canyon, AZ (in the Dragoons) and The Sun Corridor Trail project which aims to establish a bike touring route from Douglas, AZ to Las Vegas, NV.

Trails Inspire was established to help promote the outdoors through freelance writing, photography, public speaking and trail design.  It's owner, Sirena, loves to share the fascinating places she explores while hiking, backpacking, rafting and canyoneering through her photography, speaking engagements and writing.  

Sirena is the author of “Best Day Hikes on the Arizona National Scenic Trail” and a contributing author to “Your Complete Guide to the Arizona National Scenic Trail” and her articles have appeared in the Copper Town News, American Long Distance Hiking Association – West Gazette, Visit Arizona’s website and many more. 

Her photos have been featured in Backpacker Magazine: Long Trails and “Your Official Guide to the Arizona National Scenic Trail" as well as numerous publications, online articles and the Arizona Highways blog.

She has appeared on Arizona Public Media, The Arizona Republic, Arizona Daily Sun, Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Highways blog, Good Morning Arizona, Tucson News Now and She Explores ,The Trail Show, and of course the Mountain Cog podcasts.

Episode web links.

Texas Canyon Hiking Trails Grand Opening:  https://www.amerind.org/events/texas-canyon-nature-preserve-trail-system-grand-opening/

Sun Corridor Trail Project:  suncorridortrail.org

Trails Inspire: trailsinspire.com

Texas Canyon trail system: https://tinyurl.com/mvdkfua9

Texas Canyon Mountain Bike Race: https://www.amerind.org/events/texas-canyon-mountain-bike-race-3/

Amerind Museum: https://www.amerind.org/

Sirena’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertsirena/?hl=en

Sirena’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirena-rana-45b59848/

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Have you ever met a person whose spirit leaves an indelible mark on your soul? A man with a self-actualized nature, humbleness, and kindness that garners respect from all that meet him? Craig Randall, fondly remembered as the Bike Monk, was that person for Tucson's mountain biking community. One of the original trailblazers, he pedaled his way into our hearts with his shop Lone Cactus, and through his integral work on the trails we ride (like Fantasy Island). His infectious love for mountain biking radiates through the stories we share, as we honor his legacy and the immense impact he had on our community.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Bike Monk.  Thank you Craig, for all you did for our community.  You will be missed.  Rest In Peace.

Fantasy Island Tribute to Bike Monk : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcZLubXSNyI&t=578s

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Today's guest, Tucson Police Department Chief Chad Kasmar, is a passionate cyclist with a fascinating career in public safety.  Kasmar shares his journey from a tricycle-riding child to an avid mountain biking adult. We delve into his adventurous Leadville race experiences, discuss his transition from dirt bikes to mountain biking, and explore how his public safety career influences his approach to cycling.

Safety, of course, is paramount. Therefore, we zoom in on the critical aspect of cycling safety, where Kasmar stresses the importance of situational awareness, reflective clothing, and lights. Drawing from a chilling incident of his friend being hit by a car while cycling, he provides insights on collision prevention. We further examine the often-strained relationship between cyclists and motorists, the role of courtesy on the road, and the laws' significance.

Delving into the intersection of public safety and cycling, we investigate the potential of e-bikes in police patrols. As the discussion broadens, we touch upon the etiquette between cyclists and motorists, bike patrol's role in community policing, and the impact of biking on addressing community issues like poverty and bike theft. So gear up and join us as we traverse the challenging yet rewarding terrain of biking, public safety, and community involvement with Chief Chad Kasmar.

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Police

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Ever wondered what it takes to reconstitute and epic big mountain trail system with sick vertical drop? Today, we're fortunate to have Nat Gordon, a board member of the volunteer-run Sonoran Desert Mountain Bikers (SDMB) organization on the show, to shed some light on their organization and their efforts to revive the trails on Mount Graham in South Eastern Arizona.  Nat shares incredible insights into the hard work, engineering, and environmental considerations that go into trail restorations, and how the unique conditions of the Sonoran Desert add an extra layer of complexity.

The conversation doesn't stop at trail building. We also stir up discussions about the important initiatives at SDMB to foster diversity and inclusion within their ranks. Here’s a little teaser: They are on a mission to recruit more female board members! And yes, they speak about the irresistible lure of Mount Graham, the heart of their remarkable project. It's not just about mountain biking; we also hear about the exhilarating road riding opportunities that this mountain has to offer. 

Towards the end, we steer the conversation to the responsible side of mountain biking. Nat enlightens us about SDMB's "be cool" trail safety initiatives, bike skills, and bike Academy program aimed at promoting inclusion and trail etiquette. We explore the vital role of volunteers in keeping the organization running smoothly, especially in the post-pandemic world. Lastly, we also touch upon the fascinating world of trail maintenance, the cowboy gate etiquette, and the somewhat cryptic art of securing funding for these activities. So, if you're a mountain biking enthusiast or simply love hearing about behind-the-scenes operations, you can't afford to miss this episode!

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) : 
https://www.SDMB.org

Mount Graham Visitors Guide: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1086012.pdf 

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Join us as we pedal our way through the world of cycling with our guest, Jesus Frías, a seasoned cyclist and owner of Ride Tucson, a new shop that focuses on building community.  With over two decades of riding experience tucked under his helmet, Jesus opens up about his inventive business model that blends his love for cycling with a passion for local culture, food, and community engagement. This unique symphony of experiences has given birth to a cycling oasis in the heart of the desert that's as refreshing as a chilled bottle of Bacanora, made specifically for Ride Tucson.

Our conversation heads South as we hop on our virtual bikes and set course for South America, strapping ourselves in for an exploration of latin bike culture. Jesus' stories range from an intriguing history of electric bicycles to his escapades training dealers and customers with Specialized SBCU. We then gear up and race to Mexico, shedding light on the world of bike races, shops, and a pulsing cycling culture that rivals any Tour de France stage.

In the finale of our chat, we shift gears to discuss e-bikes - a phenomenon electrifying the biking industry. Jesus offers a unique insight into the brands he carries, the staggering growth of the e-bike market and the myriad of ways e-bikes are being used globally. From the thrill of Mexican wrestling culture - Lucha Libre, to his sunset collection inspired by Tucson's mountain views, this conversation is super interesting. So, get ready to embark on this ride with Jesus Frías, where every turn unveils a potential new and exhilarating cycling adventure.

Ride Tucson: https://ridetucsonaz.com/

The Loop (Tucson's 150+ mile paved bike path): https://tucsonloop.org/

Jesus's favorite place to ride in South America: Colonia, Uruguay:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_del_Sacramento

Aventon EBikes: https://www.aventon.com/collections/ebikes

Velotric EBikes: https://www.velotricbike.com/

Lucha Libre: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/lucha-libre-an-introduction-to-mexican-wrestling

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Turns out, growing up in a skatepark lays the foundation for unbelievable talent on gravity fed trails.

This week’s guests (Skander Anderson & Grayson Festerling) are both 14 years old.  They grew up spending countless hours riding and competing on freestyle scooters at skateparks throughout the country.  Today, they are “retired” from freestyle scooter competitions and both pursue other passions like weightlifting and basketball.

However, if you put these boys on capable mountain bikes, with lift assisted, gravity fed, flow and jump lines, you learn very quickly that “air awareness is air awareness”, regardless of the sport.  Just don’t ask them to pedal, ain’t nobody got time for that…

Throughout the episode the boys take us through their skatepark history, tell stories of bad crashes, injury, recovery, and ultimately transitioning to BMX dirt jumping and gravity riding.  They discuss their approach to gravity fed mountain biking and how with what appears to be very little effort, they clear double black diamond jump lines and advanced features that very few of us would even attempt.  

These boys are funny, entertaining, and probably better than you on a mountain bike, as long as you don’t ask them to pedal.

Angelfire Bike Park
https://www.angelfireresort.com/activities/summer-activities/bike-park/

Cult - BMX Dirt Jump Bikes they ride
https://cultcrew.com/

Premises Indoor Skatepark (where they grew up)
https://www.premisespark.com/

Woodward West - Action Sport Camps
https://www.woodwardwest.com/

Chilli Pro Scooters (Skander’s old sponsor)
https://www.chilli-proscooter.com/en/

MGP Scooters (Grayson’s old sponsor)
https://us.maddgear.com/collections/mg-origin-range

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This episode features Joanna and Phil Yates of Trail Lovers, a company located in Sedona, Arizona that provides guided mountain bike rides/tours. Joanna is the Skills Clinic Manager & Lead Skills Coach and Phil is the General Manager & Lead Guide. Trail Lovers offers many different, unique, and 5-star MTB tours for every type of rider. They create a streamlined adventure experience with door-to-door service, providing everything needed (even great organic snacks).

During the episode, Joanna and Phil share insights into the world class mountain bike riding in Sedona along with some fun and easy to remember tips and tricks to improve riding on the trails. They discuss their top bike parks and trails around the United States and a bit about van life. Additionally, Joanna talks about her innovative remote coaching program and unique MTB Vibes Jewelry company. 

We think you will enjoy meeting Joanna and Phil as much as we did. Kind of like riding Sedona’s 300 miles of single track, this episode is “Punchy” – 100% exciting all the time. Tune in!  Oh, and a couple tips from this episode: don’t get stuck in the “ready position” & when you ride “heavy feet, light hands”!

Phil & Joanna

Trail Lovers: https://traillovers.com/

Joanna’s Coaching: https://sedonamtbcoaching.com/

Joanna’s MTB Jewelry:  https://mtbvibes.com/

Instragram: @joannajyates; @phildangerous

Sedona Bike Rentals

https://thundermountainbikes.com/

https://www.absolutebikes.net/

https://www.bike-bean.com/

https://visitsedona.com/

Gear 

https://www.evil-bikes.com/

https://www.ibiscycles.com/

https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/collections/flight-attendant

Epic Trails

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/hiline/

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/engine-creek/

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/noble-canyon-trail/

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/lost-lake-trail-91/

https://www.trailforks.com/region/tea-creek-area/

https://www.trailforks.com/region/slatyfork/

Bike Parks

Angel Fire: https://www.angelfireresort.com/activities/summer-activities/bike-park/

Purgatory:  https://www.purgatory.ski/activities/mountain-biking/

Crested Butte: https://www.skicb.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/cb-bike-park.aspx

Gravy

Red Eye Gravy: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/red-eye-gravy

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