My Back 40

This week I’m speaking with Charlie Tsai, Economist, Entrepreneur and President of Intelligent Design Cycles. Charlie was born in Taiwan but grew up in California where cycling became a passion while he studied economics at UC Davis. Later he worked with the WTO as a trade and development economist helping developing countries, at the time, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, in trade negotiations.

In 2010 after returning from a posting in paris, he was burned out and needed a change. He begun selling dynamometer hubs and lighting systems internationally as a side business, which experienced huge growth, especially in Europe. As bikepacking exploded, and dynamos were proven in the field, namely on routes like the Tour Divide, growth continued.

This was a really stimulating conversation! We discuss trade and economics, which is definitely outside my wheelhouse. We chat about dyno hub technology and lighting systems that he developed when starting IDC. We get into the creation of the IDC/K-Lite Revolution wheelset which incorporates Textreme and Innegra technologies resulting in very strong yet compliant composite wheels. We also chat about the cultural differences between Asia and the west in regards to how Covid-19 was navigated.

Enjoy

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This week on the podcast I’m speaking with Sara and Guy Stuart, the father and daughter collaboration of bikepackersfoundry.com.

When Guy retired, he discovered bikepacking and soon after, he began building his own bags. Guy spent a lot of time building luggage, but it started to feel a little too much like work. So in 2019 he reached out to his daughter Sara and asked if she’d be interested in starting a business. With Sara’s background in sales, it wasn’t long before they were open for business. Sara jumped in with both feet to learn all the skills required to fabricate each quality piece while also running all other aspects of the business. Hands on to say the least.

Bikepackersfoundry.com’s mission is to create, field-test, and handcraft, original ultralight bikepacking gear using high-quality materials. They also provide ultralight DIY designs and usage ideas. This is where Guy’s expertise comes in.

Guy Stuart is a very experienced bikepacker, and has no problems heading out into the elements to test his creations to ensure they work as designed, while withstanding the harsh conditions in the Rocky Mountains. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of spending some time riding bikes and camping with Guy and I can say that he is a master of his craft.

I hope you enjoy this conversation. BikePackersfoundry.com also has an offer for you; A free 20" Voile strap for each $100 purchase when you add MyBack40Podcast in the purchase note.

Enjoy

You can hear another conversation I’ve had with Guy over at Bikepack Canada - Bikepack Canada Podcast #69.

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.

Save 10% at Ancestral Supplements when you use the code MB40 at checkout.

Save 10% at Ranch Box

Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

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This week I'm Speaking with Steve Halligan @halligan.steve, endurance athlete and co-owner of the Vibrant Living Retreat in Hanmer Springs New Zealand which he operates with his wife, Mary Jo. On offer are relaxing, replenishing, pampering, transformational and educational Wellness Retreats that support and inspire body, mind and soul.

Steve’s resume of events is impressive having tackled the Tour Divide twice and crushed other events such as the Timaru and the Tour Aotearoa. Steve takes a holistic approach to his racing and his life and shares some of his wisdom for a successful ultra endurance experience.

Steve is also an active supporter of the Masaka Cycling Club and we talk about the importance of this project in the podcast. As I write this into, Abdullah Zeinab @abdullahzeinab is currently raising money for the Masaka Cycling Club by attempting to break the 24 hour outdoor cycling world record.

I really enjoyed sitting down to chat with Steve and I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.

Save 10% at Ancestral Supplements when you use the code MB40 at checkout. 

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Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

This week on the podcast I am speaking with Amy Bender @sleep4sport, Director of Clinical Sleep Science at Cerebra.

“Cerebra was founded with a single purpose: to help people achieve their best sleep possible by understanding sleep where it happens, in the brain.“

Amy has wanted to be a scientist since she was in elementary school and was always asking questions about the world around her. Amy was inspired by her Aunt’s work as a sleep technologist and would often accompany her at the lab, fascinated by the brain wave data being collected. She ended up volunteering in a sleep lab which led to her becoming the lead sleep technologist at a Sleep and Performance Research Centre at Washington State university working on sleep deprivation studies. After acquiring her Masters and PhD in Experimental Psychology, she returned to the same lab to continue her work in Sleep Research.

Amy’s research expertise has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Good to Go (book), Parade Magazine, City News, and Global News. She has acted as a consultant to corporate wellness businesses, corporations, Professional & Olympic teams and has consulted other key clients such as Gatorade Performance Partner, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, TB12, Hockey Canada, and Rowing Canada.

I have been fascinated by sleep for the last couple of years. After I heard about Amy’s work in the book, Peak, by Marc Bubbs, I immediately reached out to Amy and invited her on the podcast. In this episode we talk about the evolution of sleep, the hormonal fluctuations that illicit sleep,  sleep architecture and the physiological function of the different stages of sleep. We discuss the accuracy of wearables and focus on some of the key changes we can make in our life to improve the quality of our sleep, commonly referred to as Sleep Hygiene.  And of course we chat about possible sleep strategies for an endurance athlete.

There are a ton of great takeaways in the episode and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

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Myback40.org

Self professed weekend warriors, Lee Agur and Sarah Lauzé started Dynamic Cyclist, as they saw a gap in the market for a quality cycling focused strength, stretching and mobility platform.

Dynamic Cyclist offers video based programming designed to develop functional mobility and strength for cyclists. Anecdotally, I can say that, and have said on the podcast often, the programs they offer are fantastic and have really helped me discover many of my imbalances. Working through the programs takes no time and it’s easy to fit into my crazy day and I am seeing and feeling results on and off the bike.

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Sarah about her athletic life and how the Dynamic Cyclist platform came to be. Sarah entered her first triathlon at age 12 and since then has been looking for ways to push her limits. Regardless of discipline, she says the most important thing is just being outdoors. 

I really hope you enjoy this chat. Please find your way over to Dynamic Cyclist and if you sign up, use the code MB40 at check out and you’ll save 25%. I also wanted to shout out to Bad Tattoo Brewing that is mentioned in the podcast!

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.

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Thanks to Rebound Cycle for supporting me!

This week I wanted to repost a conversation between Ross Burrage of the Hidden Athlete podcast and Mikel Delagrange, Human Rights lawyer and founder of the Amani Project based in the Netherlands.

Mikel works with the International Criminal Court helping victims in East Africa exercise their rights and seek reparations for the crimes and harm they have endured. Mikel is also a passionate cyclist and has found cycling to be a positive way to engage with the people in these countries, helping him balance the tragic events that have occurred, with the beauty of cycling. As a Human Rights Lawyer he is also passionate about race and gender equality in cycling.

Ross Burrage works for the Cotton On Foundation focusing on finance and sustainability in South Uganda. They help to build schools and support around education and infrastructure. Ross saw the cycling talent in the region whose athletes have no way of showcasing their talent to the world. This was the catalyst for the Masaka Cycling Club.

In this Episode they talk to the progress being made through their collaboration with the Amani Project and sister clubs. They talk about how they plan to navigate the barriers that still remain. They discuss how a relationship with Wahoo and the e-racing platform has enabled them to bring this talent to potential recruiters.

All the topics accumulate up to an exciting future for our friends in East Africa and we would love the Global Cycling community to get involved. If you’re interested in helping the Masaka Cycling Club and making some dreams come true for these athletes, please visit their website and discover ways you can help. No donation is too small.

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.

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Thanks to Rebound Cycle for supporting me!

Erin Blevins @shutup_eat resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she works as a private chef and coach. Erin is the founder of @shutupEAT, shutupWORK and is a, special project, private gym owner in Salt Lake City. 

Erin has combined her love of food and intense training by cheffing for world class athletes and has provided nutrition coaching and cooking for the world’s best female athletes of Red Bull Formation. Erin is also responsible for Henry Cavill’s transformation to Superman in the DC Film, Justice League.

 Erin is the co-author of “The Essential Carnivore Diet Cookbook” which recommends eliminating the highly processed foods in our everyday eating habits and replacing them with a diet full of high quality, nose to tail animal products.

“…an incredible guide with the most up-to-date information on the Carnivore diet, the different approaches you can take and the science behind each method so you can pick what works best for you.”

I admit that this podcast was a little out of my wheelhouse and I was nervous about this one. That said, I really enjoyed speaking with Erin and hearing her take on the topics we covered. We chat about cheffing for the starts, the different techniques in helping actors look their best in scenes, the importance of competition for self improvement and of course the benefits of a nose to tail carnivorous diet as well periodizing diet around training.

I hope you dig it!

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

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In the endurance scene, it seems that with age comes the desire to push ones limits in longer events. Often times the people who are participating are 30 plus. If you saw a teenager standing at the start line you would assume they were there to cheer on their mom, dad or, in some cases, even their grandparent! Scanning the list of starters at this year’s ITI   , some participants where in their 70’s, which is bad ass!

Enter 16yo Jacob Hora @jacob_hora. Jacob was born and raised in Victor, Idaho, a small town located in the Tetons. Victor is an outdoor recreator’s paradise and boasts a plethora of trails for bikers and hikers to get out and explore. With this in mind, it’s no wonder this small town turns out passionate athletes like Jacob and legendary endurance athlete, Jay Petervary.

Jay would watch Jacob ride his bike to school day after day, even in the most adverse weather conditions. Jay saw talent in this young athlete and took Jacob under his wing encouraging him to tackle the Iditarod Trail Invitational.

The 2021 ITI 350 was a, pandemic friendly out and back this year taking riders from Knik Lake to Rohn, Alaska and back. Jay and Jacob completed the 350 mile route in 4 days 17 hours and 54 minutes, a mere 10 hours behind the winner, Aaron Thrasher. This a huge accomplishment for an ITI rookie but with Jacob’s experience, it was well within his abilities.

Jacob has been riding bikes as long as he can remember. When he was 12 he participated in Jay Petervary’s 60km Fat Pursuit. This was his first race and was the catalyst for his passion for racing bikes. He continued honing his racing craft, participating in various races organized by NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. Jacob loves the community of cycling for it’s encouraging and supportive nature and the camaraderie he finds there.

I was really impressed by Jacob’s passion for what he does and the commitment he shows to getting out there to push his own limits and learn as much as he can. I was also really impressed by this young man’s drive and growth mindset. I’m sure we will be seeing more from Jacob in the coming years and I can’t wait to see how far he’ll go. 

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.

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I first met Louis-Eric at the 2017 Bikepack Canada Summit. My first impressions of this entrepreneur was that he was curious, driven and motivated. This was validated as shortly after the Summit, he began to plan the longest national, self supported race in existence. The Trans Canada Bike Race.

The Trans Canada Bike Race starts June 20th, 2021 in Whitehorse in the Yukon Territories and takes riders across Canada from north to south, west to east over 12,500km and has them climbing over 94,000m.

Most recently in Louis-Eric’s entrepreneurial background he co-founded Airway Rescue, a low-cost emergency ventilator developed by an international team of experts, medical professionals, space program engineers, medical device experts, ER doctors, manufacturing specialists and veterans from Silicon Valley companies like Apple, Microsoft and HP. The device can be 3D printed or laser-cut from anywhere in the world. A noble cause given the current state of things.

Despite his business savvy, Louis-Eric is an adventurer at his core and loves to play and live life to its fullest. Cycling, skydiving and mountaineering keep him occupied when he’s not attending board meetings and conferences in the IT sector. 

In this episode we discuss the Trans Canada Bike Race and the logistics of planning such an event. We discuss dealing with depression in the wake of ultra endurance events. We also hear stories from some of his adventures and go off on other tangents as usual.

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Matt Mosteller, @powdermatt is a co-founder of The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) Initiative, a project managed by the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Society, incorporated in February 2019, and is based in Kimberley, BC. KORE is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to makers and creators in the outdoor manufacturing sector.

The Kootenays encompass portions of four major mountain ranges: the western Rockies, Purcells, Selkirks and the eastern Monashees. Within these ranges are hundreds of lakes, rivers, glaciers and 10,000-foot peaks. The region includes four national parks, 75 provincial parks, and countless year-round, winter and summer recreation resorts, backcountry lodges, hot springs, championship golf courses and far-out destinations renown for world-class hiking, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking and climbing.

Kootenay communities like Golden, Invermere, Fernie, Nelson, Rossland, Kimberly and Revelstoke are rapidly becoming recognized as having some of the planet’s most outstanding and untouched mountain wilderness.

The KORE initiative wants to bring creators to the region and stimulate the economy of these small mountain towns. What better place than the Kootenays to set up shop and create awesome gear tried and tested in some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain on the planet!

In this podcast, Matt shares a little about himself as a young boy and the events that inspired him to live his best life in the outdoors. We discuss the importance of moving through nature and the positive impacts that communities of outdoor enthusiasts bring to the region. We also chat about the value that these communities bring to the region and how KORE is making it a no brainer for future companies to set up shop here in the Kootenays.

Save 50% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout.

Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.

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Thanks to Rebound Cycle for supporting me!