My Back 40

By Steve O'ShaughnessySports Health & Fitness Mental Health Fitness

My Back 40 episodes

May 31, 2020 018. Cameron Dube - Bikepacking and Packrafting in the Whitewater Region
As a certified whitewater rafting instructor, Cameron wants to help people get their feet wet in the world of Packrafting.
Cameron @camdube grew up in the Whitewater Region in Ontario, an area famous all over the world for its excellent paddling.
During his time as the director of the Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association, they have built 40km of single track and are the hosts of the BORCA Spring Chicken. Considering his paddling and cycling background, Cam is the perfect candidate to draw people into the world of Bikerafting.
In this episode we chat about his experiences on the 2018 Tour Divide as well as the 2019 Italy Divide. Cameron also shares some knowledge regarding the liabilities of organizing cycling events.
1 hr 16 min
May 24, 2020 017. Miiro Michael - The Masaka Cycling Club
Miiro Michael wants to promote youth cycling in Masaka, Uganda. He saw the cycling talent in his region and was inspired to try to showcase these talents by starting the Masaka Cycling Club.
Miiro wants to help girls, boys and disabled youth discover the joys of cycling. He’s built a committee of dedicated individuals to help him realize his dream, but he needs help. I wanted to get this conversation out to bring awareness to this cause in hopes that we, the My Back 40 community, can help them out.
The financial challenges of building a team in a poor and developing country are staggering but what this club will give back to the community is priceless.
After listening to this conversation, please checkout the Masaka Cycling Club and the ways we can help them out. Every dollar helps.
The Hidden Athlete Project
Masaka Cycling Club on Instagram
Masaka Cycling Club on Facebook
1 hr 15 min
May 18, 2020 016. Robert Bigelow-Rubin, Living Life on Two Wheels
Robert Bigelow-Rubin (@flowers_for_nearl) is a bike messenger working at a Cut Cats Courier, an independent worker-owned and operated company in Chicago, IL.
I first met Robert in Merritt, B.C. at a BBQ the night before the start of the 2018 BC Epic 1000. After riding across the province, he looked fresh and ready to tackle the route. Unfortunately, he had to call it after experiencing some achilles issues. Of course this didn’t stop him from continuing his adventures.
Robert basically lives a life on two wheels working, playing and traveling. In this episode we talk about life as a messenger in the big city of Chicago as well as his bikepacking trip to Morocco.
1 hr 10 min
May 14, 2020 015. Katrina Rosen - Bravely Living Her Best Life
I first met Katrina at the Rum Runner in Coleman, Alberta the evening before the start of the 2017 Alberta Rockies 700. What stood out to me most about Katrina was her positive energy and infectious smile.
Katrina has seen a lot of the world through her athletic endeavours as an adventure racer, rugby player and cyclist. When the love seemed to have fizzled from her marriage, She planned a bike trip that not only breathed life back into the relationship but also inspired her book, With You by Bike: One Couple's Life-Changing Journey Around the World.
In this episode of the My Back 40 podcast, Katrina and I discuss her book, parenting, family adventures and starting a new business, Bow Valley Upholstery.
Katrina has seen a lot of the world through her athletic endeavours as an adventure racer, rugby player and cyclist. When the love seemed to have fizzled from her marriage, She planned a bike trip that not only breathed life back into their relationship but also inspired her book, With You by Bike: One Couple's Life-Changing Journey Around the World.
In this episode of the My Back 40 podcast, Katrina and I discuss her book, parenting, family adventures and starting a new business, Bow Valley Upholstery.
1 hr 29 min
May 11, 2020 014. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! with Betty O’Shaughnessy
Since today is Mother’s Day, I thought I would do something a little different. This week on the My Back 40 podcast I bring you… My Mom, Betty O’Shaughnessy.
Betty lives life to the fullest in Arnprior, Ontario where she and my Dad, Darrel decided to retire. You’ll hear about what parenting was like in the 70’s, the importance of keeping active in the later years and you might hear me divulge some of my criminal past as a skateboarder in a Deep River, Ontario.
It was a blast talking to my Mom on the podcast and my hope is that you’ll get a kick out of the chat. I wanted to do this to show how awesome she is and how, just because our bodies may not work the same as we get older, we can still get after it!
1 hr 16 min
May 04, 2020 012. Trish Holt - Experiencing the World by Bike
I became interested in chatting with Trish about her cycling adventures after the 2019 Bikepack Canada Summit in Canmore AB. last September. I knew that she would have some great stories to share to inspire others.
In this episode of the My Back 40 podcast, Trish shares stories from her adventures on two wheels. From racing the BC Epic 1000 to touring in the wilds of Iceland to her experience at a World Singlespeed Championship, Trish loves experiencing the world by bike.
This podcast has been in the queue for a while and was recorded pre-pandemic. Please excuse the untimely references made to trip and race plans. What would have been considered an evergreen conversation quickly became otherwise as Covid-19 spread across the globe.
1 hr 48 min
April 27, 2020 011. Curtis Litun - The Spandex Panda
What screams out classic, high fashion, Italian cycling clothing better than a big ol’ panda! Curtis Litun of The Spandex Panda wants you to change the way you think about cycling clothing.
His line of Italian made, merino wool shorts, jerseys and accessories is technical and practical. Now you don’t have to look and smell like a dirt bag while enjoying your post ride cappuccino and pastry.
In this episode we discuss the evolution of The Spandex Panda and how a Mascot has become a culture.
1 hr 53 min
April 21, 2020 010. Jay Petervary - #RideForward, An Ethos
More than just a Hashtag, #RideForward is an ethos. Whether facing the adversities of ultra endurance racing or of life, Jay’s motto drives him and keeps him moving forward despite the challenges.
I’ve been wanting to have a conversation with Jay for a while now and when our schedules finally aligned we connected for a chat about riding bikes, pushing physical limits and the changing landscape of Bikepacking.
Jay discovered his passion for endurance athletics back in 2006/2007 and hasn’t looked back since. Jay is the man behind Fat Pursuit Race, “A 60km, 200km or 200-mile human-powered winter race on a network of groomed snowmobile trails.” as well as Fat Pursuit Camp and Fat Camp.
Jay’s list of accomplishments is too long to detail here. That said, The Iditarod Trail Invitational, The Tour Divide, Italy Divide, Silk Road Mountain Race and the Atlas Mountain Race all top the list.
We also chatted about the events of last years Tour Divide and how it has impacted his life. It was an honour chatting with and learning from Jay.
Enjoy!
2 hr 12 min
April 14, 2020 009. Matthew Bain - Coping with Change
This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of having a conversation with Matthew Bain (MEd., MA. Registered Provisional Psychologist Mental Performance Consultant). The last time we spoke was on Bikepack Canada Podcast Ep.61, in which we chatted about the psychological mechanics of motivation.
Having a strategy and mindset for coping with the recent Covid-19 Pandemic is probably one of the most important tools to have in your psychological tool kit. There’s a lot of information out there and managing this firehose of data in and of itself could amplify your own stress and anxiety.
Matt and I discuss strategies for families with children and how having a regular schedule is so important to keeping them engaged. We cover the effects of fear on decision making and how to think critically when absorbing the flood of information coming from the media.
I find there are always a great many take aways after I talk with Matt. I found this chat therapeutic. We are not alone with this. We are all feeling the strain. My hope is that this conversation will help you like it did me.
1 hr 34 min
April 11, 2020 008. Lennard Pretorius and the 2020 BC Epic 1000
Most of you will likely be aware of who Lennard is but for those of you don’t, he’s the mastermind behind the Buckshot and the BC Epic 1000 ultra endurance races. I was excited to ride the Epic again this year and try to knock off some time. Well, it turns out that this may not be the year after all.
Lennard is a family physician, so speaking with him provided a realistic outlook as to what the summer is going to look like for bikepacking events and how running these events may not be the socially responsible thing to do, especially for the small communities along the route.
Lennard and I share stories from the trail and how the world of bikepacking and the events he coordinates gives him connection and meaning. It’s always a pleasure speaking with Lennard. As you will hear, he has a great passion for pushing his limits and for the people who share this experience with him.
1 hr 46 min