Ope! Bikes.

Born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Aaron has spent years developing an intimate relationship with the rivers, forests, gravel roads, and forgotten places that make the Ozarks one of the most captivating landscapes in the United States. Whether he's pedaling remote backroads, floating rivers with a loaded bikeraft, or documenting bikepacking races across the country, Aaron has a remarkable ability to uncover stories and places that most of us would ride right past.

Many of you have probably seen Aaron's work without even realizing it. Through Mixed SOiL Media, he's helped capture the spirit of events like the Arkansas High Country Race, DOOM, the Fayetteville Ultra Circuit, Mishigami, and countless other races and adventures across the country. His videos and photography don't just document an event—they tell the story of the people, the landscape, and everything that happens in between.

But Aaron's impact reaches far beyond the camera. He's also the mind behind the route entitled MOzark—a 1,320-mile bikepacking route that stitches together some of Missouri's most spectacular public lands, and countless small towns, rivers, and historic landmarks that give the route its character.

In this conversation, Aaron and I talk about growing up in Cape Girardeau and where his fascination with maps, rivers, forests, and exploration first began. We dive into the world of bikerafting and how combining bicycles with packrafts opens up entirely new ways to experience the backcountry. We also discuss the evolution of Mixed SOiL Media—from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most recognizable names in bikepacking storytelling—and what race organizers can expect when they bring Aaron on to document an event.

And finally, we spend some time exploring the MOzark route itself. We talk about the monumental task of turning hundreds of miles of disconnected roads, rivers, public lands, and historical points of interest into one cohesive journey, why the Ozarks continue to inspire him after all these years, the highlights of Mr. Randy Windle’s ride back in June, and what it means to share these places with the cycling community in a way that encourages both adventure and stewardship.

Spend enough time around Aaron, and you start looking at a map a little differently.

Today we’re sitting down with someone whose path into bikepacking is truly one of the more fascinating evolutions in the sport: the incredible Kendall Park.

Kendall’s story starts far from endurance riding. Long before multi-day pushes through rugged terrain and the patient, measured rhythm of ultra-distance events, Kendall was a football player and strength athlete built for power and explosiveness. Her roots are in weight rooms and locker rooms, in a culture shaped by strength, fast-twitch movement, and ‘force = mass times acceleration’. And somehow, that foundation—one built around strength, and physical dominance—eventually set the stage for a surprising and deeply intentional shift into the slow grind, long days, and mental steadiness of endurance cycling.

Kendall’s move into bikepacking is as extreme as it gets. She’s not just testing the waters—she’s taken on some of the toughest events out there, including completing the Iditarod Trail Invitational twice, racing Unbound XL, and tackling (get it? tackling) North-South Colorado. These aren’t just rides; they’re multi-day, physically punishing tests of endurance. Going from short, explosive bursts on the football field to this kind of sustained, grueling effort speaks volumes about her adaptability, focus, and personal determination.

In our conversation, Kendall and I explore what it really looks like to transition from a strength-based athlete to an endurance athlete—how your identity shifts, how your body adapts, how training philosophies flip on their head, and what it takes to exchange one form of discipline for another. We talk about the cultural contrast between the gym and the bikepacking world, the habits she carried over, the challenges she faced, and the ways her strength background still shows up in her riding today.

Kendall is forever learning, and also pursuing her MD & PhD in computer science and medicine, so of course, as an analytical person, Kendall and I dig into the training science that fuels her approach. Kendall is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and incredibly intentional with her work. She breaks down how she blends strength principles with endurance demands, how she structures training now, and how she prepares herself for the demands of ultra racing.

And of course, we dive into one of the defining chapters of her endurance novel: DOOM 2024, where she spent 6 days, 12 hours, and 3 minutes battling one of the most notoriously brutal courses in Arkansas. Out there, Kendall wasn’t just contending with relentless climbs and unforgiving terrain—she was carrying the weight of losing a close friend from high school, processing that grief mile after mile. She also faced inclement, incoming weather, forcing her to seek shelter and steady herself—physically and emotionally—while deciding how to move forward safely. Yet even amid all of that, she found genuine trail magic: unexpected kindnesses and small, grounding moments that helped her stay present and keep going. We talk about how she held her commitment when everything pushed back, and how her “finish-first” philosophy continues to guide the way she races.

In this episode, we’re venturing beyond the world of ultra distance racing and into something a little more poetic and a little more unconventional—with our guest, nomadic rider and storyteller, True Marmalade.

Erik Binggeser—better known by his rolling moniker, True Marmalade—has spent the past few years crisscrossing the U.S. by cargo bike, logging over 50,000 miles on a titanium Omnium as part of a slow, deliberate, and deeply intentional life on the road. Born and raised in Michigan, Erik’s journey winds through a former corporate career, a stretch of vanlife, and ultimately into a mode of travel that blends bikepacking, minimalism, food rescue, and a whole lot of human connection.

Last weekend I caught up with Erik right here in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was hunkered down for a bit—recharging, resupplying, and taking a short pause from the road. While in town, Erik joined a group ride with Matt and the crew over at HoboHubWorks, and showed up to soak in the action at Penrose Park Velodrome. It was a short stay, but a perfect opportunity to sit down and talk.

In this conversation, Erik and I talk about what it means to leave behind the idea of accumulation and lean into subtraction. We unpack his use of the Wandrer app, discuss life as a Type 1 diabetic on the road, and explore the mental and physical shifts that come with living from a bike. We also dig into the gear that keeps him moving—from custom bags by South City Stitchworks to a variety of collaborations with builders and bagmakers across the bike industry, turning his journey into a rolling canvas of creative partnerships.

And of course, we dive into Erik’s daily practice of dumpster diving and food rescue: how it began, why he continues to share it so openly, and what it’s revealed about waste, resourcefulness, and our connection to community.

There’s something gently radical about the way Erik moves through the world—what he’s doing feels like a form of protest, a kind of anarchist calisthenics, if you will. Erik challenges the status quo and invites us to rethink how we live, travel, and connect with others.

On this episode, we’re shifting gears a bit and diving into the world of custom bike building and the artistry of frame crafting with today’s incredible guest, Brian Hall.

Brian hails from River Falls, Wisconsin and is the founder, builder, and creative mind behind Rare Earth Cycle. Not only does Brian design and handcraft beautiful, purpose-driven bikes, he’s also living proof that blending artistry, engineering, and a passion for adventure can lead to some truly remarkable machines. From touring the Baja Divide on a bike he built himself—affectionately named Horse With No Name—to tackling the Tour Divide aboard his Huckleberry Dragon, Brian’s work isn’t just about building bikes…it’s about creating vehicles for adventure, exploration, and personal transformation.

In this episode, Brian and I catch up on his journey from a successful career in outdoor footwear design to becoming a full-time bike builder. We dive into the creative and technical sides of frame building, how he balances artistry and craftsmanship, and the ethos behind Rare Earth Cycle — where riders are encouraged to bring their dream builds to life. We also talk about the inspiration he draws from the trails, the vibrant powder coating finishes he's known for, and where he hopes to take Rare Earth Cycle in the coming years.

We’ll even get a sneak peek into Brian’s plans for Made.Bike this August and what future bikepacking adventures might be on his radar.

On this episode we’re once again diving into the world of ultra-distance bikepack racing with our incredible and courageous guest, Kayla Hall.

Kayla hails from Roanoke, VA and is an ultra-distance cyclist, nurse, and all-around powerhouse. Kayla doesn’t just compete in ultra-distance bikepack racing, she conquers some of the nation’s most challenging routes. From the TransVirginia route to the Arkansas High Country Race, Kayla has endured the intense physical and mental demands of long-distance racing, navigating both the unpredictability of blood sugar fluctuations and the ever-changing challenges of ultra-distance competition.

In this episode, Kayla and I catch up on her life in Roanoke, discussing her current training program and how she’s deepening ties with the local cycling community. We also dive into her reflections on last season's racing experiences and the lessons she learned along the way. We dive into Kayla’s life as a Type 1 diabetic and how her background as a nurse has helped her with her diabetes management. And finally we chat about Kayla’s 2025 event calendar…including Appalachian Journey, TransVirginia, RockStar Trail, and the monumental Silk Road race in Kyrgyzstan.

Hailing from the rolling foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, Randy has made his mark in both the ultra-distance running and bikepacking communities. Known by many as the "spiritual heartbeat of Arkansas bikepacking", Randy’s infectious energy and unwavering resilience have earned him a well-deserved reputation as an adventurer who brings his personality and his passion to every mile.

This past October, Randy completed the full course of the Arkansas High Country Race with a time of 8 days, 7 hours, and 3 minutes. Although this wasn’t Randy’s best performance on the course from a historical perspective…what’s most interesting is that Randy has logged over 2,800 miles on the route since 2021, earning him local legend status across the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges.

What I admire most about Randy is how his self-expression and personality bleeds into the bikes he rides, the bags he runs, the patches that are sewn onto those bags, the photographs he captures and shares, the Spotify playlists he curates, and the smiles and warm reception he elicits from the community. 

During this conversation, Randy and I chat about his experience during this year’s Arkansas High Country Race and how he first learned about the event. We cover some memorable and not so memorable moments from Randy’s 2024 season. We chat about Randy’s previous life as an ultra-distance runner and how it has influenced and informed his bikepacking career. We chat about ‘intention’ and how Randy, and other racers, navigate this complex mental state. And lastly Randy gets his turn to ask myself some questions about this year’s bikepacking adventures.

My guests today are Tanner Frady and Dave Easley from Oklahoma City, OK. Tanner and Dave are ultra-distance cyclists, their single-speeders, and, given their relatively short racing career, have already reached impressive milestones. Between the two of these guys…Tanner and Dave have accumulated thousands of miles racing events like MidSouth, East TX Showdown, Osage Passage XL, Kansas Cannonball 500, Rule of 3, Ozark Gravel DOOM, and the Arkansas High Country Race.

In this conversation Tanner and Dave talk about how they each found their way to ultra-distance racing and how the bike has served as a vessel of transformation for the both of them. We discuss the upcoming event Mega MidSouth (starting this Wednesday, September 18th) and how Tanner and Dave test rode the course during its development, we talk about the subculture of single speed racers hailing from the state of Oklahoma and the legends that exist within that community, and finally we discuss Tanner and Dave’s preparation, expectations, and dreams for the Arkansas HIgh Country Race coming up on October 5th.

I’ve previously mentioned that bike packing and ultra-distance racing has brought many new friends and a supportive, welcoming community. Tanner and Dave are prime examples of this community and are two friends that I’m forever grateful to know…

Joining me for today’s conversation is none other than Jen Swartout. Jen lives in Bella Vista, AR and, in March of this year, completed the daunting DESPAIR course as part of Ozark Gravel DOOM.

Jen’s story and overall perspective is an intriguing one. Jen’s been riding bikes as a hobby cyclist for almost 20 years but really didn’t start her journey into bikepacking and ultra-distance events until recently. Jen is also a ride leader for Femmes Gravel in Northwest Arkansas which is a community of female-identifying riders with a mission of empowering, inspiring, and training women to achieve their first 100 mile bike ride. 

As a quote/unquote beginner bikepacker, Jen has served as an inspiration and role model for other women who are interested in joining the sport. In this conversation Jen and I reminisce about her entrance into bikepacking and what aspects of the community resonated with her, we chat about her involvement with Femmes Gravel, her experience during the torturous but rewarding Ozark Gravel DESPAIR course, and finally we chat about the ‘Women of the High Country’ and Jen’s plans to tackle the 430 mile Central Loop of the Arkansas High Country Race this October.

I truly enjoyed catching up with Jen, listening to her story of transformation by bike, and getting excited for her adventure coming up this fall.

My guest on the show today is Alex Kowalski. If that name rings familiar it’s probably because you 'followed the dots' during this year’s 2024 Tour Divide. Not only did Alex leverage his infectious attitude and good vibes to capture the hearts of dot-watchers and Instagram followers alike, he did so while ultimately winning the single-speed category with a total time of 17 days 22 hours and 16 minutes. And the most impressive part was that Alex did all of this on his rookie attempt on the course.

For those who may be new to the scene, the Tour Divide is a 2,700 mile bikepacking course that traverses the spine of the Rocky Mountains from Banff, Alberta down to the US/Mexico border crossing in Antelope Wells, NM. For ultra-distance athletes, this race serves as a bucket list event that requires years of training and accumulated experience to complete.

I first met Alex earlier this year when we raced East TX Showdown and Ozark Gravel DOOM & Despair together. I’d known of Alex for a while before that while following his adventures on the Ouachita Triple Crown, The New Colo, and many other high-level courses. Alex seemed to be pushing himself consistently all while maintaining such a positive, joyful attitude. 

Last Friday, I was able to sit down and catch up with Alex and his dog Luna as they traveled from Fayetteville, AR through St. Louis, MO on their way to Michigan. During this episode, Alex takes us through his experiences on the Tour Divide, how this year’s single-speed category competition unfolded, why riding single-speed resonates with him so much, and his intention to tackle the Triple Crown of bikepacking later this year. Stoked to know Alex, stoked for the conversation we had, and stoked for everyone to listen.

My guest today is Dr. Chanel Mitchell aka Chanel Tsunami from St. Louis, MO. Chanel is many things but labels herself as a disruptor. As a member of The Regulators Cycling Club and ambassador for Ride For Racial Justice, Chanel is continuously finding ways to disrupt the norm, create sustaining change, and provide more opportunities for BIPOC cyclists. As a plus-sized woman, Chanel has also proven that the cycling community welcomes everyone no matter your race, gender identity, or body style.

Aiding Chanel in her quest for disruption is the fact that she also possesses her Doctorate in Philosophy in Social Work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Behavioral Therapist, and Adjunct Professor. Not only is Chanel healing her community as a professional but she’s finding ways to do it from the saddle of her bike.

In this conversation Chanel and I cover the early days of her discovering and riding a bike, the intersection between life as a LCSW and her involvement in cycling, how Chanel serves as an agent of change for marginalized groups of people, and finally we talk about Chanel’s plans for an exciting 2024 season.