In this redux episode of Shiftless, the hosts talk through an ongoing Texas heat advisory, drought conditions, and hopes for cooler weather, then shift to riding routines as one host returns to a 22-mile road spin while dealing with lingering knee and elbow issues. They debate cycling industry marketing around marginal gains, wax lubes, pricey chain products, Silca and WTB “aero” gravel tires, and Stan’s new road/gravel sealant, arguing the industry over-focuses on the “pointy end” instead of welcoming more riders as e-bikes grow. The conversation pivots to travel: a Labor Day van trip to New Mexico to chase cooler temps and manageable elevation for Jan, packed campgrounds around the Enchanted Circle, boondocking near Taos Ski Valley, scouting around Mountainair (including missions/pueblos), a standout green chile cheeseburger in Corona, disappointment in flood-damaged Ruidoso and a misleading campground, and a hot, hazardous return via Pecos to Davis Mountains State Park. They also discuss van gear upgrades (dual-zone fridge/freezer, shower, Starlink placement), basic tire preparedness, and an upcoming surgery delayed by insurance network issues, which may pause episodes while route verification continues.00:00 Rolling and Weather Check01:24 Trails and Roadwork Talk03:16 Mom Visit and ADU Plans06:31 Back on the Bike08:44 Routines and Heat Burnout11:37 Chain Lube and Wax Debate14:35 Aero Tires and Watt Hype23:39 Cycling Industry and E-Bikes32:20 Road Trip Escape Plan35:48 Holiday Traffic Mystery37:27 Tucumcari Coffee Stop38:48 Scenic Backroads to Taos40:08 Rio Grande Gorge Camping43:19 Red River Campground Chaos47:55 Last Minute Stream Pullout49:58 Elevation Limits Reset Plans50:59 Windy App Route Planning56:58 Mountainair Missions Reroute59:54 Corona Green Chile Burger01:02:05 Ruidoso Flood Aftermath01:06:47 Monsoons to Davis Mountains01:08:34 Pecos Heat and Truck Gauntlet01:09:47 Davis Mountains Letdown01:10:50 Escaping Texas Heat01:11:45 New Mexico Cycling Surprise01:13:49 Waiting for Cooler Weather01:15:59 Van Setup Dialed In01:18:14 Fridge Freezer Debate01:22:28 Packing and Preparedness01:24:32 Tire Repair and Plug Kits01:28:03 Motorcycle Tubes Mystery01:31:39 Sealant Marketing Rant01:36:45 Surgery Delays and Plans01:42:12 Route Verification and Wrap Up

Safe Cycling Summit: https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/TX/Gainesville/NorthTexasSafeCyclingSummitJoin Club Spinistry: https://www.clubspinistry.com/In Shiftless episode 158, we return to Casa Verde and open with a Spinistry update: after a bicycle crash led to an ER visit, a kidney mass was discovered and one kidney is scheduled to be removed on October 6, disrupting late-summer plans and potentially limiting traditional event operations during recovery. They ask listeners to support Spinistry by joining Club Spinistry and to attend the free North Texas Safe Cycling Summit in Gainesville on September 19 (alongside the Evening Midnight Massacre), aiming to unite all North Texas cycling groups for advocacy and a Safe Cycling Initiative Routes network. They outline upcoming events (Midnight Massacre, Texas Gravel Champs Oct 3, a bikepacking clinic around Oct 17, and the Texas Chain Ring Massacre in January) and a membership-value guarantee. The conversation then covers Tadej Pogačar’s Vuelta crash, injuries, and the cause, debates generational athletes and cynicism vs optimism, and touches on NABS 2027 overlapping dates with the MADE show.00:00 Cold Open Banter00:17 Show Setup and Topics02:32 Spinistry Needs Support05:17 Accident and Surgery Plan07:20 Safe Cycling Summit Push11:51 Club Spinistry Events15:45 Pogacar Crash Reaction20:24 How the Wreck Happened23:28 Heroes Ego and Doping41:25 Streaming and Movie Talk47:01 NAHBS vs MADE Dates47:38 Date Clash Fallout49:44 Audience Versus Vendors53:19 Austin Or DFW Debate57:12 NAHBS Memories01:04:02 Travel Weather Catchup01:05:37 Bike Tune And Heat01:09:33 Kidney Surgery Limits01:11:13 Safe Cycling Routes01:19:09 Motorcycle Heat Gear01:23:32 Spinistry Membership Breakdown01:30:22 Final Ride Reminder

In Shiftless episode 157(ish), recorded at Dusty Roads Bicycles, the hosts discuss unexpected cooler weather caused by smoke from a rapidly spreading Palo Pinto County grass fire and how extreme conditions have hurt riding motivation. They recap trends from the MADE show, especially the surge in 32-inch wheels, and debate frame materials and carbon durability, with Nico weighing in. They cover Lynskey’s $795 titanium frame “fire sale,” and Dylan Johnson’s two-year collaboration with Silca to launch new gravel and road tires featuring claimed radial construction, a carbon bead, accurate sizing, and models like Protocol RCG and RCR in specific size ranges. They touch on Gravel Worlds and Leadville results (including Lauren’s third place and Justin’s 14th), rumors of 13-speed GRX, new 32-inch wheels from Industry Nine and Berd, the return of NABs in Austin in 2027, Dallas trail-connection funding issues, and a brief Mena trip to Burl’s Smokehouse.00:00 Cold Open Banter00:16 Episode Setup at Dusty Roads00:49 Smoke and Fire Weather02:34 Riding in Brutal Heat03:08 32 Inch Wheels Trend04:46 Lynskey Ti Fire Sale06:09 Frame Materials Debate07:43 Carbon Durability Reality Check09:40 Silca and Dylan Tires13:39 Gravel Worlds and Leadville Recap17:53 Silca Tire Lineup Explained31:42 Radial Tire Tech Homework34:35 When Silca Tires Hit Shops36:05 Industry Nine 32 Wheels38:37 Centerlock vs Six Bolt Rotors41:31 Berd 32 Wheels Approach43:25 GRX Goes 13 Speed45:37 32 Inch Gear Talk47:13 Scott Scale Gravel Debate48:15 Trainer Video Memories51:49 Race Pace Rabbit Hole54:02 MADE And NABS Return01:00:05 Mena Trails On Pause01:03:16 Big Bend And The Loop01:07:41 Dallas To Fort Worth Route01:12:25 Burls Smokehouse Quest01:15:03 Ham Sandwich Breakdown01:20:00 Wrap Up And Sign Off

In episode 156 of Shiftless, recorded at Dusty Roads Bicycles in Argyle, Texas, the hosts welcome Austin Whittington to recap his “Judgment Day” ride—DORBA’s 10-trail event—completed by riding between trailheads instead of driving, totaling 219 miles in just under 20 hours (17 moving) amid over-six-hours of 100+°F heat, headwinds, and support from his wife Stephanie. He details his route, key difficulty at Boulder, nutrition, and equipment choices (Niner ROCKET 9, Thunder Burt tires). The conversation also covers Tour de France and doping skepticism, a Tour de France Femmes “bra doping” headline, Leadville’s reroute and buckle time change, Justin Carey’s altitude-tent prep, hype and supply issues around Salsa’s 32-inch Fargo, and Austin’s upcoming Hotter’N Hell 100 USAC race plus other events.00:00 Ectoplasm Cold Open00:22 Guest Austin Returns01:59 What Is Judgment Day04:25 Riding Trail to Trail06:38 Heat Crux and Support08:09 Bike Setup and Speed12:07 Route Planning and Safety18:13 Bra Doping Debate21:02 Tour de France Talk27:17 Doping Era Hangover33:57 Doping Doubts Debate35:00 Alpe Record Breakdown35:38 Tech Gains Versus EPO37:48 Testing Rules Suspicion40:23 Hyperbaric Leadville Prep43:38 Leadville Reroute Math47:57 Rain Forecast Worries48:59 Dinner And Sponsorship Wins50:09 Dry Aging Brisket Science56:12 E Bikes And Pig Harvest59:19 New Kit And 32 Debate01:04:03 Radial Tires And Pressures01:07:34 HotterN Hell Race Plans01:08:59 Solo Breakaway Tactics01:09:40 Hotter Than Hell Plans01:10:39 Field Size and Strategy01:14:59 Doping and TRT Talk01:17:55 Bike Gear and Weight01:19:30 Fargo Fixes and Knee Pain01:22:04 Tuscany Food Tour Dream01:25:13 Next Races and Arkansas Route01:29:46 Pro Watts and Seven WPK01:35:36 Heat Hydration and Wrap Up

Kevin records solo and introduces Spinistry’s Safe Cycling Initiative, a practical effort to build safe, usable town-to-town cycling networks now by linking existing infrastructure and low-traffic roads rather than waiting for delayed funding, noting federal bicycle-infrastructure funds have been diverted to other projects. The plan leverages rural gravel “adventure routes” (including the USA Trail from Jacksonville to San Diego) and urban/suburban connectors starting in Dallas–Fort Worth to create point-to-point transit corridors and economic impact for communities. He recruits clubs, advocacy groups, businesses, and riders of all disciplines for the free North Texas Safe Cycling Summit on September 19 at Thirty-Five and Liberty in Gainesville, featuring speakers, an advocacy roundtable, vendor/demo areas, and a bike swap, alongside the Midnight Massacre that evening. He details route-building work (mapped/scouted/verified), current Roanoke hub-and-spoke routes, maintenance issues on existing paths, and provides a health update after a crash revealed a kidney mass, with upcoming scans and oncology visits affecting fall events.00:00 Solo Episode Intro01:13 Safe Cycling Mission02:59 Rural and Urban Networks05:46 Summit Announcement08:05 Route Building Focus10:22 Local Hub and Spoke16:08 Longer Corridor Routes20:04 Summit Logistics and Roles24:20 Health Update and Events27:33 Wrap Up and Thanks

In episode 154 of Shiftless, the hosts joke about not talking bikes enough, then discuss Salsa’s email confirming the Fargo 32 steel frameset arriving next month and a titanium option in the fall, plus related wheels, tires, and accessories, while expressing growing skepticism about 32-inch wheels beyond fit benefits for taller riders. They reference Ben Delaney’s 700c vs 32 real-world test video and debate whether marginal gains matter for most riders versus industry-driven “next big thing” marketing. The conversation shifts to the Tour de France: Pogačar won overall, scrutiny lingered after middle-of-the-night testing with no official follow-up, and Pogačar broke Pantani’s climb record amid discussion of pacing, technology, fueling, recovery, and doping suspicions, alongside doubts about motor doping. They also critique e-bike racing after a rider was reportedly disqualified at USA Cycling’s Marathon MTB Nationals over an unapproved Specialized Levo/firmware issue. Personal updates include AC trouble, upcoming pop-up dinners, bike maintenance plans, and Austin Whittington reportedly completing the full Judgment Day route.00:00 Cold Open and Welcome00:27 Salsa Fargo 32 Update01:48 32 Inch Wheels Debate05:12 Fit Versus Hype07:34 Industry Sales Reality09:06 Tour Recap Setup10:25 Midnight Testing Rumors12:36 Record Climb Breakdown20:36 Fueling Tech and Doping Gray25:04 Innocent Until Proven27:18 Peloton Trust Hangover28:39 Tour Course Favors Pogacar29:53 Motor Doping Line in Sand32:26 E-Bike Nationals Disqualification34:30 Can You Even Race E-Bikes36:12 Spec Series Dream Setup38:02 Karting Detour and Heat40:14 Ghost in the Machine Debate47:41 Tour Finale on Montmartre51:36 Dinner Plug and Bike Fixes53:21 Judgment Day Mileage Mystery56:33 Wrap Up and Next Ride Plans

In episode 153 of Shiftless, recorded from Casa Verde amid rising Texas heat and humidity, the hosts discuss recent Tour de France stages, including a crash that broke Vingegaard’s collarbone at a roundabout bottleneck, Pogacar’s “classy” tactics in letting others take stage wins, and Remco Evenepoel’s mountain-stage win. They debate controversy over overnight anti-doping tests reportedly waking Pogacar and Vingegaard at 2:00 AM and what it implies about modern doping and testing timelines. They briefly cover a lack of cycling industry news, share personal updates about riding, a pool repair, cheesemaking from 10 gallons of milk, and bike mishaps leading to planned Fargo maintenance. The conversation turns to the killing of cyclist Hannah Rab near Bryan after a driver allegedly backed into her, prompting discussion of cycling infrastructure and anti-cyclist hostility.00:00 Episode 153 Kickoff00:48 Texas Heat Check02:09 Tour Heat Talk02:56 Crash and Class06:53 Pool Problems Solved07:22 Crash Breakdown09:00 2 AM Drug Tests11:07 Doping Doubts18:04 Rising Stars20:16 Testing Fallout23:14 Sleep and Fairness26:03 Conspiracy and Protocols33:51 Results and Privacy45:31 Lance Era Parallels46:44 Tour Controversy Talk47:27 Voice of the Tour49:25 Lance as Commentator50:41 Cycling News Drought51:16 Bike Parks and Weather52:03 Flooding in Terlingua55:44 Back to Riding Update55:59 Homemade Cheese Projects57:35 Bartering for Pasture Pork01:00:05 Milk Run and Local Roads01:01:37 Thumb Injury and Jokes01:02:40 Shows and Movie Plans01:04:39 Trail Crash Storytime01:07:30 Bike Overhaul Decisions01:08:27 Rich Waltsmith Sighting01:11:51 Midnight Massacre Weekend01:12:52 Cyclist Killed in Texas01:19:50 Advocacy and Infrastructure01:23:44 Wrapping Up and Sign Off

We’re back at Casa Verde for Episode 152 with a wide-ranging, candid conversation that takes a few unexpected turns. We kick things off with a check-in on the Tour de France—analyzing Tadej Pogačar’s mountain dominance, high-speed descending errors in the peloton, and the brutal realities of pro road racing. We also dive into the shifting action camera market, breaking down GoPro’s financial struggles and $20M emergency financing, why DJI and Insta360 own the space, and the privacy implications of Meta smart glasses.

The core of this episode is a transparent, real-talk update from Kevin following a frustrating neighborhood crash caused by an unmarked roadwork sign sitting right in the middle of a local bike path. What started as an urgent care visit for nine stitches in his thumb and a massive hip hematoma led to an ER CT scan—and an unexpected, incidental discovery of an asymptomatic mass on his kidney. Kevin shares his unfiltered perspective on the diagnosis, why he considers the bike crash a weird blessing in disguise, and his absolute refusal to stop riding bikes.

This entire experience has lit a fire under our local advocacy efforts. With federal bicycle infrastructure funds being redirected away from critical long-distance projects like the Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) and the Great American Rail-Trail, grassroots community organization matters more than ever. We lay out the vision for the September 19th Midnight Massacre weekend: bringing North Texas cycling organizations (DORBA, FWIMBA, Big Pig, and more) together under one roof to rally for better local infrastructure and rider safety.

To wrap things up on a lighter note, Chef Brad breaks down the culinary madness of his latest 9-course rye whiskey pairing dinner—featuring chilled sweet corn and peach soup, 53-day dry-aged Wagyu, and horchata tres leches—before diving into the everyday headaches of DIY car repair and pool filter battles.

• Support Local Advocacy: Whether you ride gravel, road, or MTB, get involved with your local clubs and trail organizations. We want to see representatives from across North Texas out with us this September!

• ShiftLess Podcast: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your audio.

Leave a comment below with your thoughts on action cam setups, your local trail infrastructure, or just to share your support. Stay safe out there, look ahead on the trail, and go ride your bike!

00:00 Hot Open And Tour Talk

01:23 Tour Crashes And Inexperience

03:50 GoPro In Trouble

05:08 Upgrade Cycles And Sensors

08:52 Used Gear Pricing Reality

13:48 Why Film Everything

16:42 Social Apps And Chopped Unk

18:35 Midnight Massacre Community Plan

20:52 Funding Cuts Hit Trails

28:09 Neighborhood Ride Crash Story

35:13 Construction Hazards On Bike Lanes

38:27 Bike Paths and Culture

39:16 Crash and Urgent Care

43:14 Hematoma and ER Trip

48:53 Kidney Mass Discovery

52:32 Next Steps and Insurance

01:03:06 Whiskey Dinner Breakdown

01:12:36 Pool Problems and Florida Pools

01:16:46 Compression Shorts and Advocacy

01:18:28 Cycling Hate and Closing

In episode 151 of Shiftless, the hosts return to Dusty Roads Lounge/bike shop/bar and discuss a weekend riding Nicko’s Salsa Spearfish 120/120 demo bike, with Deore Di2 and Fox suspension, finding it surprisingly comfortable and capable despite past skepticism about full-suspension bikes; they compare it to other “marathon XC/downcountry” options and note practical features like stable geometry and three bottle mounts. They briefly cover early Tour de France stages, including a new team time trial timing format, time-trial helmet aesthetics, Pogačar’s move into yellow after stage results and bonuses, and expectations for a climber-heavy route. Conversation shifts to FAM’s upcoming Sagamore Spirits whiskey dinner, a Coros Dura bike computer first-impressions review (solar, long battery life, app-driven limitations, limited customization, navigation performance), COROS arm heart-rate monitors versus chest straps, and extensive e-bike news about DJI/Avinox motors, high-watt gearbox systems, proprietary integration, and the evolving market. They close with local demo-day observations and a call to ride.00:00 Back at Dusty Roads00:50 Spearfish Demo Impressions03:38 Knees Pedals and Setup07:17 Tour de France Talk10:30 Sponsor Dinner Plug11:05 Tour Highlights and Trends13:39 Catching Up and Riding Plans15:20 Coros Dura First Look18:25 Navigation Screens and Limits25:28 Heart Rate Monitor Debate27:39 Ebike Arms Race News31:40 Motor Standards and Firmware37:20 Power Wars and Ebike Racing39:46 Tuning Assist Modes40:58 Battery Drain Tradeoffs41:53 Motocross Speed Skills44:28 Fear and Helmet Mindset46:39 Aventon Motor Lineup48:23 Spearfish Versus Rivals53:57 Di2 Shifting Impressions56:55 Spearfish Builds and Suspension01:00:33 Growtac Blip Levers01:01:49 Salsa and 32 Inch Wheels01:10:09 North Shore Demo Day Recap01:15:34 Wrap Up Ride More

Welcome to Episode 150 of ShiftLess! We made it to a major milestone, and we wouldn't have it any other way than doing what we do best: bicycles and conspiracy theories.

This week, Kevin brings actual facts and market research to the table after spending a 100-degree weekend observing riders at the North Shore Trailhead during the Mountain Bike Free For All / Hell on Wheels event. We dive deep into the data to find out what the current mountain bike landscape really looks like—and the disparity between the endurance crowd and the general population might surprise you. From the exact split of flats versus clipless pedals to the surprising surge of e-bike riders looking like they’re ready for a motocross rally, we break down what we saw on the dirt.

Plus, we talk about the booming Hispanic mountain bike community in DFW, recap the shattered course records at the 2026 Tour Divide, and dig into the UCI's bizarre rulings on 32-inch wheels. Brad also introduces the newest member of his family (a rescue pup named Lawrence) and shares his final thoughts on the series finale of The Bear.

In This Episode, We Cover:

North Shore Market Research: Surprising stats on flats vs. clipless, drop bars, and helmetless riders on a 100-degree Texas day.

Brand Sightings: Why Cannondale is everywhere and Trek is nowhere to be found.

The E-Bike Evolution: Why are e-bike riders wearing full-face helmets and body armor for a casual trail ride?

Endurance Mountain Biking: The massive growth of the Hispanic MTB community in North Texas keeping the old-school XC spirit alive.

The 32-Inch Wheel Conspiracy: Canyon’s new prototype, negative drop stems, and the UCI's hypocritical stances.

2026 Tour Divide Records: Massive shoutouts to the new Men's, Women's, and Single Speed overall record holders.

Pop Culture & Pups: A deep dive into The Bear Season 5 (Spoilers!) and the story behind Brad’s new dumped puppy, Lawrence.

Support the Show & Local Food!

Don't miss out on Brad's upcoming Sagamore Spirits dinner on July 11th. Incredible menu, fantastic whiskey, and great times. Grab your seat at eatatfam.com.

"If you dedicate a calendar year to riding a rigid or hardtail mountain bike, your momentum conservation and line picking will go through the roof. You can't buy that experience for $10,000." Hit subscribe, leave us a review, and as always: Go ride your bike. 

Episode 150: North Shore Trailhead Survey, E-Bike Gear Culture, and Endurance MTB’s Next Chapter00:00 Episode 150 Kickoff01:03 Trailhead Survey Plan02:23 Endurance Event Setup05:01 Lost Rider Story07:05 Beginner Trail Confusion10:45 Endurance Survey Results17:04 Language Shift Insight20:05 General Crowd Tick Sheet23:53 Gear Stats Helmets E Bikes37:27 Bike Brands Surprise42:13 E Bike Culture Clash46:09 Skills Over Equipment48:54 Gatekeeping vs Bashing50:35 E-Bikes and Trail Skills52:06 Motocross to MTB Pipeline53:15 Big Brands at Events55:29 Canyon 32-Inch Prototype01:00:18 Research Banter and Caleb01:01:02 New Puppy Lawrence01:05:36 Dumped Dogs and Empathy01:07:01 The Bear Final Season01:18:15 Tour de France Preview01:21:21 Tour Divide Records01:24:57 Wildfires and Saharan Dust01:26:24 Cycling News and World Cup01:29:38 32-Inch Wheels and UCI01:31:15 Endurance MTB Plans01:35:31 Wrap Up and Dinner Plug