Stoke Podcast

In this episode of Stoke, Quinn Travis takes a deep dive back into the experience of Pinyons and Pines 2026, a brutal and unforgettable journey across Northern Arizona. From the highest highs to the darkest moments deep in the pain cave, this episode is a full recap of the course, the mindset, and everything it took to keep moving forward.

Quinn shares stories from the trail, including a surreal encounter with three mountain lions in the middle of the night on the Black Canyon Trail, the mental battles that come with pushing past your limits, and the moments that make races like this feel bigger than bikes.

This episode isn’t just about finishing a race. It’s about what happens when you strip life down to forward motion, exhaustion, fear, gratitude, and the people you meet along the way. Pinyons and Pines became more than a challenge... it became a reminder of how much we take for granted in everyday life and how hardship can completely reshape perspective.

A story about endurance, suffering, connection, gratitude, and conquering one of the hardest experiences Quinn has ever faced.

Pinyon and Pines 2026

Endurance Studio

In this episode, I sit down with my long time friend, Bridger Hershey to talk about endurance sports, building a business, and finding balance between work and life. We dive into our experience with Hyrox, what it’s like stepping into a new challenge, and the lessons that come from pushing your limits. Bridger also shares insights from his journey and what he’s learned along the way and what he believes truly matters. I hope you enjoy this episode with Bridger!

Bridge Performance: bridgeperformancetraining.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridge.performance/?hl=en

I rode 230 miles into a 400-mile bikepacking race… and then I quit.

In this solo episode, I break down my experience at Pinyon and Pines: what went wrong, what I didn’t expect, and the moment I knew I was done. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the reality of pushing limits, dealing with doubt, and learning the hard way.

I also share what I’m taking from that experience into this year’s race, and what has to change if I’m going to show up differently.

For more information about the 2026 Pinyon and Pines: https://danaernst.com/PinyonsPines/

In this episode of Stoke Podcast, I sit down with one of my good friends and one of the most creative people I know, Dane Wallace.

We talk about Dane’s journey from working a corporate job to taking a leap of faith and building Cry Later, a brand rooted in creativity and honesty, and eventually launching Park Drive Pizza, a take-out pizza operation run straight out of his house, where people order ahead and come pick it up.

Dane shares the real story behind choosing the uncertain path, trusting his instincts, and creating things that truly feel aligned with who he is.

We also dive into a defining moment in his life, a cycling crash where he was hit by an RV while riding his road bike and how that experience reshaped his perspective on cycling, risk, and life moving forward.

This conversation isn’t about hype or highlight reels. It’s about creativity, resilience, and choosing to build a life that feels true.

I’m beyond stoked to have Dane on the podcast.Stay tuned and enjoy.

Cry Later: crylatersupply.com

Cry Later Instagram

Order Park Drive Food... like right now: click here!

Park Drive Food Instagram

Follow Danes Journey: https://www.instagram.com/dane.wallace/

This episode features an incredible conversation with Alex Schultz, winner of this year’s Arizona Trail 800 finishing in an unbelievable 9 days and 10 hours! This marks Alex’s third finish in the 800, following his win in 2023 and second-place finish in 2024, and it also completes his 2025 Triple Crown Challenge. He wrapped up an unbelievable season that included finishing the Tour Divide in 16 days, 16 hours, and 27 minutes, and the Colorado Trail Race in 5 days, 2 hours, and 16 minutes.

With a new route rerouted with an out and back on the Grand Canyon and a Humphreys Peak summit, and finishing in Flagstaff, this year’s AZT 800 was one for the books. Alex and I dive into how the course differed from previous years due to the North Rim burn, the massive vert, and the harsh conditions that tested every racer on the trail AKA the COLD.

Despite freezing temps, long nights, and relentless climbing, Alex managed to hold strong and take the win by a huge margin. Every rider out there showed incredible grit, both mentally and physically — but Alex’s ride was truly something special.

This episode was totally spur of the moment — Alex had just come by to pick up his car from my place after finishing the race, and we figured, “Why not hit record?” What followed was a raw, inspiring conversation about endurance, mindset, and what it takes to push beyond your limits.

Tune in, leave a comment, and share your thoughts — this one’s packed with stoke and respect for everyone who takes on the Arizona Trail.

Read more about Alex's journey on bikepacking.com: https://bikepacking.com/news/alex-schultz-wins-2025-aztr/

Follow Alex on Instagram: @schultzy954

In this episode, I sit down with my 3-year-old daughter Kaya, who just might be the most unpredictable guest the podcast has ever had. We dive into everything from wolves lurking in the forest to the epic saga of potty training, and then straight into completely random detours only a toddler could dream up.

It’s hilarious, messy, and surprisingly insightful. Basically, if you’ve ever wondered what happens when you hand a mic to a preschooler with a wild imagination, this is your chance to find out. Warning: you might leave addicted to toddler logic.

For more reels follow @stokepodcast on instagram OR for the most content follow @quinntravis on TikTok for these hilarious conversations.

In this episode, I sit down with Dakota Goosby (@koda.runz) to hear his incredible journey from Couch to Cocodona. We dive into what motivated him to get off the couch and start training for one of the toughest ultramarathons on the planet.

We talk about the spiritual side of endurance sports, the reality of bonking, and his big goals for the future. Dakota’s story is raw, honest, and deeply inspiring, it’s a reminder that with consistency, grit, and a little faith, you can go far beyond what you ever thought possible.

Tune in for a dose of motivation, you won’t want to miss this one!

Dakota's Instagram: @koda.runz

Dakota's Tiktok: @koda.runz

Dakota's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/koda.runz?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafQeezMt5o-9vdwGlxeQ8Ap6ZC-_ONrbVxtCAtXENN5wfWYyPVLWAskD0HlEA_aem_QQaJgKSRT91eyvPJj7MTqw

In this episode, I’m joined by Jake Johansen as we recap our experience racing the 2025 Pinyons and Pines, a grueling bikepacking challenge through Northern Arizona’s rugged terrain with 327 miles of dirt and 27,000 feet of climbing. We ride together (literally and figuratively) through the first 26 hours of the race, covering the highs, lows, and what it’s like pushing through exhaustion in the middle of the night. Jake shares the full story of his epic ride, from little sleep to wild moments on the trail, and how brutal 3 a.m. can feel when the temps drop. Despite it being his first bikepacking race, Jake powered through to an incredible 4th place finish, crossing the line after roughly 49 hours in the saddle. We cover 163 miles together, and his perseverance for the rest of the race throughout was nothing short of inspiring. This one's for the endurance junkies and dream chasers, don’t miss it.

The Stoke Podcast is back—and we're kicking things off with a warm welcome and talk of endurance, purpose, and community impact from Quinn Travis.

In this episode, host Quinn Travis, Executive Director of FLYRS, shares his bold goals for the Pinyons and Pines 340-mile bikepacking race, his first over night ultra-endurance event. From tackling the mental challenge of riding with little to no sleep to chasing a 40-hour finish time, Quinn opens up about what it means to step into the unknown and embrace the adventure.

But this isn’t just about racing, it’s about access. Through "340 Miles for Access," Quinn is riding to raise $30,000 with a a goal to do $75,000 for FLYRS' youth scholarship fund, ensuring more kids can experience the joy and freedom of mountain biking, regardless of financial barriers.

Get stoked to hear the host about why we ride, who we ride for, and how the outdoors can transform lives.

To follow the journey follow: @flyrsmtb on instagram.

For more information on Pinyons and Pines: https://danaernst.com/PinyonsPines/course2025/

For more information on 340 Miles for Access: https://www.flyrsaz.com/340-miles-for-access.html#/

To pledge for access: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1u9uvxMPg5Q_kh_GulH-FKA4in4eUo1nqfxkBlPNF1hc/viewform?edit_requested=true

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Schultz, an ultra-endurance athlete who took 2nd place in this year's AZT 800 with an impressive time of 8 days, 17 hours, and 50 minutes. Alex shares his philosophy on pushing the limits of human endurance and the mental and physical strategies that fuel his remarkable performances.

From tackling extreme cold weather conditions on this year’s race to the emotional and physical toll of post-race depression, Alex opens up about his experiences facing the unique challenges that come with ultra-distance biking. This includes confronting the harsh reality of packing up after long races and how he battled with the post-race blues for the first time after completing the AZT 800.

Looking ahead, Alex is on a mission to achieve the Triple Crown of ultra-distance racing in the coming year, which includes the AZT 800, the Colorado Trail Race, and the Continental Divide. Tune in to hear about Alex’s journey, his preparation for these monumental challenges, and how his mindset has evolved to handle both the highs and lows of ultra racing. Whether you're an ultra-athlete, adventure enthusiast, or simply someone looking for inspiration on pushing your own limits, this episode will motivate you to keep going, no matter the obstacles.

Alex Shultz Instagram: @schultzy954

We encourage you to support the Flagstaff Youth Riders (FYRS), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the next generation of cyclists. To make a donation and learn more about our mission, visit flyrsaz.com. Your support helps inspire young riders and provides them with opportunities to grow in the cycling community.