The Average Watts Podcast

In Episode 17, I sit down with the KS Kenda  Women's Mountain Bike Team- Nikki Peterson, Jen Malik, Emma Maaranen & Alli Mrugal. This was one of my favorite episodes so far. We recorded this interview in early February while the girls were in AZ for a training camp. We went for a MTB ride at McDowell Mt park and then recorded the interview right there in the parking lot.

About the team: Mission Statement,
"Our goal is to be the the most recognizable elite women’s racing brand, providing team support both on and off the trail. We want to increase the numbers of women racing mountain bikes by creating a tangible community where women are encouraged, inspired and mentored to excel in the sport. To accomplish this, we will have a strong team presence at races, create outreach experiences at events and in our hometowns and be positive examples of sportsmanship while excelling in mountain bike competitions."

www.kskendawomenmtb.com
Instagram
Nikki Peterson
Jen Malik
Emma Maaranen
Alli Mrugal

Average Watts Podcast supporters and sponsors:

As ALWAYS the AWP is powered by 4iiii Power Meters

Tifosi Optics, discount code for 15% off: averagewatts

AWP kits are provided by Jakroo Custom Apparel

In E16, I chat with, Elliott Baring, of Baring Endurance Management. Elliott is a cycling coach as well as an ultra endurance mountain bike and stage racer, who hails from Dahlonega, Georgia. This conversation was really fun and we recorded it while Elliott and I were on opposite ends of the US doing training camps. Elliot was in Colorado, while I was in New Hampshire. Elliot is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to coaching and racing and I learned a lot during our conversation, including why he feels that the Pop Tart are by far the best ride and race fuel. During our conversation Elliot also talked about his recent attempt at the FKT of the "Rockstar 265" which he completed with Gordon Wadsworth. 

Some of Elliot's achievements include:
Two time winner of Pisgah Stage Race (Duo w/Gordon- 2016 & 2017)

2018 BreckEpic Pro Duo winners 

2018 Southeast Gravel Cup Champion

2018 Southeast Endurance Cup Champion 

2020 24HOP 5-person team winner 

Two time winner Snake Creek Gap TT (2018 & 2020) 

Rockstar Gravel FKT 2020 (Duo) 

Elliott's sponsors include:

PivotCycles, Maxxis Tires, Starlight Apparel, The Black Bibs and

Baring Performance Management 

Average Watts Podcast supporters and sponsors:

As ALWAYS the AWP is powered by 4iiii Power Meters

Tifosi Optics, discount code for 15% off: averagewatts

AWP kits are provided by Jakroo Custom Apparel

In Episode 14, and the 6th installment of the "Quaranteam" series, Taylor Lideen and I sit down with Keegan Swenson. Keegan is the current U.S. cross-country national champion as well as one of the top XC and endurance racers in the world.

Keegan races for the Stans/Pivot Pro Team P/b Maxxis team were he is team mates with Chloe Woodruff and Rose Grant. 

In this episode Keegan talks about what its like to race on the world cup stage as well as his recent Everesting challenge record.

To find out more information about on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

4iiii Power Meters

Tifosi Optics, discount code for 15% off: averagewatts

In Episode 14, and the 5th installment of the "Quaranteam" series, Taylor Lideen and I sit down with Chloe Woodruff. Chloe currently lives and trains in Prescott, AZ. As a Junior, Chloe earned two U.S. cross-country national championship titles as well as a professional short track and cross-country championship title in 2016. Chloe also raced with the U.S. team at the 2004 and 2005 UCI World Championships, finishing ninth her last year as a Junior racer.  

In 2016, Chloe raced in the Rio Olympics, and in 2019, Chloe won the UCI World Cup Short Track race in Nove Mesto with a gutsy, and well-timed attack. Chloe now has her eyes set on the 2021 Olympic. 

To find out more information about on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Prescott Circle Challenge

4iiii Power Meters

Tifosi Optics, discount code for 15% off: averagewatts

In episode 13, I sit down with, Bailey McKnight who is the North American Brand Manager for 4iiii Power Meters. If you recall, over the past few episodes, I have talked about how 4iiii has come on board as the official power meter of the AWP. Bailey is the inside guy at 4iiii who saw value in my vision and believed in the direction of the the show, and for that I will always be thankful.

In this conversation, Bailey walks me through how he went from being a professional road cyclist, racing all around the world for H&R Block, to his current position with 4iiii.

Bailey also explains to me the evolution of 4iiii as a company, and how they came to be one of the worlds leading crank based power meter manufactures.

Bailey also in simple terms, educates me on how 4iiii engineers apply a power meter to your crank. And finally, Bailey explains to me from start to finish what happens when a customer presses the "buy button" and sends their own crank to 4iiii to have a new power meter installed.

If you want to check out more of what Bailey is up to, check out his Instagram: bvmcknight

For more information on 4iiii Power metres check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and via the web at www.4iiii.com.

Welcome back to the show!! In episode 12 I sit down with former UCI World Cup 4X racer and Arizona local legend, Erik Nelson. Erik busted onto the scene of 4X racing in the mid 2000's. Erik's first race ever was at the Sea Otter Classic were he won his Jr Expert division and had a qualifying time that was fast enough to be in the top 5 of the pro's. Erik went on to become a pro himself a year later. Once in the pro ranks, Erik represented the USA at the UCI World Championships and was a force to be reckoned with on the wold cup and domestic scene.

Unfortunately Erik's career was plagued with devastating injuries and he was forced to evaluate life and his future after a horrific crash at the World Championships in Switzerland.

Hear how Erik fought his way through recovery and how his injuries shaped his life and his career path.     

You can follow Erik on Instagram at daydreamz_of_a_deskjockey

In Episode 11,  I chat with John Croom. John is a 3X US National Champion on the track as well as a gold medalist at the Pan American Games. John unfortunately did not make the 2021 Olympics team but will be traveling all round the US in his van and hitting some of the biggest gravel and MTB events around. In this episode John answers all my questions about track cycling, we talk about his new Coffee and Van Chats as well as his upcoming gravel racing.

To find out more information about John go to,  YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

In Episode 10 and the 4th installment of the "Quaranteam" series, Taylor Lideen and I chat with Erin Huck. Erin is one of the top US XC racers as well as one of the top female racers in the world. In the episode, we talk how Erin juggles a full-time job all while being a top elite XC racer, her 2021 Olympic aspirations, as well as how COVID-19 has affected her training and racing. 

Some of Erin's achievements include:

*2016 US XC National Champion

*2016 US STXC National Champion

*2017 US STXC National Champion

To find out more information about on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

In E9 I chat with UCI World Cup Mountain Bike Pro, Haley Smith. Haley is on the Norco Factory team as well as the Canadian National Team. Some of her accomplishments include a 6th place finish in the UCI MTB World Championships, 3rd at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 3rd at Nove Mesto, Czech Republic which was the second stop of the world tour.

In this interview, Haley and I talk about her battle with Anorexia Nervosa, mental health, what its like to be a pro on World Cup and lastly, we talk about her Gram's world famous scones.

You can find out more information about Haley on her social feeds,  Instagram, Facebook, and website. You can also learn more about Norco bikes and the Norco Factory Team at www.norco.com

The Average Watts Podcast is proud to welcome 4iiii Power Meters as a sponsor of the show and the official power meter of the show.

In E8 and the 3rd installment of the "Quaranteam" series, Taylor Lideen and I chat with Gordon Wordsworth. Gordon won his first national title in 2013 and since then has totaled eight national titles and left a mark on ultra-endurance and singlespeed racing like no other. This conversation was a true honor because not only is Gordon an amazing racer, he is someone I call a friend and life time teammate, because Gordon and I raced together on the Gary Fisher 29er Crew from 2009-2012.

Some of Gordon's achievements include:

*2017 Brasil Ride UCI Stage Race Mixed Duo Winner

*2015 USAC Marathon SS National Champion

*Overall 2014, ’15,’16,’17, ’18 NUE Series Single Speed winner

*2014 ’15 LaRuta De Los Conquistadores SS Winner

*2014 USAC XC SS National Champion

Gordon's sponsors include:

BlueRidge Cyclery, PivotCycles, Industry Nine, HandUP Gloves, Maxxis Tires, OakleyBike, NOX Composites, Shimano, Lazer Helmets, ESI grips, Carbo Rocket, BikeTogs, Kogel Bearings, Starlight Apparel, and Floyd's Of Leadville.

To find out more information about Gordon's gravel race, check out The Appalachian Journey.