The Average Watts Podcast

In Episode #7, I had the chance to chat with Sam Schultz while at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. This was an interview that meant a lot to me. Sam was someone I looked up to when I was racing for the Gary Fisher 29er Crew, so to have him take the time to chat with me really made my day. Sam is a former 2012 Olympian and the 2012 men's US National XC Champion. Unfortunately Sam had a back injure that ended his career. Sam had several surgeries on his back, but was never able to return to the form he once had. Sam now is a brand ambassador for Rocky Mountain Bikes and can be found on adventure rides and mountain bike festivals all across the globe. Sam also talks to me about his new found love of paragliding..yes paragliding.

You can fine more information about Sam on:

Instagram

Facebook

Rocky Mountain Bikes

This is the second of the "Quaranteam" series where, Taylor Lideen, and I sit down with guests during this pandemic lock-down to bring you more unique interviews and 1-on-1 conversations with the pros that you want to hear from.

This week, Taylor and I talk with, Dylan Johnson. Dylan is an ultra-endurance athlete, cycling coach, and is the host of his own YouTube channel where he puts out weekly science-based videos on training and racing. Dillon is also known for mixing his straightforward science-based videos with his own unique sense of humor.

 The Epic Rides 24 hours in the Old Pablo too place back in February, and Dylan came out to Arizona to race it and went head to head with Taylor. So we get a really unique perspective of the two talking about what it was like to race against each other and about the racing strategies that they both had.

Dylan also talks to Taylor and I about the videos that he puts up on YouTube and just what it takes to produce those.

You can find more information about Dylan at the following:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

https://www.dylanjohnsontraining.com/

In the days prior to the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, mountain bikers from all over the world converged in Sedona, AZ for the Sedona MTB Festival. At the Festival, I was lucky enough to sit down with a couple legends of the sport.

Richie Schley is one of the pioneers of freeride mountain biking. Richie has graced the cover of countless magazines showing what is possible on a bike.

I have known Richie for several years now and surprisingly I didn't meet him while riding. I met Richie paddle board surfing in southern California.

In this interview, I get to know a bit more about Richie and he gives an insight on the sport and what he wants to be known for when he finally retires....his answer may surprise you.

You can follow Richie on:

Instagram

Facebook

www.richieschley.com/

Also go to Redbull TV to watch Richie in "The Moment" which shows how in the backwoods of British Columbia, Canada three crews of adventure seekers were quietly changing the course of a sport and carving their paths in history. It was all happening unbeknownst to each other, the cycling world and themselves.

https://www.redbull.com/us-en/films/the-moment

In Episode #4, I'm incredibly stoked to Taylor Lideen stepping in to co-host with me as we sit down with Kenny Wehn. Kenny is the Sponsorship Coordinator with Stan's No Tubes.

If you have been to any major race in the USA and have stopped by the Stan's No Tubes booth, you probably have seen or even talked to Kenny.

Kenny tells us about how he moved to Hawaii right out of high school to become a professional surfer, but fate had other plans once he discovered mountain bikes. Kenny goes on to tell us how his career as a mountain biker led to a career at Stan's No Tubes.
Kenny also talks to us about what athletes need to think about prior to applying for sponsorship's, along with what its like to directly manage some of the best cyclists in the world.

If you want to find more about Kenny, check out his socials:

Instagram

Facebook

Stan'sNoTubes.com

To find out more about Taylor Lideen go to his socials at:

Instagram

Facebook

Taylorlideen.com

Also please like and follow The average Watts Podcast at:

Instagram

Facebook

TheAverageWattsPodcast.com

In this episode I sit down with Adam Miller of Revel Bikes. Adam walks me through the evolution of Revel Bikes and how they have go from a small company to one of the big hitters in the mountain bike industry. If you want to learn more about Adam go to his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adam.miller907/?hl=en also to check out Revel go to their web page www.revelbikes.com or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/revelbikes/?hl=en

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In this episode, we talk with professional mountain biker, Nikki Peterson, of the KS Kenda Mountain Bike Team. Nikki was in Tucson for a team training camp and on the first day of  camp, she cracked a rim. Luckily, one of Nikki's sponsors, Pivot Cycles, is in Chandler and was able to provide Nikki with a loaner rim to get her back on the trail. While Nikki was in Chandler, I had the opportunity to meet up with her at a local Starbucks to have a chat.

In this interview, Nikki tells me about her passion for helping girls get on bikes, as well as her new position as the NICA, SoCal Program Coordinator. Nikki also talks about how she works a lot with GRIT, (Girls Riding Together). You can learn more about Nikki on her personal Instagram, @nikki_jo_peterson or on the team website, https://kskendawomenmtb.com

Thanks for tuning into the first episode of The Average Watts Podcast. In this episode I set down with Taylor Lideen of Phoenix, AZ. Taylor is arguably one of the best ultra-endurance mountain bike and gravel racers in the world.  Some of Taylor’s accolades are 2017, 2018 True Grit Epic 100 winner. 2018 Epic Rides 24hrs in the Old Pueblo winner as well as setting the course record with 20 laps. Taylor then went on in 2018 to be second at the 24hr World Championships in Fort Williams, Scotland. 

Taylor really opened up in this interview and talked about the way he approaches the sport, and the way his wife, Mary, plays such a pivotal role in his career.

Taylor also talks about how he's suffered with self-doubt, even as a pro, and how he has come back from both physical and mental adversity.

Taylor's one of those guys that completely turns himself inside and out and it's visible. You can look at his Instagram @tlideen and web site www.taylorlideen.com and see some of the photos.