✨ ⁠Support the Podcast⁠ ✨

Today’s podcast features my good friend and man I consider the big brother I never had, Dana Ernst. We’re both attempting the Verde Valley Randonneé, a 250 mile/400 km mixed terrain ramble through the Verde Valley and Northern Arizona. In today’s episode, we’re going to take a deep dive into the VVR, looking at what we’ve learned from our past finishes, general strategy, and answer some questions we’ve received from fans.

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https://www.instagram.com/dcernst/

https://www.instagram.com/verdevalleyrandonnee/

http://danaernst.com/VerdeValleyRandonnee/

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Amazing Products/Companies I Use

Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!

Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com

Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike

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https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/

Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected]

----------------

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter

(00:01:41) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola

(00:02:04) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed Bikepacking Gear

(00:02:40) Different Ways You Can Support This Podcast

(00:04:04) Podcast Intro

(00:04:37) Verde Valley Randonneé Naming and Origins; Brevet Events

(00:11:31) RUSA Permanents; VVR Attempts; Designated Photo Stops

(00:14:52) Route Overview; Website; Instagram

(00:17:44) Dylan's Last Attempt Getting Derailed

(00:24:47) The Climb Into Jerome; Death Mud Potential; Least Favorite Part of Route

(00:29:21) Mingus Mountain Ascent and Descent Into Cherry Road

(00:32:07) Sleep Depravation and Forgetting Parts of The Route; More Mingus

(00:34:47) How Does VVR Compare to Other Randonneuring Events? Descending Through Cherry To Camp Verde

(00:38:46) Camp Verde Services and Resupply; McDonalds and Food Shame; Filibertos

(00:43:07) Dana's Intention For Creating the Route; Hotel Availability; Jerome

(00:47:13) Ascending from Camp Verde To Stoneman Lake; Logging Trucks; Magical Moments At Stoneman Lake

(00:54:41) Dana's Last VVR Experience; Fastest Time and Wasting Time

(00:59:17) Cool Stops in Jerome - Flat Iron Cafe and Haunted Hamburger

(01:00:37) What's Dana's Biggest Change in Body, Strategy or Bike; Climbing and Descending; Grouping Up

(01:05:58) Goal Time and Recalibrating Expectations Because of Injuries; Controlling Oneself and Not Overdoing; Being Disciplined in Training; Purpose

(01:10:43) Getting Overwhelmed By Longer Events; Sleep Depravation; Hallucinations

(01:18:27) Navigation and Tech on Bike; Watching Heart Rates and Power Meters; Radar and Safety with Cars

(01:28:33) Listening To Music or Podcasts; Using Music as a Boost; Trainer Riding; To Do Lists; Hiking The Grand Canyon

(01:36:50) Fan Questions: Whats the Best Tire Selection?

(01:40:25) Fan Questions: Any Hike A Bike Sections?

(01:41:24) Fan Questions: Any Washboard Roads and Suspension Required?

(01:42:22) Fan Questions: Is 5 Liters of Water Enough?

(01:46:28) Fan Questions: How Much Food To Carry and Are Town Stops Enough?

(01:51:38) Fan Questions: Any Nighttime Riding and Sketchy Sections?

(01:53:58) Fan Questions: What is the Best Time of Year to Ride?

(01:56:38) Closing

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#endurance #enduranceracing #enduranceathlete #endurancesports #adventure #randonnee #brevet

✨ ⁠Support the Podcast⁠ ✨

Today’s guest is a solo river runner, rock climber, ultra marathon runner, outdoor enthusiast, and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Squirrel’s Nut Butter, a company based in Flagstaff, Arizona that makes the world’s best all-natural, anti-chafe and restorative skin salve.

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Amazing Products/Companies I Use

Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!

Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com

Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike

----------------

https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/

Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected]

----------------

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter

(00:02:44) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola

(00:03:39) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed

(00:04:37) Chris Thornley Bio

(00:05:58) SNB Facility; Ingredients

(00:07:48) My first experiences with the product; SNB Origins; Saddle sores and usage

(00:11:36) The SNB Team; Manufacturing process and automation; Applications

(00:17:46) Origin story; Early days; Naming

(00:21:53) Chris' younger days; Cycling Criterium and Touring; Family influence

(00:29:05) Discovery of Western States Ultra running race; Running as a young man; Flow state; Family exercising

(00:38:14) Camping under the stars; High School track; 5 minute mile; First Marathon; First Ultra Marathon

(00:44:29) Heat Training; Embracing the unknown; Heat Strategies

(00:49:50) College years; Boston Marathon; End of running career

(00:55:42) Rock climbing; 48 hour solo fast; Running out of water; Sleeping on ledges

(01:07:06) Solo rafting trips; Boating origins; Relationship with Dad; Kayaking

(01:15:12) Flipping the boat in Lava Falls; Meeting Bruce Cline; Safety in numbers; 2010 first solo trip

(01:21:08) Safety protocol and systems during solo rafting trips

(01:31:04) Magic of solo trips; Camping logistics; Beaches in the Grand Canyon; Flow rates

(01:36:35) Tinkering; Embracing Boredom; Transitioning between solo trips and regular life; Empowering a team at work

(01:44:17) Putting your ego in check; Climbing Denali

(01:48:29) Upcoming solo trip using a Dory

(01:57:35) Commercial trips; Dealing with fear

(02:05:54) Information saturation; Finding solitude; Letting go of the rat race

(02:10:54) Manipulation of time; Being present; Clearing the mind for new ideas

(02:17:26) Whats the deal with the purple hat?

(02:22:22) Timber the Squirrel costume

(02:25:55) SNB Marketing; First big order with REI; International reach; Issues during covid

(02:34:06) Humanizing the product and brand; Challenges with natural ingredients

(02:38:40) Sustainability options and challenges; Using plastic vs. aluminum and paper

(02:47:41) Regulations; First international sale; Social media upsides

(02:52:49) Ambassador program; Grassroots Marketing; Newsletter; Imposter syndrome

(03:04:39) Rapid fire questions

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#endurance #enduranceracing #enduranceathlete #endurancesports #adventure #squirrelsnutbutter #lube

✨ ⁠Support the Podcast⁠ ✨

Today’s guest is very fast on two wheels. He’s on the Aravaipa Race team where he’s placed 1st in multiple 6 hour races and 2nd on the 2022 Arizona Trail 800 Race. He also holds the FKT (fastest known time) for the counter clockwise version of the Maricopa Trail Ride, which he’s also the race director.

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https://www.instagram.com/andy_wentz/

https://www.instagram.com/aravaiparides/

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Amazing Products/Companies I Use

Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!

Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com

Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike

----------------

https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/

Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected]

----------------

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter

(00:02:44) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola

(00:03:39) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed

(00:04:37) Andy Wentzel Bio 

(00:05:06) Maricopa Trail Ride History and Logistics; Origin Story

(00:12:30) Mechanical Problems; Bike Scootering

(00:14:55) Arizona Trail Race Mechanical Issues

(00:16:04) Arizona Trail Race

(00:27:18) Bikepacking Food Strategy

(00:28:33) Adventure Racing

(00:33:10) Andy's Childhood

(00:36:35) South Mountain National Trail

(00:38:55) Is Adventure Racing Harder Than Bikepacking?

(00:46:06) Sleep Depravation

(00:49:09) Emotional Support; Dropping From Races

(00:56:06) Arizona Trail Race 300+

(01:02:25) Overwhelming Grocery Store

(01:04:46) GPS; Navigation

(01:07:46) AZTR Washington Park; Mogollon Rim; Sleeping Kit; Temps; Flagstaff

(01:14:50) AZTR South Rim Shenanigans; Grand Canyon Portage

(01:26:07) AZTR North Rim Visitors Center; Sleeping in Bathrooms

(01:30:00) AZTR North Rim; Jacob Lake; Finishing; Swelling

(01:34:12) AZTR Shoes; Post Race Blues

(01:38:46) Why Do We Continue To Sign Up For Races

(01:39:41) Bikepacking Replacing Alcoholism; Why We Do It; Meditative States

(01:45:16) Post Maricopa Trail Ride Bad Decision Making

(01:51:16) Resupply Methods; Food Options; Water Filtering

(01:58:35) Bike Setup; Wheels; Eccentric Bottom Bracket For Single Speed

(02:02:18) Single Speed vs. Geared Riding and Bikepacking

(02:09:22) Opinions On eMTB's; Trail Etiquette; eMTB Sales; eMTB Races

(02:18:57) Trail Damage; Electric Dirt Bikes; Analog Bikes

(02:22:14) OHV's; Side X Sides; Close Calls; Shared Trails; Trail Etiquette

(02:28:20) Using a Bell; Scaring Hikers

(02:29:54) Rapid Fire Questions

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#endurance #enduranceracing #enduranceathlete #endurancesports #adventure #adventureracing #bikepacking

✨ ⁠Support the Podcast⁠ ✨

Today’s guest is a skilled outdoorsman, backpacker, bikepacker, engineer and industrial designer. He currently works in design, development, and operations at Kahtoola, a company based in Flagstaff, Arizona that makes some of the best shoe traction, gaiters and cramp-ons in the business.

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Amazing Products/Companies I Use

Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!

Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com

Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike

----------------

https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/

Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected]

----------------

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter

(00:02:44) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola

(00:03:39) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed

(00:04:37) Chris Bunch’s Bio

(00:05:02) Crampons; Kahtoola Origin Story

(00:09:05) Kahtoola Snowshoes

(00:14:50) Traction Products; MicroSpikes

(00:20:14) Evolution to NanoSpikes

(00:33:08) Evolution to ExoSpikes

(00:42:12) NanoSpikes vs. ExoSpikes

(00:46:16) How Did Chris Become a Skilled Outdoorsman; Rock Climbing; Mountain Biking; Trail Running

(00:51:53) Bikepacking Bags; Making Your Own Bags; Gear

(00:55:22) Black Canyon Trail; Equipment Malfunctions; Frozen Wet Conditions

(01:03:13) Knowing When To Bail; Goals of Bikepacking; Visualization

(01:08:33) Sleep Kit; Water Distribution; Saddle Sores; Running Vests For Bikepacking

(01:14:01) Running Tech Converging with Bikepacking Tech; Versatility with Gear

(01:16:18) Kahtoola Gaiters When Bikepacking; Versatility; Engineering

(01:28:20) Waterproof Gaiters

(01:30:16) Coolest Backcountry Adventure Spot

(01:35:57) What's One Piece of Gear You Can't Live Without?

(01:38:12) Down Allergy

(01:42:39) Whats Your Opinion On Technology In the Backcountry?

(01:53:01) Water Filtering

(01:57:55) Freezing Water Filters

(02:03:18) Have You Ever Gotten Lost?

(02:05:31) What Trips Do You Have Coming Up?

(02:12:55) Nutrition

(02:15:17) Thoughts On Social Media

(02:24:34) Rapid Fire Questions

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#endurance #enduranceracing #enduranceathlete #endurancesports #adventure #kahtoola #shoetraction

✨ Support the Podcast ✨

Today’s guest is an accomplished ultra endurance runner. She has completed 28 ultra marathons including the Zion 100 mile, Javelina 100 mile and in 2023 the Cocodona 250 mile running race.

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Amazing Products/Companies I Use

Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!

Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com

Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike

----------------

https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/

Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: [email protected]

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(00:00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

(00:01:32) - Jessica's Ultra Endurance Background and Recent Training Race Challenges

(00:04:33) - Reflection on Completing Cocodona, Decision to Race Again, and Training Recovery

(00:08:41) - Nerve Damage, Nutrition Lessons, and Sleep Strategy Adjustments

(00:13:55) - Race Terrain, Environmental Challenges, and Bathroom Issues

(00:18:17) - Physical and Mental Challenges, Hydration, and Electrolyte Management

(00:22:37) - Training Discipline, Course Familiarity, and Logistics

(00:28:44) - Scenery, Accessibility, and Race Safety in Extreme Conditions

(00:33:55) - Post-Race Emotions, Injury, and Determination to Finish

(00:40:12) - Mental Toughness, Mindset, and Advice for New Runners

(00:48:12) - Technology, Community, and Bonding in Ultra Running

(00:55:41) - Camaraderie, Public Support, and First Running Experiences

(01:02:32) - Longer Race Goals, Support Strategies, and Crew Importance

(01:11:42) - Planning, Adapting, and Strategic Rest in Racing

(01:16:31) - Race Strategies, Managing Low Points, and Circadian Rhythm Effects

(01:22:27) - Sleep Deprivation, Mental Health, and Future Race Plans

(01:24:59) - Emotional Impact of Cocodona and Upcoming Race Improvements

(01:26:57) - Closing Remarks and Podcast Wrap-Up

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#endurance #enduranceracing #enduranceathlete #endurancesports #adventure #cocodona