With Pace

Payson and Sarah had two very different experiences on day four of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. They recap their respective miseries and triumphs on this second-to-last day, discuss how things are shaping up in the overall standings, and talk about the literal run-in with wildlife that left the racers shaken. They also talk about Dylan’s victory at the hot dog eating contest, the greatest gift Sarah ever received (an ice skating costume), liquified shower curtains, and, just in case you thought this wasn’t an educational program, they offer their top tips on recovering during stage races. 

Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. 

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Stage 3 saw the riders heading out for an enduro day that turned out to be very heavy on the climbing. Skyler Taylor, who won the men’s stage, joins Payson and Sarah to talk about how he managed to reel in Cam Jones who has so far dominated the race with his power and descending skills. He also talks about deciding to leave his full-time job to focus on gravel this year, which he quickly followed through on by winning a wild card spot in the Grand Prix. Plus, Sarah talks about why time has never been her strong suit.

Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. 

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After the punishing 94.7 miles of stage two, Payson and Sarah sit down with Cécile Lejeune, who is currently duking it out for first place in the overall despite having raced fewer than 10 gravel races in her entire career. They recap the day, which included multiple crashes, plenty of interpersonal drama, and a few good samaritans. They also talk about Sarah’s issue with Cécile’s snack choices, the multiple jobs Cécile holds down when she’s not racing, and whether running (her first sport) features as much social intrigue as gravel. Plus, Cécile and Sarah teach Payson a lesson in humility. 

Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. 

Instagram: @withpacepodcast
YouTube: Payson McElveen

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As the dust settles on stage one of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, Payson and Sarah sit down to talk about the punishing 80 miles from Bend to Gilchrist. They discuss how things played out in the men’s and women’s fields, how Sarah’s new haircut might have taken her out of contention, Evel Knievel’s leap across the Snake River, and her husband Dylan’s run-in with a skunk that has followed them to the race. 

Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. 

Instagram: @withpacepodcast
YouTube: Payson McElveen

Email: [email protected]

In this final episode on this year’s Unbound, we’re bringing you two interviews that Payson recorded while on the ground in Emporia. The first took place with Sarah Sturm the night before the race in which she discusses the limitations of team tactics in the women’s field. Her husband Dylan Stucki and mechanic Anna Greetis also chime in to talk about what it’s like doing the aid stations at such a big and important event. 

Next, Payson talks to Taylor Lideen, who he caught up with the day after the race. After getting hit by another rider from behind, Taylor was left with an unfixable mechanical and had to drop out of the race. He talks about how the 200 compares to the XL (which he’s won in the past), and why he’s still planning to come back for more.

To watch these interviews, head to: https://www.youtube.com/@PaysonMcElveen

Instagram: @withpacepodcast
YouTube: Payson McElveen

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Going into Unbound this year as the defending champion, Rosa Klöser knew she was a marked woman. What she didn’t expect was that the usual crashes and chaos of gravel’s biggest event would start as soon as the first handful of miles. After a fall, a flat, and a wrong turn in the finish shoot, Rosa managed to walk away with fourth place. 

She caught up with Payson for a recovery spin the day after the race to talk about how her race went down, how she tried to combat the caginess of the chase group in order to catch the three-woman breakaway at the front, and how she set up her bike differently after last year. She also talks about the other half of her career, racing on the road with Canyon-SRAM. Earlier this year, she competed in Paris Roubaix, which provided her first opportunity to ride in a velodrome. 

Ride With Pace Ep3 - Unbound https://youtu.be/2_X38IkZehM?si=Vjw0fVvToCqCtHpM 

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In the second part of our Unbound recap, Payson chats with Karo Migón about her dominant win. After initiating an early breakaway with two other riders, she went solo with nearly 50 miles to go, finishing all on her own despite having a slow rear puncture. Her ride is even more impressive considering that last year was her first gravel season and she's currently on sabbatical from her job as a coder. She talks to Payson about why she decided to hop into a breakaway so early, when she knew it was time to go solo, and whether she’s going to quit her job to take up racing full time. 

Later, Payson goes through his five key takeaways about the race and gives a rundown on the Grand Prix standings, including the new wildcard riders. We also hear from listeners about their Unbound experience.

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YouTube: Payson McElveen

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In the first half of our Unbound recap, Payson sits down with men's 200 winner Cam Jones to talk about his stunning breakaway with TudorPro rider Simon Pellaud that stuck from mile 50 all the way through to a massive course record. Cam went into the race hoping to earn a wild card slot in the Grand Prix and left the race as a favorite for the series overall. 

He chats to Payson about his decision to stick to Simon’s wheel, the camaraderie they built over 150 miles together, and how he managed to outfox the former WorldTour breakaway specialist for the win. He also talks about that now-famous video of his mom doing hand-ups at the aid station, his aggressive fueling plan, and how his effort this year was noticeably less than last year. 

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It’s Unbound week and Payson sat down with fellow sidelined-by-injury Grand Prix rider Dylan Johnson to set the scene and make some predictions. They talk about how last year’s race played out, what the weather is shaping up to be like and how it could impact the race, and why they think the team tactics will be completely different this year. They also have the obligatory conversation about tire choice, explain why the aid stations might be the most important selection points, and pick the riders they think have a shot at the win. 

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YouTube: Payson McElveen

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For years, Payson has maintained that Nichole is the most talented athlete in their household, but it wasn’t until this winter that she finally decided to add some structure to her riding and shoot for some concrete goals. It all came about during an unusual lull in her schedule shortly after she and Payson finished his crossing project in New Zealand and got married in Tasmania, and just after she completed her capstone project for her Master’s Degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins. 

Payson and Nichole sat down to talk about how her tentative request for a training plan turned into an increasingly busy racing schedule. She started out by jumping into the four-day Sahara Gravel stage race in Morocco in February before winning the Central Missouri Circuit, a 340-mile ultra race, earlier this month. This weekend, she’ll be lining up for the Unbound 100 in preparation for the Vapor Trail, a high-country bikepacking race later this year. Nichole talks about surprising herself in Morocco by discovering a thrill for racing, dealing with the heat, mental exhaustion, and fueling headaches during the overnight Central Missouri Circuit, and what it’s been like having Payson as a coach. They also catch up on her studies at Johns Hopkins and how they relate to her work at the biopsy clinic in Uganda. 

For a more in-depth conversation about her work in pathology, listen to our episode from last year: Nichole Baker on her eighth year in Uganda for Path of Logic

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YouTube: Payson McElveen

Email: [email protected]