Ben and Bikes

Editorial Note: In this podcast it is inadvertently mentioned that the race that precedes the Colorado Classic is the Tour of California, it should be the Tour of Utah. 7 years ago, I stood on the steps of Colorado’s Capital Building, along with 4,000 other cycling enthusiasts, to witness the birth of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Quite possibly the longest and hardest to pronounce name in sporting event history, this marked the return of professional cycling to Colorado since the heady days of the Coors Classic which ran from 1980 to 1988 and before that the Red Zinger.Sadly, this event was not to lastScroll forwards to 2016 and rumours began to circulate that there was a new team in town, represented by RPM Events, an investment team that includes Denver’s Gart Family and local philanthropist Ben Walton (grandson of Sam Walton) with the goal of resurrecting a Professional bike race in Colorado and soon it was announced that this race would be called the Colorado Classic. Not only a bike race, but also a huge music festival, all under the banner of Velorama Colorado. The event will run from August 10-13, have 4 race stages in Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver, the 3 day music festival, based in Denver’s hip and trendy RiNo district will feature headline acts such as Death Cab for Cutie & Wilco. Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleVeloramaVisit the Colorado Classic Web Site See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In June 2007, Jamie Osborne was doing the one thing that listeners to this podcast love to do. Riding a bike. Nothing more, nothing less. He was on a lunch ride with colleagues, the same as he had countless times before.Things were getting a little competitive, the lead group’s pace increasing to 25 miles per hour. Jamie, ever so slightly the competitive and self driven type, found himself off this pace and dug deep within himself to catch up. Next came the unimaginable. His bike’s frame failed and broke in two places resulting in a partially severed spinal cord.Listen to us discuss the accident, his long road to recovery and his life today. It is a remarkable story of courage, fortitude and overcoming tragedy with a winning mindset.His book, "Will Your Way Back" is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleWill Your Way Back: How One Man Overcame Tragedy with a Winning Mindset $16.78 By James H. Osborne The broken bikeThe InjuryRehabOn the bike againSkiing Again See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On April 20th, I was on the 303 Trail Monitor Facebook page and saw that someone called James Kovaly had posted some pictures of a sign he had placed on one of the crown jewels of the trail system known as “Buffalo Creek” and this generated a storm of controversy.The sign, sitting off to the side of what looks to be a 3 out of 5 switchback reads “Don’t Skid” “Skidding destroys the trail”. This was like red rag to a bull for many of the red blooded 303 Trail members who wrote comments like “I give it 5 years before we have stop lights and cops enforcing speed limits out there”Listen to the two of us discussing why James, a leader within the COMBA organization, worked with the Forest Service to place these signs.Download on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleCOMBA's Web SiteCOMBA's Annual Members' Party - May 18thDetails about Buffalo Creek See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Back on February the 4th I was riding my road bike on a favourite loop near my house. I was about to hit a Strava segment named “Short Grind’ , given that it’s on a little kicker of a hill, when about 400 yards ahead of me I see something in the bike lane, that I can’t quite make out. As I get closer I pick out a small flag waving like the lure of angler fish. Closer still and I make out the unmistakable image of someone riding a recumbent bike. I pull alongside and attempt to have a conversation with the pilot. He’s a little out of breath to have a long chat so I keep going to the top of the hill and wait for him there. Thank goodness Jeff didn’t think I was some kind of axe murderer, and just to prove my theory that 90% of people are inherently good, he asked me if I was OK. At that point I told him that I run a podcast called Bikes And…and that I’d always wanted to interview someone who rides a recumbent bike. We traded information and a few emails later, a little cajoling from me, and I am so excited to welcome him to this podcast. Links to organisations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below the photos.Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleLightning Bikes See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Editorial Note: In this podcast Andrew described the attack taking place on the north facing side of North Table Mesa. It was actually the south facing side.Last week end, news began to spread, here along Denver’s Front-Range biking community about a mountain biker who had been assaulted on a popular bike trail near Golden, the North Table Mountain Trail. Most of us who live here realise that if you add the amazing access we all have to incredible trail systems to Denver’s growing populations, there is inevitable conflict between bikers, riders, runner, horse riders and hikers and dog walkers. Pressure on these trails can be significant but conflicts are typically resolved in one way or another, but this incident went way beyond a few curt words and maybe an exchanged middle finger. Nobody owns the trails, and courtesy among trail users is assumed. In this situation, the rider was physically assaulted, pulled to the ground, kicked, punched and his bike damaged.Links to organisations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below the photos.Listen in StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleJefferson County's Victim OutreachDrunk Cyclist Web Site See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this Podcast, I’m joined by Ayleen Crotty, the founder and Festival Director of “Filmed by Bike” a Portland, Oregon Film Festival held every year at the historic Hollywood Theatre. From May 5th – 7th the 15th Filmed by Bike Festival showcases documentaries, animation and scripted features that are not only shown to the local audience, but are also distributed around the country and the world for communities that want to host their own film festivals, spreading the word of bike advocacy and helping people understand that riding a bike is not all about improving your Strava time, but more about just plain old community and having fun. Links to organisations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below the photos.Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on Google“Race Across America” Lorenz Wetscher| Bavaria, Germany“Dada | The Malagasy Trialist” Felix LaBlanc | Chambery, France “Flashes of Altai” Joey Schusler | Boulder, CO“Gorge Roubaix” Kenji Sugahara | Salem, Oregon“Dada | The Malagasy Trialist” Felix LaBlanc | Chambery, FranceThe Filmed by Bike Website See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to double digits and Episode 10. The second in the series of Bikes and …Great Causes, an interview with Brian Mayo, Regional Director of Special Events at the American Lung Association who is the master coordinator of Reach The Beach, a bike event held in Portland, Oregon every year to raise money for the American Lung Association.Also, Brian talks about the inaugural Washington State version of Reach The Beach. Links to organisations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below the photos.Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleCrossing the start lineEn routeBikes And...BikesThey Reached the Beach!The Pelican Pub...HeavenThe American Lung AssociationReach the BeachThe Pelican Pub See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Episode 9. Bikes and…Beer and have I wanted to do this one since the beginning of the Bikes And…Podcast? Absolutely.Bikes and Beer go together like Fish and Chips, Apple Pie and Ice Cream and Chips and Dip. For many people, the idea of grabbing a beer after a day in the saddle is one the things that motivates you to keep rolling up and down the trail. My friends at the Velominati (Episode 6) have devoted Rule #47 to the idea of the intertwined nature of bikes and beers – “Beer is a recovery drink, an Elixir for post ride trash talking, and a just plain excellent thing to pour down the neck”.There are, of course, many beers to choose from, but me for there really is only one company that produces my go to malted adult beverage, and that is Oskar Blues. Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below the photos. Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleWhat's Your Tipple?EvolutionBeer...HereThe ReceptionistOskar BluesReeb Bikes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For this Podcast we’re back at the Blue Spruce Brewing Company, the location for Episode 2's podcast Bikes And…Community. The story of one man’s quest to recover his stolen Yeti. Thank you to them as ever. As a reminder the Blue Spruce Brewery is located at 4151 E County Line Road in Centennial, CO and offers its own ales on tap & classic pub fare, plus open mic & music events. Today I’m joined by the Schmidt family, Chris, Jessica and their 8 month old son Carter. Both Chris and Jessica are avid mountain bikers and balancing that passion with that of being a parent can be a tall order. They have managed to adjust their lives around the arrival of young Carter and were kind enough to offer to share their experiences, lessons learned and stories about how this adjustment has happened. In other words, if they can do it, so can you!Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below the photos.Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on Google The Blue Spruce BrewingYeti BetiThe Little BellasThe Golden GiddyupThe Bailey Hundo/HunditoYeti BikesSanta Cruz Bikes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Velominati, Keepers of the cog, sacred order of the cycling disciple who spend their days committed to poring over the essence of cycling to understand how it makes up the sport’s colourful fabric. This, they believe is the Velominati's reason to be. They are so passionate about these beliefs that they have detailed them in a book called “The Rules” – 95 of them in fact, that talk to the way of the cycling disciple and available on Amazon. Some of you may already know about the 5th rule or The Five. If you don’t know, I suggest you buy the book.Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleThe Rules: The Way of the Cycling Disciple $13.85 By The Velominati Rule #16 - Respect the jerseyRule #21 Cold weather gear is for cold weatherRule #55 Earn your turnsDiebolt BreweryAlaskan Brewing Company See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ever wanted to take part in a charity that raises money for a great cause by doing nothing more than riding a bike? Look no further. Sarah Klein and I talk about the Multiple Sclerosis Society's BikeMS event. What it is, how to take part, some tips and tricks to help you get the most from the event and some insight into what the MS Society does with the $85MM it raises as it tries to battle this heinous disease.Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...are listed below. Listen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleLearn about the Multiple Sclerosis Society Sign up to ride in a BikeMS eventLearn about Trips for Kidsaudio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An interview with Sina Solouksaran, International mountain biking legend, who in 2011, was on his way to representing Iran at the Asian Mountain Bike Continental Championships in China, when he was kicked off the team for nothing more than admission to belonging to a non-Muslim Faith. “I wanted to race for my country, for the sport of Mountain Bike Racing, not for a religion”Leaving his family behind, and assuming refugee status, Sina found himself in Turkey, able to race, but prohibited from racing for his country. He has not seen them for 3 years and he recently missed his Sister’s wedding. With no American Embassy in Iran, this situation shows little chance of changing in the future.Still a refugee, Sina’s path has led him from Turkey, to Seattle and now to Denver.Officially supported by Giant Bicycles in the US, and ironically by Giant Turkey, he has managed to podium in many of Colorado’s premium Mountain Bike Pro Races, but all of those victories come without the all-important UCI points (Cycling’s World Governing body). Lack of points mean that Sina starts races at the back of the starting grid and sponsors are not attracted without results. Without sponsor support, specifically equipment and travel support, he is stuck in a vicious circle.If his tenacity, courage and determination don’t prove that he has the mettle to be the World Champion Sina knows he can be, the world of Mountain Bike Racing is the loser.Please contact me if you can help Sina to meet his goals.Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photosListen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GoogleSina wearing his Team Giant JerseySina in Iran (middle in orange & white), just after he was kicked off the team. The team was on their way to China.Sina racing in Turkey, Erciyes Peak in the background. Copyright Seb Rogers - https://www.cranked.cc/On the podium in Turkey.Racing in ColoradoAnother day at the officeOn the podium in ColoradoIf you are considering supporting Sina please contact me hereMiddle Earth Travel (MTB Adventures in Turkey)CappadociaRocky Mountain RacingWinter Park Epic Single Track Race SeriesLearn more about the Bahai Faith See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ever wanted to start cycling a little later in life but weren't sure if it was for you? The cycling podcast, bikesand..., interviews a man who started riding bikes when running became too much of a strain on this knees. Introduced by his neighbour and encouraged by his doctor, Peter is an ardent road bike rider in his early 70's and still going strong. Listen as I chat with Peter at www.yakima.com headquarters in gorgeous Portland, Oregon as he talks about his passion for opera, his Wilier Bike he calls Francesca and his joy of riding in Oregon's gorgeous countryside.Links to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photosListen on StitcherListen on iTunesListen on GooglePeter Riding FrancescaHawaii International Music Festival - February 2nd. Hosted by KQAC All Classical Portland.Riding Bikes in PortlandThe Old ChurchReach the BeachThe Bike Gallery Bike ShopStravaYakima Bike RacksPortland World Naked Bike Ride (NSFW)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Colorado mountain biking veteran's prized Yeti is stolen from his car. Social Media, some good people and the Denver Police all come together to help him recover it, and he gets some nice new parts too.Listen on StitcherListen on GoogleListen on iTunesLinks to organizations and companies mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the photosRich's Yeti before it was stolenRich's Yeti after recovery, note plush seat and bar ends (attached in the wrong direction)The Blue SpruceYeti Bikes303 Trail Monitor's Facebook Page  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A interview with 5 High School Student Athletes who race mountain bikes in the Colorado High School Cycling League. Why they ride, where else they take their bikes and other great storiesListen on StitcherListen on GoogleListen on iTunesLinks to organizations mentioned in this episode of Bikes And...have been listed below the video.LinksColorado High School Cycling LeagueNICAInternational Mountain Biking AssociationThe Bailey HundoMonarch Crest TrailCrested Butte See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.