Another year in the books and, man, what a year it was! We hosted two Bikes or Death events – The East Texas Showdown and The Bikes or Death Takeover at Mulberry Gap. We went on countless road trips across the country to track down podcast guests. We added to the Bikes or Death team. We made new friends. And, of course, rode our damn bikes. I know we say this a lot, but we couldn’t be doing what we love to do without you all loving what we do and supporting us every step of the way. So, a genuine, heartfelt thank you from the Bikes or Death team to you.
We use the Bikes or Death Awards merely as a way to reflect on the past year and it’s worth noting that all of our podcast guests are incredible and we learned so much from each and every one. We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed recording them! We asked our loyal listeners to rank their favorites in several categories. The results then went to the official Bikes or Death Council (Emily) who then counted and recounted the votes. And the winners are ready to be announced! So, without further ado…the Bikes or Death 2022 Award Winners!
~ LISTENERS CHOICE ~
First Place – Episode 120: Sofiane Sehili, Promises to Keep
Sofiane Sehili became the 2022 Tour Divide winner with a time of 14d 16h 36. This concluded a journey that started 8 years ago when Sofiane toured the Tour Divide for the first time. He would return in 2016 to race it for the first time and claim a very respectable 3rd place, while Mike Hall would go on to win and set a new course record in the process. A record that stands to this day. In 2019 Sofiane came back to try again. Everything was looking promising as he was leading the race and contending with Mike Hall’s record until a massive snow storm stopped him in his track, forcing his return to Brush Mountain Lodge and taking him out of the race. He and I recorded an episode for the podcast while he was still at the Brush Mountain Lodge, you can listen to that one here.
Second Place – Episode 99: Brett Stepanik, Ozark Gravel DOOM
Brett Stepanik became the first person to complete the Doom Loop with a time of 3d 12h 9m. Doom is the brainchild of Andrew Onermaa, it’s located in the Ozark National Forest it’s 376 miles with 41,375 ft of climbing and almost all gravel. Andrew joins us at the top of this episode to share his thoughts on Doom before Brett hops on the mic.
Third Place – Episode 115: Jerri Sterling, Riding the Divide and Spreading Her Husband’s Ashes
We all have our own path to cycling and bikepacking and each is special and unique. However, Jerri’s introduction to bikepacking was much different than any I have heard before. Her story is tragic, sad, romantic, inspiring, and real, and it all started when she fell in love with a cyclist named Kyle.
~MOst entertaining episodes ~
First Place – Episode 134: Eddie O’Dea, Live From the BoD Takeover
Eddie O’dea recently became the first person to complete the Eastern Divide Trail which runs through Mulberry Gap in Georgia, which was also the location for the first BoD Takeover. This made him the ideal candidate to be my first guest with a live audience. This conversation took place on Saturday morning at the Mulberry Gap Barn with about 40 bikepacking enthusiast in attendance.
Second Place – Episode 111: Cheech,Crust Bikes Co-Owner
I enjoyed this chat thoroughly and think you will too. It’s very tempting to only share our successes while ignoring the dirty work it took to get there. I appreciate Cheech being honest about where she’s at and being willing to take us along for the ride. Paris Brest Paris is a huge goal, bigger than I even realized before talking to her. We talk a lot about why she chose PBP and about her journey to get there. It’s a refreshing conversation and perspective in an arena where competition often takes the forefront.
Third Place – Episode 135: Abdullah Zeinab, Rhino Run Winner
In Oct. the first iteration of the Rhino Run took place in South Africa. After being delayed by covid for 2 years the first 32 adventurous souls lined up at the starting line. Among them was Abdullah Zeinab and Kevin Benkenstein who would establish and early lead in the race that they were able to keep until the end. Their battle for first place is the stuff of Hollywood movies, caulk full of drama, despair, hope, and, of course, an epic battle at the very end that would result in Abdullah pulling ahead by a mere 17 minutes.
~ Most Inspirational EPISODES~
Episode 115 – Episode 115: Jerri Sterling, Riding the Divide and Spreading Her Husband’s Ashes
Life is hard, there is so much out of our control, we all face struggles and hardships, but it is what we do and how we do it that defines us and those experiences. These lessons are freely available to anyone who chooses to take them on. Please note, the roads aren’t always flowing singletrack with a beautiful mountain backdrop, sometimes it’s rocky, steep, and it’s raining on you, but the end result is always worth it.
Second Place – Episode 130: RJ Sauer, Along for the Ride Film
RJ Sauer is no stranger to big trips, big challenges, and big adventures. I’ve been following him and his work for years with great interest and a tinge of jealousy. Last year he set out to take on a new challenge, this time with his 3 year old son, Ollie, in tow. They settled on the Rexy Gravel Race, a 200 mile mixed terrain race starting in Fruita, CO and ending in Moab, UT. The catch? You’ve got 24 hours to complete it!
Third Place – Episode 101: Hal Russell “Smilin’ Hal Tribute Episode
The bikepacking community and the world lost a true legend on January the 19th when Hal passed away in his home surrounded by family. Hal lived a full and adventurous life that touched almost everyone that he met, you could say he Touched Both Lines. Today we pay tribute and celebrate the life of Hal so that his story and example can continue to have a meaningful impact.
~ MOST INFORMATIVE EPISODES~
First Place – Episode 118: John Stamstad, Tour Divide History, Rules and Ethos
In 1997 the Adventure Cycling Association released the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. What was billed as a touring route, caught the attention of ultra distance mountain biker John Stamstad. In 1999 John set out on the first ITT (individual Time Trial) of the GDMBR and set a the first FKT (fastest known time) of 18 days and 5 hours. His record stood until the 2007 edition of the Tour Divide Race.
Second Place – Episode 125: Shane Hitz, Wisconsin Gravel and Bikepacking
Shane Hitz has been busy building routes and putting on gravel races in Wisconsin for many years. This week he’s here to tell us all about his routes, the Red Granite Grinder, and Wisconsin gravel riding and bikepacking.
Third Place – Episode 108: Mental Health and the Outdoors
This episode tackles the important topic of mental health and the outdoors told by this years Adventure Media Course. Long time listeners will be very familiar with Adventure Media by now, but for the uninitiated it is a course at Texas Tech University. Each year as part of their class project the professors scheme up a bikepacking trip and a media objective for the students to complete. This year the students did the Billy the Kid and Smokey Bear Route and their assignment was to vlog about their personal experience, with a focus on mental health and the outdoors.
~ By the numbers ~
Top Three Episodes with the Most Downloads in 2022
First Place – Episode 120: Sofiane Sehili, Promises to Keep
8,554 Downloads in the First 30 Days
Sofiane is no stranger to winning ultra endurance cycling events and there was no doubt what was on his mind when he towed the lie at this years 2022 Tour Divide start, Win, that was the only mission. Mike Hall’s record wasn’t on the table this year as fire danger caused a reroute, but as Sofiane will tell you, it’s not about the record for him, he just wants to keep the promise he made to 32 year old him, to Win the Tour Divide.
Second Place – Episode 112: Lael & Rue, Asterisk*
8,024 Downloads in the First 30 Days
Lael Wilcox set a new FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the famous Arizona Trail Route. Now the AZT boast 827 miles thanks to new sections that race director John Schilling added. Lael completed her ITT of the route in 9 days, 8 hours, and 23 minutes, besting the previous FKT set by Nate Ginzton who came in at 9d, 10h, 23m.
Third Place– Episode 113: Sofiane Sehili, Weighs In
6,528 Downloads in the First 30 Days
Recently Sofiane sent me an DM that said, “Hey Patrick, what’s your take on Lael’s Arizona fkt? I’d be happy to discuss it on the Podcast”. Instead of answering his question online, I scheduled an interview and answered his question on the podcast. Going into this conversation I had no idea what his thoughts were, but he was already on my list of people I wanted to talk to and I know him to be a thoughtful person who cares deeply for this sport and community.
~ NOteworthy ~
We also asked our listeners what are some topics they’d like to hear more about on podcasts in 2023. Here are some of the most popular answers:
~ Entry Level Bikepacking Tips/Tricks
~ Inclement Weather (Heat, Cold, Rain) Tips
~ Stories from International Cyclists
~ “Close to Home” Bikepacking Trips
~ Training
~ Routes and Route Building
~ Gear Talk
~ Stories from Female Cyclists
Again, our sincerest thank you for everything you’ve done to support Bikes or Death this year. It’s been another interesting year but we hope you found some solace in what we’re trying to do within the bikepacking community. We know one thing for damn sure and it’s that we couldn’t have done it without you listening and supporting us along the way. So, thank you and buckle up for 2023, because we’re sure it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
