Drop Bar, Texas: A Cycling Podcast

Ask around if there are any Texas rides in November to do and you just might hear the Tour das Hugel come up. I'm still not sure what year it began. So, let's just say it's been around awhile. Rob D'amico and Ali Sobhani came on to discuss this 110 mile iconic Texas ride's past, and how it's happening again this year. Is it 10,000 feet or 14,000 feet of climbing? Why do people do it? Why is there SPAM at some rest stops? These are important questions that are answered here. Stick around at the end to see who is named in Feats of Glory. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Tour das Hugel TDH Past Route NCOM Ride BYOCX Cross of Ages All Souls Day Ride --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Heather McNair is president of BikeDFW, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, support and promote the safe use of bicycles as an affordable, viable and sustainable means of active transportation and personal enjoyment, within the Dallas - Fort Worth community. In addition to Bike to Work week in September, we talk about new rider classes, urban cycling, bike commuting, and some areas for great riding in DFW.  Also in this episode, a quick look around the state for cycling going on and Feats of Glory from the likes of Pathfinders Fun Cycling, Doogie Roux, and Chad Haga. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: BikeDFW National Bike to Work Week Pathfinders Fun Cycling Track Stands at Alkek Czech Tour --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Andy Hollinger came back to talk some more about Texas racing, how technology has reduced the wait for results, sprinting off the back, and the people memorialized through the names of his races. We also discuss the Fort Hood Challenge XII which has since been cancelled due to pandemic related changes in activity guidelines on military bases. I took out the registration information for the race, but the route is linked below. Finally, recent feats of glory by Texan cyclists are noted. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: The Racing Post Fort Hood Challenge Route Tour de Paris Alkek Velodrome Spinistry EpicDiabetic --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Chris Huber raced professionally from 1986 to 1996. In 1990, Chris was the overall winner of the Branders Jeans Tour of Texas. The 1990 edition was a nine stage race that included urban crits as well as point-to-point stages in the Texas Hill Country. In 1992, Chris also became the world record holder for land speed on a bicycle and held the record until 2001.   Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Top View Sports' Alex Montoya is back to talk about the Central Alabama Summer Crit Series, Tour of North Georgia, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected cycling events.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Central Alabama Summer Crit Series Tour of North Georgia Topview Sports --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

With Texas reopening, racing is beginning to return. Andy Hollinger sat down with me to talk about the recently sanctioned Fort Hood Challenge XII Texas Road Championship and the state of racing in Texas.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: The Racing Post --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

For our final bicycle movie review in this mini-series, Dan Garcia joins me again for Premium Rush (2012). This thriller stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Wiley, the best bike messenger NYC has and entrusted with a questionable package to deliver that everyone seems to want.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

In the penultimate week of our cycling movie reviews, Dan and I check out the film Wadjda (2012). This film is about a young girl in Saudia Arabia that wants her own bicycle more than anything. Watching and unpacking this film, we find so much more than just a girl and a bike. Listen in to hear our take on why we feel you should see this movie. Happy bicycle month! Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Rad (1986), the title says it all. Dan and I are joined by Aaron Stryk to review the BMX cult classic film starring Bill Allen and Lori Loughlin.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

I try to answer Dan's questions that arise from the mockumentary, Tour de Pharmacy. Questions like, can cyclists really use the bathroom from the bike, how common are bike brawls, and why are speed suits so thin? This movie may spin out of control in less than 40 minutes, but we didn't let that hit the brakes on our review. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Andrew Willis discusses the Austin Driveway Series, the quick transition due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, and their online Zwift race being held during the race hiatus to keep racers engaged.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Austin Driveway Series Holland Racing Zwift --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Quicksilver (1986) starred Kevin Bacon and had a supporting cast including Laurence Fishburne, Jami Gertz, Paul Rodriguez, and Louie Anderson. Dan and I review this bicycle movie wreck in search of a plausible story in the fictitious city, New San Angeles.   Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

During the pandemic, there has been a lot of time for bicycle movies while on the trainer, or spend quality movie time with your family. Dan and I are watching and reviewing bicycle movies. In this episode, we have watched Pee Wee's Big Adventure and now compare notes on this bicycle movie classic.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

During this stay at home order, many of us have some extra time on our hands. While you could be spending some of this time on the bike or trainer, this still leaves a lot of time for other activities. One of these is watching movies. Dan Garcia, a good friend since college, joins me to narrow down a list of bicycle themed movies to be watched and reviewed by us in follow up episodes. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Armando is a cyclist, yoga devotee, salsero, and a good friend of mine. We talk about his new bike build, disc brakes, tubeless tires, what else he does to stay fit, and his podcast Houston H-Town Haps. This episode was recorded in February at Toros Coffee Shop in Houston. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

In this episode, a brief recap of the NWCC Race Team training camp in Leakey is followed by a discussion with Philip Shama on his team's training camp in Fredericksburg. Philip Shama is owner of Shama Cycles Bicycle Shop and also founder of Drop Cycles bicycle brand. Shama Cycles' race team is known well in the state peloton. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Shama Cycles Shama Race Team Drop Cycles Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce Fredericksburg Visitor Bureau --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Ravi Rajcoomar joined me to discuss the Sun City Criterium presented by Destination El Paso. The Sun City Crit is the first race in this year's USA Crit Series, the premier cycling series in the US. A brief weather update is also provided for events happening this weekend in Texas.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Sun City Crit Registration USA Crits Destination El Paso --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Brett Kinsey of Capital City Racing speaks with me about gravel in Texas and their upcoming event Come and Grind It. Learn more about why we should give gravel a try. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Capital City Racing Come and Grind It on BikeReg --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

When streets are closed for a run hours before the run is set to begin, what else are you to do? A bike race at 4 AM, of course. Organizers and participants spoke to me about this year's Houston Marathon Crash Race.  Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support

Alex Montoya of Topview Sports speaks with me about the former HCC Winter Crit Series, the upcoming Davy Crockett Classic, and announces the CCN Grant winning team. Alex previously owned and operated Local Bike Racing which produced bike races in Texas for several years. He then joined Topview and brought some of his highly respected races under the Topview  banner. He has been an athlete in this sport since his teen years and  has a passion for the racers and courses. Links: Davy Crockett Classic Topview Sports CCN Sport --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dropbartexas/support