033 - It's time to meet the Guru! (Dane Higgins, Guru Bikes & Guru Suspension)

Old Pueblo MTB is a mountain bike group based in Tucson, AZ. that hosts multiple group rides every week.  The group communicates primarily through their Facebook page which has 4,000+ members. 

The episode features ‘The Travis Williams’ (aka Captain Enthusiasm) who is one of the key administrators of Old Pueblo MTB.  In addition to learning all about Old Pueblo MTB… the boys and Travis discuss lots of interesting topics including the inspiring story of Travis’ recovery from a heart attack and his journey back to the trail. 

There’s also a section in this podcast where we delve a bit into the topic of e-mtb’s.  Travis shares how he thinks many e-bike naysayers suffer from the “broccoli-effect”.  Meaning, they hate e-bikes, but they’ve never tried one (like kids often are with broccoli).  If that’s you, we urge you to try out an e-mtb… we suspect you might come away with a different perspective.

 About Old Pueblo MTB:
A diverse, family friendly group of people in the Tucson area joined together by our mutual love of Mountain Biking. We welcome all ages, from any walk of life. If you're new to the sport, or just want to try it out, come join us! We have skill levels from beginner to expert and we ride as often as we can. We welcome your photos, videos, questions and input. See you on the trail!

Old Pueblo MTB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/203787656312279/

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Recorded onsite at the brewery, the boys chat with Brian (owner of Catalina Brewing Company) about beer, the brewery, and content spanning a ton of mountain bike topics (including: bikes, epic adventures, bike art, and more) . 

Some interesting nuggets include how a 125cc moto smashed the rear window of Josh’s truck, an epic mountain bike ride in Tucson that requires riders to send their bikes down a zipline whilst they repel down a cliff, and oh yeah, why the brewery has a stripper pole.

Cataline Brewing Company
Catalina Brewing Company (CBC) is a small (nano) craft brewery that manufactures and distributes a variety of craft beers designed and created from local materials with the southern Arizona market in mind, and centering around a mountain bicycling theme and the incredible outdoor spirit that exists in the Arizona Southwest. 

In addition to great beer, amazing mountain bike theme (including lots of MTB related art) the brewery offers some tasty food, frequently holds live music and other events, and lots of leisure sport options including a large collection of pinball machines.  Go check it out… not far from the loop (near the I-10 crossing) and you won’t find outdoor bike parking because they want you to bring your bikes inside.

Address: 6918 N. Camino Martin, #120, Marana, AZ. 85741

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wgzq27VML1MUZSZn9

Web: http://www.catalinabrewingco.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/CatalinaBrewingCo/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/catalinabrewingco/

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What is the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo?  Think “Burning Man” + “Mountain Bike Race”. 

Dane & Josh recorded this episode LIVE this morning, just before the race start in the Old Pueblo MTB booth. In this episode we laugh, rap about the event, interact with participants and spectators, and as always go down random mountain bike related rabbit holes.

Epic Rides – 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo
https://epicrides.com/events/24-hours-in-the-old-pueblo/event-guide/

Shout out to Old Pueblo MTB for inviting us to record live from their booth.  You’ll learn all about them in an upcoming episode of the MCP!

Old Pueblo MTB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/203787656312279/

About Old Pueblo MTB:
We are a diverse, family friendly group of people in the Tucson area joined together by our mutual love of Mountain Biking. We welcome all ages, from any walk of life. If you're new to the sport, or just want to try it out, come join us! We have skill levels from beginner to expert and we ride as often as we can. We welcome your photos, videos, questions and input. See you on the trail!

Why is Tucson called “The Old Pueblo”?https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2005/07/01/how-the-old-pueblo-got-its-name/

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If you listen to this podcast at all... you probably know that we are presently obsessed with bike fits.  It all started when Wolfman (aka Andrew Wolf, a prior exercise physiologist) berated Josh for never having a bike fit in Episode #57.  That catalyzed an awesome bike fit experience with Frank Kaiser (Ben's Bikes) who we interviewed in Episode #62.  Frank told us that while the basic foundation of bike fitting is generally accepted, there are slight differences in technique and approach between fitters.

To get a better feel for what Frank was talking about... Josh reached out to Tyler over at Guru, recorded an episode with him, and got another awesome fit.  This time on his "down country" mountain bike (Specialized Epic Evo). 

Yes, you should get fit to each bike you own.

Tyler Vandruff is co-owner of Guru Bikes and owner of Vandruff Fit Solutions.  Tyler's been involved, in one way or the other, with bike fits since he was a kid.  In this episode he lays out his approach to bike fitting.  Which I can tell you, is equally awesome, but slightly different from Frank's approach.  Tyler uses the RETUL system, a previously independent bike fit focused company, recently acquired by Specialized.

Here are a few of RETUL's mantra's on bike fits... 
1. A bike is symmetrical, humans are not
2. Feet are your foundation, invest in them
3. The hips don't lie  <-- (see what we did there)
4. Hand position is the product of a good bike fit

https://guru-bikes.com/
https://www.retul.com/

Tyler Vandruff
Guru Bikes - Vandruff Fit Solutions
Email: cyclefitter@gmail.com
Call: 520.622.2453

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Join us in wishing a warm welcome to Dane Higgins (Guru Bikes & Guru Suspension) who is joining Josh as the new co-host of the Mountain Cog Podcast. 

In this episode, we welcome and learn more about Dane (his shop & suspension business, his bikes and riding style).  In addition, the episode spends a good chunk of time on the state of the bike industry; past, present, and future.

We have lots of fun episodes planned this year.  Stay tuned! 

Guru Bikes (also home of: Guru Suspension & Vandruff Fit Solutions)
Web: https://www.facebook.com/people/Guru-Bikes/100090157836263/
Phone: 520-622-2453
Location: 2634 N. 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ.

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Bittersweet.  It’s an interesting word.  It’s used to refer to something that has both happy and sad aspects.  It’s the perfect word to describe this episode.  The sad part is that this is Mike’s last episode as a co-host of the MCP.  He’s retiring.  The happy part is that we have awesome plans for the future.  Those plans include a new co-host (a seasoned mountain bike industry expert) and we plan to grow the podcast and increase focus on content related to mountain biking.  Who’s the new co-host?  Well, maybe we announce that in this episode. Or do we?

During this episode Mike & Josh get down to the straight and hard truth about why Mike is retiring.  Is it because they had an epic falling out?  Does Mike want to spend more time on his passion for S&M?  Is Mike joining Mike Levy, who recently retired from Pink Bike to purportedly focus on alien conspiracies.  Is Mike rolling up a stake and trying out a new career as a Power Slap athlete?  I guess you’ll have to listen to find out.

In addition to the truth on Mike’s retirement.  The two O.G. hosts recall their past episodes.  The funny parts.  The awful parts.  The episodes they recorded that were so bad they’ll never be published.  It’s a bit of a behind the scenes look into the MCP universe. 

Thanks to Mike for his partnership.  Sense of humor.  And willingness to give this thing a try.  We will miss you brother.  And to our audience, don’t fret, we have great things to come.

Power Slap: https://www.powerslap.com/

S&M for beginners: https://www.yourtango.com/200636/sm-for-beginners

Mike Levy: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/mike-levys-last-podcast.html

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In Episode 57, Wolfman convinced us to get a bike fit. So, we tracked down a local (and amazing) professional bike fitter, got a bike fit from him, and convinced him to come on the podcast.

In this episode we chat with Frank Kaiser (aka our favorite German).  Frank is a professional bike fitter, a certified IRONMAN Coach, a business owner, a prior New Mexico Sheriff/Detective, and if that’s not enough a retired German Air Force officer.

As you can tell, Frank, who is now a U.S. Citizen living in Arizona, has a super interesting history and the episode starts out with him walking us through his background.  The meat of the episode deep dives into the methods, benefits, and philosophies behind professional bike fits.  We finish off learning about Frank’s business (Saguaro Endurance and Multisport Coaching)

The conversation is fun, informative, and super interesting.  We cannot stress enough the value of getting a professional bike fit.  No matter how long you’ve ridden or what kind of cycling you prefer.  Get a fit.  All those little pains and discomforts you experience during and after a bike ride… can be drastically reduced, with a professional fit.

Frank’s Email: Coach@saguaroendurancemultisport.com

Frank & Bianca’s Coaching Business: https://saguaroendurancemultisport.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saguaro_endurance_multisport/

Ben’s Bikes Tucson: https://www.bensbikestucson.com/

Bike Radar Article Explaining Bike Fits: https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/sizing-and-fit/bike-fit-explained-what-is-a-bike-fit-and-should-you-get-one

Gebiomized Saddle Pressure Tool: https://www.gebiomized.us/saddle-pressure.html

Lederhosen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lederhosen

Episode #57: Wolfman Returns https://www.buzzsprout.com/2052531/13877713-057-wolfman-returns-an-exercise-physiologist-s-take-on-cardiovascular-fitness-and-bike-fit-andew-wolf

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In this episode Josh, Mike, & Roundabout Sam have an interesting conversation on the vast challenges and success stories related to managing transportation & mobility in Tucson, Arizona.  While centered around Tucson… these topics directly translate to any major city.  The subjects covered include: increasing bicycle, pedestrian, and motorized safety on our roads, bike lane strategies, bicycle events (like El Tour De Tucson and Cyclovia), community engagement and feedback, road design, construction, and repair (including Sam’s favorite topic; potholes), how Arizona monsoons reek havoc on our roads, funding challenges, and much much more.  Sam is humble, hard working, well versed, and funny guy.  You will like Sam and after listening to this episode you will walk away with a better understanding of what goes into managing transportation in a large city. Enjoy.

Report a road or other transportation & mobility concerns…
Email: Tdotconcerns@tucsonaz.gov
Call: (520) 791-3154

DTM: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Transportation-Mobility

Cyclovia: https://www.cycloviatucson.org/

El Tour De Tucson: https://eltourdetucson.org/

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In this episode, we engage in a compelling conversation with Susie Murphy, the Executive Director of the San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA.com), a non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing sustainable trail access for mountain biking in San Diego County. Established in 1994, SDMBA boasts a volunteer-driven force and stands as one of the largest regional trail advocacy groups in the US with 1,800 members.

Susie shares her journey in the mountain biking community, discussing the challenges and triumphs she has encountered along the way. From trail advocacy to fostering a sense of community, she sheds light on the vital role the association plays in promoting responsible trail use and creating a welcoming environment for riders of all levels. Join us as we explore the exciting trails of San Diego through Susie's eyes, gaining insights into the vibrant mountain biking culture and the impactful work being done by the San Diego Mountain Biking Association under her leadership.

San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA): www.sdmba.com

California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB): www.camtb.org

Support the trails you love: https://luvtrails.com/

SDMBA Trail News Podcast: https://sdmba.libsyn.com/

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Warning: this episode includes conversation about suicide.  This episode may not be appropriate for anyone sensitive to the topic of suicide.  If you are having suicidal thoughts, please know, SUICIDE IS NOT THE ANSWER, help is available.  A super easy way to get help in the United States is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Just TEXT or CALL 988.  Please get help.  This world needs each and every one of you. 

HELP. IS. AVAILABLE.   Text 988 or Call 988.

The is the 2nd of our 2 part series with O.G. BMX pro Dusty Horton.   In this episodes Dusty shares his mental health journey including his childhood experiences, struggle with perfectionism, numerous serious injuries, alcohol abuse, incarceration, losing his driver's license, thoughts of suicide, and thankfully for Dusty (and all of us) his path to recovery and balance through trauma work with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. 

Dusty also takes us through how cycling is playing a role in his path to recovery and how his relationship with his bike has changed.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: https://ifs-institute.com/
Somatic Therapy:  Harvard Medical School
Yin Yoga: https://yinyoga.com/yinsights/what-is-yin-yoga/
How to manage your perfectionism: Harvard Business Review (HBR)

Dusty Horton's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustyhorton/

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