The Bikepack Racing Podcast The Bikepack Racing Podcast

The episode title really says it all! Ezra and Andrew sit down for a very informal recap of the 2023 season, while also looking forward to 2024. Highs and lows are discussed, future plans are divulged, and incredible accomplishments are recognized. We know it's a longer one...but the end does get a bit spicy as some strong remarks are made about the cycling industry relating to its lack of relationship with bikepacking and bikepack racing. We've also got a bit of a call for action: Got any questions or topics you'd like to hear discussed? People you really want us to talk to? Send us whatever you've got via instagram to @thebikepackracingpodcast - Thanks and happy listening!

"The current best American bikepack racer." That's the title Ezra gave Abe Kaufman after he smashed the FKT at the Arkansas High Country Race this October. Add in a 4th place finish at the 2022 Tour Divide plus FKTs at Trans North Georgia and Trans Virginia, and it's safe to say Abe is certainly a dangerous man when it comes to bikepack racing. In this episode we dive into Abe's relatively recent introduction to the sport, his calculated and comprehensive approach to racing, and how he keeps a smile on his face deep into these massive efforts. If this conversation doesn't get you stoked on setting big goals for 2024...we don't know what will...enjoy!

Making his second appearance on the podcast, Daniel Connell aka "Dirty Dan" is back to talk all things 2023 Tour Divide. This year was Dan's fourth consecutive Tour Divide finish! We take a deep dive into everything that went down as Dan fought through his fair share of obstacles to finish in his fastest time yet at 16 days 16 hours 4 minutes. This conversation is a must listen to for anyone considering the Divide in the future. It certainly got us stoked, and we hope it does the same for you too!

To start...sorry! We know it's been a minute...or 8 months...but we are trying to get this thing rolling again. In this "catch-up" episode Andrew and Ezra sit down and have a meandering conversation about a whole lot of bikepacking, bikepack racing, bike racing, and general life things. It was oh so good to sit down and catch up. We hope you enjoy listening to this unedited conversation.

Jeff Kerkove is truly a legend of bikepack racing. Jeff and his friends were racing bikes offroad in extreme and unique ways before the words "Gravel racing" and "Bikepacking" were commonplace in the cycling world. In this conversation, we dive into Jeff's start in the 12/24 hour mountain bike race scene, a 14 year battle with finishing the Colorado Trail Race, his most recent race effort in Morocco at the Atlas Mountain Race, and much more bikepacking and bikepack racing goodness. 

We couldn't think of a better way to kick off 2023 than with a multi-time world champion. Our guest for episode 26 is two-time 24hr Time Trial World Champion Meaghan Hackinen. Meaghan had an absolutely massive 2022 season: competing in The Transcontinental No8, setting a new fastest known time while taking the win at The Big Lonely, and then winning her second 24hr Time Trial World Championship. We discuss her efforts at these events, the specific training and preparation required to succeed at such a wide variety of events, and much much more.