My Back 40 Steve O'Shaughnessy

Exclusive content announcement. Starting with "Vibe of the Divide', I am going to start offering exclusive content to supporters starting at the $5 level. Certain episodes will be available to supporters, while truncated versions will will go out to the public. There will still be a ton of public episodes, not to worry.
In this teaser, I chat with TD riders from the day before and the morning of the start. They share their goals and aspirations, their fears and excitement about tackling the route and pushing themselves.
Having been a podcaster for over 5 years, I have spent thousands of hours on administration, conversation, recording, editing, website dev, writing, graphics - the list goes on. There's also the expense of maintaining a website, cloud storage, recording equipment, internet access, gas for the van. This isn't to illicit feelings of sympathy, it's about the realities of operating a Canadian Small Business.
A passion project to be sure, but also a part time job that, thanks to supporters, allows me to maintain an existence in a world of job loss, housing shortages and rising gas, food, and utility prices.
1 coffee a month. A pint, perhaps? Maybe lunch? If you find value in what I do and want to chip in, I'd be grateful. For those who have continued to support me over the years - I can't say thank you enough.
In a sea of podcasts hosted by movie stars, it's a grind, but I love what I do at My Back 40 and I want to continue to bring more valuable and inspirational content. This might include travelling to destinations to meet with a special guest, if the resources exist.
Thanks for being a part of the My Back 40 community and thanks in advance for your support. We've built something truly special here. I look forward to the next chapter.
Keep The Rubber Side Down.
Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.
Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40
Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout.
Visit Rollingdale Cycle
Thanks to Ottalaus Inc. for their support.
Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support.
Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

It has been a while since I put out a solo podcast and what better time than the week leading up to the 2024 Tour Divide. I’m simultaneously feeling excited for all the riders on their way to the start in Banff and at the same time huge FOMO. You folks are embarking on an adventure that is going to change you life.
I’ll see you in Banff on the 14th!
Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.
Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40
Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout
Visit Rollingdale Cycle
Thanks to Ottalaus Inc. for their support.
Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support.
Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Drew Raney @raneydayss.
Drew recently helped put on a bikepacking event in the Los Padres National Forest in California - Tour de Los Padres - which he completed on a singlespeed! Additionally, he raised $1,000 for his elementary school to give away bikes and start a comprehensive "learn to ride" program for ages 4-6 through the All Kids Bikes organization. As the school's PE teacher, he strives to instill a healthy lifestyle in his 500+ students by challenging himself through bikepacking ultra events.
We chat about Drew’s life as an educator as well as the importance of getting kids on bikes as a vital life skill fostering confidence and self esteem as well as giving them an activity that they can enjoy for a lifetime.
I hope you enjoy this conversation.
Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40
Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout.
Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.
Visit Rollingdale Cycle
Thanks to Ottalaus Inc. for their support.
Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support.
Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

In this episode, I am speaking with Bill Donahue about his book Unbound: Unforgettable True Stories from the World of Endurance Sports.
Bill Donahue is an independent writer who lives in New Hampshire. He has written for Outside, The New York Times Magazine, Bicycling, and Runner's World.
In reporting stories, I’ve searched for fallen meteorites in the Sahara Desert, snuck into Manuel Noriega’s abandoned beach house, and camped out with Army soldiers in the minus 30-degree chill of the Alaskan Arctic. I believe in journalism and in honest, compassionate storytelling. I live in New Hampshire, and I try to get out on my bike or on cross-country skis every afternoon.
Bill and I have a chat about his emergence as a journalist as well as his experiences interviewing and learning about endurance athletes and what makes them tick.
Check out his website to learn more about how you can pre-order Unbound.
Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40
Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout.
Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.
Visit Rollingdale Cycle
Thanks to Ottalaus Inc. for their support.
Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support.
Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

In this episode, I’m speaking with Jeff Woodgate, Instructor, guide and owner of Alberta 66 Mountain Biking and a key player in the Grow Kananaskis movement.
They’re on a mission to protect over 900 hectares of pristine wilderness in West Bragg Creek and Moose Mountain from logging. Yep, that's the equivalent of 833 soccer fields! Can you imagine? These trails are planned to be logged removing the majority of the remaining older growth forest and will have an irreversible effect on the experience of outdoor recreation in the area. The economic impact of this project will be deep affecting local business that thrive due to this diamond of a mountain biking destination.
I wanted to get this podcast out asap as there will be an open house in Cochrane at the Cochrane Ranchehouse from 3pm - 8pm.
It would mean the world to them if you could sign the petition today.
Email all the stake holders now!
Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40
Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout.
Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.
Visit Rollingdale Cycle
Thanks to Ottalaus Inc. for their support.
Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support.
Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

In this episode, I connect with Mike Dion, Director of Ride the Divide (2010), the movie we all know and love and, for many of us, was the catalyst for us to tackle bikepacking races and eventually, the Tour Divide itself.
We chat about the films old and new. Mike discusses his process as a creator and the meaning he found creating the film and attempting the route himself.
Enjoy...
Oh, and for more info check out the website.https://www.ridethedividereturns.com/Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40
Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout.
Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout.
Visit Rollingdale Cycle
Thanks to Ottalaus Inc. for their support.
Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support.
Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!