Life Lived One Corner at a Time

Previously Published in The Parts Bin   Our sport denies slowing down, it is fundamentally antithetical to bike racing. But when you live at Mach 12 with your hair on fire, you miss details. That's why photography remains so important, it allows us to freeze a moment in time, and to embrace all that is within it, the good, the bad, the triumphs, and the failures.

Episode 23: March 3, 2020: Bruce Buckley Cycling Photographer

March 18, 2020 by Rob Kelly

Our sport denies slowing down, it is fundamentally antithetical to bike racing. But when live at Mach 12 with your hair on fire, you miss details. That’s why photography remains so important, it allows us to freeze a moment in time, and to embrace all that is within it, the good, the bad, the triumph and the failure. Bruce Buckley is a photographer extraordinaire who specializes in capturing imagery of two-wheeled accomplishments. In this episode we explore the how, the why, and most importantly the details of capturing the fastest paced action for all time.

Julie Kuliecza, formerly of Hagens Berman/Supermint now of Butcher Box Cycling, on her way to winning the Poolesville Road Race in 2019. Along with Angela Parrotta, then on team pink but now on RISE p/b Rapha DC

Learn more about Bruce and check out his work: www.brucebuckleyphotography.com or follow him on Instagram: @bruce_buckley.

And listen to some serious stream of consciousness here with Bruce and Bill as they navigate the roads of Western NY.

You can find more out about him by reading this article from CX Magazine:

Bruce Buckley is the Official Photographer of North American Cyclocross

Few things in bike racing are more personal than the kit we wear. A well made/good looking kit can make any ride incredible and a bad one... In this episode we sit down with Brad Sheehan, one of the founders of Velocio to talk about the future of cycling apparel and the building of a company.

Episode 22: February 18: Brad Sheehan of Velocio

February 18, 2020 by Rob Kelly

Brad Sheehan and the Velocio fall/winter line in their natural environment.

Check them out www.velocio.cc. Or visit them on Instagram @VelocioApparel.

Taking the uncompromising approach to quality and sustainability.

Go deep inside the world of high performance and criterium racing with one of the founders of the 2019 USA Crits' Men's Team Champion Butcher Box Cycling. We discuss why we love racing, why criteriums are the ultimate form of it, and where the future lies for his organization.

Episode 21: February 4, 2020: Steve Cullen of Butcher Box Cycling

February 04, 2020 by Rob Kelly

This is a big one, they are all big ones, but this one is bold, statements and predictions are made. Passion is on full display. And we go deep into the world of criterium racing with Steve Cullen of Butcher Box Cycling, the men’s team champions from the 2019 USA Crits competition. But let’s not stop there, let’s go bigger and better, can Butcher Box Cycling become the first team to win both the men’s and women’s competition in 2020.

Learn more about the team and Steve by visiting their website: fasturdaysracingalliance.com or follow them on Instagram at @butcherboxcycling. Check out Steve’s personal adventures @Fasturdays.

Follow the action of USA Crits at their website usacrits.com. Or on Instagram at @USACrits.

Photos by Patrick Daly Photography and Adam Koble.

But before you listen to this episode you gotta watch the seminal cycling documentary by Attack Pictures

The requirements for the modern athlete have changed, we must now be masters of not just our sport, but of our presentation as well. In this episode we talk with Lindsay Goldman, former owner/GM of Hagens Berman/Supermint and now the Director of Membership for USA Cycling about her approach to managing and nurturing a public persona while being an athlete and leader.

Episode 20: January 21, 2020: Lindsay Goldman Open but not Obvious

January 21, 2020 by Rob Kelly

Starting out with a bang. In Episode 20, or Episode 1 of Season 2, we go inside the mind and persona of veteran pro cyclist Lindsay Goldman. Formerly the owner/GM of Hagens Berman/Supermint, Lindsay has just started a new job as the Director of Membership for USA Cycling. In “Open but not Obvious” we explore the very real and public life that Lindsay created via her blog and social media accented by numerous articles in some of the biggest cycling publications in the country. At the same time there is a lot going on behind the scenes, with lessons learned from 4 years at the helm of one of the most dominant American teams in the continental peloton. More About Lindsay Goldman:

Read her blog, the Dirt Field,

Follow her on Twitter @thedirtfield, or on Instagram @thedirtfield as well.

And last; but far from least, listen to her new podcast, USACommunique on the Wide Angle Podium Network.

This is the way to end the inaugural season of this podcast, with a huge name and an even bigger message. Rahsaan and I grabbed a spot on a comfy couch, set up the microphones and then just talked about life and bikes.

Episode 19: September 23, 2019: Rahsaan Bahati of Methods to Winning

September 24, 2019 by Rob Kelly

What a way to end the first season of the podcast! Multi-time national champion and former professional bike racer Rahsaan Bahati and I got comfortable on his good friend Dan’s couch after a week of racing. We explored how a “punishment” turned into a passion and then a profession as he grew up in Los Angeles. Now that the glitz and glamor of the pro bike racer life is over, he’s working 9-to-5 with Zwift in Long Beach helping get more people more active more often and it’s working. We also talk about providing exposure to the sport for those who wouldn’t normal see it and the value of living outside of your bubble.

Rahsaan Bahati, one of America's top crit racers, continues to be a role model and inspiration to a new generation of cyclists, and the Bahati Foundation has mentored countless inner-city youths since 2008. Learn about Rahsaan, his love of cycling and his foundation here: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/global/paving-the-way

Follow Rahsaan on Social Media: @bahatiracing on IG and Facebook and learn more about the Bahati Foundation (a 501(c) organization empowering inner city youth) by visiting its website: https://www.bahatifoundation.org. And don’t miss this great video on the paving the way with Rahsaan

And don’t forget to follow his team @methodstonwinning on Insta and Facebook or their website: www.methodstowinning.com where you can get all the #BahatiYellow you can possible dream of.

And to learn more about his upbringing check out the recent article with his mom Queen.

CX Hairs invited me to his studio and I couldn't say no. How could I? When the guy who wrote the book on podcasting about bike racing agrees to talk about his art you gotta roll with it. Needless to say, we have a wide-ranging conversation but in the end, I learn something new, and maybe you will too.

Episode 18: September 10, 2019: Bill Schieken, CX Hairs

September 11, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In the penultimate episode of the first season of No Training Wheels we went big, and by big we mean tall. When it comes to tall people in the world of bike racing few are as tall as the 6 foot 5 inch Bill Schieken, a/k/a/ CX Hairs. His persona and influence in the dirty parts of bike racing, i.e., cyclocross, downhill, and MTB is unprecedented so it was great to get a little off topic with him and delve into that world.

If you want to know more about Bill check him out all over the place

Website: www.cxhairs.com, Instagram: @CXHairs, on Twitter (he loves him some twitter): @CXHairs.

And just cause we talked about it in this episode, here is Babe Ruth on an early trainer, sadly Zwift was still a few years off for him.

And we could never forget the Wide Angle Podium Network of shows.

Don’t forget Cyclocross Radio and Cyclocross TV. You can grab the latest episodes from YouTube here:

Cyclocross is here and the CX Heat Check is all over it. With one weekend of racing under the CX Heat Check belt, we were able to shove fresh data into the algorithm to compile all new power rankings. Surprises and disappointment await as we once again count down the top 11 men and women racers in North America.

The UCI cyclocross season continues this weekend in Rochester, New York, with the two-day UCI C1/C2 event, Rochester Cyclocross. The track is ninety percent the same as last year. But that new 10 percent is a bit of kick in the pants. Some tricky new off-camber sections should add a new dynamic to the racing.

Chasing your dreams in bike racing isn't easy. Having to travel to do so makes it even harder. But what if you have to travel across oceans in pursuit of your ambitions? Our guests this week, Jen Darmody (Sydney Uni Staminade) and Ali Sheehan (Bianchi Dama Cycling Team) are first timers to the American crit racing scene.

Episode 17: August 27, 2019: Jen Darmody & Ali Sheehan Guest Riders for Butcher Box Cycling

August 27, 2019 by Rob Kelly

A very special bonus episode for Season 1. Like a moth to accents, I was drawn to Jen Darmody (Sydney Uni - Staminade) and Ali Sheehan (Bianchi Dama). After a few minutes I learned that they came all the way from Sydney and the Southwest of England to race the summer crit series as guest riders on Butcher Box Cycling in the US and that got my creative thoughts churning. What makes us, as bike racers, do the daring and and sometimes crazy thing of traveling so far to race our bikes? And what do you learn when you go that far from home? Thankfully Jen and Ali were more than willing to answer all my questions.

For More About Jen & Ali:

ButcherBox Cycling: https://fasturdaysracingalliance.com and on Instagram @butcherboxcycling and don’t forget Butcher Box the company: https://www.butcherbox.com and on IG @butcher_box

Jen on Instagram at @jendarmody and @syduniwmn and don’t forget Jen’s article on Women in Sport Don’t Ask for Help - Why is That?

Ali on Instagram at @ali.sheehan and @bianchidama or on the web at Bianchi Dama Cycling Team: https://bianchidama.com #celesteisbest

Coach for Source Endurance and Nutritionist Kristen Arnold (MS, RDN, CSSD) joined us to talk about eating right and preparing your body to be its best before the race starts. We talked about the nutrition basics and then explored specifics for different times a year before concluding with a discussion about eating right on the bike and what to talk about with your coach.

Episode 16: August 6, 2019: Coach and Nutritionist Kristen Arnold

August 07, 2019 by Rob Kelly

Just like Hawkeye or Black Widow, it’s about time that Coach and Nutritionist Kristen Arnold gets her own episode. In this episode we get right into the nitty gritty of diet and nutrition and help explain what you need to think about when it comes to fueling your body for training and racing. Eating right can be hard, but making good informed choices doesn’t have to be; so let Kristen guide you along the way.

For more about Kristen check out her website: www.arnoldrdn.com or Source Endurance’s website: www. source-e.net.

Follow her on Instagram @kristenkarnold or her team Butcher Box Cycling @ButcherBoxCycling

You can also check out her webinar on Weight Loss for Cyclists

Photo by Ron Short

Base season is the best time to lose weight as an endurance athlete. How know if you need to lose weight and what's the best way to manage that without compromising training? We'll answer that and more in this webinar with SE coach Kristen Arnold MS, RDN, CSSD.

In this episode we get down to business with Colin Reuter of Road Results/CX Results on where you stack up, i.e. where you rank, against your cyclist friends. We also talk about upgrades, and how to improve the upgrade system. We then explore disc brakes, or more aptly we explore how to remove a thru axel from your knee.

Episode 15: July 23, 2019: Colin Reuter, Road Results/CX Results, and Weasels Series

July 23, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode we get down to business with Colin Reuter, the man who became Twitter famous a long time before getting a thru axel impaled in his knee. The creator of CX and Road Results talks to us about how people love to be ranked in cycling, how he came up with the ranking systems everyone uses, and where it’s lead him to today. We also explore the current upgrade system and ways that it could be revamped.

For more on Road Results visit www.road-results.com

To follow Colin in his natural environment on Twitter @ResultsBoy

And for those who are not squeamish go here to get your fill of the viral sensation that is a thru axel impaled in his leg.

In the third and final part of our interview with Rob Laybourn, we talk about the National Association of Professional Race Directors, why it was created and what it is doing to make bike racing better.

Episode 14: July 16, 2019, Rob Laybourn of the National Association of Professional Race Directors

July 16, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In the final part of our interview with Rob Laybourn, Race Director for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic, we talk about the National Association of Professional Race Directors, why it was created and what it is doing to make bike racing better. Then we talk about bringing in different sources of revenue including through television and sports gambling. And finish up talking about the basic structure of the racing calendar.

For More Information about the NAPRD visit www.NAPRD.org.

For More Information about the Armed Forces Cycling Classic please visit www.cyclingclassic.org or on Instagram at @af_cyclingclassic

In part 2 of our interview with Rob Laybourn we talk about the business end of promoting a pro bike race. In it we discuss revenue streams, what it takes to keep sponsors engaged, motivated, and happy. Then we delve into where he sees professional race directing going in the future for his event and new ways to bring money into the sport.

Episode 13: July 12, 2019: Part 2 of Rob Laybourn, Race Director of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic

July 13, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In Part 2 of our interview with Rob Laybourn, Race Director for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic, we talk about the business end of promoting a professional bike race. Then we discuss revenue streams, and what it takes to keep sponsors engaged, motivated, and happy. Then we delve into where he sees professional racing going from his position.

To learn more about the event go to www.cyclingclassic.org, or on Instagram at @af_cyclingclassic

In part 1 of a 3 part series, we talk with Rob Laybourn, the race director of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic about how he created a vibrant and successful race. Cover photo by Bruce Buckley and courtesy of MABRA.

Episode 12: July 9, 2019: Part 1 of Rob Laybourn, Race Director of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic

July 09, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode, Part 1 of 3, we talk with Rob Laybourn, Race Director for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic, @af_cyclingclassic, about how this professional race came into existence, the lessons that he has learned in 20 years of promoting, and where the race is going from here.

DJ Brew of DC Velo sits down to talk to us about how bike racing is a social activity and why having a positive community is so vital in keeping the sport fun. Photo by Will Nelson.

Episode 11: June 25, 2019: DJ Brew of DC Velo

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode we talk with DJ Brew, @djbrew21, of DC Velo/Team Beyer Auto, @dc_velo_racing. We discuss what it takes to succeed as a field sprinter and how to stand out in the crowd with your own styles. Then we go deeper and talk about his success as a community builder and activist before talking about his goals of growing the participation of African American’s in bike racing.

Zack Allison, CLIF Bar, Kristen Arnold, Butcherbox Racing, and Whitney Allison and Julie Kuliezca of Hagens Berman Supermint talk with us about what it means to be a professional bike racer in America, how this is most definitely a team sport, and what it's really like living the pro bike racer life.

Episode 10: June 10, 2019: Zack Allison, Kristen Arnold, Julie Kuliecza and Whitney Allison of Source Endurance

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

A special thank you to Source Endurance for helping with this episode. If you are interested in learning more about one of the country’s best endurance coaching companies, please visit their website. In this episode we talk with four professional bike racers about what it means to be a pro in the American bike racing scene, how teams are built and whether there is an “I” in team.

If you want to learn more about the guests on this show please follow them

Kristen Arnold, @kristenkarnold, ButcherBox Cycling, @butcherboxcycling
Whitney Allison, @whit.allison, Hagens Berman/Supermint, @supermintusa
Julie Kuliecza, @juliekuliecza, Hagens Berman/Supermint, @supermintusa
Zack Allison, @zacharylallison, CLIF Bar Racing, @clibarracing

What happens when you make the leap and go from being the dominating force in the cat 3 field to one of the guys in the M1/2? You start learning all over again. Learn about Scott's story, where the team is going, and about Murphy the dog's dedication to chasing the tennis ball.

Episode 9: May 19, 2019: Scott Kozicki of District Taco Racing

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode with talk with Scott Kozicki of District Taco Racing, @dteliteracing about the challenges he’s facing going from winning the Cat 3 MABRA Road Cup to becoming a part of the Cat 1/2 field. Then we talk about his plans to compete and win in the 2019 Dirty Kanza single speed race.

Murphy the Dog video. Don’t worry, he’s ok and still out there chasing tennis balls.

Angela tells us about her upbringing in Italian restaurants, how that shaped her career, and how she took the leap and joined up with one of MABRA's most storied men's programs to start a new women's legacy.

Episode 8: May 5, 2019: Angela Parrotta of Total Civil Construction p/b Battley Harley-Davidson

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode we talk with Angela Parrotta, @francescabikes, of Total Civil Construction p/b Battley Harley-Davidson, @battleyhdcycling, about growing up in a New Jersey Italian family and the importance of good food. Then we pivot to designing, not just bike racing kits but also a new women’s elite team.

We talk with the head guys from Amp Human about coming up with PR Lotion, how it works and why it should be part of your training regime.

Episode 7: April 25, 2019: Jeff Byers and Brad Huff of Amp Human

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

For more information about Amp Human please visit their website. And for a great deal on your order use MABRA20 to get a one time 20% discount off your order of PR Lotion good throughout 2019.

Bike racing is hard but it can also be the thing that helps you through the tough times and adds brightness to you day. In this episode Emma Bast of Levine Law Group p/b Huseby.com tells us about her journey from Cat 4 to the top of the American criterium circuit.

Episode 6: April 18, 2019: Emma Bast of LLG p/b Huseby.com

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode we talk with Emma Bast, @scout.bast, of Levine Law Group p/b Huseby.com, @llghusebycycling, about how bike racing has changed her life and the lives of others around her. We also delve into the world of USA Crits, @usacrits, and professional bike racing.

It's been a long time coming; but we got Coach Adam Mills of Source Endurance on the pod this week to talk bikes, figuring out where you want to go with your season and how to get there in the best form possible.

Episode 5: April 10, 2019: Coach Adam Mills of Source Endurance

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode we talk with Coach Adam Mills, @the_adam_mills, of Source Endurance, @sourceendurance, about how he approaches working with athletes and helping them set goals for the coming season.

This week we talk to the 2019 M1/2/3 Road Cup champion about being a part of a team with a special ethos, the intricacies of training for the year 2050, racing road and track, and then we go to the lightning round.

Episode 4: April 4, 2019: Steve Kusy of District Velocity Racing

June 29, 2019 by Rob Kelly

In this episode we talk with Steve Kusy of District Velocity Racing p/b Bicycle Pro Shop about winning the 2018 MABRA Road Cup, how he approaches training for the long haul, and where he’s going from here.