Drop Bar, Texas: A cycling podcast

Former world champion BMX racer David Milham joins us for a review of BMX Bandits (1983). This Australian film from the 80s was also one of Nicole Kidman's first feature films. If you are a fan of this movie, I recommend reevaluating your taste in movies. However, I hope you enjoy the review on this episode. We also take a look around the state at a few events along with Feats of Glory. Music: Bac...

Alex Montoya sits down to share what's in store for the upcoming Camino Gravel Challenge. This gravel grinder takes place September 25 & 26, 2021. You can ride or race one day or both days. Pick how much suffering sounds good. We also talk about written rules versus unspoken rules, what to do in Palestine, and announce winners of two initial raffles for the event. Music: Back to the Woods by J...

Andy Hollinger is back to discuss the upcoming state road championship race, aka The Fort Hood Challenge XII + I. He also shares thoughts on Texas racing and how the Texas peloton is a family. I also share some information on a recent trip to Terlingua, a look at a few upcoming events in the state, and of course, Feats of Glory. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Fort Hood Challenge Sun...

Christian Deschamps (Hot Tubes Cycling) and Lucas Bourgoyne (Hagens Berman Axeon) came on to talk about their recent US National Championship wins, obstacles they faced this year, and the importance of resiliency. Christian is the 2021 US Crit champion for U19 Cat 1-3 and Lucas is the 2021 US Crit champion for U23 P12. Both are currently racing in Europe with their teams.  Music: Back to the Woods...

Gravel for the roadie purist. That's what Eddie's Hell of the South (EHOTS) sounds like to me. Described as "a 50 mile multi-surface slug-fest that is culminated in festivities and camaraderie at its completion," what's not to love about it? David Hernandez stops in to talk about this race that was previously an underground, invitation-only event in The Valley.  Music: Back to the Woods by Ja...

In this episode, I learn about the guided tandem event with Brandon Adame, Paul Shields, and Kellie Dewveall with their guides Jay Longron, Joseph Matta, and Cheyenne Meyer. In addition, Will Sharp who won the men's U19 event spoke to me about Hot Tubes Development Cycling. We also look at a few events coming in June here in the state as well as Feats of Glory. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Sh...

Dan joins me again for another movie review. This time, we are giving our thoughts on Icarus (2017), which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Icarus follows Bryan Fogel as he investigates illegal doping in sports. Does this film change Dan's growing love for bicycling? He tells us this and more.  We also give some details on the return of crit racing to Texas as the state reop...

Texas is 773 miles across at its furthest east - west points. Yet, the Race Across Texas 1000, aka RAT 1000 covers approximately 1000 miles across North Texas. Caleb Wills and Peter Rajcani speak about their experiences during past attempts of the race. Also in this episode, the Loya family is recognized in Feats of Glory for their latest advocacy efforts in memory of their son David Loya, Jr., an...

Dan is back for the first of another set of movie reviews. This time, we discuss American Flyers (1985), one of the quintessential American cycling classics. Do wheel changes really happen like this? Why was Jennifer Grey's screen time so limited? Who is this training partner named Eddie? These are some of the questions we ask. I can't say we actually answer them all, but we have fun asking. ...

Justice Ken Wise sits on the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston and is the host of Wise About Texas, a podcast on Texas history. We discuss places to visit to learn about and feel Texas history just in time for you to plan a Texas Independence Day ride to one of these sites. Other topics include the weather forecast for the Crockett Classic race weekend, a look around the state for other cycling eve...

Scheduled for February 13 & 14, the Davy Crocket Classic is the only USA Cycling permitted road race before April currently on the calendar in Texas. Alex Montoya with Topview Sports returned to talk about precautions in place, the new road course , and other cycling topics. Another look at the event landscape is provided in addition to feats of glory. Links: Davy Crockett Classic DCC Stage 1...

It's a new year, and I am optimistic. If you are a roadie however, you may have been wondering what is up with TXBRA. Will there be a road season? Why have there been no updates? Michael Gacki, TXBRA member-at-large for North Texas and I spoke about TXBRA's current state. If you have an event, cycling club, or feat of glory on the bike to share, email me at dropbartx@gmail.com.  Music: Back t...

A few holiday cycling activity ideas for you or your family are offered up, last minute gift suggestions from Urban Bicycle Gallery for the cyclist in your life (or yourself), and perhaps, some caroling. Intro & closing music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Jingle Bells Instrumental: Jingle Bells Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:...

The 2020 All Souls' Day Ride stopped at seven Ghost Bikes in Houston. I reflect on the ride, cycling safety, and hear from Felipe Pinales at David Leon Loya, Jr.'s ghost bike. This episode opens and ends with the Ghisallo Prayer which prays for intercession from La Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists. For information on contacting the parole review board regarding Margaret Mayer, cl...

Jason Rose talks to me about balancing family and cycling, how a tandem with kids works, and Church Cycles. Does this mean I too could have a family of cyclists? Maybe. Just maybe. Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw Links: Church Cycles Stockdale Gravel Roundup Straight to Hill Gravel Ride Sansom XC Race

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...

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 are...

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, b...

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 Ja...

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

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

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

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 Jaso...

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

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