ShiftLess: Gravel, Bikepacking and Unpaved Bicycle Adventures

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com TUBA Trail Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1768323947209749 Exploring the Tour Divide with Rick Ashton: A Veteran's JourneyIn episode 126 of Shiftless, host Kevin is solo in Florida and joined by an esteemed guest, Rick Ashton, a veteran of the Tour Divide. Rick shares his extensive experiences of completing the challenging bike...

Welcome to Episode 125 of ShiftLess , where we dive deep into the grit, gear, and grease of unpaved bicycle culture . In this episode, Kevin and Brad look toward the 2026 season, lining up technical upgrades and massive scouting missions for The USA Trail . We kick things off with an essential guide to night riding for ultra endurance unpaved cycling . From the weight distribution of helmet-mounte...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com Cycling Updates and Unexpected DetoursIn this episode of 'Shiftless,' the hosts Kevin and Brad discuss various cycling topics, including personal anecdotes, weather impacts on cycling, and the dynamics of horseback riding on shared trails. Brad discusses his unexpected trip to Mississippi due to his mother’s health concerns, impacting his cyc...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com Biking Challenges and Records: A Conversation with Austin WhittingtonIn this episode of Shiftless, recorded from Casa Verde, host Brad discusses various biking challenges and achievements with guest Austin Whittington. Austin shares his recent experience of setting a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Triple Crown route, which includes demanding trails...

In ShiftLess Episode 122 , we sit down with the man who redefined what’s possible on the unpaved backroads of Texas and New Mexico. Justin Cary joins us to break down his record-shattering FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the RAT 1000 —a 1,000-mile ultra-endurance odyssey from Texarkana to Tucumcari. Starting 2.5 days after the grand depart, Justin treated the entire field as a "carrot," even...

This episode is a masterclass in the highs and lows of ultra-endurance racing. We’re dissecting the final days of the Race Across Texas (RAT) , from Justin Cary’s reality-shattering 4-day record to Caleb’s heartbreaking mechanical in Tulia. Plus, we dive into the "sugar lab" to settle the debate on fueling for 1,000 miles. In this installment, the crew regathers to process a chaotic RAT...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com Raw video of Brad & Kevin's discussion the evening Brad withdrew: https://youtu.be/cPKGX4iOUrc?si=tg9Vgvbm9COIe9IQ

Episode 119: ShiftLess Cycling Adventures and Unpaved Bicycle Culture In this high-stakes episode of ShiftLess , Kevin Alan Lee is joined by Chef Brad Greene and DJ Caleb to break down the final countdown for the RAT 1000 (Race Across Texas) . As the team prepares for a 1,000-mile odyssey from Texarkana to Tucumcari, the conversation dives deep into the grueling reality of ultra endurance unpaved...

In this episode of ShiftLess Cycling Adventures , Kevin and Brad record "semi-live" from the trailhead in their brand-new "ShiftLess Mobile"—a 2023 RAM ProMaster van. We explore the transition to Basepacking , a vehicle-supported approach to bikepacking and ultra-endurance unpaved cycling that serves as a mobile base camp and content studio. With the physical verification of Th...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com

This episode of ShiftLess marks a massive return for the crew after a brief hiatus. We dive into the grit and gear of ultra-endurance unpaved cycling , focusing on Chef Brad’s 300-mile solo "RAT warmup" and Kevin’s transcontinental scouting missions for The USA Trail . In our longest episode to date, Kevin and Chef Brad Green "light the candle" on everything from gravel cycling...

In this episode of ShiftLess , Brad returns from his long-awaited San Juan Hut to Hut expedition—a high-altitude bikepacking journey from Durango toward Moab. We break down the grueling reality of Day 1: 22 miles of Colorado Trail singletrack with over 4,000 feet of climbing, starting at 10,000 feet. From surviving "geyser beers" in the huts to nursing a snake-bitten tire across the rugg...

Is there such a thing as a "perfect" tent for both through-hikers and gravel cyclists? In this episode, Kevin and Brad sit down with Dan Durston , the biologist-turned-innovator behind Durston Gear . Dan breaks down the "weight efficiency" philosophy that has made his X-Mid and X-Dome tents some of the most sought-after shelters in the outdoor industry. From diagonal geometry t...

Can you actually get faster by riding even slower than Zone 2? In this episode, Kevin and Brad sit down with DFW "silent warrior" Austin Whittington to discuss his logic-defying completion of DORBA’s Judgment Day. Austin didn't just ride the 70 miles of singletrack; he self-commuted between all 10 trails on a custom gravel bike, totaling 180 miles in a single day. In this episode, we...

Welcome to ShiftLess Episode 112 , where the Texas summer has officially arrived, and we are looking for any possible way to stay cool and comfortable on the trail. In this episode, we dive into the results of our impromptu "riding camp" and the gear experiments that followed—including our highly anticipated field test of the viral plastic dragonflies for bug mitigation. We break down th...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com Want dinner with Brad? https://eatatfam.com/ Cycling Adventures and Bike Packing GearIn this episode of Shiftless, hosts Bradford and Kevin discuss their latest cycling experiences and insights, including Bradford's updates on his new bike-packing setup and upcoming hut-to-hut adventure. They delve into specifics about the Tour de France, weather...

This episode of ShiftLess dives deep into the high-stakes world of ultra-endurance unpaved cycling , focusing on the essential gear, mental toughness, and logistics required for transcontinental adventures. From real-time teardowns of cutting-edge ultralight tents to the announcement of a new 1,000-mile Texas epic, we cover the technical side of unpaved bicycle culture . In this packed session, Ke...

How do you prepare for a 12,000-foot Colorado peak while training in the 100-degree humidity of a Texas summer? In Episode 109 of ShiftLess , Kevin and Brad break down the science and grit behind heat acclimation and the essential gear prep for a high-elevation Hut-to-Hut adventure. From ultra endurance unpaved cycling tactics to the "Everyman" bike builds that actually survive the journ...

In Episode 108 of ShiftLess , Kevin and Brad dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of ultra endurance unpaved cycling . We kick things off with the mind-bending news from the Tour Divide , where a new record was set in just 11 days and 19 hours. We break down the math of riding $225$ miles a day and what it takes to maintain that pace across 2,700 miles of rugged terrain. The gear talk heats u...

In Episode 107 of ShiftLess , the grit of unpaved bicycle culture meets the precision of ultra endurance unpaved cycling . Kevin and Brad are joined by the one and only DJ Caleb and Leadville 100 finisher Justin Cary for a deep dive into what it takes to survive the most iconic high-altitude race in America and prepare for the 1,000-mile RAT (Red River Across Texas) . From the "Breaking Bad&q...

This episode of ShiftLess provides an "Expert Edition" look at the intersection of gourmet culinary arts and the grit of ultra-endurance unpaved cycling . We go behind the scenes of the inaugural "Chef's Kiss" weekend, a unique expedition designed to test the limits of bikepacking logistics and Basepacking philosophy. In this session, Kevin and Chef Brad Green debrief the f...

Instagram post mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKW680Quzo7 Bike Rack Dilemmas: Real Stories and Lessons LearnedIn this episode of Shiftless, the Brad and Kevin dive into their experiences with various bike racks, highlighting notable failures and the importance of investing in quality. Amid personal anecdotes and rigorous testing evaluations, they discuss the effectiveness of different b...

In this installment, the ShiftLess crew navigates a North Texas that is currently 1028% underwater. We recount a "Disney Day" ride into Denton and discuss the surprising durability of the Northeast Texas Trail (the NET) during the rainy season. We also tackle the "reinvention of the shovel" with a look at the new 8° Pedal —a flat pedal with built-in float designed for the endur...

This episode of ShiftLess dives into the grit and gear of unpaved bicycle culture , braving a rainy North Texas day to discuss major updates to the Race Across Texas (RAT) , the future of The USA Trail , and the latest innovations in bikepacking equipment. In this session, Kevin, Chef Brad, and DJ Caleb "unwind" the latest in ultra-endurance unpaved cycling . We break down the new "...

In this episode of ShiftLess , Kevin and Brad dive into the gritty reality of ultra endurance unpaved cycling and the "happy little accidents" discovered while scouting The USA Trail . This installment chronicles an 1,800-mile scouting expedition through Mississippi and Louisiana, providing a masterclass in the logistics and terrain of cross-country bikepacking . We explore the evolving...