ShiftLess: Gravel, Bikepacking and Unpaved Bicycle Adventures

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com This episode starts with some light-hearted banter over a poured glass of whiskey, discussing different varieties and their experiences with them. The conversation soon shifts to travel plans involving Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, with special mentions of iconic film locations and local dining recommendations. The hosts then delve into their...

It isn't a true bicycle adventure until the original plan falls apart. To celebrate 100 episodes of ShiftLess, Kevin and Brad head to Johnson Branch State Park for a milestone overnighter. This episode serves as a live "shakedown" of their different approaches to bike camping—from Brad’s traditional hammock setup to Kevin’s "Go Box" logistics—all while pivoting from a faile...

In Episode 99 of ShiftLess, Kevin and Brad dive into the "burn" of the week—both literal and metaphorical. From local brush fire drama to the high-stakes cancellation of Mid South 2025 , this episode explores the shifting landscape of unpaved bicycle culture . We take a hard look at why gravel racing giants are feeling the heat, the "COVID hangover" affecting event attendance,...

This episode of ShiftLess brings a live audience to Soul Fire Brewing in Roanoke, TX, for a deep dive into the grit and artistry of unpaved bicycle culture . We are joined by Owen Jones and Nikki Simic, the filmmakers behind the acclaimed documentary 1000 Miles in a Dusty Saddle , which chronicles the grueling RAT 1000 (Race Across Texas) . In this "Expert Edition" session, the crew expl...

Welcome to ShiftLess , your home for unpaved bicycle culture . In Episode 97, Kevin and Brad dive deep into the rapidly shifting landscape of gravel cycling and ultra-endurance unpaved cycling , from the pro peloton’s doping rumors to the technical innovations redefining the "marginal gains" era. We kick things off with a debrief on the recent gravel/pave classic where Tadej Pogačar once...

In this episode of ShiftLess , Kevin and Brad dive deep into the grit and glamour of unpaved bicycle culture. Brad returns from a top-secret Shimano production shoot in Terlingua, Texas, sharing stories from the desert, the "small world" reality of the cycling industry, and a surprising run-in with results from Dirty Kanza 2012. We tackle the heavy-hitting topics in gravel cycling : the...

Shiftless Episode 95: Cycling Industry Insights, Garmin Innovations, and the Impact of Public Lands Cuts Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com Tariffs and how they are affecting the bicycle industry https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/bikes-and-e-bikes-avoid-new-tariffs Cutting Public Lands Workforce Will Have Consequences For Outdoor Recreation  https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com

This episode of ShiftLess tackles the age-old question: Can a dedicated road cyclist survive and thrive at the Leadville 100 MTB ? We also go deep on the science of wide tires in gravel cycling , explore technical E-bike trails in Arkansas, and provide the latest updates from The USA Trail scouting missions. In this episode, Kevin and Chef Brad are back in the thick of it, discussing everything fr...

Reach out and touch us: shfitlesslive@gmail.com In this solo episode of Shiftless, Kevin discusses the latest in the world of gravel cycling, including the success of the 2025 Texas Chain Ring Massacre and the inaugural Privateer Invitational Gravel Grinder, which saw over 550 participants and a $5,000 cash payout. Kevin also touches on industry news such as QBP's recent layoffs and the releas...

In Episode 91 of ShiftLess , Kevin, Brad, and DJ Caleb brave the Texas winter to dissect the evolving DNA of the cycling industry. This episode marks the birth of "Grambling" —a new cycling discipline that blends the grit of gravel cycling with the curiosity of wandering exploration ("rambling"). As Kevin continues the physical verification of The USA Trail , we dive into why t...

Is the bicycle industry on the verge of collapse? In this episode of ShiftLess Cycling Adventures , Kevin and Brad tackle the "N+1 vs. N" debate. While the industry has spent a decade trying to sell more bikes to the same enthusiasts (N+1), we argue that its true salvation lies in the "N"—bringing non-cyclists and Peloton riders into the wild world of unpaved adventure. From the "Lance effect" to...

In this episode of ShiftLess , the band is officially back together to ring in the new year with a deep dive into the grit and gear of unpaved bicycle culture . Kevin and Brad are joined by DJ Caleb to navigate the latest innovations and economic shifts hitting the world of gravel cycling and ultra-endurance unpaved cycling . We kick things off with a look at the controversial B Moore Bikes raised...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com

We are back! After a short hiatus, Kevin and Brad return to the studio to dive deep into the evolving landscape of unpaved bicycle culture . Episode 87 is a jam-packed debrief on everything from transcontinental scouting to the controversial "marginal gains" era of gravel racing . Kevin recaps his recent time in "Spinistryville," Georgia, and the ongoing physical verification o...

In Episode 86 of the ShiftLess podcast, we dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of gravel cycling , bikepacking , and ultra endurance unpaved cycling . From massive industry disruptors to the nuances of grassroots event promotion, we cover the tech and culture that define the modern adventure cyclist. In this episode, we discuss: The DJI Amflow Shakeup: How the new DJI e-bike motor is turning...

Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com

This episode of ShiftLess starts with a literal "nuts and bolts" interruption—mostly acorns being pelted at the crew by a resident squirrel. We dive into the aftermath of the All or Nothing challenge, the future of Spinistry community hubs, and why your training hours matter way more than the numbers on your odometer. In this installment, the crew is joined by "Sidecar Caleb" (...

This week on ShiftLess , things are getting a little too "grown up." We open with Brad’s new look and a milestone 21st birthday for his son, before diving into the hard reality of the BT Epic . Brad was in the best shape of his life, but a sinus infection and a "bone chill" forced a DNR (Did Not Ride). We talk about the maturity it takes to pull the plug when your heart rate is...

This episode dives deep into the high-stakes world of competitive gravel and the granular details of trail-ready gear. From the massive changes coming to the 2025 Lifetime Grand Prix to Brad’s final preparation for the BT Epic (Berryman Trail) in Missouri, we’re covering the strategy, the hardware, and the "conspiracy theories" keeping the industry on its toes. This week on ShiftLess , w...

In this episode of ShiftLess , we dive into the high-tech innovations of the professional gravel world, debrief the most authentic RAT 1000 film ever made, and announce a massive new scouting project for the Taysha (TASIA) Heritage Trail . The ShiftLess crew—Kevin and Chef Brad—unwind after a chaotic week of broken frames, sick dogs, and world-class racing. We discuss the tech used by Marianne Vos...

This episode marks the long-awaited return of Caleb to the ShiftLess studio. We dive deep into the technical side of gravel cycling and bikepacking , explore the future of unpaved bicycle culture , and provide updates on the legendary USA Trail and the growing Basepacking movement. In this packed episode, the crew discusses the groundbreaking Schwalbe Albert radial tires and their impact on supple...

This episode of ShiftLess is a "death march" through the Texas heat and the shifting gears of professional gravel. We are joined by the self-proclaimed Men's Texas State Gravel Champion, Shawn McAfee , to recap a brutal weekend of racing, the "unfortunate series of events" for the elite field, and the wild mid-week training tactics of Justin Cary. In this installment, the c...

In this episode of ShiftLess , we sit down with professional cyclist and Lifetime Grand Prix standout Emily Newsom . As one of the most prominent voices in the North Texas scene, Emily joins us to pull back the curtain on the rapidly evolving world of gravel racing and elite unpaved bicycle culture . We dive deep into the "growing pains" of women’s professional gravel cycling , discussin...

This episode is a deep dive into the grit and glory of unpaved cycling. We are joined by the non-traditional Garrett Brink , fresh off a massive victory as the 1st Place 100-Mile Single Speed Champion at Judgment Day . We tackle the mental game of single-speeding across North Texas, the "brutality" of the Johnson Branch red loop, and Garrett’s solo 350-mile backcountry odyssey through th...