The Bikepack Canada Podcast

Arie Hoogerbrugge started riding to Argentina on November 11, 2019. Since starting in Newfoundland, the outpouring of support and the kindness of strangers he has received has fuelled his journey and kept him warm and fed. Listen in as he speaks to the lessons learned and how cycling has been a keystone to his mental health.

Brian Szklarczuk (@vladperogie) is changing the face of bikepacking and cycling in Manitoba and wants to make the activity more accessible. His entrepreneurial spirit has allowed him to form the relationships he needs to make his goals a reality. In conjunction with Bonjour Manitoba, he’s waking up the spirit of cycling, which will place this province on the map with unique cycling experiences accessible to all.

As one of the most requested guests for the Podcast, many of you already know who this man is. For those of you who don’t, say hello to Guy Stuart. Guy has been in the Bikepacking scene for the last handful of years and has made his presence known by participating in any event he can get his wheels into. Guy is also a passionate DIY sempster (tailor, sewer) and has manufactured most of his own luggage. In this episode, Guy discusses his passion for cycling and his analytical approach to the design and fabrication of his pieces.

Lamar Timmins jumped in with both feet when he decided to tackle the Silk Road Mountain Race this past summer. Although he was no stranger to pushing his limits, Lamar was tested physically and mentally. In this episode we hear about the challenges he faced and just how important mind set was for him to finish this gruelling track.

On this episode of the Bikepack Canada Podcast, we speak with Adventure Audio Podcast hosts Tyler Hamilton and Peter Hockenhull. Their first episode was released October 4th 2018 and focuses on endurance athletics. Peter and Tyler are curious and inquisitive hosts who like to dive deep into the ultra world and into what motivates athletes to push their limits.

2019 was a great year for the Bikepack Canada Podcast! We had the privilege of speaking with so many inspirational people and for this we wanted to send out some thanks. Thanks to all of the guests that took time out of their busy lives to share their stories with us, and thanks to all of you for listening. In this episode, we ride through 2019 and listen to some of the inspirational intros from the podcast this past year. You’ll hear the voices of athletes from all walks of life and all experience levels. Each and every person had something to share that either taught a lesson or inspired us to ride. See you in 2020!!

Soon after Mike Gurnham completed the Japanese Odyssey, we sat down to chat about his experience. Mike is no stranger to seeing the world by bike but it goes without saying that this event not only tested his physical limits but also his mental fortitude. Mike fabricates bikepacking bags for his company, Thief Bikepacking, and is passionate about building gear that will stand the test of time and abuse.

Tara Weir is a Canadian cyclist and world traveller. She has toured over 37,000 kilometres and there doesn’t seem to be an end to her desire to experience the world by bike. On November 3rd, 2019, Tara completed the Wild West Route, her first North American tour, riding over 5300km from Canmore, Alberta to the Mexican border. Listen in as she shares her experiences from the trail and reflects upon previous tours.

After 68 days on the trail, Liz and Bob arrived in Antelope Wells, completing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Bob and Liz have been married for 36 years and started touring as a couple. Liz is a retired nurse and Bob is an on-line reading tutor. Listen in as they share their stories from the trail and how their adventure has changed their lives and strengthened their relationship.

In this episode, we sit down with media creator, RJ Sauer. RJ is a writer, director, producer for commercial and film. His passion is creative exploration through storytelling whether on camera or outdoor adventure in his backyard and abroad. We discuss his experience on the Iditarod Trail Invitational as a film maker and participant. RJ also shares stories about his summer adventures racing the Alberta Rockies 700 and touring part of the BC Epic route with his wife Sarah and son Oliver.

Has anyone ever asked you “Why?” Have you ever asked yourself that? “What am I doing out here? In the rain. In the dark. Alone.” What drives us? What’s motivates us as humans? Why is the act of Bikepacking long distances, for example, so satisfying? In this episode, we chat with Sports Psychologist, Matt Bain. Matthew has an extensive psychology background in a broad range of areas. Clinical diagnosis and treatment, family centered practices, motivation, performance concepts, and emotional management have led to his depth of practice. Matt discusses the mechanics of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and how coaching has evolved to better harness an athletes true potential.

BT 700 part deux! In this episode we sit down with BT 700 organizer Matthew Kadey and the women’s and men’s top finishers, Sarah Caylor and Kyle Messier.

Nat Rainbow is all about spreading positivity. When she decided to tackle the Tour Divide this year, she had no idea she’d be riding the Lanterne Rouge and was blown away by the Bikepacking community’s support. Nat shares what she did to prepare for her epic journey and some of the tools she harnessed to maintain a positive mindset through all the challenges she faced to get to Antelope Wells.

Aaron came to British Columbia to tour the Lost Elephant Ultra as well as the Flathead in Alberta before heading back to his home in Salida Colorado. With over 500km and 11,000m of ascent, he got a taste of the East Kootenay’s. Aaron lives the life of a Bikepacker, stitching bags for Oveja Negra and riding his bike… a lot. We caught up with Aaron at the Invermere Hostel while he was resting after an unexpected effort.

In this episode, we chat with Jonathan Hayward about the evolution of the Alberta Rockies 700, just one of a handful of Canadian Bikepacking events. Now a loop, the AR starts in Canmore Alberta taking riders south through the Rockies and into the Flathead before looping back. Listen in as we chat about the challenges involved in completely rerouting his event to make things logistically easier for participants.

In this episode we sit down with Janie Hayes. On this years Tour Divide, Janie found some unexpected challenges and after a couple of weeks on the trail, and decided to call it. We dive deep into mindset and try to discover the “why?” of her journey.

The Lost Elephant, previously known as the Kootenay Gravel Grinder, explores the bikepacking paradise of the Rocky Mountain Trench here in the East Kootenays. Not for the faint of heart, this route of just over 500km and 10,300m of ascent will test your mettle. In this episode, we chat with the organizers of this beast of a route to get some background and hear the stories of the evolution of this event which starts in Cranbrook.

In this episode, we connect with Sofiane Sehili. Sofi was one of the many elite riders held up by Mother Nature at Brush Mountain Lodge. After being turned back by heavy snow and technical issues, he and other riders sat in armistice at BML. He later scratched. Sofi is a passionate, driven guy with very definitive goals. Enjoy, while he shares some of the lessons learned and just how much the Tour Divide inspires him.

We thought we would continue the BC Epic 1000 stoke with another fantastic conversation with BC Epic Organizer, Lennard Pretorious. Lennard was inspired to create the BC Epic 1000 after riding the Oregon Outback. Lennard's passion for the sport has created one of the more iconic Bikapacking routes in Canada, traversing South Central BC from Merrit to Fernie. For those of you participating in the BC Epic this summer, this is one you won't want to miss.

In this episode, we sit down to chat with Evan Deutsch, Trans Am record holder and winner of the 2018 BC Epic 1000 (2.19.46). One of Evan’s strengths is his positive attitude and mindset. If you’re riding the Epic this year, and need some motivation or inspiration, this episode is a must listen.