Lift Talk

We talk about our hopes, our fears, and how it all went down. Gravel, poutine, watts, bike people, confessional booths, Ted King, Bobby Wintle hugs, frisbee plates, and elevation, this episode has it all! Huge thanks to everyone who had a hand in putting this event on, we can't wait for 2023! Need some bicycling gear? Do yourself a favor and go check out Endurance Threads! www.enduracethreadsne.com/bikelanepodcast or use code BIKELANEPODCAST for 20% off your entire order!

Our Last Will and Testament before Rasputitsa, bad audio quality and all. Bikes, gear, and regrets.    

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.”  In this episode, Tom and Ryley scare the hell out of me! Join us as we cover our Rasputitsa equipment and gear, voice our concerns and fears, and continue to the  Northern Kingdom into The Maw.

Capitalism Goes to Bike Court! With quarterly profits taking precedent over EVERYTHING in our society (bike society as well as life), Ryley and the gang decide to get litigious and bring Capitalism itself to Bike Court! Egregiousness all around, heavy sentences for all, rants and raving galore! *Giant gavel smashes*  

We recap our time at the 2022 Mix Tape! If you missed this year, shame on you! Bikes! Gravel! HARDER gravel! Grilling! Hot dogs! Stuffed Sheep! TREK! Shout out to Rock Hard Racing and Micycle himself for putting on this awesome event, great Gravel Home Opener. Along the way we cover random topics such as burritos, rice and bean bowls, Troll Tolls and bridges, and Tom getting wet (ooooo) Next Episode.....RASPUTITSA PRE-CAP! Preview? Prologue? Whatever the before is.

EPISODE 37: THE WIDE WORLD OF BICYCLING APPAREL! Once again, we were limited by the technology of our time, and we are finally able to do out long-awaited apparel episode. We have a few guests on, Mike from Endurance Threads and Maple Wheels, and Jack from Starlight Custom Apparel and The Black Bibs, they're gonna go some 'splainin' and set us straight (maybe.....) We're about to do some learning today! We talk fabrics, fits, prices, and everything else in (and not in) the wide world of cycling apparel. Ed has been converted to a BibPerson, is Tom the next one to be converted?! Stay tuned! Huge thanks to @EnduranceThreads, @RideMaple, @TheBlackBibs and @StarlightApparel for coming on to speak with us, go check them out online or on Instagram!

Our long awaited mukbang episode, for all those mukbang enthusiasts who have been clamoring for it...this is for you guys. We recap Wicked Nor'Eastah, a winter bike race in Easton, MA put on by the always awesome Rock Hard Racing, with subtle undertones of Endurance Threads and a dash of Maple Wheels thrown in there. Huge thanks to Mike for putting this on, it was an absolute blast as always. If you've ever wanted to hear Ryley eat, you finally get your wish. Also, apologies for my mic levels, they were...atrocious to say the least.

Shout to our Non-Sponsors, Showers Pass, Dexshell, Squarespace.com, Wix.com, Nord VPN, and Pit Viper ocular style and protection, thanks for the eventual sponsorships. We recap Winter Wolly at Highland Mountain in New Hampshire, a fatbike DH race at arguably the lowest, darkest point in winter in the Northeast, I'm looking at you February. All of our winter hopes, dreams, and fears manifested into reality, in one day, on fat bikes.  How anyone could say no to that is beyond me. We also go over our long-awaited waterproof sock comparison, a saga 2 years in the making, technology has finally caught up and allowed us to finish this amazing feat (see what I did there).  

RACER X recently had the chance to ride and race the Oz Trails Off-Road 50 miler at New Bike Mecca, AKA, Bentonville, AR, and he tells us exactly how much we need to visit. Who are the Waltons? WHY are the Waltons? What are they doing down there in Arkansas? Are we all going to ride a Wal*Mart bike in the near future as they take over? We'll touch base on...at least one of those. Matt talks trainer setups and training regimens with his coach MTB Burton Coaching (@mtbburtoncoaching), what's worked and what hasn't. We talk Dream Builds and dun dun dunnnn...NIGHTMARE builds, and exactly how long it takes to actually get a Trek Supercaliber. Huge thanks to Matt for coming on and talking/shooting the S with us, I know it takes a lot of patience!

We talk about Winter Woolly 2022 this weekend at Highland Mountain bike park! I finally get the chance to make it to this wild event. We talk what bikes we're bringing and why. Ryley tells us what NOT to do, lot of good it will do him since we don't seem to ever listen. Tom has the agonizing decision of WHICH fat bike to bring. I still need to do some things to the Lift Ticket before it's ready....   Next Episode coming on Monday, and it's a GUEST EPSIODE! So whoever you are, stay tuned, and see you after the chaos of Winter Woolly!

We joke around a lot on The Bike Lane, but this week we decided to use the dead of winter and the start of 2022 as a chance to speak about mental health, something that all three of us have struggled with. And not only that, but the roles bicycles, bicycling, and the biking community have played in each of our lives and the effects they have had on our mental health.

A necessary off-shoot of 'Bezo's Bikes,' Ryley brings our attention to some truly horrendous lower end bike offerings he found on eBay. Magical frames, extremely questionable build quality, and horrendous Photoshops await. This doesn't make much sense without visuals, so I'll be posting the bikes we were ragging on to our Instagram account (@bikelanepodcast) so you can put eyes on them yourself, and truly be horrified. I still want to actually buy one of these and try to ride it, time will tell.

Ryley and Tom pick up my slack. Setting realistic expectations, a dissertation.  Garbaruk and Ratio Technology, a match made in Poland. Brake pistons can crack? Who'd a thunk it. How our years went, and what we're looking/not looking forward too. Best innovative bike brands as of late?   Dammit, I have to learn to curse less.

"If you flood it, they will come." Ryley and Tom dream of Ocean Spray fountains and dusty summer bog crits. Secret Squirrel CX post-race discussion. Another electrifying session of Bezo's Bikes. TriviaCross and Fatbike Biathlon...I could get into this.   Send us your bike builds to roast or toast! @bikelanepodcast  

2HRS of pure bike related B.S. What's in a name? Apparently a lot. You're not in The Bike Lane, formerly Lift Talk podcast. Now we have a name that (mostly) makes sense.   Ryley just built a Rodeo Labs Flaanimal, an (un)holy combination of steel and carbon, not entirely meant for this world, and Tom and I have many questions. We discuss Berd spokes, and how they're far superior. New Segment: Bezo's Bikes, he's even taken over entry-level big box bikes, where does it end?! SECRET SQUIRREL CX coming up November 27th, last day to register is November 24th, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! I screw up bedding in my new pads....but maybe there's a hydraulic leak....who even knows anymore... Bike Lane website and merch coming soon!  

On a very special episode of Lift Talk...    CROSSTOBEERFEST: The Hangover Episode! I browse Russian eBay!  We drool over a new colorway, same as the old colorway.... We try to explain Crosstobeerfest! I stumble over my own words. Ryley laments not getting the fries. 'Uge mistake guy.  Tom puts us in our place and explains shit to us, and also tells us how awesome it was to ride a single-speed fat bike in a CX race. Spoiler alert: he lived to tell his tale.       Tom schools Ed and teaches him how to repurpose a 2x shifter for more useful purposes. Ryley lays into "GRAVEL SPECIFIC" bikes and bike parts, with some amount of vitriol on our latest day in Bike Court.      Again, shout to Mike for putting this event on, good times, good people, good fun, good food, what more could you ask?

After a momentary (6 month) hiatus....WE HAVE ARRISEN AGAIN, like bicycling zombies. We discuss the State of Bikes in 2021. Or 2023, depending on how long your parts are going to take to get here... Ed has more injuries, SHOCKING I know. Ryley steals parts from bikes to make other bikes, as per usual. A Trail Dongus is in the making. Tom is tearing up bike races like there is literally no tomorrow, because honestly, who even knows anymore. And the birth of a new segment, TABLE THIS (for later, get it?). Feels good to be back baby!

Tom's back yo. I bitch about the SRAM Guide T brakes on the RipMo, and end up buying new ones anyway. We spend an entire episode with Tom discussing potentially name and branding changes. Someone rants about Lance Armstrong at some point, maybe multiple points I can't remember. If you like bike related tangents and rambling, this one is entirely for you! SHOUTOUT TO THE GOOD TOMMY

Ryley is kinda tired, and still waiting for his FLAANIMAL. We talk NorthEastMidSouth100 century ride, and what sucked and what didn’t suck, what we loved and what we regrettttttted. ELECTRICITY AND BIKES! COMBINED! Tom brings some eBike knowledge, helicopters circle his place for a raid, and he gives us personal insights into COVID recovery and its effect on his cyclery. We annoy Ryley temporarily by talking about motorcycles. New USD conversion rate: Pairs of Endurance Threads socks!

PART TWO OF THE AFOREMENTIONED TWO-PARTER! Lunchpail_Cylist continues imparting his knowledge on us....from afar. MIDSOUTH 100 RIDE IS TOMORROW. Shit. WTF is the MidSouth 100, and why are we even attempting it? Will riding 100+ miles make me cooler and improve my status in my social group? Lol no way. Will riding 100+ miles be fun? Lol maybe. Why are we even doing it? WHY DOES HUMANITY DO ANYTHING?! BECAUSE WE NEED TO SHOW LIFE WHO'S BOSS. You're the bitch now, LIFE. There's a lot to unpack there....and we'll try.

FIRST PART OF A TWO-PARTER (that's not even a word)   Guess episode, Lunchpail_Cyclist joins and enlightens us....from a socially safe distance of course. Ed's first PHAT BIKING experience. How's the Lift Ticket? What went well? What didn't? Lift Ticket and it’s ORIGINA STORY: Parts build/spec and info Borderland's State Park, conditions, and Larry’s Wicked Nor’Eastah Guy! Ed lost his freakin' Garmin Edge 130 in the DUMBEST possible way. Related, Ed now has an Edge 530, and yeah it's the bee's knees.  

EP 21 - The Eternal Question: Build or Buy?  2021 EditionAnother CORRECTION?!?!?! DNRT - SOME trails are not bicycle friendly, but many areEd’s new ride! What’s he doing with that thing?BUILD OR BUY: When does it make sense? When does it NOT make sense?Ryley wants a Donkey, and who are we to say no?Our new monetary valuation tool is tubes, where 1T(tube)=$8 USD. I blame Ryley for too much math on this one.Ed rides a lap of Larry's Wicked Nor'Easter on the RipmoAF, and learned that sometimes fatbikes are just better. 

SPECIAL GUEST - Curt!A CORRECTION - Apparently it's Weeta-MO?Shout-out to Rob and NickLincoln Woods, RI - pretty cool spot, lots of session-abilitySPLIT ROCK What the hell is up with “progressive” trail hardtails? Do these bikes make any sense?Long front end, super slack, long travel hardtail? What would one use these for? Also, slackening headset for your Top Fuel? Tell us more!Saddle Angle-ators? Are these necessary? Ryley thinks they're cool, Ed already hates them.

New Year, New Us. Alternatively...Same Shit, Different Year? Which side are you on?!Weetawho? Weetamoo! Waterproof sock field test SHOWDOWN discussion. Someone’s feet are getting wet...fingers crossed they’re Ryley’s.Ed continues to break stuff...his latest victim is the beloved Fox Transfer.Re-HASH of Kingdom Trail Drama, and A New Hope arises in an anonymous form.Ryley has a Mid-Bike CRISIS as he considers going against the ancient mathematical universal constant of ‘n+1.’We search for a bike price cost alternative, because dollars are old hat.“$2,500? Oh, you mean it only costs 500 Pedros Levers (PLs)?”

See what we did there with the title.Happy Old Year everyone, can't say I'll be sad when it leaves.The Technical difficulties podcast rolls on! GUEST EPISODE!DIFFERENTIATING ENDURO BIKES and TRAIL BIKES...bike segment creep is a REAL thing.Oh...and then there's all mountain squeezed in there...and are we doing SuperEnduro/EnduroPlus with the ZEBs and 38s? 

The Technical Difficulties Podcast rolls on!GUEST EPISODE! Liam and Nate join us in our CROSS V. ENDURO discussion to ultimately find out...WHICH RULES HARDERI know where my vote is going....DO YOU?!Also, tips for staying Bike Sane this winter, because God knows I'm having problems!

All XC and no DH make Jack a dull boy….FREE FORM EPISODE!That means there is no plan. No direction. RAMBLING. Bikes. Drinking. Complaining. And other stuff.Come, sit by the fire and join us! Scooch closer! 

Do you crave a high-end luxurious noise to stuff in your ear-holes? Do you need something to listen to while you're riding your bike indoors with the rest of your exclusive global club? Do you need to spend $350 to prove to yourself that YOU ARE A CYCLIST? Then join us for another episode of LiftTalk with a special guest from VA, and a whole lot of GENEROUS CORPORATE SPONSORS

ACTIVISM. Can you make a difference? Bike annoyances spillover into another podcast.What are chain pins? Why do you hate them? MASTER LINKS FOR LIFE.Bike sizing standards, and why we can't have nice things.Wait, there was a 650c?!We find a cool part to convert 11 speed SRAM mechanical brifters to work with Eagle derailleurs...and drool over it.Ryley learns me something fierce about the Trek that never actually existed.  

I mean, not really this is the first time I've actually used that tire, sooooo yeah. But first time I've owned a gravel bike however.We need a new intro.We slowly become more and more GravelTalk.Our anger over dropper posts knows no bounds.Ryley talks "Logistical Complications"Ed buys a bike, sells a bike, then builds a bike, Logistical Complications be damned.Ed eats candy.MidSouth 100??

Episode 12: Dreams of Winter PastPODCAST GUESTS!We have Eli, Tommy, and Tracy on for some socially distanced podcasting.Ryley snags a TRP-TR12 derailleur and shifter for the Spearfish potentially.Some TRP talk, of course.Ryley tells a disc brake story and drops some knowledge on me.We have some more recording difficulties.Ed says "Ohhhhh," a lot.Eli admits to never listening to an episode long enough to hear the outro, and pineapple pizza is less than cool.

"You can make road biking a lot more interesting by making it mountain biking." - Tom Reilly, modern renaissance manWe do another remote recording session, this time with less problems. Hurray.More gravel, just can't get enough of it.We talk with a guest, who might actually enjoy fat gravel bikes more than Ryley. I know, sounds impossible.OUR GUEST -Tom Reilly - Who is he? Where is he? How is he? Why is he? WHAT is he? 

Free kittens?! Are trail cats a thing? We speak with someone working first-hand with coronavirus. We have technical difficulties. A lot of them. I'm not kidding. We try to not talk about brakes in this episode. It will not allow Roman numerals for this one so it's now TEN.

Biking in a pandemic. We practice social distancing while podcasting. I struggle with my Comcast internet and swear a lot. If you hate gravel bikes...boy do I have bad news for you. Ryley convinces me that I'm missing something in life, and a gravel bike can solve it.Recorded c., April 2020

Fat is cool...but is it fading? Ryley is annoyed with "skinnyfat," bikes. We learn just what the hell that is. PROJECT: LIFT TICKET. Winter Wolly and other ways to race and get hurt on bikes in the winter.Recorded, c., Feb 2020

The Salsa Spearfish vs the Salsa Deadwood; Cross-country, Down-country, and bike-packing on a Full-Sus. We stream it Live. I drink too much coffee. Technical difficulties non-stop, you'll love it. Ryley hates compliance.Recorded c., Jan 2020

Aluminum bikes are pretty rad, don’t be a carbon elitist. More information regarding Kingdom Trails?! We fumble with live streaming and audio issues. Some anger in Bike Court over STRAVA segments and the etiquette of segment creation. “Long(er)-term,” RipmoAF review, and Ed gives it an ED SCORE. TO BE CONTINUED?

Our first official Guest Episode, making all new mistakes! We talk about bobcats, and how to become one (not furries). Lift Talk has technical difficulties. We attempt to live stream..and it works. Kind of...

We’re doing it live. Best of moments of 2019. New Year's resolutions are B.S., let’s talk 2020 GOALS. A raven brings sad news from the Northern Kingdom :( Ed pleads the fifth and requests his attorney in Bike Court. We head to Duxbury for some BBQ...I mean bike riding.

We hit the Trail of Tears and donate some Toys and/or foodstuffs with Cape Cod NEMBA. I’m a little sick sounding, gross. Ebola is rampant, and we’re all infected. Winter biking options. What exactly IS an ice weasel? Someone gets litigious. Riley plays with paint.

Our audio improves...marginally. We shred some South Shore-style gnar at PINE HILLS. Marin jumps on the cool train with CARBON. On-bike EDC options. Do I want a bash guard? I mishandle a case in Bike Court.

OH HAY GUYS. Enjoy some questionable audio while we figure all of this out. Riding to make an homage to Dirt Church in Vermont, fairest of all lands. Some cool news about BIEKS (pew pew pew)! SOMEone gets a RipMoAF...