Podcasts about this episode mike

Michael Brady & Alex Schandrovsky are both members of the Madison 1031 Exchange whose business is to help taxpayers defer capital gains and taxation by swapping one property to another. An attorney by training, Michael Brady is currently the Executive Vice President of Madison 1031 and spends a lot of time in public speaking, seminars, and marketing efforts. On the other hand, Alex Schandrovsky is a seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur who ran a large catering company that employs second chance employments, mostly people from prisons. He spends most of his time teaching about business and entrepreneurship and building multigenerational wealth for driven real estate investors. Listen as they walk us through what a 1031 exchange is, its process, and the two sides of a 1031 exchange. They also shed some light on the challenges investors might encounter when doing a 1031 exchange. If you are interested in this type of exchange, it is important that you learn from the experts. Be sure to tune in today! Important Points in This Episode • Mike and Alex’s background • What is a 1031 exchange • Capital gains taxes • Internal Revenue Code 1031 • Process of a 1031 exchange • Role of Madison 1031 play in making these exchanges • States that do not recognize 1031 exchanges • Who is a qualified intermediary • Qualifications for a 1031 exchange • Process of becoming a qualified intermediary • Federation of Exchange Accommodators • Kinds of exchanges Madison 1031 is doing • Two sides of a 1031 exchange • Challenges of bringing a 1031 investor to a syndication and bringing 1031 money into a syndication • Problems a syndication might encounter with trying to do a 1031 exchange • Brief explanation of the structure of a tenants in common (TIC) • Like-kind properties • Madison 1031 and the challenge of Covid019

Oscar Preview part one is Here! This Episode Mike and Tim take a look at Best Picture Nominee, The Irishman along with the first part of this years Oscar Buzz.

Oscar Preview part one is Here! This Episode Mike and Tim take a look at Best Picture Nominee, The Irishman along with the first part of this years Oscar Buzz.

Mike Jake has been in real estate since 2003 and he typically does around 70-90 deals per year. Mike has been able to grow his rental portfolio to slightly over 100 doors with the use of creative financing and an eye for asset growth. On today's show, Mike shares the strategies he's used to achieve the lifestyle he's always wanted, how you can build a rental portfolio without having a large stack of cash sitting around, and so much more!   Key Takeaways: How do you become recession-proof? Mike does about 70-90 deals per year. However, he's also focusing on other strategies to put him in the best position possible — no matter what state the market is in. Who is Mike and how did he get started? Mike shares what kind of deals he does and how he builds his rental portfolio. What does Mike's marketing process look like? How does Mike reduce his tax liabilities and fully leverage the IRS? Mike right now has just a little over 100 rental properties with a total asset value of $20 million. A big portion of Mike's portfolio is from creative financing. What was a typical house Mike bought during the recession? Mike likes investing in assets that go up! He'll forgo cash flow if he knows the property has growth potential. You have to think long-term when it comes to real estate. Mike recommends a couple of the ways you can build a rental portfolio. Mike sat down and determined what he wanted his ideal lifestyle to look like and he planned it out! Remember, sometimes, you'll just end up buying the wrong house and you won't know until years later. The longer you do this, the more experience you'll get, and the more chances you'll have to get it right. Where does Mike see the market going in the next few years? Position yourself so you don't have to say ‘yes' if you don't want to. There's a lot of peace of mind that comes with knowing you'll be okay when the market turns. Just start! Get out there and buy your first rental property! It's important to pick and choose all the good things your mentors have to offer, but be aware we're all human and everyone has flaws, too. It's not that complicated: Buy a good asset, manage it well, and keep living! You have to have thick skin and realize you are going to make bad decisions, but the good news is, you'll learn from them! Mentioned in This Episode: Mike's Website Connect with Mike on Facebook Colorado Springs Real Estate Investing Club on Meetup DavidTilney.com Book Recommendation: Building Wealth One House at a Time, by John Schaub To apply for our next Holiday Mastermind in (Exotic Location TBD), please go here: Flipempire.com/holidaymastermind If you are interested in joining our team, you can Apply Here: Flipempire.com/teammember    Tweetables: “I was dedicated to working hard so that I could be lazy!” “It's crazy. For every $10,000 you make, the IRS putting their hand in your pocket and taking 30-40% of that.” “Sometimes, you just buy the wrong house and you don't realize you bought the wrong house until hindsight.” Ask Alex A Question: Have a question you want featured on an upcoming Flip Empire Show? Head over to the Ask Alex page, and record your question. We've made it super easy for you, so let us know what challenges you are having, and Alex will answer it personally! Did you get your FREE Online Course? Text the word EMPIRE to 67076, and we'll send you a link to get instant access to the “5 Ways To Scale Your Real Estate Wholesaling Business To Six Figures (In 6 Months Or Less)” video module training course. Subscribe To The Flip Empire Show, and Leave a Rating & Review!

Things! The Podcast is a weekly podcast that we will talk about whatsever on our mind that ISN'T sports realted. This Episode Mike, Keaton, and Zeke touch on Westworld season 2, episodes 1-3. They diwcuss which theories are their favorites. If you'd like to contact Things! The Podcast email us at sportstheemail@gmail.com or @sportsthetweets

Mike Wolf is a serial entrepreneur best known for his real estate investing. He’s been investing for 25 years and now teaches others how to create a lifestyle of freedom through passive income both from real estate and also in their businesses.In this episode, Mike Wolf and I discuss:Life before he became a millionaireHow got into in real estateQuitting his jobLessons learned from buying propertiesThe "long term" approachOn being the homeless millionaireImportance of having the right mindsetSurrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeedBetting on your strengthsHow he is changing the worldResources Mentioned in This Episode:Mike's SiteMike's EmailPodcast Sponsor: Oscar Hamilton - Podcast Editing & Production servicesLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join Your First Thousand Clients Community today:mitchrusso.comMitch Russo LinkedIn

This Episode Mike and Zombie Ben interview Lauren Matesic, lead designer for Castle Corsetry. Her awesome, geek-inspired items can be found on etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/castlecorsetry, on her website castlecorsetry.com and you can check her out on Facebook.

THIS EPISODE Mike takes time out of the Team SmartStop training camp in Badger, CA, to sit down with Frank Pipp (@frankpipp), long-time US domestic hard man of the peloton who raced for Bissell Pro Cycling and Health Net p/b Maxxis. Set to the soundtrack of tinkling ice cubes, their wide-ranging conversation touches on boxing as aggression therapy, water polo and pool-peeing, Carl Menzies the silverback superhero, their favorite DQ stories, controlling the elitist attitude, and Frank's life after racing working at Training Peaks. We're also treated to a very funny Phil Gaimon/Mark Cavendish nature break story. This is an amazingly interesting conversation between two snarky and talented bike racers with a good sense of perspective on racing in the U.S. You're sure to be thoroughly entertained by it. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their newly redesigned website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike visits Kiel Reijnen to do a podcast, Alex Howes drops in, it's an awesome recording, and then Mike has a brain fart and accidentally deletes the bulk of the podcast. In a bold and daring move, Mike records an overly-long intro to make up for the deficit, fields questions from Twitter and answers them on-air to pad out the recording. Enjoy this 50-minute monologue showcasing the inner workings of the mind of Creed, 15 minutes of chat with Kiel Reijnen, a couple of minutes where Alex Howes shows up, Kiel's dog barks, and the recording ends. Don't say I didn't warn you. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their newly redesigned website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike catches up with Team United Healthcare's Ben Day, an Aussie time trial specialist and all-around great guy. They chat about Ben's past team adventures, what flying standby means to the uninitiated, living and racing in Poland, having your wallet stolen by hotel staff (something Mike knows all too well after Interbike last year), and other random and fascinating topics. Enjoy this great conversation with one of the most interesting and versatile guys in the pro peloton today. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their newly redesigned website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike welcomes back old friend and bon vivant Ted King to rehash old times and talk all things Kombucha, compression socks, and how to lose Twitter followers without even trying. The two-time Tour de France starter shares some of the highs and lows of his season, the glamorous life of being on the road, maple syrup connoisseurship, and how much he loves riding his bike. Their hour and a half conversation is wild, wacky, and freewheeling, and the minutes melt away as you're sucked into the witty banter between two highly intelligent and slightly narcissistic bike dudes with a great deal of affection and respect for one another. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their newly redesigned website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike meets up with Eric Wohlberg, a three-time Canadian Olympian and multiple national time trial champion who is currently men's performance manager of Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. The two go way back, and Creed raced under Eric during his time on Optum before his new role as DS with Team SmartStop. Their rollicking conversation at the Tour de Beauce in Canada finds Mike and Eric debating the soporific powers of poutine, androgyny and the Thin White Duke, NRA belt buckles with shaved legs, and brakes as speed modulators instead of stopping devices. Among the Wohlberg legends Mike explores are Eric's 100 pushups and 500 situps every day before bed, lots of motorpacing as the key to his time trial success, and his "if you can't make 'em faster make 'em lighter" philosophy of performance enhancement. You'll howl with delight at this witty, no-holds-barred conversation between two old friends and colleagues. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with Bo Hamburger, currently the DS for the Christina Watches-KUMA cycling team and a former professional road cyclist who won Fleche Wallone in 1998 and the Danish National Road Cycling Championship in 2000. He is also a member of the Danish Cycling Hall of Fame. In 2001 Bo was fired from Team CSC for a positive EPO test. Part two of their fascinating conversation at the Tour de Beauce in Canada finds Mike and Bo having some deep and probing musings about doping in cycling as Bo shares the dark days of his personal experiences during the EPO-fueled era of pro racing. Whatever your opinion on the players at the time, you will surely not be unaffected by Bo's frankness. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.  

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with Bo Hamburger, currently the DS for the Christina Watches-KUMA cycling team and a former professional road cyclist who won Fleche Wallone in 1998 and the Danish National Road Cycling Championship in 2000. He is also a member of the Danish Cycling Hall of Fame. In 2001 Bo was fired from Team CSC for a positive EPO test. This is part one of a fascinating two-part conversation Mike had with Bo at the Tour de Beauce in Canada. Meandering, lengthy, frank and candid, this may well be one of the best of Mike's podcasts yet. It is certainly one of the most thought-provoking conversations you'll ever listen to. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike catches up with pal Alex Howes of Garmin-Sharp in the middle of the 2014 USA Cycling Professional National Championships. Mike and Alex had their chat just a few days before Team SmartStop very nearly swept the podium in a one-two finish that put Howes on the bronze medal step. Their raucous and rollicking conversation starts with a cryptic discussion of PCBC (Pro Cyclists Book Club), a somewhat mysterious reading group for Girona-based cyclists akin to Fight Club, crazy tales of their respective grandmas, dysentery as a climbing enhancement, and exploration of the Howes motto - "When bad things happen, I like to be in them." Tough, confident, and talented on the climbs and in the sprints, Howes was tapped as one of the favorites to win the road racing national championships in Chattanooga this year. His experiences in Europe have given him the skills necessary to take his place on the World Tour arena, and this entertaining and insightful conversation between good friends shows the many facets of Howes' diamond-in-the-rough personality. Knowing now how the nationals road race finished with a win by SmartStop's Eric Marcotte and second place by Travis McCabe (as well as the sad and unfortunate crash by Taylor Phinney), it's fascinating to hear the speculation and prediction by Mike and Alex of how the race might play out. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We’re also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we’ll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week’s contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you’ll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike finally wrangles a chat with longtime good friend Alex Candelario, a former teammate from back in their early days racing for Prime Alliance. "Cando" currently rides for Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies in [spoiler alert] what may be his last season of road racing. In what Mike views as one of the better podcasts he's ever done, the guys compare and contrast what it's like being the talent for a team vs. being management, analyze races past and present, and Creed poses the "big" questions to Cando as he ponders his retirement from the peloton – what will he miss the most about racing, who will he miss, who will he stay in touch with, and what won't he miss or be glad not to deal with? Alex then turns the tables on Mike and asks him some of these same questions to surprising results. Discussions of the coolness factor of Lou Reed and Tom Waits, who will write Mike's perfect eulogy, and the definitive Cando story round out the conversation and reveal the depth of Mike's respect for Alex and the extent of their enduring friendship. You'll be entertained and humbled by this extremely candid and humanistic conversation between old friends. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We're also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week's contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item.

THIS EPISODE Mike is with the team at the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, AK, and because of some unfortunate timing, has no guest for this week's podcast. Flying solo (with a bit of assistance from team mechanic Chris Kreidl and team soigneuse Astrid van Uden), Mike attempts to entertain and amuse our faithful listeners for a little over an hour with random musings and anecdotes. Choice moments such as "My Twitter account is a tribute to honesty," "I don't feel like you can be as honest when women are around," and a speed round of Mike's favorite game, "Fuck, Marry, Murder" highlight this bizarre and disjointed podcast. Maybe we should have just called the episode, "Deep Thoughts with Creedosaurus Rex." As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We're also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week's contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item. This week we're giving away an urban/commuter helmet and Cappuccinolock from Lazer. Just post a photo of a situation where you might use the lock and hashtag it #lazerlock. You'll need to tweet at @lazerhelmets and also hashtag #OpenMic to be eligible. A winner will be selected next Thursday and announced on Friday before the week's podcast. Good luck, and as always, thanks for listening!

THIS EPISODE Mike and old friend Chad Hartley get together after the Belmont Criterium in Charlotte, NC, to catch up and swap stories over a bourbon or two. In a career that's spanned decades, Chad first started racing BMX as a teenager, turned pro at age 19, and after a stint with Jittery Joe's joined Mike on TIAA-CREF (later to morph into Slipstream/Chipotle and finally Team Garmin). Teammate, training buddy, prankster, and all-around good guy, Chad lived with Mike in Silver City back in the day, and in spite of Creed's derision, has followed the team director path, currently as rider-manager with Athlete Octane Cycling (formerly Sharecare), a team focusing primarily on domestic criterium racing. Following a lengthy reminiscence of their best "pantsing" episodes – including a brawl in a Cracker Barrel – the guys share what is perhaps the best-ever Mike "Meatball" Friedman story. Lest you think this conversation is all about punking, Mike and Chad have a thoughtful and fascinating conversation about racing then and now, and how the pro peloton and the nature of racing has changed, along with a timely and germane debate about the pros and cons of stage racing vs. criterium racing and how the nuances can sometimes be not so apparent to outside spectators. You will be utterly engrossed by this free-wheeling conversation between really good friends, teammates, and colleagues. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We're also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week's contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item. This week we're giving away a pair of Lazer shades. You just need to tweet at @Lazer_Vision and hashtag #LazerVision or #OpenMic why you need these glasses or where you would use the glasses. A winner will be selected next Thursday and announced on Friday before the week's podcast. Good luck, and as always, thanks for listening!    

THIS EPISODE Mike gets together with Lewis Elliot of Team Landis/Trek in between stages at the Redlands Classic. The Arizona native is not only a professional cyclist and triathlete, he's also a Ford Agency model, and is perhaps best known as the guy in the ProForm® TDF Centennial edition Powered by Google Maps™ incline/decline training bike commercial (phew, that was a mouthful). After they get some bike geeking out of their systems, the guys settle down for an interesting conversation that runs the gamut from wide hips and kick-ass lungs to taking cell phones for granted. Reminiscences of the Tour of Gila, the Junior Tour of Austria, Bob Dylan lyrics, and awkward vs. amazing podcasts pepper this intriguing conversation. You'll be glad you got to know Lewis Elliot better by listening to this real and authentic conversation between old friends. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels – factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order! We're grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week's contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item.  This week we're giving away a Lazer bike helmet for the best new product name for Lazer's forthcoming helmet. Simply tweet your creative helmet name to @LazerHelmets with the hashtag #OpenMic. A winner will be selected next Thursday and announced on Friday before the week's podcast. Good luck, and as always, thanks for listening!

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with his former cycling rival Scott Price after the opening stage at Redlands Classic in California, where Scott is working with the Landis/Trek cycling team. A native of Calgary, Canada, Scott moved to Spain at the age of 17 to pursue a road cycling career, which he did successfully for nearly two decades, culminating in  his becoming Canadian National Champion in 1992. In 1999 Scott founded Higher Living Health and Performance Coaching in Arizona, to guide athletes toward finding balance, developing inner strength and tapping into their intuition and wisdom. Over Thai curry Mike and Scott reminisce about their strong competitive relationship during the early years of their careers, what drove them to succeed back then, and what motivates them today in this new phase of their professional careers. Their conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into what makes for a successful cyclist, and why pro bike racers are uniquely qualified to handle diverse and complicated tasks in their post-racing years. You're not likely to find a more unique and thought-provoking conversation about this aspect of cycling than right here with these old friends and rivals. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels – factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order! We also welcome Mercury Wheels as a new sponsor of the podcast. As part of their support of Open Mic, Mercury will be giving away a set of the same wheels that Mike's guys at Smart Stop train on. All you have to do to be entered is like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow them on Instagram to be entered into a contest to win a set of deep-rim alloy training wheels. Mike will be announcing the winner on Twitter sometime next week, and we'll also tweet it from the Cyclismas account as well. A new addition to the Open Mic sponsorship roster is Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever ad slogan you make up. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item. This week we're giving away a pair of Lazer Vision sunglasses to the person who tweets the most creative caption to this photograph: Simply tweet your caption and mention @lazer_vision and #OpenMic to qualify to win. For example: My Meatball's so bright, I gotta wear @Lazer_Vision shades. #OpenMic. Chris Smith of Lazer will select a winning tweet before next Friday's podcast. Thanks, and enjoy.

THIS EPISODE Mike talks to his old teammate Scott Zwizanski of Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. In between sharing war stories from the Vuelta Mexico where they were racing, the guys reminisce about the good old days on Optum, and how Scott got his start in bike racing. At times comical (Creed tries to get Zwiz to admit that the Optum guys miss him when really they just miss having someone to be the butt of their jokes) and other times quietly brutal (we learn how Scott coded after a race crash and had his life saved in dramatic fashion), this conversation between old friends and teammates is one you're sure to remember. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels – factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order! We also welcome Mercury Wheels as a new sponsor of the podcast. As part of their support of Open Mic, Mercury will be giving away a set of the same wheels that Mike's guys at Smart Stop train on. All you have to do to be entered is like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow them on Instagram to be entered into a contest to win a set of deep-rim alloy training wheels. Mike will be announcing the winner on Twitter sometime next week, and we'll also tweet it from the Cyclismas account as well. A new addition to the Open Mic sponsorship roster is Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever ad slogan you make up. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item. This week we're giving away a Lazer Genesis helmet, so use the helmet handle, so get creative! Thanks, and enjoy.

THIS EPISODE Mike makes a departure from his usual podcasts with this chat with Dustin Judice, a cycling fan, Cat 4 racer, and Iraq War vet. Dustin sent Mike a note on Twitter thanking him for the Open Mic podcast, relating how it gives such a great perspective on the pro cycling scene by really connecting the listeners with Mike and his guests. When Dustin mentioned he was looking for insight on how he might get into the world of pro bike racing, Mike became intrigued by Dustin's story and made a road trip to Lafayette on his way to training camp to catch up with Dustin and learn more of his story and share some helpful hints. Dustin tells Mike how the bike literally saved his life, helping him to get through PTSD and lose over 130 pounds of excess weight gained after his return from deployment. We also learn about his foray into racing, and training, and how he's trying to juggle that with studies as a chemical engineering student at the University of Louisiana. Mike helps guide Dustin on the racing path, and they talk about how best to survive the world of omniums, criteriums, and time trials (Dustin's favorite), and we discover how he finds inspiration from something so seemingly isolated as racing bikes. During the course of their conversation, Mike learns what it was like for Dustin to have gone into the Army at the age of 18 and to see active combat in the Middle East, quite an eye-opener for someone coming from the cloistered life of pro bike racing. You will be fascinated and humbled by this earthy and real conversation, and no doubt it will stay with you long after the audio ends. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels – factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order!

THIS EPISODE Mike catches up with Lauren Hall of Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. A talented all-rounder who's been racing pro since 2010, Lauren started her career with Team Vera Bradley and then moved to Team Tibco before landing a berth on her current Optum squad. With two national titles on the track and a second in both the national criterium and national road race championships, Hall's nickname of "The Bullet" is an apt one. She was named by VeloNews as a "rider to watch" in 2013, and her USA Cycling palmarés from last year have indeed demonstrated that to be the case. Over the course of their laughter-filled gab session, Lauren explains her circuitous route to pro cycling via soccer, culinary arts school, marathon running, and triathlon. A dynamo on and off the bike, Lauren keeps Mike entertained as she tells one story after another of her exploits in the women's peloton. You're sure to be as delighted as we were with this highly entertaining conversation. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels – factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order! We also welcome Mercury Wheels as a new sponsor of the podcast. As part of their support of Open Mic, Mercury will be giving away a set of the same wheels that Mike's guys at Smart Stop train on. All you have to do to be entered is like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow them on Instagram to be entered into a contest to win a set of deep-rim alloy training wheels. Mike will be announcing the winner on Twitter sometime next week, and we'll also tweet it from the Cyclismas account as well. Thanks, and enjoy.

THIS EPISODE Mike gets together with Canadian cycling legend Gord Fraser, a three-time Olympian and four-time Commonwealth Games participant who was the 2004 Canadian national road race champion. In 2006 Gord retired from professional cycling after racing four seasons for the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis. He then went on to be a directeur sportif with Team Type 1 in 2009, and in 2010 joined UnitedHealthcare-Maxxis as a directeur sportif. In 2011 became DS for the US Continental team, Realcyclist.com. In between bites of dinner, Mike and Gord reminisce about the first time they met in Tucson so many years ago when Gord began his road racing career. They chat about Gord's past in team pursuit and other track cycling events, including his successes in the Commonwealth Games and transitioning from track to road cycling. Among the curious tidbits Gord reveals is that back in 1993 he raced alongside New England stalwarts Frank and Mark McCormack for IME-Healthshare – along with a certain ponytailed slacker surfer dude named Chris Horner (who crushed everyone with BMX handle grips on his Scott drop-in bars...) As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels – factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order! We also welcome Mercury Wheels as a new sponsor of the podcast. As part of their support of Open Mic, Mercury will be giving away a set of the same wheels that Mike's guys at Smart Stop train on. All you have to do to be entered is like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow them on Instagram to be entered into a contest to win a set of deep-rim alloy training wheels. Mike will be announcing the winner on Twitter sometime next week, and we'll also tweet it from the Cyclismas account as well. Thanks, and enjoy.

THIS EPISODE Mike grabs a bite to eat and chew the fat with old friend Shawn Milne (along with interloper Ian MacGregor of Skratch Labs). Milne recently culminated his road racing career with 5-Hour Energy p/b Kenda to become the new team director of Team Rio Cycling, a Colorado-based development cycling team. In addition to his prestigious palmares on the road, the Gloucester native also races cyclocross for the Keough Cyclocross team, where this past season he won at Cycle-Smart International and NBX Gran Prix of Cross. In between bites at Yellowbelly Chicken in Boulder, the trio reflect on the past, discuss the critical differences between cyclocross and road racing, have a vent-fest about some of the less wonderful team experiences they've had, and Shawn reminisces on his New England racing achievements and what it was like to live a hardscrabble life as the son of a fisherman. We also learn of Shawn's love of Ducati motorcycles, the good old days racing with Creed, and what this next chapter holds in store for them both as team directors. Enjoy this insightful and intriguing conversation among old friends over good food and laughter. We sure did. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist is running a special promotion that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels - factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Colorado Cyclist is also launching a new website, so stay tuned and be on the lookout for upcoming giveaways. And be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order! We also welcome Mercury Wheels as a new sponsor of the podcast. As part of their support of Open Mic, Mercury will be giving away a set of the same wheels that Mike's guys at Smart Stop train on. All you have to do to be entered is like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow them on Instagram to be entered into a contest to win a set of deep-rim alloy training wheels. Mike will be announcing the winner on Twitter sometime next week, and we'll also tweet it from the Cyclismas account as well. Thanks, and enjoy.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down to chat with pro cyclist/athlete/journalist/activist/filmmaker Kathryn Bertine, whose groundbreaking documentary, "Half the Road," about the passions, pitfalls and power of women's professional cycling recently premiered to a sold-out audience in Tucson, AZ (a premiere which, sadly, Mike was unable to get into...) They talk about the nascency of the documentary project, Kathryn's frustration with "sports journalism for women" as a separate media thread, the popularity of obscure Olympic sports, and what it was like to be a sports journalist for ESPN. Throughout, Kathryn delights and entertains Mike with her fascinating stories, and in the process illuminates us all with respect to the challenges facing women in sports to this day. You will absolutely love this clever and engaging interview with one of the most influential women working in the realm of cycling today. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Colorado Cyclist has started a new Promo this week that we'd like everyone to know about. If a customer purchases any bike, frame or wheels, the customer will receive back a gift certificate worth 15% of the purchase price toward a future purchase. For example: If a customer buys a $4,000.00 bike, they will get a Gift Certificate for $600.00. There are no restrictions, and this promotion includes regular and sale bikes, frames and any wheels - factory or custom included. There is free shipping on all items as well. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast when placing your order!

THIS EPISODE Mike settles in for a chat with women's cycling legend Meredith Miller in January, just before U.S. Cyclocross Nationals in her hometown of Boulder, CO. You will be hearing this conversation after the Cal Giant star stood on the bronze medal step of the podium there, and just as she's prepping for Hoogerheide, Belgium, to compete in the UCI World Cyclocross Championships. Recently retired from road racing, the Alabama native had a successful 15-year road career, most recently with Team TIBCO, that included winning the 2009 USA National Road Championship. Miller announced that 2013 would be her last as a professional road cyclist. How that decision will affect her future as a cyclocross racer is still unclear at this point, and Worlds will likely play a large part in that decision. Over the course of an hour and a half conversation, Mike and Meredith go from being acquainted strangers to fast friends as they discover common interests, debate the merits of Facebook stalkers and the games that get invented around them, and reminisce about the early years of Meredith's road racing career. We also learn that fast-pitch softball and soccer were Meredith's first competitive sports, it was romance that introduced her to cycling, and living in Denmark that led to her first foray as a pro road racer. Along the way they talk about the lure of retirement, the scary prospect of life after bike racing, and what jobs ex-cyclists are qualified for. The M's also get into some hypothetical discussions about how they would improve the state of women's cycling, and other plans to save the world. You're going to absolutely love this entertaining and fascinating glimpse into the world of one of the preeminent cyclists in the United States. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike shoots the breeze with old friend and best man Pat McCarty, who has spun his cranks for such teams as US Postal, Phonak, Slipstream-Chipotle, OUCH-Maxxis, SpiderTech-C10, and most recently Bissell. Along with guest interloper Shawn Milne, Mike and Pat wax philosophical on all sorts of fascinating topics including the future, what it's like to be directing a women's cycling team, surviving the Giro not once but twice, getting drunk with Andy Rihs, the wacky times at Ouch/Maxxis and Rock Racing, and good Cipo stories (who doesn't love a good Cipo story?). We also get some choice intro moments from Team Smart Stop p/b Mountain Khakis ace mechanic Chris Kreidl, and become privy to yet another of Mike's embarrassing confessions. As always, this episode of Open Mic is brought to you by The Colorado Cyclist, sponsor of Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike has margaritas and conversation with Marianne Martin, the winner of the first Tour de France for women in 1984, covering the 18-stage 616-mile course in 21 days, 29 hours, 39 minutes, and 2 seconds. We hope you enjoy this intriguing conversation with a legend in women's cycling. We certainly did. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike gets together with Timmy Duggan again for a heart-to-heart post-retirement chat with the former Saxo-Tinkoff rider. Over the course of an hour and a half the pair wax philosophical about what led Timmy to his decision to hang up his race wheels despite several legit team offers to continue racing. Their conversation meanders over topics including motivation, goals, hopes, dreams, and Bourbon as a truth serum. Enjoy this postscript to a career that's really a glimpse at the doorway to the future. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike talks to Dean Golich, the training guru who was a physiologist for USA Cycling from 1994-1996 and established training protocols for the 1996 Olympic Cycling Team across all cycling disciplines. Dean has been working with athletes in road cycling, MTB, cyclocross, motocross, supercross, MotoGP, and NASCAR, and is a wealth of knowledge about physiology, power training, altitude training, and hydration. Their conversation runs the gamut from leftist politics, wingsuits, death spirals, coaching, motivation and Dean's acknowledgment that even though he'd never listened to any of the podcasts prior to his interview, this is the podcast's sophomore slump. Thoughtful, intriguing, and extremely entertaining, you're sure to enjoy this sort of long, slightly cerebral, but really good chat between two fascinating characters. You can follow Dean on twitter @Deangolich. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike settles in for dinner and conversation with the one-line wit of Twitter, the rational anchor to Tour Chat's bon vivant Neil Browne, the bard at the back of Velo Magazine, the one and only Mr. Dan Wuori, aka @dwuori. Many of you first came to know of Dan via his lanterne rouge Twitter avatar and his extremely witty and clever Twitter jokes - one line wonders that encapsulate the zeitgeist of the cycling world on everyone's favorite 140-character thoughtstream. Much like the standup routine of Creed's Twitter account, Dan's tweets primarily consist of standalone jokes that tickle the funny bone and engage the grey matter. It was this clever ability to tweet that which everyone else wished they'd thought of first that brought Dan to the attention of mainstream cycling media, and led to a happy partnership with VeloNews.com and Velo Magazine, a dream come true in some respects for the humble and hardworking Wuori. Over the course of their mealtime chat, which I've affectionately dubbed "My Dinner with Dwuori," Mike and Dan talk about everything and anything that strikes their fancy – including journalism, John Tesh, and the Hunger Games – in what must surely be one of the more interesting dinners in recent cycling history. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike gets together with a man who needs no introduction. At the tender age of 23, BMC's Taylor Phinney can list on his resumé: Olympian, Worlds Medalist, U23 World Champion, Junior World Champion, US Track Champion, US Time Trial Champion, heartthrob of the peloton, and all around snappy dresser. Mike visits Taylor at his home in Boulder and is introduced to Phinney's "high class frat house lifestyle," as Taylor dubs it. The two kick back and pleasantly pass the time chatting about the correct pronunciation of Phil Gaimon's name, the value of early social media training, how avoiding dating improves cycling performance, saddle sore woes, hoping for the most-loved award in the peloton, and Olympic girlfriends. Along the way they also cover what it's like to be the child of cycling legends, saddle sore woes, being the brash young American on a stacked international World Tour team, surviving the grind of the BMC racing schedule, and what the future holds. We guarantee you're going to be thoroughly entertained by this thoughtful, intelligent, and fascinating conversation with one of the bright stars of the cycling world. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike gets together with Skratch Labs saveurs Allen Lim and Biju Thomas, and the trio talk about everything from soup to nuts (well, really, rice cakes to smoked barbecue). We learn some fascinating parallel immigration stories from Allen's and Biju's childhoods, and discover the early experiences that shaped their respective drives to succeed. The guys share stories about how they got their start in cycling, and reminisce about the seminal years together on the TIAA-CREF team. We learn from Allen Lim – whom Creed asserts actually invented the idea of "marginal gains" – that it's less about marginal gains and more about removing the limiting factors - the bottlenecks - to performance and training, and how those innovative principles became the foundation for not only Lim's methodology as a DS, but the very core tenets to this next adventure with Biju and Skratch Labs. Along the way we also get some funny stories about Creed using the Secret Salty Drink Mix sleeves as pixie sticks, as well as some special training involving holding your breath (really, it's science...). You're sure to find this engaging conversation a fascinating departure from what you might have expected. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Be sure to call them at 1-800-688-8600 and mention the podcast for 15% off your purchase.

THIS EPISODE Mike spends a solid chunk of time with his hometown pal Colby Pearce during an attempt at the U.S. Athlete Hour Record at the velodrome in Colorado Springs. The accomplishments on Pearce's resumé are impressive: Olympian, 14x national track champion, time trial record holder, U.S. Masters hour record holder, national team coach, World Cup medalist... Mike and Colby sit down in the evening after Colby made his attempt on the Hour Record in October, and over the course of two hours they take a jaunt down memory lane, reminiscing about their days racing together for the Colorado Cyclist team, trading story after story of exploits and adventures from a lengthy career spent spinning wheels. Prepare to be enthralled as these two old friends effortlessly travel back and forth across the years with their fascinating reminiscences. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us.

THIS EPISODE Mike took a road trip to California and got together with Jesse D. Anthony, his former teammate on Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. From skidding contests to crashing BMX bikes to racing mountain bikes and cyclocross to becoming one of the most-capable all-arounders on the domestic road racing circuit, Anthony has crammed a lifetime of experiences in his relatively short career span. They pair sat down in Jesse's hometown of Thousand Oaks to talk about their teammates, transfer rumors and the goings on in the silly season, and where Jesse's travels will take him next. They consider the merits of underpants humor, career trajectories, and Jesse's early years as a junior and his cyclocross roots in New England. The way their personal stories intertwine into a shared history of bike racing is both fascinating and heart-warming. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us.

THIS EPISODE Mike joins Levi Leipheimer for dinner and discussion in Santa Rosa, and we're treated to a rare, frank conversation with one of the most-sought-after interviews in cycling. In between tasty bites at a sidewalk café, Levi shares some honest perspective with Mike about his seventeen-year career as a racer, being a controversial figure in the sport, and a his life as a passionate advocate for cycling and bike racing. He and Mike compare notes on retirement, what they miss and don't miss, how the bike is still a magical thing, and what the future holds in store for them both. Oh, and Levi calls Mike "such a dick" as they dish on race announcers and how hard it is to commentate a race, and they reminisce on how unhealthy it was to be a pro living in Girona back in the day. Good times. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @co_cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Bon appetito!

THIS EPISODE Mike catches up with peloton pal and teammate George Hincapie. Nineteen years as a pro, tied for the record number of Tour de France starts, George recounts a life on the bike and what he's doing to keep busy now. He and Mike trade stories and talk about some of the luxuries of retirement from pro racing – like chips and calzones – and what they do and don't miss about the monomania of being a bike racer. With 35 national championship titles between them (Mike's 22 to George's 13), they have lots of history and stories to share about the past, and what the future holds in store. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering two $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @co_cyclist. Special thanks to RoadID for underwriting this episode with Big George, and providing eCard codes for vouchers towards a RoadID purchase to the podcast fans who entered our contests this week. Give them a follow @RoadID on Twitter and show your appreciation by visiting them a RoadID.com when you get the chance.

THIS EPISODE Mike gets together at the Tour of Alberta with old friend, professional spandex model and pro cyclist Brad Huff, aka HuffyUSA of the Jelly Belly Cycling Team. The guys discuss the difference between interviewing friends vs. *wink* friends; the collision of 'husky genetics', diet, and do-it-yourself eating disorder methods; and how much vanity and self-doubt come into play in the psyche of the pro bike racer. In the course of story-telling, some truths come out about a certain breakaway move in the Qinghai Lake race that causes a bit of a scuffle to break out between Creed and Huff, apologies are demanded, an eventual reconciliation is reached, thankfully, and a major announcement is made. A few "Dirty Dancing" references and verbal smackdowns later, and it's all smiles and reminiscences as they share one hilarious story after another. This is sure to rank among one of the most entertaining "Open Mic" podcasts ever, and we're absolutely certain you're going to be grinning throughout. Enjoy! Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @co_cyclist.

THIS EPISODE Mike meets up with Garmin-Sharp's gentleman racer and patron of the peloton, David Millar, at the Tour of Alberta to share a few cocktails and discuss everything from when it's time to call it a day (Spoiler: retirement plans are revealed) and what the future holds, the desperate need to please people vs. proving something to yourself, and how that affects your racing. They explore the balance between fame and self-indulgence, caring about what people think and say about you on social media, interacting (or not) with fans, and the addictive nature and ego trip of Twitter. Creed learns the proper pronunciation of "Millar," shames David into following him on Twitter again, and we're treated to a live nature break on air. Enjoy this fascinating conversation between two very different – and yet similarly stylish – and intelligent cyclists. Open Mic with Mike Creed is sponsored by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike's very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @co_cyclist.

THIS EPISODE Mike catches up with Clark Sheehan, one time 7Up Colorado Cyclist racer now known as the "Fencing Tycoon," who turns the tables on Mike and makes the podcast as much about Creed as himself. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Sheehan was lured to cycling much the same way as other Colorado natives during the late '70's and early '80's - by the Coors Classic. He began racing at the age of 14, and soon showed his gift by winning a junior national time trial title. An 'apprenticeship' under the then-national coach Eddie Borysewicz at the Olympic Training Center soon followed, along with time spent racing in Belgium. In between laughing and reminiscing, the two talk dream women, teammates past, shifting priorities, being a polylinguist, everybody's Randy Wicker legend, their times on U.S. Postal and Rock Racing, and how you come to rationalize things as a bike racer. Their conversation ranges from track racing to cyclocross on mountain bikes and everything in between, including that time that Clark ruined Creed's prom. You're guaranteed to enjoy this funny and freewheeling trip down memory lane with two old friends.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with Phil "the Thrill" Gaimon, world-renowned cookie aficionado and pro racing stalwart of Jelly Belly, Kenda, and Bissell fame who's just gotten the call-up to the big show with Garmin-Sharp. Over the course of an hour, Mike and Phil shoot the shit about all sorts of randomness, with topics ranging from CrossFit as an efficient way to puke without a six-hour training ride, six-pack ab appeal in a romantic encounter, pranking Russian WT team bosses, low-bulk diets, being indispensable, conflict aversion, and bizarre racing situations in Asia. It's clear that Creed and Gaimon enjoy each other's company and sharing the stories that make up the fabric of their racing lives. Sit back and enjoy this frank, funny, and sometimes off-color conversation.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with Timmy Duggan, the 2012 U.S. National Road Race Champion who rides for Team Saxo-Tinkoff. Following a year of high points, Duggan had a disappointing start to the 2013 season when he crashed out of the Santos Tour Down Under in January, breaking his leg and derailing his race plans. In the continuing efforts to explore uncharted interviewing waters, Creed gets Timmy talking about exploiting a glitch in the matrix, the power of faith and family, being a badass on the bike, and Timmy making a good impression in his first days on the national team by spitting on Creed by mistake. They reminisce about racing together in the 2008 Tour of Georgia where the peloton hit 60mph on a downhill and Timmy crashed so badly he sustained a traumatic brain injury. He credits his recovery to his unwavering faith, his solid relationship with his wife, and his tenacity. You learn the mantras that Timmy lives by - having a goal is everything, and "Never look back" – a hard lesson learned from the Volta Catalunya and one that he adhered to for his thrilling win at Nationals. We know you're going to love listening to one of the most grounded and humble bike racers in the WT peloton. Creed is a fan, and if you aren't already, we're sure you'll become one too.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down in between stages at the Tour of Utah with über domestique Charly Wegelius, currently Directeur Sportif for Team Garmin-Sharp and author of the critically-acclaimed autobiography, "Domestique." Over hippy-dippy sulfate-free beers, Charly dispenses DS tips to Mike as they discuss how a good director works with his riders to maximize their potential and allow them the freedom to be their own personalities. Charly then reflects back on his long and storied career as a domestique for some of the top teams in professional cycling, enthralling Mike with his stories from back in the day, and his analysis of the peloton as a collection of insecure kids at the school playground. Enjoy this extremely engaging conversation with one of the most brutally honest and fascinating stalwarts in the sport of cycling.

THIS EPISODE Mike catches up with cycling legend Frankie Andreu, current Team Director of Kenda/5 Hour Energy Systems, at the Tour of Utah where they swap stories from the trenches, one ex-pro and DS to another. Frankie and Mike have a "Frank" talk about crashing, descending fears, bike handling skills in the peloton, and the dangers of thinking too much while racing. They touch on the drama in the Andreu household during the Lance era, the madness of Floyd Landis, and the what-ifs and might-have-beens. And Frankie shares his passion and enthusiasm for mentoring the always-exciting crop of young riders with promising talent that he wants to nurture and help grow into successful professionals. We hope you will be as riveted by this engrossing conversation with one of the most fascinating and likable personalities in pro cycling.

THIS EPISODE Mike meets up for a beer or two with Ted King, the Cannondale Pro Cycling Team stalwart who came to international attention at this year's Tour de France after his contentious elimination from the race when he missed the time cut in the team time trial by 7 seconds. As they sit around the team RV in between stages at the Tour of Utah, the guys discuss the nuances of oenophilia, the challenges of going gluten free (GF in the vernacular) on an Italian cycling team, and why quitting pro cycling cold turkey is like heroin withdrawal. Ted relates the events leading up to his fateful crash in the Tour, talks about what his European teammates think of the Tour of Utah, and how awesome his off-season is racing CX and hanging out at the beer garden. And as a very special treat, we hear the stories of the birth of "IamTedKing" and how Creed sold Ted's used LiquiGas bike shorts on eBay. We hope you enjoy this sharp and witty pair of pros as they wax philosophical on matters small and large.

THIS EPISODE Mike pays a visit to Lucas Euser, the self-proclaimed eccentric over-achiever and hair model who rides for United Health Care pro cycling team. The guys shoot the shit on friends and enemies, the impact that the routine of the road has on your life and your refrigerator contents, the hipness of Fleetwood Mac, and how being a paperboy is the perfect childhood prep for life as a pro cyclist. They also consider Lucas's role as the best damned teammate in the peloton, why there is no middle class for pro bike racers, and how Lucas recovered from his devastating training crash in Spain in 2009 to go on to place in the top 20 at the Tour of California the following year. You're going to love this high-energy conversation between two smart and funny cyclists.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with Neal Rogers, Editor in Chief of VeloNews.com and Velo Magazine. A slight departure from past conversations with pro bike racers, this engaging and thought-provoking back and forth with one of the top U.S. cycling journalists is a rare glimpse into some of the motivations and decisions behind covering the sport of cycling. The guys have a free-ranging conversation covering the role of social media, personal vs. professional opinions, and the merits of quality espresso machines. We hope you enjoy this insightful interview as much as we did.

THIS EPISODE Mike sits down with Jim Miller, USAC vice president of athletics – the guy charged with overseeing the top-tier racing programs for USA Cycling in all disciplines. Jim and Mike are old friends who raced together back in the day, and they reminisce about those times, as well as Jim's transformation into one of the movers and shakers in U.S. cycling today. They dish on Oleg Tinkov and Twitter crazy town, USACycling's luxurious digs in a strip mall, and talk about the difficult transition from life as a pro cyclist to life after racing. We also get to eavesdrop on the inner workings at USACycling and how athlete programs are organized to achieve goals for success. We hope you enjoy this heartfelt conversation between old friends.

THIS EPISODE Mike talks to Rapha-Focus star Jeremy Powers, the ambassador of U.S. cyclocross, who also rides for the domestic Jelly Belly squad. They wax poetic on niche podcasting, the birth of Behind the Barriers, and bringing fans to the races (and vice versa). In addition, Powers’ dog Moose tries to get on air, the guys talk about missed Twitter quip opportunities, and Powers recounts his nearly perfect early season and podiuming before Louisville only to somehow have CX Nationals and Worlds "go to complete shit" on him. We also get to hear Jeremy tell the story of the first time he and Creed met in Belgium, and the advice Creed gave to him that Powers now passes on to future generations. We hope you enjoy this frank and funny conversation as much as we did.

Satisfying his constant need for attention, Mike Creed takes to the airwaves to have frank conversations with his friends, who just so happen to be figures in the world of pro cycling. Now that he’s a retired mediocre bike racer, he’s using his access to these athletes to humanize them, show you what he sees, and bring back a personal aspect to cycling. This is not the show for you if you’re looking for controversy and the hard questions. It’s more of a rambling conversation with and about the people and the sport that he loves. THIS EPISODE Mike chews the fat with one of the nicer guys in the peloton (after Creed, Jesus, and Santa Claus). Tom currently rides for Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies, and was recently crowned the US National Time Trial Champion after a difficult period of near-miss results following his contentious positive for DHEA in 2009 – the year of his silver-medal winning finish at the US Pro National Time Trial Championships and his 4th place finish in the UCI World Time Trial Championships. Mike chats with Tom about his early start in distance running, being a chemist (an unusual job interview), sleeping in football fields, life after a doping suspension and the loss of a berth on a WT team, and his nickname as "Windpants Guy." We think you'll enjoy this in-depth interview with the gentle giant of the peloton sometimes dubbed "the Wattage Cottage."

Open Mic with Mike Creed Satisfying his constant need for attention, Mike Creed takes to the airwaves to have frank conversations with his friends, who just so happen to be figures in the world of pro cycling. Now that he's a retired mediocre bike racer, he's using his access to these athletes to humanize them, show you what he sees, and bring back a personal aspect to cycling. This is not the show for you if you're looking for controversy and the hard questions. It's more of a rambling conversation with and about the people and the sport that he loves. THIS EPISODE Mike has a conversation with Katie Compton, the reigning queen of US cyclocross and the silver medalist at the UCI World Cyclocross Championships held in Louisville this year. Mike and Katie have a rambling sit-down and talk about weight, eating, weight, training, her super-smart dad, and what it was like to take silver in front of the home nation crowds. Presented by Cyclismas.

Episode #11 This Episode - Mike rants about the horrible reporting of the unemployment numbers for December and talks about going gorillia this year. Mike also interviews Mary (the undercover HR director) from Undercoverlawer.com.

Episode #10 This Episode - Mike kicks off the new year with a call to arms. Whatever your mission is...getting or keeping your job...the time is now! Also, Mike interviews Curt from UndercoverLawyer.com. Do not miss this interview!

Episode #8 This Episode - Mike answers a call regarding unemployment and what you should claim and when. Interview with Melyssa Bernstein (Emerging Media Specialist & Account Executive) CKR Interactive on leveraging social medial and your job search - What is really going on out there. Also - Mike's plea to those of you with a job.