The Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships, SSCXWC, brings together the greatest well-rounded riders in the world to test their mettle through Feats of Strength and the most demanding cyclocross the host town can find to dish out. In the words of Sarah Sturm from 2022 in Durango:

"Single Speed Cyclocross World Champs is the not-so-underground, fringe, party event that calls itself a World Champs and, in many ways, it is. But instead of (doing drugs) (marginal gains) that make you faster, you do things that make you slower like keg stands, whiskey shots, and hot dog hand-ups."

The 2024 edition was hosted in Madison, Wisconsin and an old friend of mine, now living in Missoula, Montana, made the 24+ hour drive to go for the gold! (or tattoo!). Brian West has been chasing the tattoo for several years, and finally found himself at the front at the right time - the end of the race. This is his story!

For winter riding and racing, we recommend Pogie Lites to help keep your hands warm. Find them in the online store on BIKEIOWA. https://bikeiowa.store/products/pogielites

We would love it if you would consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable. You'll receive a Bike Talk with Dave sticker!

Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!

Erik Schlimmer is no stranger to long, difficult days either on foot or on the bike. As a mountain biker, he raced at the top level in the early 1990's, then turned to long distance bike packing adventures, but not just his love of long distance hiking got in the way of his cycling - so did life and some time served in the military. He found himself going years and years without riding. Until recently, that is. In 2023 he took a tragic event in his life and turned it into a reason to embrace life - and hopped back on the bike again. Just over a year since that event, he's now doubled down on his focus and decided to pin a number on again and give racing a try. His is a compelling story of triumph, tragedy and triumph again! And while he has carved out time for his newfound joy, he also took his passion for hiking and history in the Adirondacks and has authored nine books about the area, it's trails and history. You can find them all at www.erikschlimmer.com as well as follow his current adventures and mountain bike training on instagram at @schlimmer_goes

If you want to demo a mountain bike from Pivot Cycles head to their website and book a time slot at a demo near you! https://www.pivotcycles.com/en/demos-us/

For winter riding and racing, we recommend Pogie Lites to help keep your hands warm. Find them in the online store on BIKEIOWA. https://bikeiowa.store/products/pogielites

We would love it if you would consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable. You'll receive a Bike Talk with Dave sticker!

Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!

In an era that is becoming increasingly friendly to online ordering for bikes and bike parts, and increasingly hostile to brick and mortar retail stores, Clint Mongan has carved out a niche, selling high end full suspension mountain bikes to an ever growing list of clients out of a small, remote shop in an unassuming little town in south-central Iowa. He's also the owner and manager of Boone Factory Racing, supporting some of the top junior downhill racers in the country - if not world - including Kallie Stewart, winner of the 2024 Monster Downhill Race Series. You can connect with Clint at www.boonecycles.net or on Instagram and Facebook at Boone Factory Racing.

For winter riding and racing, we recommend Pogie Lites to help keep your hands warm. Find them in the online store on BIKEIOWA. https://bikeiowa.store/products/pogielites

We would love it if you would consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable. You'll receive a Bike Talk with Dave sticker!

Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!