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When the unexpected strikes, how do you adapt? Michael shares the story of his recent cycling accident where he encountered an almost-invisible brown hose stretched across concrete pavement during a training ride. With just seconds to react, his front tire turned 90 degrees, sending him face-first onto the road, resulting in a fractured clavicle and extensive road rash. This first-ever broken bone in thousands of cycling miles comes with particularly unfortunate timing—just 19 days before the pair's planned Ride Across Indiana (RAIN).

As the hosts navigate this setback, they explore options ranging from postponing their registration to next year, Michael serving as SAG driver while Adam rides, or finding alternative adventures altogether. The conversation reveals the philosophy that defines their approach to cycling: it's not about reaching destinations, but experiencing the journey and connections made along the way.

Adam shares his recent trip to Des Moines, Iowa, where cycling memories unexpectedly surfaced through familiar establishments from previous RAGBRAI rides, including the beloved Big Red Truck food vendor and Thelma's ice cream sandwiches. These culinary touchpoints sparked nostalgic conversations about past cycling adventures and the communities that form around these shared experiences.

Through injury recovery discussio

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The Georgia hills couldn't break us! Picking up where we left off, Adam and Michael complete their wild journey across Georgia with the BRAG cycling event, sharing every triumph, challenge, and laugh along the way.

Our layover day in Dawsonville delivers pure adrenaline as we race high-performance go-karts at AMP track, where Michael edges out Adam by just four one-hundredths of a second (a fact Adam graciously acknowledges... eventually). But the adventure doesn't stop there—we hike 475 stairs to witness the majestic Amicalola Falls, proving that cycling men of leisure occasionally enjoy adventures on foot too.

The camaraderie of the cycling community shines throughout our journey. Our team dinner brings together 33 riders from across the country, many meeting for the first time despite sharing this passion for years. We're unexpectedly showered with gifts of regional whiskeys and massive flasks—tokens of appreciation that highlight the generous spirit of our growing community. Later, we host an impromptu "speakeasy" under the BRAG tent, sharing drinks and stories as rain patters overhead.

Franklin Johnson, Executive Director of BRAG, joins us to discuss this year's successful northern route. With nearly 900 riders tackling the challenging hills, Franklin shares insights on weather conditions, safety measures, and the unique appeal

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Saddle up for an exhilarating journey across Georgia with the Cycling Men of Leisure as we lead our largest-ever team of 43 riders through the challenging Appalachian foothills. This episode captures the first half of our fourth consecutive BRAG (Bike Ride Across Georgia) adventure, where the terrain proved anything but flat.

From Rome to Jasper to Dawsonville, we navigate the notorious "Three-Headed Medusa Hill" – a punishing 14% grade climb that humbled even the most experienced cyclists in our group. Between the grueling ascents, we discover the rich tapestry of small-town Georgia, including a visit to "the only legal distillery in Jasper," where smoked cinnamon old-fashioneds become our recovery drink of choice.

Beyond the cycling, this episode reveals the logistics, camaraderie, and unexpected moments that define a great bicycle tour. We explore our experience with Padre Cycle Inn's full-service camping option (a game-changer for multi-day rides), engage in a playful rivalry with the "Cycling Women Against Leisure" team, and encounter remarkable local characters like Chris, who created an entire cycling park from recycled factory materials.

The episode features on-location audio from our distillery visit and an interview with the team behind Padre Cycle Inn, showcasing how their service transforms the traditional camping experie

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Adventure meets technology in this gear-up episode as Adam and Michael prepare for their upcoming Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) journey and explore essential tech tools for cyclists.

The duo celebrates a milestone moment when Adam correctly guesses Huntsville, Alabama as the previous Listener Spotlight location—the rocket city that inspired Elton John's iconic song. This rare victory sparks friendly banter as they share how multiple listeners submitted correct answers for the first time in the podcast's history.

Weather technology takes center stage as they discuss crucial apps that have transformed the cycling experience. Michael reveals his reliance on Weather Underground and Radar Scope for detailed storm tracking, while Adam demonstrates his strategic method of saving multiple destination points in his weather app to monitor conditions across entire routes. The Windy app emerges as a cyclist's secret weapon, providing crucial information about potential headwinds or tailwinds that can make or break a day's ride.

The conversation shifts to geocaching—a GPS-based treasure hunting activity that combines perfectly with cycling adventures. From library-based hunts to trackable items that can follow your bike's journey, this emerging hobby offers a compelling reason to explore new routes and destinations.

Most exciting is

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Mother's Day meets cycling adventures in this spirited episode where we dive into the exciting plans for Big Brag 2025 with Executive Director Franklin Johnson. Before our special interview, we share some cycling-related Mother's Day facts and celebrate that our upcoming Big Brag adventure coincides with World Bicycle Day on June 3rd!

Michael regales us with tales from the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting, complete with plentiful Dairy Queen ice cream and Warren Buffett's retirement announcement. We also crown a winner in our Listener Spotlight segment, revealing Naples, Florida—the golf capital of the world with more golf holes per capita than anywhere else in the United States—as our mystery location.

The highlight of our episode is our exclusive conversation with Franklin Johnson, who shares breathtaking details about his recent Croatia cycling adventure before unveiling exciting plans for the Dawsonville rest day during Big Brag 2025. Franklin describes what he calls "Awesomeville" activities including cycling on a professional F1 racetrack, racing go-karts at 60mph, and visiting Amicalola Falls—Georgia's tallest waterfall. We learn about convenient shuttles, nearby dining options, and even a distillery within walking distance of camp. Throughout our conversation, Franklin provides valuable updates on route planning, century-ride a

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Balancing indoor training with ambitious road adventures takes center stage as Michael shares his surprisingly successful Peloton strategy—hiding the time and distance metrics that once dominated his attention. While Adam admits to having fancy indoor training equipment that rarely sees use, both hosts recognize the value of winter preparation as they gear up for their most ambitious challenge yet.

July will find our Cycling Men of Leisure tackling the RAIN Ride—an epic 165-mile single-day journey across Indiana from Terre Haute to Richmond. With a 14-hour window to complete the course, they'll be pushing their endurance limits while staying true to their leisure philosophy. "I'm not trying to break any land speed records," Michael explains. "I just want to get those 165 miles under my belt."

The cycling economy makes a significant appearance as the hosts discuss how recent tariff increases are already impacting major brands like Trek, Specialized, and Electra. Both admit to accelerating some gear purchases to beat the price hikes, from specialized lights that mount with cycling computers to essential maintenance supplies. The practical realities of cycling extend to travel logistics as they share hard-earned wisdom about transporting bikes through airports without losing vehicles to tow trucks.

The episode's true highlight comes thr

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The unique balance of practical cycling wisdom and lighthearted camaraderie takes center stage as Adam and Michael reunite to share their latest adventures. After catching up on life updates, they dive into preparations for their upcoming summer cycling challenge featuring nearly 20,000 feet of climbing. With characteristic humor, they laugh about the recurring question they face: "Have you been training?" – always asked with a knowing smirk.

The conversation takes a fascinating detour as Michael recounts his recent Comic-Con experience. His vivid descriptions of elaborate Star Wars cosplayers, complete with movie-quality costumes and props, reveals an appreciation for passionate communities that mirrors the cycling world. This entertaining cultural aside provides a refreshing perspective on how different hobby groups express their enthusiasm.

A highlight of this episode is the introduction of the Cycling Men of Leisure playlist project. Adam and Michael share their initial contributions including Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime," Panic at the Disco's "High Hopes," Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer," and AC/DC's "Thunderstruck." They invite listeners to contribute songs that enhance their own cycling experiences – whether for motivation during rides or relaxation afterward – creating a collaborative community project.

Beyond the enterta

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Shane Cusick takes us on a fascinating journey through the transforming landscape of cycling, drawing from his rich experiences as both the former tour director of Bike Virginia and founder of Pello Bikes, a children's bicycle company focused on quality and performance.

The cycling world stands at a crossroads. Traditional multi-day cycling tours that once drew thousands of participants are now struggling to survive. Shane reveals how Bike Virginia, which previously attracted 2,000 cyclists annually, saw attendance plummet to just 450 riders in its most recent edition. This trend extends beyond Virginia's borders, with established events like Cycle Oregon, Bike Florida, and Ride the Rockies all facing existential challenges. The causes? A perfect storm of demographic shifts as Baby Boomers age out of longer tours, younger generations preferring different riding styles, growing safety concerns about road cycling, and the lasting impact of the pandemic.

Behind the scenes, tour management presents incredible logistical challenges. Shane shares colorful stories of 18-hour workdays, last-minute venue cancellations, and the constant juggling act required to move thousands of cyclists safely through Virginia's communities. His description of the adrenaline-fueled six-day tours provides a window into why these events create such powerful memories for

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