Groadio - The Premier Gravel Cycling & Racing Podcast

Amanda chats with The Mid South champ Cobe Freeburn about his budding racing career and how he got his start. Follow Cobe at @cobe.free. Groadio is sponsored by Hammerhead. Visit hammerhead.io. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at cxhairs.com. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com.

Amanda and Bill are back in the studio to chat about last weekend's Valley of Tears and the upcoming Mid South.  Groadio is sponsored by Hammerhead. Visit hammerhead.io. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at cxhairs.com. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com.

Amanda chats with Mammoth Tuff winner Caleb Bottcher about finding success on gravel, the Kiwi invasion, making it as a privateer, and balancing a job outside of cycling while racing a full calendar. Groadio is sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO. You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at cxhairs.com. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.    

Amanda and Bill recap the core4 and Lauf Gravel Worlds events and share interviews from the weekend. Use code GROADIO10 for 10% off at www.exposurelights.com for your Exposure Lights set-up as the days begin to get shorter.  Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at cxhairs.com. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.  

Amanda chats with Dave Sheek and filmmaker Hank DeArruda-Weaver about her FKT attempt on the 300-mile Mega Mid South route and the film for Niner Bikes that chronicles the experience. Check out the video on the Niner YouTube page at https://youtu.be/8TA70D9tkyI?si=KkUrNWgEszWvAGyG. Follow Hank at @hankweaves. Use code GROADIO15 for 15% off at www.exposurelights.com for your Exposure Lights set-up as the days begin to get shorter.  Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.        

Amanda chats with Alex Charles about her third place finish at Unbound Gravel 100, the U23 Lifetime Grand Prix series and racing bikes full time.  You can follow Alex on Instagram at @alexcharles_6. Groadio is sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.    

Amanda chats with Hayden Christian about his roots in motocross, living in a van, racing mountainbikes, winning the Unbound Gravel 100, and pursuing the Lifetime Grand Prix U23 series. You can follow Hayden on Instagram at @hayden.christian.599. Groadio is sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.    

Amanda chats with the voice behind the Holy Spirit of Gravel instagram account about racing the Unbound Gravel 100 mile race, becoming a fan of gravel racing and creating the go-to meme page for the discipline. Follow the Holy Spirit of Gravel on Instagram at @holyspiritofgravel and on YouTube. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.    

Amanda chats with Siena Hermon about how she got into cycling and gravel racing goals and expectations. Follow Siena at @sienahermon and www.sienacycles.com. buycycle is the platform for pre-owned bikes AND bike parts & accessories now. Visit https://buycycle.com/groadiopodcast to start listing your gear for free and check out our own garage of gear while you're there. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.    

Amanda and Bill go deep on the 2025 Unbound Gravel 200-mile races. We also hear from Cam Jones, Cam's dad, Matt Wilson, Lauren De Crescenzo, and Bobby Wintle. Use code GROADIO15 for 15% off at www.exposurelights.com for your new Exposure Lights set-up in time for Unbound and other summer adventures. buycycle is the platform for pre-owned bikes AND bike parts & accessories now. Visit https://buycycle.com/groadiopodcast to start listing your gear for free and check out our own garage of gear while you're there. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.  

Amanda and Bill preview the Unbound Gravel course and discuss the factors that may affect this year's 200 mile race before unveiling Groadio's "Who is Going to Crush Unbound" rider rankings. Use code GROADIO15 for 15% off at www.exposurelights.com for your new Exposure Lights set-up in time for Unbound and other summer adventures. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when they list their bikes on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.    

Dan Hughes, four-time Unbound 200 winner and Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame inductee, joins Amanda to chat about the early days of gravel, winning Unbound and proving it wasn't a fluke. Dan also talks about selling his bike shop and becoming a full-time photographer and content producer for Lifetime. Follow Dan on Instagram at @dhughes101. Use code GROADIO15 for 15% off at www.exposurelights.com for your new Exposure Lights set-up in time for Unbound and other summer adventures. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when they list their bikes on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.  

Matt Wilson and Cam Jones chat with Amanda about leaving New Zealand to race bikes in North America, embracing the gravel scene, and chasing Lifetime Grand Prix wildcard spots. This episode was recorded before Matt and Cam raced Whiskey Off Road. Follow Cam on Instagram at @camjonesnz. Follow Matt on Instagram at @matthew.mtb. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when they list their bikes on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.  

Amanda and Bill chat about everything that happened at the Sea Otter Classic gravel race, round one of the Lifetime Grand Prix series. The episode also includes finish line interviews with Haley Batten, Tom Dumoulin, Stella Hobbs, Mason Mohn, Jade Rohde and Drew Dillman. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when they list their bikes on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.      

Wayne Smith aka Big Tall Wayne chats with Amanda about his lifelong love of bikes and the cycling community, working as a professional race mechanic, and his partnership with Pete Stetina. You can follow Wayne on Instagram at @bigtallwayne. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when they list their bikes on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.          

Russell Finsterwald joins Amanda and Bill to chat about setting aside a successful cross-country mountain bike career to become a pro gravel racer, his switch from the Specialized program to Trek Driftless, successfully figuring out how to race his bike and be financially secure, and his friendship/rivalry with Keegan Swenson. You can follow Russell on Instagram at @Finsty. Follow the Bikeflights Vlog on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@finsty9. The Pikes Peak APEX gravel race in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a brand new gravel race with two distances to choose from. It will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025. For more information, visit www.pikespeakapex.com.  Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when they list their bikes on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @CXHAIRS.  Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.         

Amanda and Bill recap the second annual Valley of Tears gravel race that took place in Turkey, Texas, this past weekend. They also preview The Mid South. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, first time sellers can save 30% on the seller protection fee when you list your bike on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @cxhairs  on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Twitter at @groadio and also on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.       

Emily Newsom joins Amanda to chat about finding the bike through running and piano playing, her transition from road to gravel, and why the Life Time Grand Prix needs a transparent selection criteria. Follow Emily on Instagram at @emilyjoynewsom. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, you can save 30% on the seller protection fee when you list your bike on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @cxhairs  on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Twitter at @groadio and also on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.         

Amanda chats with Lelan Dains about riding in Emporia and his history with Unbound, the induction into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, and his long history of promoting community in cycling and beyond. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, you can save 30% on the seller protection fee when you list your bike on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @cxhairs  on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Twitter at @groadio and also on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.       

Ruth Holcomb joins Amanda for a conversation about Ruth joining the HT.SQD, finishing first at Rock Cobbler, growing up racing mountain bikes before dabbling in road and track racing, and her first foray into the gravel scene. Follow Ruth on Instagram at @woofholcomb. Visit buycycle.com/groadio to start listing your items. For a limited time only, you can save 30% on the seller protection fee when you list your bike on buycycle. Groadio is also sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GROADIO at checkout to get yours today. This is exclusive for our listeners, so don't forget to use promo code GROADIO! You'll get a free Heart-Rate Monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and use promo code GROADIO. You can follow Amanda on Twitter at @_amanda_panda_ and on Instagram at @amanda_panda_. Follow Bill at @cxhairs  on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the CXHAIRS Bulletin at cxhairs.substack.com. Follow the show on Twitter at @groadio and also on Instagram at @groadio. Email the show at groadio@gmail.com. Groadio is part of the Wide Angle Podium network. Please consider becoming a member. Go to www.wideanglepodium.com/donate to learn more and contribute. If you join and support Groadio, screenshot your receipt and send it to groadio@gmail.com for a free pair of socks.