Pinkbike Podcast Episode 55 - Big Dumb Rides & Staying Motivated

Apr 2, 2021
by Mike Kazimer  
Pinkbike Podcast
Art by Taj Mihelich

Everyone has different motivations for getting out on a ride. Some riders use spreadsheets and cycling computers to chase goals, whether that's a certain number of vertical feet each ride, or a larger, season-long target. Other are happy leaving the screens behind, motivated instead by progression. Trying a new move, working on those cornering and manual skills - sometimes mixing it up is all it takes to regain any motivation that may have waned.

Many of us here at Pinkbike have an affinity for big dumb rides, but Henry Quinney, a recent addition to the tech team, might take the crown for doing the biggest and dumbest rides out of everyone. He joins in on this episode along with Christina Chappetta, Sarah Moore, and myself, for a broad conversation that covers everything from falling asleep on the bike to the benefits of trying out flat pedals. Enjoy!





THE PINKBIKE PODCAST // EPISODE 55 - BIG DUMB RIDES & STAYING MOTIVATED
April 2nd, 2021

Are you going to try and crack one million vert this year? Or would being able to wheelie for more than a few feet be just as satisfying?


Featuring a rotating cast of the editorial team and other guests, the Pinkbike podcast is a weekly update on all the latest stories from around the world of mountain biking, as well as some frank discussion about tech, racing, and everything in between.





Previous Pinkbike Podcasts
Episode 1 - Why Are Bikes So Expensive?
Episode 2 - Where the Hell is the Grim Donut?
Episode 3 - Pond Beaver Tech
Episode 4 - Why is Every Bike a Trail Bike?
Episode 5 - Can You Trust Bike Reviews?
Episode 6 - Over Biked Or Under Biked?
Episode 7 - Wild Project Bikes
Episode 8 - Do We Need an Even Larger Wheel Size?
Episode 9 - Why Are We Doing a Cross-Country Field Test?
Episode 10 - Getting Nerdy About Bike Setup
Episode 11 - Are We Going Racing This Year?
Episode 12 - What's the Future of Bike Shops?
Episode 13 - Are Bikes Too Regular Now?
Episode 14 - What Bikes Would Pinkbike Editors Buy?
Episode 15 - What's Holding Mountain Biking Back?
Episode 16 - Who's Your Mountain Biking Hero?
Episode 17 - XC Field Test Insider
Episode 18 - Electronics on your Mountain Bike: Good or Bad?
Episode 19 - The Hardtail Episode
Episode 20 - MTB Conspiracy Theories
Episode 21 - Stuff We Were Wrong About
Episode 22 - Does Your Riding Style Match Your Personality?
Episode 23 - Grim Donut 2 is Live!
Episode 24 - Why Even Buy a DH Bike?
Episode 25 - Fall Field Test Preview
Episode 26 - The Three Most Important Mountain Bikes
Episode 27 - The World Champs Special
Episode 28 - All About Women's Bikes
Episode 29 - Freeride or Die
Episode 30 - Would You Rather?
Episode 31 - Wet Weather Riding Tips & Tricks
Episode 32 - What Needs to Change in the Bike Industry?
Episode 33 - Behind the Scenes at Pinkbike Academy
Episode 34 - Grilling Levy About Field Test Trail Bikes (and His Bonspiel)
Episode 35 - Story Time - Stranger Than Fiction
Episode 36 - Grilling Kazimer about Field Test Enduro Bikes
Episode 37 - The 2020 Privateer Season with Ben Cathro
Episode 38 - Editors Defend Their 2020 Best-Of Picks
Episode 39 - Predicting the Future of Mountain Biking
Episode 40 - The Pinkbike Awards!
Episode 41 - Racing Rumours and Team Changes
Episode 42 - Mountain Biking's Guilty Pleasures
Episode 43 - Dangerholm's Wildest Custom Mountain Bikes
Episode 44 - Mountain Bike Suspension Decoded
Episode 45 - What Makes a Good Riding Buddy
Episode 46 - The RockShox Zeb vs Fox 38 Deep Dive
Episode 47 - High Pivot Bikes: The Good, The Bad, and The Why?
Episode 48 - Rides That Went Horribly Wrong... & Why That Made Them So Good
Episode 49 - What's the Best DH Bike?
Episode 50 - Are Bikes Actually Getting Less Expensive? (Value Bike Field Test Preview)
Episode 51 - Should MTB Media Post Spy Shots?
Episode 52 - Our Most Embarrassing MTB Moments
Episode 53 - Should Climbers Still Have the Right of Way?
Episode 54 - Best and Worst MTB Product Marketing

Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,721 articles

37 Comments
  • 7 0
 Everesting or 1,000,000 vert in a year? How about climb equivalent of Everest in a year?

Per Strava, in 2020, I climbed 6,667ft. My one ride I purposely targeted 1,000ft I got 978ft. Fortunately that was only the 12 rides I recorded but I do wonder if I even climbed 30,000ft in the year. Not only did 2020 suck, I sucked in 2020.

No where to go but up,
  • 1 19
flag HB208 (Apr 2, 2021 at 7:28) (Below Threshold)
 I'm on your back. Three days of riding this year (trails just started opening in my area) and I have nearly beat your 2020 climbing.
  • 3 0
 Dude I can so relate to this. 2020 was a dump for me and I’ve already ridden more this year than last. I was basically in a terrible funk from May-October and barely rode. Good luck this year!
  • 1 0
 @extratalldirtrider: Yeah. I thought no commute was going to mean more riding time but then I wasn't getting in shape from my commute and I got injured two minutes into my first ride of the season on my new bike.

I slipped on some roots - my bike flew into the woods and I landed shin first on a chunk of concrete that is used as a lip - I finished the ride but couldn't walk for about two weeks after. That pretty much defined my year. Punctuated with a bonkfest in February that I arrogantly brought my single speed to after a month off the bike.
  • 2 0
 All we ever hear about is people ‘Everesting’


Tell me more about people Mariana Trenching
  • 8 1
 Someone should buy the new guy a mic! Sounded like he was using the built in mic on a 12 year old laptop while in the bathroom
  • 4 0
 @mikekazimer once I’m done listening to you guys it’s RATM time. Still waiting for the music episode. Super interesting remark by Henry about the using that famous image for motivation. Will have to think about that a bit as I try to stay motivated at work today.
  • 5 0
 Henry's weird. I like him.
  • 4 0
 When is new Value Bike Field Test going to drop?!?! Really looking forward to it!
  • 14 0
 Soon... the final video edits are currently underway.
  • 2 0
 It will be really neat since instead of reviewing bikes so we can make informed purchases now, we will be seeing bikes from the future that don’t exist currently
  • 4 1
 @mikekazimer: Pinkbike's soon vary so much. Grim donut's part 2 "soon" was like 6 months....
  • 1 0
 @brandaneisma: terrible point, but I guess you're right
  • 1 0
 I've been skating park lately. Its been keeping body awareness high, its different exercise, and it makes me appreciate the speed I can hit on a bike. I didn't start skating again to help my riding, but I feel like it has. It also lets me set separate athletic goals that make my MTB goals seem less dire.
  • 5 0
 Loved Henry on GMBN and i'm glad he's on the PB team now!
  • 1 0
 For the people asking about regen on an e bike, this one does exactly that: hummingbirdbike.com/products/electric also the comment about it being heavy; generally this isnt the case. you already have a motor on and e-bike and that can be used as a generator. the fact that you are regenerating means that you can have a smaller battery. The thing that wants developing is to have this system regen from your front wheel and interact with your brakes, rather than being a drag brake that slows you when you stop pedaling
  • 1 0
 If you got to choose a frame/bike company and a secondary component company (drive train, wheels, suspension, water bottle cage, etc.) to be sponsored by, which two would they be?
  • 6 1
 We want @mikelevy back!
  • 2 0
 Yeah... I haven't seen a Levy blog in a while too...
  • 2 0
 Another episode without Levy and the description now references a rotating cast instead if mentioning him.....
  • 3 0
 Henry definitely needs a better mic
  • 10 0
 Yep, he sure does. We're working on getting him one so it won't sound like he's broadcasting from underwater anymore.
  • 2 1
 What do you mean? The can in a string (filled with pennies) that he's using now is great!
  • 4 0
 Poor fellow sounds like he's in a drain pipe.
  • 2 0
 Hey Christina what do you mean when you say stomp the landing?? Like hitting the sweet spot?
  • 3 0
 Happy Anniversary!
  • 2 0
 Best motivation.......Build New Trails!!!
  • 1 0
 I like big dumb rides. Haven't done any this year due to a car accident, need to fix that soon.
  • 2 0
 turn down the gain on your mic!
  • 1 0
 WHAAT??
  • 2 0
 The giggles go down when Levy is not around
  • 1 0
 Just got around to listening to this. @mikekazimer well said mate. Huge props for not mincing words.
  • 2 0
 Thanks, @DirkMcClerkin.
  • 2 0
 When is Levy Back?
  • 1 0
 Five episodes later, still no Budget Bike shoot out.
  • 1 0
 Anybody else think CC sounds like Mila Kunis? Are they sisters?
  • 1 0
 I want to see Kaz and Henry Everest the pump track with no chain!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.043101
Mobile Version of Website