On this episode of New England Dirt, I’m joined by Seth Page and Stuart Horner of Gigantic Hawk Racing, 2 of the 4 event organizers responsible for bringing Single Speed New England to life. I’m also joined by Taylor Clark and Paul Martin, members of the Clark Brothers’ Racing team who came out in force for the first annual New England Single Speed event.

This episode is recorded live at the event, so I apologize in advance for any inconsistencies in the audio, as well as the background noises from other attendees and weather.

Overall this event was a freaking blast. Great times with some truly fun people. There was a ton of local community support that made this event happen, especially from Hub North and Big Day Brewing.

In this episode I’m joined by Noelle Battle, Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, advancing, and diversifying the bikepacking community, the access to lands for bikepacking, and conservation of the places we ride.

I was just recently named one of the board members of Bikepacking Roots, and I wanted to take some time to bring more attention to this amazing organization. We are in the middle of our summer fundraising campaign and in order to help increase awareness of this effort and ask for your support, I thought it was only right to invite Noelle on to talk with me.

Noelle and I discuss her background a bit to learn more about why she rides and how she got involved in bikepacking. How that led to her becoming the Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots. We also learn more about the organization, how it was founded and why, plus what the mission of the organization is all about. We also talk about the fundraiser, what it supports, and how you can win some really cool prizes.

Over the years I’ve learned that even some of your closest friends have some of the greatest stories to tell and lessons to teach. I’ve had the pleasure of recording many episodes with various friends since I launched this pod back in 2018. But in this episode, you’ll hear from one of my best friends, Pat Engleman, who is a lifelong cyclist, event and race organizer, NICA Coach, and all around good dude. Simply put, Pat is as dedicated to getting more people on bikes as anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, riding with, or getting to know. The fact that I get to call him a dear friend is something I’m honored to do.

In this episode of New England Dirt, I’m joined by Brian Gilman and Eric Corum, local riders who, along with their partners Seth Page and Stuart Horner of Gigantic Hawk Racing have teamed up to create Single Speed New England. A single speed race, ride, and party that will bring together a fun loving community of riders late June in Gorham NH (exact dates are Friday the 28th through Sunday the 30th).

Continuing with my new Why We Ride series, Brian, Eric, and I discuss the ins and outs of single speed mountain biking, why they both choose to commit to a single gear, and how this community of riders are truly a welcoming, albeit rambunctious, group of down to earth cyclists.

New England Dirt is back for another season with a new series, "Why We Ride" which focuses on the reason behind the ride for MTB Ben, his friends, and those who inspire him.

MTB Ben gives a very personal look into his past few months, beaten down by depression and self-doubt he struggled to not only find inspiration to record new episodes for NE Dirt, but to also just go out and ride.