Well, it's time for Road Adventures with Cycling Men of Leisure, the podcast for cyclists who understand that riding is not just about getting to the destination, but the experience along the way. Now here are the original Cycling men of Leisure. Adam and Michael. Hey, how you doing? I am doing well. How about yourself, Adam?

Doing good. Just got back from vacation. Happy to be home. It's always good to go on vacation, but you know what? Sometimes it's. Perfectly fine to get home as well. So, uh, we went to the Fun and Sun Florida, got to golf and went to see, uh, Mickey and Minnie and they're doing good. Um, they're good. Good. Glad to hear it.

Well, listen, they sure know how to pick you up and shake you and take every penny from you. So , Scrooge McDuck is right there to pick up the change. Huh? You can picture him swimming in his pool right now. I'm sure. So, No, I, I just, uh, wanted to get together with you. I thought we could have a little bonus holiday show.

We've, uh, picked up some listeners on our, on our podcast, and I felt that we had some people out there who were listening and we, we could, we could, uh, We could throw something together for the holidays, so, oh, absolutely. I think we should, uh, consider me. We weren't planning on starting this until the 1st of January and then things just kind of went out like they did.

And, you know, we've done, uh, this will be our third episode, uh, this year. So this is cool. Yeah, no, for sure. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Happy, happy holidays. Everything. Yes. Happy everything. So, um, Which is funny because we have one of the, uh, the. Doorbells that you can change the ringtone and they only allow at certain times of the year.

And so my wife asked me tonight, have you changed the doorbell? And I said, no. And I looked and they, they now give you a very ample list of, of, uh, of different holiday themes that you may want to hear. So, uh, we chose Christmas. I mean, that's just us, but . . So you know, for everybody, you know, other people.

Then there's gonna be like Hanukkah songs. Yes. Maybe Hanukkah was, Hanukkah, was there Juana, things like that. Kwanza was there. Okay. That's absolutely correct. I think you should shake it up just to, I think, you know, uh, you know, I shouldn't, I, um, le maybe like, I'll switch it up when she has no idea. So when she's like, Hey, here , because her niece and nephew are coming here.

Kids push this. They're like, there you go. What is that? So  happy Hanukkah. Hopefully, uh, the family is doing well. Um, yes, family's doing. And then, uh, uh, are they out for the spring? Uh, spring break. Excuse me, sorry. But Christmas break soon. Christmas break. Yeah. I think just here in a couple days they'll be out looking forward to it.

So. Nice. That'll be great to spend some time with them. So, um, I thought what we could do, I mean if you're okay with it, is kind of just kind of give a rundown of. What our, uh, events were in 2022 and what we did, what's on the horizon, and if anyone's interested in joining CYC Men of Leisure at any of these events, we could kind of just name off some events that we'll be at and, uh, didn't know how you felt about that.

You know, I think that's a great idea. Uh, 2022 was a huge year for us. It sure was. We were busy this year. I mean, we, we were on the. We were on, on bicycles and otherwise we were in the air. I mean, we, we had a very, uh, fun-filled and eventful year. So I think it'd be nice cuz I quite honestly don't remember everything that we've, we've done this year.

So I think, uh, let's do a little recap of, of what did Cycling Min of Leisure do in 2022? Where were we at? What would we do? Well, I've got good news. Um, while you did the research for the last show of, um, I did some research for this show, um, we started in Des Moines, Iowa at the Route Announcement Party for Rag Bri.

Um, yes. And if you don't know what Rag Bri is, that is Register's annual grape bike right across Iowa. They're gonna celebrate their 50th year this year. Um, and a little spoiler alert, we will be there. But, um, yes, so we went to the route announcement party, which was, uh, very interesting and the bike expo, um, to be able to see all of the different vendors.

And, um, we had already chosen our vendor, but there was lots of vendors and people selling recumbent bikes and. Uh, different things. So that was, that was really interesting. Um, and then the, uh, lovely Mrs. V i p, um, ever, she's listening to this, the beautiful, intelligent, smart, um, wonderful Mrs. Uh, v i p. Your Mrs.

V i p bought a plane ticket for you to fly out to the great state of Michigan. Um, and when she did, we went to Three Oaks, Michigan.  to the Journeyman Distillery. Uh, um, uh, which was, I, I was actually, um, I have lived in Michigan since 1997 and, uh, I had never been to Three Oaks, which, uh, little, little history, they filmed the movie.

I think PR are there or something. Uh, Christmas movie. Um, and. I, I really enjoyed the distillery. I just thought that was a really neat trip that we went on. Yeah, it was, uh, it was interesting. It was in the other side of the state, so it was a couple hour drive, but, um, it was a very interesting tour. We had a good time.

Uh, we had a good meal and I'm typically, they, they had a lot in their. After their tour, they had a lot of tastings. I mean, just a lot on their tasting thing. It was almost overwhelming, but, um, not a, not typically a huge Rye fan. But I did purchase a bottle of rye before I left because it was extremely good.

Oh yes, you got the not a king Rye. That's right. Um, and then the next day, um, We ended up at the Henry Ford Museum. Um, oh yes. Because there's not a lot to do in Michigan in the winter. So we decided, what can we do? Or it's warm and, and spacious and, uh, um, that was you, you gave me two choices. You said we could go ice fishing or we could go to a museum.

So immediately I'm thinking, I'm not gonna sit in front of a hole in ice, uh, waiting for a fish to come along. So, uh, the museum. Was awesome. I mean, me being a history buff, I was blown away at just the variety of items that they had. All the presidential cars from a number of different presidents. I mean, it was incredible.

The one thing that stuck out in my mind that I love the best, I think they had a mockup of like an original Holiday Inn motel room. Yes. Yeah. And the old sign, you know. Yep. Um, that was, that was really, . No, that was really neat. I, you know, I've been there many times living here and different family and friends coming in the town.

We've, we've been there, but, you know, we, we took a lot of time that day. Um, and it's so overwhelming. There's so much to see at the Henry Ford Museum that it almost takes a couple trips to, to indulge it all. Um, but yeah, that was really neat to see. The block, you know, cement block and, and cder room. Cinder block.

Walls. Walls. Cinder block. Yeah. Yep. Um, the old, uh, tin ashtrays and Oh yeah. That was just classic. Loved it. You can, the shag carpet. . So , uh, all I could think about when we saw that was planes, trains, and automobiles, so . Um, but that was a, that was a great trip. I mean, it was good to get together. And, um, and then in April, I flew, To the great state of Missouri, um, went to visit your family and, and, um, in Kansas, and we actually went to the holiday distillery and did the tour.

Oh, yes, yes. Now interestingly enough, when we were there, um, they did not actually sell the bourbon. So we did get to taste it. We got to go to the tour and, and anyone doesn't know holiday, uh, Uh, uh, uh, distilling spirits for some time and they're now re uh, distilling. Um, but they had just had coming of age, some of the barrels that had been, you know, aging for a long time and available for us to taste, but there wasn't a lot for us to actually, uh, nothing to purchase.

Right. And so I, I was kind of like, Hey, this is kind of weird, you know, I've never been to a distillery where I couldn't purchase what I'm, what we're here to look at. It's like being at Jack Daniels actually. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. So, um, we'll get to that in a little bit, but, um, So that was, that was kind of our trip in, in, in April where we were kind of just planning.

We did a lot of planning for, for, for Bragg, big Bragg at that time. Uh, we kind of decided at that time we were gonna drive, we were gonna fly. Um, and then we ended up buying plane tickets when I was, uh, visiting you in April and we decided to fly. And so, um, that was interesting whole. Whole different experience.

Absolutely. I mean, um, You know, packing up and we'll get to that in another episode. But packing up the bike was, was interesting and, and putting together the bike , putting together . Thankfully the lady was very nice to us at the, at the, uh, Bonvoy Hotel, Marie Hotel that we. That we lived and it turned our room into a mechanic shop.

So it was fun. We sure, we sure did. So that was a great trip cuz you and I, Mel met in Atlanta, uh, and flew into Brunswick. But before that we stopped at the Delta Sky Club as any two respectable men of Leisure should. Absolutely. And, uh, we got, uh, Let's just say, uh, coffee. Bourbons to go. Coffee to go. It was coffee.

Coffee. It was coffee, that's right. As far as we know, except for that other guy sitting in first class . Um, but then, then we ended up, um, doing the big brag, which was just a really, really, really neat ride. I, uh, didn't know what to expect. I, I only hate to admit this, but I'd only been to Georgia before in the Atlanta airport, um, that I know of.

I don't remember being there before, but, um, but it was really interesting because for me, Big Bragg had a a one night layover. And you and I have was weird. It was, I mean, you and I have done so many rides where there's no such thing as a layover. And I, and I shouldn't say that is weird. It was different from what we were used to.

And I remember when we first looked at it and we signed up, we were like, there's this layover. What's this layover about? And we didn't quite understand it. And uh, I wouldn't say it's bad. I would just say it was different from what we were used to. And I mean, we actually, I. We had a good time on that layover.

So I, I, I kind of, uh, did kind of, uh, throw a little bit of, uh, d. Atmosphere into the ride by having that layover? Oh yeah. No, no, for sure. I mean, I, nothing negative by any means. I mean, once we had the layover, you and I decided, you know, do we, do we, uh, we had paid for indoor camping for this, for this trip.

Um, do we go with what they offered? And you and I decided to pull a Hail Mary and we, we got a hotel in town, which was, you know, nice to have a regular bed and a shower and, um, not sharing with 500 other. Of our favorite friends, but, um,  and, and you did us right by, you rented a car, you rented a very nice Audi and, and we decided to head out to a distillery.

Um, shocker. But  , big surprise. Well, we weren't gonna bike there, that's for sure. No, no. Swamp Fox was, uh, swamp Fox Distillery in, uh, Buena Vista. Buena Vista, yeah. Buena Vista, Georgia. And it was quite a ways away, but, um, it was very interesting. It was, um, now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it was, it was in a. On the border of a dry county, but the city I, yeah, there was something about it that the county was dry.

Yeah. The city was wet. Yes. The interesting thing about Swamp Fox is apparently it sets right across the street. I won't say apparently I was there. It does set right across the street from the courthouse. So the courthouse being county property was dry. Right across the street at the distillery was wet.

So I mean, we could have, you know, broke the law, grabbed a bottle, went across the street, and you know, drunk up on the courthouse. Yeah. Except, uh, we didn't, no, we, we had to, we had to wash clothes later that day, so we didn't wanna spend time in jail. . Yeah, we, we did, we ended up at a laundromat and, uh, we had a first class meal of Burger King, I think is what we decided on.

Mm-hmm. . So, um, . But, um, you know, interesting on the, on the big brag, we met some wonderful people and people who we, we, uh, hold near and dear to our hearts. And, um, I'm really looking forward to seeing those, uh, those I say guys, I shouldn't say guys, all of them, men and women that we met. Um, but, uh, wonderful people.

Uh, but you know, there is one thing, well, the other thing I have to say about that is we did wind up and see many of those people. At a later event. So that was kinda cool too. That was cool. But also on from that big brag trip that we, we kind of have a special moment. And, and, uh, on June 9th , um, on June 9th, uh, they had a party at a country club, a golf course, and we're like, Hey, let's go see if this is all about.

And so we, uh, packed up some cigars and we're, we're known to travel with our own bourbon and we ended up, um, There was a band playing on the back of, we Travel with us on Bourbon. Well, we have been known to share some of that as well. So we do, we sh we share. And so , we, I just know that this picture I, I would like to remind you about is you and I took a picture on the golf course.

We were at a picnic table and on this picnic table. Is spread out of the Milwaukee pack out box that holds a, a bottle of bourbon that we carry with us. Mm-hmm.  And it had our cigar cutter and, and all of our cigar smoking paraphernalia. And you and I are, are enjoying some cigars. And at that moment some people walked by and said, oh yes, you guys are living it.

You're living it up, aren't you? And that's kind of where, uh, a little bit of all of this kind of came, started to come more and more together. So just wanted to let you know that. Hey, I, I remember that. That's kind of, that was our first time where we had, we, we've, we've drank bourbon and we've smoked cigars after rides before, but it's always been back at our campsite.

Yeah. But we kind of took it on the road and those people were going back and they're like, oh, you guys are living the life. You guys are real, you know, uh, real gentleman, aren't you? And, and that is kind of the. Um, the actual, I will say, formation of cycling, men of leisure. Yeah. I, I would definitely agree.

And, um, and some of, I remember even the guys, you guys gonna ride your bikes tomorrow? And we're like, well, yeah, and we're gonna do this again tomorrow night. So, . But, uh, yeah, I just wanted to remind you of that. That was, uh, oh yeah, that was good. I, I won't lie, I had to go back to my iPhone and, and cheat to find out the date and time and, and location, but, um, It was June the ninth.

So, um, and then from there, um, we kind of started planting the seed because we had heard about the bourbon country burn. And, um, once we planted the seed, um, we then talked about it again. Uh, once we got, uh, back to. Rag Bri 2022. And so that's we Nice. We met, um, in DeSoto, Wisconsin and stayed there overnight, um, just across the river in Lansing.

And then we took the bus and, uh, headed to Sergeant Bluff. And so we, Sergeant Bluff to Lansing. And I can't say enough about, uh, rag Bright. I mean, we met some wonderful people and uh, it's always a great time and I'm, look, I'm highly looking forward to this year, so Oh yeah, it was gonna be a be a good.

Extravaganza blowout it almost feels like. But um, so, uh, obviously Rag Bri was a wonderful time and it always is. Um, and then after that you and I saw each other, uh, you flew in, um, to Detroit and I picked you up. And we then headed out the next morning to Lansing, Michigan, uh, where we.  to Mackinac City with Doac The Dick, Allen Lansing, the Mackinac Ride.

So going to Lansing again. We're going to Lansing twice. Woo, . Um, but man, you know what I think about that ride? I mean, it was not only, it was beautiful. I mean, once we got to like Petoskey and, and you know, torch Lake area and, and heading up the coast, I mean, that was beautiful, but. Ooh, it was cold. I mean, we, we had our jackets on and

Yeah, it was, it was a little chillier than what, uh, we normally ride in. I mean, normally we're riding in, you know, July and that type of thing. So it was a little later, it was a little further north. So, uh, we kind of had to gear up a little more than usual. But, um, beautiful ride, especially the last couple days along the lake.

Can't be beat. No, that was, that was definitely great. And the great thing about that is we had, uh, the gentleman who designed the Cycling Men of Leisure logo, uh, he was writing with us and he's a, a wonderful, talented artist. Um, and his name is Brian, and we thank him. Um, we kind of told him mm-hmm.  our plans, what we were thinking, what we were doing.

Um, and he. Guys, would you give me a, give me a whack at coming up with something? Um, I would, I would love to develop a logo for you guys, and we're like, yeah, sure. You know, I mean, absolutely. We had these ideas and, and I just love, by the way, what he came up with. So, um, every now and then Facebook gives me a hard time because they think I'm pushing alcohol and then they reject something that I'm posting and then I have to re, re, re repost it because I like the, the whiskey glass of the fire.

It just kind of really screams what you and I believe in. Oh. But every now and then, you know, the, uh, Zuckerberg, we're not, we're not selling whiskey or bourbon or anything. Facebook. So relax. Exactly. The Zuckerberg meta universe sometimes gives me a hard time, but, um, We, you know, if it is to be, it is up to me.

So we'll prevail. Prevail. That's right. Make it happen. So, uh, it was at that time that you and I then started, um, really coming up with the plans and securing, um, some websites and some securing some social media sites. And, um, and then of course, uh, you and I knew, but we were securing everything for this podcast and kind of coming up with some ideas and some plans.

Um, And, and all of that was coming together at the same time. We were packing for Bourbon Country Burn. Yes. Uh, where you and I got to see each other again. And before that, we threw in a Hail Mary to one of our favorite, um, uh, bourbon whiskeys, which is Woodford. And we decided to go to Woodford. We, we met, we met actually at the distillery.

We sure did. Before, uh, before the ride, before going out to the Kentucky Horse Park. Uh, we met at Woodford's. Uh, we didn't do the tour, but no, uh, we did go to the gift shop, um, and went to their tasting room and had an old fashioned and, uh, beautiful place. Loved it. No better way to, to see your, to see your good friend and, and start a wonderful new trip off with an old fashioned so, um, We were tempted to have some more, but we had a little bit of a drive  to get to the Kentucky Horse Park.

So we said, ah, we'll wait. But, uh, I'm sure everybody can imagine that we, uh, we don't travel lightly, so we, we had when we got there too, so, but, um, and Bourbon Country Burn for me was just a beautiful ride. We actually did a show about it, which can be heard a little bit later and, um, and. What a, what an interesting time.

And we, we did v i p, uh, tastings. Mm-hmm. . We, we got to see some of the most beautiful horse country and ride through it. The white picket fences, uh, those double fences and um, you know, piece of property where you drive down the road. We didn't drive, but we rode down the road and, and here you had double white picket fences and, uh, just absolutely beautiful.

The, um, rolling Hills. Beautiful. It was, it was fantastic. And the weather was, was, was, I mean, we wore our jackets one day there as well, but, uh, a little bit more to be expected, because that was in October, end of September, beginning of October. Um, but um, We were able to do some v i p tastings. We did some with, uh, Luxo.

We did some with Maker's Mark. Uh, Buffalo Trace. Buffalo Trace, where we were lucky enough to meet Freddy Johnson. Mm-hmm.  the Thne. If anyone doesn't know who Freddy Johnson is. Freddy's dad rolled off the 6000000th barrel, uh, a buffalo trace. Um, and you can actually see all that in a program called Neat, and you can usually catch it on Amazon.

Um, but Freddy is the gentleman who's in that program and he is now the ambassador for Buffalo Trace. He is Freddy Johnson iii. We did a v I P tasting where Phil talks whiskey was able to get him to come and pr and present, uh, uh, some tastings and some stories and his stories in. I don't. Incredible.

Absolutely. I don't care who you are, you're, you're tearing up by the time he's done and feeling like you should be just, um, sharing more and more with people and being a better human being. Um, and you and I were able to not only take a picture with him, but we actually got his autograph on some of his, uh, root beer.

Yes. Ironically enough, we got, you know, his signature not on a, uh, bottle of bourbon or anything, but on a, uh, bottle of root. And named. Named in his honor by. Named in his honor because of what he's doing, is trying to resurrect a cemetery and, and not just resurrect a cemetery, but give a, a proper burial to everybody in this cemetery, which grew a little bit beyond.

Um, he felt guilty by asking Buffalo Trace for a donation, and Buffalo Trace was like, you're our man. You're our ambassador. We were. Happy to help you. And so, uh, to do that, the root beer was made, uh, and, and I think a dollar of every six pack or something goes to his organization. So, um, And then at the end of that trip, you and I ended up at another distillery.

Wouldn't you know it? Um, castle and Key Castle and Key, uh, which was, which was really cool. I mean, it was the old, eh, Taylor, um, distillery and, and the history that that place could tell and, and, I mean, just, it was really neat just to be on the grounds. And of course, you and I were kind of like, all right, well this is the end of our, our journey, and both of us weren't really looking forward to getting back in a car for many hours.

Yeah. But, um, I'm really glad that we went there and, and, and, uh, saw that, I mean, and, and got to. Just the building itself. And for those that don't know, I would suggest you go and you look up Castle and Key Distillery or the, uh, old Taylor Distillery. Yeah. It, it literally looks like a, an old English castle.

Yeah. I mean, the building is just incredibly beautiful and, uh, the history of old Taylor is just, Phenomenal, um, what used to go on there. And it, I'm, I'm really glad another, uh, company came in and has taken it over and started actively distilling there again. That's just cool. I, I, I couldn't agree more. I mean, it's, it's a really, really cool, the history, um, you know, part of the.

Part of everything that Kentucky has to offer. And, um, part of the, some of the, the bourbon, you know, folklore and everything. I mean, it's just amazing. So not folklore, but just a history. Um, and then you and I got together in November, sir. Um, we did some podcasts recording, um, and we actually went to ER's Distillery and, uh, Kansas City, Missouri, in Kansas City, Missouri, and had what I learned at the time.

I didn't even realize it was legally a thing, but Kansas City style, Kansas City style whiskey, um, they had to go to court for it. Um, they actually got it proven that it is a different type of whiskey. And the reason why it is, is they mix it with sherry, a very, uh, very light, depending on some of the other.

There's not just Regers that does this, by the way. Um, but it is an official style of whiskey, which is Kansas City Whiskey, which was really aged in Sherry, in Sherry Barrel. Interesting. I mean, just the fact that they, they, they did that. Um, you and I have been at ERs many a times, but we actually recorded a show there, which can be heard at a later date, which is, uh, uh, I'm excited to release that one.

I'm, um, I don't know how people who record, uh, movies, um, I, I don't know how actors and actresses who record, um, movies, um, you know, two years ago, like, oh, this was filmed in 2020, but not released until 2022. I don't know how they sit on it. I mean, I'm, I can't wait for everyone to hear our, our Regers show.

That was just a, a really interesting time and a great, I think, great show that we recorded so, And we took the tour there too, so we had a lot of interesting information as well. Yeah. Yeah. But that, that was the first time that we had actually taken the tour. And then the next day we were lucky enough to go to Weston, Missouri.

Mm-hmm. . And we actually went back to the holiday distillery. But why did we go back? Well, we needed to get you a bottle of holiday bourbon. We did, we did. Because it's very difficult to go to a distillery, go through the process, not support the distillery, first of all. Um, and second of all, of course, I wanted it to add it to my, uh, ever-growing, uh, collection for consumption obsession.

Okay. Obsession collection. I mean, call, call it what you will. But, uh, I ha I needed to, to bring some back to the great state of Michigan. So, um, And it is now here right behind me. So I, I see it. I right there, , it's there. But um, ironically, They actually had a whi, I mean this was not planned, but they had a whiskey and cigar expo, um, tasting, whiskey tasting and cigar expo, uh, at the old, uh, tobacco, uh, I don't wanna say shop, but uh, was it a plant or, uh, I, I believe that was the, uh, the warehouse.

Yes. Because it was right next to the railroad tracks is where they used to bring the tobacco down and then loaded up on, uh, railroad cars back in the. , which was really neat. I mean, this was, um, unplanned. I mean, it's right up our alley. Uh, it had, um, all kinds of distilleries and, and whiskey and, um, different items that you could try.

It had, uh, a lot of the cigar manufacturers had the representatives there on site where you could purchase a cigar. Mm-hmm. . Um, and then they had the gentleman playing music, which was, he was extremely talented. . Um, and if it wasn't just him, if there was more than him, I'm not sure. I don't wanna misquote that, but the gentleman that we saw was definitely good.

So there was someone before him, I apologize. But, um, you and I had been down in the cigar shop and learning a little bit about some of the manufacturers. Um, and so by the time we got up, the gentleman that was playing for sure was, was good. It was definitely good event. It was at the time, it was, it was definitely interesting.

Um, a lot of guys, uh, we actually wore some cycling men of leisure, uh, swag on us and got a lot of questions from some of the people. What is it about? We were able to talk about what we're, and everybody was just super excited and said, when is the podcast come out And, mm-hmm. . We had said that we were kind of recording and we actually had a sound device with us that day and recorded some stuff.

So, um, that'll, that'll come out at a later time, but, And that's, uh, pretty much, uh, 2022. I mean, that's what I've got written down here. It was told you it was a busy year, real busy year. It was. I mean, it was a great year. I mean, uh, uh, couldn't have asked for a better, better time. I mean, especially to kick off what we are now doing here with the podcast.

And if you would ask me, uh, January 1st, 2022. Would I be doing a podcast in December of 2022? I would've said, I'm never gonna, I'm, I'm had no, podcasting was not in the, not in the realm, but, um, here we are. Yeah. And a lot of people who supported us to get here and we mm-hmm. , I appreciate each and every one of those if they're listening to this.

Um, but what I really wanted to do is, We've, we've got some traction, we've got some people interested in what is cycling and leisure all about and when we're gonna be somewhere and how could they join us? And, um, I would love to go with, uh, what we've got on the schedule for 2023 so far. Um, well, what do we have on the schedule for 2023?

Well gonna be just as busy as 2022, isn't it? It's gonna, it's gonna be pretty busy. It's gonna, Hey, don't tell my wife. Okay. I, I, I won't tell her. , I, uh, and, and, and Chastity, if you're listening to this, now is a good time to push pause. Thank you. Have a good day. You've listened to enough of it. We're good.

That's, that's right. That's right. Um, Here's what we got so far. In 2023, we have the Rag Barai 50th or Rag L Route announcement party, um, that we're gonna be going to, and of course, recording, uh, the podcast. And Des Moines and Des Moines, Iowa. Mm-hmm. . Um, , which, uh, a little side note there. I'm excited to announce that, uh, the director, ride director of Rag Roy has agreed to do an interview with us and we'll, we'll be, um, doing that a little bit after the first of the year and really excited to, to do that.

Cool. Um, and, Then what we're gonna do is we're gonna end up, uh, I'm sure we'll pull something off in between, but we will definitely be going to, what is Bragg's Spring tuneup. Um, that is the April 13th of the 16th. This is a interesting, um, concept, which we kinda like you and I kind of like this, almost like bourbon country burn where you set up.

You ride out and back, um, back to camp and, and then so you're only setting up your camp once. And we're doing that with some of the people that we've met at Bragg before, which, uh, I'm real excited to see our friends. That'll be fun. Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Um, and then, From there, we're gonna piggyback off that and we're actually gonna do the big brag, which, um, by the way, bike right across Georgia, bike, right across Georgia.

Again, they're gonna, uh, announce their route, uh, new Year's Day at like midnight or I, I never know if it's one o'clock Eastern or one o you know, 12 o'clock central, I'm not sure. But some midnight, it's east, it's eastern. If it's, if it whatever state it's in, they go off of that. It's really not. Oh, I'm always confused.

But Georgia's in Eastern, it'll be eastern time. Iowa is in central. It'll be central time. It, uh, nevermind, it's, it's not rocket science. Yeah, I know. But last year I stayed up till midnight waiting to watch the route announcement and, and I don't think it was exactly at midnight, so, uh, well, you were staying up because it was New Year's.

You wanted to celebrate the new. I think my wife worked and I was really just waiting for the route announcement, so , but I think this year she's got it off and there's a, there's a big Michigan football game that day, so I'll definitely be watching that. So by the way, yes sir. Let's make you feel jealous or anything.

But, uh, I believe the, uh, wife and I will be spending New Year's at ER's. Oh, I am jealous. But I'm happy. We'll, you take lots of pictures. We same. Yeah. I'll have an old fashion. I, I, I hope to be celebrating my, my wonderful Michigan Wolverines and having a few old fashions myself. So, um, that's cool. I'm happy for it.

I didn't know you. Yeah, we got, we got tickets the other day, so it'll fun. That's awesome. Yeah. That is, um, But of course after the big brag, uh, we're gonna, we're definitely gonna be there and we're looking forward to that. I mean, that was a great ride. Um, we're gonna go to the 50th anniversary of Rag Bri Registers annual grape bike right across island.

Yes. Um, now tentatively we're looking at maybe trying to look at Doll Mac. Uh, doll Mac was a dick Owl. Lansing to Mackinac depends on both of our schedules. We're trying to see what we can do. It'd be cool if we could do that one again. It would be, um, but what is on our schedule? September 29th through October 1st is the Bourbon Country burn again.

Oh, yes. So that is what looks like what we're doing for 2023. If anyone's interested in joining us or, um, finding out who we actually are in person, which we highly welcome. So abs absolutely come out, say hello. And actually I think during, uh, those longer rides, I think we will set up some, like meet and greet or something, uh, some night.

At a, you know, particular location and anybody who wants to come down and just kick back and relax and enjoy some stories and share some, uh, beverages or whatever, can certainly do that. So I think that would be fun. One thing you didn't mention is I believe you and I are gonna be in Florida in January and I believe our wives are gonna be with us, and I believe, if I am correct, uh, we're going to do a little podcasting with the wives and find out, you know, what they think.

Us riding our bikes across states and doing podcasts and all the other stuff that we do. You're absolutely right. I, uh, I kind of, uh, I forgot that part, but, uh, yes, we will be there and, and. I, I, I love the idea of doing a show with the wives because a lot of questions that we get mm-hmm. , um, is what does your wives think about that you're gone or, you know, do your wives care that you're, you know, spoiler alert, they think we're idiots.

Yes, yes. Yeah. I, I think, I mean, I don't, I don't know for sure. I don't want to give it away, but I think my wife would say if the house is good and there's nothing wrong, see ya. Um, but I imagine if like, Like the one year I was at Rag Bri, I had the fridge delivered and stuff, so, um, I'm sure, I'm sure she was, we watched it Yeah.

Through the ring. Uh, yes. The Ring doorbell. We watched them delivering the, uh, the uh yes refrigerator there to your house. That was fun, special. Installer who ripped my water pipe out. So yeah. Good times. Yeah. The next morning my wife called me and she said, there's water everywhere. I said, what do you mean?

So I had to shut out the valve. But, um, it was one of these, um, valves where you have to push on the calendar and the pipe would come right out. Guy didn't know that. He just grabbed a pair of pliers and ripped, ripped it out, ripped her pipe, right? I could see the teeth marks on the plastic pipe when I got home.

So, But yes, uh, the joys of some of these rides when someone else is at the house that, yeah, that'll be interesting. It'll be interesting to get their perspective. And I, and I really want to make sure that they give their honest perspective. Uh, yeah. You know, I, I don't want them to, you know, I want 'em to give the, the real deal.

What do they think about us, about what we do? Why we do it. Use both idiots, . I don't know what they're doing, but I'm going shopping. That's right, that's right. I know. But, uh, yeah, we're, we're, we're meeting up in Florida, taking a long weekend with the wives. Yeah. Gonna have a good time. Play some golf. And, uh, we're gonna, we're gonna record that thing with the, with the ladies.

Uh, we figured it would be better if we were all four there together and we could record it together. It'd be more fun. So, uh, I'm looking forward. . I'm glad you mentioned that. Besides that, as of right now, that's the only thing on the schedule that we got. I'm sure. I mean, knowing you and I end up, something will happen.

We'll meet some, that's how, that's how we did Bourbon Country Burn. Uh, we met somebody and, and um, they told us about it and said, oh, you guys really ought to do it. And we were like, okay. You know, great. We'll see if we can work it out. And I'm glad what we did, so. Yeah. Um, and what, and what I think is gonna be good is just a, another spoiler.

We're now looking at 2023 already kind of putting some ideas in motion because I think we're gonna completely shake up our schedule for 2020. Uh, excuse me, 20, 24. I would agree. Uh, you know, this next year we're doing a lot of the same things that we've done before. Um, , but I think that following year we're gonna just shake it up and do lots of new and interesting things.

You're buying a motorcycle? Uh, e-bike. A e-bike . Actually it's a, it's a 1984 Honda, uh, moped that's got the pedals on it. Nice. Um, so it's not an e-bike, but, uh, I can pedal when I need. No, I, I know what you mean. We've , we've, we've talked about doing other things than Rag Bri, and, um, we're kind of putting some stuff together for that.

So, you know, may, maybe Nebraska, maybe Kansas, uh, there's a couple good rides in Missouri. We've wanted to do Alabama. Uh, South Carolina has a really nice ride. Um, so there's a lot of options, Ohio, which I know you're really looking forward to. Mm, . So we've got a lot of options out there. So we're, we're, we're looking at expanding our horizon.

I, I'll be nice. I'm sure Ohio would be wonderful to ride through. So, uh, but as the rivalry, you know, it's kinda, it's kind of difficult for me, but, we'll, we're gonna make the best of it, so. Mm-hmm.  you won this year. Just, you know, take it and go, oh, I just wanna be clear, we won two years in a row, so  and, uh, I just got back from vacation and I wore my, uh, my, one of my favorite t-shirts.

and we'll just say that it was enjoyable to watch different people's faces and, and uh, the t-shirt says Worst state ever and has the shape of Ohio. I had this lady come up to me and she said, you know, I'm a Buckeye, but I agree with you, it's the worst state ever, . Now you realize the, uh, you know, the 54 people that listen to our podcast regularly from Ohio have just turned us off.

Thank you. Appreciate that Adam. Way to. Hey, just come on up north. We'll welcome you. And I'm just kidding. So , , you know what? For 20 years he smacked us around. Let me enjoy it for two. So if I, if I have to have the next 20 years of being smacked around. So , fair enough. Um, all good fun. I have family in Ohio and just teasing.

But, um, the other, the other thing, uh, I did wanna bring up is, uh, we have that contest that's, Yeah, we do. There's still time. There's a lot of time. Actually. There is, uh, uh, guess the ragbrai route, uh, for 2023, the ragbrai 50th anniversary. Um, um, if you're catching this podcast, it's a couple shows before. Um, and first one is talks about the contest.

The second one actually, uh, breaks down, you know, helps you guess, um, what you, what, what the route is probably going to be, or most likely going to, to. No, no, no, no, no, no. It's not telling you what the route is probably gonna be. I know what the route is probably gonna be. We've already discussed that. I'm pretty confident in my guess what we merely do.

Go ahead, say it. . I see you're about ready to say that, . I'm just saying we won't get into the fact that you haven't posted what you think the route's gonna.  because you're scared, but um, or as you call it, strategic, uh, as I air quote that, but, um, we don't tell what the route possibly could be. What I do is simply provide.

Some statistical analysis of past routes to give you the listeners some idea of what they might want to guess. Uh, . Okay. Yeah. . No. You, you did actually. You did. And, and you gave how many starting towns there were ever and how many ending towns there? 14, 12. And then you kind of help guide. Now, the difficult part, of course, would be the overnight towns in between them every.

Tweet. That's right. That's right. It's, it's like, uh, playing lottery. Well, you get one through 46, so good luck. So, um, but no, it was, it was definitely well done. Um, and I look, I look forward, I, I actually, to be honest, I had meant to put my entry in before I uhhuh . No, no, no. Hold on. I, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I literally got back yesterday.

And so what you're gonna do is you're gonna go through the list and find out what people have put the most options on. No. And you're gonna play this, play the, play the statistics. No, no, no, no. And call it being strategic. No quotes. No, actually, I promise you, I'm gonna use the map of my office that you've seen many times.

So, uh, that is my, my, my tool that. That I will use and which is, which is, uh, just as good as guess as any, I guess. So, uh, I, I would think it would be cheating, especially you and I, you and I have got a bourbon on it, and I don't mind buying you a bourbon if I lose, but at least I want to hold my head up high that I actually, uh, plate it fairly.

So no, I won't, I won't look at the predetermined answers. I promise you that. I'll give you my word. So you, you want me to give you a hint? Pick the starting town of Otta. You always say it won't be you. You say it won't be that. So no picked out I think. I think that's solid. Now what about the people who say it's gonna be like an L shape, like it's gonna go from like the northwest down and then over now that would be, that would be cool, but I think highly impractical.

I think it'd be a long, go ahead. Go ahead and pick that . Go pick it. Pick it. And I would choose the town of, you know, I don't know, Lansing as our endpoint. Pick that one. Aana Lansing. There's your, there's your thing. I'll put that in for you. What kind of bourbon do you want?

Just let me know now so I can, I can pre-purchase it. So I'm just not real. I mean, contests has never been my thing. I've never been really good at it. I mean, um, you know, I always like the 50th. Anyone doesn't know for rag bra, they were giving away 50 golden jerseys. I, I've yet to see, I didn't win. No, me neither.

And I've yet to see anyone who said they did win. So, um, I would, I was hoping someone would say, Hey, I, I got, I was one of the lucky people because no one wants to brag that they won and everybody else lost. That's true. That's true. But I mean, that's just poor sportsmanship there, but  Anyway, I joke, I know you're gonna give.

Give it your good best try and I will absolutely seeing it and we've had a lot of entries so far. I'm very impressed with the number of entries that we've had. Yes. And I've looked down through them and honestly I can say at this point in time, everybody has a really good shot. That's awesome. I mean, mine is the best obviously, but I think everybody else is like right in there, pretty close.

Um, I'm just saying I would win, but I can't win. So someone else will win. But I think everybody who's entered is right now in a good running to to do it. Stop shaking your head. . All right, fair enough. Fair. No, I, I mean, I'm, I'm glad that, you know, we are getting the, the people to, um, you know, not only enter, but we've had a few Facebook messages for some people who said, this is really cool and, you know, think it's really neat that you're doing this.

So, um, I'm excited. Uh, I really hope that we get to actually meet, meet the. For the winner, I would love to meet the person and, uh, you know, and, and just say, you know, you know, thanks for, thanks for playing along and thanks for, here's, here's your, your shirt and your hat and hope to see you out at Rag Bry.

So, um, well, what we should have done is need to be present to win. Well, yeah, well we're here at the starting town. You need to show up to get your prize. Yeah, good luck with that. With 15, 25, 50 . But I mean, I'm, I'm, I'm seeing we're the two guys standing next to that, you know that tent down there in the main area?

you'll find us. Don't worry about it. I mean, depending what article you read it, so it could be up to 50,000 people or they're hoping to break world records. I'm like, why did I sign up for this? But I know why I did. I'm just kidding. But, um, So cool. Well, that is 2022 in a nutshell, that's, uh, planning of 2023.

Um, I would, uh, while you and I definitely have a, a, uh, sarcastic but wonderful friendship, I would love to say to you and your family. Um, Merry Christmas and of course a prosperous new year. Um, and, uh, I look forward to seeing where we can take this next year. Um, And just didn't know if you had anything else to add, sir.

Well, uh, I certainly hope you and Lauren have a wonderful, uh, holiday and wish the best to your parents and all that. And, um, you know, every day really is a great day for a bike ride. Exactly. Thank you for coming along with Adam and Michael on Road Adventures with Cycling Men of Leisure. If you have enjoyed this, please subscribe to the show on the podcast app of your.