SPEAKER_00: 3:02

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.

SPEAKER_02: 3:15

Welcome to Cycling Men of Leisure. Once again, you are joined by myself and your favorite podcast co-host, Mr. Michael Sharp.

SPEAKER_01: 3:25

Well, thank you, Adam. I don't know if I'm their favorite. Uh yeah, actually, I am their favorite, but let's not dwell on that right now. We have a bonus episode.

SPEAKER_02: 3:36

Absolutely, we do. We were lucky enough to record the route release a little bit early with uh Mr. Ron Ward, who is the new domestic director of Bragg and the International Director of Bragg, Mr. Franklin Johnson. We also what's that? I won. Well, of course you won. You knew the route. Oh, okay. I did have a few people as I do every year. What do you think of the route so far? I'm like, I'm not answering that question. Don't know anything about it. I felt bad because I actually ignored some people. Some some of our good friends wrote me and said, Can you tell me anything? I'm like, I don't want to lie. I don't want to. Exactly. I'll give you that. Um we were also lucky enough to record ahead of time uh we we were introduced to Ron, and so that was wonderful. And to do that, we kicked off a contest. What kind of contest?

SPEAKER_01: 4:33

We kicked off a contest, and we did it in collaboration with uh with our friends over at Bragg to guess the route. So what we did is we asked people to send in their guesses, the start, and all the days uh, you know, where we're gonna be staying each day. Um, Tuesday was gonna be a twofer if you got it right, because it's the layover. And then where we wound up ending. And we were gonna, you know, we were given points out for each correct answer. We were also given some bonus, 10, 10, 10 point bonus for anybody who was pro could prove, you know, take a screenshot, send it in that you follow us on uh, you know, TikTok, YouTube, any one of the podcasting uh platforms out there. And so we got all these guesses in, and uh, you know, we were able to tabulate them. Now, I will say there was a lot of people who gave us the start and the finish, which thank you for participating. We really appreciate it. Um that's not gonna get you enough points. You gotta you gotta guess something in the middle there and hit one or two of them. So that was our contest. Um, and we decided that for the winner of this contest, we were gonna do something special.

SPEAKER_02: 5:48

Yeah, we were. Uh you and I um decided that we were gonna do a special jersey. Now, this wasn't gonna be just any jersey. No, um, you know, like Tour de France. If you win a stage, it's yellow. Yeah. I I think we do something like that, buddy.

SPEAKER_01: 6:07

We we we give them a yellow Tour de France jersey?

SPEAKER_02: 6:11

Well, no, we give them a yellow cycling men of leisure and and the Bragg Happy Trails uh logo once that is designed and out, and and we can get our hands on it.

SPEAKER_01: 6:22

What we're gonna do, I don't we'll we'll figure out that I'm I'm the creative one. You know, we'll figure this out of what it's gonna be, but it is going to be one of a kind. And I do like the idea of maybe the yellow, because we've done a lot of yellow branded stuff in the past, and it looks pretty sharp. But we want the person wearing this to be able to stand out so that they can go to brag to all of their friends that yes, it was me, not me, but it was them, who uh who did guess the route correctly or at least more correct than everybody else's guess.

SPEAKER_02: 6:59

Well, we had somebody, and we'll get to that in a minute. This is a contest, just like you know, you listen into the winner, we're not just giving it away real quick, but I just want you to know that we had someone who wrote us very early on, almost day two, I believe, of release of the show. And this person got every town right except for one, and they were so close on the one that they were wrong.

SPEAKER_01: 7:32

Because we did say you have to name the exact town, it couldn't be like in the you know, geographical region, it couldn't be you know five miles that way or ten miles, it had to be the actual town to get to get the full point.

SPEAKER_02: 7:46

That's correct. Yeah, so this person did that, but before we get to that, what did you think of the route? What did you think after you? I know you got to hear it early, I know that you got to process it, I know that you were up at midnight watching the video like me, um on YouTube. No, I know you weren't. I'm just teasing. I was on there, but the funny thing is, is is just as I had laid down to bed, your daughter said happy new year from Central Time. And and I was like, Oh yeah, I forgot. People have you know, different, you know, different New Year's, different time, but yes, the Eastern time I had stayed up with 17 other people. I noticed I was watching, uh, we were all on there together and uh couldn't help myself but did a little plugging for the show that our route release was coming out at noon, so I did I put that on there. But yes, there were there was 18 total of us that I saw, at least number wise. The website, uh the YouTube had it like a premiere release, and you could see how many people were in the room. And so there were 18 of us just waiting to see the route release.

SPEAKER_01: 8:57

And but you you always do that, you you know, when we do Rag Bri and those kind of other other rides and stuff, when they do the route release stuff, you're always the one that's like there uh, you know, listening to the release. Typically, I'm not. There's been a lot of times I've been out with my wife on New Year's, and you will be like, hey, there's the route or whatever, you know, that kind of thing. Um, I'm just one of those people that I'm like, uh, you know, I'll I'll get to it when I get to it. I know you're the type of person that you want to be right there and you want to get the information firsthand and you want to know it. And um, so you you you are typically the one of the us two that's uh you know, on there, getting it firsthand, and then you typically relay it on to me because I'm not the one that's on there.

SPEAKER_02: 9:47

One year I watched the video within about two hours. I had hotels, flights, rental cars. We were ready to go.

SPEAKER_01: 9:57

So and that's the beautiful thing. I'll say it again of traveling with Adam is he is a super organizer. And as soon, and you know, he gets the route, and then the minute he gets the route, because I think even before the route, he's like, Where do I got to get these? Because you're very organized and I love it. And so, yeah, you get right on there. It's like, okay, we need uh reservations here, we need hotel reservations here. We you you have it all figured out, so then I'm a lazy traveler when I'm with you because then I'm just like, tell me what flight I need to be on, what time, and uh I just throw out the credit card and follow your lead. So I appreciate that. Thank you very much, sir.

SPEAKER_02: 10:39

This is my opportunity to mention to any cyclist who travels in groups. Get the American Express card, get the app. The best way to travel on these trips, if you like, like you and I would come and you Dutch, we both go 50-50. If you are not doing it that way, write me behind the scenes, ask me what the heck I'm talking about. I can charge stuff on American Express, you can charge stuff on American Express. I hit one button, split, boom, done. There is no pressure, no pain, no, oh I bought 14 gator raids on the last one and this one back and forth, none of that stuff. Hotels 50-50. Now, the funny thing is, is I will tell you that if it's an odd number, it always gives me the extra penny. And I'm like, we'll give him the extra penny next time. So possibly maybe, you know, something like that. But uh, oh my gosh, it's a penny. It's right.

SPEAKER_01: 11:32

If if you're gonna argue over, you know, a penny, five, or ten cents uh with you know, presumably a friend, uh there might need to be some therapy involved, I guess.

SPEAKER_02: 11:44

Unless it was the last penny that went for millions at an auction.

SPEAKER_01: 11:47

That's that's true. But we're gonna assume it's not. Um, no, it it it is super easy because you will get on there, do it. You know, I'm at this point, we've been friends, good friends for so long that it's like you'll just be like, uh, this is what we got charged. I mean, I'm I'm not like, well, show me the receipt. I trust you, I make the payment. Uh, you know, or if I have something, I just ship it to you, one button, boom, it's paid for, and it keeps everything nice, even keel. I don't agree.

SPEAKER_02: 12:19

That's but but let me tell you something. Whoever came up with that, buddy, I uh cocktail on me because um I had to travel with people. You came up with it?

SPEAKER_01: 12:31

I did. If there's a cocktail involved.

SPEAKER_02: 12:33

Oh, oh well, I'll buy you a cocktail, but I mean, but um um I'll tell you what, I've been on trips, and you have been on trips. We have been on trips with a un unmentioned cyclist who magically never had money, and you and I both secretly were like, this is ridiculous. And so uh that takes away the hall of the pain, anyways. That was kind of a rabbit hole. But, anyways, if you're traveling with somebody uh and you're asking what I'm talking about, you both get miles too, or points, or whatever you like. So that's uh bonus, bonus, bonus. So um that has been brought to you by Cycling Man of Leisure. So uh I don't get anything for it.

SPEAKER_01: 13:18

A little travel hack there, yeah.

SPEAKER_02: 13:20

There you go. But isn't that what this show is about?

SPEAKER_01: 13:22

Traveling and it is, yeah, and and you know, by having the card, you also get your extra bag for free, which allows us to be able to fly with our bicycles and our regular luggage, and and uh we make out okay. That's right.

SPEAKER_02: 13:39

Well, all right then. So uh I want to know, as everybody wants to know, are you willing to give us a job update?

SPEAKER_01: 13:52

Uh I'm still looking. Okay. Uh it's early in the process, and uh it's not early in the process, but it's early in the year. So um, you know, had a couple of friends that I used to work with reach out to me, and uh my past employer uh has been super awesome and has passed along my information along with a very nice letter of uh recommendation basically saying, hey, you know what? It he doesn't have a job, not because of anything he's done, he's super professional, blah, blah, blah. Um, it's just the business and the times and all that. So, and then I had a couple of other people that I had worked with in the past reach out to me and and you know, uh hook me up with some people. So we'll see. You know, it's uh we're doing okay right now. I'm not in in freak out mode yet, so uh it's it's all good.

SPEAKER_02: 14:46

Good, good, good, good. Well, uh, I know that there's a lot of inquiring minds uh and a lot of well-wishes. Uh, if the if the message has gone to both of us, I know that you have been able to witness those well-wishes, but some people have written me on purpose away from you, uh, checking on you because they care about you. So uh our community that we're building thinks the world of you. I don't know why. I'm I'm just kidding.

SPEAKER_01: 15:12

Um, but I think we know why. But let me just say to everybody out there, I I appreciate their support. I appreciate their well-wishes, and uh it it does it does mean a lot, you know. When you're you you hit these lower times in your life, it it's nice to know that there's people out there that, you know, thinking about you passing along some well wishes. So thank you.

SPEAKER_02: 15:32

I was thinking about the whole replacing you with AI. I I saw this tool that I could uh just take all of our past recordings and upload your voice, and then I could make it say whatever I want in your voice. But then when you told me about the whole downgrade of the industry, I thought, man, this is not a good time. I can't do both of us jobs. So luckily, you got this job still, so for a while.

SPEAKER_01: 16:06

So basically, basically, the listeners need to understand that uh when I start saying Adam is awesome, Adam is the best, we all love Adam. Everyone should think Adam is awesome. Then they're gonna know I've been replaced. You know what I love about this? I do the editing, right?

SPEAKER_02: 16:26

Yes, you literally just said technical person here. You literally just said Adam is awesome, Adam's the best. I can not I can go back to the archives and I can say Adam is what? Adam is awesome, Adam is awesome.

SPEAKER_01: 16:42

Um I tell you what, record that off, and and you can just, you know, when you're having it, you're at work or whatever, you can just hit the it's like that little uh that little red button. What was that from like Staples or something? Yeah, that was easy. Yeah, you can just have one of those and record it, and you can just hit that and it's like Adam is awesome. I can be that that uh you know motivation for you if you have a bad day.

SPEAKER_02: 17:05

A couple of my employees have those on their desks. That's kind of why I knew what that is. And then every time, no matter what, I it's like it's like a toy. I have to push it. I mean, and like you're the one that has it on your desk. I'm gonna push it. That was easy.

SPEAKER_01: 17:18

So uh that big red button, you just you can't walk away from, can you? Smash the button.

SPEAKER_02: 17:26

How did he die? Well, he was curious. He pushed the big red button. That was easy. Well, uh, we've got our trip coming up, so um we've talked about that. Um we'll be down in Florida, and we've got lots of things planned.

SPEAKER_01: 17:44

It's gonna be a great trip. It is, you know that, but we're gonna golf. We've got an evening, we're going to a Disney res uh Disney park. We've got uh Podfest, which we're gonna spend some time in Podfest, you know, festing with other podcasters, I guess is what you would say.

SPEAKER_02: 18:01

Oh, we don't get any infestation.

SPEAKER_01: 18:04

We don't want any of that. And the uh national college national championship game is gonna be on while we're there. So we'll have to find a place to kick back and uh neither of our teams are in there. So here's what I'm thinking we should do. Wait, this is just off the cuff.

SPEAKER_02: 18:20

Okay, but I I uh I have to tell you before you say this, go Hoosiers. And I know you're gonna think to yourself, what is he talking about? But go ahead.

SPEAKER_01: 18:32

Neither of our regular teams, let me put it this way, neither of our regular teams are in the running. What I think we should do, whatever two teams it is, I think somehow we randomly draw, or we have somebody draw for us. You know, we flip a coin, it's like Adam gets it. We have somebody draw, whatever they draw out is what Adam gets, or how we'll figure out somehow to randomly do it. We each randomly pick a team, and that's the team we cheer for.

SPEAKER_02: 19:04

Fair enough. I like it. You know? I have to get the fight song downloaded, like for the whatever the fight song is, uh you know, whoever it might be.

SPEAKER_01: 19:14

Uh, you know, because like all the my you know, the teams I would normally cheer for are out of it. Apparently, you love Indiana. No, no, no, no. I love any team that beats Ohio. Oh, okay. So, you know, because if like Texas AM was there, I'd be like, yeah, go Tech, but you know, go Aggies. Exactly. But um, so I think we should do it that way and then just cheer for the random team. We used to do that. My family used to go up to Omaha. Uh, we went up there for several years for the uh uh Collegiate Baseball Hall of Fame. Uh no, the collegiate baseball uh World Series. And uh we'd go up there, and of course, you know, we'd we'd just get random tickets. It didn't matter on that day who was playing, and we would just randomly pick a team and become like their you know biggest supporters out there screaming and yelling and cheering for them. Uh, you know, I I remember one time I was screaming and yelling for the uh what was it? Texas Christian University or something. They're the frog, the the uh horny frogs or something. Uh, you know, never would I ever cheer for this team, but boy, I was out there, man. I was a big supporter screaming and yelling for them. Well, I mean, I'm I like it.

SPEAKER_02: 20:32

I like the idea. I just like any team that beats Ohio. I mean, there's no better way of ending 2025 in the way that it did.

SPEAKER_01: 20:40

You know, that was that was a there's been a lot of really good games this season. That was one of them. Um I watched it, I was like, wow, because I think you know, you and I conversed a couple times during the game. The other good game was the uh Texas Tech game. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know, they got completely shut out. Um so there's been some really good games, and there's been some really games that were like super close, and it's like right down to the wire. So it's been a good playoff season so far. We'll see, we'll see who makes it.

SPEAKER_02: 21:13

Just for factual sakes, TCU beloved beloved mascot is named Superfrog, a costume character representing the university horned frogs nickname, which actually refers to the Texas horned lizard, a native reptile known for fierce appearance and the ability to shoot blood from its eyes.

SPEAKER_01: 21:36

Who wants to play that? Come on, okay. And you so it's the horned frogs, not the horny frogs. Yeah, but you were close. I was close, but you know what? Back in where I'm from, they're called uh horny toads. Okay, I mean they're these little brown, gray, little uh lizard y things called horny toads, and but yeah, so but I didn't know about the uh the spraying blood from your eyes. Man, I wish that would be cool. People would fear me. I could spray blood from my eyes.

SPEAKER_02: 22:14

Well, I mean, listen, uh I and Brother War Alta, he's like, Oh, we thought you was a horny toad. That's right. Oh, buddy, it's gonna be good to be with you shortly. Uh we'll have a bourbon in our hand, and I can hear all these wonderful stories of things I never knew about you.

SPEAKER_01: 22:34

So yeah, well, there's still there's still a few things.

SPEAKER_02: 22:39

Well, um, all right. Well, uh go Hoosiers. Uh we'll see. I love that coach, man. I mean, he's so sick. Serious. And then the Rose Bowl, they caught just a glimpse of him smiling at the end. At the very end. I mean, uh, I like the uh the announcers said, Do you ever watch that guy and think you're always in trouble? So you know what?

SPEAKER_01: 23:03

He deserved he just won the Rose Bowl. Come on, he can get a little bit of a smile there. That's right. That's right. Boy, I tell you what, that field was wet. So yeah, they were out there squeegeeing it before it was kind of funny.

SPEAKER_02: 23:17

So all right. Well, I hear you have something special for us. I do, but I need some help. I'm gonna give you some help. I have to tell you that I, in preparation, don't worry, I'm gonna still help you out. But in preparation for our trip, um, I have switched over. Uh you'll notice that there are zero, uh, you can't see it. Never mind. There are zero cables connected to the normal board that we use with all of the all the fancy fied voices and makes me sound so distinguished. And okay, no, it doesn't. So you can't censor me. I actually do not have a sensor. I have no audio buttons right now.

SPEAKER_01: 24:01

Ho ho ho! Why didn't I know this before?

SPEAKER_02: 24:07

Well, listen, uh, yes, I do not have a sensor button. I also don't have the sound effects that that that I know what you're looking for, but I'm gonna do my best. Oh no. Sorry, that's okay. Now you know how I feel. Oh, he's got his finger on that. But I think with my years of experience in podcasting, I think I can get close to it. Okay, okay. All right, here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for listener spotlight.

SPEAKER_01: 24:46

Wow, I am impressed. Look at that. You sounded really professional there, and I mean, who would have known you didn't have the uh the electronic voice backup there? There you go. Well played. All right. I figured we have a special uh bonus uh episode. We should have a bonus uh listener spotlight, and then on our next one, we'll just give the answers to both. How about that? I love it. They get two chances to guess. That's right. St. Louis for this one or last one?

SPEAKER_02: 25:19

Uh this one.

SPEAKER_01: 25:22

C, yes. Both. Um, all right. Uh this city is named for a judge. Okay. It was founded in the 1800s, but in the early 1800s, but not incorporated until the late 1800s. Okay. Uh, the city appreciates a good band. Mm-hmm. Um, its population is under 5,000 people. Okay. I had to put that one in because I needed an extra one. Uh, and its stonework does not require any concrete. Wow. A little harder. This this bonus one's gonna be a little bit harder, I I think. And anytime I think that is generally like five people. They're like, oh yeah, it's Boaz, Mississippi. Which it's not, but I love it. So you're not gonna guess St. Louis, are you? No, because you just said 5,000 people, so we can eliminate St. Louis. East St. Louis?

SPEAKER_02: 26:30

No, just kidding.

SPEAKER_01: 26:32

I think it's more than 5,000 people do.

SPEAKER_02: 26:35

I bet you it is, yeah. I bet you, I bet you it is. So uh, okay. Well, listen, uh, ladies and gentlemen, you now get two listener spotlights. That's right. Well, listen, my uh magic, my magic hands was able to help me give a little reverb on the on the fancy microphone here. So um all right, let's get to it. Let's get to it. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. This gentleman is a president. The president, a president, a president, not the president, okay. Uh he is a president of the West Florida Wheelman. Okay, he brought his team at Bragg, if you have 10 or more, which I am watching the social media as I'm so proud of everybody and all the teams that are coming together. I saw Team Jesus, I saw the uh Alabama Chang Gang, I saw all kinds of people uh joining teams and have it on authority that Cycling Man of Leisure also has a team, and we already have secured 10 or more, so we are there for the uh we'll have a showing again. Um but this gentleman was unable to meet 10 last year, and he and I worked together and he brought his to ours, and we made a larger team, and we made a large cycling men of leisure team, but we welcomed all of the individuals from the West Florida wheelman, but the president on day two of the contest, he wrote me, wrote us, wrote the website. Okay, cool. And here's what he said he said he guessed uh Lafayette, Somerville, Cave Springs, Carlton, Carleton, now he guessed Fayetteville. Now there's an asterisk there on Fayetteville, LaGrange and Columbus. Now the asterisk is because after doing some research, not Trilleth is in Fayette County, Fayetteville County, and so he was so close to getting 100% but it still makes him the winner.

SPEAKER_01: 29:13

Yeah, like we said, we had to be accurate, but he was like right there, it didn't matter because he busted it. So who's our winner?

SPEAKER_02: 29:22

Jeff Williamson, ladies and gentlemen, he is the winner, and he will get to honor his win at Bragg with a special jersey that'll have a co-branded, just like you had mentioned, and yes, I will say, your favorite podcast co-host this time, thought about this idea and co-branded the the the jersey with cycling men of leisure and the happy trails brag logo, and he will get to honor that and wear that. And when people will say, Hey, how'd you get that? He can say, Well, I entered the contest.

SPEAKER_01: 29:59

So, what what you're telling me is Jeff will be able to brag at brag. Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_02: 30:04

He'll be yes, yes, he will be able to do that. So uh Jeff, um I know you're an avid listener, and I know that you uh I don't I don't have do you have a do you have uh like an applause? I don't have any there we go. I don't have any buttons. This is gonna be so hard, but uh yeah, I know I'll get past it. But you know what? This happened last year, and then when I got back in the studio, I'm like, yeah, I have my buttons back. But yeah, yeah, we know I'm gonna push the buttons. Uh listen, I want to welcome Jeff to the winner's circle. And Jeff, write me. I uh I think I actually may have a spreadsheet with your cycling uh jersey size, but we'll figure out the brand and we'll make sure we're gonna make sure you know some some brand different different you may have lost some weight since last year. Maybe maybe he uh maybe he's been riding super fast and he needs some more slick and aerodynamic with that bicycling magazine that you talked about. There you go.

SPEAKER_01: 31:15

So yeah, so the next month or so we have to get on the design wagon and we'll get something designed up that'll look really nice, really classy. Uh, you know, we've designed our uh jerseys the last couple of years for for Bragg. So uh this won't be the the first time that we've we've done this. Uh and we'll get you something to be proud of out there. And uh congratulations to everybody. We certainly appreciate everybody's participation. There were some other people that um that had uh good good guesses and were pretty close in a lot of respects. Uh so we really appreciate uh everybody throwing their ideas in the ring.

SPEAKER_02: 31:56

Now, I feel like we might be missing the mark if we don't say one thing. If you happen to pick up on the show recently and you're listening to this and saying, what are they talking about? Big Brag 2026, week long ride, May 30th through June 6th. Now, of course, the contest is over, of course, um the route has been released, and you can see the visual YouTube by Bragg or hear the the description of Ron, Franklin, yourself, and myself um at our few episodes back. Um, but if you're looking for a week-long ride, um not not because uh you know Franklin has been wonderful to us, but you and I would not say it if we didn't believe it. Bragg is definitely a great way to jump into a week-long ride. I I absolutely, if I didn't feel that, I wouldn't say that um from your sleeping options of indoor, xdoor, uh X-door, indoor, outdoor um hotels, from shuttles, from options. I'm not gonna do the commercial. Go to brag.org. Um, you can check it out. But the week long ride, May 30th through June 6th, you will not be disappointed.

SPEAKER_01: 33:06

If there's if there's one thing that our listeners and viewers know about us, is we really work on being honest. And if we don't fully support something or we don't think it's good, we're not gonna tell them it's good just because it's like, oh, well, we we need to say that. Um, because there are rides that do not get mentioned very often on on the show that we've done um that were not wonderful rides. Um, there is one ride that we have agreed that we do not even discuss because of of safety issues and other things that that we do. So we will not go and we will not, you know, say bad things. We just won't talk about it. So uh definitely it's a great ride. Um, it is a really, really good ride. If you've never done a state ride, that is a great ride to get your feet wet, that type of thing. Wonderful support, wonderful staff, you know, um beautiful countryside. Uh you won't be disappointed. And if you're thinking about signing up or looking at signing up, uh cycling men and women of leisure is a team that's that's welcoming to everybody. Uh we have, I mean, we've got members from all across the United States. Uh, we've got members up in Canada. Everybody is welcome. But I think, again, my message is if you know if you're gonna go on one of these week-long rides, especially like Bragg, getting in with a team really, really, I think enhances the adventure, enhances the experience. Whether it's our team or anybody else's, I would really suggest you you look at at hooking up with a team because it just makes the experience so much better. And I say that all the time, but I really, really mean it. Um, sure, I'd love to have you on our team, but you know what? Any team, you know, you're going to get that added uh experience. Boy, what else?

SPEAKER_02: 35:08

I can't say anything else. That's wonderful. Uh, okay. Well, uh, winner, uh listener spotlight, Michael Job update. Well, we've checked off all the boxes, buddy. All right. Uh with that, uh, I will see you in about 12 days. In the meantime, it's a great day for a bike ride.

SPEAKER_00: 35:36

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 choice.