156: Austin Whittington’s 219-Mile Judgment Day, Tour de France Doping Talk, and Hands On 32-Inch Bike

In episode 156 of Shiftless, recorded at Dusty Roads Bicycles in Argyle, Texas, the hosts welcome Austin Whittington to recap his “Judgment Day” ride—DORBA’s 10-trail event—completed by riding between trailheads instead of driving, totaling 219 miles in just under 20 hours (17 moving) amid over-six-hours of 100+°F heat, headwinds, and support from his wife Stephanie. He details his route, key difficulty at Boulder, nutrition, and equipment choices (Niner ROCKET 9, Thunder Burt tires). The conversation also covers Tour de France and doping skepticism, a Tour de France Femmes “bra doping” headline, Leadville’s reroute and buckle time change, Justin Carey’s altitude-tent prep, hype and supply issues around Salsa’s 32-inch Fargo, and Austin’s upcoming Hotter’N Hell 100 USAC race plus other events.00:00 Ectoplasm Cold Open00:22 Guest Austin Returns01:59 What Is Judgment Day04:25 Riding Trail to Trail06:38 Heat Crux and Support08:09 Bike Setup and Speed12:07 Route Planning and Safety18:13 Bra Doping Debate21:02 Tour de France Talk27:17 Doping Era Hangover33:57 Doping Doubts Debate35:00 Alpe Record Breakdown35:38 Tech Gains Versus EPO37:48 Testing Rules Suspicion40:23 Hyperbaric Leadville Prep43:38 Leadville Reroute Math47:57 Rain Forecast Worries48:59 Dinner And Sponsorship Wins50:09 Dry Aging Brisket Science56:12 E Bikes And Pig Harvest59:19 New Kit And 32 Debate01:04:03 Radial Tires And Pressures01:07:34 HotterN Hell Race Plans01:08:59 Solo Breakaway Tactics01:09:40 Hotter Than Hell Plans01:10:39 Field Size and Strategy01:14:59 Doping and TRT Talk01:17:55 Bike Gear and Weight01:19:30 Fargo Fixes and Knee Pain01:22:04 Tuscany Food Tour Dream01:25:13 Next Races and Arkansas Route01:29:46 Pro Watts and Seven WPK01:35:36 Heat Hydration and Wrap Up