Gnar Couch Podcast 201: CJ Selig

Welcome to the Gnar Couch Podshow, where the intros are confusing, the hosts are unqualified, and the only thing steeper than our local trails is the price of a Deer Valley cookie. In this episode, we prove once again that no one should be taking mountain bike life advice from people whose greatest accomplishment is surviving a group chat roast. This week, the crew kicks off with the usual banter about whose life is falling apart the fastest (spoiler: it’s a tie). Rob almost spits his beer everywhere, Perri brags about being a “spool carrier” like that means something, and Cheef tells traumatic cat stories that somehow end up with broken Corvettes, dead cats, and an existential crisis about Miatas. We fail to get through the intro without getting distracted multiple times (classic), thank our sponsors with the enthusiasm of people who definitely don’t deserve them, and then drag CJ (“Neat Girl” herself, CJ Selig) back into the chaos for another round of questions she probably regrets answering. Topics include: CJ’s wild re-entry to Virgin after Rampage, where she brings her Czech friend to Utah for a crash course in heatstroke and massive terrain anxiety Inside gossip about Rampage: why all the lines are basically a mosh pit, how to fail at finding enough rocks, and the pure joy of rolling big rocks down cliffs while TV producers have an aneurysm A masterclass on bombing desert ridges, eating shit, and pretending you’re not terrified because the camera crew is watching CJ's wrist x-rays, failed attempts at breaking the internet (or just her arm), and the motivational power of just yelling “Rampage!” at yourself until something “cool” happens More cat trauma, way too much information about how to dispose of cactuses, and at least two dog shoutouts (plus something about German paperwork, whatever) Plus, Cheef and JP spend half the episode arguing who is stronger, CJ lists off sponsors like a guy on The Price Is Right, and everyone ignores the agenda to talk about BMX tricks that make us feel like toddlers on Striders. We end by pretending to answer real listener questions, plugging our Patreon for the 37th time, and debating who our favorite guest is. CJ shouts out Haro Bikes, we thank our moms, and promises are made to tell more inappropriate stories in the Patreon bonus hour. If you wanted an actual mountain bike podcast, you’re in the wrong place. If you want to hear why none of us should have a driver’s license, own power tools, or give motivational advice to anyone, subscribe, tune in, and prepare to regret it.* *No cactuses were harmed in the making of this episode. Except that one. Oops. 00:00 Random cat and fan mishaps 08:22 Patreon perks and sponsor shoutout 11:29 Hitting the trails with style 18:50 Digging and improvising for Rampage 25:07 Recovering from a minor crash 32:46 From quiet digs to media chaos 37:30 Recovering from setbacks in riding 42:27 The challenges of desert riding 45:39 The vibe of mountain riding 53:18 Guest asks the hosts a question 56:52 Wrapping up hour one 01:02:24 CJ's epic trail riding Gnar Couch, mountain biking, freeride, CJ Selig, podcast, Rampage, Red Bull Rampage, Virgin Utah, MTB injuries, women in MTB, mountain biking podcast, bike park, BMX, mountain bike tricks, dig crew, freeride mountain biking, downhill racing, Kalnica Bike Park, bike life, MTB crashes, MTB training, Utah mountain biking, mountain bike stories, mountain bike community, MTB progression, bicycle podcast, cycling, extreme sports, Haro Bikes, MTB sponsors, TRP Cycling, Crank Brothers