Judgment Day Victory & Montana Solo: Gerritt Brink | ShiftLess Ep. 77

This episode is a deep dive into the grit and glory of unpaved cycling. We are joined by the non-traditional Garrett Brink, fresh off a massive victory as the 1st Place 100-Mile Single Speed Champion at Judgment Day.We tackle the mental game of single-speeding across North Texas, the "brutality" of the Johnson Branch red loop, and Garrett’s solo 350-mile backcountry odyssey through the wilds of Montana and Canada. Plus, we finally get the recipe for his secret weapon: Baby Food Porridge.In this episode, we cover:Judgment Day 2024: Garrett breaks down his 5th place overall (1st SS) finish. We discuss the strategy of "active recovery" between trails, the hero dirt at North Shore, and why Johnson Branch broke so many riders this year.The Montana/Canada Loop: A solo, 350-mile unsupported journey through Whitefish, Glacier National Park, and the Flathead Valley. Garrett details the 22,000 feet of climbing, crossing the border into Canada, and facing "The Wall"—a 150-foot vertical bike-carry.The "Baby Food" Nutrition Plan: Forget expensive gels. Garrett reveals his 2,600-calorie-a-day system using baby porridge, protein powder, crushed Cheetos, and ramen.Gear for the Long Haul: * The Rig: A custom pink cerakoted Chumba Stella Titanium single speed.Flat Pedals vs. Clipless: Why Garrett switched to Race Face Chesters and trail runners for big mountain adventures.Filtration: Why the MSR Guardian Purifier is worth its weight in gold when you’re filtering from a cold Montana creek.Culture & Music: A quick diversion into the Linkin Park news, the return of rock'n'roll with Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara), and Brad’s recent 100-mile "fast and heavy" Fargo run.The "Reset": The emotional and cathartic reality of riding solo for six days and why Garrett says his yearly trips have officially "cured" him of wanting to do the Tour Divide.Judgment Day 100, Single Speed MTB, Bikepacking Montana, Chumba Stella, Baby Food Nutrition, MSR Guardian, Flat Pedals Bikepacking, Whitefish Montana, Glacier National Park, DORBA, ShiftLess Podcast.To understand why Garrett chose a titanium hardtail for a 350-mile mountain loop, it helps to look at the specific geometry of a backcountry-ready single speed compared to a standard cross-country race bike.Garrett's move to flat pedals for 22,000 feet of climbing is a bold choice for many "racy" types. Do you think the comfort of being able to hike "The Wall" comfortably outweighs the pedaling efficiency of being clipped in, or is that just Garrett being Garrett?KeywordsGarrett's Single Speed GeometryReach out and touch us: [email protected]