The Bend Racing Podcast

The Kiwi Sessions Continue: I have the pleasure of talking one on one with greats of Adventure Racing for the past two decades. With 8 world championships to his name, he's been a cornerstone of New Zealand's top team (Seagate and then Avaya). He's humble, open, and still super stoked on the sport. He's just taken back to back wins at both of New Zealand's expedition races - despite his team making one of the worst mistakes you can make in the sport. Lets dive in shall we?

Want to know what to look for when you dotwatch the Magnificent? Check out this course walkthrough that details the challenges and highlights of each stage, and what we expect to see out of the racers. Where will the racers find special challenges, surprise navigation difficulties, weather sensitive stages, and more. Sleep card? 3d printed maps? What's that all about? Dot watching is so much fun whey you know what to look for.

What's it like being a race director out in the wild preparing for one of the most challenging events in the world circuit? And are RD's as nuts as you imagine that they are for doing what they do? Heck Yeah. And we took a microphone along on some route setting to capture the action (and random thoughts) that pop up as we hack through the bush in the rain. It'll add some color to your dot watching of the actual race, and if you are a racer, you may glean a bit of insider info too.

Just when you thought the conversations coming out of New Zealand couldn't be better after hearing from both Fear Youth and Sophie Hart. - we bring you Tide Faavae. Unless you are a total newbie, you've marveled at Nathan Fa'avae's winning career. He won his first major adventure race in 1999, and shortly thereafter started a family with his wife Jodie - a 7x NZ MTB national champion. Suffice it to say that the 3 kids were exposed to a fair amount of athleticism and adventure. Tide Fa'avae is the youngest in the family, just 19, but is the first to tackle a expedition race. But Tide didn't race with her parents as one might expect - she raced with a bunch other "kids" (she was actually the oldest on the team!). We talk about growing up the Fa'avae household, her siblings, her first race, and her wisdom that most veteran teams could learn from.Thanks for listening and if you are inclined, share, subscribe or show some support and buy us a coffee here

Tell me you are a new adventure racer without saying it. Easy. "Sophie Hart? Never heard of her. "Now tell me you are an long time competitive racer that just was granted a wish to add a female racer to your next World Champs bid. Easy."I pick Sophie Hart". But whichever one of those you are - this podcast is worth a listen. Sophie is the most successful female adventure racer on the planet, with multiple world championships, multiple God Zone wins, Coast to Coast wins, won the most recent Eco Challenge, the list goes on. But she's also a doctor, a mum, and just as down to earth and humble as anyone I've ever met. Thanks to Sophie for her time. If you like this podcast - show us some love: Subscribe, share, or become a supporter here

Ephebiphobia: The Fear of YouthStraight off their amazing work at the Godzone race, where they entertained dot watchers across the globe with their antics, we talk to this young Kiwi team that has been making waves the past half decade as they've improve drastically each year. They are now firmly entrenched in the top echelon of the expedition racing game, and their meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing down. But they still make mistakes, have humility, and oh so much drive. Support us: buymeacoffee.com/BendRacingPodcast

A new Adventure Race Training podcast has been launched! Wait what? People actually train for adventure racing? And coach adventure racers? Preposterous. Well maybe not. Meet Nick, and why he might be worth listening to...

The season was a banger for sure. But what can we learn? Are pack rafts bad for the sport? Should race directors design easy media coverage? Will next year's races be as "flawed" as this year's top events? Lots to unpack here with two opinionated folks.

Legit advice from 25 years at racing. I been holding onto this advice until I had enough street cred to get people to listen...so after a podium (podium is top 5 at worlds!) at this year's World Champs, I might never have a better moment. So buckle up for a quick "top 15" of things that you probably don't do, and won't believe...but would make you a better racer if you did.

Best Race - Worst Race. Flip sides of the same coin?!? Just listen - either you were there and survived, your happy that you weren't there cause you know you might not have survived, or you wish you were there creating memories that will never be forgotten.

We're back with Darren Steinbach for the state of AR #10. Lots going on and we'll recap the current scene! Darren is as opinionated as always!

Come along as we take on the iconic Seventy48 boat race with a bunch of yahoos and a home-made pedal powered contraption. That's right, we brought bikes to a boat race. We'll take you with us as we pedal on the water all through the night. You'll hear the music, the groans, the excitement of the crowd and even some live time catastrophe. Will we sink or swim? Or maybe just pedal our way into the history books?

We dive deeper, hear the origin story of this power couple, and find out who is faster and who is more competitive...as well as all their secrets (spoiler - it might involve pajamas!). Join us for the second part of this interview with racing and race directing legends Brent and Abby!

This one has been a long time coming, and ended up being so fun and informative that we cut it into two. Apparently Brent likes to talk about all things AR as much as BR host Jason Magness. So there is plenty of discussion around the sport, the recent Endless Mountains expedition race, and all things AR, parenting, racing and race directing. Enjoy!

Sitting at the base of Mt Rainier on the eve of North America's biggest (too big) 24 hour race, we watch the end of North Americas biggest expedition race of the year (Endless Mountains, also maybe too big), and wonder if there are any reasons why? We also wonder if Navy Seals are any good at AR, so we interviewed one that is racing tomorrow, and racing the upcoming World Champs in Canada. So listen in and enjoy the AR banter and root for Briar to survive it all.

During the pandemic, the crazies behind the infamous "Race to Alaska" (R2AK) were banned from holding an event that entered Canadian maritime waters. So the pivoted and hosted the WA360 - a 360 mile boat race that maximized the many arms and island of Puget Sound. It was non-stop an pitted sail boats, kayaks and any other non-motorized Frankenstein contraptions you could dream up all all against each other. Dan and I entered, fresh memories of success in the Everglades Challenge and Yukon River Quest. We had a new new plan for dealing with pee too, and a race proclaimed "World Champion" belt up for grabs. What could go wrong. Day 3 is when we encountered the Boogie Barge and Captain Blake Hansen. And then Dan started crying - a feeling of futility and unfairness overcoming his usually steely demeanor. Did our pee solution work? Did we overcome the evil that is the Boogie Barge? Tune in to find out, as we prepare to join (as Dan describes it) the DARK SIDE in just a few days in the iconic Seventy48 race.

Peter left a mark on the AR community that is hard to argue with. His tragic packrafting accident in 2022 left a huge hole in the lives of his teammates at Team Checkpoint Zero, as well in the entire landscape of expedition racing. But he made his legendary mark on me way back in 2010. He may not ever have know how his small actions had such big impacts on who I have become as a racer, and who our team is as a whole. I'm sorry I never told him while he was around, but I am hoping that he knew it somehow.

Sometimes we witness people do things that change who we are...and the people that do them never realize that their "normal" seeming actions are perceived by another person as "the stuff of legends". These shorts are about those moments, and those people. Welcome to Bend Racing Legends.

Double episode. There are many ways to look at what "worst races" mean. And here we look at two different takes on 12 hour races. Both take place in 2003, and both were with "newer" racers. One was bad because of the format, length, and lack of follow-through. The other was bad because the racers were really bad. Maybe the race was bad too, but the racers were so bad they'd never know. So sit back and enjoy! And reach out if you have your own story to tell!

Yeah - it was bad. But looking back at it is oh-so-good. It was the who's who of AR at the time - with Mari Chandler, (the late great) Peter Jolles, Ryan Van Gorder, WEDALI, Marco Anselem (Vidaraid), Kyle Peters, Bob Miller, Fletcher Hamel, etc. And in the mix was our baby team when Dan was only 24 and could barley grow a mustache. Seriously, after you listen (or before) check out the video playlist on youtube here. I can't believe these are still up, but yeah there is quite a fun old school AR playlist. And then it all went away - the race disappeared, but unlike other recent failed events, this one still has all the videos nicely curated for a blast to the past. And damn, I was in my 30s then!

Yep - we all know they happen. And this race in Brazil's remote Pantanal region (the world's biggest wetland) was incredible - both in it's scope and failures. And we were there. A guy lost his hearing. No one finished. And not even the military could get into some of the TAs to help get people out. Oh yeah, and did we mention the crocodiles? The Indiana Jones pilot? Teams rebelling against the organization? It had it all.Read the GearJunkie report and see images hereBut a video tells even more. Check out this video from the race

Ok, this really isn't #9, cause I am pretty sure we only have done 5 of these, but I was not sure so we said 9. Join us as we discuss the recent La Ruta Madre Race, the Magnificent, racer responsibility, getting sick post race, and a host of other AR related stuff. Good to have Darren back with us, and excited to get back on the podcast train and churn out some episodes while we recover.

In 2016 I collapsed in the remote wilderness of the Patagonian Expedition Race. We were in 1st place at the time, and my team literally carried me to the safety of the next transition area. There a media crew interviewed us in the raw moments of realizing we'd lost the race we'd spent nearly a decade trying to win, and worse, my racing career was likely over. But then I flew to India and took a gamble...

The 2024 Adventure Racing World Champs is in the books. And it was a doozy - with tight competition and many course changes that left us with a new World Champion and lots to talk about. So join me for some analysis of the broader implications of this year's race.

Join us in a unique journey to far away Ecuador as we endeavor to line up with 300 other athletes at the start line to the Adventure Racing World Championships. And I mean join us for real. This podcast was recorded live throughout one of the most challenging "pre-race" experiences in the history of the sport. Missing tickets, power-outages, dirtbag failures, an impromptu trip to New York, and a new surprise every minute...and you are there as it all unfolds - for better or worse or even worser. (is that even a word?)

Weather Proof Courses, Modern Pentathlon is not AR, Bothy Bags, Opinionated Arseholes, Awesome map boards, Solo Expedition Racing, and more. As the 2024 season gets ready to culminate at World Champs in Ecuador, we look at the state of affairs in the Adventure racing universe. Give us a listen, and then listen to a few of the back episodes that you missed!

Want to know the quickest and most effective way to boost your endurance/racing/life/health/sex/relationships with very little to no work? Yep, of course you do. Oh, and if you do join AR School, please use this link! https://ar-school.circle.so/checkout/bend-racing?affiliate_code=5f430f

Ugly Babies, the aftermath, the idea of a "world championships", kid power, navigation vs speed, national kudos, some shenanigans!

All the info you could ever need to get super excited about the USA's final ARWS race of the year. The 5th edition of Expedition Oregon is so big it could not fit into one state! Join Darren and Jason as they give a away lots of details on this legendary event

Chelsey has been my racing teammate for nearly 15 years now, longer than we have been married. We've shared far more sleep-deprivation filled moments than even the most prolific parents (Valentina and Feodor) and I was curious to know what she actually remembered from those early years. But first I had to chase her to the top of a mountain to get her to settle down long enough to talk.

We make some coffee and discuss the Spring Energy controversy, discuss the remarkable new all "kids" team forming in the Pacific Northwest, Darren as a polarizing figure and mush more.

More anxious ramblings and analysis by Bend Racing's Jason Magness. He has a love/hate relationship with dot watching. Especially when his wife is racing. Catch up on Day2/3 drama here.

Catch up on the excitement of this unique ARWS event that includes 16 stages! With an expected finish time of only 60 hours, this is a fast a furious race for sure. Will the pace be too fast? Will there be penalties that affect the top teams? Will the scenery be mind blowing? The answer is a resounding YES to all 3.

Ok, I made that up. But a podcaster can dream right? But I did have a great conversation with Jr National Orienteering team members Ben Brady, Ben Conley, and Zariah Zosel. They tell some great orienteering stories, and discuss how they became better with a map and compass than nearly every adventure race navigator in the country - all before they could vote or drink. And yeah - I try to convince them to start mixing it up with some paddling, mountain biking, and bad maps. Will they be swayed to the dARk side? Listen now to find out. Huge thanks to these three youth for being so fun and articulate - even if they didn't share and of their perfect navigation secrets with me.

We all know what WTF stands for? But do we? Regardless, most first time participants in the Fear Society's "Wilderness Traverse of Fiordland" would likely be using the more standard WTF acronym meaning several times throughout the event - most likely starting during the daunting pre-race meeting. Come along as we go inside the event and follow the "non-race" through the eyes of the RD, his brother, some kids and one very talented team that gets lost.

We'll delve into the state of AR as the 2024 season gets fully underway! The truth behind Hollywood's "Arthur the King" What's up with Bend Racing's love of ties Ranking Challenges at Expedition Ozark Just what is a mountain bike defined as, and why is that important Tyvek painter suits and looking for loopholes Should we expect races to be "safe" or for teams to race "safely"? Plus codes for some great brands!

I woke up to see a strange sight on the leaderboard. Highpoint racing was no longer on the map or the list of lead teams. They'd had a commanding 4 hour lead when I'd gone to bed, and less than 16 hours or so of course left. The win was theirs. Or was it. But for a team to drop with that big of a buffer means that it was unlikely a mechanical, nav error or even stomach issues. 4 hours can solve a lot of problems. I went to the source to find out what happened.

Tu: The buddhist word for willful, stupid, but necessary suffering. Join us on a love story of sorts - a glimpse into heartbreak, friendship, risk, failure and introspection. There might be a poem in there too. A true story at the confluence of romantic dramedy, absolute loneliness, and self discovery.

Also known as PRD (post race depression) or PED (Post Expedition) it all amounts to the same thing. Ultra-endurance endeavors are "disruptive", and when you succeed (especially) when you succeed at self-selected disruptive events...well depression is a fairly common outcome. Seldom talked about - but here we go - a personal insight into my recent struggle and some of the tactics I used to get through it.

The MAGNIficent GodZone legacy (see what I did there?), the new IARC vs FISO, the return of the legendary GoldRush, the power of underwear, mental vs physical training, simple supplements for adventure racing and more.

I talk with esteemed ultra-endurance coach Heather Hart about her shift from Ultrarunning to Adventure racing. We get into training, risk, and way into the weeds with parenthood, funny stories etc. We even leave you with some sample training plans if you make it to the finish (or click here). Huge thanks to Heather for making me wake up way to early to hear her wisdom. You can follow her and her team at the upcoming Sea to Sea race Feb 22-25. I always love watching coaches suffer. After all they are so good at making their clients do it. Heather's 16 week sprint AR training plan for beginners My 3 week "Base-Ramp" for more experienced athletes shaking off the winter rust.

What if you could never put on a pair of padded bike shorts again, or skip a ride because you were worried about cold hands. Better yet, what if you could stop at that coffee shop on the way home from your long training ride without the wobbly awkward tap tap tap of bike cleats and tired post ride legs. Or what if you could save minutes on every transition in a race, increase ride comfort and never lose performance. Impossible you say? You are probably right. Best to just skip this podcast and wait for the next one.

Boom. Lets look at all things AR as we transition from 2023 to 2024. A Hollywood movie looms (and will finally educate the world about this sport, albeit with some questionable realities), ARWS looks at rule changes, and Kiwis come to race in America. We are joined by long time racer and Expedition Oregon 2024 course designer Darren Steinbech!

Fear, drama, effort, and lots of soul-searching. What does it feel like from the inside of a world championships race that asks athletes to fight against physical fatigue, and mental breakdowns for 24 hours non-stop. Pure speed, planning, execution and a little bit of luck as riders try to complete as many loops of a 14km single-track as they can in 24 hours. Join us as we follow 2022 world champion Chelsey Magness as she defends her title in Australia.

The final day of the race was just as exciting as the first finishers - with more heartbreak and celebration. Ozark takes a surprise Lantern Rouge! Bad feet suck (and are they good for the sport?). Post race depression sucks, but you can help your team avoid it. And can expedition racing really lead to HIV? Only one way to find out.

Life after the top 10. Even after the top 20. There are so many inspiring stories and athletes out there racing. There is a new AR world record currently being set (and not by any of the top teams!). The life blood of this sport is the athletes that line up, not knowing if they'll make it to the end - but stand bravely facing a true adventure - unknowns at every new stage. How are they fairing? How do they do it?

Ok, we open up that can of worms. Drugs and racing. What is the potential for "cheating" in these expedition races, and how should we be looking at it as a community. And spoiler alert it 100% does happen if you follow WADA rules, which ARWS says it does. So how do we move forward as a community and a sport. Well talking about it is a good first step. Note - there are 100% no allegations being made about this race or any other race. But lets not kid ourselves thinking that drugs aren't used to help racers. Many racers may not even understand that they are using things that are technically not allowed. I sure didn't.

What a crazy few days. Top teams dropped like flies, there were tears of triumph and of joy. And there were lots of "getting lost" moments. Oh yeah - and we crowned a new AR champion, had a few huge bombshell shells shake up the podium, and a bunch of teenagers looking like teenagers not wanting to get up and go to school. Lets dive in, and they join us for parts 2 and 3 where we do drugs, think about the future of the sport, look at the rest of the top 20 and the Lantern Rouge.

Hope is a fickle thing. Fatigue is one of the great levellers. And competitiveness is a tool to be honed. It's what teams do in those longs spaces between fatigue and hope that makes seems interesting. And then there are the stories - the unexpected things that happen like warming up in a human sized bread oven. I think it was team Hansel and Gretel but that remains to be confirmed. Anyhoo - I'm feeling it - but don't worry, I won't quit if you wont. Only one more day....well at least on more day until another day. and another and another....

Rules Rules Rules - how do you create a competition of something as epic as an expedition across South Africa. Or Patagonia. Or Faroe Islands? It is damn hard. We'll look at a few potential rules and gray areas that may impact the teams in the top 10 and why things can get complicated and emotional. Thanks to the referees - I don't envy your position at all! I'd love it if everyone could win (and in someways that happens).