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What if calling a week-long ride’s overnight towns could win you a jersey no one else will ever own? We turned our BRAG 2026 route fever into a community contest and crowned a winner who came astonishingly close to a perfect map. Along the way, we unpacked why state rides like Bragg are such a powerful gateway into bike touring: approachable daily mileage, supportive staff, flexible sleeping options, and small towns that roll out the welcome mat.

We walk through how riders reverse-engineer a route—looking at mileage norms, terrain, venue capacity, and that all-important Tuesday layover. The winning entry stood out not just for accuracy, but for understanding how a great route balances challenge and charm. That earned him a one-of-a-kind yellow Cycling Men of Leisure jersey co-branded with the BRAG Happy Trails logo, built to stand out across camp and spark conversations about his sharp call.

We also share practical travel tactics that make week-long rides smoother. Book fast the night the route drops. Use simple tools to split trip costs cleanly so friendships stay fun and finances stay fair. Pack for comfort and recovery as much as performance. And most of all, find your people. Riding with a team transforms long days into shared memories—familiar wheels, small rituals, and the kind of support that makes headwinds bearable and finish lines sweeter.

There’s banter, a listener spotlight with city clues, a quick job-search update, and a preview of our Florida swing with golf, Podfest, and a friendly college championship wager. Hit play for the winner reveal, stick around for the travel hacks and team wisdom, and leave ready to map your own adventure. If you’re stoked on the ride, follow, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and drop a review to help more cyclists find the show.

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Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

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New Year energy, winter grit, and a community that refuses to thin out—this one hits all three. We open with holiday contrasts that say everything about the ride right now: one of us hiking on ice with crampons and a Starbucks in hand, the other stepping out in shorts on a 70-degree Christmas. That contrast becomes a theme as we talk candidly about a slow job search, the quiet power of listener support, and why a team-first approach makes Big BRAG 2026 more rewarding for new riders and veterans alike.

We zoom out to the bigger picture too. A shrunken Bicycling Magazine issue in the mailbox sparks a look at how print is adapting—smaller formats, leaner shipping, tighter layouts—and how that mirrors the shift from paper to pixels across cycling media. The conversation veers from aero bikes and marginal gains to what actually moves most riders: comfort, consistency, and a reason to roll. We share stories from old-school route planning in real estate photography, where efficiency beat mileage, and connect that mindset to how we plan tours, choose gear, and build habits that last.

There’s plenty of community fuel. We recap warm welcomes from international listeners, share gratitude for supporters who keep the show humming, and invite everyone to join our Cycling Men and Women of Leisure teams for Big BRAG 2026. We also announce our Podfest 2026 plans, thanks to Buzzsprout’s support, and talk honestly about what conventions offer—useful ideas, people who push your craft, and a reminder that courses don’t replace clarity. The Listener Spotlight returns with crisp clues—ten flags, great transit, book lovers, and an American cookout classic—so bring your best guess and jump in.

Ride along for a thoughtful start to Season Five: real life, real laughs, and a clear focus on what matters—good roads, good people, and stories worth sharing. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

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Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

Ready for a ride that blends rail-trails, river views, and real small-town hospitality? We’re unveiling BRAG’s “Happy Trails” route and bringing you along for a southbound journey that starts at LaFette’s Honeybee Festival, rolls past a winery rest stop, settles into a two-night layover in Carrollton, and detours into a behind-the-scenes tour at Trilith Studios. From the Silver Comet to the LaGrange Thread and the Man O’ War Trail, we stitch together protected miles and lively downtowns for a week that feels equal parts adventure and reunion.

We map the route day by day so you can picture the ride: LaFette to Somerville, on to Cave Spring for cold spring water and easy camping; a midweek hub in Carrollton with the GreenBelt ready for a relaxed spin; a surprise cultural stop at Trilith with film-stage tours; then a push through Senoia to LaGrange for a big Friday night downtown. The finale brings us through Pine Mountain and drops into Columbus via the Riverwalk, where whitewater, zip lines, and riverfront patios set the scene for a celebratory finish.

Worried about logistics? We cut the planning to three choices: how long you’re riding, where you’ll sleep, and how you’ll get there. Veterans share why they park at the finish and shuttle to the start, plus tips for flyers using ATL or Chattanooga. We talk packing bikes into U-Hauls the smart way, booking shuttles, and choosing between hotels, indoor camping, or your trusty tent. Along the way you’ll hear bourbon price trends, stories of ocean-aged bottles and lake-aged wine, and why trail networks change not just your route but your headspace.

Subscribe, share with a ride buddy, and tell us: are you parking at the start or the finish this year? Your spot on “Happy Trails” is waiting.

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Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

A Bigfoot sweater, a heavy backpack full of mics, and a plane to Orlando—our year closes with the perfect mix of ride stories, travel plans, and one serious warning every cyclist needs to hear. We’re gearing up for Podfest, turning a living room into a studio, and cashing in on a DVC Moonlight Magic night that lets us skip the crowds and snag a few hours of park time. Along the way, we talk about how a smarter packing checklist, a better mic deal, and some SNL-worthy podcast jokes became part of our annual rhythm.

The community takes center stage with a sharp Listener Spotlight reveal: Mesa, Arizona, where ancient canals still inform modern life and towering saguaros are protected for good reason. That maps neatly into our revamped BRAG route-guessing contest—a fairer point system that rewards the correct town on the correct night, and a big bonus for the layover. It’s competitive, nerdy in the best way, and proof our listeners know roads we haven’t yet ridden. Yes, a custom jersey is on the line, but the real prize is the thrill of being right.

Then comes the must-hear segment: counterfeit bike parts. A recent $1.6M seizure of fake frames, bars, wheels, and components—some stamped with household cycling brands—reminds us that a bargain can be dangerous. We unpack the difference between knockoffs and counterfeits, why serial numbers can be forged, and how to protect yourself: buy critical components from reputable dealers or your local bike shop, verify serials, and second-guess prices that look magical. It’s not about brand loyalty; it’s about staying upright.

We wrap with our top moments of the year—post-ride honesty, “one more mile” lies, bourbon wisdom—and a simple truth: we may not be getting faster, but the stories keep getting better. If you’re here for community, safe gear, and a reason to ride tomorrow, you’re in the right place.

If this resonated, follow and subscribe, share it with a friend who loves bikes, and drop a review to help other riders find the show. Your notes and guesses power what we do next.

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Jersey Store

Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

The ride is more than the route, and this week we prove it—from a hilariously stubborn bathroom repaint to launching our biggest community challenge yet. We kick things off with the small stuff that somehow becomes big stuff, then shift gears into a listener spotlight reveal that lands in Tucker, Georgia, complete with military roots, postwar industry, and a surprising Kansas connection. It’s a reminder that every town on a cycling tour has layers, and those layers make the journey memorable.

From there, we talk honestly about job hunting in a world of AI recruiters and near-human support bots. It’s weird, useful, and worth interrogating. We counter the screen time with winter hiking, clever daily movement, and a few simple habits that keep the body ready for spring rides. Then we swerve into something unforgettable: a Forged in Fire episode where blacksmiths harvest steel from bicycles, craft blades, and test them against bike parts. It’s brutal, beautiful, and oddly inspiring for anyone who geeks out about materials, design, and durability.

The centerpiece is our BRAG 2026 route-guessing contest. Here’s the deal: guess each night town for the weeklong ride, score 10 points for the right town on the right night, 5 if the town is right but the night is wrong, and snag a bonus by following us on your favorite platform. The Tuesday-Wednesday layover counts double if you nail it, and the top scorer wins a one-of-a-kind jersey co-designed with BRAG branding and our show. Tie-breakers go to a live draw on the pod. Entries close Dec 31 at 10 p.m., and we’ll be back with a Route Release breakdown at noon on New Year’s Day after the official midnight reveal.

Ride along with us for the laughs, the clues, and the community energy. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves BRAG or Georgia cycling, and drop your route guesses before the clock runs out. Your jersey might be waiting.

Support

Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

A new chapter for BRAG starts here. We’re welcoming Domestic Ride Director Ron Ward to the family, spotlighting how he went from rider to crew to the person orchestrating the weeklong road adventure so many of us call summer camp on wheels. Franklin Johnson shares why international tours are accelerating, what growth means for the classic Georgia road experience, and how the team keeps rider joy at the center while scaling up.

You’ll hear the stories that make BRAG feel like home: chasing siblings across the state on mismatched bikes, spotting decade-old route arrows on backroads, and the unsung heroes who keep the ship steady—especially Stephanie, the glue behind the scenes. We talk real-world logistics, from rest stop strategy to layover day riding, and poke fun at hills that humble even the strongest legs. It’s the blend of humor, community, and care that turns a line on a map into a lifetime memory.

And because speculation is half the fun, we’re launching a listener-powered challenge: guess the 2026 Big BRAG route. Submit six towns in order, score 10 points for a correct town on the correct day, 5 for a correct town on the wrong day, and 20 if you nail the layover town. Share a screenshot showing you follow our podcast or YouTube for a 10-point head start. If there’s a tie, we’ll draw live. The prize is a one-of-one, co-branded winner’s jersey made in your size—the kind of trophy you can wear with pride.

Come for the ride stories, stay for the friendly competition, and get ready for our upcoming route reveal show with fresh trivia. If this conversation made you smile or start plotting towns, follow, subscribe, and leave a quick review. It helps more riders find the road—and the community waiting around the next corner.

Support

Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

A holiday gift list shouldn’t be hype; it should help. We pulled together a clear, field‑tested guide to the cycling gear that actually gets used, lasts through real weather, and makes every ride safer and more fun. From high‑lumen rechargeable lights that punch through daylight to the rear‑view bike radar that changed how we ride, we break down the smartest upgrades across budgets—under $25, $50, $100, and splurge‑worthy picks when you want to go big.

We also talk storage and travel, because clutter and logistics can sink a good ride. You’ll hear about the aero saddle pack that keeps tools dry and mounts a radar cleanly, top‑tube bags for snacks on the move, vertical rolling stands that free garage space, and a simple charging station that tames cords when you’re juggling lights, computers, and radar. Flying with your bike? We compare hard cases designed to roll smoothly through airports and shield carbon frames from baggage‑handler mayhem. For comfort and delight, we champion the stealth move of fresh premium bar tape, stainless steel bottles shaped for cages, multitools that replace rusted relics, and even fun socks and a crisp bell that cuts through trail noise.

Beyond the gear, we share a listener spotlight with a twist—Waltham, Massachusetts, the Watch City that helped standardize manufacturing and keep the rails on time—plus a friend’s ambitious 2026 cross‑country route spanning 14 states, Great Lakes coastlines, Glacier National Park, and more. It’s a reminder of why the right kit matters: safety, freedom, and the simple joy of a smooth ride at bike speed.

If you enjoy thoughtful cycling talk and practical recommendations, tap follow, share this with a rider who needs gift ideas, and leave a quick review to help more folks find the show. Your support keeps the wheels turning.

Support

Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

What if your early-season ride felt more like a festival than a sufferfest? We sit down with Cycle Zydeco’s ride director, Scott, to unpack a Louisiana cycling experience built around live Zydeco music, crawfish boils, dance lessons, and easy, flat miles that leave you grinning instead of gasping. With Breaux Bridge as the new base camp and Lafayette just a quick shuttle away, the logistics finally match the vibe: simple arrivals, secure overnight bike staging, showers on-site, and routes that roll from 40 miles to metric options with almost no climbing.

We dig into the details riders care about. Hotels, RV camping, and on-site tent villages? Covered. Bike rentals, shipping, assembly, and last‑minute fixes from a full shop? Also covered. Zydeco Bucks spend like cash at local restaurants and stores, turning post‑ride meals into a culinary tour that feeds the community, too. Curious about VIP perks? Think swamp tours, Tabasco’s island, museum stops, a craft cocktail festival, and priority charging stations. Prefer to keep it lean? The basic package keeps the heart of the experience intact—routes, snacks, music, and a generous stash of Bucks—without the extras.

We also preview Jazzing on the Trace, a two‑day warm‑up on the Tammany Trace near Lake Pontchartrain. Expect 30 mellow miles, seafood boils by the water, and a shot of New Orleans energy just over the bridge. And yes, we talk weather, safety, and support: flat terrain with fast‑moving showers, shuttles that flex when the party runs late, and mechanics who can source everything from spokes to thru‑axles. If your spring calendar needs a ride that doubles as a cultural deep dive—Cajun and Creole food, Rockin’ Dopsie and friends, and a dance floor that opens at three—this is your sign.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more riders can find their way to Louisiana’s most joyful cycling week.

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Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com