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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.

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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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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

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

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

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