Keegan Swenson & Tobin Ortenblad - EP10

In this conversation, Austin White and Spencer Rathkamp discuss various topics including their recent experiences, upcoming races, and the state of the mountain bike industry. They also talk about the Red Bull Hardline event and the dangerous jump that was eventually removed. Tobin Ortenblad joins the conversation and shares his experience as a world champion in single-speed cyclocross. They also touch on the rules and regulations of UCI races and Tobin's transition to gravel racing. The conversation covers the differences between racing cross and gravel, the training schedules for each discipline, and the excitement and challenges of cyclocross racing. The guests discuss the physical demands of cross racing, the explosiveness and speed required, and the importance of volume and cumulative training. They also touch on the changing landscape of professional racing, with younger riders becoming more competitive and the shift towards gravel racing. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Crusher and the Tusher race and the possibility of Keegan racing cyclocross in the future. The conversation in this part focuses on the dynamics of gravel racing, particularly the challenges faced in races like Unbound. The lack of teamwork and the reluctance to chase breakaways are highlighted as factors that make it difficult to control the race. The importance of conditions, such as mud and technical sections, in breaking up the field is also discussed. The conversation touches on the need for more teammates and the tactics used to try and make breaks stick. The different rulebooks for each race are mentioned, highlighting the unique nature of each event. Keegan and Tobin discuss their dynamic as teammates and how it has evolved over the years. They talk about their experiences racing together, including the Leadville race where they worked together to help Keegan set a record. They also discuss the team dynamics and support they receive from Santa Cruz. Keegan talks about his transition from XC racing to gravel racing and how it has been a new challenge for him. They also mention their involvement in other disciplines like Enduro and Cyclocross. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss upcoming races and their experiences in gravel racing. They mention the Grand Prix, Gravel Nationals, and Gravel Worlds in Belgium. They joke about taking the McTubbin bike to Belgium and breaking up the team. They also talk about their experiences in gravel racing, including tire choices and the intensity of the racing. They discuss the popularity of gravel racing in Europe and the differences between road racing and gravel racing. They also mention their experiences in the USA National Gravel Championships and the challenges they faced during the race. The conversation ends with a discussion about their training and preparation for races. In this final part of the conversation, the hosts discuss Keegan Swenson's success in cyclocross and his tattoos. They also touch on the sustainability of gravel racing and its appeal to different types of riders. The hosts express their own preferences for mountain biking and discuss the potential challenges and future of the gravel industry. They wrap up the episode with plans for future guests and encourage listeners to follow them on social media.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
06:12 Spencer Rathkamp's Stunt Show Experience
13:12 US Olympic Roster Announcement
14:33 Red Bull Hardline and Dangerous Jump
16:33 Tobin Ortenblad: World Champion in Single-Speed Cyclocross
23:49 Transitioning to Gravel Racing
24:43 Extended Gravel Racing Season
24:53 Introduction and Differences Between Cyclocross and Gravel Racing
28:22 Training for Cyclocross vs. Gravel Racing
31:12 The Shift Towards Gravel Racing
33:35 The Challenges of Cyclocross Racing
38:41 The Crusher and the Tusher Race
46:57 Keegan's Potential Cyclocross Racing
47:03 The Challenges of Gravel Racing
57:42 The Impact of Conditions on Gravel Races
58:57 The Importance of Teammates in Gravel Racing
01:04:14 The Unique Rulebooks of Gravel Races
01:05:20 Communication and Tactics in Gravel Racing
01:05:33 Teammate Dynamics
01:09:44 Team Structure and Support
01:13:40 Team Tattoos and Unity
01:15:07 Transition to Gravel Racing
01:18:03 Gravel Racing as a Blend of Disciplines
01:19:34 Leading the Grand Prix
01:22:17 Truck Project: Flatbed and Camper Shell
01:23:07 Fuel Efficiency and Driving Habits
01:25:04 Upcoming Races and Team Dynamics
01:26:46 Tire Choices and Intensity in Gravel Racing
01:27:29 Gravel Racing in Europe
01:28:06 USA National Gravel Championships
01:29:00 Training and Preparation for Gravel Racing
01:41:26 Keegan Swenson's Cyclocross Success and Tattoos
01:47:06 The Sustainability and Appeal of Gravel Racing
01:54:43 The Future of the Gravel Industry
01:59:59 Plans for Future Guests and Social Media

[@SpencerBradley-kz2ks]

Great episode!

[@insidermtb]

Thank you for watching.

[@eliluke2427]

I’m quite surprised to hear you say that gravel isn’t doing well. Where I live in the Midwest, gravel is booming. Every gravel race in my area sells out nearly instantly or pushes up the limit of racers. The shops in my area almost exclusively sell gravel bikes. I know people who do (casually) compete in triathlons on gravel bikes because it is more efficient to only own one gravel bike instead of a tri bike that collects dust when you aren’t racing. One piece of evidence that might be considered empirical, last spring Cervélo put all their mtn bikes on a steep sale (50% off). The Cervelo gravel bikes weren’t discounted which would lead me to believe they demand for those bikes are higher.

[@insidermtb]

It makes sense in places like the Midwest, where it only makes sense to get a gravel bike. It's still doing good. But on the West Coast, when it's up against other forms of riding, it's performing differently than it was during COVID. E-bikes are still king in growth.