Professional mountain biker Payson McElveen sits down with some of the biggest names in sports and adventure to get an inside look at what sets them apart. With no script, the casual conversations are as diverse as the guests, with topics ranging from harrowing tales of survival, to debates on current events, to everyday tips and tricks and everything in between. As Payson travels the world for his two-wheeled day job, listen in as he rubs shoulders with and learns from some of the most inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs, academics, and others as they chase and inspire greatness.
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Maude Farrell on winning the Lead Challenge after months of balancing cycling and ultrarunning
Mountain bike racing is hard. Ultrarunning is hard. So why did Maude Farrell decide to make things extra brutal for herself this season by combining them? Earlier this month, she won the Lead Challenge, a multi-month series comprised of five trail running and mountain bike races at over 10,000 feet. The final week of the series involved racing the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, running the Leadville 10k the next day, and running the Leadville Trail 100 race six days later. Maude sat down with Payson less than 36 hours after crossing that long-awaited finish line to talk about why she decided to blend these two punishing disciplines for her 2025 season after going all-in on gravel last year, how she trained for ultramarathons and cycling at the same time, and how those never-ending hundred miles of the Leadville Trail Race unfolded. Tears, a rave on Powerline, a life-giving cup of broth, and a lot of swearing were involved.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Ride With Pace: Zach Calton the morning after the Leadville 100
The day after placing top 10 at the Leadville 100, Zach Calton joined Payson on a ride to talk about returning to form after the toughest season of his career. They discuss how it all started a year ago at the Breck Epic, his disastrous experience at the Cape Epic, and how he’s slowly found his footing again this season. Use code PACE20 for 20% your first order of LTH supplements and take the quiz to get a plan tailored to your needs.Watch: Ride With Pace - Ep 4 LeadvilleWatch this episode on YouTube here: Zach Calton the morning after the Leadville 100Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Ride With Pace: Bradyn Lange after Leadville
Barely half an hour after crossing the finish line at the Leadville 100, Bradyn Lange joined Payson for a painful cooldown ride at 10,000 ft. They debrief about the race, talk about Bradyn’s last-minute set-up change, and debate whether Leadville is harder than Unbound. Use code PACE20 for 20% off your first order of LTH supplements and take the quiz to get a plan tailored to your goals and needs.Watch: Ride With Pace - Ep 4 LeadvilleWatch this episode on YouTube here: Bradyn Lange Post Race Spin - Leadville 100Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Leadville recap, with Torbjørn Røed, Cecily Decker, Emily Fagan, and key takeaways
In this packed Leadville 100 recap, Payson chats with 4th-place finisher Torbjørn Røed about his journey to the Grand Prix and their sprint finish last weekend. Then, he talks to Cecily Decker (aka Diesel Decker), who saw her months-long preparation for the race pay off when she took third place on the day and the top spot in the Grand Prix standings. Later, he chats with Emily Fagan, a middle school math and English teacher from North Carolina who took home the “Last Ass Over the Pass” trophy when she crossed the line with mere seconds to spare before the 12-hour cut-off. But first, Payson delves into the points standings and discusses some of his main takeaways from this year’s event.(00:00:00) Intro(00:03:35) Listener voice memos(00:07:27) Points analysis(00:14:50) U23 program(00:20:13) Three major takeaways(00:37:11) Torbjørn Røed(01:03:23) Cecily Decker(01:24:41) Emily Fagan(02:01:59) Sign-offInstagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Cam Jones on his U23 misadventures in Europe and growing up in New Zealand
Cam Jones has had a pretty memorable 2025 season, rocketing from Grand Prix wild card to winner of Unbound. And yet, that dramatic turn of events pales in comparison to his 2022 season. For his final year as a U23, Cam planned to race every World Cup in the hope that it might secure him a team for the start of his Elite career. After a promising start to the season, things went downhill fast. Kidney failure, Covid, and a five-day stint in a Belgian detention center followed, and somehow, that barely scratches the surface.Cam joined Payson in the studio in Durango to talk about that unforgettable 2022 season, how he ended up racing gravel in the U.S. after starting a forestry career in New Zealand, and his childhood in Nelson. They also talk about the logistics of traveling to Grand Prix races that American riders don’t have to think about, and how he’s approaching Leadville after his decisive and unexpected win at Unbound.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Robin Gemperle on winning the Tour Divide in under 12 days
Robin Gemperle defied all previous Tour Divide records earlier this year when he finished the notorious 2,700-mile race in less than 12 days, more than 300 miles ahead of second place. Formerly a junior member of the Scott-SRAM cross country team, he felt that there was untapped potential in maximising how fast the route could be ridden, not just how efficiently riders could sleep and refuel. Bringing all of his racing skills to the table, he set a blistering new standard that got people debating the future of the race. Robin sat down with Payson last week to detail his preparation for the Divide, how he eked out as much speed as possible on the bike, and the one thing he thinks he and future riders should focus on to go faster. He also reflects on his two years racing for Scott-SRAM and deciding to get an architecture degree afterward.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Kate Courtney on tackling Leadville and her first season as a privateer
Kate Courtney returns to the show the day after completing the Leadville Stage Race. Just a few months ago, it was barely on her radar, but after a broken wrist took her out of the World Cup circuit, she decided to look for a new way to challenge herself before the season starts up again at the end of August. In a couple of weeks, she’ll be lining up for her first Leadville 100. Kate sat down with Payson to talk about how the reality of the stage race diverged sharply from her expectations, what she learned, and why she isn’t viewing the 100-mile race as a mere side quest. She also talks about how her first season as a privateer is going. Spoiler alert: She and Payson go about things differently. Kate's Substack: https://themondaymantra.substack.comInstagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Cécile Lejeune on her steep gravel learning curve and medically retiring from sports in college
Cécile Lejeune started racing triathlons in her native France at 12 years old and quickly began picking up national titles. After gaining the attention of international recruiters, she moved to the US to race track in college. Soon, however, a chronic series of stress fractures took her out of competition and forced her into early retirement. Now, after just one year racing gravel, she’s become a top contender in the Grand Prix, even nabbing fifth at her first Unbound earlier this year. Cécile sat down with Payson at the studio in Durango to talk about learning the ins and outs of gravel racing at the front of the peloton, her early introduction to professional cycling racing on the road in Europe, and how she hopes gravel will evolve. She also talks about the culture shock of moving from France to Arizona for college, the eating disorder that likely contributed to her chronic stress fractures, and how she's navigated her diagnosis of RED-S, relative energy deficiency in sport. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Annika Langvad on coming out of retirement after having a baby
With six mountain bike world championships, a Leadville win, six World Cups, and six Cape Epic victories under her belt, Annika Langvad is one of the most decorated off road cyclists of all time. But shortly after yet another career triumph in 2019 when she pivoted to road racing and placed second at the Strade Bianche, she decided it was time to retire from racing. She began working as a dentist, but after the birth of her daughter 10 months ago, she realised that she was ready to jump back into competitive cycling, this time to gravel. Payson sat down with Annika a few days before she competed in her first Unbound to talk about why she decided to quit racing, why her daughter’s birth made her want to come back, and why she chose gravel. She also talks about the challenges of undergoing IVF treatment, saying that it was more difficult than anything she’s ever endured on the bike. Check out the Osprey Escapist™ Velocity 3 hydration pack and early access to Crossings: New Zealand.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Oregon Trail stage 5 co-hosted by Sarah Sturm, with Dylan Stucki and Nichole Baker
Payson and Sarah made it back to Bend. They may be a bit more haggard than they were at the beginning of the race, but that hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm. They sit down to talk about how the final stage played out, including all the tactics that went into the series overall standings. Then, they bring in Sarah’s husband Dylan to talk about his week, which involved a lot of mountain biking and car maintenance. Lastly, Nichole hops on the mic to talk about winning the women’s open category, learning about road tactics the hard way, and the fueling faux pas that left her extra dehydrated. Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Oregon Trail stage 4 co-hosted by Sarah Sturm
Payson and Sarah had two very different experiences on day four of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. They recap their respective miseries and triumphs on this second-to-last day, discuss how things are shaping up in the overall standings, and talk about the literal run-in with wildlife that left the racers shaken. They also talk about Dylan’s victory at the hot dog eating contest, the greatest gift Sarah ever received (an ice skating costume), liquified shower curtains, and, just in case you thought this wasn’t an educational program, they offer their top tips on recovering during stage races. Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Oregon Trail stage 3 co-hosted by Sarah Sturm, with Skyler Taylor
Stage 3 saw the riders heading out for an enduro day that turned out to be very heavy on the climbing. Skyler Taylor, who won the men’s stage, joins Payson and Sarah to talk about how he managed to reel in Cam Jones who has so far dominated the race with his power and descending skills. He also talks about deciding to leave his full-time job to focus on gravel this year, which he quickly followed through on by winning a wild card spot in the Grand Prix. Plus, Sarah talks about why time has never been her strong suit.Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Oregon Trail stage 2 co-hosted by Sarah Sturm, with Cécile Lejeune
After the punishing 94.7 miles of stage two, Payson and Sarah sit down with Cécile Lejeune, who is currently duking it out for first place in the overall despite having raced fewer than 10 gravel races in her entire career. They recap the day, which included multiple crashes, plenty of interpersonal drama, and a few good samaritans. They also talk about Sarah’s issue with Cécile’s snack choices, the multiple jobs Cécile holds down when she’s not racing, and whether running (her first sport) features as much social intrigue as gravel. Plus, Cécile and Sarah teach Payson a lesson in humility. Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Oregon Trail stage 1 co-hosted by Sarah Sturm
As the dust settles on stage one of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, Payson and Sarah sit down to talk about the punishing 80 miles from Bend to Gilchrist. They discuss how things played out in the men’s and women’s fields, how Sarah’s new haircut might have taken her out of contention, Evel Knievel’s leap across the Snake River, and her husband Dylan’s run-in with a skunk that has followed them to the race. Today’s episode is presented by SILCA. Use code: withpaceoregontrail to get 15% off. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Ride With Pace: Sarah Sturm and Taylor Lideen at Unbound
In this final episode on this year’s Unbound, we’re bringing you two interviews that Payson recorded while on the ground in Emporia. The first took place with Sarah Sturm the night before the race in which she discusses the limitations of team tactics in the women’s field. Her husband Dylan Stucki and mechanic Anna Greetis also chime in to talk about what it’s like doing the aid stations at such a big and important event. Next, Payson talks to Taylor Lideen, who he caught up with the day after the race. After getting hit by another rider from behind, Taylor was left with an unfixable mechanical and had to drop out of the race. He talks about how the 200 compares to the XL (which he’s won in the past), and why he’s still planning to come back for more.To watch these interviews, head to: https://www.youtube.com/@PaysonMcElveenInstagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc