Michigan Adventure Racing Archives - Outspoken Cyclist Podcast

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Mark Van Tongeren; Professor Jim Martin

Today, my guests are Mark Van Tongeren from Michigan Adventure Racing and Professor Jim Martin from the Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and Neuromuscular Function Lab at the University of Utah.

I’m not sure how I didn’t know about Michigan Adventure Racing. The organization seems so together, and Mark Van Tongeren, the founder and producer of these events seems to be the best kind of ride director.

If you are into well organized events that offer up some challenging riding, Michigan Adventure Racing might just have what you’re looking for this summer.

From his website tag line, “Adventurous races for those who like to go wild,” to the clever event names, Hurt the Dirt, Lord of the Springs, Coast to Coast Gravel Grinder, there is truly something for everyone at every level.

I was introduced to my second guest, Dr. Jim Martin by bike fitter extraordinaire Paul Swift. In my conversation with him back in February, he mentioned the work that Jim is doing and the fact that Jim will be the keynote speaker at a professional fit symposium at the Tour de France next month. I thought I’d nab him first.

World Champion Tadej Pogacar uses relatively short cranks. And that has re-ignited the conversation about crank arm length among a lot of folks – especially bike fitters.

So… going to the horse’s mouth – so to speak – and finding out that a change in crank arm length might be easily discerned by the rider, does not necessarily result in more power output.

Professor Jim Martin has the proof-positive that this is so, and he’s going to explain it and a lot more. Buckle up y’all… it’s a bit techy, and quite fascinating.

You can find out more about Professor Martin’s work at the University of Utah. And here are links to several of the studies we spoke about on the show.

Reprint Determinants of Metabolic Cost JAP
Reprint Determinants of Maximal Cycling Power
Crank Length and Submaximal Biomechanics

Transcript_June 2

Guest: Toby Stanton

My guest is not new to the show, and he is certainly not new to U.S. cycling or to the custom bike business.

In fact, Toby Stanton – Mr. Hot Tubes, Mr. Junior Development Team Guy, and probably one of the few people in the U.S. who has watched U.S. bike racing ebb and flow with deep insight and broad knowledge, is one of the most knowledgeable and approachable people in the biz.

I was fortunate enough to get “schooled” on the current state of U.S. bike racing – including how he views team development – in our conversation today.

We do talk about some of the other hats he wears – or has worn – over the

years – frame builder, painter, and currently carbon repair whiz.

But, his depth of understanding about how to “raise up” a young team of bike racers is exceptional.

Today’s young elite stars the likes of Magnus Sheffield and Matteo Jorgensen, who came up through the Hot Tubes Cycling development program, are showing us that the U.S. CAN and does compete successfully on the worldwide stage – for the first time in a long time!

Toward the end of our conversation, which took place just before Paris-Roubaix, I asked Toby who he thought might be on the top of the podium… actually, I suggested it might be Tadej Pogacar… Toby was an emphatic NO and, pretty much nailed the winner.

Follow us on Instagram, FaceBook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Read my after-interview commentary on my Substack and, while you’re there, please consider subscribing. All the content is up there for free, but I would be honored if you considered a bit of financial support too!Transcript_05032025

We’ll be back soon with a conversation about Michigan Adventure Racing as well as a chat with junior development team manager Rusty Miller.

Tag: Michigan Adventure Racing

Show #670 – June 2, 2025

Guests: Mark Van Tongeren; Professor Jim Martin

Show #669 – May 3, 2025

Guest: Toby Stanton