Open Mic with Mike Creed Ep 43 Solo ramblings with guests

THIS EPISODE Mike and old friend Chad Hartley get together after the Belmont Criterium in Charlotte, NC, to catch up and swap stories over a bourbon or two. In a career that's spanned decades, Chad first started racing BMX as a teenager, turned pro at age 19, and after a stint with Jittery Joe's joined Mike on TIAA-CREF (later to morph into Slipstream/Chipotle and finally Team Garmin). Teammate, training buddy, prankster, and all-around good guy, Chad lived with Mike in Silver City back in the day, and in spite of Creed's derision, has followed the team director path, currently as rider-manager with Athlete Octane Cycling (formerly Sharecare), a team focusing primarily on domestic criterium racing. Following a lengthy reminiscence of their best "pantsing" episodes – including a brawl in a Cracker Barrel – the guys share what is perhaps the best-ever Mike "Meatball" Friedman story. Lest you think this conversation is all about punking, Mike and Chad have a thoughtful and fascinating conversation about racing then and now, and how the pro peloton and the nature of racing has changed, along with a timely and germane debate about the pros and cons of stage racing vs. criterium racing and how the nuances can sometimes be not so apparent to outside spectators. You will be utterly engrossed by this free-wheeling conversation between really good friends, teammates, and colleagues. As always, Open Mic with Mike Creed is presented by The Colorado Cyclist, Mike’s very first professional cycling team in 1998. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cyclist for their support of Mike over the years, and a big thank you to them for stepping up and sponsoring the podcast and offering $50 gift cards to our Twitter contest winners. Please visit their website at coloradocyclist.com and give them a follow on Twitter at @Co_Cyclist to show your appreciation for everything they do for us. Right now, place any order with them over $100 and receive a gift certificate worth 10% of your order. Call (800) 688-8600 for details.(Please note: when redeeming your gift certificate, please include certificate number, password and dollar amount in the comments box at final checkout.) Colorado Cyclist is now offering free shipping on any order over $40 via UPS ground to the lower 48 states!!! We're also grateful for the continuing partnership with Chris Smith and Lazer Helmets. Every podcast we'll be giving away either a Lazer helmet or pair of Lazer sunglasses. All you need to do is mention @LazerHelmets or @Lazer_Vision on Twitter with a clever tweet that conforms to the week's contest rules. If your tweet is chosen, you'll win a Lazer item. This week we're giving away a pair of Lazer shades. You just need to tweet at @Lazer_Vision and hashtag #LazerVision or #OpenMic why you need these glasses or where you would use the glasses. A winner will be selected next Thursday and announced on Friday before the week's podcast. Good luck, and as always, thanks for listening!