This is a short conversation Ellen & Marley had with Jarrod Alder before our DFL discussion last episode.

Jarrod was a key organizer of Minneapolis’s Alex Pretti Memorial Ride on January 31st, 2026, held just a few days after Pretti’s murder at the hands of ICE Agents. The ride in Minneapolis saw over 5,000 participants, and there were more than 300 rides around the world.

This is a story of riding as resistance; of how the cycling community came together to honor one of our own, and to take a stand. We hope you take away a feeling of hope, that you are not alone in feeling feelings about what is happening, and that you leave with one example of how everyone can find a way to oppose what’s happening.

As of airing this episode in February, at least six people have been killed by ICE in 2026, and ICE is still active across Minnesota. News outlets report as many as 500 agents are still on the ground, which, while being reported as a draw-down, is still a huge and disruptive presence. For ways to support our neighbors in the north, we’ve linked to a reddit thread with links to dozens of organizations. Nation-wide, you can call your representatives and voice your opposition.

​Minnesota still needs us:

https://www.reddit.com/r/minnesota/comments/1qcfpmw/how_you_can_help_master_list/

This is the third and final episode in our 3-part series on The Mid South Gravel bike ride. You cannot talk about the Mid South without talking about their now-infamous DFL (Dead-F*cking-Last) party. So we invited two of our favorites on to talk about it.

Jarrod Alder tells his story of his muddy Mid South ride that sparked the first party back in 2017, and Beth McBride shares her experience as the most recent DFL rider. She earned her designation back in 2024, but because the event was canceled last year, she has yet to pass the torch.

This year, All Bodies on Bikes has teamed up with the Mid South and Ride with GPS to host the DFL Party! We are so excited for some of the ideas we have up our sleeve. If you're going to be at Mid South, come find us and celebrate the last person to cross the finish line with the biggest party and the most joy you have ever seen.

In this episode, Marley Blonsky—who is somewhat notorious for NOT training before a long ride—interviews Coach Dave Schell, cycling coach for the All Bodies on Bikes Mid South Gravel team. Dave helps all athletes fit training into their lives, making it enjoyable, effective, and doable.

They talk about the importance of consistency, how to manage stress about working in a ride, and tailoring workouts to your individual needs, from physical differences to whatever life is currently throwing at you. They also discuss nutrition and how to fuel your body for a long distance event.

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for making the most of your training so that you can enjoy the ride!

00:47 Meet Coach Dave Schell

01:52 The Role of a Cycling Coach

03:10 Training Tips and Strategies

07:38 Incorporating Training into Daily Life

11:15 Success Stories and Realistic Goals

20:07 Common Training Pitfalls

22:41 Nutrition and Fueling for Rides

Website: https://www.kaizenendurance.coach/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kaizenendurance/

Podcast: https://www.kaizenendurance.coach/podcast

Fundraising: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=M5QPG8XCVKZ86

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is supported by BikeTiresDirect.com. Use code ALLBODS for 10% off your order, and for 6% to go toward supporting future episodes of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast. Thanks!

Each year All Bodies on Bikes takes a team of non-traditional athletes to Mid South Gravel for the ride of their lives, focused on joyful movement and fun. They train together virtually through the winter from their homes across the country, then finally come together for a weekend full of excitement, endless miles of red dirt, and some of the best parties you’ve experienced, INCLUDING the “DFL” dead-effing-last party.

This episode is a conversation I had with Matt Fisher, a 2025 team member and now a mentor for 2026’s team, as well as a founding member of our Dallas Fort Worth All Bodies on Bikes chapter. We wanted to share his story as a peek into what it’s like to be part of the team.

The next two episodes will focus on different aspects of the All Bodies on Bikes Mid South experience. Next week Marley chats with Coach Dave who works with athletes to create training programs they use throughout the winter. And in two weeks we're celebrating a celebration… aka gushing about what makes the DFL party special.

(And yes, this is your little nudge to consider applying for next year’s team!)

If you’ve ever said “I could do that!” when you see cool bike influencer content, this episode is for you!

In this episode we get a peek behind the curtain into Marley’s life as a professional cycling influencer and athlete, from contracts & comments to authenticity and selling out. Ellen’s perspective as a marketing professional helps you understand what brands are looking for when working with individual influencers, and Marley breaks down the work that happens to make this lifestyle a reality.

If you're ready to start your own account, we hope you do! The world needs as many unique bodies on bikes as possible.

00:55 Engagement and Social Media

04:21 Influencer Life

08:33 Contracts and Brand Relationships

16:59 Ethics, Disclosures and Fairness

24:31 Crafting Your Pitch to Brands

26:23 The Challenges of Content Creation

34:45 Navigating Sponsorships in the Bike Industry

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is supported by BikeTiresDirect.com. Use code ALLBODS for 10% off your order, and for 6% to go toward supporting future episodes of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast. Thanks!

Today we're chatting about Marley's recent experience of doing everything kind of... well... wrong after being hit by a driver in a car while on her bike.

And honestly if a post-crash freak-out can happen to Marley, it could happen to anyone, so we want you to be prepared!

We outline the correct steps to take if you're ever in a similar situation, including how to check your body and your bike, why you need to get the driver's information, and repeatedly remind you to get medical attention… even if you feel fine in the moment. (Adrenaline is a hell of a drug!)

02:12 Details of the Crash

07:06 Vision Zero and Traffic Safety

12:51 What to Do After Being Hit by a Car on Your Bike

14:04 Importance of Context and Witnesses

15:01 Immediate Actions Post-Accident

17:40 Involving the Police and Bike Inspection

21:18 Emotional Reactions and Accepting Help

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is supported by BikeTiresDirect.com. Use code ALLBODS for 10% off your order, and for 6% to go toward supporting future episodes of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast. Thanks!

Want to ride more in 2026? Marley & Ellen are here to help you find the right cycling event for you! There are tons of rides that are inclusive and enjoyable and match your goals, whether you're interested in gravel or road cycling, long-distance rides, or social rides.

What can you look for to know if a cycling event is inclusive of all riders? Check the event details for non-binary or gender expansive categories, longer time limits, and a schedule of lead-up events that caters to all types of riders.

Once you find what fits your vibe, all you have to do is train—and we have tips for that too! 💪 If you are riding Unbound or Big Sugar in 2026, be sure to check out the FREE Wheels of Welcome program, led by Marley. Links below!

The All Bodies on Bikes crew will be at a ton of events this year. Come say hi, and let us know in the comments what events you'll be at, too.

02:57 What to look for to understand how inclusive a cycling event will be

06:52 Training tips for cycling long distances

09:58 Wheels of Welcome Program at Unbound & Big Sugar

15:47 Some of Marley’s favorite inclusive bike rides

Episode references:

Unbound Gravel 2026 Wheels of Welcome: https://www.unboundgravel.com/wheels-of-welcome/

Big Sugar 2026: Event info coming soon, and posted on their site: https://www.bigsugarclassic.com/

Scientific American: A Human on a Bicycle Is among the Most Efficient Forms of Travel in the Animal Kingdom: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-human-on-a-bicycle-is-among-the-most-efficient-forms-of-travel-in-the/

Pre-order Marley's new book, Rag Tag Best Friends Bicycle Club: https://ragtagbestfriendsbicycleclub.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is supported by BikeTiresDirect.com. Use code ALLBODS for 10% off your order, and for 6% to go toward supporting future episodes of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast. Thanks!

Marley and Ellen dive into the importance of choosing the right cycling clothing, especially for individuals in larger bodies. They share personal experiences and offer practical tips for various biking needs, from casual commuting to long-distance rides.

03:18 All Bodies on Bikes began with size-inclusive advocacy

04:18 Challenges of finding cycling clothing for people in bigger bodies

05:56 How to choose the right padded bike shorts

12:01 Gravel and road cycling fashion

13:32 How to choose cycling bibs vs. bike shorts

18:26 Do you need specific clothes for mountain biking?

19:33 How to choose clothes for your bike commute

20:36 Staying dry while bike-commuting in the rain

23:24 How to be safe & visible when riding your bike

25:11 How to layer for warmth when cycling

References

1. Check out the new ABOB Cycling Kit - sizing up to 6X!
2. Marley recommends Cleverhood (and ABOB will get a % if you buy one of these!)
3. We luv Shredly and their inclusive sizing!
4. You can pre-order Marley’s new children’s book, Rag Tag Best Friends Bicycle Club here: https://stronggirlpublishing.com/ragtag/
5. And we mentioned our episode, cycling with a uterus - listen on Spotify or Apple