LEARNING FROM FAILURE

As 2018 comes to a close we look back at big failure that defined the rest of the year for us and what we learned from it. #couch2kanza #thesupplelife

[richardbarrass]

A "real' cyclist doesn't criticize someone for getting on a bike and riding it regardless of the purpose or destination. You guys speak for 90% percent of the cycling population and we love it! Keep doing what your're doing and ignore the rhetoric. Happy New Year to you both and safe pedaling.

[saflatty]

The measurement to record is not Watts/kg or speed but it’s how big the smile is on your face when you’re on a bike!

[mjcrites]

I freaking love #thesupplelife. We’re a subculture, it’s supposed to be weird.

[JackJenkins]

Bless you. NO ONE who rides a bike 100 miles on gravel has failed at anything! That is an amazing accomplishment which only a tiny segment of our population will ever be able to do or even attempt. I think you are honing in on an extremely valuable content set in your videos; you speak to a wide range of cyclists, regardless of age or where they live. I personably in lucky in that I am older, still able to ride and have had a modicum of success at extreme endurance MTB events and, believe me, I would be proud and honored to ride any time, any event, anywhere with you and Laura; you are winners. Keep on trucking’ you are on a good path. Enjoy 2019!

[klunker]

Just ignore the negative comments. It degrades the channel when you always mention it. Most of us LOVE this channel. #FOCUSONPOSITIVES✌

[stephanemartin]

You worry for nothing. You are car free. You are doing everything on bicycle. In my book, you are a true cyclist.

[griff]

Dirty Kanza--you tried and that's a significant thing in and of itself. Good Job!

[jimmythefish]

Guy, I was a nationally ranked distance runner for a lot of years. Anyone who bashes anyone for poor performances hasn't ever taken risks. The best athletes define themselves and mark themselves by not having achieved goals and by trying and failing. The best athletes care not about what others have failed at; they respect people who try. The real failure is not trying. Not doing. Hold your head up and give yourself a break. You guys are fantastic and inspire thousands of people every day.

[PaulThePunter]

Great year end video dude. I personally would love to see you come back and over come your failure - what a story that would be! Huge fan of your honesty and being vulnerable. Keep creating 🤙

[tjrioux]

You are serving a bicycling niche that is growing. We love what you're doing and one thing we get out of your vids is to totally ignore the pressure to be competitive and instead bathe our minds with the pure pleasure of bicycling and adventuring. It's a lifestyle, a way to be one with nature. Thanks you two.

[scottydoo]

109 miles is crazy. You two did awesome. It’s not let down. It’s live and learn. F’ the haters. You guys rocked it. At least you know what’s going on. Bravo.

[waterboxer]

I've been cycling for 55 years. Little did I know when I first moved forward on my Rollfast single speed bike that my preferred style of cycling would be the perfectly described by you as the "supple life." I have never worn lycra or spandex. My ideal bike is constructed of double or triple butted chromoly--Reynolds, Columbus, True Temper, Ishiwata, or Tange--carbon need not apply. The wheels? 650b or fat 700c. A rack or two to carry my gear and I am good to go.

I admire you both for attempting the Dirty Kanza. Wishing you two much success in 2019.

[Hur]

I ride up to 23, 000 km every year, averaging around 12, 000 km per year for the last 35 years or so, and yet I don't qualify as a 'real' cyclist, by these ridiculous definitions. I've never raced, I've never toured (and don't feel the need), and I'm not much of a group rider (frankly, I'm a curmudgeon, not to mention super slow, averaging 17 kph most years).

Yet, I persist, and have no doubt that I'm a 'real cyclist'. You, Russ, are much more than that -- you are an inspiration. And, #thesupplelife is a cool hashtag.

[DirtyBunnyAdventureCycling]

Hey, long time viewer, rare responder. But, want to add something to this. tl;DR "There are snobs everywhere, and they're not always right."

I could tell you a ton of stories from the last few years about people who take cycling WAY too seriously, and force conformity because "I'm right, you're not." A local shop hosts an "open" group ride. One of the self-appointed "ride alphas" chewed me out for the crimes of being "too fat" for his ride, wearing "taco socks" and not real road styles, riding a "fat tire" bike (a Salsa Warbird with 38's) and having "luggage" (a frame bag and a top tube bag). He went as far as to try to throw me out of the ride for not taking it "seriously." Then the shop wonders why they never see fresh faces on their rides.

Ok, so that's roadies. Touring is different, right? No. In 2017 I attempted a x-country bike trip that I ended up abandoning due to injury. Started in Seattle, went up to Anacortes and followed the North Tier maps. Day 5 I ended outside of Winthrop at a bike barn and met a "lifestyler" tour rider who ran super-ultra light and kept a blog bragging about how cool he was with his thousands of fans. He rode herd on me for 6 hours about how heavy my load was until I finally relented and said "Fine, what do I need to send home?" (He was saying I should just throw it away, but that was silly to me.) And his suggestions were, among other things, my cold weather gear. "It's summer, you'll never need it."

A week later I was camping in a backyard (with permission) but woke up at 3 AM. the outside temp was 35F, my heart rate was 30, I couldn't see my breath and my gear was only rated down to 50F. And all I could think was "Ya know what would be nice right now? My hoodie..." But this guy's attitude was "I'm right, do what I say" and he wouldn't leave me the hell alone 'till I did, and he was wrong.

This isn't to mention the dozens of random people who have yelled at me for anything from riding the "wrong bike" on a trail to riding "too close" to their lane when they're passing the other way or the dismissive "tisking" I've heard from arrogant roadies who finish #NotARace fondos at time-trial speeds just to judge the "for fun" riders in the back.

Point is that there's always "that guy", there's always the snobs who think that their way is the "only way". And if you don't conform, they'll scream at you to MAKE you conform or to drive you away. Seen it in every sport I've ever done, every hobby I've ever done, everything.

That said, one of the reasons I subbed in the first place is that you're NOT "Dude-bro" reviewing stuff, and you're talking about things I'm wanting and doing anyway. TO hell with the haters, you're talkin' bout stuff I want to know about and you're one of the only ones doing it for the casual riders, and that's awesome.

[andrewmcalister]

If you NEVER fail, you aren't pushing yourself hard enough. Just ride on past the haters.

[kurtc]

Russ, keep up the great work. Please don't get discouraged; your channel is one of several favorites, that I check out nearly daily. I'm not an athlete, just an enthusiast cyclist biking for fitness and enjoyment. I identify totally with your view on cycling. Racing is fine for those who choose to race, but is not the only aspect of cycling. Hang strong and know you have lots of viewers who appreciate your content.

[marccope]

I have participated in dozens of mountain bike and gravel road races and have loved every one. Having said that I do not think of myself as an athlete, but I am definitely a cyclist. It was never my goal to compete, let alone win, just to pish myself mentally and physically and be part of different cycling cultures.You have to deal with the trolls on the internet, the rest of don't. I would suggest to keep rubbing shoulders with those in the racing community. You will find your people there, too! I'm one of them. Thanks for representing this side of cycling culture. You are needed.

[ExpeditionNomadicAdventures]

You are not a failure. You have inspired an old retired guy to relive his daydreaming days of mountain biking before there was ever such a term and now I'm preparing to include bicycle touring/backing to my list of hobbies. No, you are not a failure and never let anyone tell you. I see from the many comments you are an inspiration to a culture of bicycle hobbyist who loves and look forward to your videos. Continue with your great work as I consider the fat-tire winter bike riding. My old bones will need lots of those heating chemical pads.

[louiscormier]

Couch to Kanza is why I got here in the first place!

[sw]

PathLessPedaled, Don't worry about anything, Channel is awesome. Your not the ones hiding behind the keyboard.