I found that last question interesting and maybe gives me hope for America . I am a 62 yr old white male, small business owner. The thought of what ethnicity or color you are never crossed my mind. I always just saw a guy making great videos that are very thoughtful, informative and fun to watch. Maybe I’m more “insulated” from others worlds POV’s than I realized. I relish each of your videos because having built a small business from scratch I know how hard it is and I worry one day you will “hit the wall” and throw in the towel realizing how hard you work and you tube gets the lions share of the income. I hope it doesn’t happen as that will be a great loss for us. Yes I am the lowest level patreon subscriber for you but all those small dollar donations to different people can really add up. I hope more you tube watchers consider your patreon account. Looking forward to more great content and best of luck to you. P.S. I still look at the watercolor I bought and love it. Thank you for that too!
+1 on the ethnicity thing. I'm a 45 year old white dude, blue eyes and all that jazz, and yes I wear the Lycra shorts (do you folks on the other side of the pond call them Spandex? Over in the UK- and Oz too in fact- we're known as MAMILs [middle-aged men in Lycra]). I also have been following the channel for years, and have never even consciously noticed the "short brown dude" thing. Perhaps it's because I've lived in Asia for much of my adult life, last 6 years in China with my wife who's also "brown" (from Indonesia) and I don't really notice race so much. I have noticed the odd negative comment though, and it's pretty sickening- you put your heart and soul on screen here, some folks just have no basic human decency. Nil carborundum illegitimi!
I would have the 3rd that sentiment. Maybe I'm just weird, but judgments based on what color you are has never occurred to me, or more frankly, even matter to me. I came for the content. I stay because of the content. Just keep doing what you're doing and everything else will just take care of itself.
I too am a caucasoid individual of advancing age. I'm even about 20lbs overweight despite constant cycling. I can't speak for "short, brown" peeps, but the minority I'm glad you are serving in the cycling space is the non-racer. (minority in youtube presence, not minority in the real world) Cycling is a way for me to be physical and explore nature despite deformities that keep me from hiking and kept me out of sports my entire life. I have better balance on a bike than while standing. For me it's about a meditative experience and finding a type of mental peace while the body is occupied with a repetitive physical task. This brings me better MENTAL balance while on the bike as well. GCN is very well produced, and the guys seem like nice people, but even though they're fellow melanin-challenged cyclists, I don't really feel much connection to what they do. And a lot of the more "Gravel" oriented Insta accounts are more like model/fashion shows as often seen in the faux-vanner community. I'm aging, but not an aging hipster. "Keep it real" is something my generation used to say back in the olden times of yesteryear. So far you're doin it. So far I'm likin it.
I am a short brown guy too and really appreciate what Russ and Laura contribute to the world of cycling. In particular, I value Russ’s perspectives on bike fit and the world of 650b and the supple life. Like you, I consider it a privilege to be able to support PLP as a low level Patreon donor and suggest others do the same.
Russ, WOW! That last question, and your response really surprised me! I never even thought about that. All I see/have seen is a person that is taking his time to present information that I find of value! Keep up the good work.
I guess the last comment was strange to me. I never gave the fact that you are a person of colour any thought at all. I found you by accident while searching for info on Redshift stems. It was great find. You give honest informed feedback to an area of cycling that is underserved. Thanks so much keep going !
I sure enjoy your contribution to the world, the bike curious realm in particular. Thank you for standing out in the crowd and riding proudly into the light, albeit lonely. I send friends to your channel often, with the encouragement that you’re a good guy with an honest approach. You don’t know all of us but we dig your work!! Russ, Love it.
I love this channel it inspired me to get into riding again and recover from my heart attack very fast and am now back up to good daily distance. I now have 3 fat bikes haha. Thanks for all you do.
Fuck the haters, bless the creators. Thanks for those reco's on other diverse cycling channels. We're doing things here that most people don't have the gumption to do
Russ, please ignore the negative naysayers and racial comments. Opinions are like sphincter mussels, everyone has one. As a retired black man who travel around the US, ignorance by others is their issue not yours or mine. Stay strong my young friend. 👌🏾😄✌️🏾👍🏾
I didn't know how much I needed a bicycle channel like yours until I found it. And when I heard you ask the question with what your channel offers I knew it was for me. I appreciate your candid honesty and perspective of the kind of things that interest me. love the reviews, love the adventures, love you guys. No other channel like it. Thanks Russ.
Hey Russ, I’ve been subscribed for several months and absolutely love your thoughtful approach to the supple life. I’m a convert. However, I’ve never appreciated you more than when listening to your response to the last question about being a person of color in a white dominated arena. I’ve always wondered what that was like and your honesty, vulnerability, and courage in answering that question speaks volumes about you. I suspect you don’t have much free time but if you have and hour and a quarter I would highly recommend watching Brene Brown’s The Call to Courage on Netflix. She speaks eloquently and from years of research and experience about how we are hardwired to seek belonging and how it makes it almost impossible to ignore the trolls’ comments. She also describes the attributes of courageous people. When I listened to her the other night I actually thought of you. A combination of vulnerability and courage every time you post. Your answer to the last question confirms to me (and I’m sure to countless others) that you are an example of what’s good in the world today. Please accept my thanks for being a genuine person and a role model of humility and strength to many - including this 62 year old white male. Take care, Paul
So stoked I found your channel. You are super positive and make bike nerdy-ness so fun. I’m just getting into bike touring and your channel is such a resource. Thank you!!
Russ: we love you and your thoughtful show! So much info and encouragement to get outside and live life. Thanks to you and Laura - love it when she contributes.
Hi I'm from Czech Republic that is Central Europe and that you are person of color newer pop in my mind. You are that dude who love bike and enjoy them way I do to that is why I notice your channel and that why I follow you. Thank for your time doing it.
Awesome! I always appreciate your honesty throughout your videos. Reviews, opinions, adventures and even failures I can always see that your love of cycling is the most important element of pathlesspedaled. I've bought several items I've seen on your channel and been more than pleased. Not because they are the "newest" and the "latest' but because they're function serves my purpose. This is how I want to ride, shop and be informed. Thanks again! Oh, just put my deposit down for a Mone El Continente. A brand i discovered from your channel. Cjell rocks!
Russ, I never saw you as a short brown person. I just saw you as a great original cycling content creator. Keep up the great work, people will notice in time.
Russ! I'm a 40ish daddy who learned to love cycling again by watching channels like yours. I live in Asheville, NC, the realm of super-gnar hard-core $$ mountain biking. Path Less Pedaled has brought back that excitement in what I CAN do. I commute, tour and ride steep gravel around here and your vids recapture the spirit of the sport for me. Thanks for what you do, you awesome small brown person. Also I fish from my bike which I never would have done without your encouragement. Stay you.
Great video as always. It was enlightening to hear some of the challenges you face trying to maintain and grow a successful channel. I’ve always been impressed with the nice flow of your videos. Great editing and technical polish. Your conversational tone and easy going manner are spot on. Informative and to the point. Also you avoid click bait (major props). Keep it up and it will be worth it down the road!
Dude! Represent Fil-Ams! I’m was born in Manila but raised in the US, so I totally feel you. I’m a motorcycle journalist, another space where POCs are rare as hen’s teeth. I hope that one of these days we meet and share some San Migs and sisig!
Awesome vid Russ. Great answers all around, and courageous transparency on the more personal topics! Thanks for all that you do. Your lifestyle celebration of cycling really compliments the “racer geek” perspectives in the TH-cam space. I greatly appreciate that!
Russ keep up the Great work and I pray that you keep doing what makes Russ happy I do value your idaels... Thank you new let's get in some spring fishing
Thank you for your bike channel. It is so refreshing to find as it is aimed at more every day cyclists like most of us out there. As a veteran cyclist of 63 years I appreciate your approach. You guys love bikes it really shows in your content. I like the less ego macho driven way you present things you and are honest in your reviews, so please keep up the good work.
Hey I really appreciated your response to the last question. I didn't know your ancestry, just always enjoy your honesty, candor and intelligent viewpoints. Thanks for what you do.
Russ, I’ve been digging your bicycle-related online content for ten years now. I bought my surly LHT in 2009 in part because of an email you answered from me asking about your own bike. Love what you are doing and it absolutely is meaningful and appreciated! Huge thanks.
I loved the last question and your response. I have been into cycling since I was in college (I'm 30yrs old) and I have always been shocked by how white the cycling scene can be, even in diverse cities like San Diego and Los Angeles. The experience, for me, has felt similar to going through my bachelor's and master's degree programs with mostly white folks. The majority of those white folks are lovely people, but I nevertheless find it hard to connect with folks who grew up in such fundamentally different ways and navigate the world with an entirely different lens from my own. I have also found that those same lovely white folks often have a hard time hearing that it can be isolating to be around white people and their points of view so often. I think that they recognize that race is a social construct and therefore want to believe that interpersonal issues arising from race are easily overcome if you recognize that "we are all the same". They often have a hard time talking about race because they so seldom have to think about it or think about how the POC in their lives might be experiencing the same situations entirely differently from them. I can't help the fact that I grew up in a country where I wasn't allowed to hang out at certain friends houses because I am Latino, or that I went to a high school where the confederate flag was casually waved from the cars of my classmates, or that people would talk jokingly about going n****r bashing over the weekend. I hate that my dad tells me that people sometimes refuse to pay him for his work (he's a gardener) unless he proves he has legal status in this country (which he does, but refuses to do so on principle). I can't help that I can be walking down the halls of the hospitals where I work with mostly white colleague, but I'm the only person that gets stopped by security if I'm not wearing my badge. These are simply the realities of living as a POC in this country and while I don't believe that these moments reflect the goodness of this country, they are nevertheless true and it affects the way you relate to white culture. The first time I went into a bike shop that sold new bikes and stylish/expensive gear, I felt a wave of self-consciousness about what the owners of the shop were thinking of this brown, skinny, long-haired kid going through their stuff. I've been followed around in stores enough times to wonder if they were keeping an eye on me to make sure I'm not stealing their stuff. That self-consciousness was even more heightened when I would ask to test ride bikes -- I wondered if they were half expecting me to try to steal their bike. I didn't want to have those thoughts, but my lived experience wouldn't let me ignore that feeling. Even now, 12 years after getting into cycling, and as a working professional in healthcare I still have those same thoughts every time I step into a predominantly white owned/operated bike shop, or any white-predominant space. The best way I can describe it, is a constant state of alertness to clues that might signal you're not welcome/are not safe (maybe that can help people understand why loneliness in white spaces can be a predominant feeling for POC). Some psychologists are actually studying whether this state of hypervigilance as a result of minority status is similar to the hypervigilance experienced by people with PTSD. All that being said, the first time I came across your channel I absolutely took note of the fact that you are a POC . I don't watch your videos because you're a POC -- I watch them because you review rad gear, because you're independently operated, because your videos are informative, and because we happen to be the same height with very similar anatomical dimensions, and sometime a brother just needs to know what size frame to buy :) . But I think it's awesome that you're representing POC in this space and it's awesome to hear about your experience navigating this industry. It helps me feel a little less lonely and hopefully normalizes this experience for the young folks who have a hard time imagining themselves in this world.
I definitely agree with you on the ultra long rides just not being too enjoyable. I'd rather go a little slower and really enjoy the ride than go a little faster. Enjoy the trip to Idaho!
You, Laura, + your channel are a breath of fresh air. I can't recommend your videos enough to any of my friends who are gravel-curious. You have certainly helped to educate me on my journey into the Supple Life. Peace, Love + Bicycles.
Started watching recently and your channel is so inspiring! For so many reasons but I wanna say thank you for being out there - I’m an Asian guy who has loved biking my whole life but never really leaned into it cuz as you mention we aren’t very visible in the biking market. Also as someone getting into gravel riding as well, this is such a great channel. Just signed up to your Patreon as well. Great work!
I love your channel, the two of you are so great. People that would be nice to have as friends. As a returning cyclist after many years away while starting and running a couple small businesses and kids etc, it has been fun to see what you come up with and it spurs me on to continue loving cycling as much as I used to when I was younger!! Thanks for the effort!
Damn it Russ. Now I'm buying another t-shirt. You already made me buy the Gorilla Monsoon ! (Thank you!) I hope you print and cut out a bunch of these comments and make a wall of positivity there at home! You're an inspiration and a truly well spoken, passionate presenter! Keep finding ways to make both of your dreams a reality! (Loved Laura in the breadwinner vid... )
Word! Thanks Russ for all you do. PLP has been a big inspiration for me as a Person of Color to get more stoked on the Supple Life. Looking forward to more inspiration!
I enjoy your videos. It's great hearing from a guy who is living the dream. I've seen some of your rides in southern California and look forward to riding them.
Very cool channel, just happened upon it but am totally hooked. Thanks, I am learning a lot...just recently retired and trying to get back into biking...your vibe is wonderful and encouraging...makes me want to get a beefier bike for gravel/trails. I wonder if you ever have covered trailers?
In skateboarding there are pros that are competitive, and then there are pros that just film video parts. I know that what you do is not exactly the same, but i find it interesting that they can see value outside of the competitive side of their sport and think there is definitely room for something like that in the cycling world. You aren't about winning races, but you do some pretty rad stuff that a lot of us enjoy and that is worthy of recognition too. If all goes well I'll get my first drop bar bike next Monday, and of course it gonna be 650b and that is thanks to your channel. Thanks for what you do, and keep living #thesupplelife
It's so good to hear this comment Mario. Growing up as a skateboarder I feel has been very influential to me for that very reason, that people can be representative of their sport for reasons other than just winning, you know, like personality, style, etc. I'm gonna have to ponder why cycling isn't that way, but it seems so so different from skateboarding.
As a response to your reflection on building something on youtube: I really appreciate your work as a fresh voice in the gravel community. Your non-competitive approach is what makes this whole field interesting for me and to put that into financial perspective the non-competitive side of gravel cycling has also interested me enough to put money into my gravel gear. I do not like competition, never liked it, but I like good fun and challenging myself in the nature.
So crazy to see you biking in Long Beach. My home town! (btw keep doing what you do! You're content and persistence is really inspiring. Wish everyone I met on a bike had your same attitude)
Mabuhay ka Russ! I was thinking if you had Filipino lineage and it was great to hear you confirm it. Keep up the great work, I actually just finished building my Midnight Special the other week and your channel has been an inspiration and an influence in how I built it. Really appreciate the spirit of enjoying bikes this way. Looking forward to more content!
Another great video! Thanks for everything you do - spreading the word of non-racing makes cycling more inclusive. BTW, I just took delivery of a Surly Straggler 650b. I love it!
Totally keep pressing on guys, I respect the perspective you both give the bike community. As a 46 year old that's not a Lycra bro, I have found it hard to find my place in my town Im in as I'm into bike packing, suppleness & enjoying the adventure of the ride not how fast or macho I can be up a hill. In summery you both are super mega awesome & rule! The end!!!!!!! Chris.
Love, love, LOVE your channel and the content. As a 60-something color me "old skool". Appreciate all the tips, tricks, recommendations and your perspective. Supple for Life. S4L
As a jort-wearing white dude who is a total noob to gravel biking, you have been an expert in my eyes! I discovered your channel a month or so ago and I’ve learned so much from you. Thanks for all you do Russ!
I stumbled upon your channel somehow and I'm so happy I did. I can't understand how anyone could possibly leave nasty comments here. All I see is a person who loves bikes and is willing to put himself out there to share his knowledge. I'll admit I was curious about your ethnicity, not in any negative way, just curious. I work in a casino on the east coast and have the pleasure of working with people from all over the world. I love hearing about people's home countries and learning new things from them...it's the best part of my job. Keep up the great work!
Great Q&A Russ. My wife and I enjoy all of your content and to quote her, "I don't know why anyone would give the channel a 'thumbs-down,' they seem like such nice people and they put out really great videos." Dude, just keep doing what you're doing. You've got a great formula here, serving a niche of the cycling community that no one else is representing (except maybe Ryan Van Duzer, to a certain extent). Someone has to champion the Supple Life, and I can't think of anyone better!
Well done, Russ! Your videos are fantastic - informative, interesting and fun to watch - Thank you! I've been cycling all of my life and am currently living & working in Singapore, not far from your homeland, and it's great to see you and Laura cycling around my homeland (Pacific Northwest). Have you two ever cycled in this part of the world? If so, how'd you like it? If not, any plans to give it a try?
Overall, enjoyed all of the questions. But have to give you an applause for the way that you handled the last one. As I once tweeted, “The best roads aren’t paved until someone follows the path you cut and puts down gravel.” You are putting down a road for many of us to come down later. You were showing the cycling industry what it looks like to cover cycling for reasons other than racing, other than “the weekend cyclist.“ To do so as a person of color, it means that you are simply doing what we have been doing for a long time, building a road that others will soon come down. Thanks for this channel, and the quality of work that you and your partner have put forth here.
Can you talk about ways of managing, or avoiding saddle sores, especially with longer distances; either on nice surfaces, or not so nice surfaces (like gravel). Things like cleanliness, materials, and creams. Cooler weather doesn't bother me much, but where I live, the summers can be hot and humid. The perfect setting for funky stuff in your shorts. Thanks. And keep making great content!! And thanks for providing a platform for the non-racer bike riders.
Personally, I’ve learned more from this channel than any other channel for real world bike stuff. I hope more people realize just how valuable your channel is, and all the backlog videos that can empower people to make better decisions
Great stuff as always, I know it's almost impossible to ignore the negative comments (even when they are grossly outnumbered by positive) but lean on the love. You've built a great channel, and represent the best parts of the cycling scene.
Hi Russ, I'm in agreement with those who never considered your colour or race. You are a bright, well spoken individual with a point of view different from the loudest commentators in your market. As an old guy who has ridden about sixty years your focus on fun, suppleness comfort and convenience is a welcome respite from racers ans wannabe racers. Don't get me wrong I'm glad they are there but they aren't all there is in biking. Love your show!
Last year when I bought my 650b steel commuter, the mechanic at the shop who built it up said “if you want to learn more about bikes like this, check out Path Less Pedaled.” So I did and I’ve been a subscriber ever since. I really appreciate the content and you create, and I’ve learned so much from your vids. Seeing you DNF at DK18 made me think “if these cool bike people can DNF, maybe I can sign up for an event and train and see how I do.” My first race ever is on Sunday and I’m stoked (but also scared)! Thanks for being such a great voice on TH-cam!
Love your channel Russ. Not much gravel here in The Netherlands, but I like your approche towards the supple way of bikeriding & the techstuff. Keep up 💪
What makes a great channel is the maker. You've got to want to hang out with him. I ride a single speed 26" wheeled cruiser which is about as far away from supple as you can get but I love this channel. Thanks Russ.
Like most people here I really enjoy and appreciate the content that you create. I'm not interested in racing at all, definitely an adventure rider like you. Thanks for creating a space for people like us to learn.
Dude, I live in Latin America, where EVERYBODY is a mix of every possible race on the Earth. Quality work is what really matters, and this channel is one I don't want to miss.
Thank you for the video, I appreciate you. FYI- I purchase a BxB large Goldback because of your review of their product. I can’t wait to receive in a couple months.
I still consider you and your channel the only ones serving us non racing bike nerds! I look forward to each video, Russ! I hope we can all make this a really sustainable thing for you, I’ve personally bought two bikes off your recommendations now!
Russ you give me hope! I want the bike industry (by which I mean the whole world) to become more inclusive and accepting. You have been a model for me, and have helped me accept myself more, as a person who doesn't fit the usual white male bike racer model - nothing wrong with that - but we need to see POC, and/or LGBT and/or all kinds of otherness represented. Thank you for being a part of the change!
As a bike commuter and gravel rider of color, I have to say you are 100%spot on about the minority cycling community presence in social media and, really, even how we are perceived irl. Thank you for speaking candidly and representing the non-spandexed, non-white... non-mamil community in cycling and addressing important issues we short, black, brown and brownish, glasses wearig cycling addicts face on the daily. Peace. Love the channel!
Russ, thanks for the content and always keeping it real. Being a Filipino myself, I instantly knew you were also and expected nothing but 100% honest videos. I appreciate you bro.
Thank you for answering the last question. As a Fil-Am (born in the U.S.), when I worked at bike shops in the DC area 25+ years ago, we were very far and very few between, especially on the mountain bike side. I think it's great that we're seeing more people of color joining the cycling community nowadays. I love your videos, and honestly, I'm a little proud that you're Pinoy as well :)
Short, Asian dude here. As a cycling beginner, you've been a huge motivation for me. I actually decided to get serious and build my own adventure bike. I can't wait until this project is complete so I can have my own supple life going!
Russ, Most of my video media consumption is through TH-cam (Roku), and much of that is bike related. PathLessPedaled is the only one that I have the 'Notifications' enabled (so, there's that). Love your content, your presentation style, your video quality. With a few more than a few lugged bikes hanging in the shop, I too am a RetroGrouch. You're the only one I've seen speak about front-end geometry in terms that doesn't create an air of magic and mystery. Keep up the great work that you do. Thanks for your commitment, your tenacity, and your courage to keep putting yourself out there like you do.
One other advantage of cable discs is that you can also install additional inline (cx crosstop) brake levers. These allow you to brake from your padded bars rather than needing to hold the unpadded hoods the whole time.
Hey Russ, did not know about you being a photog before. I can't imagine carrying my gear on a bike everyday. REspect! My shoots are so far a part each day I don't think I could make it, but you made me think about a kit that could make the bike commute. Thanks!
I found that last question interesting and maybe gives me hope for America . I am a 62 yr old white male, small business owner. The thought of what ethnicity or color you are never crossed my mind. I always just saw a guy making great videos that are very thoughtful, informative and fun to watch. Maybe I’m more “insulated” from others worlds POV’s than I realized. I relish each of your videos because having built a small business from scratch I know how hard it is and I worry one day you will “hit the wall” and throw in the towel realizing how hard you work and you tube gets the lions share of the income. I hope it doesn’t happen as that will be a great loss for us. Yes I am the lowest level patreon subscriber for you but all those small dollar donations to different people can really add up. I hope more you tube watchers consider your patreon account. Looking forward to more great content and best of luck to you. P.S. I still look at the watercolor I bought and love it. Thank you for that too!
+1 on the ethnicity thing. I'm a 45 year old white dude, blue eyes and all that jazz, and yes I wear the Lycra shorts (do you folks on the other side of the pond call them Spandex? Over in the UK- and Oz too in fact- we're known as MAMILs [middle-aged men in Lycra]). I also have been following the channel for years, and have never even consciously noticed the "short brown dude" thing. Perhaps it's because I've lived in Asia for much of my adult life, last 6 years in China with my wife who's also "brown" (from Indonesia) and I don't really notice race so much. I have noticed the odd negative comment though, and it's pretty sickening- you put your heart and soul on screen here, some folks just have no basic human decency. Nil carborundum illegitimi!
I would have the 3rd that sentiment. Maybe I'm just weird, but judgments based on what color you are has never occurred to me, or more frankly, even matter to me. I came for the content. I stay because of the content. Just keep doing what you're doing and everything else will just take care of itself.
I too am a caucasoid individual of advancing age. I'm even about 20lbs overweight despite constant cycling. I can't speak for "short, brown" peeps, but the minority I'm glad you are serving in the cycling space is the non-racer. (minority in youtube presence, not minority in the real world) Cycling is a way for me to be physical and explore nature despite deformities that keep me from hiking and kept me out of sports my entire life. I have better balance on a bike than while standing. For me it's about a meditative experience and finding a type of mental peace while the body is occupied with a repetitive physical task. This brings me better MENTAL balance while on the bike as well. GCN is very well produced, and the guys seem like nice people, but even though they're fellow melanin-challenged cyclists, I don't really feel much connection to what they do. And a lot of the more "Gravel" oriented Insta accounts are more like model/fashion shows as often seen in the faux-vanner community. I'm aging, but not an aging hipster. "Keep it real" is something my generation used to say back in the olden times of yesteryear. So far you're doin it. So far I'm likin it.
I am a short brown guy too and really appreciate what Russ and Laura contribute to the world of cycling. In particular, I value Russ’s perspectives on bike fit and the world of 650b and the supple life. Like you, I consider it a privilege to be able to support PLP as a low level Patreon donor and suggest others do the same.
Never occurred to me that you are of color. Keep doing what you are doing. Really enjoy your content. We ordered some shirts to help out. 😁
Russ, WOW! That last question, and your response really surprised me! I never even thought about that. All I see/have seen is a person that is taking his time to present information that I find of value! Keep up the good work.
I guess the last comment was strange to me. I never gave the fact that you are a person of colour any thought at all. I found you by accident while searching for info on Redshift stems. It was great find. You give honest informed feedback to an area of cycling that is underserved. Thanks so much keep going !
Best bike channel on TH-cam hands down
Thanks Russ, nice Q&A. Try not to worry too much about negative comments as you are pushing quality and inspirational content!
I sure enjoy your contribution to the world, the bike curious realm in particular. Thank you for standing out in the crowd and riding proudly into the light, albeit lonely. I send friends to your channel often, with the encouragement that you’re a good guy with an honest approach. You don’t know all of us but we dig your work!! Russ, Love it.
The vintage Russ cargo bike footage is awesome!
Heck of a setup wasn't it! Very impressive.
I love this channel it inspired me to get into riding again and recover from my heart attack very fast and am now back up to good daily distance.
I now have 3 fat bikes haha. Thanks for all you do.
I have a Norco Bigfoot, really slack geometry for a fatbike. I haven't had a chance to ride it much yet but hope that changes in time.
Fuck the haters, bless the creators. Thanks for those reco's on other diverse cycling channels. We're doing things here that most people don't have the gumption to do
Russ, please ignore the negative naysayers and racial comments.
Opinions are like sphincter mussels, everyone has one.
As a retired black man who travel around the US, ignorance by others is their issue not yours or mine.
Stay strong my young friend. 👌🏾😄✌️🏾👍🏾
I didn't know how much I needed a bicycle channel like yours until I found it. And when I heard you ask the question with what your channel offers I knew it was for me. I appreciate your candid honesty and perspective of the kind of things that interest me. love the reviews, love the adventures, love you guys. No other channel like it. Thanks Russ.
Hey Russ,
I’ve been subscribed for several months and absolutely love your thoughtful approach to the supple life. I’m a convert. However, I’ve never appreciated you more than when listening to your response to the last question about being a person of color in a white dominated arena. I’ve always wondered what that was like and your honesty, vulnerability, and courage in answering that question speaks volumes about you. I suspect you don’t have much free time but if you have and hour and a quarter I would highly recommend watching Brene Brown’s The Call to Courage on Netflix. She speaks eloquently and from years of research and experience about how we are hardwired to seek belonging and how it makes it almost impossible to ignore the trolls’ comments. She also describes the attributes of courageous people. When I listened to her the other night I actually thought of you. A combination of vulnerability and courage every time you post. Your answer to the last question confirms to me (and I’m sure to countless others) that you are an example of what’s good in the world today. Please accept my thanks for being a genuine person and a role model of humility and strength to many - including this 62 year old white male.
Take care,
Paul
Russ,
Your videos make my days better and help keep me sane as I work my way through college. Keep up the amazing work!
-Robert
So stoked I found your channel. You are super positive and make bike nerdy-ness so fun. I’m just getting into bike touring and your channel is such a resource. Thank you!!
Russ: we love you and your thoughtful show! So much info and encouragement to get outside and live life. Thanks to you and Laura - love it when she contributes.
Hi I'm from Czech Republic that is Central Europe and that you are person of color newer pop in my mind. You are that dude who love bike and enjoy them way I do to that is why I notice your channel and that why I follow you. Thank for your time doing it.
Awesome! I always appreciate your honesty throughout your videos. Reviews, opinions, adventures and even failures I can always see that your love of cycling is the most important element of pathlesspedaled. I've bought several items I've seen on your channel and been more than pleased. Not because they are the "newest" and the "latest' but because they're function serves my purpose. This is how I want to ride, shop and be informed. Thanks again! Oh, just put my deposit down for a Mone El Continente. A brand i discovered from your channel. Cjell rocks!
Russ, I never saw you as a short brown person. I just saw you as a great original cycling content creator. Keep up the great work, people will notice in time.
Russ in a bike mechanic and your channel is my go to to listen to when I work. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Russ! I'm a 40ish daddy who learned to love cycling again by watching channels like yours. I live in Asheville, NC, the realm of super-gnar hard-core $$ mountain biking. Path Less Pedaled has brought back that excitement in what I CAN do. I commute, tour and ride steep gravel around here and your vids recapture the spirit of the sport for me. Thanks for what you do, you awesome small brown person.
Also I fish from my bike which I never would have done without your encouragement. Stay you.
Great talk Russ, keep bringing the supple life to the masses! Also you are one of the main reason I got into bikes and gravel riding, you ROCK!
Great video as always. It was enlightening to hear some of the challenges you face trying to maintain and grow a successful channel. I’ve always been impressed with the nice flow of your videos. Great editing and technical polish. Your conversational tone and easy going manner are spot on. Informative and to the point. Also you avoid click bait (major props). Keep it up and it will be worth it down the road!
Dude! Represent Fil-Ams! I’m was born in Manila but raised in the US, so I totally feel you. I’m a motorcycle journalist, another space where POCs are rare as hen’s teeth. I hope that one of these days we meet and share some San Migs and sisig!
Awesome vid Russ. Great answers all around, and courageous transparency on the more personal topics! Thanks for all that you do. Your lifestyle celebration of cycling really compliments the “racer geek” perspectives in the TH-cam space. I greatly appreciate that!
This is all well and good, and maybe I'm just nostalgic for a bygone era, but I really miss the informal format of bikesxbourbon.
Russ keep up the Great work and I pray that you keep doing what makes Russ happy I do value your idaels... Thank you new let's get in some spring fishing
Thank you for your bike channel. It is so refreshing to find as it is aimed at more every day cyclists like most of us out there. As a veteran cyclist of 63 years I appreciate your approach. You guys love bikes it really shows in your content. I like the less ego macho driven way you present things you and are honest in your reviews, so please keep up the good work.
Hey I really appreciated your response to the last question. I didn't know your ancestry, just always enjoy your honesty, candor and intelligent viewpoints. Thanks for what you do.
Russ, I’ve been digging your bicycle-related online content for ten years now. I bought my surly LHT in 2009 in part because of an email you answered from me asking about your own bike. Love what you are doing and it absolutely is meaningful and appreciated! Huge thanks.
I loved the last question and your response. I have been into cycling since I was in college (I'm 30yrs old) and I have always been shocked by how white the cycling scene can be, even in diverse cities like San Diego and Los Angeles. The experience, for me, has felt similar to going through my bachelor's and master's degree programs with mostly white folks. The majority of those white folks are lovely people, but I nevertheless find it hard to connect with folks who grew up in such fundamentally different ways and navigate the world with an entirely different lens from my own. I have also found that those same lovely white folks often have a hard time hearing that it can be isolating to be around white people and their points of view so often. I think that they recognize that race is a social construct and therefore want to believe that interpersonal issues arising from race are easily overcome if you recognize that "we are all the same". They often have a hard time talking about race because they so seldom have to think about it or think about how the POC in their lives might be experiencing the same situations entirely differently from them. I can't help the fact that I grew up in a country where I wasn't allowed to hang out at certain friends houses because I am Latino, or that I went to a high school where the confederate flag was casually waved from the cars of my classmates, or that people would talk jokingly about going n****r bashing over the weekend. I hate that my dad tells me that people sometimes refuse to pay him for his work (he's a gardener) unless he proves he has legal status in this country (which he does, but refuses to do so on principle). I can't help that I can be walking down the halls of the hospitals where I work with mostly white colleague, but I'm the only person that gets stopped by security if I'm not wearing my badge. These are simply the realities of living as a POC in this country and while I don't believe that these moments reflect the goodness of this country, they are nevertheless true and it affects the way you relate to white culture. The first time I went into a bike shop that sold new bikes and stylish/expensive gear, I felt a wave of self-consciousness about what the owners of the shop were thinking of this brown, skinny, long-haired kid going through their stuff. I've been followed around in stores enough times to wonder if they were keeping an eye on me to make sure I'm not stealing their stuff. That self-consciousness was even more heightened when I would ask to test ride bikes -- I wondered if they were half expecting me to try to steal their bike. I didn't want to have those thoughts, but my lived experience wouldn't let me ignore that feeling. Even now, 12 years after getting into cycling, and as a working professional in healthcare I still have those same thoughts every time I step into a predominantly white owned/operated bike shop, or any white-predominant space. The best way I can describe it, is a constant state of alertness to clues that might signal you're not welcome/are not safe (maybe that can help people understand why loneliness in white spaces can be a predominant feeling for POC). Some psychologists are actually studying whether this state of hypervigilance as a result of minority status is similar to the hypervigilance experienced by people with PTSD. All that being said, the first time I came across your channel I absolutely took note of the fact that you are a POC . I don't watch your videos because you're a POC -- I watch them because you review rad gear, because you're independently operated, because your videos are informative, and because we happen to be the same height with very similar anatomical dimensions, and sometime a brother just needs to know what size frame to buy :) . But I think it's awesome that you're representing POC in this space and it's awesome to hear about your experience navigating this industry. It helps me feel a little less lonely and hopefully normalizes this experience for the young folks who have a hard time imagining themselves in this world.
Yes, I feel this!
To be honest I think white people these days are some of the most isolated people in the world in western culture.
ALWAYS LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND LEARN SO MUCH FROM YOUR EFFORTS! I can’t silence the critics or the goons, but know that I shout out my support.
Yeah, dig the channel, dig your passion, please keep it up. Cheers, Steve aka The Talking Fly
Terrific review! So proud of you to talk about race. You handled it with such grace. Not to mention such a thorough cross section of other topics.
Keep it up Russ. Proud brown guy here behind the handle bar. You are an inspiration. Keep safe and ingat sa ride. Mabuhay ka!
I definitely agree with you on the ultra long rides just not being too enjoyable. I'd rather go a little slower and really enjoy the ride than go a little faster. Enjoy the trip to Idaho!
You, Laura, + your channel are a breath of fresh air. I can't recommend your videos enough to any of my friends who are gravel-curious. You have certainly helped to educate me on my journey into the Supple Life. Peace, Love + Bicycles.
Thanks for everything you do Russ!
Started watching recently and your channel is so inspiring! For so many reasons but I wanna say thank you for being out there - I’m an Asian guy who has loved biking my whole life but never really leaned into it cuz as you mention we aren’t very visible in the biking market. Also as someone getting into gravel riding as well, this is such a great channel. Just signed up to your Patreon as well. Great work!
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!
Loved the last question and that you talked so openly about your experience! Keep it up!
This is a great work of honesty. Thanks for the great content. Keep em coming.
I love your channel, the two of you are so great. People that would be nice to have as friends. As a returning cyclist after many years away while starting and running a couple small businesses and kids etc, it has been fun to see what you come up with and it spurs me on to continue loving cycling as much as I used to when I was younger!! Thanks for the effort!
Damn it Russ. Now I'm buying another t-shirt. You already made me buy the Gorilla Monsoon !
(Thank you!)
I hope you print and cut out a bunch of these comments and make a wall of positivity there at home! You're an inspiration and a truly well spoken, passionate presenter! Keep finding ways to make both of your dreams a reality! (Loved Laura in the breadwinner vid... )
Never thought about the color question, here for the great content. I am riding a gravel bike now because of you.
Word! Thanks Russ for all you do. PLP has been a big inspiration for me as a Person of Color to get more stoked on the Supple Life. Looking forward to more inspiration!
You're just so great Russ! Thanks for all your work:).
Nice Russ
Love the Q and A segment.
Appreciate your courage.
I enjoy your videos. It's great hearing from a guy who is living the dream. I've seen some of your rides in southern California and look forward to riding them.
Very cool channel, just happened upon it but am totally hooked. Thanks, I am learning a lot...just recently retired and trying to get back into biking...your vibe is wonderful and encouraging...makes me want to get a beefier bike for gravel/trails. I wonder if you ever have covered trailers?
In skateboarding there are pros that are competitive, and then there are pros that just film video parts. I know that what you do is not exactly the same, but i find it interesting that they can see value outside of the competitive side of their sport and think there is definitely room for something like that in the cycling world. You aren't about winning races, but you do some pretty rad stuff that a lot of us enjoy and that is worthy of recognition too. If all goes well I'll get my first drop bar bike next Monday, and of course it gonna be 650b and that is thanks to your channel. Thanks for what you do, and keep living #thesupplelife
It's so good to hear this comment Mario. Growing up as a skateboarder I feel has been very influential to me for that very reason, that people can be representative of their sport for reasons other than just winning, you know, like personality, style, etc. I'm gonna have to ponder why cycling isn't that way, but it seems so so different from skateboarding.
As a response to your reflection on building something on youtube: I really appreciate your work as a fresh voice in the gravel community. Your non-competitive approach is what makes this whole field interesting for me and to put that into financial perspective the non-competitive side of gravel cycling has also interested me enough to put money into my gravel gear. I do not like competition, never liked it, but I like good fun and challenging myself in the nature.
Lots of interesting questions and answers, thanks Russ! 🙌
Loved the video great info thanks for working so hard to put out great content thumbs up
So crazy to see you biking in Long Beach. My home town! (btw keep doing what you do! You're content and persistence is really inspiring. Wish everyone I met on a bike had your same attitude)
Very real stuff man. Keep on keeping! ✊
Hi. I never even thought of you as a person of colour. I see a bike lover making great content that others not covering. Keep up the great work.
Mabuhay ka Russ! I was thinking if you had Filipino lineage and it was great to hear you confirm it. Keep up the great work, I actually just finished building my Midnight Special the other week and your channel has been an inspiration and an influence in how I built it. Really appreciate the spirit of enjoying bikes this way. Looking forward to more content!
How do you spell that first tire recommendation? Tried to guess, Google and look at some sites, even tried to turn on captioning, no luck lol.
Rene Herse.
Great work Russ. Keep on keepin on.
Another great video! Thanks for everything you do - spreading the word of non-racing makes cycling more inclusive. BTW, I just took delivery of a Surly Straggler 650b. I love it!
Thank you Russ for another great video. There awesome and I always look forward to watching them. You rock!
Russ, your channel is the best! You cover a style of riding that feels ignored by most of the bike space!
Totally keep pressing on guys, I respect the perspective you both give the bike community. As a 46 year old that's not a Lycra bro, I have found it hard to find my place in my town Im in as I'm into bike packing, suppleness & enjoying the adventure of the ride not how fast or macho I can be up a hill. In summery you both are super mega awesome & rule! The end!!!!!!! Chris.
Love, love, LOVE your channel and the content. As a 60-something color me "old skool". Appreciate all the tips, tricks, recommendations and your perspective. Supple for Life. S4L
Solid stuff, Russ. Keep it coming.
Love your channel, please keep going. Love from England.
As a jort-wearing white dude who is a total noob to gravel biking, you have been an expert in my eyes! I discovered your channel a month or so ago and I’ve learned so much from you. Thanks for all you do Russ!
I stumbled upon your channel somehow and I'm so happy I did. I can't understand how anyone could possibly leave nasty comments here. All I see is a person who loves bikes and is willing to put himself out there to share his knowledge. I'll admit I was curious about your ethnicity, not in any negative way, just curious. I work in a casino on the east coast and have the pleasure of working with people from all over the world. I love hearing about people's home countries and learning new things from them...it's the best part of my job. Keep up the great work!
Great Q&A Russ. My wife and I enjoy all of your content and to quote her, "I don't know why anyone would give the channel a 'thumbs-down,' they seem like such nice people and they put out really great videos." Dude, just keep doing what you're doing. You've got a great formula here, serving a niche of the cycling community that no one else is representing (except maybe Ryan Van Duzer, to a certain extent). Someone has to champion the Supple Life, and I can't think of anyone better!
Your doing just fine kid keep doing what you're doing..
Well done, Russ! Your videos are fantastic - informative, interesting and fun to watch - Thank you! I've been cycling all of my life and am currently living & working in Singapore, not far from your homeland, and it's great to see you and Laura cycling around my homeland (Pacific Northwest). Have you two ever cycled in this part of the world? If so, how'd you like it? If not, any plans to give it a try?
Overall, enjoyed all of the questions. But have to give you an applause for the way that you handled the last one. As I once tweeted, “The best roads aren’t paved until someone follows the path you cut and puts down gravel.” You are putting down a road for many of us to come down later. You were showing the cycling industry what it looks like to cover cycling for reasons other than racing, other than “the weekend cyclist.“ To do so as a person of color, it means that you are simply doing what we have been doing for a long time, building a road that others will soon come down. Thanks for this channel, and the quality of work that you and your partner have put forth here.
Can you talk about ways of managing, or avoiding saddle sores, especially with longer distances; either on nice surfaces, or not so nice surfaces (like gravel). Things like cleanliness, materials, and creams. Cooler weather doesn't bother me much, but where I live, the summers can be hot and humid. The perfect setting for funky stuff in your shorts. Thanks. And keep making great content!! And thanks for providing a platform for the non-racer bike riders.
Personally, I’ve learned more from this channel than any other channel for real world bike stuff. I hope more people realize just how valuable your channel is, and all the backlog videos that can empower people to make better decisions
Great stuff as always, I know it's almost impossible to ignore the negative comments (even when they are grossly outnumbered by positive) but lean on the love. You've built a great channel, and represent the best parts of the cycling scene.
Great video and great feedback at the end.
Hi Russ, I'm in agreement with those who never considered your colour or race. You are a bright, well spoken individual with a point of view different from the loudest commentators in your market. As an old guy who has ridden about sixty years your focus on fun, suppleness comfort and convenience is a welcome respite from racers ans wannabe racers. Don't get me wrong I'm glad they are there but they aren't all there is in biking. Love your show!
Last year when I bought my 650b steel commuter, the mechanic at the shop who built it up said “if you want to learn more about bikes like this, check out Path Less Pedaled.” So I did and I’ve been a subscriber ever since. I really appreciate the content and you create, and I’ve learned so much from your vids. Seeing you DNF at DK18 made me think “if these cool bike people can DNF, maybe I can sign up for an event and train and see how I do.” My first race ever is on Sunday and I’m stoked (but also scared)! Thanks for being such a great voice on TH-cam!
Love your channel Russ.
Not much gravel here in The Netherlands, but I like your approche towards the supple way of bikeriding & the techstuff. Keep up 💪
Mabuhay ka Bro! Just so you know, you've got a big fan base here in the motherland. Keep doing what you're doing. You're making a difference. :)
All I have to say is, Salamat Pare for your content :)
You’re making an inspiring and inclusive community with your work, Russ. I’ll definitely support the channel when I have money 😂
What makes a great channel is the maker. You've got to want to hang out with him.
I ride a single speed 26" wheeled cruiser which is about as far away from supple as you can get but I love this channel.
Thanks Russ.
Like most people here I really enjoy and appreciate the content that you create. I'm not interested in racing at all, definitely an adventure rider like you. Thanks for creating a space for people like us to learn.
your youtube is real good, such a help to me and I'm sure so many others
Thank you for being a poc making bike videos I love what your doing keep it up! I’m also filipino 👏🏽 would love to ride with you guys one day!!
Dude, I live in Latin America, where EVERYBODY is a mix of every possible race on the Earth. Quality work is what really matters, and this channel is one I don't want to miss.
Thank you for the video, I appreciate you. FYI- I purchase a BxB large Goldback because of your review of their product. I can’t wait to receive in a couple months.
Great content especially all your mullet stuff
I still consider you and your channel the only ones serving us non racing bike nerds! I look forward to each video, Russ! I hope we can all make this a really sustainable thing for you, I’ve personally bought two bikes off your recommendations now!
Thanks for the kind words!
Russ you give me hope! I want the bike industry (by which I mean the whole world) to become more inclusive and accepting. You have been a model for me, and have helped me accept myself more, as a person who doesn't fit the usual white male bike racer model - nothing wrong with that - but we need to see POC, and/or LGBT and/or all kinds of otherness represented. Thank you for being a part of the change!
Also, how do I get stickers?
As a bike commuter and gravel rider of color, I have to say you are 100%spot on about the minority cycling community presence in social media and, really, even how we are perceived irl. Thank you for speaking candidly and representing the non-spandexed, non-white... non-mamil community in cycling and addressing important issues we short, black, brown and brownish, glasses wearig cycling addicts face on the daily. Peace. Love the channel!
Russ, thanks for the content and always keeping it real. Being a Filipino myself, I instantly knew you were also and expected nothing but 100% honest videos. I appreciate you bro.
Thank you for answering the last question. As a Fil-Am (born in the U.S.), when I worked at bike shops in the DC area 25+ years ago, we were very far and very few between, especially on the mountain bike side. I think it's great that we're seeing more people of color joining the cycling community nowadays. I love your videos, and honestly, I'm a little proud that you're Pinoy as well :)
Short, Asian dude here. As a cycling beginner, you've been a huge motivation for me. I actually decided to get serious and build my own adventure bike. I can't wait until this project is complete so I can have my own supple life going!
Russ,
Most of my video media consumption is through TH-cam (Roku), and much of that is bike related. PathLessPedaled is the only one that I have the 'Notifications' enabled (so, there's that). Love your content, your presentation style, your video quality. With a few more than a few lugged bikes hanging in the shop, I too am a RetroGrouch. You're the only one I've seen speak about front-end geometry in terms that doesn't create an air of magic and mystery. Keep up the great work that you do. Thanks for your commitment, your tenacity, and your courage to keep putting yourself out there like you do.
One other advantage of cable discs is that you can also install additional inline (cx crosstop) brake levers. These allow you to brake from your padded bars rather than needing to hold the unpadded hoods the whole time.
Hey Russ, did not know about you being a photog before. I can't imagine carrying my gear on a bike everyday. REspect! My shoots are so far a part each day I don't think I could make it, but you made me think about a kit that could make the bike commute. Thanks!
Hi, I love your video an always looking forward to your next. Keep up the good work!
Thanks from Norway
Keep up the great work!