Tossing around celebrity couple names like, Bennifer or Brangelina, stokes up some great memories of the days of Chandy (Chad & Andy). Andy and I have had a solid run! From rolling through the cycling categories together, countless miles, scheming on all things DNA Racing and endless conversations about life, dreams, coffee and bikes. From 2014-2018, I had an office located in downtown OKC, it quickly became the clubhouse, DNA Headquarters, and where you could find us Monday thru Friday, unless we were out on a ride. I’m pretty sure during that timeframe, all the worlds problems were solved in that office and it was definitely the stuff viral podcasts were made of.
For this weeks coffee ride, I’m stoked to be making a cup of coffee for Andy Chasteen reminiscent of the coffees I made for us a few years back in the clubhouse. A little background on Andy and I’s friendship, in 2012 my life kinda got thrown a curve ball, when it did, Andy was one of two people I reached out to before going home to break the news to my family. That sort of set the tone for our friendship and over the years we’ve shared in the highs and lows.
Andy is the director and one of the original founders of 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell. For those not familiar with 24HHH, it’s one of the worlds largest climbing events held each year in the Ozarks of Arkansas, at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. It’s an event where climbers spend 24 straight hours seeing who can climb the most routes without stopping. It’s a crazy competition with an even crazier after party. Andy’s attention of recent years has shifted to cycling, so it’s no surprise he’s partnered up with Lauren Pickman, to create one of the U.S.’s most grueling multi-terrain cycling events taking place May 22, Rule of Three. Rule of Three is a cycling event where participants must choose one bike, one tire combination, to traverse 100 miles of pavement, gravel and single track through the beautiful Arkansas landscapes.
So, let’s get to the pointy end of this coffee ride. The answers to the questions we really want to know. What year was the best party at 24HHH & who are Andy’s picks for Rule of Three.
Let’s talk 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, we all know the after party of 24HHH is epic. If you had to pick just one year, which year had the most epic after party and why?
”Yeah, I would say that was the year that you, Biff and Highfill came. That was a pretty awesome year. That year was wild. We started off with the air guitar contest and that like turned people into lunatics. I think it was that year for sure. I haven’t really participated in the party as much because I’m getting old and feel like I’m aging out. But that year I participated and that was a super good year.”
Photo courtesy of Lucas Marshall.
Stoke is high for Rule of Three. So, two-fold question here. 1) For those not able to pre-ride the course, what bit of beta would you give them? 2) Putting you on the spot for number two, who’s your favorite to win the Men’s & Women’s Solo Competition?
”So, for first question, beta for the race, well actually for both routes. I would say the key is proper equipment choices and durable tires. Sealant, and nothing smaller than a 45mm tire. Then, it’s such a long day that you have to eat well. I mean, we rode the course last week, we all cratered by the finish, right. It’s like be prepared to suffer cause that’s what the day’s going to be. And the second question, oh man, this is putting me on the spot. For the men, I have to go with Payson McElveen. He’s a good mountain biker and he’s got all that super endurance, you know training in his legs. And for the women, I think I’m going with Sammi Runnels. She’s super fit, and she knows the terrain. She’s used to all of the climbs out there because she lives out there. So, my picks are Payson and Sammi.”
In the game of life, you look to currently be winning. What moves within your personal life would you say helped pave the road for epic trips like backpacking across Iceland, snowshoeing across Colorado, and camping in the desert?
”I would actually say, that where I am currently is a result of DNA Racing. Because when we originally started, it was photography and storytelling. So basically, I kind of got my start there and we did all that stuff for free because we loved it. And then I just eventually backed into being able to do all this stuff for a living now. You and I doing all that stuff for fun and whatever paved the way for me to do it for a living.”
Last question, looking back to your days at Abercrombie & Fitch, were you more likely to wind up on a bag then or now?
”Oh God, I’m way too old now. Oh my gosh, I was like working out all the time back then. So, definitely then. I mean surely, right?”
The coffee we enjoyed: TopTube Coffee - The Breakaway
Origin: Colombia & Guatemala
Notes: Blueberry, bakers chocolate, red apple
Brewing Method: Pour Over
My thoughts: Ashley & Luke (co-founders) are friends through cycling and now through the coffee community. I’d been jonesing to get my hands on a bag of their coffee to try. I reached out to see which coffee they were most stoked on at the time and they recommended The Breakaway. I was a little skeptical since the recommended brew method was as espresso and I would be serving it as a pour over, but figured they knew best. I took their advice and I’m glad I did. The Breakaway makes for an excellent pour over! I’ve tried it now as both a pour over and espresso based. I found that it’s really easy to pull the sweetness out as pour over and makes for a tasty cup. As espresso, I like it best as a cortado and think the milk really keys in on those berry notes. Don’t let the little espresso machine on the bag scare you away from experimenting with other brew methods.
Future Coffee Ride Guests:
5/12 - Amanda Zoey Weathers
5/19 - Ashley Dawn
5/26 - Tony Steward