OKC’s favorite vegan cyclist.
This week I’m stoked to clink coffee cups with Rob Bell. According to USA Cycling, Rob and I first met at the Cowskin Road Race on April 15, 2007. We were both Cat 5’s, Rob went on to win that race, and well, I was a few steps away from being on the podium. No way I would have guessed Rob had been beating me for 14 years! Crazy how time flies.
If you’ve been on any of the local group rides you might have noticed the guy who’s usually the first to turn around if someone has a mechanical, first to slow the pace if the ride starts out a little too hot too early, and without fail will always take the time to ask you how you’re doing.
Rob is one of the most well-rounded cyclists I know. He’s a force to be reckoned with on the road, trail, and gravel. And, if you’re brave enough to strap on your inline skates, he’ll give you a run for your money there also.
Now it’s time to pull those skeletons out of Rob’s closet.
The questions that have us scratching our heads, like which race was muddier, Rule of Three or Mid South? How on a vegan diet was he able to fuel well enough to not just contest, but win the Mid South in 2017 (formerly Land Run 100)? Sit back, grab your coffee, and enjoy a coffee ride with Rob Bell.
After seeing all of the finishing pics from Rule of Three, I immediately thought of that pic of you, Mat Stephens, and Bobby Wintle after you and Mat went first and second at The Mid South in 2017 (formerly Land Run 100). What do you remember about that race in 2017 and how does it compare in terms of “epicness” to Rule of Three?
“So, I had WAY more mechanical issues at Mid South. So, like it was shortly after 3T came out with their first actual, real gravel bike. It had plenty of tire clearance and we knew we were going to be good in the mud. There was this mud section, maybe 15 or 20 miles in, and I think Mat and I were the only two people in the whole race who made it through that section clean. Then, we were just by ourselves, the rest of the time. So, I knew there was a really good chance that we were going to win, but like, we were pushing hard the whole time anyway. Then it was maybe 20 miles to go or something, my chain fell off and got caught behind the chainring. We couldn’t get it out. My hands were freezing and I was trying to get the crank off because that was going to be the fastest. I remember Mat telling me, “don’t do it fast, do it right.” My hands were shaking so bad. It was completely miserable and then you have like all these things flashing in front of you, like, I’m not gonna actually win this. I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to finish now, but Mat was just super supportive and then we just yanked and yanked and it finally came out and we were able to win. So, like that was super sweet. That was kind of epic, like we’re going to win, to we’re definitely not winning, freezing cold, and then still end up winning. Rule of Three was different for me because like, you know, from the start line, I knew that I was not gonna win. And then the whole time I knew I wasn’t going to win. So, it was like really hard and I was totally cratered at the end, but it definitely wasn’t like as emotional of a roller coaster for me.”
Tell us about your bike setup for The Rule of Three and how did that work out?
“So, I was on my 3T Exploro from 2018. SRAM Red eTap first-gen, Panaracer Gravelking SK Plus 43 tires, 50/34 gearing up front with 11/32 in back. It was solid, no mechanicals all day and no flats. There were some loud noises a few times like I hit something pretty hard, and if I would have had a crappy tire, it probably would flat. The tires were really slow, but no dropped chains. I lubed my chain maybe four times throughout the day to keep it quiet. I don’t know that I would necessarily change anything for next year.”
As a cyclist, nutrition is always something you’re thinking about. What should you eat, what supplements should you take, the list goes on and on. As Oklahoma City’s favorite vegan cyclist, when did you decide on the vegan lifestyle, and what prompted your decision?
“So, in 2002, I was at this concert in Danbury, Connecticut. I will say, my favorite band at the time was this band called Goldfinger. They’re based in California and their frontman, John Feldman was like a very outspoken vegan. So, I was already somewhat aware of what a vegan was. Anyway, I was at this show and I don’t remember who the headliner was, but one of the opening bands, they were called, Kicked in the Head. I never heard of them before, but I went to their merch table and they had this video on called Meet Your Meat. It was like one of those slaughterhouse propaganda-type videos.
I remember telling my friends I’m going to go vegan and they thought it was the most ridiculous thing ever. At that time, we all worked at a hotel together and constantly eating like leftover filet mignon, and like all this really good food. I had recently read something about habit building, which is such a weird thing for an 18-year-old to be reading. It was talking about how long it takes to break an addiction. Like after three days, you’re a third of the way there. Three weeks, you’re two-thirds of the way there. And after three months, you don’t have to ever do it again. So, I was like, for three weeks I’m going to be vegan just to see if I can get like two-thirds of the way there. That night we ate Taco Bell and that was my last non-vegan meal. It was just kind of like a challenge at first, then all of a sudden, I was like wait, this is actually something that has no downside.”
What’s your favorite pre-race meal and what are you carrying in your jersey pockets for those long weekend rides?
“So, every race this year, I’ve done Chipotle the night before, that’s been the go-to. Um, for the long rides, I found these things at the grocery store recently called Protein Pucks. They’re basically the same as a ProBar meal bar. They’re an off-brand, and I’ve been eating those mornings before a race, and they seem to be working pretty well. Then, usually, GU products, even though I’m not sponsored by them. I just like their gels better than most of the other gels. And I really like the CLIF Shot Bloks.”
As 2021 begins to roll more towards normalcy, what events are highlighted on your race calendar?
“I mean the only two that I’m signed up for right now are Tulsa Tough, and DK 100. I honestly don’t know if I’ll do them both. I mean, I’m actually really stoked for Wheeler. I’m excited to have local crit racing again.”
A little history on Robs bike in the photo... It’s a steel 1996 barracuda that he bought used when he was 15 years old. Tyler Black (local legend) welded some disc brake mounts on it for him a few years ago, and he put the components from his old Trek Fuel EX 26er on it. The paint job is courtesy of Krylon, and has a satin clear coat over it. He’s always been a fan of the Gulf livery and wanted it on one of his bikes.
Tell us what you’ve got going on in your life that you’re excited about?
“I’m just excited about adventure as a whole. You know like, like riding for me has been an adventure longterm and racing was part of the adventure for a while trying to get up to a Cat 1. Then you do and it’s like what’s next. And then that OBP season was an adventure in itself, like kind of riding on that next caliber team, which was really awesome and fun. And then gravel for a while was an adventure, but now it’s like, I’ve done most of the big races and my placement is just going to keep getting further and further back because there are faster and faster people doing them. So, it’s just like, what can I do that feels like an adventure. So, you know, going out to New Mexico with Judson and his family. Doing a solo night hike, like that felt like an adventure. Sarah and I are planning another Colorado trip. We’re going to do segments 23 & 24 of the Colorado Trail. I heard that’s like one of the prettiest sectors of the trail. So, yeah, I guess that’s kind of what’s going on.”
The coffee we enjoyed: Lioness Coffee Roaster - Human Blend
Origin: South American & East African
Notes: Chocolate, berry, citrus
Brewing method: Pour over
My thoughts: This bag of coffee was gifted to me from one of my cycling buddies, Tanner Culbreath. Tanner is the race director for some of OK’s raddest cyclocross and gravel events. Lioness has been a supporter of his events, that along with them being an Oklahoma roaster, had me stoked to give them a shot. We prepared this cup using the Snow Peak collapsible coffee dripper which has quickly become one of my favorite ways to enjoy a cup of coffee. I felt like this was a great coffee to enjoy a conversation over. It’s rich, it’s chocolatey, and has a bold body. It’s along the lines of what I’d expect from a classic coffee. Not overly fruity or heavy berry notes but if you unwrapping a Hersey Kiss would make you smile, this coffee will do the trick.
Future Coffee Ride Guests:
6/9 - Elena Farrar - Elemental Coffee