FIVE THINGS WITH CYCLIST CRAIG ALTHEIDE

FIVE THINGS is a feature on the Banjo Brothers Blog. It’s a short interview about life and bicycles with a notable person. This week's notable person is cyclist Craig Altheide

From Hannibal, Missouri, Mark Twain's hometown, the 54-year-old father and high school teacher starting riding seven years ago to fix a gimpy knee and drop a few pounds and hasn't looked back.  

Craig's epic and cycling-rich Instagram feed, where he goes by the moniker "@oversizedcyclist", caught our eye, so we said, "hey, how'd you like to submit a Five Things profile?" We dig his no-nonsense, straightforward style.

Enjoy this week's Banjo Brothers Five Things.

BANJO BROS: WHAT ARE YOU RIDING?

CA: The Current fleet - get ready for some gravel, baby.

1. Road Bike: Cannondale Synapse Di2
2. Gravel Bike: Cannondale Caadx w/ WTB Nano 40 tires, Brooks saddle, and equipped with the all-important Banjo Brothers frame bag. Favorite bike; very into gravel road routes.
3. Use Garmin 1000 bike computer
4. Bikes and equipment (including the Banjo Brother bag) are purchased locally from James at CoolBy (@coolbyke) in Hannibal, MO. He has provided excellent service and advice throughout my entire cycling journey.

BANJO BROS: WHERE ARE YOU RIDING?

CA: Where does Craig spend his time in the saddle?

1. Mainly riding Northeast Missouri and Southwest Illinois
2. Spend a lot of time on the gravel roads that run along both sides of the Mississippi River near Hannibal, MO and Quincy, Illinois
3. Spent a little time this summer riding in Colorado around the Frisco, Breckinridge, Vail Pass area.
4. Couple years ago participated in my first big cycling event by completing the Dirty Kanza 100 ride.
5. Several years ago completed the Bike Across Missouri (BAM) event starting in St. Joseph, MO. and ending in Hannibal, MO."

My solution to improving civility is as follows:

1. Get on a bike

2. Ride up a hill and discuss the issue (I’m sure riding up a hill people tend to be less talkative and listen more)

3. Continue riding up the hill until the issue is resolved

4. Then ride down the hill enjoying the scenery and the individuals you just spent time riding up the hill with. Cycling is the answer. 

BANJO BROS: WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO, READING OR WATCHING? 

CA: I spend most of my reading time on Middle Eastern history and current events.  It's a very fascinating area of the world. It gives me a better understanding of the cultural and geopolitical differences between our country and Middle Eastern countries. I am sad to say, I'm a political junkie. I'm trying to learn and understand various viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum and respecting each person's opinion.

WHAT ARE YOU COOKING, EATING/DRINKING?

CA: Keep it simple, man.

1. Nothing special or exotic
2. Usual midwest diet of meat, starch, and vegetables ( I should increase the vegetable part of the diet)
3. More healthy food preparation such as baking, broiling, grilling food.
4. Propel water and diet soda

BANJO BROS: WHAT'S STUCK IN YOUR CRAW?

CA: The erosion of civility and respect for differences in opinion in our culture.
We have forgotten that reasonable people can disagree; if you don’t agree with someone’s opinion, it doesn’t mean one of you is a bad or evil person.
Compromise and problem-solving has become a lost art.

My solution to improving civility is as follows:

1. Get on a bike
2. Ride up a hill and discuss the issue (I’m sure riding up a hill people tend to be less talkative and listen more)
3. Continue riding up the hill until the issue is resolved
4. Then ride down the hill enjoying the scenery and the individuals you just spent time riding up the hill with. Cycling is the answer. (Amen, Brother!)