Ope! Bikes.
It's pretty straightforward. Riding and racing bikes has brought me tremendous joy and has transformed my life for the better. And I know I'm not alone in this...
Ope! Bikes. is a podcast, well, about bikes. It's a collection of stories and intimate conversations with members and participants of the cycling community. It's the deep-dive into how bikes can act as catalysts for personal development, healing, social and civil rights advocacy, environmental action, community building...the list goes on and on.
The goal of Ope! Bikes. is to bring these stories and conversations to life and to provide a platform for guests to express themselves as impassioned advocates of the bicycle.
I hope you enjoy the show!
Ope! Bikes.
Rare Earth Cycle with Brian Hall
On this episode, we’re shifting gears a bit and diving into the world of custom bike building and the artistry of frame crafting with today’s incredible guest, Brian Hall.
Brian hails from River Falls, Wisconsin and is the founder, builder, and creative mind behind Rare Earth Cycle. Not only does Brian design and handcraft beautiful, purpose-driven bikes, he’s also living proof that blending artistry, engineering, and a passion for adventure can lead to some truly remarkable machines. From touring the Baja Divide on a bike he built himself—affectionately named Horse With No Name—to tackling the Tour Divide aboard his Huckleberry Dragon, Brian’s work isn’t just about building bikes…it’s about creating vehicles for adventure, exploration, and personal transformation.
In this episode, Brian and I catch up on his journey from a successful career in outdoor footwear design to becoming a full-time bike builder. We dive into the creative and technical sides of frame building, how he balances artistry and craftsmanship, and the ethos behind Rare Earth Cycle — where riders are encouraged to bring their dream builds to life. We also talk about the inspiration he draws from the trails, the vibrant powder coating finishes he's known for, and where he hopes to take Rare Earth Cycle in the coming years.
We’ll even get a sneak peek into Brian’s plans for Made.Bike this August and what future bikepacking adventures might be on his radar.