Brandon Bender

Next up for WHO’S WHO do we have a treat for you! 🙌 12 year old Brayden is here sharing his BRX story and this cool dude is bringing the heat. We just found out he also braved the cold and pre rode the course this weekend 🤯🥶🔥 Dang! That’s friggin awesome! And his tandem partner of choice? The one and only Bob Ross. Because he’s cool, duh. We can totally picture Brayden and Bob flying by all the happy little trees on course. The real question is… could Bob tell the difference between Haribo gummy bears and Albanese gummy bears? We are not so sure. But we would bet his tandem captain Brayden sure could nail that taste test without even looking. Huge thanks to Brayden for sharing his story and inspiring everyone to bundle up, cram some Nerds Clusters in your pockets, and get out there to pre ride that course. No excuses!💪✨ And hey, youth 18 and under can still register FREE for the 18 mile and 36 mile distances thanks to @grchair . Yes, even though the race is sold out! So if you have a young rider ready to roll, this is your sign. Let’s go! 🚴🔥 #whoswhobrx #whoswhobarryroubaix #gravelforall #morekidsonbikes 📸: @robmphoto @bbender785 @rudymalmquist

After having to stop and fix a broken chain and missing the Iceman podium by one spot in 2024, this year felt like unfinished business. Training this season ended up a bit off the mark to confidently count on a redemption ride, but I felt the fitness was in a place that if I rode a clean race and the legs showed up with 100% of what they had, hope existed. It took 10+ minutes into the race to be able to get the heart rate above zone 3, but once settled in we were firing on all cylinders. This year’s course having the most singletrack I’ve ever seen in my Iceman tenure, I consciously made some key moves on open climbs, passing groups of 5-10 at once. About mile 24, things started to unravel. By mile 26, I was stuck in HR zone 3 again, unable to force my legs to push hard enough to get it any higher. I watched the group I’d been working with fade into the distance. By now we were on the fast & open Vasa trail, and I found myself alone with no one in sight in front of or behind me. My race was clearly slipping away. Akin to the death moan of a bear, I unleashed a blood-curdling scream from the bottom of my soul in frustration. This was good for an intense shot of adrenaline that put me right back into zone 4… for about 1 minute. Then it was back to salvage mode. The crowds cheering at Icebreaker & Woodchip hills were the ether I needed to get into the park. Plan by then was to keep ‘er pinned ‘til she blew. Crossed the finish line and proceeded to uncontrollably hyperventilate for 7 minutes. Just inside out. Wild. Preliminary results had me 6th, one spot off the podium.. again. By 2 seconds. Having accepted my fate, we headed to Woodchip hill to cheer on others after a few beers in the celebration area. Then my phone rang: I ended up 5th. By a margin of 0.37 seconds. What a rollercoaster, @goodgator_ . They don’t get much closer than that. Stoked for the whole @wegetrad squad. Four toed the line, four finished in the top ten of their class, with two podiums. @dannycarp has been putting the work in and it showed. Helluva ride. Thanks @suzi_austin for your unwavering support every year for this weekend. I truly couldn’t do it without you.

Who wore it better, 2002 Brandon or 2025 Brandon? One model year apart, 23 years apart. It’s been decades, but daddy’s back. #corememoryreloaded #ditchbanger #redheadtriple #vintageyamaha #yamaha2stroketriples #proactionchassis #thinksnow

Bittersweet last game of 2025 tonight. I decided to help coach Brayden’s baseball team this year after watching two seasons of coaches doing the best they could with two guys trying to keep 10-14 kids engaged, developing, and having fun. I’m no baseball expert but felt an extra warm body at practice and in the dugout might add value. Can’t say for sure if it did or not but I can confidently say it’s one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Thanks for the memories and a renewed love for the game, fellas. Already missing it. #TKonThree

Cervelo Aspero. “Haul ass, not cargo.” Those @velocityusa Aero rims on oil slick hubs though! 🤌🏼 #cervelo #aspero #seaice #velocitywheels #oilslick #newbikeday

Finally, a good use for a golf course: The 4th annual @snow_angel_fat_tire_race . Had my first mechanical DNF race here in 2024, so I’ve been looking forward to this one for a whole year. Racers were absolutely blessed with good conditions and a race crew that puts a ton of time and resources into making this @angelsofaction fundraiser happen. Was able to mix it up out there with buds I greatly respect as competitors and pulled off a great day on the bike. 📸: @robmphoto #fatbike #fatbikerace #ridegroomed #snowangelfatbikerace

Happy 11th to this kid today. Year 10 was a big year of growth, much more than just physically. Stoked to see what 2025 brings.

Team rips and tail whips. @peak2peakmtbclassic is always good for a rad time. 📸: @robmphoto

Zero suspension, one gear, two laps, third year in a row; @yankeespringstt is always a hoot on single speed. First loser according to results, but so many things went right that day that i’m easily calling it a W. 📸: @robmphoto

I didn’t win the race at @barryroubaix1 this year, but holy wah did I win the day. I was the lucky winner of this insane set of @velocityusa Ailerons built up with oil slick all the things. Still in awe. These beauties are a serious vibe.

growing up too fast. cherishing what i know are limited days of her still thinking i’m cool. so we danced.

SeaWorld is truly something.