This is a big week, we are turning the show up a notch to 11. First, Mel Gruver-LaPolt joins Jeff and I as we kick of our 6th podcast. Mel is C0-Founder and Director of the Cabin Challenge. Mel was there in the early days, when riders got off their bikes, and cooked their own food after riding all day. Mel is an integral part of the CC and whether on the ride, or behind the scenes, her contributions ensure everyone had a good time. You will see Mel stuffing swag bags, slicing fruit, coordinating volunteers, or any of the other dozens of tasks, she always has a hand in it. Lets not forget Mel is a badass athlete in her own right….she has completed an Ironman Triathlon, run marathons, a collegiate swimmer, and a six time SOS finisher. When you are cycling up Sugarloaf and questioning your ability to go on….draw inspiration from the fact that Melissa once completed the SOS with a broken leg.
Our first guest is swim legend David Barra, who is about to embark on his first Cabin Challenge. Dave is a resident of the Shawangunk mountains, and best known for marathon swimming. Dave was inducted as an Honor Swimmer into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2010 Dave had one of the remarkably prolific years in marathon swimming history. As of 2021 only four people completed the Triple Crown of Swimming quicker than Dave. (In 81 days Dave Swam the English Channel, Catalina Channel and the Manhattan Island Swim) He is the Co-founder, and Director, of the Worlds Largest Marathon swim….The Eight Bridges, as well as many other events and races. Dave is the namesake for the Barra Award. The Barra Award is an award given by the Marathon Swim Association for the most impressive overall year of marathon swimming. While most of Barra’s accolades are swimming related, and two numerous to mention here, he has also participated in cycling races many years ago. This past year Dave has put up some prodigious training numbers on his road, gravel, and mountain bikes.
Next we are joined by Steve Catania. Steve is a long time Cabin Challenge veteran and Vice President of Subsurface Technologies, Inc. Founded in 1987, STI delivers , 100% environmentally sound, sustainable, energy efficient ground water solutions with unprecedented success and no waste stream for Municipal, Industrial and Investor Owned Water Utilities. Follow them on LinkedIn to learn about some really cool work happening in the world to ensure we all have good clean water! Steve is a former True Grit winner and has cycled through Europe, the Azores, the Western United States, and of course the Hudson Valley and his home in the Shawangunk mountains.
