Raff's Brain #18: Riffin' with Raff feat. Cody Hollen!

Riffin' with Raff is the interview steam of Raff's Brain podcast.

Raff's Brain is a show about things that are interesting to me, Rob Raffety.
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SUMMARY:
In this episode of Raff’s Brain under the segment Riffing with Raff, Rob Raffety sits down with one of his oldest friends, Cody Hollen, for a nostalgic and casual conversation at a local brewery in their hometown of Buckhannon, West Virginia. They reminisce about childhood memories, including building a robot, and discuss Cody’s passion for cycling. Cody shares details about his intense 52-mile bike ride with over 4,495 feet of elevation gain, reflecting on how his father's passing motivated him to take on physical challenges like this. Amidst the background sounds of a motorcycle and town life, the two friends chat about the evolution of their hometown, cycling technology, and Cody's plans to start his own podcast. The conversation strikes a balance between humor, sentimentality, and the joy of reconnecting with old friends.

OUTLINE:
Introduction:
- Rob introduces the podcast Raff’s Brain and the segment Riffing with Raff.
- Location: Stone Tower Brews in Buckhannon, West Virginia.
- Nostalgic background noises of a motorcycle passing by.

Reconnecting with Cody Hollen:
- Rob’s friendship with Cody, dating back to 1983.
- Memories of childhood, including building a robot with a tape recorder that played Michael Jackson.

Cody's Recent Bike Ride:
- Cody’s recent 52-mile bike ride with 4,495 feet elevation gain.
- Description of the challenging route, starting from Cody’s house.
- Rob’s humorous reaction to the stats of the ride.

Cody’s Journey into Cycling:
- Cody explains how he got into cycling as an alternative to running due to shin splints and knee pain.
- His preference for exploring routes and staying off the main roads.

Motivation Behind the Ride:
- Cody’s motivation for cycling, inspired by his father's passing in 2016.
- How cycling helps him cope and honor his father’s memory.

Details of the Ride:
- Breakdown of the route: mix of gravel and pavement roads.
- The physical toll of cycling long distances and the importance of preparation.

Reflections on the Evolution of Their Hometown:
- Rob and Cody talk about the growth of their small town and how traffic has increased over the years.

Technical Aspects of Cycling:
- Discussion of bike technology, types of bikes (gravel vs. mountain), and gear systems.

Emotional Reflection on Friendship:
- Cody recounts a falling out with a friend who now does the ride without him, causing emotional strain.
- Cody's reflection on doing the ride again as a way to reclaim it.

Plans for the Future:
- Cody’s podcast idea: a Seinfeld-inspired “podcast about nothing.”
- Potential collaboration between Rob and Cody on future episodes.

Conclusion:
- Rob wraps up the episode, teasing the possibility of getting into mountain biking himself.
- Acknowledgment of the "10s of listeners" and appreciation for the audience.