For 25 years, Jay Petervary — better known as JayP — has managed to put himself at the head of the pack more often than not. And he’s helped grow ultra-endurance bikepacking from an unheard of pursuit to a fringe extreme sport. But it hasn’t been a smooth ride.

Mention JayP’s name in cycling circles and watch what happens. Petervary’s track record of winning, rule-bending, and outspoken advocacy for the sport polarize those from a range of cycling disciplines.

In his decades of multi-day, self-supported bike racing, JayP has accomplished more than most people could hope for. And he’s watched his niche success turn into a full-time career — one that has attracted more people from more diverse backgrounds into the sport.

But now more than ever, he finds himself the lightning rod for controversy. In this episode, we rehash this year’s heated Tour Divide with Lael Wilcox, the state of bikepacking (good and bad), and a few of Petervary’s sketchier adventures.