# 38 — Tim Johnson and Payson McElveen

The NonProphet Podcast

In early-September Mark and Michael sat down with Red Bull team members Tim Johnson and Payson McElveen midway through the Queen’s Stage Race put on by Rebecca Rusch. Tim is a six-time national cyclocross champion who competed in numerous UCI world championships, won the Mount Washington Hill Climb, and later rode up the same peak—known for its vicious conditions—in winter. In 2018 he joined the USA Cycling Foundation as development director and works with various advocacy groups to promote and protect cycling. Payson started racing his bike in 2007 and quickly climbed through the national rankings. He has won the Marathon National Championship twice, finished with a bronze medal at the XC National Championship, placed third at the Leadville 100, won both the Iron Horse Classic and the Grand Traverse, and won the Mongolia Bike Challenge, a six-day stage race in … Mongolia. Both guys share a good sense of humor and willingness to suffer that delivers insight and a nice flow to the conversation. Their love for cycling, competition, and adventure bridge whatever gap between generations might exist had they not discovered and developed similar passion.