The Sutton Speakeasy Series
Shoulders We Stand On
The Sutton Speakeasy series dives into the cycling community’s past, today’s happenings, and what may lie ahead. No formulas, no templates. Our mission is to shine a light on cycling’s brilliant, humble, hardworking women and men – in their words through their stories.
The speakeasy series and D33’s Unsung Cyclist awards will draft off of one another. Together, these two important, homegrown initiatives will celebrate the well-known and lesser-known characters who’s shoulders we stand on, as well as today’s innovators and community builders.
Stories Aplenty
Possibilities Abound. Who figured out larger-volume tires at lower pressures are comfortably faster? What mind-bending whiteboard sessions led to the lollipop pedal or tailored-fit, bespoke 3D-printed helmets? Who dreamed up NICA scholastic mountain bike racing and did anyone expect its membership would dwarf USA Cycling’s? What feats of strength, brilliance and determination are required to succeed – as a woman or person of color — in cycling industry and sport?
Look for a new Sutton Speakeasy episode each spring with a long-term goal to bookend the cycling season with an autumn episode.
From Dumpster Diving to the Tour de France
Recorded in April 2026 at the Sea Otter Classic, the first Sutton Speakeasy hit YouTube three months later. This unique gathering of cycling industry game changers can be viewed all-in or in smaller bites via the chapter links.
Our colleague, Zap Espinoza, had this to say on debut day:
"And so, the "From Dumpster Diving to The Tour de France" video has launched on YouTube. All bias aside; this one-of-a-kind event celebrates remarkable moments of cycling history. Yes, it's long, but in recollecting key moments about the early days in everything from mountain biking, suspension, carbon fiber, and the Tour de France, to head protection, e-bikes & motocross, these stories told by Jim Gentes, Craig Calfee, Jim Turner and Keith Bontrager are the stuff of legend! Thanks to Rick Sutton for making this first edition of Sutton's Speakeasy happen. Take it all in and relish the revolutions in our sport that these four made happen."
The Moab Mountain Bike Mash-up
The Deviation33 film crew is heading to Outerbike 2026 in Moab, Utah. Four legends will be joining Zap Espinoza for a lively discussion about their careers and contributions to mountain bike racing, product development, and trail stewardship.
Susan DeMattei, 1996 Olympic MTB Bronze Medalist
Ashley Korenblat, IMBA Co-Creator & Trail Advocacy Guru
Greg Herbold, 1990 Downhill World Champion
Chris Cocalis, Pivot Cycles Founder & Innovator
This second round of the Sutton Speakeasy Series will be recorded at the Slackline Hotel on October 1, 2026. In November, we will share it all as well as individual interview segments on Deviation33’s YouTube channel.