- November 27, 2021
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How well do you know the Petersons? Better yet, how well do they know each other? Let’s find out!
If you are a member of DIRT and have been on any number of group rides or Discord, chances are that you know the Petersons. We got to know Brandon and Val a bit better in this story recently posted to the ZOM. I decided to take it a step further.
In true 70s game show fashion, I asked Brandon and Val a series of revealing questions to find out how well they know each other. The answers haven’t been shared. Until now!
Here Goes!
Brandon
Val
Who is the better athlete, you or your spouse?
Val is the better athlete, no doubt. She has always been in great shape, takes care of her body, eats well, and never misses a day of training. Sometimes I enjoy sleeping in or having a beer :). I think she would say the same!
If it comes to straight cycling, Brandon hands down. However, if we add running into the mix, I crush him (former marathoner). He will say we are both excellent athletes but just ask him how he feels about running and other types of exercise 😂
Brandon
Val
Who is the better racer?
Definitely me (sorry Val)! I’ve worked hard to be the best I can be. I think she would admit that as well.
Brandon. And he would agree!
Brandon
Val
Who trains harder?
This one might be a tie. Val tends to be more consistent, but I have some more challenging days. Our training intensity tends to have peaks and valleys for both of us – it’s hard always to maintain such a high level. I can say, though, that seeing the other person in an extensive training block or putting in some extra work definitely motivates the other.
I would say I do- I am much more strategic with training and actually enjoy the workouts offered and varied group rides involving climbing. Brandon just races a ton and does the same group rides (if they are primarily flat) but let’s be honest. His training style pays off! However, he never stretches after, and watching him try and touch his toes is very entertaining.
Brandon
Val
Who is more motivated to train or race?
I think Val is more motivated to train – her commitment is impressive. She rarely takes days off and works out even when she’s not feeling well. I tend to sleep in a bit more and sometimes just get lazy. I think I am a bit more motivated to race, though, and will often jump into races on a whim, especially if it’s on Innsbruckring. I love me some leg snapper.
I am more motivated to train- I always want to be stronger & as fit as possible, but he is more motivated to race and loves checking his race rankings. He would say the same.
Brandon
Val
Who is more popular in the virtual cycling community? Who has more followers on virtual cycling-related social media platforms?
Val is WAY more popular! No matter what ride she is in or just cruising around, she is always saying hi to different people. I’m not sure how many followers Val has, but it’s definitely more than me! She is just a super nice person, and I think that comes through in Zwift. I have better Discord GIFs, though. I have 780 Zwift followers for whatever it’s worth, though – way more than I thought!
Hmmm, this is a tough one. I do a larger variety of group rides than he does, so I may be more well-known. However, Brandon’s quick wit during rides and GIFs on discord is very well known when it comes to just DIRT. Overall, I have more Zwift companion and Strava followers, so I clearly must be more popular, right?
Brandon
Val
If one of your trainers was broken and only one of you could race, who would it be?
Ugh, that is a nightmare! But I would win that argument! Also, broken trainers or bikes make me SUPER cranky, so it’s better for everyone if I get to ride!
I would be sad but let Brandon ride. I have no idea how to fix it if it breaks, so I would be out of luck. He would be nice and encourage me to ride because he knows I am happier after I exercise, but ultimately he’d race 😂
Brandon
Val
Who looks better in a cycling kit?
Val looks better. Easy. Although my quads put up a good fight.
Brandon- Have you seen those quads and calf muscles? He will say something nice like, “I look good,” but we both know he crushes that blue DIRT kit!
Brandon
Val
Who looks better in a cycling kit?
Val looks better. Easy. Although my quads put up a good fight.
Brandon- Have you seen those quads and calf muscles? He will say something nice like, “I look good,” but we both know he crushes that blue DIRT kit!
Just in time for Black Friday from the DIRT Dad Fund! MIRT-themed socks.
Not just for MIRTs. Get yours here.
Brandon
Val
Who tells better jokes?
I think this is me. However, Val is no slouch in the joke department either. I definitely THINK I’m funnier.
Brandon is funnier. Sometimes his jokes require an explanation, but usually, they are pretty amusing.
Brandon
Val
Who’s funnier, Keith Miller or Matt Yankow?
Miller makes fun of me more. So Yankow.
Keith! Yankow just tells me I disappoint him when I meet my weekly goals or leave XLR early.
Brandon
Val
Who would your spouse say is the “better catch”?
Val. I’m out kicking my coverage here.
Definitely me 😆
Brandon
Val
Your spouse has the day off and an empty house. How does your spouse spend the day?
Up at 4:30, working out, cleaning, organizing, planning our lives, and in general never sitting still, not even for a minute. She might take a 20-minute nap. Maybe. And she would probably work a bit even when she had the day off.
He would Zwift and watch sports and maybe a terrible action movie. Then he would miss the kids and get them early from school.
Brandon
Val
What is the weirdest birthday gift your spouse has ever given you?
Val is good with gifts, so this is hard. One time she got me a fancy single-blade razor for my face after seeing some ad on social media. This thing was the worst and ended up just tearing up my face – it only lasted one shave!
He got me a pair of sunglasses that I already owned. He forgot 😂
Brandon
Val
What is your spouse’s guilty pleasure?
Bravo TV. And these little chocolate chip cookie things called “Hunks.”
Discord! He giggles, putting GIFs in the chats with the DIRT gents.
Brandon
Val
What’s your spouse’s worst habit?
Asking me for my opinion when she doesn’t ACTUALLY want it. And not putting things back where they go (like tools)! Oh, and wearing socks to bed then losing them in the sheets.
Letting his laundry pile up for weeks.
Brandon
Val
Describe what you first thought of your spouse in one word.
Babe.
Funny.
See the full Black Friday lineup here and get your merchandise in time for the holiday.
Brandon
Val
What’s your spouse’s favorite TV show and movie?
Bravo TV – I think she watches the housewives shows. She definitely likes The Notebook movie.
TV show- anything on Sports Center.
Movie- Braveheart
Brandon
Val
What is your spouse’s pet name for you?
Just “B”.
Boring, just “V”.
Brandon
Val
If your spouse was a Disney character, who would they be?
Tough question. Probably Moana because she is super motivated and a hard worker. And she LOVES that song from The Rock about “you’re welcome.”
Prince Charming.
Brandon
Val
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy together?
A house in the mountains!
A mountain house.
Brandon
Val
If your spouse had a superpower, what would it be?
To make messes disappear, LOL.
To fly.
Brandon
Val
What would they say your best feature is, and what would you say?
Val would say my best feature is my quads. She would definitely NOT say my forehead or my feet. Val’s best feature is all of them.
My smile, my hair
Brandon
Val
What are your spouse’s best features and best personality traits?
She’s funny, kind, and driven. She is super smart, both in terms of intelligence, but also emotional IQ. She can talk to anybody and has an easy way of building friendships. She’s funny and can be goofy at times. She also has great legs.
His eyes.
Brandon
Val
What’s your spouse’s best personality trait?
Her sense of humor!
His quick wit!
I have to agree with that one. Let’s leave it at that! Thank you, Brandon and Val!
For more great stories highlighting our amazing community check out the DIRT Zwift Team page of The ZOM!
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Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit. Chris is committed to helping others with his bike through its work and the pages of his site.
In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to New York to support the charity he founded, TheDIRTDadFund. His “Gain Cave” resides on the North Fork of Long Island, where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two independent children.
You will read him promoting his passion on the pages of Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. Chris is co-host of The Virtual Velo Podcast, too!
