The Rouleur Podcast

With the cyclo-cross World Championships rapidly approaching at the end of January, we have three experts to assess the contenders in Fayettville, Arkansas.Multiple British champions Helen Wyman and Ian Field have seen the sport transform, especially on the women’s side, since they were practically the only Brits racing ‘cross in Belgium. With no Wout van Aert or Mathieu van der Poel to contend with in the States, can Tom Pidcock pull on the rainbow jersey? And Zoe Backstedt has been far and away the strongest junior rider this season. Will the current road race world champion double up in the mud? Wyman and Field guide us through the noisy and enthusiastic world of American cyclo-cross. Yee-ha.Cameron Mason took his first UCI World Cup win over the packed Christmas holiday period. The young Scot is a genuine podium contender in the under-23s having spent three winters learning the ropes in Belgium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wondering why your bikes and bits are taking so long to arrive? What is the hold up in the supply chain? Dan Cavallari asks logistics expert Dan Woodcock where the products are right now, why ships are sitting outside harbours unable to unload, and when we can expect to see some easing of the situation. Harrison Macris of Princeton Carbon Works, supplier of TT wheels to Team Ineos, also joins Dan to explain how his company has coped with the lack of hub deliveries with a unique solution - scouring the globe for quality components, plus in-house manufacturing with their Tactic brand.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Boswell’s road career was cut short by severe concussion sustained during a crash at Tirreno Adriatico in 2019. Where one door closes, another opens, as the American started a new job for Wahoo and, before you know it, was racing again – and very successfully too – but this time on gravel.Rachel Jary discusses changing disciplines, the more inclusive vibe of the gravel scene and why wearing a transgender flag sweatband has a personal meaning to Boswell alongside raising a broader conversation in the cycling community.Author Jonathan Heard compiled ten wonderful stories of long-distance riding for his book Cycling Through a Pandemic having himself put his life on hold to take a winding month-long route from Land’s End to John o‘ Groats. Adventurer cyclist and racer Sami Sauri also joins Ian Parkinson to describe the difficulty of riding across the deserts outside of Zaragoza during Spanish lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rouleur’s Rachel Jary has been isolating in a Milton Keynes hotel for ten days. Thankfully, Dad dropped off the Tacx smart trainer so she’s not gone completely nuts. What sessions has she been doing on the turbo? How did she keep motivated locked in a room eating dreadful food? And what Netflix series has she been binging? Dan Cavallari asks the big questions from the comfort of his garage in Colorado.Digital editor Peter Stuart, meanwhile, mulls over the online options for virtual indoor training. Zwift is the big one currently, of course, but other players dipped their toes in the market over the last decade. A brief history of virtual training, and a gaze into the future as Wahoo launch their Systm app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s a well worn path between the saddle of a race bike and the director’s seat in a team car. Who better to advise young riders than the ex-pro who’s been there, done that and worn the leader’s jersey? On this edition we talk to two ex-racers who are following that tradition. Multiple world and Olympic champion Anna van der Breggen will be taking up a director’s role with her SD Worx team next season. And Steve Cummings – Grand Tour stage winner, Olympic medallist and breakaway specialist – will spend another season as development coach with Ineos Grenadiers.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To E or not to E? That is the question for this edition of the Rouleur Tech podcast, specifically - what’s the point of e-bikes on the road? Plenty, according to Dan Cavallari’s first guest Andrew Bernstein. Andrew lost the use of one leg after he was hit by a car so an e-bike means he can still enjoy challenging rides with friends. Dan’s second guest is Rouleur’s Ian Cleverly, who was an e-cynic but has now been converted to the idea. So much so that he’s considering selling his car and buying an e-cargo bike instead. Anyone wanna buy a secondhand Skoda? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone knows professional cycling is a tough sport - that’s part of its appeal - but does it place too much of a strain on some of its competitors, and how well does it look after those who struggle? Cycling’s not the only sport facing up to the mental health issues endured by some of its brightest performers. On this podcast we hear the personal stories of two recently retired stars - Marcel Kittel and Peter Kennaugh. And we talk to newly-crowned British champion Pfeiffer Georgi about her brilliant season on the road, and her plans for next year’s Classics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cycling should be one of the greenest of activities, but how ecologically sound is the bike industry? Modern materials, disposable products and a world-wide supply chain all contribute to a bigger carbon footprint than you might think. Host Dan Cavallari talks to some of the people making a difference. Former pro riders Peter and Martin Velits run Isadore Clothing which uses recycled materials and minimal packaging. And Andy Miller of Revel Bikes and Why Cycles talks about their recyclable wheels and reusable bike boxes. But no-one seems to have an answer to the product described as 'evil but essential'. What is it? Listen to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rouleur's Digital Editor and resident tech expert Peter Stuart takes host Ian Parkinson on a tour of some of the standout bikes and kit at Rouleur Live. Gravel bikes galore, a rear hub which does away with the front changer and a world-beating frameset that costs - well, if you have to ask the price you certainly can't afford it.And Ned Boulting is here with the hot-off-the-press Roadbook 2021, looking back over a season which - everything - gave us exciting racing and historic firsts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a battle of the Rouleur heavyweights, your referee Dan Cavallari tries to keep the conversation civil as forward-thinking tech-head Peter Stuart takes on retro-grouch, old school bikie Ian Cleverly in a battle of the cockpits. Aero advantage, tidy front end and an altogether improved modern system? Or a royal pain in the backside that is non-adjustable and a headache for the home mechanic? We go two rounds, head to head. Seconds out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.