How To Become A Pro Cyclist with Jack Burke

Sepp's been a bud since he made the jump to the road from mountain biking and XC skiing. I've raced against Sepp many times and he's now worked his way to the very top of the sport. Sepp's now one of the best climbers in the world and races on one of the best road cycling teams in the world but has not changed in the slightest from the laid back proper bud that just enjoys riding his bike regardless of if its slicks or knobby's. 

Ian is one of the greatest cyclists the USA has produced. He's raced for the New York Yankees of pro cycling and spent years at the very top. Ian suffered a head injury in 2019 that ended his season. Ian decided to walk away from pro racing due to this injury and now has taken up gravel cycling and is an employee at Wahoo. Ian also has his own podcast, "Breakfast with Bos" which I highly recommend. Ian's got some great insight, is a fantastic mentor at such a young age and is such a pleasure to interview as he's so well spoken and articulate. Ian's got plenty of wisom to share in this episode and it was a pleasure for me to interview a bud I looked up to at the start of my career. 

Jamie's a Canadian from Calgary who worked his butt off to chase the pro cycling dream. He made it to Europe and raced professionally there but with the option to do another year he decided the life wasn't for him and walked away from pro cycling to return to Squamish, BC where we both call home. Now, when it's pouring rain, 2 degrees out and we're both looking out the window, I'm dreading a 6 hour day training on the bike, soaked and freezing in the valley while Jamie is licking his chops, getting the tire chains on the Tacoma to head higher up the mountain where we both know it's nuking fresh powder. We both live for the epic days. The days that start before sunrise and finish with a headlamp. When you're totally buckled and just dying to get back to the trail head, fall into your car and B-Line to the local watering hole for Beers and Burritos. In any proper mountain town (not the rich touristy ski towns), as long as you're dressed to show you just had an epic one out in the mountains, locals excuse the smell and as you drink and feed from the fountain of youth, the stories start flowing. Here's some of those stories. To follow myself and more content go to jackburkecycling.com or follow me on Instagram jackflash66 

Sean is a local hitter in a town overflowing with Olympians, world champions and some of the best outdoor recreation and action sports athletes on the planet. If RedBull would film you doing it, you can probably do it in Squamish. Sean grew up in Squamish and shares some fun stories on his road to racing on the Norco Factory team as well as from the times he's been able to compete with the Maple leaf on his chest. I hope you enjoy Sean.

An epic Bike trip through the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. We started this trip by breaking down our bikes and stuffing them in the back of a 60's 3 seater Cessna plane. We took off from Squamish at Sunrise and flew over the Coast mountains to Cache Creek where we would start the 285km ride back home. Starting in Cache Creek, we then road through Lilloet, Pemberton, Whistler then arrived in Squamish. An epic day where nothing went right and still remains one of my favourite days on the bike or in the mountains. Carl is the furthest thing from a road cyclist, comes from a background of ski mountaineering and general Alpinism. He just got the bike and this would more than double his previous longest ride but with the attitude of a Golden Retriever headed out for a walk, this was set to be a memorable day. 

Jack Burke, an experienced bike racer, shares captivating tales from his first year racing in Europe. He compares the cycling scenes of North America and Europe, revealing cultural shocks and intense competition. Burke discusses adjusting training strategies for sustained performance while navigating differences in methodologies between the two continents. He dives into pursuing dreams beyond cycling, including a potential shift to cross-country skiing. With humor, he reflects on resilience, linking it to a meaningful tattoo that embodies his journey.

In this engaging discussion, Justin, who interviewed Jack before and after his debut year racing as a professional road cyclist, delves into the thrilling world of cycling. They explore the transition from urban to mountain training, the significance of adapting plans for personal well-being, and the vibrant outdoor culture in Squamish. The two share lighthearted stories about quality gear and the camaraderie within the cycling community, emphasizing passion over materialism. Their adventures and aspirations in Europe hint at exciting journeys to come.