The Roadman Cycling Podcast

Michael Bling Matthews, pro road cyclist famed for sprinting and classics success. He shares pro-level training routines, recovery habits, and nutrition tips for amateurs. Short, hard sessions, sleep and consistency over gimmicks. Stories range from Monaco crits and Sanremo near-misses to a serious health scare and returning to racing.

Why telling yourself to “just relax” backfires and how real confidence is earned through evidence. Learn progressive exposure and repetition to build bike-handling patterns. Discover drills for cornering, close-quarters precision, and repeating descents to encode skills. Find out how predictable group rides and riding with better cyclists speed learning and protect developing riders.

Daryl Fitzgerald, pro bike fitter and coach who works with World Tour riders, shares his top fitting tips. He unpacks common saddle-height and reach mistakes. He talks through tiny tweaks, cleat and crank trends, and why no saddle fits everyone. Practical at-home fixes and how to balance comfort with performance round out the conversation.

They list five common, fixable reasons riders lose speed on climbs and why pacing often backfires. They contrast power versus weight and explain terrain-driven torque and cadence demands. They cover targeted training to improve durability and practical fueling, hydration, and cooling strategies. They finish with a simple challenge to pick one change and test it for two weeks.

In this engaging conversation, Nathan Haas, a former WorldTour cyclist who has transitioned into gravel racing and coaching, explores the evolution of gravel racing. He discusses the shift from community spirit to a more professional, competitive atmosphere, influenced by sponsorships and ex-WorldTour riders. Nathan reflects on the loss of camaraderie and the implications of performance-focused incentives. The discussion also touches on the importance of balance in cycling, advocating for inclusivity while maintaining individual narratives and safety within the sport.

The podcast delves into the gripping themes of risk and consequence in cycling, inspired by the documentary 'Free Solo.' It challenges the obsession with minor controls while normalizing dangerous behaviors on the bike. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparation, contrasting it with the false sense of safety from repeated small risks. Listeners are encouraged to distinguish between performance risks and real-life consequences. Lastly, the hosts advocate for honest decision-making to avoid relying on luck.

Winter training can make or break your cycling season. Many riders fail by stacking unstructured workouts without proper recovery. Amateurs often mimic pro training without accounting for their own recovery needs. Anthony emphasizes the importance of managing dose, frequency, and duration in training. He introduces practical frameworks for weekly training and stresses the need for repeatability. Plus, he highlights the impact of fueling on performance and why winter choices can shape your entire season.

Daryl Fitzgerald, an exercise scientist and coach from Science to Sport, discusses essential winter training strategies for cyclists. He explains the crucial levers of intensity, frequency, and duration, emphasizing that getting it right sets the stage for a successful season. Daryl advocates for tailored training structures based on rider goals and stresses the benefits of low-intensity sessions and proper fueling. He shares the importance of balancing training intensity, spotting stress signals, and maintaining consistency for optimal performance.

Discover three fixable reasons cyclists often miss their goals. Anthony emphasizes the importance of setting standards over mere outcomes and encourages behaviors that are within your control. He addresses how modern culture can disrupt consistency and offers practical tools to strengthen resilience. Learn to reframe missed sessions and focus on constructive next actions. A new collective is introduced to support amateur athletes, urging you to maintain consistency without falling into negative cycles.

Rosa Klöser, a professional gravel racer and researcher, shares her secrets to success after winning top events like Unbound and The Rift. She explains the importance of tailored training for gravel conditions, highlighting the role of VO₂ max and fatigue resistance over mere distance. Rosa discusses her unique training blocks and the significance of nutrition and pacing strategies. Plus, she shares personal race stories and innovative bike handling tips, making it clear that gravel racing requires not just strength, but smart approaches to strategy and preparation.