The Roadman Cycling Podcast

What happens when a lifelong Cat 1 racer cuts training volume in half? For 12 years, I trained 12–15 hours weekly. Then life changed — and I dropped to 6. This episode breaks down exactly what happened: the watts lost, the kilos gained, and the reality behind the numbers. Using 3 years of TrainingPeaks data, I compare my fitness at both ends — and reflect on the science (Seiler, Rønnestad, Mujika) that predicted it all. This isn't about shortcuts. It's about understanding the trade-offs: performance vs sustainability, volume vs life. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can get fast on 6 hours a week — this is the honest, data-backed answer. Surfshark - Online security starts with a VPN and I trust Surfshark. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://surfshark.com/roadman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code roadman at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.NOMIO is clinically proven to:Lower lactate levels, Reduce oxidative stress, Improve training adaptations And deliver a noticeable boost from the very first dose. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.drinknomio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out this game changing supplement. 4iiiiReady to elevate your cycling game? Trust the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeter—precision, performance, and peace of mind, all in one.Learn more by visiting http://www.4iiii.comBIKMO Whether it’s theft, damage, crashes, racing or travel, Bikmo’s got your back. Their in-house claims team makes the process fast and painless, and here’s the kicker — with 50% off multi-bike cover, you can protect all your bikes, and even your family’s or mates’ bikes, under one simple policy.Make sure you’re covered - check the details in your policy docs. T&Cs apply.Head over to https://bikmo.com/uk/ and use the code ROADMAN to get covered & save money.REAPCustom Carbon Composition Bikes made in the UK. REAP's gravel bike is set to redefine gravel riding with 50mm+ tyre clearance https://reapbikes.com/

Netflix spent €8 million to bring cycling to a global audience — and got it completely wrong. In this episode, we unpack how Unchained misrepresented the Tour de France, damaged trust with riders, and failed to grasp the sport’s unique culture of silence, strategy, and sacrifice. From Wout van Aert’s “disturbing” portrayal to key moments cut from the final edit, we explore what happens when Hollywood storytelling clashes with cycling’s unwritten code. Only 8 of 22 teams agreed to return for Season 2 — a clear signal that something broke. This is more than a bad documentary. It’s a case study in how not to tell a story — and a reminder of what makes this sport sacred.Surfshark - Online security starts with a VPN and I trust Surfshark. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://surfshark.com/roadman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code roadman at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.NOMIO is clinically proven to:Lower lactate levels, Reduce oxidative stress, Improve training adaptations And deliver a noticeable boost from the very first dose. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.drinknomio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out this game changing supplement. 4iiiiReady to elevate your cycling game? Trust the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeter—precision, performance, and peace of mind, all in one.Learn more by visiting http://www.4iiii.comBIKMO Whether it’s theft, damage, crashes, racing or travel, Bikmo’s got your back. Their in-house claims team makes the process fast and painless, and here’s the kicker — with 50% off multi-bike cover, you can protect all your bikes, and even your family’s or mates’ bikes, under one simple policy.Make sure you’re covered - check the details in your policy docs. T&Cs apply.Head over to https://bikmo.com/uk/ and use the code ROADMAN to get covered & save money.REAPCustom Carbon Composition Bikes made in the UK. REAP's gravel bike is set to redefine gravel riding with 50mm+ tyre clearance https://reapbikes.com/

What if everything you know about fuelling is slowing you down?In this episode, world tour nutritionist Dr. Sam Impey joins us to dismantle outdated advice—and reveal how elite cyclists are now pushing up to 120g of carbs per hour without crashing or bloating. From the science of gut training to the myths around weight loss, recovery drinks, and carb loading, Sam explains why more carbs + smarter timing = less burnout and better performance.We cover what most amateurs get wrong, how to fuel for different training loads, and how AI tech is helping riders like Tom Pidcock personalize nutrition in real time.Surfshark - Online security starts with a VPN and I trust Surfshark. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://surfshark.com/roadman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code roadman at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.NOMIO is clinically proven to:Lower lactate levels, Reduce oxidative stress, Improve training adaptations And deliver a noticeable boost from the very first dose. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.drinknomio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out this game changing supplement. 4iiiiReady to elevate your cycling game? Trust the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeter—precision, performance, and peace of mind, all in one.Learn more by visiting http://www.4iiii.comBIKMO Whether it’s theft, damage, crashes, racing or travel, Bikmo’s got your back. Their in-house claims team makes the process fast and painless, and here’s the kicker — with 50% off multi-bike cover, you can protect all your bikes, and even your family’s or mates’ bikes, under one simple policy.Make sure you’re covered - check the details in your policy docs. T&Cs apply.Head over to https://bikmo.com/uk/ and use the code ROADMAN to get covered & save money.REAPCustom Carbon Composition Bikes made in the UK. REAP's gravel bike is set to redefine gravel riding with 50mm+ tyre clearance https://reapbikes.com/

Discover how Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar swears by his dynamic stretching protocol to boost cycling performance. The discussion covers pre-ride activation secrets and post-ride recovery techniques that keep riders strong. Learn effective warm-up exercises like glute bridges and band walks to enhance power and prevent injuries. Unpack the misconceptions surrounding stretching and its importance in maintaining muscle health. Embrace simple routines to ride smarter and potentially mirror the success of pro cyclists!

Anthony is joined today by Dirk Friel. Dirk is the co-founder of Training Peaks & pioneer of the digital coaching world. This is a deep dive into the future of training metrics and athlete performance. Dirk pulls back the curtain on how different types of athletes engage with Training Peaks and explains how an amateur rider uses the platform in comparison with the high performance athletes. Dirk gives us insights as to what we can learn from the pros. They also chat about the new buzzword metric "Durability" and why it's important for every day cyclists. Surfshark - Online security starts with a VPN and I trust Surfshark. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://surfshark.com/roadman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code roadman at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.NOMIO is clinically proven to:Lower lactate levels, Reduce oxidative stress, Improve training adaptations And deliver a noticeable boost from the very first dose. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.drinknomio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out this game changing supplement. 4iiiiReady to elevate your cycling game? Trust the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeter—precision, performance, and peace of mind, all in one.Learn more by visiting http://www.4iiii.comBIKMO Whether it’s theft, damage, crashes, racing or travel, Bikmo’s got your back. Their in-house claims team makes the process fast and painless, and here’s the kicker — with 50% off multi-bike cover, you can protect all your bikes, and even your family’s or mates’ bikes, under one simple policy.Make sure you’re covered - check the details in your policy docs. T&Cs apply.Head over to https://bikmo.com/uk/ and use the code ROADMAN to get covered & save money.REAPCustom Carbon Composition Bikes made in the UK. REAP's gravel bike is set to redefine gravel riding with 50mm+ tyre clearance https://reapbikes.com/

Think age is slowing you down? Not so fast! Discover the secrets to improving your cycling after 40 with tips from legendary coaches. Learn about the power of polarized training, strength work, and proper recovery to reverse fitness decline. Explore the importance of VO₂ max and muscle maintenance, plus how nutrition plays a key role in recovery. It's never too late to challenge age-related limitations and elevate your cycling game!

Cyclists often overlook crucial mistakes that can hinder their performance. Fueling properly is vital, especially balancing carbs and weight goals. Gear selection and mastery also play a pivotal role in getting the most out of rides. Strength training isn't just for gym folks; it's essential for boosting endurance and preventing injuries. Recovery methods, both active and passive, are key for performance enhancement. Dive into effective pacing techniques and learn how small adjustments can lead to significant improvements on the bike.

Shannon Malseed, a former pro cyclist turned mindset advocate, shares her inspiring journey of leaving elite sports for a more authentic life. She discusses the hidden costs of high achievement and the pressures of societal expectations. Shannon challenges conventional notions of success, focusing on personal fulfillment over sacrifice. The conversation touches on navigating identity, self-worth, and the transformative power of belief. Ultimately, it’s about finding joy in the everyday process of being true to oneself.

In this engaging discussion, Christian Schrot, performance coach at Team Jayco AlUla, reveals the unexpected truth that training too hard may be counterproductive for cyclists. He dives into the 80/20 polarized training model, emphasizing the need for consistency over intensity. Schrot also explores innovative training metrics and the importance of personalized energy management for optimizing performance. Listeners learn how striking the right balance between intensity and frequency is vital to avoid burnout while ensuring enjoyable cycling experiences.

Once celebrated for its premium cycling apparel, a once-cool brand now faces financial turmoil and store closures. The conversation dives into the pitfalls of discount culture and over-expansion, exploring how losing its core identity led to a dramatic fall from grace. Listeners are treated to insights on brand loyalty and the challenges of engaging a new generation of cyclists. Despite setbacks, there are glimmers of hope for reinvention and recovery in a post-pandemic cycling landscape.