Consider the choices title statement, which would you see Canadian cycling fitting into? Where do you see our national strategy sitting in order to get the best possible athlete results?
Kevin Field is one of the most experienced and involved minds in Canadian bike racing. Having been a former Head of Performance Strategy at Cycling Canada, Co-founder of The Feed, professional UCI level Sports Director, Director of the Hamilton Foundation, Chair of the Board for Bridge the Gap...we could keep going...Needless to say, Kevin knows his stuff, and he wants to share it with you!
Can Canadian riders truly be world beaters? What needs to change at a management level, grassroots level, and in-between to see our athletes be great? We chat about how the cycling public needs to change from a "quantity mindset" to a "quality mindset", where resources come from and how they need to be allocated better, and why it's so important to ensure riders get the support they need in all aspects of racing and life.
Hamilton Foundation: http://2003foundation.org/
Bridge the Gap: https://grbridgethegap.com/
Kevin's Instagram: @7thgroove
Titanium bikes are quickly becoming one of the hottest topics in cycling and it's easy to see why. Gorgeous lines, fantastic styling and insane ride quality. But good titanium bikes have a certain X-factor, that felling of utter happiness in a bike. No. 22 Bicycle Company delivers that in spades with their lineup.
Today, we catch up with No. 22's co-founder and all-round good guy, Mike Smith. Stick around to find out the "origin" story of No. 22, how they've created such a fantastic product line, where the ideas come from, why craftsmanship is so key to success, and more. Is titanium the future? What makes titanium bikes so attractive, interesting, and intriguing to cyclists, new and old. Plus, get some insight into the incredible Reactor Aero and its immense attention-getting launch.
No .22 Website: ttps://22bicycles.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor6RrJ4Yg1DpZTReYsDZ42lnf7X9iAuKsCDAaB8GvsLJn6RTUAH
No. 22 Instagram: @22bikes
Nutrition, training, contract decisions, life skills, and peloton dynamics are all some of the less glamorous but equally important parts to pro racing that those watching on the television may not understand. Jenaya Francis and I, Carter Lewis, chat about the background of what goes into pro cycling, why it's important to understand the basics before trying something new, as well as why we all need to develop real life skills before being a better rider.
Jenaya's instagram: @jenayamfrancis
We all WANT more people on bikes, but we NEED more women on bikes. In a sport long dominated by men, that extends into the clothing industry too. Why can't clothing truly be tailored for women? Why can't it look less like team kit and more like fashion? Why is no one doing this?
Those are just a few questions Janet Hiebert, Founder and CEO of Samsara Cycle is addressing. Janet is a true game changer in the cycling apparel industry, putting women first with the goal of creating kit that makes women smile every time they put it on.
Janet and I chat about Samsara Cycle's journey from idea to award winner, what the business of cycling apparel is like, how a women owned and operated company can struggle to really gain traction in a male dominated business world, as well as what the next goals and steps for Samsara really are.
Samsara Cycle Instagram: @samsaracycleclub
Samsara Cycle website: https://www.samsara-cycle.com/
Samsara Cycle Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1316079
Janet Hiebert on Start-Up Canada: https://www.startupcan.ca/ride-in-style-with-janet-hiebert/
Jenaya Francis, Edmonton, Alberta born and racing with Winspace OrangeSeal, is a fantastic talent with big ideas for cycling and just how impactful we can make it in a young athlete's life.
But instead of initially blaming Cycling Canada management for not doing enough, or supporting young riders, or gathering enough funding, let's instead focus on getting more sponsors for funding, being grateful we can even race and participate in European events, and understand that so many people are doing everything they can for young riders. It's easy to blame the surface problem, but we need to think deeper, push farther, and engage more with our communities.
We chat about that and more on the show. Talking her atypical growth in the sport, as well as the HUGE difference and excitement cycling could have in North American if we could just get Tim Horton's on board!
Jenaya's Instagram: @jenayamfrancis
You, me, Carson, and Cycling Canada, all need to know what our end goals are. Without knowing that, we have no direction on which to grow, develop, and thrive.
Carson Miles is one of the coolest guys in cycling right now. With big, bold ideas, he's not afraid to tell it like it is, nor state his opinion. We chat about Cycling Canada, the work they have done and haven't done for young riders, what the future holds for cycling in North America, and more. Plus we find out what it's like to have the craziest training partners in the world!
Carson's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carson_miles__/
Laury's website and kit: https://www.laurymilette.com/support-me
When we purchase products, we rarely, if ever, wish for poor quality. Beyond that, we hope for good service, and a reason to come back. Mike Buenting provides that in spades with Rudy Project.
For 40 years, Rudy Project has developed some of the best helmets, eyewear and more. Recently known for their radical Wingdream TT helmet, Rudy Project is more than just a brand for those that know Mike Buenting. Mike, is the face of Rudy Project, the reason we come back. But it extends beyond just service. Developing relationships with athletes, teams, and peers creates lasting impacts on the sporting community, large and small.
Mike and I chat about the importance of creating those relationships, developing the sport from the branding side, and how athletes can make themselves more attractive to potential partners.
In a world of high speed action, a sport based around intensity and drama, track cycling is the pinnacle of intense, speed focussed racing. While many experienced riders see themselves having a chance in Endurance racing in the velodrome, very few of us could ever succeed in the Sprinting realm. Even fewer could see themselves at an international level not even 8 years into starting the sport...Wyatt Paul is doing just that
Wyatt Paul is developing at a rapid rate in the USAC Track system with big goals for the 2025 PanAm Championships and beyond. We discuss the immense training necessities, how riders develop in American track racing, and where the USA can see their program going in the future.
Instagram: @wyattpaul_2
Making the WorldTour is hard, really hard. Doing it from Canada is even harder. Alex Volstad, is one of the top up-and-coming talents in world cycling and a shining example of Canadian bike racing.
Raised in Calgary, but having lived all over the place, Alex knows that her success is never a product of just her own work, but the resulting impact of countless people. From previous coaches, the crew at Bow Cycle, mentors, friends, and now mechanics, DS's, teammates, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Volstad.
What is the journey from Cowtown kid to Girona-based pro like? How well is Cycling Canada doing at developing young riders? Is money being spent the right way in the national system? We find out all that and more. Plus, we learn of Alex's true love for energy gels...
Join the Clipless in Canada Podcast Strava Club at https://www.strava.com/clubs/cliplessincanadapodcast
Follow Alex at https://www.instagram.com/alex.volstad/ and https://www.strava.com/athletes/29459702
Follow EF-Oatly at https://www.instagram.com/efeducation.oatly/
There is only so much one person can do...but some people can do a little bit more than the rest of us. Emily Watts is one of those people.
Pro racing, commentary, and YouTube consumes a tremendous amount of time, and yet she is still able to be REALLY good at all of them.
Emily takes us through the growth of Australian cycling, development of the sport Down Under, balancing three passions, as well as her personal goals in cycling and beyond!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@racewithmeemilywatts
Instagram: @racewithmeemilywatts
Journalism is known as the "first draft of history" in many circles, including that of Edward Pickering. How can you argue against it? Journalists bring attention to the events, arguments, and subjects which we engage in, providing us information to better understand the world or particular subject.
Edward Pickering, Editor of Rouleur, so one of the coolest guys in the industry. And he didn't even start his professional career with plans for being a journalist!! We chat about his professional development and how the "kids" are so different these days, how much media has changed, both in general and in cycling, as well as what Rouleur's impact on the sport has been, including some behind-the-scenes takes on Rouleur Live!
Instagram: @edwardpickering and @rouleurmagazine
Edward's Books:
The Ronde (2016) https://www.amazon.ca/Ronde-Inside-Worlds-Toughest-Bike/dp/1471169278
The Race Against Time (2014) https://www.amazon.ca/Race-Against-Time-Edward-Pickering/dp/0552167355/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KXXS22TWYFK0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Pjd7RmSNYzkykpz-aiwBMrsSU64nW9LAXXsV2B6KUNk.zIoUPIa4rNbVe-3JCNnAdwptw3ibEunOvDxY8K9w_5c&dib_tag=se&keywords=Race+Against+Time+Edward+Pickering&qid=1737753387&s=books&sprefix=race+against+time+edward+pickerin%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1
The Yellow Jersey Club (2015) https://www.amazon.ca/Yellow-Jersey-Club-NA/dp/0593073967/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JHOGTBBE5604&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EpHsWaj-NBWiXKr75SYcN0GBQtQ5LClnwPuQnLXpSJgxjEnua9O5lMO5ZkB8cAKnWk4P4H2NTcZfo7o6oZpvPbComTFNPa0FqM0kaoHz_DZ3x9NKBFNLEyE-6WMmtcPrDAgJtdUynfwAkH2dYlbsPDMgphnPKcz02LoqGk2sA8z9xvGE6ZkN5A5ePQpxubRFpMS69TiWHESkH9ve_Wrlntm-2FNdx-4Zhnc6mhSWquGYlmUlTZ_nevaHZ6EiRe-F.cI8YQM8S5X4Rfz6CXOAx2ZRT4NMdrLncfTms8dCMrjs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Yellow+Jersey+Club+Edward+Pickering&qid=1737753424&s=books&sprefix=yellow+jersey+club+edward+pickering%2Cstripbooks%2C127&sr=1-1
Every one of us consumes media in some form, usually many forms. But few of us take the time to step back and really understand what is happening in the background.
Matt Stephens, former pro racer and GCN personality, now a major commentator with Eurosport, and internet personality with Sigma Sports, has seen it all, and been a part of the changes first-hand. Today, we chat about those changes, what is going on in the cycling media world? How brands are needing to evolve to suit changing consumer needs and wants. Plus, we flip the script on Matt, and bring out his own Hometown Quiz!
We all consume media in some form, from a variety of sources. The cycling industry is no exception. From just magazines, newspaper, and radio, to social media, YouTube, digital news, and podcasting, the journalism field has being altered a lot.
Over the next few episodes, we'll dive into those changes and the mechanisms that enact this change, all with the people that are experiencing it firsthand.
In your own thoughts and opinions, what can journalists do better? Where can we improve? Where are you getting your media from and why?
Join me, Carter Lewis, on the inside look to the media industry with those at the forefront of what we read, watch, and listen to!
Gravel is not an old discipline, actually it's not even middle age. You could say it's in the teenage years, ya know the "finding yourself", "try new things" stage...not that that is a bad thing, but just different. Whether you are looking at American or European gravel, that side of cycling is very different to where it was 5 years ago.
With the growth of Gravel racing in Europe and the ever-booming expansion in the USA, we need to take a step back and understand why this is happening, who is pushing it, how it'll change the sport, and where that'll happen. Peter Stetina is that guy to talk about Gravel adaptations! He has been in the discipline right from the big start in 2019/2020 and knows all details right from inside the dust cloud. For instance, why is the UCI so terrible at developing this side of the sport? What can we do to help new riders develop? And is there a plateau that Gravel will hit?
Influencer or athlete. What does the privateer life bring? How impactful is it to our sport and the future of racing, training, and business as a bike racer? Is it worth all the trouble or better to avoid? Today I chat with Hannah Beck, an up-and-coming racer from Germany on this very topic.
Not only is she a fantastic person to chat to about privateering, but also the UCI Eliminator Mountain Bike World Cup, a much smaller discipline of mountain biking. Imagine track cycling on mountain bikes and single track...INSANITY!
Stick around to hear what Hannah has in store for you, follow her journey on her social medias too!
@hannah.beckii
It's never just about the bike. It never has been and never will be. Cycling is built strongly around the relationships we have with ourselves, others, races, equipment, and more. Our sport needs community to thrive, grow, and develop into what we know today, and hope to achieve tomorrow.
Alexey Vermeulen and Avery Stumm (and Willie) are creating a cycling atmosphere, following, and community like no other. Good people attract good people, and this team are keeping cycling real, fun, chill, and exciting for seasoned riders and those to the sport alike. If one person's positive comment can inspire another to start riding, then we can all do so much. Alexey & Avery are are giving us that hope! It also helps having the coolest dachshund as well...
Instagram: @alexeyvermeulen
@avery_stumm
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexeyandavery
The cycling world has many disciplines ranging from road racing, cyclocross and mountain biking as well as each sub-discipline. But not many people immediately gravitate towards paracycling and how important, impactful, and insane that area of our sport is. Lowell Taylor is one of the major hit-makers of paracycling, with many results to his name as well as experience in the sport.
Today, Lowell and I get the chance to chat about all things cycling, paracycling, and why this sport is so important to so many people. We talk about the differences in his discipline regarding disabilities, the Paralympics, and just how insane a race is on a tandem...you will be blown away learning his top speed!!
Not many people get the opportunity to shine on the biggest stages in sport, and yet have zero expectations about what is to come and where any positive is a win! That is exactly what Laury Milette has been fortunate enough to benefit from as she moved through the Junior ranks right up to the professional field with UCI Conti Team Komugi - Grand Est based out of France.
From planning a career as a vet to being a top Canadian rider, Laury is incredibly talented in many fields and a fantastic person to learn from. We chat all things Cycling Canada, developing as a female rider in Canada, and just how tough it'll be for our sport to be mainstream on this side of the Atlantic.
The real question though: Cake or Pie? There is only one real answer here, and you will soon find out which!
When one thinks of ultra-cycling, the name Mark Beaumont comes to mind very quickly. As someone with many records to his name, including the fastest time to ride around the world (78 days), he is a fantastic person to gain insight on the discipline, as well as building the brand necessary to succeed in cycling.
From the age of documentaries and standard television, to social media, a lot has changed for the creation of an athlete's image. How do we adapt? Why is the past generation of brand building so much better, more reliable, and more relatable? And just what goes into the background of organizing a trip around the world...on a bike?
Join me in a captivating, intriguing, and highly entertaining chat with one of the world's greatest ultra-endurance cyclists!
For almost any athlete, to get to the Olympics is a dream come true, and a result of years of handwork, thousands of dollars spent, and hours of time sacrificed. What if someone could come along and help that process out, ease the burden, and help more athletes reach the peak of international competition? Well that is the RBC Training Ground, and today I will be giving YOU an overview of why this program is so important, impactful, and relevant to today's sporting landscape.