The Rouleur Podcast

For our special issue 103 on the theme of speed, we gathered four of the fastest people in the world in their respective sports.Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes F1), Jamie Chadwick (W Series and Williams development driver), Cal Crutchlow (2009 Supersport world champion) and Mark Cavendish (a very good cyclist) to discuss what makes them tick. What is this need for speed? Do they get a buzz out of the danger? What is the fastest they have ever travelled? Orla Chennaoui hosts the conversation and hangs on for dear life.On the flip side, Fredrika Ek upped sticks from her native Sweden and decided to cycle round the world - 51,000km and 45 countries. The resulting book Around the World in 1,000 Days is a beautifully-presented travelogue of her amazing journey. The friendliest country she visited? Iran. Bet you weren't expecting that.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wireless or old school cable? In the blue corner, all the way from Colorado, Dan Cavallari makes the case for “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” when it comes to gear shifting. And in the red corner, early adopter and Rouleur digital editor Peter Stuart grabs the latest technology with both hands. Who will win the no-holds barred battle of the tech-heads? A couple of bruisers go the distance. Ding-ding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is this endless fascination with going fast? The Slow Cycling Movement from Rouleur Issue 103 is read by Phil Wright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hailing from Alaska, holding Harvard rowing records and with an on-hold career in investment banking, Kristen Faulkner can now add top-notch cyclist to her glittering CV. The Team Tibco-SVP racer took to the Spring Classics like a Belgian to cobbles, with 7th at Gent-Wevelgem and 10th in the Tour of Flanders. We catch up with the new American on the block.Ever considered building your own bike, rather than buying off the peg? Podcast host Ian Parkinson does it all the time, Rouleur Digital Editor Peter Stuart needs a bit of persuading, while Alan Anderson has just released a book on the subject. How to Build a Bike - In a Weekend makes the case for choosing wisely and saving money, plus the satisfying feeling of making and maintaining a unique and personal machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a series published in Rouleur magazine and in his excellent book Vélo, Paul Fournel’s definitions: Baroudeur, sprinter, climber and, of course, Rouleur. Read by Ben Cutler, illustration by Jo Burt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top mountain-biker Isla Short takes a break from training and racing to lead Rouleur on the trail of legendary Scottish outlaw Rob Roy. And author Paul Jones tells the stories of the extraordinary men and women who chase the End to End record. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Worst Retirement Ever. Svein Tuft takes on the 2000 kilometre GBDuro ultra race. From Rouleur issue 102. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its sponsor was a potato snack maker and it was run by a former Special Forces soldier who knew little about cycling. How the 17-day Ore Ida race in the USA became a beacon of hope during a downturn for women’s cycling in the 1990s. Author Isabel Best joins us to discuss her feature in issue 102, out now. Michelin-starred chef and Canyon-SRAM dietician Alan Murchison has a new book out, The Cycling Chef: Recipes for Getting Lean and Fuelling the Machine. Much like riding a bike, it’s all a question of balance, says Alan. Input equals output; look after yourself, but treat yourself too. The man talks a lot of sense, so listen up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you sitting uncomfortably? The hidden condition of labial issues affecting many top women racers. From Rouleur issue 101, by Orla Chennaoui. Read by Emma Wright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Spring Classics are here, and not a moment too soon, to lift away the winter gloom and welcome in some unusually mild weather for February in Belgium. Our editor Andy McGrath spent the weekend glued to the TV for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, as did host Ian Parkinson. Excellent racing all round, Tom Pidcock and Jake Stewart on the podium and Anna van der Breggen winning as per usual were the highlights. What else caught Andy’s beady eye? There’s a fair few famous 1980s musicians partial to a pedal – see Lloyd Cole on Zwift for example. Echo and the Bunnymen guitarist Will Sergeant rode a cool old 531 steel framed machine round Paris between recordings back in the day. What’s he up to now though? Massive fan and gawpy groupie, executive editor Ian Cleverly, tries not act starstruck while talking six strings and six gears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.