The Rouleur Podcast

"Anything from crazy, weird videos which are not like cycling’s really had before, to an interesting way to launch a kit and buy some merch, listen to some music, and get all my favourite loves of music, cycling, cars, motorbikes and fashion, lumping it all in one night and going: ‘I hope you lot like it.’ And if you don’t, I’m screwed!”Tekkerz founder Alec Briggs joins Ian Parkinson at the Levi’s HQ in London before the team launch to discuss how he is making waves and bringing a fresh perspective to bike racing in these confusing times. Plus he beat Fabian Cancellara the other week. How many of us can say that?Desire editor Stuart Clapp, meanwhile, is considering how to stay reasonably fit whilst self-isolating. Turns out, his mate (who shall remain nameless) is eminently capable of breaking bones even on a turbo trainer. Let’s be careful out there, folks, even in our own sheds… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belgium often gets a bad rap. Not without some justification. Geographically, its scenery isn't much to look at: mile upon mile of fields and farmland. Culturally, "name ten famous Belgians" used to be a popular parlour game (for those of us with parlours). Politically, Belgium is a basket case: it mostly doesn't have a government and one of its biggest parties has advocated for the abolition of the country itself.But Belgium also does chocolate and beer (see Rouleur 20.2), mussels and fries, and some of the most visually welcoming city centres in the world.More importantly than any of those pros and cons, however, is that Belgium is where the sport of cycling comes alive. Every spring, even as our attention is briefly stolen by exotic, southern locations, our affections are reserved for the racing that dominates March and April. The Monuments may provide the loudest fireworks but even the minor races go off with a bang. Morten Okbo waits by the side of the road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Classics season got underway at the weekend with two opening races in Flanders - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne Brussel Kuurne. Ian Parkinson was there to talk one-day tactics with first-year pro Fred Wright of Bahrain McLaren and EF Pro Cycling’s Jens Keukeleire. And the men behind The Deserter blog leave their natural home in the pubs of South London for the beer tent in the dunes of Koksjide.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It won’t surprise you that the man who coached Rohan Dennis to his stunning Worlds time trial win last year has some interesting things to say about training. Neal Henderson is ‘Head of Science’ at The Sufferfest app and he’s joined by ‘Chief Cycling Physiologist’ Mac Cassin. They explain which numbers really matter and why most of us are probably looking at the wrong ones. Desire Editor Stuart Clapp is surprisingly old-school in his training habits, but does like the latest technology in helmets. We talk to the team from POC about their self-charging helmets that not only protect your head - but record details of accidents to help with future research.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for a more portable way to enjoy your favourite cycling magazine? You’re in luck, as this week sees the launch of the Rouleur Longreads Podcast: selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.We begin with ‘The Rise of Gravel’ by Hugo Gladstone, from Rouleur 20.1. Read by George Oliver.Once the scourge of cyclists, today we glorify in gravel sectors. Strade Bianche, one of the most looked-forward-to races of the spring, owes its success in no small part to the penchant of audiences for the untarmaced white roads and clouds of dust kicked up in the riders’ wake, all framed by “the lyrical Tuscan landscape.”Perhaps it speaks to a certain yearning for authenticity, and back-to-basics bike riding that the Tour de France cannot cater to. It can’t be a coincidence that bike-packing’s popularity has risen at the same time. Whether or not the road scene’s dominance is actually under threat remains to be seen, but we’ve already seen a few roadies abandon the WorldTour for the off-road circuit.How we learned to take the rough with the smooth.For more of the world's finest cycling writing, subscribe to the magazine or purchase individual issues, head over to Rouleur.cc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Cycling has dominated the sport - especially on the track - for more than a decade - but at what cost? That’s the central question in a new book 'The Medal Factory', by one of the country’s most experienced cycling journalists - Kenny Pryde. On this podcast, Kenny talks through the extraordinary transformation of British Cycling from its underfunded, amateur past to its world beating, gold medal and Grand Tour winning present. The success has come with controversy - the Jiffy bag, allegations of bullying and the complex relationship between the lottery-funded national national squads and the commercial Team Sky. And how much longer can this golden streak last?Plus, Rouleur’s Desire Editor Stuart Clapp goes starry-eyed over Colnago’s new gravel bike and explains why Adam Blythe has been helping him recover from pneumonia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rouleur editor Andy McGrath’s in-depth interview with Marcel Kittel is our lead feature for issue 20.1, out soon. One of the most prolific sprinters of his generation stepped away from the sport last year at the age of 31, to the surprise of many. Why? Andy discusses Kittel’s decision with host Ian Parkinson. It’s not a cut and dry ‘mental health’ issue, he concludes, but more a matter of job satisfaction, as Marcel goes back to studying once more and leaves the pro peloton behind.  Author Matt Rendell is a renowned authority on South American cyclists and, in particular, the Colombians. His upcoming book Colombia Es Pasion! promises to be the definitive tome on the subject. Hear who Matt thinks will have a cracking season in 2020 – including a reinvigorated Nairo Quintana with Arkea Samsic.  Our new columnist Orla Chennaoui is a great signing for Rouleur. She tells Ian what she’ll be covering in the coming year, and updates us on her superb Cycling’s #MeToo investigation from issue 19.6. The Desirable Stuart Clapp, meanwhile, is on a photo shoot in glorious south London, near to his spiritual home of Millwall. Will he get the end of his match report on the Leeds game before we lose the signal? Need you ask? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Blythe rode for some of the biggest teams in racing over his ten-year professional career – Tinkoff, BMC, Orica-Greenedge and Lotto Soudal – but it was his year with British squad NFTO that proved most fruitful and fun, including his win at RideLondon in 2014.Adam joins our own Stuart Clapp and host Ian Parkinson on the sofa at the Rouleur Classic to talk through past, present and future, the troubled state of domestic UK racing, being a TV pundit, and racing with a hangover. His advice? Don’t do it, kids.Desire editor Stu, meanwhile, has been razzing around the Peckham BMX track on his Brompton, has a new bike to wax lyrical about (it’s a gravel bike, don’t @ him), and does an impression of Mark Cavendish that is actually better than Mark Cavendish. Hearing is believing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The always-ebullient Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig joins Ian Parkinson to explain how she went from stacking supermarket shelves to being a major talent in the Women’s World Tour, with podium finishes at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Tour of Flanders and La Course. The young Dane moves to a French team next season, and promises to keep her attacking style. “That’s how I love racing, the harder the better.”  The Dave Rayner Foundation recently acquired charitable status, a big advantage for the fund that aids young riders racing abroad. Former friend and team-mate Tim Harris and his partner Joscelin Ryan tell us about Dave and where the money raised goes, with a long list of household names who have benefitted from Rayner support, and we are joined by two young Rayner-funded riders.  Our Desire editor Stuart Clapp knows a fine looking bike when he sees one. Wandering the bling-filled aisles of the Rouleur Classic, his attention is drawn to a brand formerly known for being cheap and cheerful – Ribble. They have upped their game considerably of late, with some smashing machines coming out of the north of England, but still excellent value. Stu gets the lowdown on the e-bike used by Sean Yates and a stunning 24 carat goldleaf build making its debut at the show.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are going long distance for a change on the latest Rouleur podcast.  Lachlan Morton of EF Education First joins us to explain his thinking behind tackling some unusual and challenging events this season, a million miles away from the standard pro road racers’ fare.  From the GB Duro – Land’s End to John O’Groats mostly on bridleways and country lanes – which Morton won, through to the legendary Three Peaks cyclo-cross in Yorkshire, the Australian has been riding with a big grin on his face having previously considered packing in road racing for a career.  We also speak to another lover of ultra-distance racing, Emily Chappell, former bicycle courier and women’s winner of the Transcontinental Race in 2016. Emily has an excellent new book out, Where There’s a Will, detailing her trials and tribulations on the road and in life, which we highly recommend.  Also, Desire editor Stuart Clapp gets the backstory and hears about the latest tweaks to the famous Castelli Gabba, the poor weather jacket of choice for the pro peloton. Ian Parkinson even lets him finish his interview without fading out… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.