

Spin Cycle
Escape Collective
All the cycling news, analysis, and banter you need. Become a member to get premium content, extra episodes, and ad-free listening at escapecollective.com. Check out our other podcasts on your preferred podcast platform: - Geek Warning - how bikes work and how to make them better - Wheel Talk - all things women's cycling - How the Race was Won - racing and tactical analysis - The Rest Day with Jack Haig - insights from within the pro peloton - Overnight Success - The founders and innovators in the cycling industry Escape Collective is entirely member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/spincycle/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2024 • 38min
Chapeau to budget caps
This week on the Spin Cycle podcast, Caley, Jonny, and Kit kick off with an update on Tom Pidcock's dramatic transfer saga. It turns out he's going nowhere. Or is he? This whole situation adds to the growing narrative that INEOS is a difficult team to be on, as evidenced by Ethan Hayter's recent comments about the "weird environment." Despite the failed transfer, it sounds like there are a few other teams still interested in acquiring Pidcock, but it'll probably take a hefty buyout to pry him away from INEOS at this point.Next up, the crew discuss Chris Froome's shocking admission that he won't be vying for another Tour de France victory. It's tough to see a legendary athlete come to terms with the limitations of their body, but we admire Froome's honesty and grace in addressing the situation. We also take some time to discuss the UCI's exploration of budget caps within the WorldTour. Chris Marshall Bell, who broke the story for Escape Collective, joins to talk about the potential implications of these financial regulations. While there's no consensus on the matter yet, it's clear that the UCI is serious about addressing the financial disparities within the sport. And finally, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the tough news regarding Chris Hoy's health. His strength and positivity in the face of such a challenging diagnosis are truly inspiring, and we wish him and his family all the best.

Oct 16, 2024 • 43min
Pidcock pulls the parachute
This episode of the Spin Cycle Podcast focuses on the latest developments in the Tom Pidcock saga. Caley, Jonny, and Kit discuss rumors of his potential move to Q36.5, a second-tier team. What are the implications of the move for Pidcock's career? Is there potential for Q36.5 to rise in the ranks of professional cycling with a billionaire backer and Doug Ryder at the helm? We dissect the media frenzy surrounding Pidcock's withdrawal from Il Lombardia and the lack of clear communication from Ineos. In the second half of the show, the crew analyze Tadej Pogačar's dominant season, culminating in his victory at Il Lombardia. Is dominance boring? We polled our members and most don't think so.

Oct 9, 2024 • 37min
Tadej Pogačar, Mortadella King
This week on the Spin Cycle podcast, Caley, Kit, and Jonny discuss the UCI's proposed change to the 3K rule and the peloton's protest of the dangerous racing conditions at Tre Valli Varesine. Plus, discussion of Tadej Pogačar's first post-Worlds victory and subsequent hefting aloft of a giant mortadella. We then pivot to a discussion of Strava's beta "Athlete Intelligence" feature, sharing humorous examples of its feedback and debating its purpose. Luke Rowe's surprising transfer from Ineos Grenadiers to Decathlon AG2R is analyzed, along with the controversy surrounding whether the Gravel World Championships were gravelly enough.

Oct 2, 2024 • 57min
We're out of superlatives here
In this episode of the Spin Cycle podcast, Caley, Kit, Jonny, and Ronan focus on the recent UCI Road World Championships, discussing both the thrilling victories and the controversial incidents that unfolded in Zurich. We recap the men’s and women’s races, highlighting Tadej Pogačar’s extraordinary solo attack in the men’s race and exploring the Dutch women’s team’s unexpected loss, which stemmed from tactical errors. We break down the women's race, examining the unusual dynamic between the Dutch riders and pointing out the squandered opportunities that cost them the win. Next, the crew examines the controversial decision made by the UCI officials to not penalize Mathieu van der Poel for riding on the sidewalk, even though clear rules prohibit this action. We also discuss Mike Woods’ curious choice of mid-race fuel – bicarbonate soda – and look at the logistical problems encountered at the Tour of Langkawi, where several teams’ bikes were lost in transit. We wrap up the episode by reviewing Suvi Loponen's recent article about the environmental impact of carbon fiber use in cycling and analyze the obstacles the industry faces in tackling sustainability concerns.

Sep 25, 2024 • 55min
Remco's breakfast is bigger than yours
Jonny Long and Kit Nicholson join Caley Fretz to talk about Remco Evenepoel's breakfast and the up-and-comers at Worlds, with Abby Mickey making an appearance to discuss the Tashkent City women's team and Dane Cash joining to preview the road races in Zurich.

Sep 18, 2024 • 52min
Ineos is on the Oregon Trail
Welcome to the first episode of the Spin Cycle podcast, formerly Placeholders. This week on the show: - The Ineos pain train continues as extremely Ineos man Luke Rowe is apparently headed to... Decathlon. - Simon Yates is taking a pay cut- SRAM loves cables again- The UCI president is running for IOC president- And more...

Sep 11, 2024 • 55min
The Vuelta debrief
Kit Nicholson, Dane Cash, and Ronan Mc Laughlin join Caley Fretz on this week's Placeholders for a Vuelta debrief, some kit discussion, Britain corner, and more.

Sep 4, 2024 • 51min
How much gold is too much gold?
Johnny Long and Ronan Mc Laughlin join Caley Fretz on this week's Placeholders to discuss the Vuelta, Remco Evenpoel, transfers, and more from around the cycling world.

Aug 28, 2024 • 52min
Beating the heat and a supermarket sweep
Kit Nicholson and Jonny Long join Caley Fretz to discuss the heat and a big transfer at the Vuelta and a supermarket sweep in Germany. Plus, Joe Lindsey joins to chat Di2 hacking.

Aug 21, 2024 • 48min
The greatest Grand Tour stage
This week's Placeholders recaps one of the greatest Grand Tour stages in history, goes into the history of the race radio debate, and discusses nationality swaps of Olympic athletes.


