The Rouleur Podcast

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.

"Yes, I still get the odd looks if I cycle in shorts, or if I'm red faced and sweating, but instead of lowering my eyes, I smile. I've reached my own version of happiness." Being a plus-sized woman should be no barrier to enjoying the ride. Emmie Harrison-West gets back in the saddle to discover big is beautiful on a bike too.Read by Emma Wright. From issue 101 of Rouleur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our issue 101 cover star Shanaze Reade looks back on her rise to the top of the BMX world and her battle with the bottle following retirement. As Shanaze tells us in her frank interview in the magazine: "I was a binge drinker, so I’d go for three days on, then take a couple of days off, and think I was all right. But inside I was dying, peeing blood, in a bad way... I was screaming for help." Also joining host Ian Parkinson is former Team Sky chef Henrik Orre, author of three fine cycling and cooking books, and host at the soon to be opened Velochef Clubhouse in Oslo. He tells us what is good to eat on your rides, in the house, and in the wild. Henrik will be hosting a cook-along with Rouleur on Friday, 26th February on Instagram Live, so do join us. It's a simple dish for starters, with Rouleur executive editor Ian Cleverly posing your questions and playing sommelier for the evening. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four doyennes of the cycling world share their experiences. Orla Chennaoui, Lizzie Deignan, Fran Millar and Monica Santini on what it's like to be a woman in the sport, changing traditional attitudes and ideas for a brighter future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With issue 101, our special entirely female content edition, about to leave the printers to subscribers, guest editor Orla Chennaoui joins us to chat through the revolutionary cover and content. Very proud she is too, and rightly so. Also joining Ian Parkinson in the virtual studio is Rebecca Charlton, a lockdown Zwift convert making her Rouleur debut with a feature on eRacing. As inaugural world champion Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio found, it's racing with sexual equality in its DNA – and that includes handsome prize money. Does it have a future post-pandemic? A brutally honest and open interview with Shanaze Reade, the sublime photo essay of a year in the racing life of Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, and the first mention of the word 'vagina' on the Rouleur podcast. All are up for discussion this week. Are you sitting comfortably? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Florence to Rome on the Via Francigena - an ancient pilgrimage route which begins in Canterbury. From Rouleur Issue 100. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staying in Europe this winter means Amanda Spratt will be unable to defend her green and gold Australian national champion's stripes, but she's got plenty of other targets in her sights. As former world champion Annemiek van Vleuten moves on to pastures new at Movistar, Spratt steps up to more of a leader's role at the newly-named Team Bike Exchange. What next for the born winner? And will it include a karaoke version of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?And talking of Bike Exchange, our very own tech-head Peter Stuart keeps tabs on the merry-go-round of manufacturers swapping teams during transfer season, with the Aussie's now switching to Bianchi. It's a veritable minefield. Pay attention. Pete talks like he rides – fast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.