VeloNews Podcasts

Which is better, Sweet Spot training or polarized training? To find out, Fast Talk hosts Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz invited in proponents of each type of training — FasCat's Frank Overton on the Sweet Spot side, and Boulder Center for Sports Medicine's Ryan Kohler to advocate for a polarized model — and let them have at it. Don't know what Sweet Spot or polarized training are? Don't worry, that's covered first. Now presented by Quarq.

It's a special bonus episode! Fast Talk hosts Caley Fretz and Trevor Connor took to Facebook Live to answer reader questions in real time, covering everything from pre-ride nutrition to favorite intervals to knee pain. This is the audio from that conversation. Yep, that means you get TWO Fast Talk episodes this week! Hallelujah.

A box of testosterone patches and dozens of vials of a corticosteroid are the latest potential clues in British Cycling's ongoing medical mystery series, which remains unresolved. Will Dave Brailsford still be at Sky by the Tour de France? What exactly was going on at British Cycling in 2011? Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and European Correspondent Andrew Hood discuss the controversy. But first, the three dig into a rainy and thrilling Strade Bianche and wild, windswept opener to Paris-Nice.

What did we learn from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad? Is there really a witch's curse? Why didn't Sep attack? Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and Spencer Powlison dissect the weekend's racing and look ahead to Le Samyn and Strade Bianche. Then, Fred sits down with Chris Case to discuss exercise addiction.

There is no training tool more powerful than a power meter, when it's used properly. But which one you should buy? What part of your bike should it be on? Is a one-sided power meter good enough? Coach Trevor Connor and senior editor Caley Fretz are joined by our tech crew, Dan Cavallari and Kristen Legan, to answer these questions and many more. Plus, pro power insight from Cannondale-Drapac's master of the breakaway, Toms Skuijns.

The classics are here! Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and Spencer Powlison discuss Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (and Tom Boonen's chances there), then dive into a confluence of Lance Armstrong. Plus, a chat with the manager of a team without logos on its jersey. How do they make that work? Chris Johnson explains.

Lance Armstrong is going to trial. What does that mean for cycling, and cycling's image? Hint: It probably isn't good. The pro rider's union, CPA, just sent a letter to the UCI detailing its continued opposition to disc brakes in the pro peloton. But do its arguments have any merit? Maybe not. Fred Dreier, Spencer Powlison, and Caley Fretz discuss discs, Armstrong, and three upcoming stage races where both classics contenders and GC men will strut their stuff. Then, Fretz talks about his recent feature on a mellower, faster Andrew Talansky.

This episode of Fast Talk is all about tactics. Let's say you're on an amateur team. A bunch of Cat. 3s with varying strengths and weaknesses. How do you use each rider effectively? How should a sprinter approach each race? Or a climber? Or a big domestique? Those are the questions we focus on. Coach Trevor Connor and Senior Editor Caley Fretz and joined by VN managing editor Chris Case, plus pro guests Ted King and Eric Young.

An eventful Dubai Tour saw Marcel Kittel punched in the face and the premier stage canceled due to vicious sandstorms. Reporter Caley Fretz brings his perspective from the ground and is joined by Fred Dreier and Spencer Powlison to discuss the cancellation, the riders union, and where to draw the extreme weather line. Then, a look into Dreier's feature story on recreational TUEs, which allow amateur riders to race on drugs that would never fly in the pro ranks.

Nairo Quintana's team say that riding, and trying to win, the Giro d'Italia will only make him stronger for the Tour de France. Do we believe them? Can the Colombian win both grand tours, or one, or neither? Editors Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and Spencer Powlison discuss Nairo's chances. Plus, tech editor Dan Cavallari calls in from Calpe, Spain with news from Shimano's official press launch for new Dura-Ace Di2, and Fred sits down with Brad Huff to chat about being one of the last crit bros.

No pain, no gain, right? Well, not really. Today's episode is all about busting two commonly held and closely related training myths. First, should you always do precisely what's written on your training plan, even if your body is tired? And second, should your intervals always be ridden to failure, as hard as you can go? Coach Trevor Connor and VN senior editor Caley Fretz are joined by Brent Bookwalter, Lucas Euser, Inigo San Milan, Robert PIckels, and Grant Holicky to help you determine when you should and shouldn't push through bad legs, and when you should and shouldn't do intervals at full gas.

What does BMC's Jim Ochowicz know about football? Not too much, apparently. British Cycling is back in hot water following Nicole Cooke's scathing evidence provided to British Parliament, but how will it affect Dave Brailsford and Brian Cookson, who was once president of the British governing body? Plus, a look at this weekend's cyclocross world championships in Luxembourg and a chat with Guy Andrews about his new Greg LeMond book, Yellow Jersey Racer.

Bike racing is back! And it's already scorching. Literally. Fred Dreier, Spencer Powlison, and Caley Fretz are joined by Andrew Hood from Adelaide, Australia to talk about heat-shortened season opener and TDU's decision to ditch podium girls. Then, Bike Law's Bob Mionske joins to discuss what you should do in the event of a bike/auto crash, and how bright lights and neon clothing can (or can't) help you in a court of law.

What is the healthy way to get to race weight? Coach Trevor Connor and senior editor Caley Fretz are joined by Dr. Philip Goglia, a nutritionist to the stars (and Phil Gaimon)to discuss safe and effective ways to drop weight, how to best fuel your training, and why paying close attention to your food matters. A brief disclaimer for today's episode: We can't fully agree with a fair amount of the science used to explain Dr. Goglia's advice. We think if we asked Dr Goglia, he'd agree that he was not trying to give hard science but being more metaphoric to make the advice digestible. The recommendations, though, are sound and helpful to cyclists.

The Program, that bio flick about Lance Armstrong, is a very, very, very, very bad movie. Fred Dreier, Spencer Powlison, and Caley Fretz delve into just how bad (very), and propose a few ways to fix it. Then, the three discuss Fretz's recent feature on Megan Guarnier, who was America's best bike racer in 2016. What makes her tick? Why did it take so long for her to reach the top? We answer these questions and more.