Life Inside the Tour de France with Cycling Journalist Andrew Hood

Longtime cycling journalist Andrew Hood talks to host Tim Sweeney about his journey from small town daily newspaper reporter in Colorado reporting on ski vacations of the royal family to becoming a prominent figure in cycling journalism for Velo. Plus, how to plan your trip to the Tour de France, what it’s like to be inside the circus of world’s great bike races, and the craziness of camping out with cycling fans on the side of a French mountain. They also discuss the current state of cycling and the evolution of the sport in America. Having forged a media career in an era that has seen disappearing print outlets and the birth of social media, Hood offers career advice on the importance of being adaptable to change in your professional life and how community journalism was an ideal training ground. Hood has covered dozens of editions of cycling's spring classics as well as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España, along with numerous world championships in road, track, and mountain biking. He’s also covered multiple Olympic Games and reported on bike races across six continents. His work appears in the Outside cycling network, and he has written for The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, the Washington Post, and many more. Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Background02:41 - Journey into Cycling Journalism09:05 - The Evolution of Cycling in America14:56 - Community Journalism and Its Impact19:01 - Breaking into the Cycling World22:48 - The Rise of American Cycling34:55 - Covering the Tour de France: A Journalist's Perspective43:24 - The Challenges of Reporting in a Fast-Paced Environment46:36 - The Fan Experience at Cycling Events50:24 - The Publicity Caravan: A Unique Cycling Tradition52:33 - Exploring Alternative Cycling Events57:20 - Riding Iconic Climbs: A Cyclist's Journey01:01:28 - The Current State of Cycling: Trends and PredictionsAd read for Twin Thieves Media :35 secondsSubscribe to the podcast and share with friends. Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media  For more information, visit TwinThievesMedia.com Follow Tim Sweeney on Instagram at @tesweensLogo by Kyle Johnston Designs