It's Just A Hill: A Podcast About Bike Stuff

For the eighty-fifth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling podcast, we’ve got a solo episode. Jon ditched his Garmin four days ago and is not looking back. In this episode he gets into why wearable data was messing with his head, then shifts into a rant about amateur cycling culture — the cosplay,Continue reading "A Fragile Middle-Aged Man’s Guide to Cycling Culture | IJAH Pod 085"

Jon sits down with Andy Gould — ex-elite racer and 10-year president of State 9 Racing — to talk about Pavement Ends Gravel Ride and Race 2026. They cover how the event was built, what to expect from 39.79 miles and 5,743 feet of NH gravel, and what race day actually feels like at PatsContinue reading "Dirt Roads, Big Climbs, and Building Pavement Ends with Andy Gould | IJAH Pod 084"

In IJAH POD 083, Jon sits down with athlete and coach Brian Cauti to cut through the noise of “bio-hacks” and “hero weeks.” As we head into the thick of training season, this conversation is all about sustainable performance—the habits and structures that actually stick when real life gets in the way. Brian shares his evolution from a pureContinue reading "Strength, Structure, and Avoiding the Burnout Trap | IJAH Pod 083"

For episode eighty-two of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is back with his dad for a father son conversation that starts with a season recap and turns into a bigger discussion about cycling culture. They begin with John’s monster year on the bike and how it compared to 2024, a year shapedContinue reading "Monster Year After Injury – How My Dad Bounced Back | IJAH Pod 082"

For the 081 episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by returning guest Norlan Olivo to recap two IJAH community staples, the Bake-Off Ride and the ThanksGearing food drive ride, then shift into a practical winter cycling training conversation focused on consistency, cross training, and staying motivated without hero workouts.Continue reading "Winter Cycling Training Plan: How to Stay Fit and Motivated | IJAH Pod 081"

For the eightieth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon recaps the summer and looks ahead to fall. He kicks things off with a thank you to everyone who made Sloppy Jon’s 2025 a success, from riders and volunteers to NBX Bikes for fueling the ride and providing prizes. Rider donations wentContinue reading "Solo Late Summer Round-Up | IJAH Pod 080"

For the seventy-ninth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, we sit down once again with longtime IJAH member Adam Carroll. This specific episode has been a long time coming — Adam took on Unbound XL back in May, and we finally had the chance to record while driving up to D2R2. HeContinue reading "Unbound XL with Adam Carroll | IJAH Pod 079"

For the latest episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by Amateurs Talking Pros correspondent Hugh Ford for a two-part remote special. First up, they break down the first 10 stages of the 2025 Tour de France—GC shakeups, team tactics, sprint drama, and who’s already blown their shot at yellow. Then in theContinue reading "Ten Stages Deep & Dirty Money in the Peloton with Hugh Ford | IJAH Pod 078"

In episode 077 of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by returning guest and IJAH collective member Norlan Olivo for a conversation about what it means to train when time is tight. They dig into how Norlan is preparing for another run at the Marfa ride, what realistic training looks like forContinue reading "Marfa, Macros, and Making It Work with Norlan Olivo | IJAH Pod 077"

For the seventy-sixth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by friend of the club and returning guest Brian Cauti. Brian’s been on a bit of a journey lately—recovering from a long-term injury, training with the Rhode Island Track Club (yes, running), and opening a pizza shop. In this episode, they talkContinue reading "Placebos, Pain & Pizza with Brian Cauti | IJAH Pod 076"

For the 75th episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, it’s just me — and a whole lot of spring cleaning. In this solo episode, I reflect on my recent Pedal for Progress ride to Washington, DC — a five-day, 500-mile journey that taught me a lot about my limits, my motivation, andContinue reading "Spring Cleaning, Self-Discovery, and the New Garmin Varia Vue – IJAH Podcast 075"

For the 74th episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, I’m joined by Eliza Burke Lawson to talk about something we often take for granted: parks. But as Eliza points out, a park is more than just a patch of green space — it’s a vital part of how we live, connect, and thrive. We dive intoContinue reading "Parks and Their Power with Eliza Lawson | IJAH Pod 074"

For the seventy-third episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP sit down for a catch-up at the top of the show, diving into Jon’s thoughts on riding in northern Rhode Island since moving. The conversation shifts into helmet talk—what they currently use, how often they replace them, and whether they actuallyContinue reading "Helmet Chat, Creatine, and Pedaling for Progress | IJAH Pod 073"

On this episode of It’s Just A Hill, Jon is joined by Jake Saunders to break down different ways to boost your fitness on the bike. They cover self-coaching strategies, navigating the endless sea of training apps and platforms, and their thoughts on supplements like beta-alanine, creatine, and ketones. Jon also shares some of his goalsContinue reading "Self-Coaching, Ketones, and Training Strategies | IJAH Pod 072"

In the seventy-first episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon sits down with Matt Bodziony, owner of NBX Bikes and a returning guest on the show, to discuss the challenges and realities of running a bike shop in 2025. As the cycling industry continues to evolve, small bike shops face increasing pressure fromContinue reading "Talkin’ Shop with Matt Bodziony from NBX | IJAH Pod 071"

For the seventieth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon sits down with Jason Behringer from NBX for an engaging conversation about all things bikes. Jason shares his personal cycling journey, starting with his childhood love for the bike. The discussion delves into the period of Jason’s life where cycling took aContinue reading "Single Speeding, Endurance Events, and Local Gravel with Jason Behringer from NBX | IJAH Pod 070"

For the sixty-ninth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP sit down to talk all things pro cycling as the 2025 season gets underway. From major rider transfers to bold kit designs, they cover it all with their signature mix of humor and insight. But that’s not all—this episode also features aContinue reading "Transfer Market, Reviewing Team Kits, Tour Down Under | IJAH Pod 069"

For the sixty-eighth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP are back in the new year and they are diving into the nuances of balancing inclusivity in the club. Jon also shares the details on his new gravel bike upgrades—because who doesn’t love some shiny new gear? Then, as winterContinue reading "Balancing Inclusivity, Trainer Season, Cleaning Your Dirty Bike – IJAH Pod 068"

In this episode, Jon and BSP reflect on the Great IJAH Back-Off event and wrap up 2024’s pro cycling season. They dive into some of the biggest off-season transfers, including the buzzworthy Tom Pidcock drama with Ineos and Q36.5, and speculate on what’s ahead for 2025’s Grand Tour team selections. The conversation shifts to selling cycling gear online, covering platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Pinkbike, Geartrade, and local bike shop consignment.Continue reading "Amateurs Talking Pros, Online Selling, Power Meter Calibrating – IJAH Pod 067"

For the sixty-sixth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon sits down with John Camara from NBX to dive into his unique journey in the world of cycling. They explore John’s long-standing history with NBX, his passion for building steel bikes right in his backyard, and his thoughtful approach to balancing aestheticsContinue reading "Bike Building with John Camara from NBX – IJAH Pod 066"

For the sixty-fifth episode of the It’s Just a Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP catch up a bit on each other’s riding and chat about the saga of BSP replacing the fork on his road bike. They dive into Strava’s controversial API changes, discussing how the new restrictions could impact smaller third-party apps andContinue reading "Strava API Changes and Riding at Night – IJAH Pod 065"

For the sixty-fourth episode of the It’s Just a Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by Jason Shuford from NBX. Jason shares insights into his bike shop background, recounting his history with cycling and how it’s shaped his perspective on the sport. He also reveals his favorite spot to ride here in Rhode Island andContinue reading "Bike Shop Backstory and a Mountain Biking Perspective with Jason Shuford from NBX – IJAH Pod 064"

For the sixty-third episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon sits down with Ben Stone, service manager and mechanic over at NBX in Narragansett, RI. Ben dives into his background, sharing his journey with bikes—from his early experiences with riding to the way he found his calling in bike mechanics. With aContinue reading "Talking Tech, Marketing Tactics, and Temu Tools with Ben Stone from NBX – IJAH Pod 063"

For the sixty-second episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon sits down with Seth Carlson from Rotation Engineering to explore his unique journey from racing cars and bikes to crafting high-performance components for cyclists. Seth shares how his passion for racing evolved into a thriving business, specializing in parts like bottom brackets.Continue reading "Bottom Brackets and Drivetrain Efficiency with Seth Carlson from Rotation Engineering – IJAH Pod 062"

For the sixty-first episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP sit down to catch up on their current riding routines and personal goals, discussing whether goals need to be structured and the concept of fall fitness as we head toward the colder months. The conversation then takes an interesting turn asContinue reading "Organized Goals, Fall Fitness, Strava Etiquette and Road Worlds 2024 – IJAH Pod 061"

For the sixtieth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by Anıl Aşkın to discuss his personal journey on the bike. Anıl shares the experiences that led him along his life on the bike, including his recent move to Vermont, a state known for its scenic and challenging riding. TheyContinue reading "The Personal Journey, Bike Fitting, and Boutique Brands with Anıl Aşkın – IJAH Pod 060"

For the fifty-ninth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, BSP and Jon dive into the art of route design, comparing the approach when riding solo versus in a group. They also reflect on their summer riding adventures, including Jon’s experience at D2R2 and his summer getaway to Maine, where cycling was partContinue reading "Route Chat, Tire Talk, Summer Riding, And More – IJAH Pod 059"

For the fifty-eighth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, BSP, Norlan, and Jon discuss the current state of pro cycling, with a particular focus on the Vuelta. Before diving into the world of professional racing, they take a step back to reflect on their own cycling journeys. They talk about their currentContinue reading "Vuelta, Goals, Cycling Infrastructure, And Angry Motorists – IJAH Pod 058"

For the fifty-seventh episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, BSP, Norlan, and Jon are joined by Brian Cauti to recap the final week of the 2024 Tour de France and discuss the entire three-week race. They revisit their pre-race predictions from early July, sharing some of the outcomes and insights. The discussionContinue reading "Tour de France 2024 Recap – IJAH Pod 057"

For the fifty-sixth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Norlan, BSP, and Jon are back to dive into the middle week of the 2024 Tour de France. Breaking down some of the highlights and lowlights, discussing whether this year’s race is living up to its hype, and sharing the funniest moments fromContinue reading "Tour de France Week Two Recap – IJAH Pod 056"

For the fifty-fifth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, join BSP and Jon, along with special guest and friend of IJAH, Norlan Olivo, as they dive into the first week of the Tour de France. They’re breaking down predictions and seeing how they’re shaping up, while discussing whether this year’s race hasContinue reading "Tour de France Week One Recap – IJAH Pod 055"

For the fifty-fourth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, BSP and Jon bring you a mix of exciting cycling topics. They start the chat by talking about the strong partnership between It’s Just A Hill and NBX, highlighting how this collaboration benefits the cycling community. They also explore bicycle radar tail lights,Continue reading "Tour Preview, Bicycle Radars, Unchained, And NBX – IJAH Pod 054"

For the fifty-third episode of the Its Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, BSP and Jon discuss a variety of cycling topics for every type of rider. Our co-hosts kick things off with an in-depth discussion on the essential rules of the road for cyclists, covering everything from basic traffic laws to the nuances of ridingContinue reading "Rules Of The Road, Bike Path Etiquette, Riding Time Of Day – IJAH Pod 053"

For the fifty-second episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP delve into the pressing issues of road rage and driver awareness. They share personal anecdotes and discuss broader societal attitudes towards cyclists on the road. The conversation touches on the importance of driver education and how it can contribute toContinue reading "Road Rage, Amateurs Talking Pros, And More – IJAH Pod 052"

For the fifty-first episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon and BSP sit down to catch up a bit and talk about bike stuff, starting with sharing some of their own training and current goals for the year. They also talk about finding time for things other than bikes, and the ebbContinue reading "IJAH Pod 051 – Goals, Giro Week One, And More"

For the fiftieth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, John Stenning is back to co-host and share his generational knowledge to his next of kin, and fellow co-host, Jon Stenning. Kicking off the show by talking about calculated risks and embarrassing moments on the bike, the father-son duo dive into conversation aboutContinue reading "IJAH Pod 050 – Fake Chains, Wind Versus Hills, Embarrassing Moments, And More"

For the forty-ninth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, the IJAH Amateurs Talking Pros are back to chat about the state of the 2024 peloton. Starting by talking about some local racing, and our own riding early in the season, we then chat about the huge number of crashes so far thisContinue reading "IJAH Pod 049 – Amateurs Talking Pros | Damaged Peloton, Paris-Roubaix Preview, And More"

For the forty-eighth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, our resident Amateurs Talking Pros are back to chat about the current affairs of pro cycling. From Opening Weekend, to the UAE Tour, and all the way around the world, BSP, Cal, and Jon share their opinions on how the early season isContinue reading "IJAH Pod 048 – Amateurs Talking Pros | Opening Weekend, Red Bull, TT Helmets"

For the forty-seventh episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon sits down with fellow IJAH members Adam Carroll and Ryan Hulstyn to catch up and talk about bike stuff. Starting with some new tech in the cycling world, including third party components and mini-electric pumps, the discussion then turns to this week’sContinue reading "IJAH Pod 047 – Roundtable Roundup | Head Unit Data, Early Morning Nutrition, Cycling Subscriptions"

For the forty-sixth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast Jon interviews Ben Jurgensen, artist, educator, bike builder, and founder of July Bikes. Before getting into the details of the bike building process, Ben shares his history with art and riding bikes, including some late night hill repeats, and how it all led upContinue reading "IJAH Pod 046 – A Conversation With Ben Jurgensen From July Bikes"

The forty-fifth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast is a roundtable round up episode. Adam, BSP, and Jon kick off the show by catching up a bit and discussing some current events in the bike world. The guys then share their opinions on some evergreen cycling topics like how they use chamoisContinue reading "IJAH Pod 045 – Roundtable Roundup | Cross Training, Chamois Cream, Shimano VS SRAM"

The forty-fourth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast is our January installment of the Amateurs Talking Pros format, with BSP and Jon sitting down to discuss the start of the 2024 World Tour season, specifically the women’s and men’s Tour Down Under. Other topics include the recent retirement of an American cyclist,Continue reading "IJAH Pod 044 – Amateurs Talking Pros | Tour Down Under, Cyclocross Benidorm, How We Watch, And More"

For the forty-third episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by fellow IJAH member Todd Ryan to talk about his cycling journey, as well as both of their struggles with body image issues, specifically after losing a significant amount of weight. Todd and Jon also go on plenty of tangents,Continue reading "IJAH Pod 043 – A Conversation With Todd Ryan"

For the forty-second episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined once again by Brian St. Pierre and Cal Goodhouse to talk about the current state of pro-cycling affairs. With the 2024 season upon us, and some big races right around the corner, our Amateurs Talking Pros discuss some of theContinue reading "IJAH Pod 042 – Amateurs Talking Pros"

For the forty-first episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by Erik Berrio, from Coffee Yes, Cycling Maybe aka CYCM. Erik is a cyclist from Southern New England and a co-founder of the aforementioned club. Erik and Jon kick off the conversation by discussing this year’s Cranksgiving, and how weContinue reading "IJAH Pod 041 – Erik Berrio From CYCM"

For the fortieth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, bikes are far from the subject. Founding IJAH members Brian Cauti and Jeremy Newman join Jon to talk about their recent participation in the 2023 New York City Marathon. Our Marathon Men discuss some of their training plans and meal choices leading upContinue reading "IJAH Pod 040 – Marathon Men"

For the thirty-ninth episode of the It’s Just A Hill cycling podcast, Jon is joined by BSP and Ryan to chat about shifting their riding plans now that the days are getting colder and shorter in New England. From focusing on trainer sessions, to bundling up and keeping warm outside, the guys share some tipsContinue reading "IJAH Pod 039 – Gearing Up For Cold Rides"

For the thirty-eighth episode of the It’s Just A Hill cycling podcast, Jon is joined by longtime friend, Mark Barone, to talk about his experience thru-hiking. Mark has done several long-distance backpacking trips and tells some tales from his travels, including a great food challenge he did involving one of the world’s greatest fast foodContinue reading "IJAH Pod 038 – Thru-Hiking With Mark Barone"

For the thirty-seventh episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by BSP and Cal to discuss the current state of affairs of the pro cycling scene. With the 2023 season-end just around the corner, and a lot of rumors surrounding team mergers and rider transfers, the guys try to wrapContinue reading "IJAH Pod 037 – World Team Drama And Draft"

For the thirty-sixth episode of the It’s Just A Hill cycling podcast, Jon is joined by his dad, John Stenning, to talk about group ride dos and don’ts. From pointing things out on the road, to pace-line tips, and everything in between, Jon and John try to cover it all, with the main goal ofContinue reading "IJAH Pod 036 – Group Ride Etiquette"