Active Hobo

Join David Jenkins and Orphan Street Clothing Shop founder Matt Kieser for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to build a third space in a sport that already has plenty of bike shops. They go deep on the OSCS story — from its Orphan Street origins through the move to Sea Point — the cycling community that grew up around it, Thursday rides and Cape Town Cycle Tour traditions, the global Pas Normal Studios partner summits in Barcelona, Mallorca, and Copenhagen, and why people will save up for three months to buy a single jersey and wear it every ride of the week. They also get into the beautiful collision happening in Cape Town right now: Strava rivals who have been chasing each other's segments for fifteen years, finally sitting down at the same coffee table and shaking hands for the first time. Who is Matt Kieser? Founder of Orphan Street Clothing Shop (OSCS), Sea Point, Cape Town — South Africa's home for Pas Normal Studios cycling apparel and one of the city's most beloved community cycling hubs. What is Pas Normal Studios? A Copenhagen-based cycling apparel brand founded in 2014 by Karl-Oskar Olsen, Peter Madsen, Tommy Pedersen, and Brian Nygaard. "Pas normal" means "not normal" in French — which is exactly what the brand set out to be. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00:00 — Matt Kieser: The Man Behind OSCS 0:01:37 — David's First Ride With Matt: Cape Town Cycle Tour Eve 0:04:00 — The Pas Normal Studios Perception Problem 0:07:00 — What Really Happens When You Show Up to a Thursday Ride 0:13:00 — How Matt Got Into Cycling (And Down the Rabbit Hole He Can't Escape) 0:23:00 — The Hong Kong Jersey That Started Everything 0:25:00 — How OSCS Became a Pas Normal Studios Stockist 0:31:00 — What Happens at the Annual Pas Normal Brand Summit 0:36:00 — Is Premium Cycling Kit Worth the Price? An Honest Conversation 0:51:00 — The Fashion World Meets Cycling: Kim Jones, Orphan Street, and Virgil Abloh 0:53:00 — Building a Community Space, Not Just a Shop 1:05:00 — The Coffee Problem (and How Ali Solved It) 1:05:51 — Moving to Sea Point: What Changed 1:13:00 — Strava Rivals Who've Never Met — Until Now 1:28:20 — Closing: What Comes Next for OSCS # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: [email protected] Send a question for the show: [email protected] #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

Garden Route Giro, the race that's been years in the making, finally happened — and we rode every stage. Mossel Bay to Wilderness. Six days. Nearly 700 kilometres through mountain passes, Klein Karoo desert, and some of the most staggering gravel road on earth. We raced it, we filmed it, and we got humbled by it. This episode is the full debrief — what the racing felt like from inside the peloton, what we got right on the media side, what we'd do differently, and why Dryland have built something this country has genuinely needed. But this weekend wasn't just about South Africa. Paul Seixas is 19 years old and he nearly broke Tadej Pogačar. Sabastian Sawe ran a sub-two-hour marathon in a sanctioned race for the first time in human history. And someone ran the entire London Marathon with a 25kg fridge on their back — for his mum. Big week. Here's all of it. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — Back to the roots with Dave and Alec 1:38 — Garden Route Giro from inside the race 8:00 — What Dryland got right with race media 13:10 — Favourite moments, hard stages and riders going too deep 17:00 — The elite racing, women’s field and why the event felt serious 23:45 — Gravel bike chaos and setup debates 26:20 — Pogačar, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Paul Seixas moment 32:45 — London Marathon, super shoes and impossible speeds 44:00 — Wheelchair racing, robot marathons and strange endurance stories 50:00 — Alan Hatherly, the Giro d’Italia and what comes next 53:30 — Gattas, gravel bikes and upcoming races # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW THE BREAKAWAY ======================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins Alec @alec.gates # === MORE FROM THE ACTIVE HOBO ==================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: [email protected] Send a question for show: [email protected] # Like, subscribe, and share with someone who # needs to hear that endurance sport is never just about the strongest legs. #TheBreakaway #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #GardenRouteGiro #Pogacar #LondonMarathon

René Haselbacher — Tour de France sprinter turned Cape Town kit maker and Double Century winner. At 21, René Haselbacher lined up at Paris-Roubaix on 23mm tyres, with no idea what cobblestones could do to a body. Four years later he was chasing Mario Cipollini's wheel at the Giro d'Italia, finishing third on two stages. Then came the Tour de France — the prologue ramp under the Eiffel Tower, a breakaway that nearly went all the way, two big crashes, and a snapped handlebar nobody in the press wanted to believe. By the time he signed with Astana and rode alongside Alberto Contador, René had done 14 years as a professional cyclist and seen the whole arc of an era. Then he stopped, at 31, almost overnight. This conversation covers a lot of ground. The physical brutality of sprint positioning, what it was actually like riding in the Lance Armstrong era, watching Mark Cavendish through the ups and downs and then seeing him win his final stage, and what RH77 would need to kit out a Tour de France team. René speaks like a man who has made peace with every crash and every near-miss — warm, honest, and still very much racing. His son is on the start line this Sunday. So is he. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — René Haselbacher Joins Active Hobo: DC Winner, RH77 Founder, Tour de France Sprinter 2:27 — Vienna, a Cycling Father, and Making Austria's Under-23 National Team 4:28 — First Pro Race: Standing at Paris-Roubaix at 21 Years Old 5:04 — Giro d'Italia: Racing Three Weeks and Sprinting Against Mario Cipollini 13:03 — The Mental Game: Discipline, Self-Belief, and What Ronaldo Gets Right 21:02 — Tour de France Debut: The Prologue Ramp Under the Eiffel Tower 25:36 — Two Big Crashes, a Broken Handlebar, and the Media Story That Got Away 36:47 — Greatest Sprinters of All Time: Cipollini, Cavendish, and Being There for Both 47:03 — The Lance Armstrong Era: An Honest Conversation About Doping and Its Legacy 53:19 — Worlds in Salzburg, Riding for Astana With Contador, and Retiring at 31 59:52 — Why RH77 Exists: A Rain Bag, an Austrian Championship, and a Factory in Italy 1:10:36 — The Big Dream: RH77 Kit at the Tour de France 1:19:15 — The Double Century: René's Favorite Race in the World 1:24:25 — Pink Bibs, the RH77 DC Team, and Racing for It Again This Year 1:30:37 — Custom Kit Orders: How to Work With RH77 1:35:15 — Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic, and What the Year Ahead Holds 1:44:15 — Family, the Future, and Living Fully in the Present # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: [email protected] Send a question for the show: [email protected] #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #RH77 #DoubleCentury #CapeTownCycling

Join us as we take an in-depth view into the life that was is and will be with the South African icon in cycling - Ryan Gibbons. He has led out greats like Tadej Pogacar, competed in all the world tours and swept up local honours at home in South Africa. We start with a statement as Ryan shows Dave what real out the saddle sprint form looks like and settles into a beautiful trip around the Peninsula of Cape Town. We hope you enjoy this format and subject matter. Massive thank you to Ryan Gibbons and Scicon Sports for making it happen. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 👍 Like, Subscribe, and share this video to support what we love doing. - Instagram: @theactivebobo - Website: www.activehobo.com - Cafe: 6 Stibitz, Westlake, Cape Town, 7945 0:00 The Opening Sprint 2:25 Intro: Ryan "Gibbo" Gibbons 3:17 Riding Style 3:47 Vuelta Stage 20: 60km Solo in the Mountains 5:31 Career Highlights & First Pro Win 8:42 What It Was Like Racing Alongside Pogacar 10:45 Why Cycling Is Actually a Team Sport 13:37 Best Teammates: Cavendish, Pogacar & Mads Pedersen 17:54 Classics vs Grand Tours 19:20 Paris-Roubaix 22:09 Coffee in Scarborough 25:35 Looking After South Africans in the European Peloton 30:42 Injuries, Concussions & When the Body Speaks 33:31 Why Do Pros Make the Sacrifice? The Real Answer 35:01 The Unsung Heroes: Partners of Professional Athletes 39:50 The Retirement Decision: Making the Call 43:38 Falling Back in Love With Cycling 47:46 Ryans next Chapter 51:02 Cape Town Stacks Up Against the World's Best Roads 58:17 The Cyclist vs Driver Problem: Road Safety in SA 1:01:40 Why Belgium Respects Cyclists & We Don't 1:06:32 His Sons First Ride 1:09:56 The Cannondale Lab 71: Full Breakdown 1:25:29 Pro’s Social Life 1:41:42 Closing

In September 2025, Tyler Jacobs became the first South African woman to ever win a medal at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships short track race. Three years earlier, she was getting dropped by her dad and her brothers on Sunday rides and crying about having to go. Tyler is 21. She rides for Liv Factory Racing out of the United States, trains out of Stellenbosch with coach Barry Austin, and in 2026 added the South African Elite Women's Road Race Championship to her name in her final year as an Under-23. A month after Worlds, she won her first UCI World Cup — the U23 XCC at Lake Placid — on the global debut of Liv's new Pique Prototype. The frame has "factory test prototype frame number 4" printed on the side of it. She's one of only four people in the world riding one. In this episode of The Active Hobo Podcast: Femme Series, Tyler sits down to talk about nine years growing up in Nairobi, being the kid who had to be pumped up and packed for rides she didn't want to go on, meeting Ty White at the Drive Academy in Ballito in 2022 and everything that followed, getting picked up by Liv in Leogang after running the last half lap with a smashed wheel, what the Matterhorn podium actually felt like, and why she describes herself as "the most unserious person" her roommate has ever met — except during intervals. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 👍 Like, Subscribe 0:00 ★ Meet Tyler: historic Worlds bronze, Lake Placid World Cup winner 1:00 ★ Born in Umhlanga, moved to Nairobi at nine 2:42 ★ Home-schooled, always active, never serious about the bike 7:07 ★ 2022: meeting Ty White and Drive Academy in Ballito 10:14 ★ The Holla Trails sprint the locals call "World Champs" 12:09 ★ Why the European field is a different sport 18:00 ★ The SA pipeline: what's working, what isn't 24:36 ★ Living and training in Stellenbosch 24:57 ★ Coach Barry Austin and learning to use the course, not just the power 27:22 ★ Winning SA Elite Women's Road Champs by being bored 31:40 ★ How a smashed wheel and a run to the finish got her a Liv contract 34:27 ★ Brazil, Harry and Lloyd, and finishing 5th-6th as teammates 35:57 ★ Worlds 2025: rice and Nutella, then the podium 38:41 ★ The first McDonald's of her life 40:30 ★ Inside Liv Factory Racing 48:35 ★ The Austrian team house 49:14 ★ Cape Town Cycle Tour and the state of SA women's racing 52:37 ★ The XCO goal: top three in 2026

Errin Mackridge was told after the 2024 UCI World Championships that she was an embarrassment to South Africa. She was 17, racing at her first Worlds, and she didn't finish. The people who said it weren't racing. They were typing. She has six national titles now. Four on the mountain bike, two on the road. She is the reigning Junior South African Road Race Champion — a title she's won in back-to-back years, 2024 and 2025. She represented South Africa at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. And in August, she boards a plane to Banner Elk, North Carolina, to race for Lees-McRae College — one of the most successful collegiate cycling programmes in the United States, and the same programme that has produced the likes of Brent Bookwalter. In this episode of The Active Hobo Podcast: Femme Series, Errin sits down to talk about the gap between SA racing and the European fields where the real depth lives, what Ty White has built at the Drive Academy in Ballito that keeps producing national champions, the sprint the Ballito locals jokingly call their "Holla Champs," and what it costs — financially, emotionally, and physically — to chase a professional contract from the bottom of Africa. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 👍 Like, Subscribe 0:00 ★ Meet Errin: six national titles at 18 1:28 ★ First title, red jersey, and a second-place that started everything 3:09 ★ 2024 — the year that changed the trajectory 4:09 ★ Winning SA Road Champs with Megan Botha in a two-up breakaway 6:03 ★ The deep pool of SA women's cycling nobody talks about 8:00 ★ Ty White, the Drive Academy, and the culture of winning 9:40 ★ Culture as the multiplier: why humility shows up in the results 10:40 ★ Road vs mountain bike: why XCO always wins 12:35 ★ The gap between SA and Europe is real, and it's money 14:12 ★ Lees-McRae College, North Carolina: the plan 19:29 ★ "I was told I'm an embarrassment to South Africa" 22:50 ★ Nutrition, Hexis, low-cadence intervals, and Holla Champs sprints 30:57 ★ Who she'll race at SA XCO Champs in Bloemfontein 32:29 ★ The kit she takes stateside, and why Maxxis stays

In 2023, Shanae Williams qualified for the Olympic pathway with a silver at the African Games. Then she got sick. Pushed through. Her heart gave in. Doctors pulled her out of training for six months — and she spent that time asking herself whether she wanted to do any of this ever again. She's now the 2025 Africa Elite Women's Triathlon Champion over Olympic distance, the 2025 Africa Sprint Champion, a four-time SA Sprint National Champion, and a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games representative for South Africa. Not bad for someone who started out as a water polo player and synchronised swimmer, and whose first proper triathlon involved renting a bike, riding ten minutes the day before, and racing with basic cage pedals because she'd never ridden a road bike in her life. In this episode of The Active Hobo Podcast: Femme Series, Shanae sits down to talk about the unlikely path from a Cape Town school pool to the World Triathlon Championship Series, why the hardest six months of her life ended up being the most clarifying, what it takes to chase an Olympic dream from a country that barely publicises the sport she competes in, and why she's spending the next two years pointing everything at Los Angeles 2028. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 👍 Like, Subscribe 0:00 ★ Meet Shanae: Africa's Elite Women's Triathlon Champion 2:07 ★ From water polo and synchronised swimming to the Cape Town waterfront 3:04 ★ Renting a bike the day before her first World Series schools challenge 9:21 ★ The decision to go all-in after high school 11:23 ★ Why the swim is the hardest part — and why it made her career 14:37 ★ How World Triathlon actually works (and why it isn't Ironman) 20:20 ★ Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 25:00 ★ The sport nobody in South Africa is allowed to see 28:20 ★ Transitions, mounting at speed, and the cost of a pinky toe over the line 29:45 ★ African Games silver, food poisoning, and the Olympic qualifier that got away 30:54 ★ Six months off the bike: the heart virus that almost ended it 33:34 ★ Why she didn't quit — and what 2028 looks like 34:21 ★ Moving home: why happy athletes are faster athletes 41:54 ★ Shoes, sponsors and the art of rotating gear 51:00 ★ Falling in love with Cape Town cycling culture

Wout van Aert won his first Paris-Roubaix — and we watched it unfold on a big screen at the start of a gravel stage race in the middle of the Klein Karoo. That tells you everything about this episode. This is The Breakaway's Garden Route Giro special edition. Recorded live from the stage 2 finish line at the inaugural GRG, with riders, locals, and dogs walking through shot. We break down how Van Aert outsprinted Pogačar in the Roubaix velodrome, why UAE's tactics fell short, what Van der Poel's double puncture on the Arenberg and his pedal drama with Jasper Stuyven cost him, and what it means that the most dominant rider in the world just got beaten. Then we turn to the women's race — Franziska Koch's breakthrough win and Visma-Lease a Bike landing two riders on the podium — and ask whether it's time women's Classics got their own dedicated broadcast window. But the heart of this episode is what's happening right here on the ground. Dave is two days into his first ever stage race. Oakdale High School turned out to welcome riders with songs and pride. Douglas Ryder, Kent Main, and some of the biggest names in South African cycling are all here — on gravel, in small towns, sharing beers at railway station bars. This is what community looks like when you build the right format for it. And we think gravel stage racing might just be the future of our sport. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 👍 Like, Subscribe 0:00 — Live from the Garden Route Giro finish line ★ 0:57 — Paris-Roubaix 2026 ★ 09:13 — Paris-Roubaix Ladies ★ 13:20 — Upcoming Road Races ★ 15:26 — Garden Route Giro ★ 25:30 — What's next for Cam (Q36.5)

In this episode of The Active Hobo Podcast, Maddy talks about training out of Ballito, the day her chain came off at SA Road Champs and she still won, what it's like lining up against 66 girls on a European start line, and why she's skipping university to chase a UCI World Cup dream. At her first SA Championships, Madison Bateson didn't know it was the SA Champs. She thought it was a regular KZN race, showed up at Cascades, saw girls in provincial kit she didn't recognise, and only clicked that morning. She won it anyway. She was in the Sprog category — the youngest competitive age group in South African mountain biking. 0:00 ★ Meet Maddy: 16 years old, 2026 SA Junior Champion 3:00 ★ The school that bends for bike training 4:35 ★ Getting more girls on the start line: the school series effect 10:00 ★ Training alongside Tyler Jacobs and chasing the World Cup 14:43 ★ Her chain came off at SA Road Champs. She still won. 25:59 ★ Holla Trails, Ballito, and the sprint they call "World Champs" 41:22 ★ How she ended up riding Tyler Jacobs' old bike 47:09 ★ 66 girls on a European start line 52:21 ★ Life after school: going overseas, no plan B

She was a law student at Rhodes University when she drew some cartoons to win a bicycle. That bicycle changed everything. Tegan Phillips is an adventurer, ultra-endurance cyclist, comic artist, and content creator who has spent the last decade doing the things most people only talk about — cycling through Africa with her family, completing a solo triathlon around New Zealand's South Island, and attempting to set the women's world record for the fastest ride from Cairo to Cape Town. That record attempt nearly killed her. In this conversation, Tegan shares the raw, unfiltered story of what happened in the Egyptian desert — losing her speech, having a seizure, and the moment she had to decide whether to call her parents to say goodbye or fight to stay alive. She also opens up about the quiet years that followed: waitressing, living with her 94-year-old great aunt in a tiny apartment, and rebuilding from nothing. Now based in Spain near Ashleigh Moolman Pasio's Rocacorba Cycling, Tegan reflects on what it means to respect risk, why comics and content creation come from the same creative impulse, and why the conversation around women in cycling needs men to do more than just not exclude. This is a story about doing hard things, falling apart, and finding a reason to keep going. 🎒 Follow Tegan: @teganphillipscomics 🛒 Get 15% off premium cycling luggage & eyewear at Scicon Sports SA → https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 00:00:00 — "My Favourite Person in the World" 00:04:03 — A Spinning Assistant Discovers Cycling 00:06:38 — 1,400km to the Namibian Border and Back 00:09:00 — The Year That Changed Everything (Family Africa Trip) 00:13:29 — The Sedgefield 500 and Falling in Love with Ultra Endurance 00:16:52 — 10 Ironmans Around New Zealand's South Island 00:22:48 — Writing the Book About All of It 00:29:18 — "I Think I'm Going to Die" (The Cairo to Cape Town Attempt) 00:37:01 — Rebuilding in Spain: Rocacorba and a New Chapter 00:43:38 — Tempering Steel: The Lesson That Stays 00:46:39 — From Comics to Content Creation 00:48:17 — Turning Sexist Comments into Comedy Gold 00:51:42 — Women in Cycling: Why It's Not a Women's Issue 00:59:14 — Exclusion Isn't a Rule — It's Invisible Barriers

This episode opens in a place none of us wanted to go. Another cyclist lost on South African roads. Dave, Cam and Sarah speak honestly about what that means as riders, as parents, as a community — and what actually needs to change for the laws to protect us. Then: Tadej Pogačar wins the Tour of Flanders and becomes the first rider in history to win four consecutive Monuments. The crew breaks down the race, the Pogačar-Van der Poel-Evenepoel dynamic, the railway crossing controversy, and why the women's race might have been even more exciting, with Demi Vollering putting on a masterclass. And the heart of this episode: a viewer-suggested deep dive into the psychology of suffering. Sarah breaks down the real difference between pain and suffering, why your pain threshold and pain tolerance are two completely different things, and how the art of distraction might be the most powerful tool you've never used on race day. Cam and Dave share their own dark-place strategies — from breathing resets to finding familiar faces in the crowd. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 👍 Like, Subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear that suffering is temporary. 00:00 — Welcome & Coffee at Active Hobo 00:02:17 — The Conversation We Need to Have: Road Safety in South Africa 00:06:04 — Situational Awareness: What Dave Taught His Son on Their First Road Ride 00:11:11 — Consequences, Laws & What Needs to Change 00:18:22 — Don't Stop Riding — Why the Fight Is Worth It 00:19:36 — Tadej Pogacar Wins Flanders: Four Consecutive Monuments (A First in History) 00:28:07 — The Record Nobody's Broken — Can He Win All Five in One Season? 00:29:10 — Women's Flanders: Demi Vollering's Decisive Move 00:36:28 — Same Day, Different Races — Should Women's Classics Be Separate? 00:41:27 — The Railway Crossing Controversy 00:45:00 — Paris-Roubaix Preview 00:46:28 — Mental Health for Athletes: The Psychology of Suffering 00:47:51 — Pain vs Suffering — What's the Difference? 00:54:30 — Pain Threshold vs Pain Tolerance (And Why It Matters for Everyone) 00:58:08 — The Art of Distraction: Your Most Powerful Tool in a Dark Place 01:02:11 — Breathing Resets, Small Wins & Marginal Gains for the Mind 01:04:12 — Chappies Update: Easter Weekend Edition 01:04:37 — Garden Rijero Preview: Live Daily Podcasts From the Race

He failed most of his subjects, raced mountain bikes on three different pro teams, and still never had the breakthrough he dreamed of. So at 23 years old, with R15,000 and a plan scribbled after six months of marketing studies, Jurgens Uys walked away from everything he knew — and started making socks. Ten years later, Versus Socks has sold over 6 million pairs, employs more than 50 people, and runs community events that draw 20,000 signups. But this isn't really a story about socks. It's about what happens when a farm kid from Lourensford with ADHD, a competitive fire, and zero backup plan decides to build something that matters — one brick in the wall, every single day. In this conversation, Jurgens sits down with David Jenkins to trace the full arc: growing up watching the Cape Epic roll past his front door, the heartbreak of never quite making the podium, the moment his business partner said "let's go 50/50," and the wild ride from a parents' garage in Stellenbosch to a world-class production facility in Kuils River. He talks about running a business like a sports team, why there are no side hustles allowed, the viral banana socks moment, and why he still believes the best is yet to come. 🔗 Versus Socks: https://www.versussocks.com 📲 Jurgens on Instagram: @jurgensuys1 🧦 Support our friends at Scicon Sports SA — get 15% off with code ACTIVEHOBO at https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount If this story inspired you, subscribe, share it with someone building something of their own, and leave a comment — what would you build if there was no backup plan? 00:00:00 — Welcome to The Active Hobo 00:01:20 — Growing Up on a Farm Where Cape Epic Rolled Past 00:02:05 — ADHD, Ritalin, and Finding Identity on a Bike 00:02:49 — First Pro Contract: A Small Salary and a Dream 00:05:02 — "There Was a Monopoly" — Spotting the Gap 00:07:48 — Going 50/50 with Hanno: No Side Hustles, No Backup Plan 00:09:26 — 260 Orders Before They Had a Product 00:12:34 — The Sportsman's Warehouse Breakthrough 00:17:00 — "The Most Loved Sports Sock Brand in the World" 00:19:01 — How Paul Roos Shaped the Man Behind the Brand 00:23:03 — 50% Motivated, 50% Scared of Losing 00:25:06 — Kevin Evans, David George, and the Heroes on the Doorstep 00:29:52 — Choosing Business Over the Yellow Jersey 00:32:40 — "We're Not a Family — We're a Sports Team" 00:39:05 — When Cycling Saves the Leader 00:41:02 — R15,000 Each and a Boot Full of Socks 00:46:27 — The Swiss Knife Partner and Learning to Let Go 00:51:57 — Knowing When to Fire Yourself as CEO 00:55:57 — Banana Socks and the Moment Versus Went Viral 01:03:19 — Nerdy Sock Tech: 200 Needles and Seamless Machines 01:06:42 — The AI Sock Designer That Changed Everything 01:07:24 — 4,000 Pairs a Day: Inside the New Kuils River Facility 01:17:18 — Why They'll Never Be an Events Company (But Run the Best Events) 01:22:05 — Back to Base: 20,000 People, 50K in 10 Days 01:24:02 — The Versus Road Run Party: 7,500 Runners in Stellenbosch 01:25:51 — "What If There's No Ceiling?" 01:27:06 — The Floodgates Are Open

This week's Breakaway hits a nerve. Dave opens up about something a lot of cyclists won't say out loud — the moment a week off the bike becomes two, then a month, then you're not sure how to come back. Sarah breaks down the coaching side: patience, accountability, and why consistency beats intensity every time. It's the conversation you didn't know you needed. From there, the crew recaps Sarah's first full Savage ride and her sub-10 Chappies attempt on a gravel bike, dives deep into the Garden Route Giro stage breakdown as Dave prepares for six day stage race, relives the electric sprint finish at the inaugural Red Hill road race, and gets into a proper GOAT debate — Pogačar, Van der Poel, or Pidcock? Plus: Jonas Vingegaard is back firing, Ryan Gibbons is coming to Cape Town for a Scicon-supported group ride and feature, and the crew tries Moodhouse adaptogens live on air. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 📩 Got a story? A question? A wager idea for Dave vs Cam at Garden Rijero? Drop it in the comments, DM us, or email — we read everything. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and share this with someone who needs a reason to get back on the bike. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 — Something Different This Week 00:02:14 — Sarah's First Full Savage & Chappies on a Gravel Bike 00:10:00 — The Savage Ride Breakdown: Ben Tables, Sprints & Secret Segments 00:15:58 — The Conversation Nobody Has: Getting Back on the Bike 00:19:08 — Patience, Accountability & Consistency (Sarah's Coaching Take) 00:23:40 — Post-Epic Blues: "What's Next?" Isn't Always the Right Question 00:25:38 — Upcoming Races: Sondela, Berg en Busch & Cape Pioneer Trek 00:30:01 — Garden Route Giro Stage-by-Stage Breakdown 00:45:30 — The Active Hobo Is Going to Garden Route Giro (Daily Podcasts, Come Say Hi) 00:48:30 — The Dave vs Cam Wager: Suggestions Welcome 00:50:29 — Red Hill Is Back: The Inaugural Road Race That Gave Us Chills 00:57:39 — Jonas Vingegaard Returns & The Classics Are Heating Up 01:00:00 — Tour de France Predictions & The Alpecin Problem 01:04:07 — The GOAT Debate: Pogačar vs Van der Poel vs Pidcock 01:11:10 — Ryan Gibbons Group Ride & Feature (Thursday 9th, Scicon x Active Hobo) 01:18:09 — Moodhouse Adaptogens: A Wine Replacement? 01:23:00 — Wrap Up: Keep the Feedback Coming

He was given a 10-year life expectancy at eight months old. At 19, Jason van't Slot became the first person with cystic fibrosis to finish the Absa Cape Epic — the toughest mountain bike stage race on the planet. But this isn't just a story about cycling. It's about what it means to live inside a body that fights you every single day — chains around your chest, breathing like you're pulling air through a straw, eating 8,000 calories just to keep up — and still choosing to line up at the start. When a miracle drug called Trikafta finally reached South Africa after years of fighting, fundraising, and a community that refused to give up, Jason took his first unrestricted breath at 28 years old. He describes it as "mental chewing gum" — no pain, no caging, no chains. For the first time in his life, he was free. Now he's got his sights set on something nobody with cystic fibrosis has ever done: representing South Africa at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Japan. The road there runs through the Cape Town Cycle Tour, a top 25% finish, and rebuilding the fitness he set aside while he was busy doing something he'd never been able to do before — just living. This is Jason van't Slot. And he's not done yet. SCICON x Active Hobo Discount Code: https://za.sciconsports.com/discount/ACTIVEHOBO

Winning a Cape Epic stage isn't just about fitness — it's about surviving the first 10 minutes, holding position through blind corners on rocky single track, and then having enough left to produce 1,000-watt kicks on grass after 4,000 kilojoules of work. In this breakdown, performance coach Reece McDonald pulls back the curtain on exactly what it took to win Stage 1 and Stage 6 of Cape Epic 2025. From the opening selection — 18 minutes at 6.1 watts per kilo on a 14.5% gradient — to the tactical patience of the mid-stage settle, to the breakaway on Stage 6 that came down to who could resist fatigue the longest. This is what race-winning durability looks like from the inside. Whether you're a data-driven cyclist, a coach, or just fascinated by what elite performance demands from the human body — this one will change how you watch mountain bike racing. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 📩 Got questions about training or performance analysis? Drop them in the comments — Reece might just answer yours next. 👉 Subscribe for more stories from the world of endurance sport. 00:00 — A week that kept everyone guessing 00:58 — Stage 1: fresh legs, 35 teams, and the fight for position 02:50 — The first selection: 6.1W/kg on a 14.5% wall 04:30 — The settle: knowing when to save and when to spend 05:38 — Final attacks and the race to the line 06:38 — The sprint: 1,000-watt kicks on grass after 4,000kJ 08:00 — Stage 6: what six days of racing does to your legs 10:00 — The breakaway that broke the field 13:00 — What it actually takes: durability, cadence, and years of training 16:00 — How to get involved and what's next

She calls it "ruthlessly brave." Others might call it reckless. Jess Meniere has built her life around one principle - put your hand up first, figure it out later. And the consequences have been spectacular. In this episode of the Femme Series, Jess sits down with David to talk about what it really costs to chase a creative life in South African sport. From running the 13 Peaks with no training and no nutrition plan, to landing a dream career in sports photography before she even owned a camera - Jess's story is one of audacious leaps and hard landings. She opens up about the financial reality of freelancing, why she took a corporate job and immediately knew it was wrong, and the moment in Europe where an eight-day solo cycling odyssey through the Tour de Femme broke her completely. Along the way, there's a vegan cookie business born from spinal fractures, an honest conversation about what it's like being the only woman on the back of a motorbike at an event, and a triathlon that raises millions for education in South Africa. This one's for anyone who's ever been told they're not qualified enough, not strong enough, or not ready — and did it anyway. Part of the Femme Series — stories of remarkable women shaping South African cycling and beyond. 🍪 Bitchy Bites — Follow Jess's vegan cookie business: @ bitchy_bites 📸 Follow Jess: @ jess_meniere 🎧 Follow The Active Hobo: Instagram: @theactivehobo Website: https://activehobo.com 🏷️ Scicon Sports SA DISCOUNT: https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 00:00 — Ruthlessly Brave, Fuck Around And Find Out 02:29 — "How Hard Can It Be?" — 13 Peaks With Zero Prep 04:37 — Landing Her Bum In The Butter At Faces 06:05 — Going Freelance At 21 Without A Camera 14:19 — The Only Woman On The Mountain 22:20 — 250km Days And A R36K Disaster In Europe 27:46 — The Crushing Reality Behind The Glamour 37:42 — A Broken Back, 500 Biscuits, And Bitchy Bites 42:53 — Twitch Bitchy: The 100K Cookie-Fueled Gravel Route 47:04 — A Monday Marathon And A Near-Hijacking 49:41 — The Three Gravel Events That Ruined Everything Else 53:36 — Why Grassroots Beats Corporate 58:05 — What's Next: Cedar, Epic, And Calling Cape Town

For 23 years, no all-South African team had ever stood on the top step of the Cape Epic. On Sunday, Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje of Toyota Specialized Imbuko changed that - and the entire finish line held its breath counting down the seconds. This episode is a full Cape Epic 2026 debrief from the people who lived it. Sully was behind the camera on the back of a motorbike. Cam Roach finished in the top 40 alongside 16-time finisher Ollie Munnik. Sarah Maré made the hardest call a racer can make - to stop. Together, they break down the historic men's victory, Candice Lill's long-awaited women's win after being second on the podium fige times, the team dynamics that made it all possible, and what it actually takes to survive eight days on South African soil. Plus: Pogačar vs Pidcock at Milan-San Remo, the women's race crash that sparked an important conversation, and why the ABSA Cape Epic is still putting this country on the global stage. 👉 Subscribe for stories that matter 📲 Follow us: Instagram: @theactivehobo #TheActiveHobo #BreakawayPodcast 00:00 — Welcome to the Breakaway 00:03 — The Holy Trinity: Pogačar, Pidcock & Four Centimetres 08:30 — "Women Drivers" — The Crash Commentary That Has to Stop 15:15 — South Africa's Back, Baby: The Headline That Changed Everything 19:17 — The Crowd Counts Down — A Moment That Rewrote History 22:00 — Candice Lill: Eight Attempts and Five Second Places Later 26:08 — Hailey Squared & the Art of Chipping Away 27:20 — The Brands and People Behind the Winning Machine 33:27 — Sarah's Decision: When Health Comes Before the Finish Line 43:54 — Cam & Ollie: Piano, Piano to the Top 40 48:56 — The Epic Bug, Bin Bags & 690cc War Stories 52:15 — Sully on the Media Bike: Chasing Sam Gaze Downhill 57:00 — Did the Women's Separate Start Work? 1:05:00 — The Tour de France of Mountain Biking — Or Something Better 1:11:00 — Closing Thoughts: Pride, Gratitude & What Comes Next

She calls it "ruthlessly brave." Others might call it reckless. Jess Meniere has built her life around one principle - put your hand up first, figure it out later. And the consequences have been spectacular. In this episode of the Femme Series, Jess sits down with David to talk about what it really costs to chase a creative life in South African sport. From running the 13 Peaks with no training and no nutrition plan, to landing a dream career in sports photography before she even owned a camera - Jess's story is one of audacious leaps and hard landings. She opens up about the financial reality of freelancing, why she took a corporate job and immediately knew it was wrong, and the moment in Europe where an eight-day solo cycling odyssey through the Tour de Femme broke her completely. Along the way, there's a vegan cookie business born from spinal fractures, an honest conversation about what it's like being the only woman on the back of a motorbike at an event, and a triathlon that raises millions for education in South Africa. This one's for anyone who's ever been told they're not qualified enough, not strong enough, or not ready — and did it anyway. Part of the Femme Series — stories of remarkable women shaping South African cycling and beyond. 🍪 Bitchy Bites — Follow Jess's vegan cookie business: @ bitchy_bites 📸 Follow Jess: @ jess_meniere 🎧 Follow The Active Hobo: Instagram: @theactivehobo Website: https://activehobo.com 🏷️ Scicon Sports SA DISCOUNT: https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 00:00 — Ruthlessly Brave, Fuck Around And Find Out 02:29 — "How Hard Can It Be?" — 13 Peaks With Zero Prep 04:37 — Landing Her Bum In The Butter At Faces 06:05 — Going Freelance At 21 Without A Camera 14:19 — The Only Woman On The Mountain 22:20 — 250km Days And A R36K Disaster In Europe 27:46 — The Crushing Reality Behind The Glamour 37:42 — A Broken Back, 500 Biscuits, And Bitchy Bites 42:53 — Twitch Bitchy: The 100K Cookie-Fueled Gravel Route 47:04 — A Monday Marathon And A Near-Hijacking 49:41 — The Three Gravel Events That Ruined Everything Else 53:36 — Why Grassroots Beats Corporate 58:05 — What's Next: Cedar, Epic, And Calling Cape Town

He went to Joburg for one ride. He got dropped by a world-tour cyclist, skipped a robot or two, and came back a convert. That's where Episode 10 begins — and it only gets bigger from there. Cape Epic is underway, and the stories coming out of those trails are exactly why this race is unlike anything else on earth. Dean Hoff and Kevin Benke ran 30 kilometres with their bikes after a mechanical destroyed their race — and kept going. Tristan de Villiers and Kezia Llewellyn are in the yellow jersey, chasing what no South African pairing has ever done: win the Cape Epic. Meanwhile, Cam and Allie are out there somewhere in the peloton, laughing their heads off. Alec's on the ground. Sarah's racing. This one's personal. On the world stage: del Toro is making GC statements, Vingegaard's wardrobe is making headlines, and Van der Poel is riding like a man possessed. Milan-San Remo is around the corner — and the women's race might be the most unpredictable one-day classic in years. We also touch on Allan Hathley quietly going 13th at Tirreno and what that could mean. And then — gravel. Gallows. Garden route Giro. Roads to Desolation. If the gravel bug hasn't bitten you yet, this episode might be the one that changes that. We're a year old, Scicon has come on board, and we're just getting started. 🎙️ Hosted by David & Jason | The Breakaway Podcast 📸 Follow Alec's live Cape Epic coverage on Instagram: @theactivehobo 🕶️ Gear up with Scicon Sports SA — 15% off https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 💬 Drop your take in the comments — is Gallows South Africa's best gravel race? And can Tristan & Kezia make history? 🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss our daily podcasts from the Garden route Giro. Gallows Gravel Race Link: https://www.thegallowsrace.co.za/ Garden Route Giro link: https://www.gardenroutegiro.co.za/ #capeepic2026 #capeepic #achievementunlocked 00:00 — The Capetonian Goes to Joburg (and Gets Schooled) 11:34 — Inside the Cape Epic: Yellow Jersey, Broken Bikes & 30km On Foot 16:15 — The Story That Defines What Epic Actually Means 22:00 — Can a South African Pair Finally Win the Cape Epic? 30:04 — Del Toro, Vingegaard's Shorts & Tour de France Signals 47:08 — Women's Milan-San Remo: The Race Nobody Can Call 50:37 — Allan Hathley's Quiet Statement to the World 54:20 — South Africa's Gravel Season Is Here 55:24 — Gallows: The Race That Breaks You in the Best Way 1:00:13 — Garden Route Giro 2026 1:08:49 — One Year In: Scicon, Milestones & What's Coming 1:11:29 — See You Out There

You've seen the numbers on the packet. 2:1 ratio. 60 grams. 90 grams per hour. Multiple transportable carbohydrates. But what does any of it actually mean — and how do you use it without blowing up your stomach on race day? In Part 2 with Reece McDonald — head of performance at Embukos and Science to Sport partner — we sit down and break race-day nutrition into language that anyone can understand. No jargon walls, no brand pushing. Just the honest, practical science behind what goes in your bottle, how concentrated it should be, what your pre-race breakfast should look like, and why the stuff you do in training matters more than anything you panic-buy the night before. If you've ever stood in your kitchen staring at a bag of race mix wondering how many scoops actually go in — this one's for you. https://www.sciencetosport.com 🎙️ Missed Part 1? Watch it here: [https://youtu.be/GSd23504_04] 📩 Got a nutrition question we didn't cover? Drop it in the comments or DM us — Reece is game to come back and go deeper. 👉 Subscribe to The Active Hobo for stories that matter — on and off the bike. SCICON Active Hobo Discount Code: https://za.sciconsports.com/discount/ACTIVEHOBO 00:00 — The Scoop Problem Nobody Talks About 02:50 — Train How You Race (Or Pay For It Later) 05:17 — Multiple Transportable Carbohydrates — In Plain English 06:18 — The 2:1 Ratio and Why 90 Grams Is the Ceiling 08:58 — Going Above 90g — Who Actually Needs That? 10:03 — Gut Training: Why Racing Intensity Changes Everything 11:10 — How Concentrated Should Your Bottle Actually Be? 13:26 — Gels, Bars, or Bottles — Building Your Race-Day Stack 16:01 — The Pre-Race Breakfast That Won't Wreck You 19:20 — Bagels, Maize Meal, and Better Alternatives to Oats 20:43 — The Electrolyte Trap Most Riders Fall Into 22:05 — Panic Consuming: The Race-Day Mistake You Keep Making 24:24 — Your Questions, Our Next Episode 26:17 — Incremental, Not Experimental

💬 What sport or activity changed the direction of your life? Tell us in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe — this series is just getting started. 🎙️ The Active Hobo — Stories That Matter 📍 Cape Town, South Africa Over 400 career victories. Three Cape Town Cycle Tour wins. Eight gold medals in a single national track championship. Seven wins in his first season in Belgium, as a teenager from Joburg who didn't know a soul. He raced against Lance Armstrong, sprinted against Robbie McEwan, and built some of the most iconic professional cycling teams South Africa has ever seen, HSBC, Med Scheme, Bonitas, DSV, often pitching boardrooms in the morning and winning races in the afternoon. But this conversation isn't just about the wins. It's about what South African cycling was, what it lost, and what one man is trying to build back from the ground up. Malcolm now runs the DSV Shift Academy in Paarl, putting 25 kids from his community on bikes, into classrooms, and onto a path that didn't exist for them before he showed up. From BMX ramps in the suburbs to basement floors in Cologne. From the golden era of Rapport Tour and packed road closures to the silence that followed. This is the story of the most winning South African road cyclist in history. And it's only part one. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Tracksuit Pants and a Bike Too Big 06:00 — 200 Schoolboys on a Start Line 12:00 — Eight Gold Medals in One Weekend 18:00 — Break a Record, Get Sunglasses 25:00 — Landing in Belgium With No Plan and No Phone 32:00 — Seven Wins in Season One 40:00 — The Doping Era Nobody Talks About Honestly 50:00 — Winning Is Not Everything 58:00 — The HSBC Pitch That Changed Everything 1:08:00 — Racing Against Lance, McEwan, and the Best in the World 1:18:00 — The Rapport Tour and the Glory Days Nobody Remembers 1:28:00 — Nick White, Jock Green, and the Lotto Hat 1:38:00 — From Rider to Team Boss to Rival 1:50:00 — When Doug Ryder Left a Void 2:00:00 — Why He Walked Away From Pro Racing 2:08:00 — 25 Kids, Six Containers, and a Velodrome in Paarl 2:18:00 — The High-Speed Police Officer 2:28:00 — Criteriums, Leagues, and Fixing the Media Problem 2:38:00 — Put Your Money Back Into This Sport

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss our daily Epic coverage dropping next week. 💬 Tell us — what's your "almost" moment? The time you were so close you could taste it. Drop it in the comments. 📲 Got a story from Epic? Come find Cam, Sarah, or Alec on the route. That's why we're there. A world tour rider stopped Cam at Strade Bianche and asked how to get on this podcast. That's not the only thing that caught us off guard this week. Lisa Iterate finally broke through at the Cape Town Cycle Tour — after years of seconds and thirds, she stood on top in front of 28,000 riders. Ryan Gibbons used world tour-level tactics to take the men's race in a sprint that nearly slipped away from Jayden Lill at the line. Meanwhile, Cam just got back from his first behind-the-scenes experience at Strade Bianche with Team Q36.5, where Tadej Pogačar soloed 80km to victory and reminded everyone why the sport can't look away — even when one man is rewriting the rules. And we break down why women's racing, both locally and internationally, is delivering the most compelling action in the peloton right now. Then we turn all our energy to Sunday. Cape Epic starts in five days. Sarah's battling nerves and flashbacks from the one year she didn't finish. Cam just landed from Italy and hasn't touched his bike in a week. The stages are longer than ever. And Alec just got a media pass — so we're going all in to bring you the stories from the dirt. 🕐 CHAPTERS: 00:00 — We're Back, Cam Shaved, and Epic Is Coming 03:30 — Cape Town Cycle Tour: The Women's Race That Had Everything 10:00 — Lisa's Breakthrough — Years of Seconds, One Massive Win 13:00 — Ryan Gibbons Takes It — World Tour Tactics on Home Soil 17:00 — Jayden Lill: The Kid Who Nearly Clipped Him on the Line 19:30 — Crashes, Chaos and the Chappies Wipeout 21:00 — Riding With Malcolm Lange — A Legend in Your Group 24:00 — 28,000 Riders, UCI Medals, and Why This Race Matters 26:00 — Strade Bianche: Cam Goes Behind the Curtain at World Tour Level 30:00 — Pogačar Solos 80km — Is Dominance Good for Cycling? 35:00 — The Women's Strade Bianche Finish That Gave Us Goosebumps 39:00 — A World Tour Pro Asked to Be on This Podcast 42:00 — Cape Epic Preview: Longer Stages, Old-School Routes & Foot-and-Mouth Detours 47:00 — The Queen Stage Through Lawrenceford 50:00 — Sarah's Unfinished Business & the Stage That Haunts Her 53:00 — Final Nerves, Race Prep Tips & See You on the Start Line 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss our daily Epic coverage dropping next week. 💬 Tell us — what's your "almost" moment? The time you were so close you could taste it. Drop it in the comments. 📲 Got a story from Epic? Come find Cam, Sarah, or Alec on the route. That's why we're there.

He wasn't good at catching a ball. He wasn't good at sitting still in class. But put him on a bike and something switched! David George represented South Africa at three Olympic Games, won the country's first Commonwealth Games cycling medal, stood on the podium at World Championships, and raced for one of the most iconic teams in professional cycling history. And almost nobody in South Africa knows his name. This is one of the most honest, layered conversations we've ever had on The Active Hobo. From a childhood in Cape Town's southern suburbs to the basements of Europe, from the highest stage in world sport to losing it all and starting from absolute zero. 00:00 — The Kid Who Won Barefoot 05:30 — Drawing Bikes in Class 12:00 — Tandems, Track Nights, and the Golden Days 22:00 — The First Breakaway That Changed Everything 30:00 — A Record Broken in a Shed in Leicester 38:00 — Faxing Your Future to Europe 45:00 — The Medal Nobody Expected 55:00 — Basements, Dogshit Bikes, and Marginal Losses 1:05:00 — Inside the Most Famous Team in Cycling 1:15:00 — Three Olympics and a Growing Frustration 1:22:00 — Mountain Biking and Being a Kid Again 1:30:00 — The Day It All Went to Zero 1:38:00 — A Bike Shop Next to a Urinal Wall 1:48:00 — Covid, the Boom, and the Bust 1:58:00 — The Hook — Why People Walk Through His Door 2:08:00 — South Africa's Golden Era Right Now 2:20:00 — The Super Team That Should Exist 2:30:00 — The Hero Series Begins

The Iconic Series begins with a name that carries real weight in South African cycling: Nic White. In this first episode, we sit down with one of the sport’s most respected and influential figures to unpack a career filled with legendary stories, hard racing, unforgettable wins, and a deep love for the bicycle itself. From the old Joburg racing scene to European cobbled classics, Morocco, HSBC, Microsoft, and the evolution of South African cycling, Nic shares the kind of perspective you rarely get in one conversation. This is more than a podcast about results. It’s about the culture, the characters, the suffering, the freedom, and the journey that helped shape an era.

Cape Town Cycle Tour race week is its own sport: tapering without going stale, fueling without doing anything “new,” and staying calm when the roads (and the vibes) get hectic. In this episode of The Breakaway Show, David and Sarah break down what the final week should actually look like—from elite-level readiness to “punter” practicality. You’ll hear how to think about rest days vs openers, why you shouldn’t chase “race weight” in taper week, and how to keep your energy stable when work stress and travel are peaking. Then we go deep on race-day fueling: carb targets, mixing strategies, and the real-world way people use caffeine (and why timing matters). Sarah explains caffeine’s effect on perceived exertion, when it helps, and when it can backfire—especially for anxious riders. We also hit the most important topic: safety. Wind, descents, bunch dynamics, marshal awareness, and the simple habits that keep everyone getting home in one piece. Finally, we pivot to the weekend’s racing: the classics season opening, Demi Vollering’s statement ride, Paul Seixas’ breakout win, and a quick crash course on monuments. We wrap with Tuesday segment chaos (Engine-to-Engine vs Chappies) and a tech rabbit hole on Challenge’s new Stagioni tire and why tires might be the most underrated upgrade you can make. Subscribe for weekly cycling + running talk, tech rabbit holes, and local stories that deserve the spotlight. — 00:00:03 Introductions + why CTCT week is “the elephant in the room” 00:01:24 Race-week taper mindset: rest days vs keeping the legs awake 00:03:02 What riders are doing now (Tabatas, 3x8s) + “finish feeling strong” 00:05:01 Setting your CTCT goal: the four key pinch points (Edinburgh, Smits, Chappies, Suikerbossie) 00:07:25 Mental readiness: why some riders rest the day before (and others spin) 00:08:01 Cape Town vibes + road etiquette with motorists (diffuse tension fast) 00:09:16 Race week nutrition rules: don’t try new things, don’t chase “race weight” 00:11:19 Race day carbs: 2:1 talk, practical targets, gels vs bottles, and caffeine strategy 00:14:57 Caffeine explained: perceived exertion, timing templates, and who should be cautious 00:17:49 Pre-hydration: electrolytes, travel dehydration, and split bottles (carbs vs salts) 00:24:09 Running vs cycling Fuelling 00:25:08 CTCT media access 00:26:11 Safety talk: crosswinds, descents, and why safety is paramount 00:28:24 Trail awareness 00:30:22 CTCT as a UCI Gran Fondo event + qualifying storylines 00:32:59 Race Predictions from Jaedon Terlouw, Kyle Mitchel & Tyler Lange 00:37:23 Classics season primer: what the “classics” are and why they matter 00:39:49 Demi Vollering’s move + why women’s classics are a massive stage 00:41:26 Paul Seixas breakout + monuments crash course (San Remo, Flanders, Roubaix, Liège, Lombardia) 00:48:09 Where to follow classics coverage + quick broadcast chat 00:49:33 Tuesday segment review: Engine-to-Engine vs Chappies leaderboards 00:55:47 Tech rabbit hole: Challenge tires (Elite vs Strada vs new Stagioni) + why tires are overlooked 01:01:14 Wrap-up + good luck for Cycle Tour week — # Footnotes / Sources (copy-paste links) 1) Cape Town Cycle Tour — official site (UCI Gran Fondo World Series mention): https://www.capetowncycletour.com/ 2) UCI event listing — Cape Town Cycle Tour (UGF / Gran Fondo World Series): https://www.uci.org/competition-details/2026/CPT/78708 3) UCI Gran Fondo World Series — Cape Town Cycle Tour event page: https://ucigranfondoworldseries.com/en/cape-town-cycle-tour/ 4) CTCT 2026 Rider Guide PDF (official event guide): https://www.capetowncycletour.com/system/refinery/resources/W1siZiIsIjIwMjYvMDIvMjgvMTgvMjYvNDQvMTMzZmIwYTgtMmQyYi00OTNjLTgwNmYtZGQ1MzkyMTZiYzYzL0NUQ1QyMDI2X3JpZGVyIGd1aWRlX3Y0X2NvbXByZXNzZWQucGRmIl1d/CTCT2026_rider%20guide_v4_compressed.pdf 5) ProCyclingStats — Omloop Het Nieuwsblad WE 2026 results: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-we/2026/result 6) Cyclingnews — Paul Seixas wins Faun-Ardèche Classic with long-range solo: https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/racing/faun-ardeche-classic-young-frenchman-imitates-tadej-pogacar-by-annihilating-stacked-field-with-long-range-solo-move/ 7) Challenge Tires — 4 Stagioni XP product page (Easy-Fit Shape / easier mounting): https://challengetires.com/en-row/products/4-stagioni-handmade-tlr

The Cape Town Cycle Tour trophy isn’t “just a trophy.” It’s a handcrafted piece of design history — built from emotion, legacy, and obsessive attention to detail. In this episode of the Active Hobo, we sit down with **Michelé** (PR + events, 19 years at Carol Boyes) and **Madi** (Head of Product, 20 years in design) to unpack the story behind some of South Africa’s most iconic event trophies — including the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Cape Town Double Century (DC) trophies. You’ll hear how the Cycle Tour trophy started with a simple brief — Cape Town’s natural beauty and Table Mountain — and turned into a layered, laser-cut stainless-steel artwork that’s remained iconic since 2013. We also get into how design teams translate a “wish list” into a final object, why small details matter more than people think, and why the process can take 12–18 months from concept to reveal. Then we go deeper into the DC trophy — the climbs, the teamwork, the farms on the route — and the meaning hidden in the layers. Finally, we touch the powerful Carol Boyes Legacy Trophy, created to honour Carol’s spirit and awarded to a team that embodied courage and purpose beyond performance. If you love cycling, design, or South African stories that deserve more spotlight — this one will change how you see trophies forever. Subscribe for more story-driven conversations where the real meaning is in the details. — 0:00 Intro: Stories matter + trophies behind the scenes 0:22 Meet Madi & Michelé (Carol Boyes) 4:52 Why Cycle Tour needed a new trophy 6:41 The brief: Cape Town beauty + Table Mountain 11:47 From sketches to laser-cut stainless steel layers 13:05 Timeline: why it can take 12–18 months 15:53 Build challenges + finishing details 29:22 DC & the Carol Boyes team connection 38:22 DC trophy story: farms, climbs & route symbolism 39:08 DC trophy story: teamwork + “little men” details 53:33 Cape Town Marathon trophy mention 56:03 The Carol Boyes Legacy Trophy explained 59:34 The moment it clicked: the tandem/blind teammate story 1:01:24 Closing: what legacy really means

Heat training has become one of the most practical “unfair advantages” a normal rider can actually use—without a WorldTour budget. In this special edition of The Breakaway, we sit down with Reece McDonald (Science to Sport) to break down heat acclimation vs heat acclimatization, and why a simple sauna routine can improve your heat tolerance, your cooling efficiency, and potentially even performance via mechanisms that overlap with altitude-style adaptations. We cover the real-world, no-lab-coat version: • The difference between natural heat exposure (riding in summer) vs artificial heat exposure (sauna / hot baths / indoor heat sessions) • Passive vs active heat training (and why passive is often the easiest win) • What to track if you don’t have a core temp sensor: cardiac drift, sweat rate, and body mass change • Why sauna beats steam room for this goal (most of the time) • How heat training can expand plasma volume, influence hematocrit, and might support a later rise in hemoglobin mass (“poor man’s altitude”) • Safety and execution: building tolerance, not overdoing the stress, and smart rehydration after sessions If you ride or race in South African summer conditions—road, gravel, or MTB—this is one of the most accessible training tools you can add this year. 00:00 Intro + why heat training matters 03:14 Heat acclimation vs heat acclimatization (simple definitions) 03:48 Active vs passive heat training (core temp, cardiac drift, sweat rate) 07:02 Is heat training “new”? What the research + pros are doing 10:34 “Poor man’s altitude”: the crossover benefits (heat ↔ altitude) 13:11 Hemoglobin explained (and why EPO mattered in the doping era) 16:04 What actually changes: sweating earlier, plasma volume, cooling efficiency 18:58 Measuring progress: bloods, hematocrit, timelines, expectations 21:06 Sauna protocol: how long, how often, and how to build tolerance safely 24:49 Cold rinse / contrast hacks: helpful or undermining the adaptation? 34:02 Indoor workaround: fan-off cooldown + jacket (smart stress, not all the time) 40:13 Steam room vs sauna + alternatives (hot yoga, indoor heat sessions) 40:36 Hydration + carbs + electrolytes when doing heat work (kidney strain warning) 42:54 Outro + where to find Reece / Science to Sport resources

This week on The Breakaway, we kick off with the frothiest new idea we’ve had in a while: **SA’s Segment Challenge** — Cape Town’s Chappies culture vs Joburg’s Engen-to-Engen chaos, plus a shout to Durban to send their “we kill each other weekly” segment so we can put it on the show. Then it’s straight into **Tap-Out Tuesday** energy: sub-10 obsession, perfect wind conditions, lead-out etiquette, and why “it counts” even if you didn’t do it in the ‘right’ spirit. From there we pivot to the **Big 5 by Imbuko Wines** — record-level performances, Epic implications, and why pacing + self-belief is still the ultimate cheat code. We break down the key moments, the podiums, and what it signals for the Cape Epic build-up. We also touch the **Cape Epic** shake-up that changes the race narrative overnight, plus a quick detour into road racing and the running check-in. Drop your segment suggestions (Joburg/Durban/any city), your spiciest banter, and what you want us to cover next. — 00:00 Intro + Episode 7 opens 00:24 Drift detour + tyre price madness 01:07 The “Segments Challenge” (CT vs JHB vs Durban) 03:16 Tuesday Chappies: sub-10 day recap + tactics 10:35 Joburg clapback: Engen-to-Engen vs Chappies + stats 22:20 Durban call-out: send your segment (we’ll feature it) 23:00 Big 5 MTB: Kefenga descent + race takeaways 25:22 Big 5 women’s results + what it means for Epic 31:01 Cape Epic women podium predictions 35:51 Cape Epic drama update 38:45 Big 5 men’s podium + Toyota Specialized team shout 49:47 Can Big 5 become XCM Worlds? 51:05 PPA road racing: “C-batch is the real race” + Jason’s win story 1:02:16 Running check-in + fast half marathon times 1:05:07 Next week tease: Cycle Tour week + Epic prep — Footnotes / Sources (official links) 1) Big 5 2026 recap + race dynamics: https://www.bicycling.co.za/race-news/course-records-smashed-at-the-2026-big-5-mtb-challenge/ 2) Big 5 2026 recap + women’s results + course record time: https://bikenetwork.co.za/results-recap-2026-big-5-by-imbuko-wines-canetsfontein/ 3) Big 5 2026 ladies podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-ladies-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-candice-lill-04h25m54s-greta-/1461632195964214/ 4) Big 5 2026 men’s podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-mens-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-alan-hatherly-03h37m49s-tristan/1461634282630672/ 5) Keegan Swenson Cape Epic withdrawal / fractured pelvis report: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/us-gravel-pro-keegan-swenson-breaks-pelvis-after-getting-smoked-by-car-door

Shaun Glover (Red Cherry Events) breaks down the reality behind South African cycling events—what it took to survive COVID, rebuild a team, and claw back from the edge when income stopped for 18 months. We talk event economics (cashflow, liabilities, debt), why sponsors are essential for world-class events, and the hidden workload of delivering real ROI for corporate partners. Shaun also shares how relationships and consistency turned “friends, fools and family” attendance into real momentum—plus a behind-the-scenes look at what makes M&G Investments more than a sponsor through genuine community impact. Then we zoom out into the bigger picture: why virality fades, why long-term brand building wins, and why riders should support the brands that keep the sport alive. To close, Shaun runs through standout upcoming events (including PE Platinum, Forest Boogie, Tour de Addo, Weekend Warrior, and Grab Jura), and we geek out on the Orbea Epic bike tech (Flight Attendant + Transmission) before touching on Cape Epic riding for charity and the “Give and Gain” mission. If you love cycling, events, business, or building something that lasts—this one’s for you. 0:00 Intro + Shaun Glover joins 0:33 Shaun’s origin story: family business → events 1:45 COVID: 18 months of zero income & survival mode 10:18 Event cashflow reality: liabilities, debt & clawing back 19:21 Why events need sponsors (and what they really pay for) 25:48 The hidden cost of sponsorship: relationships & delivery 30:29 M&G Investments: ‘More than a sponsor’ partnership story 34:46 Why consistency beats virality (marketing & brand building) 38:59 Support the brands that support your sport 41:55 Weekend Warrior: from 54 riders to a 3-year headline deal 55:25 Upcoming events: PE Platinum, Forest Boogie, Tour de Addo… 1:06:14 Orbea Epic bike: Flight Attendant + dream tech breakdown 1:12:40 Cape Epic for charity: riding for kids & ‘Give and Gain’ 1:15:36 Wrap-up + where to find Red Cherry events

This week on The Breakaway we get stuck into the Tour of Oman drama and why Astana’s 1–2 felt like a real “we’re back” statement — plus where Adam Yates landed and what it means when early-season racing turns chaotic with weather and tactics. ¹ ² Then we bring it home: the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight and the Herald Cycle Tour — what stood out, who showed depth, and why the SA calendar is quietly producing seriously strong racing (men and women). ³ ⁴ From there we go full gravel/MTB brain: UCI Gravel World Series – The Cedar recap, the moves that mattered, and why certain “big race” dates can clash hard with training blocks (Tankwa / Epic prep). ⁵ ⁶ And if you’re counting down to Cape Epic, this is the practical section you don’t want to skip: tires, tire pressure, and the small mistakes that become massive time losses over a long week — plus what most amateurs get wrong when they chase “light and fast” setups. We also talk Tuesday Chappies chaos (how it works, who’s there, and why it’s such a good midweek test), and we preview the In Buku / Big 5 MTB Challenge in Wellington as an Epic-style reality check. Finally: a quick nod to the Peninsula Marathon and why we’re going to give the running side more love after Cycle Tour + Epic. ---- Footnotes / sources 1. Tour of Oman official rankings (GC after Stage 5): https://www.tour-of-oman.com/en/rankings  2. ProCyclingStats GC result page (Tour of Oman 2026): https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-oman/2026/gc/result/result  3. Dis-Chem Ride for Sight coverage (Lucy Young winner): https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/news-headlines/2026/02/16/young-races-to-first-ride-for-sight-title/  4. Herald Cycle Tour results recap (Tyler Lange win; Ryan Gibbons 3rd): https://heraldcycletour.co.za/news/2026/2/17/lange-powers-to-first-herald-cycle-tour-victory-in-thrilling-sprint-finish  5. UCI Gravel World Series recap: “The Ceder” (Colombo & Preen): https://ucigravelworldseries.com/en/colombo-and-preen-conquer-the-ceder/  6. Cyclingnews race report: The Ceder winners + key race dynamics: https://www.cyclingnews.com/category/womens-cycling/uci-gravel-world-series-hayley-preen-attacks-on-uitkyk-pass-to-claim-win-at-the-cedar-while-filippo-colombo-scores-maiden-gravel-victory/  7. Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge official site (21 Feb 2026 + 3000m/80km): https://imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za/  --- 00:00 Intro music 00:03 Cam & Sarah take the hot seats + “Tap Out Tuesday” banter 01:52 Tour of Oman: weather chaos, Astana 1–2, Adam Yates 3rd 04:08 UCI points explained: why teams race full gas early 06:37 Dis-Chem Ride for Sight: wind/rain racing realities 10:55 Herald Cycle Tour: SA depth + women’s racing growth 14:47 The Ceder (UCI Gravel World Series): key moves + Colombo wins + Preen 21:36 The Ceder timing debate: Tankwa / Imbuko / Epic clashes 28:08 Cape Epic prep: small mistakes get punished (nutrition, pacing, saving tires) 32:14 Tires: why “light & fast” can cost you 38:07 Tire pressure: too hard vs too soft (grip, comfort, rim risk) 44:23 Tuesday Chappies battles: who’s there + how to join 46:06 Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge: perfect Epic-style test day 58:48 Bonus clip: Mark & Felix recap The Ceder + MTB vs gravel bike take 1:01:21 Running: Peninsula Marathon mention + more running focus coming 1:02:55 Viewer callout + questions + outro

Andrew Gold is the co-founder of CIOVITA—a Cape Town–built cycling apparel brand engineered with a global mindset and a deep respect for craft. With a background in product development and garment manufacturing, Andrew didn’t enter cycling kit as a “logo-on-a-shirt” play. He built it as a long-term, say-it-and-prove-it brand—where comfort claims are backed by obsessive iteration, materials sourcing, and serious R&D.  From day one, the vision wasn’t only South Africa—it was global relevance, built from a home base in Woodstock, Cape Town. Today, the company runs a substantial local operation (including a Woodstock facility employing around 230 people) and has been expanding internationally through community-first touchpoints like store concepts and weekly rides—most notably in places like Amsterdam—while also pushing growth into markets like Australia.  What makes Andrew compelling is that he’s not selling “hype.” He’s selling standards—the kind you only learn when you’ve lived inside manufacturing, managed teams, and watched small errors become expensive problems at scale. CIOVITA’s edge is end-to-end control: design, prototyping, production capability, and a customer experience designed to feel seamless. That same philosophy shows up in the brand’s culture: curated retail experiences, a strong ambassador community, and real-world connection through rides that break down barriers and build belonging.  If you care about cycling, entrepreneurship, or what it actually takes to build premium product from Africa to the world—Andrew’s story is a masterclass in doing it with conviction.

A South African junior cyclist is chasing a European breakthrough — and the biggest hurdle isn’t talent. It’s access. In this episode of Active Hobo, Faraz Khatieb shares his origin story: how his dad and brother pulled him into cycling, how his father became his coach and mechanic, and why racing in Europe is a completely different game. Faraz is leaving **26 February** for an **Italy-based trial** with a European team — with Belgium racing on the cards — and he’s doing everything he can to turn a one-month opportunity into a full-season contract. You’ll also hear the real behind-the-scenes reality young riders face: the costs of joining teams, the pressure to perform with limited support, and how community fundraising can make (or break) the dream. What you’ll hear in this episode: - How Faraz got into road cycling (and why he had to “wait his turn”) - Dad-as-coach: training structure, recovery days, and race prep - Why Europe racing demands race craft, nerve, and positioning—not just fitness - The sponsorship problem: how talented riders get stuck behind paywalls - The fundraising push to make the Italy trial possible

Cycling airbag tech is no longer sci-fi. In Episode 2 of The Breakaway, the guys unpack the “Aero Bag” — a wearable airbag integrated into bibs that pro teams are already testing — and ask the real question: is this the biggest safety leap since helmets, or a false-deployment disaster waiting to happen? Then the conversation pivots to a running doping provisional suspension and why headlines can poison a sport’s credibility long before the facts are clear. From there, it’s a full “Peloton Bulletin” week: Tour Down Under reactions (including the women’s race format debate), Western Cape & Gauteng champs talk (plus road-closure frustrations), and the kind of race calendar that makes January feel like mid-season. The most serious moment lands hard: a story of a cyclist killed by a drunk driver, and a call for the active community to mobilize—because outrage without action changes nothing. SHOWNOTES: # Western Province Champs (results) https://www.wpcycling.com/results/2026-western-cape-road-champs/ # Gauteng Champs (best public references found) https://gautengcycling.org/disciplines/road-cycling/ https:contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}ional-race/provincial-cycling-champs/2026/result # Attakwas Extreme (results) https://www.sportsplits.com/r :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}ps://www.atta.co.za/ # Let’s Ride (cycling community / safety) https://www.instagram.com/letsride_cpt/ # Aerobag (wearable airbag for pro cycli:contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}news/aerobag-airbag-for-cyclists https://www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/picnic-postnl-set-for-2026-primeur-with-wearable-airbag-trial/ https://www.domestiq :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}he-aerobag-how-picnic-postnl-are-developing-cyclings-next-safety-breakthrough/ # Running doping allegation (Albert Korir – AIU official list) https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/disciplinary-process/provisional-suspensions-in-force https://www.barrons.com/news/kenya-s-ny-marathon-champ-albert-korir-gets-drug-suspension-c4592845 # Women’s Tour Down Under (women’s stages) https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/womens/stages https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/stages # Bay to Bay 30km (results) https://live.ultimate.dk/mobile/front/?eventid=7322 https://runningcalendar.co.za/events/bay-to-bay # 100km sub-6 (Chasing 100) https://www.irunfar.com/sibusiso-kubheka-breaks-6-hours-for-100k-chasing-100-2025 https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/speed-without-limits--sibusiso-kubheka-breaks-the-6-hour-barrier-in-100km-chase--powered-by-latest-i/s/bf8d3d51-3fa1-4ee4-8afc-1eb5333a970d # Camps Bay cyclist Idries Sheriff (coverage) https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/12/18/anger-as-driver-accused-in-fatal-camps-bay-cycling-crash-granted-r15-000-bail https://www.capetownetc.com/news/tragic-accident-claims-life-of-cyclist-on-victoria-road-near-glen-beach/ # Scicon bike travel bag (road) https://za.sciconsports.com/products/aerocomfort-3-0-road-bike-travel-bag-tp053105013 # Factor ONE https://factorbikes.com/bikes/one # Winelands Cycle Race https://winelandscyclerace.co.za/ # Old Mutual Wealth Double Century (save the date) https://doublecentury.co.za/ # Van Rysel FTP² concept / shoes https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2026-van-rysel-ftp2-concept-bike https://www.cyclingnews.com/bikes/road/wireless-shoes-and-a-playstation-cockpit-van-rysel-has-just-launched-the-maddest-bike-of-2026-and-were-only-two-weeks-in/ --- 0:00 Welcome + what’s coming in Ep2 1:46 The “Aero Bag” cycling airbag: what it is + who’s testing it 7:35 False deployments, heat, and “should it be mandatory?” 11:26 Running doping allegation: credibility, media, and transparency 21:24 Peloton Bulletin: Tour Down Under + women’s race length debate 24:38 SA champs talk: Western Cape & Gauteng + road safety concerns 29:49 Atukwos: brutal climbing day + racing calendar overload 30:58 30K race talk + insane pacing perspective 33:55 Idris story: why this must be a turning point 38:14 Ride in support + how to show up as the active community 41:16 Community news: guests, sponsor gear, bike bag program 45:19 Joburg trip: Factor One ride/review teaser 45:44 Monthly marathon + upcoming races (Winelands, DC chat) 47:44 Next week teaser: Van Rysel/Decathlon tech thread 48:43 Closing: “Stories matter” invitation

Support Jessie’s recovery: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/jessie-munton-5834745534688430810 https://www.gofundme.com/f/rallying-for-jess-recovery-from-tragic-accident/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_US Byron Munton is the kind of rider who can chase a Cape Town Strava KOM in the morning… and still talk like a student of the sport at night. In this episode, Byron breaks down the exact moments that separate “strong” from “pro”: pacing a full-gas effort (including a Trapeze KOM attempt that came within seconds of a milestone), learning how European racing really works, and what it takes to keep your head steady when the pressure spikes. He’s also stepping into a new chapter with Modern Adventure Pro Cycling—George Hincapie’s new UCI ProTeam project (debuting in 2026) with big European ambitions. Byron’s recent results back it up too: a stage win and 3rd overall at the 2025 Tour of Portugal. But the real weight of this conversation is what happens off the bike. Byron speaks about his sister Jessie—hit by a driver while training in January 2024, leaving her in a coma, and the ongoing reality their family has had to face since then. What you’ll hear in this episode: - How pros think about pacing, risk, and recovery (when it matters most) - The mental game of racing in Europe (and why “fitness” isn’t the whole story) - The truth about chasing big goals while carrying real-life pain - Why cycling safety isn’t a debate—it’s a responsibility If this episode resonates, subscribe for more honest conversations with riders shaping the next era of South African cycling. Share it with a friend who needs a spark—and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments.

Cape Town cycling has a rich history... In this episode, Graham Ward (Western Province Road Commissioner and Chair of the City Cycling & Athletic Club) takes us inside one of Cape Town’s oldest sporting communities—how the club traces its roots to 1891, what’s been preserved in minute books dating back to 1905, and the legacy of riders who went from Cape Town to the Empire Games and the Olympics. But this isn’t just nostalgia. We unpack why road racing in the Deep South largely disappeared, how compliance and permits changed the economics of hosting events, and what it really takes to put a race on the calendar today—from marshals and traffic support to ambulances and cost break-evens. 00:00:00 Meet Graham Ward + City Cycling’s origins (1891) 00:01:52 The archives: minute books (1905) + early club stories 00:03:47 Legends & legacy: Jack Rose, hour-record era + Green Point track 00:05:40 City riders at Empire Games & Olympics (1930s–1960) 00:08:19 The old scene: 100km time trials, trophies, Fripp Cup 00:10:53 Why SA lost time trial culture (traffic + safety realities) 00:13:48 Modern club racing: DC, safer circuits, “club races” today 00:14:21 Compliance 101: permits, police, medics, what triggers what 00:17:15 What makes a “real” club? constitution, committee, affiliation 00:19:29 WP League + provincial champs (Durbanville) + virtual colours 00:25:33 Clubs shaping change: meetings, agendas, building the calendar 00:27:27 Event permits: “Cycle Tour rules for 200 riders” + Cat 1–4 system 00:31:03 Safety calls: cancelling races, marshals, ambulance thresholds 00:40:21 What it costs to host a race + why crit racing could work 00:47:47 Deep South case study: Radial/Simonstown league race + risk planning 00:58:28 Motorists vs cyclists: hooting, etiquette, and practical fixes 01:10:03 Quick fire: DC, favourite rides, UCI classic, Cycle Tour 01:14:27 Join the club: pace groups, rides, membership (R400/yr) 01:16:51 Double Century teams + final wrap

Luke Moir went from being a kid digging “gnarly” trails with spades in the bush… to lining up at MTB World Cups and earning a spot on Mondraker Factory Racing (MFR). This episode is the real story arc — not the highlight reel. You’ll hear the early sparks (traveling overseas young and getting results that hinted at something bigger), the big jump (a standout junior performance that proved he belonged), and then the harsh reset that hit right after (COVID-era disruption, fewer racing chances, and the mental grind of trying to keep momentum alive when the calendar collapses). Luke also talks about the unglamorous side: the sponsor scramble, the pressure that comes with finally “making it,” and what it feels like to race when you’re not starting at the front — having to fight forward and learn fast at elite level. Now he’s in a new chapter: joining MFR, spending time in Europe, and learning how to turn raw potential into consistent World Cup-level execution.

Intervals.icu (aka “Intervals RCU”) started as one developer’s side project to analyze torque intervals… and quietly grew into a serious training-analysis platform used by over 120,000 monthly active athletes. In this episode, we sit down with David, the founder, to unpack the full origin story—and what it takes to scale a niche endurance product into something the pro world starts paying attention to.  We talk cycling progression (and why he’s chasing an age-group win at the Cape Town Cycle Tour), power-meter accuracy, and how Intervals pulls data from platforms like Garmin and Strava—plus the realities of building on APIs with shifting rules. David also breaks down what “serious” teams care about (kilojoules, durability after 2,000+ kJ, nutrition modeling), why he runs major parts of the infrastructure on real hardware (not just cloud), and how the platform evolved from evenings and early mornings into a full-time business supporting a small team.

Cape Town bike shop stories don’t get more real than this. John O’Connor shares how he went all-in on a small storefront in town—after being told he “won’t last three months” —and how that decision helped shape a huge part of Cape Town’s cycling culture. John takes us back to 2009: the move from the Tiger Valley area, the risk of using what was left in their bond, finding the spot in the rain, and backing his gut when the “smart” advice said don’t do it  . From there, we go deep into what’s changed in the sport—especially gravel—plus the hard-earned lessons you only get after decades in the industry. 0:00 Intro  5:42 Bike touring lessons: safety, punctures, staying smart  7:05 Cycling community: how the shop introduced him to everyone  7:49 The shop origin story (how it started after liquidation)  8:39 Finding the spot in the rain + “pitching” the landlord  10:06 “They said you won’t last 3 months” — surviving the early rent pressure  15:06 The day-to-day reality of running the shop (logistics, grind, consistency) 16:34 The cycling boom: what changed and how demand exploded 18:51 Old-school road racing culture (why it worked, why it was special) 21:36 Malcolm Lange + the SA circuit / racing memories 26:44 Double Century: how it started and why it exists  31:30 Tandem with his daughter + Cape Town Cycle Tour reflections  35:03 Southside Cycles + women showing up in a big way  36:49 Trends in cycling (where bikes and the culture are going)  42:06 Bikepacking story: Caledon → Riviersonderend (heat, storms, learning)  46:22 GravelBurn 2025: route breakdown + “Hospital Bend” moments  1:02:19 Riding in Europe: Alps climbs + what it teaches you  1:08:07 Savage Tuesday, cycling groups, and the Coates battle  1:09:35 Final thoughts + wrap 

What does it take for a Cape Town motocross kid that championed the coaching game and led multiple SA champs to become one of the leading performance brains behind UAE Team Emirates and Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe? In this episode, John Wakefield—director of coaching, sports science and technical development at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe—unpacks the wild, unplanned journey from local tracks and garage coaching to testing WorldTour riders in a Sheik’s private gym and shaping grand tour contenders. John shares how a bad injury pushed him from racing to coaching, the early days of building Science to Sport with Jeroen, and the “we’re going to take over the world” mentality that took two South Africans into the very top tier of pro cycling. We get into how UAE rebuilt its performance structure before its Tour de France breakthrough, how the Bora Hansgrohe → Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe evolution changed the game, and what it’s really like living out of hotels for 160 days a year while trying to keep riders healthy, fast and winning. You’ll also hear honest stories about brutal interviews, being thrown into high-pressure testing days in Abu Dhabi, handling difficult personalities inside WorldTour teams, flirting with burnout, and why John still gets his biggest kick from a domestique nailing their job or a development rider stepping onto a podium. If you love pro cycling, performance, or underdog South African stories punching in the big leagues, this one’s for you. 00:00 – Intro: Springboks, Saturdays & who is John Wakefield 02:22 – Present day: Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe & life in Andorra 04:40 – Growing up in Cape Town & school sport 05:09 – Surfing, speed and discovering motocross 06:41 – Injuries, rehab & first road bike with Jeroen Swart 11:29 – Starting Science to Sport & the first 20 athletes 17:27 – Taking Science to Sport to Girona & Europe 20:49 – The UAE Team Emirates phone call & N1 roadside interview 31:22 – Burnout, stepping away & why he almost left pro teams 37:13 – Inside UAE’s rebuild and the structure behind a Tour win 39:31 – Why South Africans are more world-class than they think 44:23 – From BORA to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe: culture, budget & pressure 56:52 – Purpose, underdogs & what success means to John

What happens when a few friends in Cape Town decide cycling shouldn’t be lonely, intimidating, or only for “serious” racers? In this episode we sit down with the founders of Let’s Ride, a fast-growing community cycling crew rolling out from Rondebosch Common every Sunday and proving that vibes, safety and belonging matter more than fancy bikes. You’ll hear how a R300 Facebook Marketplace bib-short deal, an emotional wake-up call after losing a friend, and a 100-kg weight-loss journey all collided to spark a movement. The guys share how Let’s Ride went from four mates on a WhatsApp group in 2024 to a 20–30 rider bunch, why they keep the pace accessible (around 24–28 km/h), and how they’re creating a space where no one gets mocked for “cheap kit”, dropped on a climb, or left alone after a crash. They talk safety in numbers on Cape Town roads, the “no club kit” rule, and their dream of becoming the city’s biggest community cycling group without losing the relaxed, fun, non-FTP-obsessed culture that makes Sundays feel like therapy on two wheels.

What starts as a gift meant to nudge Farhad into endurance sports – a single cycling helmet – turns into a life-changing journey that now shapes one of South Africa’s most loved races, the Old Mutual Wealth Double Century. In this episode Farhad shares how a persistent colleague, a tragic diagnosis, and a growing love for endurance sport pulled him deep into cycling, community, purpose and the most important race on all our calendars. You’ll hear how he went from “team sports only” to Joberg2c, road races and Zwift sessions, why the Old Mutual Double Century became his favourite race on the calendar, and how Old Mutual ended up as title sponsor. Farhad unpacks what the DC really means for riders, small towns, schools and marshals along the route – and why the brand cares more about community and memory than hard lead numbers. We also get into the infamous DC subplots: savage team tactics, the KOTAS rivalry, and the growing wave of corporate and mixed teams using the event as their year-end event. Thank you for your time and all do for our sport and community Farhad.

What happens when a bunch of Atlantic Seaboard savages, a charity foundation, and a 200 km sufferfest collide? In this episode we sit down with the founders of House of 12 – the loud new kids on the block who’ve gone from “outsiders” on the Savage rides to one of the most talked-about DC teams on the seaboard. They unpack where House of 12 actually came from, how a small charity foundation became the platform for the team, and why they care just as much about banter and chaos as they do about watts and results. From old WhatsApp group names to the meaning behind the rainbow kit, they explain how the whole project came together in a matter of days – name, design, team, and all. We get into DC strategy (and anti-strategy), why drafting ethics spark such strong opinions, how far they’ll go to avoid “cheating to win”, and what it feels like lining up seedings-wise against stacked outfits like ECC, LPC and Savage. There are bold predictions, reverse-podium jokes, and even a wager involving road captains, underpants and a very public team ride if things go wrong.

Gravel Burn 2025 pushed riders to the edge of what’s possible on a gravel bike. In this raw debrief, Aaron sits down with David to unpack what really happened out there: from African “champagne gravel” that feels like technical MTB anywhere else, to days of corrugations, hail, heat, and howling winds that literally blew pro riders off their bikes. Fresh insights from Aaron who is now back in the UK, he takes us through the reality of a seven-day gravel stage race in South Africa: the brutal descents, endless washboard, shockingly unpredictable weather, and the mental battle of waking up each morning knowing what’s still to come. He explains why he told the organisers not to “dumb down” the route, why African gravel is on a whole new level, and how those war stories earned around the campfire might be the real magic of Gravel Burn. You’ll also hear a deep dive into bike choice and setup for Gravel Burn: what worked, what didn’t, and what Aaron would change next time. From tire width, inserts and suspension forks, to bar/stem choices, torque checks and chain catchers, this is a masterclass in future-proofing your gravel bike for truly gnarly terrain. Then they move into the softer side: world-class catering, shared tents with world-tour pros like Tom Pidcock, and the unique way this event puts everyday riders shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest names in the sport.

If you’ve ever stood at the edge of something bigger than you—new team, new league, new level—and wondered, “Do I have the courage to go again?” this conversation with Sarah Hill is your blueprint. Sarah’s story is a full-send masterclass: a Joburg lady raised on school-sport intensity, a rower who learned discipline the hard way, a mountain biker who taught herself to fly—and a pro who had the courage to step back, rebuild, and return sharper. She breaks down the mindset that turns fear into fuel, why team culture can resurrect a career, how to train for stage racing without breaking your body, and the exact moments that flipped the switch from “I hope I can” to “I know I will.” Expect the kind of honesty that makes you sit closer to your screen: the Wines2Wales moment that felt like a private victory, learning to “send” downhill (yes, including a road gap), and the practical habits—nutrition, recovery, confidence reps—that separate good from great. If you’re an athlete, creator, or anyone climbing back from a setback, this episode will light a fire under your goals. 01:14 Pro season & team context 01:37 Back with Efficient Infinity 05:03 Growing up: East London → Joburg 09:43 School sports & identity 11:10 Coach steers to rowing 22:16 Wines2Wales turning point 49:24 Learning to send: DH & the road gap 51:20 US college path (Lees-McRae → Brevard) 58:59 Nationals omnium title 1:30:48 Fueling the engine: training & nutrition 1:42:52 Looking ahead

00:00 – Cold open 08:30 – East Africa opportunity: zones, free trade, and growth vs. Europe 12:30 – Cape Town Cycle Tour: finances, sponsorship droughts, and recovery 17:30 – Global cycling headwinds & why formats must evolve 20:30 – A life changed by cycling: DC culture, move to Cape Town, purpose 28:00 – Why fun rides vanished: 2010 safety act, compliance costs, risk 36:00 – Prize money vs. media value; TV rights reality 41:00 – Cavendish, Armstrong & the solidarity ride (fires year) 47:00 – Rebuilding the ecosystem: short routes, youth on-ramps, coffee stops 53:00 – E-bikes: perception vs. actual incident data 57:00 – Deep South road closures, traffic constraints & what could work next 1:02:00 – Inclusivity, new demographics, and where SA cycling can go from here We dig into the cost of compliance, the role of PPA, prize-money vs. media reality, the DC culture, e-bikes, short routes, and practical ways to rebuild the fun-ride ecosystem in Cape Town. You’ll also hear wild behind-the-scenes moments. #DavidBellairs #CapeTownCycleTour #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #CapeTown #DoubleCentury #PPA #CyclingCulture #EnduranceCycling #MassParticipation #Ebike #SportBusiness #UCI

Velokhaya has developed and exposed more Africans to the Global Cycling stage than any other cycling academy, their story is hard to summarise but Sipho Mona does an incredible job of doing just that as we unpack his story and how it led to this incredible academy reshaping the lives of many cyclists in Africa. Sipho thanks SO MUCH For your time and what you doing for the industry and youth! #cycling #cyclingacademy #podcast #storytelling #velokhaya

La Perla Classic AKA LPC are the main protagonists in the KOTAS (King of the Atlantic Seaboard) battle and are soley responsible for bringing world tour riders to the DC (Double Century) They are easily one of the gnarliest groups to hook onto for a weekend thrash and individually have some incredible stories. Gents it was such a pleasure to have you in studio and to get onto the group ride. Best of luck for the DC, lets see how those predictions hold ;) #doublecentury #cycling #cyclingcapetown #KOTAS #capetown #dc