Velonews Podcasts

We cyclists can get a little lost in the weight room. That doesn't mean strength training doesn't have important benefits though. We are joined by Jess Elliott, who is the sports performance coach and biomechanist at the University of Colorado Sports Medicine and Performance Center. She helps us understand the fundamentals of strength workouts in the weight room: what to do, how to do it, and how many times to lift those big hunks of iron. Plus, we speak with pro rider Brent Bookwalter (BMC) about how he fits weight lifting into his busy travel schedule.

This week, the Fast Talk podcast went live! Hosts Trevor Connor and Chris Case fielded questions on Facebook from podcast listeners like you. Here are a few (of the many) topics they covered: How to fit in training around a busy work schedule. What to do in base training period How do deal with hot weather Training tips for older riders The effects of high altitude on training. All that and much more on this week's Fast Talk podcast.

In this week's episode, we have an impromptu book club after reading Phil Gaimon's new book, "Draft Animals." His controversial memoir calls out Fabian Cancellara, and now Gaimon is in the hot seat. The book provides a personal, in-depth — and sometimes depressing — look at what it's like to be a pro cyclist trying to make the WorldTour. We discuss this and other notable cycling autobiographies. Also, Andrew Hood talks about his interview with the legendary Svein Tuft and we critique Movistar boss Eusebio Unzue's wacky idea to introduce substitute riders in the Tour de France. And of course, the podcast wraps up with our usual segments: #AskACat3 and the VN Podium.

Former cyclocross national champion Ryan Trebon was the driving force behind the new US Cup-CX cyclocross series. We catch up with him at the Derby City Cup. He talks about how the first year went, where the series is headed, and why American 'cross needs a national series. The always-opinionated Trebon also sounds off on why he doesn't object to Lance Armstrong's donation to support the US Cup prize purse.

This year is starting to wrap up, which means that pro cyclists are heading to sunny Southern Spain for team camps. VeloNews European correspondent Andrew Hood was at Movistar's recent camp. He explains what happens at these camps and has an update on how the team will handle its wealth of GC contenders. (Somehow they're all going to race the Tour!?) The US Cup-CX cyclocross series also just wrapped up. We talk about the key riders — Stephen Hyde, Kaitie Keough, Katie Compton, and more. Plus, we have a new segment to go along with our usual weekly VN Podium.

Illness can be a big setback for cyclists at all levels. What causes us to get sick, and how do we avoid it? If we train too hard, will it ruin our immune system, or can we power through it and ride with the sniffles? We are joined by Dr. Jason Glowney of CU Sports Medicine to answer these questions and better understand the science of illness and how it can make us better, healthier cyclists.

It's our first-ever Mail Musette episode! You sent in scads of great cycling questions, and we picked out the very best queries. For this episode, we got our European correspondent Andrew Hood on the horn to lend his expertise on the Tour de France, the drama between Quintana and Landa, why Vino and Astana are suing Aru, and much more. Plus we've got our usual segments: Ask a Cat 3 and the VN Podium where we pick our favorite weird cycling team sponsors.

This is the Taiwan KOM Challenge, 105 kilometers and nearly 11,000 feet up into the heart of Taiwan. Sea level to the top of the world in one go. A brutal, seemingly Sysiphean symphony that builds over 90 kilometers to a crescendo in the final ten, where pitches over 20% stretch on forever and no gear feels quite low enough. It is one of the most spectacular rides in the world. One of the hardest, too. One of the best. Sign up for a chance to win $700 worth of Scott gear: www.scott-sports.com/velonews

Phil Gaimon is retired from pro racing, but he's busier — and maybe faster — than ever. In this week's interview, Fred Dreier talks to the former Slipstream rider about how he left the sport sooner than he'd wanted to. They also discuss what to make of ex-dopers who return to racing. And of course, we also get Gaimon's take on stealing Strava KOMs from the locals. All that and much more!

The cyclocross season is underway. Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel has been dominating the European scene, especially the World Cup. The women's field, on the other hand, has afforded more surprises and even a few fresh faces. On the domestic scene, Sho-Air has formed a new series in the US Cup-CX. Fred Dreier and Chris Case have traveled to the first two stops and share their insights. We take a look at some of the key riders to watch. Plus, we have our usual antics with Ask a Cat 3 and the weekly VeloNews Podium.

Ouch, it burns! But what is "it" — the root cause of the pain in your legs when you smash it up a hard climb? For the longest time, we colloquially called "it" lactic acid. It turns out that was wrong. Coach Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz examine the chemistry that occurs in our muscles while riding and racing. They talk to Dr. Iñigo San Millán, who is the director of Colorado University's exercise physiology lab. Best of all, they give you practical advice for your own training to help make that burn go away — or at least make you faster even if it hurts.

The Tour de France unveils its 2018 route. We've got to hand it to ASO for thinking outside the box. This could be the route that breaks Chris Froome and Team Sky. Or, it might be just a gimmicky way to include Roubaix cobblestones. We analyze the key stages, name some favorites and opine on the Tour's ambush-friendly route. In our segments, you #AskACat3 and we answer with all of our usual wisdom. Then, we pick our VN Podiums for the all-time best Tour de France villains.

Fred Dreier sits down with cyclocross star Stephen Hyde to talk about his unusual path to the top, the weight of his national championship jersey, his relationship with an old mentor, Jeremy Powers, and a battle with depression.

Cannondale-Drapac pro Alex Howes is the celebrity guest on this week's episode of the VeloNews Podcast, which digs into crashes and descending skills at Lombardia, the emotional toll of Cannondale's summertime financial woes, and, for the first time ever, answers to your burning #AskACat3 questions.

What will bikes look like in five years? What will they ride like? Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz and joined by VN tech crew Dan Cavallari and Kristen Legan to dig into the future of bikes.

Straight from Interbike, Fred Dreier, Spencer Powlison, and Caley Fretz have more guests and more games in this week's special VN Podcast episode. Sabra Davison joins to chat about Little Bellas, a program that gets girls on bikes, and play a round of "Two Truths and a Lie." Geoff Kabush is "the Deaner" and both are tested on Geoff Kabush knowledge. Finally, Josh Tostado of Montezuma's Revenge fame is quizzed on the intricacies of toast.

"There’s no question there’s static there," Jeremy Powers says of his relationship with former protegé Stephen Hyde. So how does it feel when the apprentice becomes the master? Caley Fretz sits down with cyclocross star Powers to talk about fatherhood, Powers' relationship with Hyde, and the little Belgium that is Western Massachusetts cyclocross.

It was a three-Pete! The world championships in Bergen, Norway finished up over the weekend and Peter Sagan took home his third rainbow in a row. Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, and Spencer Powlison discuss whether WorldTour riders should be allowed in the U23 race, how the American women could have factored in the finale, whether Tom Dumoulin's TT win is a bad sign for Chris Froome, and more. Plus, a deep discussion of a Belgian team's new beard ban.

Taking time off can feel strange, but it's absolutely necessary. Why do you need an off-season? Can't you just keep riding? Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz sit down with Dr. Andy Pruitt to discuss the physiological and psychological needs of athletes, and how an off-season is crucial to meeting those needs.

We're live from Interbike! So, of course, it's time to play some games. Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, and Spencer Powlison quiz TJ Eisenhart on classic quotes, Alison Tetrick on her Alison expertise, and the Clif Bar team on its Luna Chix heritage. Plus, your host's favorite tech from cycling's annual tradeshow.