Bespoke Endurance: Cycling Podcast

Everyone has an opinion about the best way to train for cycling. Some swear by a coach. Others say TrainerRoad is all you'll ever need. And now more and more cyclists are asking the same question... Can ChatGPT actually build a training plan that's just as good? Instead of guessing, we spent an entire race season finding out. We trained with ChatGPT for nearly a year. We spent a full yea...

Are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) worth it for endurance athletes? Or are they just another expensive trend? After hearing that professional athletes have used continuous glucose monitors to optimize their fueling (and that they're no longer allowed during races), we wanted to find out for ourselves. So we each wore a CGM for a month during training and everyday life to answer one questi...

Are you losing speed because of simple maintenance mistakes? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Lundrigan, Service Manager at Trek Fort Wright, bike mechanic and racer to discuss the biggest bike maintenance mistakes cyclists make without even realizing it. Many riders spend thousands of dollars chasing upgrades, deeper wheels, lighter bikes, and electronic shifting when the reality is they ma...

Cycling tech has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. From wider tires and disc brakes to electronic shifting, 1x drivetrains, massive cassettes, integrated cockpits, and SRAM’s UDH system — modern road bikes are evolving faster than ever. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Haas and Andreas Frances of Reser Bicycle to discuss the biggest cycling tech trends happening right now from...

Most cyclists think getting faster means riding more. But what if the real limiter isn’t your training — it's your strength, nutrition, and durability?  In this episode, we sit down with a sports nutrition expert, Dr. Cindy Cassell to break down why power doesn’t equal strength, how metabolism and fueling impact performance, and why cyclists over 35 need to rethink how they train. If you’ve b...

Is TRT in Masters cycling an unfair advantage? Or is testosterone replacement therapy simply legitimate medical treatment? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most controversial topics in Masters racing: testosterone, doping rules, and whether aging athletes are competing on a level playing field. After a recent failed drug test in the Masters ranks sparked conversation, we step back and...

Is road racing in the U.S. dying? We break down USA Cycling membership trends, disappearing road races, and the explosion of gravel racing to uncover what’s really happening in American cycling. In this episode, we look at the decline of traditional road racing and criteriums in the U.S., but the rise of gravel. If you're a recreational cyclist or a longtime racer wondering what’s happening t...

If you’re serious about getting faster without just buying new gear, this is for you. In this episode, we sit down with Eric Peters, founder of ERG Cycling, to break down what a professional bike fitting actually does — and how details like cleat position, saddle height, crank length, and hip angles can either unlock free speed…or quietly steal watts from you.  If you’ve ever wondered:  - Is a bik...

What should cyclists do immediately after a crash with a car? In this episode of Recreational Rider to Racer , we sit down with Chris Carville , an experienced bike lawyer, to break down exactly what cyclists should (and should NOT) say or do after a crash — and how one small mistake can cost you thousands of dollars . If you ride on the road, this episode is essential. We cover cycling vs cars ,...

Last year was our first season of racing , and like a lot of new racers… we made some mistakes. One of the biggest? Not understanding the importance of peaking at the right time. In this episode we break down one of the most common (and season-killing) mistakes amateur cyclists make : peaking too early. We dive into why riders feel fast early in the year, why that’s often false form , and how too...

I’ve seen plenty of reviews on the Zwift Ride, but no one really talks about the one thing I didn’t expect — free speed. Being able to stretch out, lower my position, and actually practice an aero posture indoors has changed how I show up outside. If you ride outdoors and are considering this setup, I dive into the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 and why this Zwift Ride might be one of the best tools out there...

Today we’re joined by American pro cyclist Scott McGill , who just signed with Modern Adventure and is gearing up for a massive 2026 season. Known for his sprinting power and big race results—including two stage wins at the 2022 Volta a Portugal , a 2024 Tour of the Gila stage win , and a Redlands Classic stage win —Scott is one of the most exciting U.S. pros to watch. He also coaches athletes and...

Winter is coming… and it’s trainer season again. We're back on the hunt for a new indoor trainer — but this time, not making the same mistakes we did when we bought our current ones (RIP Tacx Flux S). Like a lot of riders, we chose our trainers based mostly on price … and that was a mistake. If you’re serious about getting stronger this winter — chasing FTP gains, dialing in your threshold wo...

Garmin’s in hot water—and this one might affect you like it has us. We break down the lawsuit between Strava and Garmin, why it matters for cyclists, runners, and triathletes, and how it could impact your ability to upload data starting November 1st. Because of this, we're now breaking down top bike computers of 2025, and give you our unfiltered thoughts on Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, and Coro...

If you are into Zwift racing, this episode is for you. We sat down with Mike, a Cat 3 racer who’s ridden 900 races and holds a rating racing score of 934. He shares wisdom, strategies, gear insights, and race tactics he’s learned through hundreds of virtual battles. Whether you’re just curious or you want to climb the Zwift ranks fast—don’t miss this one. Follow us:  YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  I...

Thinking about getting into Zwift racing? 🚴‍♂️ In this episode we cover what no one tells you about your first Zwift race — from crazy fast starts, latency issues, confusing categories (A, B, C, D), to whether Zwift racing is actually worth it for those who race outdoors throughout the year. If you’re curious about racing indoors, this is your guide. Follow us:  YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  INSTA...

Want to get faster on the bike? U.S. Continental Pro Stephen Bassett joins us to share what it really takes to gain speed — whether you’re an experienced racer or a weekend enthusiast this episode is packed with gold.  We cover: Stephen's 33% model  Training & Coaching – Workouts that help in both crits & road races. Race Tactics – How long it takes to get “race smart” & drills to...

AI coaching platforms like TrainerRoad are exploding in popularity—but can they really replace a personal cycling coach? In this episode, we sit down with our own coach, Derek van Hoose , an elite Cat 1 racer with nearly a decade of racing experience, to break down the pros and cons of both AI coaching and human coaching. We cover: Why you might hire a cycling coach (and the misconceptions) The ri...

Zwift just launched the Cog & Click system, promising a quieter, simpler setup for indoor cycling. But is it really a game changer for cyclists? On this episode of Bespoke Endurance, we break down how it works, who it’s for, and whether it’s worth the upgrade for serious cyclists. Also, now that the Tour de France is over, we’ll breakdown our takeaways as racers. We’ll cover: Tour de France ta...

Because breakaways force the peloton to react, make races unpredictable, and might just be your ticket to the podium. In this episode, we break down what we’re learning as new racers: Why breakaways are so brutally hard Tips on going with vs. creating a move (and NOT overreacting) How to anticipate moves & read the strongest guys And how racing with teammates plays a crucial role Share your be...

What type of training does it take to race and get fast? In this episode, we share our exact workouts and how racing changed our training. From sweet spot, to over/unders, VO2 Max and more, we break down the sessions that will make you faster — period. Whether you’re doing crits, road races, or fondos, this episode is for you!  Follow us:  YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance...

We took on the Cherohala Challenge —a 113-mile road race through the mountains of Tennessee with over 11,000 feet of elevation gain . The climbs were brutal, but what surprised us most? The descents. In this episode, we dive into what makes descending such an essential—and often overlooked—skill in cycling. We break down the race experience, what we learned from fast and technical descents, and ti...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of cycling racing: how to fuel during a long race. With the Cherohala Challenge coming up, we address: Should you rely on the aid stations? Or carry everything yourself? What’s the real cost—in time and performance—of stopping? Should you pee on the bike?  We also dive into our thoughts on this year’s Giro d&ap...

Sugar, salt & science: which cycling nutrition mix is actually worth it? In this episode, we break down the three pillars of endurance fueling— fluids, electrolytes, and carbs —and how to read nutrition labels to help you determine which drink mix is best based on serving size.  We geek out on everything from glucose, electrolytes, why sugar actually supports hydration, and what numbers you sh...

Two doctors. Both triathletes. And no B.S. In this episode, we dive deep into the do’s and don’ts of race-day fueling and supplements—from the perspective of a primary care physician and dentist who actually train and race. We cover what endurance athletes really need to perform—and what’s just hype. Whether you're a weekend warrior or chasing podiums, you’ll walk away with practical, science...