The Road to Respair

At 19 years old, Bash has spent the better part of a year riding his bike across two continents. What started as a solo bike packing trip through Japan 66 days, roughly 4,500km, top to bottom became something much bigger when, instead of flying home, he bought a ticket to Istanbul and started riding northwest. By the time Nick caught up with him (recording from the road while riding from Marseille...

Lucy Choules didn't grow up dreaming of riding a thousand kilometres through the Scottish Highlands. She only learned to ride a road bike in 2020. But somewhere between qualifying as a tax accountant, watching her eight-year-old sister discover cycling, and turning down crit racing in favour of stamping a card in a school hall at 2am, she found her people — the quietly brilliant, slightly unhinged...

How did three mates build a cycling brand that’s now a decade strong, with products that truly innovate? What does it take to build a cycling brand that lasts and what began as a passion project has grown into one of cycling's most respected names in ultra-distance and gravel riding. In this episode, we dig into how Albion built a loyal community by staying obsessively true to their niche, solving...

In this episode of the Rad to Repsair Podcast, host Nick interviews ultra-distance cyclist Zoe McIntosh, who shares her journey into the world of ultra-distance cycling. Zoe discusses her experiences in races, the mental and physical challenges she faces, and the importance of community in the cycling world. She also provides insights into her training techniques, nutrition strategies, and advice...

In this episode of the Road to Respair podcast, host Nick interviews Alain Rumpf, a cycling enthusiast and expert based in Switzerland. Alain shares his journey in cycling, from racing to ultra-distance events, and discusses the unique allure of cycling in Switzerland, including its stunning landscapes and excellent infrastructure. The conversation delves into the rise of ultra cycling and bikepac...

Today’s guest is Maddy Nutt, one of the standout privateer racers in the gravel scene right now. Maddy’s journey into gravel racing didn’t follow a traditional pathway through junior development teams or the road racing system. Instead, her story reflects what makes gravel unique, a sport that, at least initially, was built on curiosity, self-belief, and figuring things out as you go. Over the las...

In this conversation, Nol from Fat Pigeon shares his journey from an engineer to a ultra distance cyclist and content creator. He discusses his adventures, including the challenging Mont Ventoux ride, the Festive 500 challenge, and his plans for future charity events. The conversation also delves into the evolution of gravel riding and the importance of creating memorable experiences through cycli...

In this episode, I’m joined by Miles Baker Clarke — Director of Growth & Strategy at Fusion Media and founder of Cycling Culture Club, a community built on storytelling, inclusivity, and the joy of riding together. We dive into the current state of the cycling industry — what’s changing, what’s exciting, and where the real challenges lie. Miles shares his perspective on where the industry is h...

In this episode of the Road to Respair podcast, host Nick Frendo engages with Max from Standert Bicycles, exploring his journey from product design to establishing a successful bike brand. The conversation delves into the evolution of Standert Bicycles, the importance of community and culture in cycling, material choices in bike design, and the current trends in the cycling industry, particularly...

Camille McMillan is a multifaceted artist and photographer. In this conversation, Nick and Camille McMillan explore the evolution of cycling photography, the beauty of the Pyrenees, and the community surrounding cycling events. Camille shares his journey as a photographer and artist, discussing how his experiences in the mountains have shaped his work. They delve into the aesthetics of cycling gea...

In this episode, I chat with my good friend and Chain Gang Cyclists member Jacob Crossley, whose story shows just how powerful friendship and connection can be during life’s toughest moments. Jacob opens up about navigating OCD, anxiety, and the loss of his father, and how leaning into therapy — and into the people around him — helped him slowly unfold again. He shares how cycling became a bridge...

This week on The Road to Respair, I sit down with my good friend Jordan Addison — the founder of G!RO Cycles in Esher, a café and cycling community built around good coffee, good rides, and good people. We chat about: How G!RO started as a passion project and became a local institution The challenges of surviving in the café and cycling industry What it really means to build and nurture community...

Nick Frendo is a lifelong cyclist, storyteller, and founder of ASCND, a platform created to document his journey from despair to contentment and connection. Listen to the introduction here.