Gapped Cycling

What was meant to be a deep dive into bike tires, quickly became a discussion on recent bike tech news. We did get into tires, but there is so much more to cover. I am sure there will be a part two at some point. Still, some real gems in this one, we hope you enjoy it! 

That's right, Rob is back to share his thoughts and insights into the World Tour transfers, the winners and losers going into the 2023 season. 

We'll be hearing allot more from him as the season picks up late February! 

We welcome our 5th member to our team, Zainab, who has a wealth of knowledge in all things cycling.

In today's episode, Tariq dives into nutrition, and we go over tips & tricks related to fuelling on the bike.

Since the pandemic, British Cycling and other organisations, like Cycling Time trials and clubs up and down the country have seen a sharp decline in activity take-ups. I know one man who is really trying hard to reverse this, and that's Bruce. Bruce is the Eastern Regional Manager for British Cycling. Basically, think East London up to the east coast. Of course, it takes in where I am, and so I get to work with bruce from time to time. and I knew I had to get him on the pod to kick things off with all things BC! It was a little rushed, he's a busy man and it was in between his work meetings, but was great nonetheless. 

This podcast was recorded several months back, I just haven't gotten round to editing it! The eastern region has just released their annual report, which would have been great to dive into with Bruce (https://i.emlfiles4.com/cmpdoc/2/1/0/7/9/1/files/97617_eastern-regional-delivery-plan---2022-2025.pdf?utm_campaign=2426120_Member%20News%20%7C%2017%2F11%2F22&utm_medium=email&utm_source=British%20Cycling%20V2&dm_i=480K,1G008,Y8R10,6OZSL,1)

A quick glance shows that events and take up have tanked hugely since the pandemic. However, it's promising to see that youth engagement has remained pretty much the same. There are some real takeaways on how Bruce and BC look to push cycling here in the eastern region.

On this pod, Bruce shares what he does and how he does it and he is a real supporter of the community and likes to uplift the volunteers who give so much for the sport. He was even at the recent The Muslim Cyclist event at Rapha in conjunction with Evolve Cycling Club. He is also part of the reason I'm on the BC scholarship program, that's another way how BC supports our community and others too! You will hear more about Bruce in future episodes I'm sure. 

This is I hope the first in a long line of guests from or about British Cycling. To name a few I hope to get on at some point in the future is Izzy, who I work with at the City Academies, an absolutely amazing project. There's also Asma, who works with Izzy to get more kids in inner cities on bikes, and also a fellow scholar, as is Shahina, a member of Evolve. For those who don't know, Evolve is a women's and kids club, based out in West London that run some fantastic events and coaching with the help of BC. If I'm not mistaken, they created the first Muslim women's sportive & TT, giving the opportunity to many of our sisters to take part for the first time. Iffat is the real driver behind the program, so she's someone I hope we can speak to soon inshaAllah! I know a few other projects that BC are involved in, like their partnership with Foleshill Masjed up in Coventry, and I'm sure there are tons more. Over time, I'll try to unearth them all, and may they long grow inshaAllah. 

Welcome to a new series of the podcast, welcoming Taj, Izzat & Tariq to the team. As part of this new series, we will be discussing all things tech in the cycling world with deep dives into specific topics also!

In today's show we go into...

Over a decade ago, Rapha released the Festive 500 challenge. A challenge to complete 500km within 8 days, between Christmas eve and New Year's eve! Now a staple of every keen cyclists calendar, Taj has completed it a whopping 5 times! On today's podcast, he goes into the tips and tricks to get it completed, whether it's your first time or tenth! 

In our latest series, Izzat gets under the hood of the latest Shimano Di2 release. For the first time, Shimano have now made the 'people's groupset', 105, electric. Meaning crispier shifting, coupled with more gears, 12 to be exact! Shimano now closes the gap to its closest rivals, SRAM. 

Many in the northern hemisphere will often look outside and and decide to give riding a miss. In recent years, due to advancements in smart trainers and platforms like zwift are changing that. Our guests today have a host of experience on riding indoors with Altaf even being one of few Zwift Beta testers back in its inception! 

We dive into the various trainer options, platforms and tips & tricks to help get you set-up! As they say right, winter miles equal summer smiles! Even if they are stationary indoors!

We all want to go faster right!? We all know those deep section aero wheels will sure help, but we can't always buy the latest and greatest! So pro mechanic Izzat goes into a handful of buys which won't break the bank, but will certainly add speed to your ride! 

Salaam,

Super fortunate to have on today Izzat Roslan, a mechanic out in KL Malaysia. We were lucky to catch him as he toured the UK working on a project. He is often working with the latest and greatest on a daily, so what better person to have on to discuss all things bike tech and the day job living the life!