Stephen and Raya would like to welcome you to a new dawn of the podcast - or as we now call it, the dhb Cyclist Pod podcast!

So please welcome to the arms of the pod our new title sponsor, dhb. Hooray! The guys and gals of this brilliant clothing manufacturer are making sure the pod is funded until the end of 2020. Of course, Stephen and Raya are making sure the funds are carefully invested to keep the pod going for as long as possible, though we are writing this from a yacht barely able to see due to the huge amounts of Bollinger and party drugs we're having.

Of course, that's a joke. There's lots of them in the podcast. Along with our main topic this show; Canary cycling. It's been the don of Europe's cycling getaways for what feels like decades now. We ask why, and more importantly, we go over there to find out what it has to offer. And Raya gets a revelation from Stephen that leaves her feeling... well, nauseous.

On top of that, the velominati, face recognition through a helmet, and Raya's Texan challenge.

On a serious note, regular pod fans should rest assured; our sponsors aren't going to change what we put into the podcast. Editorially it's entirely still Stephen and Raya's decisions. In other words; yes, there's swearing. We can't change that. It's too late for us. We're potty mouthed and beyond help.

Ooh! And there's a super generous dhb discount code (25%!) hidden in the pod. Listen to ALL of it, and it shall be revealed. The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Stephen and Raya are still in a cycling company's broom cupboard, channelling their inner teens and talking sex. Again. That's right, this is the sequel to show 25 they though they couldn't make... but they did. Cycling and sex. The venn diagram overlap is looking bigger, and let's not even concentrate on the shape of it.

And this time, we bring in a 3rd party. WOAH THERE! I mean we have a guest. A bona fide sex worker and triathlete - keen social media cycling advocate Charlotte Louise joins us on the line, something all other people have to pay decent coin for. Yet you get her for free. Result.

Also the Velominati (tenuously sex related), back ache (could easily be sex related, isn't though), and Stephen's hilarious and pathetic overshoe hell (not in the slightest sex related, but use your imagination, right?)

This is an 18. In every land of the planet. Of course. The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Stephen and Raya record the podcast live from the broom cupboard of a top UK cycling company. Not a joke. The acoustics are excellent and we may be back.

Various loosely cycling related and looser cycling unrelated topics hone into the pod's crosshairs on show 68: Storms have been ravaging the UK and we discuss what's possible - if anything - bike wise in those conditions.

Anyway. We take Storm Dennis and Ciara and raise it with 'Tornado Raya'. Is this a thing? It is. Listen up for deets.

In other news, we bid farewell to the Strava puns that have kept Stephen's social media ticking over for 2.5 years, and welcome with open-ish arms the new replacement for 2020.

But our main topic is one at the core of cycling. Rule 5 is the root of the Velominati's powers. Today we tackle the spiritual, philosophical, mental, mechanical and phsyical elements of Rule 5. And ask. If you are a cyclist - of any level, quality or ability; do you need to, at all times, harden the f*ck up?

Oh yeah, it's a certificate 18 today. Regardless of your land of origin.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Stephen and Raya are out and about (once again!) but this time in Surrey - where a fully stocked gym hones into view.

But instead of just getting a coffee and cake and watching yummy mummies doing Pilates at the speed of a glacier, they are put through their paces with Alice Tourell North, an olympian and top level triathlete.

On top of that, there's speed awareness, embaressing scooter based accidents and maaaaybeee some sponsorship news.

And the Velominati. Natch.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

It's 2020 and with that in mind, Stephen and Raya are talking the goals and resolutions that will make you a better cyclist. Well, someone, anyway. Not specifically you. Thankfully, they're actually talking sense, as joining them in the studio is coach Will Usher to highlight those areas and approaches that will - shock horror - actually make a difference.

And talking a difference, there's an outside chance you've put a few pounds on over Christmas. Amiright? Well, guess what, that might not be such a bad thing! Incredible and delicious details to follow.

Plus, the Velominati as usual, and live Christmas present opening. It's bicycle related OF COURSE - do you even have to ask?

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Wind! It's happening. So how do you deal with it? Stephen and Raya get to grips with that pressing subject.

Except before they do, they discuss South America, how to cheat at Ironman, race/group riding etiquette (kinda), and where the hell they've been all summer. And then it's onto the big old cycling banana which is blustery conditions. Can we do anything to stop the wind ruining our rides? Fresh from 40mph headwind hell, Raya has the lowdown. (That's a clue)

It's a big old catchup and you can't miss it.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Rumours of the podcast's demise are unfounded. Stephen and Raya are back with their most ambitious episode yet.

And their ambition is far from amateur... as the self professed non-pro podcast can't help but dip their toe into the world of sponsors and impossible speeds, diets, and outfits; our duo are behind the scenes at the Tour of Britain learning as fast as possible how this all actually works. The organisers, the sponsors, the superfans, the riders, the teams and the spectators; we speak to them all.

Plus the velominati, details of Raya's forthcoming championships, the 'depression diet', how to hit those weight targets (and by hit we mean 'ignore'), the tell-tale signs that someone is a cyclist, and finally, a veloser. What is that? We'll tell you. Tuck in and enjoy it before it's considered pejorative and maybe even borderline xenophobic. Don't say we didn't warn you.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Stephen and Raya haven't had the time to do a podcast recently. So they've done one, en route to doing a podcast. In the car.

Yes, the boundaries of podcastery are once again pushed back and smashed to oblivion as a road trip provides the backdrop to another bike-fuelled (though literally petrol-fuelled) natter.

On topic today; bib shorts. What do you do with them when you aren't wearing them? The question is not as bonkers as it sounds. OK, OK, it is.

And!! We cover tandems. Realistically, they should be better (i.e. faster) than normal bikes. Why aren't they?

Rapha. Expensive, but brilliant. But is it? The myths and facts of one of Britain's most loved brands are discussed, first hand, by Stephen, who has caved in to its loveliness.

Of course, anything Stephen does, Raya can do better. She's not getting new pricey clothes. She's getting new pricier BIKES. A five-figure beauty is winging its way to her.

It's not all trivial though - there's some life decision going on too, all related to cycling. I mean, isn't everything related to cycling?

By the way, if you're listening to this pod in the car, and the road noise is too bad to hear us... like a bad break up; it's not us, it's you.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Stephen and Raya have a mass catch-up in another packed ep.

There's a lot going on as ever! Our chatty duo are all not about the pro world - but they're happy to discuss what that takes. And it turns out that Raya is pro in everything except the bit that makes you... well, a pro.

From an athlete perspective, we delve into the differences between sprinters and climbers. Which one are you? I think you might be surprised.

And! Did you know? Pregnant women are the best athletes. No, don't pull that face, it's science, innit.

Plus there's the Velominati, news (fake news!) to make Raya look horrified, and a kitbag to make that expression ever worse. Check our social media. It's border line torture.

But our main topic today is about traversing the cities. We've cycled through central London so that you don't have to. Why? All shall be revealed.

Please note; at the time of writing, Stephen and Raya are both still alive, so it didn't go as badly as you are thinking.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3

Stephen and Raya present another mammoth cycling podcast for you to tuck into.

In this bumper length pod, Stephen and Raya delive into - and have explained to them - the science behind nailing your hydration. It's as eye opening as it is obvious. There's a life 'sweat test' from a bicycle show, and two separate interviews with the experts behind the science and the campaigners out there changing how we look at having a drink.

And! One of those people crowbars in a special Cyclist Pod discount code for all listeners, so check out our hidden code somewhere in the pod (hint: somewhere near the end).

But it's all about the drink! So find how people testing the rules, and what can be done to stop it, and how alcohol was a regular addition on the pro tour.

And of coures, there's a Velominati - which keeps the drinking theme going. Confused? Listen, you won't be.

The Cyclist Pod (c) Stephen Grant and Raya Hubbell www.cyclistpod.com

Music 'Zazie' c/o Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3