Joel Sundaram is a young cyclist. He got into cycling in 2018 to lose some weight and ended up on podium at his first race at BBCH. He made it to Indian cycling nationals representing Tamilnadu with in a few months. Racing with the most basic equipment and doing reasonably well, he realized that racing is something he really enjoyed and might actually do much better if he devotes more time to it. He trained for the next Nationals for 7 months and finished 7th fastest in India in elite category in the most competitive field there is.

In this episode, we talk about his weight loss and cycling journey. We go into detail about his experience at the recently concluded Road Cycling Nationals. We also talk about what his future goals look like! It was a fascinating conversation with a fascinating young guy. Let us get into it.

0:00:00  Intro

0:04:01  From being very active in sports in school to becoming heavy in college

0:06:05  Starting cycling doing Swiggy deliveries on cycle

0:10:10  Working with Decathlon

0:14:10  The weight loss journey, nutrition and no dieting on the bike

0:24:45  His weight loss and performance diet while training for Nats

0:28:25  Quitting Decathlon and focusing on competitive cycling, BBCH Nandi Epic 2020

0:32:00  The Tamilnadu selections saga for 2020 Nationals

0:40:55  Experience of the first Cycling Nationals(2020) in Mumbai

0:47:20  Under 23 age category confusion. Missing U23 by 15 days.

0:49:45  Training for 2021 Cycling Nationals

1:02:45  TT bike set up, Aero better than weight

1:06:50  Nationals 2021 ITT performance finishing 7th in elite field

1:13:25  Nationals road race experience, strategies, breaks and crashes

1:30:52  His next goals and aspirations for cycling

1:37:50  Tips to aspiring athletes

1:40:50  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Today's guest is a good friend of mine. His name is Krishnendu Basu. Krish was one of my earliest ride partners when I started cycling back in 2008. In fact both of us did our first century rides together.

Krishnendu Basu is a cyclist, a tour organizer and a partner in one of the best bike shops in Hyderabad, The Bike Affair. He was an IT guy before he got into starting and running a bike shop.

In this episode, we talk about his journey and the journey of The Bike Affair in Hyderabad Cycling. We talked about his love for touring by bike and how he shares that love with others by organizing TBA bike tours and the importance of a good bike fit etc. We also talk about the ethos of The Bike Affair and where he see it in the future. I really enjoyed this conversation with Krish!

0:00:00  Intro

0:03:05  What is work for him before TBA

0:05:05  Initial riding days in Hyderabad around 2008-2009

0:09:20  Our first century ride together

0:13:20  What motivated him to move away from corporate life and get into cycling industry

0:21:16  Launch of The Bike Affair, the initial years from a cement godown!

0:31:05  Challenges in the initial years

0:39:50  The services that TBA offers apart from selling bikes and providing servicing

0:45:40  The Bike Affair Tours and what makes them special

0:51:40  Bike Fits and what he enjoys the most about the bike fit

0:55:15  Doing the right thing and customer service.

1:01:15  RUSWIC (RunningSwimmingCycling) store.

1:02:40  where does he see TBA in future

1:04:30  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Gokul Krishna is a runner, a cyclist, a coach and a partner at one of the best bike shops in Hyderabad, The Bike Affair. He is also a podcasting host at The Indian Cycling Podcast. Please make sure you subscribe to that podcast as well. He also hosts a weekly talk show on Leher App by the name, "Its all about the bike" that currently runs at 8pm every Tuesday. You can check it out as well.

In this episode with Gokul, we talk about his weight loss and endurance journey as a runner and a cyclist. We also talk about the challenges and the joys of being an entrepreneur, an athlete and a coach and what helped him keep a balance between all these.

0:00:00  Intro

0:03:05  What is work for him currently

0:05:20  What motivated him to move away from corporate life and get into cycling industry

0:08:16  Being a fat kid and an arm chair sports enthusiast

0:11:05  Journey of fitness and weight loss

0:19:10  Initial running days, exploring new places through running and commuting on cycle

0:21:40  Initial riding days and tour of Nilgiris memories

0:31:30  Getting into training self and  others, transition into coaching

0:40:15  What is most satisfying and challenging about coaching for him?

0:48:15  Beyond the Everesting challenge experience and becoming the first to complete 10,000m.

0:57:20  Tips for working athletes

1:00:30  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Jayanthi Sampathkumar is a runner, a cyclist and a classical singer from Hyderabad. A mom of two teenagers, she works at a major IT firm in a managerial position and continues to pursue running and cycling to keep fit. She runs marathons in Saree spreading awareness about the traditional attire and supporting handloom weavers.

In this episode, we talked about her endurance journey, her running in saree and sandals. Cycling as a family and how it has helped her running, and how both running and cycling have helped her in other areas of life including work.

0:00:00  Intro

0:02:45  What is work for her currently

0:03:46  Starting running during graduation to lose weight

0:05:10  The initial running and cycling journey

0:08:50  Restarting cycling inspired by her son and a friendly challenge

0:14:15  Cycling strengthening the knees and getting back to running

0:17:20  Running in a Saree, supporting handloom NGOs and setting a Guinness world record.

0:25:05  What does she consider herself? A runner or a cyclist?

0:28:25  Running in sandals vs running in shoes and running barefoot

0:32:00  Does the running or cycling has an effect on work?

0:33:40  Most memorable run for her, one as a pacer.

0:35:30  New job and new challenges to manage work and endurance journey

0:39:20  Tips for working athletes

0:43:00  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Dr. Maxwell Trevor is a living legend of Indian cycling. He was a national champion for 10 consecutive years between 1980 to 1990. A record that no one was able to replicate till date. He has written and rewritten the record books for multiple events on the cycling track during his racing career and won over 250 medals in the process.

In this episode, we talked about the work that is going on at the Maxwell Trevor Cycling Welfare Association and Academy to nurture the young talent, the amazing career he had on the track, the different events that are applicable for various age groups for track cycling, how one can get into track cycling and the various selection criteria they look at while identifying talent for track cycling. This is a treasure trove of information. So, please make sure you listen to the entire episode and share it with youngsters and their parents who would benefit from all this valuable information.

0:00:00  Intro

0:05:50  The talent hunt to identify young talent

0:14:05  The talent development camp and involving parents

0:18:55  Skill drills that they implement for the kids!

0:24:20  Focusing on kids' overall development, being team player, nutrition etc

0:32:15  Nutrition and educational sessions for parents and kids.

0:35:40  Teaching kids dealing with fear and failure, positive thinking and positive action

0:44:00  Earliest we can get kids started  and age categories at state and national levels

0:56:45  Age categories at Track Nationals and events for those age groups, technical details

1:10:40  Dr Maxwell sir track career and his specialty events, training without track

1:16:20  The origin story of Dr. Maxwell Trevor, Racing as 12 year old against 18 year olds and winning

1:21:25  Why road cycling is not at the same level as track cycling in India

1:25:00  Khelo India Talent development and identification process- the tests they use for selections

1:33:05  The work that is being done by Cycling Federation of India to grow cycling

1:40:10  We need more Maxwells and Venkys; Working as a team

1:44:15  Leading from the front. A message on cleanliness and avoiding littering

1:47:30  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Mohan Subramanyam is one of the most simplest and humblest of persons in the long distance cycling community. He has taken part in some of the most prestigious rides like (London Edenborough London)LEL, Paris Brest Paris(PBP) among other rides and is now bringing that experience and expertise to organizing brevets through Bangalore Randonneurs. Under his leadership the community has seen many fold increase in participation in the Bangalore Randonneur events.

In this episode, we talked about his endurance journey, the lessons he has learnt over the years of riding various long distance events across the globe and the work that is going on with Bangalore Randonneurs to help the long distance cycling community grow.

0:00:00  Intro

0:03:50  What is work for him currently?

0:04:56  When did the endurance journey start?

0:06:30  The TFN connection and getting into Brevet rides!

0:10:50  Missing going to PBP in 2015 and doing LEL 2017!

0:18:15  Friendships built around the world - bonds cycling builds

0:21:40  Why the trusty Trek 3700 MTB hasn't changed all these years

0:26:40  PBP 2019 Experience and tips to keep in mind to complete it!

0:39:00  Israel 1200 ride and other international rides in 2018

0:41:22  What about long distance riding entices him

0:44:10  Working for Bangalore Randonneurs

0:50:20  More and more riders finishing long rides like 1200km brevets

0:51:55  Women riders doing very well at long distance events

0:54:10  How long distance community has changed over the years - power couples

0:57:33  Challenges with organizing brevets now a days

1:02:15  Tips for working athletes

1:05:45  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Today's guest is one of the most positive persons I have the privilege of knowing and interacting. She moved to India in 2012 to pursue her Phd in neuroscience at National Center for Biological Sciences and has got into cycle racing at BBCH. Although she has been cycling all her life mostly for commute, she has quickly grown to love racing and has excelled at the sport. She won many races and inspired many along the way. Her name is Dr. Lena Robra.

In this episode we talked about her cycling journey, how she managed to find time to train and race while completing a demanding phd program. How she plans to get back to racing after having two kids and demands of time from job and life in general.

0:00:00  Intro

0:02:50  What is work for her currently?

0:03:56  Cycling most of her life mostly for commute

0:07:20  Coming to India for Phd and starting on a doodhwala bike!

0:11:20  Visiting Crankmeister and meeting Nikhil

0:13:40  Early racing at BBCH

0:16:48  Early riding and Touring in the Alps with Nikhil

0:20:15  Memorable races and riding with Vicki Nicholson and Samira Abraham

0:24:10  Women participation at BBCH and the role that BBCH played in producing champions

0:29:00  Her training during racing days

0:31:54  Tour of Nilgiris memories

0:37:10  Hassan highway BBCH 100k race and more BBCH races

0:40:10  Managing training and work

0:44:45  Challenges of getting back to training and racing with kids and work

0:48:30  Tips for working athletes

0:50:00  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Gagan is an under 23 Karnataka state champion and is a silver medalist in U23 road race at 2020 Nationals. He has multiple medals at the nationals in U23 and a gold medal in U18 as part of Karnataka team time trial cycling team in 2017. He manages his passion for sport along with his zest for learning. As he rode into multiple medals at the nationals, he also pursued an engineering degree in computer science and completed it with distinction.

In this episode he shares about his experiences of managing studies and cycling at a high level.

0:00:00  Intro

0:04:20  Getting into sports in school with cricket and getting into cycling

0:07:10  First cycling race on a rented road bike and navigating the selections.

0:15:20  Who's this kid on U18 Nandi Podium? Nov 2016 BBCH Nandi race experience!

0:24:20  Getting inducted to Spectrum Development team and BVCoaching in Jan 2017

0:29:40  2017 navigating to the first Nationals and first year of engineering

0:41:30  2017 Karnataka TTT Gold medal experience

0:46:55  Decisions to help studies and riding and support from friends- Rajanikath P

0:52:44  2018 Belgium trip experience

1:09:20  2018 Nationals experience - his only Nats without a medal.

1:16:20  The support system with mom and dad

1:20:00  Transitioning from BVCoaching to Wattbombs Coaching(NJ)

1:26:30  2019 Nationals experience- Bringing home a silver(ITT) and bronze(RR).

1:32:08  2020 Nationals experience - Silver in road race

1:42:45  What is ahead in the journey - Studies, work and cycling

1:46:30  Closing remarks!

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Sathya is a Computer Science graduate with a post graduation in Public Policy. He brings more than 25 years of experience in using technology and data to effect social change. Over the last 13 years, as an advocate for sustainable transportation he has been a part various policy changes in sustainability area in Bengaluru. He founded and is the chief convener at Council for Active Mobility, a collective of many organizations working towards accelerating UN Sustainable Development Goals. His Relief Riders initiative during the COVID pandemic won the 2021 UN World Bicycle Day Special Award. He is also an adjunct faculty teaching urban governance for masters students, a director at the waste management start up, Bioman and the Bicycle Mayor of Bengaluru.

In this episode Sathya shares his journey in active mobility activism, his various initiatives as a Bicycle Mayor of Bangalore including the Relief riders initiative during COVID.

0:00:00  Intro

0:04:30  Getting into cycling for health and cycling to work

0:09:25  How  did he get into cycling and sustainable living activism

0:19:30  What is Council for Active mobility

0:24:48  What is the role of a Bicycle Mayor

0:29:20  Approaching the issue from public policy - State, Market and Society approach

0:33:40  #My15Min City initiative

0:35:50  Relief riders initiative origin and growth

0:48:40  Cycle to work initiative

0:53:10  Cycle lanes outer ring road and more in the master plan

1:03:15  What can we working athletes do to help - Take the CFAM.in pledge

1:07:40  Closing remarks

https://cycleto.work/

https://www.cfam.in/

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker

Pavan Muthanna and Nikhil Ram Mohan started out as riders and got into bicycle industry out of enthusiasm for cycling and frustration from status quo. A bike shop which is now called, Crankmeister Bicycle Works, was born. Since 2013, it has been serving numerous working athletes and riders from all walks of life and has become of one of the best local bike shops in Bangalore specializing in providing tender loving care for our cycles.

In this episode Pavan and Nikil share their journey as riders as well as the journey of Crankmeister in Bangalore cycling.

0:00:00  Intro

0:02:00  What was work for Pavan and Nikhil before Crankmeister started?

0:03:25  How did the idea of starting a bike store come to life?

0:06:45  What were the learnings from those initial years as bike shop owners?

0:12:20  My first visit to Crankmeister

0:18:00  Process oriented approach to bike mechanics.

0:24:05  Bike mechanic workshops at Crankmeister for riders and professional mechanics

0:27:15  Nikhil's riding, what he enjoys doing

0:36:40  Pavan's riding and his fitness mantra

0:42:40  Team Crankmeister and Crankmeister Ethos

0:51:00  Why the focus on servicing rather than selling?

0:53:20  How did Pandemic effect the cycling business

0:57:30  Crankmeister Barbeque and Flee Market

1:00:20  Where do you see Crankmeister in 5 years? Bike fit and accessories!

1:07:40  Tips for working athletes

Some Links Below:

Working Athlete Community on FB.

Link to Anchor Voice messages

About the Podcast

The working athlete podcast is a podcast with and for working athletes from all walks of life and various sports. The goal is to provide inspiration, training tips, mental hacks, time management and life-style advice through conversations with some of the best in sport, from athletes to coaches. If you think you can benefit from this, please consider subscribing so that you don't miss the weekly episodes in future.

Who is a working athlete? Someone working full-time/part-time, entrepreneur or anyone who has to work to make ends meet and doesn't let being busy to stop him/her from pursuing an active lifestyle is a working athlete. I consider stay at home moms/dads who pursue a sport, as working athletes because homemaking is a full-time job.

If you like this, share with friends who could be interested.

For the visually inclined, a video version of the podcast can be found here: YouTube

Other Places you'll find the podcast on:

Anchor | RSS | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Breaker