In this conversation, Austin and Spencer discuss various topics including cross country racing, technical trails, Nino Schurter's skills, and the Downieville race. They also touch on the controversy surrounding e-bikes and the use of TrainerRoad for training. Jonathan Lee, a guest from TrainerRoad, joins the conversation and talks about the company's approach to marketing and their support for athletes. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the use of TrainerRoad by professional cyclists and the training process for the Olympics. They also talk about the role of genetics, work ethic, and team support in an athlete's journey to the Olympics. The conversation then shifts to a discussion about TrainerRoad and its goal of using AI to make cyclists faster. The hosts also touch on their own cycling backgrounds and preferences. They discuss the importance of data-driven training and the challenges faced by athletes in the pursuit of Olympic qualification. The conversation concludes with a discussion about specialized bikes and chainring choices for different race courses. The conversation explores the unique talents of Tom Pidcock and his ability to excel in multiple disciplines of cycling. The hosts discuss the possibility of Pidcock participating in both the XCO race and the road race at the Olympics, and the challenges he may face. They also touch on the selection process for building a team and developing young riders. The conversation then shifts to the evolution of cross-country courses and the bikes designed to handle them. The hosts discuss the technical skills required by modern riders and the importance of developing those skills at a young age. They also touch on the design and development of specialized bikes for different race formats. The conversation covers the topic of the impact of weight on performance in cycling. The participants discuss how weight is often overestimated in terms of affecting race times and how compliance and other factors can have a positive impact on performance. They also talk about the role of carbon components in improving the feel and performance of a bike, rather than just reducing weight. The conversation then shifts to predictions for the Olympics, with the participants sharing their top picks for the men's and women's categories.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Cross Country Racing
03:01 Technical Trails and Nino Schurter
04:24 The Gnarly Downieville Race
06:15 E-Bikes and TrainerRoad
14:53 Summer Riding and Controversy
16:15 Colty P Stirring the Pot
22:09 TrainerRoad and its Use by Professional Cyclists
28:00 The Training Approach: Outdoor vs Indoor
33:19 The Journey to the Olympics: Genetics, Work Ethic, and Team Support
39:06 Specialized: A Highly Represented Brand at the Olympics
45:17 Chainring Choices: Considering the Race Course
49:49 Tom Pidcock: A Unique Talent
50:59 Challenges of Participating in Multiple Disciplines
53:01 Building a Team and Developing Young Riders
57:02 The Evolution of Cross-Country Courses
01:00:58 Designing Specialized Bikes for Different Race Formats
01:07:58 The Importance of Developing Technical Skills
01:19:37 The Impact of Weight on Performance
01:20:21 The Role of Carbon Components in Cycling
01:26:59 Predictions for the Olympics
01:31:34 The Potential of Younger Riders
01:34:36 The Influence of Rain on the Race