How accurate was our crystal ball?

Daniel is joined by Rob and Larry to review the early-season predictions

In this week’s episode, Daniel is joined by Rob Hatch and Larry Warbasse to revisit the predictions made in January’s Speculation Episode.

Using The Cycling Podcast’s time travelling technology we listen back to the predictions made at the start of the year to see what they got right and what they got very wrong. Have a listen to see whether this backs up my view on speculation.

There’s a Dutch focus in the most recent episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin, which features Rose Manley, Denny Gray and Orla Chennaoui. They ask why women’s road racing has long been dominated by riders from the Netherlands. They also discuss one of the busiest transfer markets in recent history, with several high-profile riders changing teams this winter.

Stacy’s cups to support the West Lothian Cycle Circuit

Long-time listeners will know that every year since 2019, Stacy Snyder has sold her beautiful handmade cups to celebrate the Grand Tours, with proceeds going towards worthy cycling-related causes.

It’s been a while since we’ve made a donation and a healthy pot of money has accumulated while we discussed where it should go. We can now confirm that the money – $6,687, which is just under £5,300 – will be going to the West Lothian Cycle Circuit in Linlithgow, Scotland. A portion of money raised from the cups had already covered the cost of bronzing and shipping the plaque commemorating Richard Moore, which now sits proudly on Buffalo Bend at the top of the circuit.

The money will specifically support grassroots racing, ensuring a youth series of five events, this year held between April and August, continues to provide young riders with an opportunity to hone their competitive skills. The money will also support an ongoing series of Tuesday night coaching sessions.

The cost of hosting events – even on a closed circuit built specifically for cycling – can be considerable, with circuit hire, first aid cover and levee costs all needing to be met. The money from the sale of Stacy’s cups will go a long way to keeping the costs down for the young riders who train and race on the circuit.

The East & Central Youth Circuit Series 2025 will be contested by young riders from a number of clubs, including Richard’s old club Edinburgh RC. We will also be talking to the organisers about incorporating an event, or award, to celebrate Richard next year.

We saw for ourselves in July, when the plaque on Buffalo Bend was officially unveiled by Richard’s dad Brian and record-breaking round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont, what a fantastic facility the circuit has become. The West Lothian Cycle Circuit was one of the first recipients of money from the sale of Stacy’s cups, back when it was no more than drawings on a piece of paper, and so we all agreed it would be appropriate to support youth racing and training now the circuit is open.

Everyone at The Cycling Podcast is very proud that such a significant sum of money can contribute towards something we know Richard would have been very keen to support and we’d like to thank Stacy for her work, creativity, and generosity, Matt Ball and everyone at the circuit, and most of all all our listeners who have bought a cup to make this possible.

From the vault for Friends of the Podcast:
The Cassoulet Podcast (December 2017)

I’ve been enjoying reading everyone’s posts in the Introduce Yourself thread in The Cannibal & Badger, especially the favourite memories of The Cycling Podcast, which have reminded me of a few things I’d long forgotten.

Cody McKibben from (Not) Essex in Vermont, USA, wrote: ‘There is one episode that I can no longer find but used to have saved on my phone where the whole podcast crew including Orla got together for a holiday dinner party... I just loved that.’

The episode Cody was referring to is The Cassoulet Podcast, recorded in December 2017 and released shortly afterwards for Friends of the Podcast at the time, but not transferred across when we created the current feed.

We gathered at Richard’s house in London for an end-of-season dinner party and light-hearted, meandering review of the year. Cycling chef Hayden Groves was there to judge our skills in the kitchen, as was Simon (The Photographer) Gill to capture some action shots in the kitchen and round the dinner table. Richard, Orla and I each took care of a course inspired by Hayden’s book, Back in the Saddle. Orla was (rightly) very proud of her tiramisu, as you can see from the photograph. I spent a couple of days making the cassoulet then drove it across London in time for dinner. Amazingly it was still piping hot after the two-hour journey.

With our friends in the US celebrating Thanksgiving and the holiday period about to get into full swing, I’ve added The Cassoulet Podcast to the Friends of the Podcast feed for Cody and anyone else who want to get into the festive spirit.

Meanwhile, we’re inviting all Friends of the Podcast subscribers to drop by The Cannibal & Badger. Daniel contributed to the Introduce Yourself thread this week and we’re hoping that by the time the new season starts it’ll be buzzing.

How to log in to The Cannibal & Badger virtual pub

1. Go to thecyclingpodcast.com

2. Click on the Friends of the Podcast login

3. Login using the email address you used to register as a Friend

4. Check your inbox and follow the link to your inbox

5. Find The Cannibal & Badger in the menu

The Cycling Podcast presented by Shokz

The discount code CYCLING10 has been very popular since Shokz became our title sponsors last week. We’ve been able to track every sale and The Cycling Podcast earns a modest commission every time someone uses the discount code at uk.shokz.com. So, if you are in the market for a new set of headphones you can support The Cycling Podcast in the process.

Shokz are pioneers in bone-conduction headphone technology and their open-ear models give great sound quality while allowing you to maintain awareness of your surroundings, making them ideal for when you’re exercising. Listeners can get £10 off any model with the discount code CYCLING10 at uk.shokz.com.

Last call for The Grand Tour Diaries – 33 copies left

Last call for anyone who wants a signed copy of The Grand Tour Diaries. At the most recent count, just 33 copies of the 240-page book remained in stock. These diaries were written in 2018 and 2019 by Richard, Daniel, François, Orla and me, telling the story of the adventures (and misadventures) of life on the road covering the major races. A note to listeners who have placed orders from outside the UK, please bear with us. Postal rates have rocketed since we last sold books in any number and rather than put up the postage price we’ve chosen to use the most economical method of despatch, but it does mean your book may take a while to reach you.

Gift a Friends of the Podcast subscription

Perhaps you’d like to drop a hint to a friend or loved one that you’d like a Friends of the Podcast subscription. Or maybe you’d like to gift a subscription to a fellow cycling fan? Well, you can do so by clicking the button below:

The 12 Hills of Christmas plus a virtual edition

A reminder that Friend of the Podcast Laurent Audibert is inviting listeners to join him riding the 12 Hills of Christmas route on Sunday, December 8 in memory of our friend Richard Moore. Laurent will be setting off from The Hub cafe in Redbourn High Street at 9am on Sunday, December 8. Everyone is welcome to join the ride and donations to the British Heart Foundation are appreciated. Santa hats, tinsel and other Christmas decorations optional. If you want to listen to the original 12 Hills of Christmas episode of Explore I made, you can do so here. There’s also a link to a GPX file of the route in the show notes.

• For anyone who can’t make it, Friend of the Podcast Dave Owen has organised a virtual 12 Hills of Christmas ride to take place on Zwift on Saturday, December 14 at 12noon (UK time). It’s 50km and it’s open to any riders of any category. You can check out the details here.

MAAP’s Black Friday sale is still on – but hurry

The countdown is on for MAAP’s Black Friday sale, which closes soon. There are some fantastic discounts to be had, with 50% off some items. Check it out at maap.cc and use the code FINALDAYS to get an additional 10% off.