The Iconic Series begins with a name that carries real weight in South African cycling: Nic White.

In this first episode, we sit down with one of the sport’s most respected and influential figures to unpack a career filled with legendary stories, hard racing, unforgettable wins, and a deep love for the bicycle itself. From the old Joburg racing scene to European cobbled classics, Morocco, HSBC, Microsoft, and the evolution of South African cycling, Nic shares the kind of perspective you rarely get in one conversation.

This is more than a podcast about results. It’s about the culture, the characters, the suffering, the freedom, and the journey that helped shape an era.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour trophy isn’t “just a trophy.” It’s a handcrafted piece of design history — built from emotion, legacy, and obsessive attention to detail.

In this episode of the Active Hobo, we sit down with **Michelé** (PR + events, 19 years at Carol Boyes) and **Madi** (Head of Product, 20 years in design) to unpack the story behind some of South Africa’s most iconic event trophies — including the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Cape Town Double Century (DC) trophies.

You’ll hear how the Cycle Tour trophy started with a simple brief — Cape Town’s natural beauty and Table Mountain — and turned into a layered, laser-cut stainless-steel artwork that’s remained iconic since 2013. We also get into how design teams translate a “wish list” into a final object, why small details matter more than people think, and why the process can take 12–18 months from concept to reveal.

Then we go deeper into the DC trophy — the climbs, the teamwork, the farms on the route — and the meaning hidden in the layers. Finally, we touch the powerful Carol Boyes Legacy Trophy, created to honour Carol’s spirit and awarded to a team that embodied courage and purpose beyond performance.

If you love cycling, design, or South African stories that deserve more spotlight — this one will change how you see trophies forever.

Subscribe for more story-driven conversations where the real meaning is in the details.

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0:00 Intro: Stories matter + trophies behind the scenes

0:22 Meet Madi & Michelé (Carol Boyes)

4:52 Why Cycle Tour needed a new trophy

6:41 The brief: Cape Town beauty + Table Mountain

11:47 From sketches to laser-cut stainless steel layers

13:05 Timeline: why it can take 12–18 months

15:53 Build challenges + finishing details

29:22 DC & the Carol Boyes team connection

38:22 DC trophy story: farms, climbs & route symbolism

39:08 DC trophy story: teamwork + “little men” details

53:33 Cape Town Marathon trophy mention

56:03 The Carol Boyes Legacy Trophy explained

59:34 The moment it clicked: the tandem/blind teammate story

1:01:24 Closing: what legacy really means

Heat training has become one of the most practical “unfair advantages” a normal rider can actually use—without a WorldTour budget.

In this special edition of The Breakaway, we sit down with Reece McDonald (Science to Sport) to break down heat acclimation vs heat acclimatization, and why a simple sauna routine can improve your heat tolerance, your cooling efficiency, and potentially even performance via mechanisms that overlap with altitude-style adaptations.

We cover the real-world, no-lab-coat version:

• The difference between natural heat exposure (riding in summer) vs artificial heat exposure (sauna / hot baths / indoor heat sessions)

• Passive vs active heat training (and why passive is often the easiest win)

• What to track if you don’t have a core temp sensor: cardiac drift, sweat rate, and body mass change

• Why sauna beats steam room for this goal (most of the time)

• How heat training can expand plasma volume, influence hematocrit, and might support a later rise in hemoglobin mass (“poor man’s altitude”)

• Safety and execution: building tolerance, not overdoing the stress, and smart rehydration after sessions

If you ride or race in South African summer conditions—road, gravel, or MTB—this is one of the most accessible training tools you can add this year.

00:00 Intro + why heat training matters

03:14 Heat acclimation vs heat acclimatization (simple definitions)

03:48 Active vs passive heat training (core temp, cardiac drift, sweat rate)

07:02 Is heat training “new”? What the research + pros are doing

10:34 “Poor man’s altitude”: the crossover benefits (heat ↔ altitude)

13:11 Hemoglobin explained (and why EPO mattered in the doping era)

16:04 What actually changes: sweating earlier, plasma volume, cooling efficiency

18:58 Measuring progress: bloods, hematocrit, timelines, expectations

21:06 Sauna protocol: how long, how often, and how to build tolerance safely

24:49 Cold rinse / contrast hacks: helpful or undermining the adaptation?

34:02 Indoor workaround: fan-off cooldown + jacket (smart stress, not all the time)

40:13 Steam room vs sauna + alternatives (hot yoga, indoor heat sessions)

40:36 Hydration + carbs + electrolytes when doing heat work (kidney strain warning)

42:54 Outro + where to find Reece / Science to Sport resources

This week on The Breakaway, we kick off with the frothiest new idea we’ve had in a while: **SA’s Segment Challenge** — Cape Town’s Chappies culture vs Joburg’s Engen-to-Engen chaos, plus a shout to Durban to send their “we kill each other weekly” segment so we can put it on the show.

Then it’s straight into **Tap-Out Tuesday** energy: sub-10 obsession, perfect wind conditions, lead-out etiquette, and why “it counts” even if you didn’t do it in the ‘right’ spirit.

From there we pivot to the **Big 5 by Imbuko Wines** — record-level performances, Epic implications, and why pacing + self-belief is still the ultimate cheat code. We break down the key moments, the podiums, and what it signals for the Cape Epic build-up.

We also touch the **Cape Epic** shake-up that changes the race narrative overnight, plus a quick detour into road racing and the running check-in.

Drop your segment suggestions (Joburg/Durban/any city), your spiciest banter, and what you want us to cover next.

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00:00 Intro + Episode 7 opens

00:24 Drift detour + tyre price madness

01:07 The “Segments Challenge” (CT vs JHB vs Durban)

03:16 Tuesday Chappies: sub-10 day recap + tactics

10:35 Joburg clapback: Engen-to-Engen vs Chappies + stats

22:20 Durban call-out: send your segment (we’ll feature it)

23:00 Big 5 MTB: Kefenga descent + race takeaways

25:22 Big 5 women’s results + what it means for Epic

31:01 Cape Epic women podium predictions

35:51 Cape Epic drama update

38:45 Big 5 men’s podium + Toyota Specialized team shout

49:47 Can Big 5 become XCM Worlds?

51:05 PPA road racing: “C-batch is the real race” + Jason’s win story

1:02:16 Running check-in + fast half marathon times

1:05:07 Next week tease: Cycle Tour week + Epic prep

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Footnotes / Sources (official links)

1) Big 5 2026 recap + race dynamics: https://www.bicycling.co.za/race-news/course-records-smashed-at-the-2026-big-5-mtb-challenge/

2) Big 5 2026 recap + women’s results + course record time: https://bikenetwork.co.za/results-recap-2026-big-5-by-imbuko-wines-canetsfontein/

3) Big 5 2026 ladies podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-ladies-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-candice-lill-04h25m54s-greta-/1461632195964214/

4) Big 5 2026 men’s podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-mens-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-alan-hatherly-03h37m49s-tristan/1461634282630672/

5) Keegan Swenson Cape Epic withdrawal / fractured pelvis report: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/us-gravel-pro-keegan-swenson-breaks-pelvis-after-getting-smoked-by-car-door

Shaun Glover (Red Cherry Events) breaks down the reality behind South African cycling events—what it took to survive COVID, rebuild a team, and claw back from the edge when income stopped for 18 months. We talk event economics (cashflow, liabilities, debt), why sponsors are essential for world-class events, and the hidden workload of delivering real ROI for corporate partners.

Shaun also shares how relationships and consistency turned “friends, fools and family” attendance into real momentum—plus a behind-the-scenes look at what makes M&G Investments more than a sponsor through genuine community impact. Then we zoom out into the bigger picture: why virality fades, why long-term brand building wins, and why riders should support the brands that keep the sport alive.

To close, Shaun runs through standout upcoming events (including PE Platinum, Forest Boogie, Tour de Addo, Weekend Warrior, and Grab Jura), and we geek out on the Orbea Epic bike tech (Flight Attendant + Transmission) before touching on Cape Epic riding for charity and the “Give and Gain” mission.

If you love cycling, events, business, or building something that lasts—this one’s for you.

0:00 Intro + Shaun Glover joins

0:33 Shaun’s origin story: family business → events

1:45 COVID: 18 months of zero income & survival mode

10:18 Event cashflow reality: liabilities, debt & clawing back

19:21 Why events need sponsors (and what they really pay for)

25:48 The hidden cost of sponsorship: relationships & delivery

30:29 M&G Investments: ‘More than a sponsor’ partnership story

34:46 Why consistency beats virality (marketing & brand building)

38:59 Support the brands that support your sport

41:55 Weekend Warrior: from 54 riders to a 3-year headline deal

55:25 Upcoming events: PE Platinum, Forest Boogie, Tour de Addo…

1:06:14 Orbea Epic bike: Flight Attendant + dream tech breakdown

1:12:40 Cape Epic for charity: riding for kids & ‘Give and Gain’

1:15:36 Wrap-up + where to find Red Cherry events

This week on The Breakaway we get stuck into the Tour of Oman drama and why Astana’s 1–2 felt like a real “we’re back” statement — plus where Adam Yates landed and what it means when early-season racing turns chaotic with weather and tactics. ¹ ²

Then we bring it home: the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight and the Herald Cycle Tour — what stood out, who showed depth, and why the SA calendar is quietly producing seriously strong racing (men and women). ³ ⁴

From there we go full gravel/MTB brain: UCI Gravel World Series – The Cedar recap, the moves that mattered, and why certain “big race” dates can clash hard with training blocks (Tankwa / Epic prep). ⁵ ⁶

And if you’re counting down to Cape Epic, this is the practical section you don’t want to skip: tires, tire pressure, and the small mistakes that become massive time losses over a long week — plus what most amateurs get wrong when they chase “light and fast” setups.

We also talk Tuesday Chappies chaos (how it works, who’s there, and why it’s such a good midweek test), and we preview the In Buku / Big 5 MTB Challenge in Wellington as an Epic-style reality check. Finally: a quick nod to the Peninsula Marathon and why we’re going to give the running side more love after Cycle Tour + Epic.

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Footnotes / sources

1. Tour of Oman official rankings (GC after Stage 5): https://www.tour-of-oman.com/en/rankings 

2. ProCyclingStats GC result page (Tour of Oman 2026): https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-oman/2026/gc/result/result 

3. Dis-Chem Ride for Sight coverage (Lucy Young winner): https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/news-headlines/2026/02/16/young-races-to-first-ride-for-sight-title/ 

4. Herald Cycle Tour results recap (Tyler Lange win; Ryan Gibbons 3rd): https://heraldcycletour.co.za/news/2026/2/17/lange-powers-to-first-herald-cycle-tour-victory-in-thrilling-sprint-finish 

5. UCI Gravel World Series recap: “The Ceder” (Colombo & Preen): https://ucigravelworldseries.com/en/colombo-and-preen-conquer-the-ceder/ 

6. Cyclingnews race report: The Ceder winners + key race dynamics: https://www.cyclingnews.com/category/womens-cycling/uci-gravel-world-series-hayley-preen-attacks-on-uitkyk-pass-to-claim-win-at-the-cedar-while-filippo-colombo-scores-maiden-gravel-victory/ 

7. Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge official site (21 Feb 2026 + 3000m/80km): https://imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za/ 

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00:00 Intro music

00:03 Cam & Sarah take the hot seats + “Tap Out Tuesday” banter

01:52 Tour of Oman: weather chaos, Astana 1–2, Adam Yates 3rd

04:08 UCI points explained: why teams race full gas early

06:37 Dis-Chem Ride for Sight: wind/rain racing realities

10:55 Herald Cycle Tour: SA depth + women’s racing growth

14:47 The Ceder (UCI Gravel World Series): key moves + Colombo wins + Preen

21:36 The Ceder timing debate: Tankwa / Imbuko / Epic clashes

28:08 Cape Epic prep: small mistakes get punished (nutrition, pacing, saving tires)

32:14 Tires: why “light & fast” can cost you

38:07 Tire pressure: too hard vs too soft (grip, comfort, rim risk)

44:23 Tuesday Chappies battles: who’s there + how to join

46:06 Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge: perfect Epic-style test day

58:48 Bonus clip: Mark & Felix recap The Ceder + MTB vs gravel bike take

1:01:21 Running: Peninsula Marathon mention + more running focus coming

1:02:55 Viewer callout + questions + outro

Andrew Gold is the co-founder of CIOVITA—a Cape Town–built cycling apparel brand engineered with a global mindset and a deep respect for craft. With a background in product development and garment manufacturing, Andrew didn’t enter cycling kit as a “logo-on-a-shirt” play. He built it as a long-term, say-it-and-prove-it brand—where comfort claims are backed by obsessive iteration, materials sourcing, and serious R&D. 

From day one, the vision wasn’t only South Africa—it was global relevance, built from a home base in Woodstock, Cape Town. Today, the company runs a substantial local operation (including a Woodstock facility employing around 230 people) and has been expanding internationally through community-first touchpoints like store concepts and weekly rides—most notably in places like Amsterdam—while also pushing growth into markets like Australia. 

What makes Andrew compelling is that he’s not selling “hype.” He’s selling standards—the kind you only learn when you’ve lived inside manufacturing, managed teams, and watched small errors become expensive problems at scale. CIOVITA’s edge is end-to-end control: design, prototyping, production capability, and a customer experience designed to feel seamless. That same philosophy shows up in the brand’s culture: curated retail experiences, a strong ambassador community, and real-world connection through rides that break down barriers and build belonging. 

If you care about cycling, entrepreneurship, or what it actually takes to build premium product from Africa to the world—Andrew’s story is a masterclass in doing it with conviction.