Cycling is a hard sport. Being an elite rider, or even professional takes tremendous amounts of time, resources, and sacrifices. Not all of us want to go down that route, but rather prefer to ride within ourselves, be the best we can be in the circumstances we have now, and live a life beyond that bike as well.

Sophie Sutton is not only a talented racer, but a very smart engineering student, and forward-thinking individual. Sophie brings a fun personality and diverse mindset to the Australian cycling scene and, but carries the seriousness of someone on a mission!

We chat about what the national and local levels are like in Australia, how the World University Championships don't but should get a bigger following, why Australians face many of the same challenges North American riders take on, and how building a strong lifestyle, social life, and outlook for the future makes us not only better riders, but better people.

Follow Sophie on Instagram: @sophieesutton

Follow Sophie on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/27603571

Follow Carter on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/75006188

Join the Clipless in Canada Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1404973

It's hard enough to be successful in one discipline in cycling, let alone two, and yet some athletes are able to do just that!

Andy Lydic is one of America's top up-and-coming riders with success in road, gravel and mountain biking. While we races much more prominently in the former two these days, that doesn't lighten the load at all. From balancing privateer gravel roles to looked-after road racing dynamics, the logistics, management, and time allotment details are not simple.

Andy joins the show to chat about balancing a multi-discipline schedule, if it's a viable structure for more athletes or if a select few can truly balance it and remain competitive, how the USAC is doing some things really well and other things not-so-well with athlete development, and why a $49.99 subscription fee is not helping bring new people into cycling!

Andy's instagram: @Andy.lydic

Bas Tietema and the Unibet Rose Rockets are two name synonymous with limit-pushing, fun-having, and big goals. The Rockets have captured fan attention are the world for their authenticity, relation to the public, and impact on cycling as a whole. Bas Tietema is the man behind the squad and one of the founders.

Cycling has long been viewed as a conservative and tradition-based but yet we have progressed so far in the sport in terms of technology, tactics, training, and nutrition. It's time for the sports business model to see a shake-up!

From concept to reality, what has the journey been like from those within? Is it actually beneficial to have more teams follow a "future-proof" branding style? What are the surprises

for first-time team managers in building a squad? How much does budget, logistics, and staff management play into day-to-day operations? And is a stage win at the Giro truly a bigger marketing boost than multiple days in breakaways and in front of the peloton?

Follow Bas Tietema on Instagram @bastietema

Follow the Rockets on Instagram: @rocketscycling

Join the Clipless in Canada Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/cliplessincanadapodcast