Half Wheelin' Podcast: Recent Episodes
Scott Barrow & Ross Hill
Half-Wheeling is when the cyclist next to you rides half a wheel length in front of you no matter the speed. Is it a dominance thing or a lack of etiquette? Maybe it's ignorance or arrogance? Perhaps that depends on the person.If you're an avid follower of Pro Cycling in all forms, a Club Crit winning aspirant, the rider chasing that segment KOM or just a Weekend Warrior, this could be the Podcast for you. Many cycling Podcasts explore the nuances, the heroes, the characters and the beauty of the toughest sport on Earth. A lot of them take on a serious tone, intent on offering up their best...this Podcast is not one of them. In fact, we'll deliberately stay away from clear thinking, opting instead for an 'educated bloke at the pub' level of wisdom.
It took us a while, such was his impact.
But don't worry Half Wheelers, we'd never let you down. We just needed time to make sense of what his dazzling time in the peleton meant to us all. Yes Peter Sagan has finished with road cycling, and after an incredible career, with an incredible win rate, will return to his MTB roots and perhaps where his soul has always been. Rosco and Scotty cover his career, the key moments that captured them, and what it was about him, that made him so popular and impossible to take your eyes off.
The heir apparent is next, and Pog's recently released 2024 race schedule, was instructive as it was decisive. Doing the Giro and the Tour, but not the cobbled classics. Liège but not Amstel and Flèche earlier in the week. And his primary goal isn't the Giro or Tour, but the Worlds! What does this mean and what does it say about the Peter Pan of cycling?
Finally, to cap things off, Ross has a bit of personal news about a new opportunity to attract thousands of new Half Wheelers to our global movement.
Allez! Allez!
Righto Half Wheelers! The boys are back casting their powerful observations, beginning with the recent Worlds in Glasgow and it's 50-turn city circuit of ridiculous attritional pain. MVDP is recognised, in the context of his victory and whole year, and of course, Wout gets a mention, with a "where to from here?" for the Belgian beast. There's a bit of forecasting for the undoubtedly entertaining upcoming women's road race, and have you seen who's on the GC contender list for the Vuelta!? My god, we're in for a race there. A couple of rider trades are discussed and once again, magnetic Quickstep principal, Patrick LeFevre is in the news for his Moneyball approach to sprinters. Le Tour is well done and dusted, but what are your memories? The boys share a few of theirs, and ponder the question: What's most important for Pog? Got all that? Good. Your time to being dropped, starts...... now!
After a big Spring Classics season where Pog went ballistic only to be finally stopped by someone else bringing him down in a crash early in La Doyene, and Coolangatta Gold contained to add to his monument collection, the Half Wheelin' boys went back to altitude for a another training and preparation cycle.
They wisely avoided the filthy weather of the Giro, but still watched closely on the tellie provided by their monastery-like, high mountain accommodation. Don't worry, they didn't miss a thing. G, Rog, Ben Healy, and of course, the amazing "Stage of Pinot" all get a thorough rinsing.
As we all know, no one analyses it as good as Half Wheeler's, and Ross and Scott had been inundated with requests from the press for their thoughts on the recently released Tour de France: Unchained tv series. Bottom line? Don't fuck with Wout, drop the fake commentary overlay, and enjoy another brilliant look at the phenomenon that is Le Tour.
Finally, in tragic turn of events, the boys pay their respects to Bahrain Victorious rider Gino Mader, who tragically died while racing in the Tour de Suisse, while descending a mountain toward the end of the stage.
Righto Half Wheelers! The part of the season we all love best, has just finished with the recently completed Paris-Roubaix. The boys take a look back at all of the races, with fleeting reference to Strada Bianche (how long ago was that?!). Roubaix, Ronde, De Panne, Dwars, Wevelgum and E3 are all given random and passionate coverage. Who were the heroes, and who stood out? Who did the stomping, how fast was Coolangatta Gold going, and what would Michael Jordan say to the peanut gallery watching Wout and Laporte? Heinrich Hausler's incredible career is recognised after the interesting timing of his retirement announcement. And finally the boys review Scotty's appearance on Mitch Docker's Life in the Peloton podcast and identify the crucial opportunity missed! So hit the cobbles with speed, get best line you can, keep ya hands soft, and bloody well just get through! Here we go!
After a painfully long off season, a brilliant CX season and some well meaning, but let's be honest, "different" feeling races in Argentina, the Middle East and even our beloved Down Under, real road racing finally revealed itself with Opening Day.
Yes, recorded one day after K-B-K, the boys launch into Omloop and Kurne-Brussels-Kurne with the usual superb analysis, insight and celebration of the type of brilliant racing that the Belgium parcours create.
Who's comes out of the gate hot as hell? Who hasn't? How's Lotte Kopecky looking for a Strade Bianchi repeat? Oh, and did you hear that Ross and Scotty went to the Worlds? Just checking.
Ross faces a couple of questions without notice, including a delightfully pleasant grilling from Scotty on one of them. The future event setup for racing has been revealed in Holland, and Wout FINALLY gets challenged by the boys. Is Pog off his head? And what about Quickstep team principal Patrick LeFevre? Is is time for him to jog on?
Find out now!
Agree, disagree, but whatever you do, keep rolling.
Following the climax of being on location at the World champs in Wollongong, and of course producing brilliant shows, Ross and Scott are back to caress your cycling spirits, with an episode full of musings and mirth, bridging the road-seasons.
Initially it’s a reflection on Ross’s heroic recent Everesting and the reason why, and Scott shares a setback we’ve all experienced, when something we love gets significantly interrupted.
Off season in Europe means one thing, and that is the mud, sand and stacks of CX. In reality it’s only about the big 2, Wout and Coolangatta Gold isn't it? - their form, the upcoming CX worlds and how might it play out into their road season? Ross (cue eye-roll 😊) follows in even further, posing the question: How does Wout stack up, as a great?
We discuss 2022’s rider of the year, and it aint who you think, and aint even close.
Finally we finish with 2 slaps across the face - a lightening one on the fucked things about pro cycling and a longer exploration of Quickstep’s main man Patrick Lefevre, and whether we might be seeing the beginning of Lou Lou’s career tail-off? So sit on the wheel and spin easy!
Ross and Scotty take the opportunity while on the train, to discuss the experience of watching the women's and men's road races. A nice 20 minute breakdown for you!
Ross and Scott record this one in the car on the way to Wollongong. It's a 9 hour journey, so let's just say there was plenty of opportunity for brilliant, expansive thoughts. Our previous episode reviewing Le Tour was accidentally deleted before being published, so we do a whirlwind review of the TdF and the Vuelta, a look at the contenders for the women's and men's road races, what was involved in Ross's consultancy to team USA, and other shenanigans occurring while on route. Enjoy!
No we weren't assassinated. Just dealing with a complex concoction of soul searching, being in demand, considering offers from ASO and doing too much riding.
In this episode we do a mid season flyover review , spanning from just after Milan San Remo, the Ghent- Wevelgum Belgian Classic, thorough to the opening week of Le Tour. Also covered is the ongoing SBS cycling telecast saga. Not only have we got the inside scoop on who's head could be next on the chopping block, but we also, generously lay out a roadmap to salvation, for all.
It's time to stop pushing your own wind, and sit in, for the bulk of the stage. You'll thank us later when you're half wheelin with ease.
Despite the busy racing schedule of the world tour, as well as devoting time to their own heroic exploits on two wheels, Scotty and Rosco have found the time to link up for another chin wag about some of their favourite things of this magnificently exciting pro season so far.
They chat about what has caught their respective eye during the start of the Spring Classics and also the week-long stage races of Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico...hint - it revolves a fair bit around The Pog and Wout!!! (who else!)
The boys also give a debrief around the epic day they shared in the saddle - Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - and Rosco gives his insight into the killer instinct that Scotty displayed on the finish line...it's all about the cheap wins of course!
Enjoy Half Wheelers...
Scotty and Rosco are back for another year of balls to the wall cycling, and they're bloody pumped to bring you some of their early season thoughts and insights - all from an educated bloke at the pub kind of wisdom!
The boys chat about Egan Bernal's career threatening injury, Coolongatta Gold's similar body woes, and as per usual Wout had some love heaped upon him. They discuss the continued trials and tribulations of SBS' Cycling Commentary team and how things look as Robbie McEwan departs the scene.
Scotty and Rosco also give an update on how their respective Peaks Challenge Falls Creek preparations are going. (Just a sneak preview: bloody good!!!)
All this and much more...ENJOY!
Also keep a listen out for our new Podcast Partner for 2022: BRIGHT VELO - The premium outdoor adventure accomodation in Victoria's High Country. Thanks for them for their support! If you'd like more info email Tim at info@brightvelo.com.au
What a banger we have to finish off 2021!
Scotty and Rosco were lucky enough to sit down and have an in-depth chat on Performance, Recruiting Decisions and Team Culture & Identity with one of Australia's leading voices on these topics, Cameron Schwab.
Cam is a CEO, leadership coach and strategist who holds an MBA & Master of Marketing from Melbourne Business School, has completed an AMP from Harvard University and is also an accomplished artist and illustrator. He was appointed CEO of the Richmond Football Club in the AFL, at the tender age of 24 - the youngest in the history of the game - which led to him enjoying a fine career at 3 clubs and provided countless memorable moments during the journey.
He's the man behind designCEO, a leadership offering for leaders, teams and organisations seeking to build high levels of cultural, strategic and personal trust for sustained high-performance. He was also the guru that Scotty and Rosco turned to when they were keen to unpack the goings-on in this space in World Tour Cycling!
Take the time to listen to this one, Half Wheelers - you won't be disappointed!
If you or your team would like to reach out to Cam, you can contact him at cameron@designCEO.com.au or visit the website designceo.com.au
On March 13th in 2022, the toughest one-day cycling challenge in Australia will be taking place in Victoria's majestic High Country.
Peaks Challenge: Falls Creek, will again play host to thousands of cycling enthusiasts who are keen to extend themselves and take part in what can only be described as an epic day in the saddle.
235km, 4,000m+ of elevation, over the iconic climbs of Tawonga Gap, Mt. Hotham and Falls Creek.
Bicycle Network are the hosts of this fantastic celebration of hill climbing and the man who has been working in conjunction with them for the past few years, Dr. Stephen Lane, has joined Scotty and Rosco in this episode for a chat about all things Peaks! The episode title says it all really - it's pure, expert guidance from a man who knows a thing or two about performance and getting the best out of yourself for big events.
It's a must listen for those who are thinking of taking part, and it's highly recommended for those who have been involved before but might be looking to go to another level.
Stephen is a Director and Sports Scientist at HPTek (Human Performance Technology), a cycling specific coaching business. He's completed a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on exercise nutrition and training adaptation.
In short - he really knows his shit, and he's also got a great story to tell!
We hope you enjoy the episode!
*Contact Stephen at www.hptek.com.au or on Instagram - drslane
**For your discount to Peaks Challenge, enter this code at checkout: HALFWHEELIN22
***Head to the Bicycle Network website for more details - www.bicyclenetwork.com.au
The Road World Championships and Paris Roubaix have been run and won, and now you can just push them to the far reaches of your brain right? The same spot of your brain that sits the memory of the arse whipping you received on a bunch ride not long ago?
INCORRECT!!!
This is the thorough review of those two simply epic races that you bloody need, right now...RIGHT NOW! And it's done in a way that only Half Wheelin' can do.
So strap on your headphones and hear Scotty and Rosco pick apart the Worlds in Flanders and the memories of this years Paris Roubaix that are still leaving goosebumps at the mere mention of.
There's mud, there's crashes, there's big mouths, there's long seasons and there's plenty of panache...ENJOY!
*For your little discount on your Peaks Challenge entry, the Half Wheelin promo code is: HALFWHEELIN22
Type that in during checkout.
Rule #5 of The Velominati: The Keepers of the Cog is a simple and straightforward decree - Harden The Fuck Up.
It is this particular commandment that, as a cyclist, can be one that leads to fluctuating fortunes. With good intentions, we're always trying to display our very best 'hard bastard' characteristics and as Scotty and Rosco will chat about in this episode, the races that are coming up in the world racing calendar in the next few weeks, will require every morsel of hardness to compete in - let alone win the bloody things!
The boys dissect the World Championships in Belgium for men and women, the race that you've just gotta stay up for - Paris-Roubaix, the Astana (who you just can't trust) and Premier Tech situation, an update on the Levefere/Bennett prospective cage fight that has struck new depths and also some words of encouragement for all of our loyal, rusted on listeners.
What's left to do than dive right in...ya hard bastards!
Hold on to your hats Half Wheelin' fans, Scotty and Rosco have some massive news for you in this episode. They have joined forces with Australia's biggest bike riding organisation to assist with the promotion and awareness of one of the country's most epic cycling experiences...listen to find out what that is!
Also in episode 16, the boys discuss the final Grand Tour of 2021 - La Vuelta - and some of the major players from the 3 week long race...Roglic, Jakobsen and a couple of Aussies that are taking all before them. Scotty crunches the numbers on Jumbo Visma and forecasts a handy looking squad that they'll assemble in 2022, the question is posed regarding Ineos' next move, both Scotty and Rosco attempt to solve the Mikel Landa puzzle and Scotty gives us a friendly reminder of the imposing record of Nino Schurter.
All this and much more...there's a little bit of Half Wheelin' in all of us isn't there?
Footnote: We'd really love it if you'd sing the title rather than just say it!
In this episode, Scotty and Rosco pick the brain of Lucas Owen, who has been a Physiotherapist for 20 years and for 14 of those years has been performing bike fits for cyclists of all shapes and sizes. Lucas has done around 2,500 bike fits so he's got some real skin in the game and this chat with the boys covered off on the many things that he's seen during that time.
During the episode they discussed what a bike fit looks like and the steps that you may go through, what ramifications the indoor cycling phenomenon has on a cyclists saddle position, which pro-cyclists he'd like to work with, if he'd experienced any bizarre issues from clients and if he'd been asked at any stage recently to "give me the Wout!" and much more.
It's a ripping chat that gave off some super-strong Half Wheelin' vibes (a real thing!).
After listening, if you'd like to touch base with Lucas, you can find him at Cycling Physiotherapy Centre, Bulleen Vic. or at www.cyclingphysiotherapycentre.com.au
This episode was recorded just past the halfway point of the 2021 Tour de France and due to the demands placed on fervent Tour watchers like Scotty and Rosco, it is being released as the peloton enters Paris. Now the reason for this is predominantly due to sleep deprivation as they stay up until ungodly Southern Hemisphere hours soaking up every last pedal stroke, breakaway attempt, crosswind and faaarkin incredible Chateau that this magnificent event has to offer.
As delayed as it may be, there's still some gold to found. The boys analyse the racing, Wout, Cav, Sagan, they take an in depth look at the mooted Sagan team-switch, Wout, the SBS TDF broadcast and a little more Wout!
Make yourself a cuppa, put the headphones in and enjoy!
Feel like whetting your appetite prior to this years lap around France?!?!
We've just got the tonic for you. Scotty and Rosco examine some of the bigger players from the World Tour of the recent past, some of whom could be considered at the crossroads of their career, and suggest just what their future may hold. There is some relevance to this year's Tour, as all bar one of these riders will be taking part when the race begins in Brest.
The lads also catch up on their own riding and what path things have taken since their last such conversation.
Feel free to leave a review and give a rating if the mood takes you!
Scotty & Rosco have taken the liberty of reminiscing on the cycling season as it hits the half-way mark. They each look back on the highlights that have really captured their imagination - from Cyclo-Cross Races to Spring Classics to Grand Tours and they also highlight a few riders that have taken all before them with some epic individual performances...we could list everything that they spoke about here but hey, it's not half as good as listening to these two Half Wheelers pick it all apart.
Enjoy the banter, Half Wheelin Brethren!
The follow up to Scotty & Rosco's chat with "The Master of Winning" - Tommy Nankervis, has finally arrived! It almost took as long to get to you as 'Big Tex's' admission of doping !!!
Nevertheless it's here and it's absolutely worth the wait.
The boys are guided through Tommy's entry to cycling and some of the good and bad coaches that he's had along the way, the experiences he had whilst racing over the cobbles in Belgium, how he got to ride on a pro team in the US and how Baden Cooke assisted him in getting there. Tommy talks about legendary Belgian cyclist, the late Frank Vandenbroucke, and his close friendship with him as he rode in the same Belgian based team.
There's some discussion about his 200km training sessions, the influence of power meters and some training tips and mistakes beyond physical fitness and power output. You also get a clearer picture on why this guy just bloody wins...heaps!
All this and a helluva lot more...enjoy Half Wheelers!
Scotty and Rosco recently sat down with a cyclist who knows the inner workings of what it takes to cross the line first in a bike race - Tommy Nankervis.
This episode is Part 1 in their discussion and it covers the time honoured Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic, a race Tommy knows well and one in which he will be taking part in for 2021, riding for the Stitch & Dart team.
We hope you enjoy Part 1 of the chat and that you're enthralled in the views that Tommy has of the race and the experiences he's had racing to win because we tell you what...he bloody well knows how to do that!
The 2020 cycling extravaganza that had us salivating at every turn has sadly come to a head. Scotty and Rosco reminisce on some of the best moments and nominate their best riders, teams, domestiques, races and they take a look at which rider might be set for a big 2021. Scotty has some questions and queries for some of the more established superstars and even has a crack at attempting to "straighten-up" Thibaut Pinot. There's an intriguing discussion about Movistar vs Carapaz at La Vuelta, a couple of listener questions - one of which asks where the hell does Hugh Carthy get his strength from?! Scotty also drops a bombshell regarding Half Wheelin's Internal Affairs Department...what it is investigating will leave you gasping.
Sit back, grab a cold cup of cordial, relax and enjoy Episode 9 of Half Wheelin...
Ever seen a race that was so bloody good that you can't stop re-living it?
That's exactly what happened to Scotty and Rosco when they watched Brugge-De Panne this year. It was a race that had everything and it was choc full of riders that are fair dinkum hard bastards...just the way we like 'em at Half Wheelin! The boys go through the highlights from that race as well as a look at the Giro and what has come to be known as Jacket-Gate, Scotty reminisces about his experience of riding the mythical Stelvio, Rosco does some pretty piss-poor impersonations of Lance Armstrong and Patrick Lefevere and the boys take you into the Sunweb rider development meetings. There's some Vuelta analysis, a regulation 'Darth' Brailsford reference and Scotty takes us through the inner workings of a recent training session. All this and more...so long as you just stop...and put your jacket on!!!
Dear Santa,
We don't need anything for Christmas, what we have been given this cycling season will keep us happy for an eternity.
Yours,
Half Wheelin
Nah, stuff that...keep it coming!
In Episode 7 the boys cover off on the sensational racing that was on display at both Flanders and Gent-Wevelgem where it was Cobbles-a-go-go. The MVDP-white knicks debate is opened up and Rosco brings up the prospect of a Wout Van Aert gel-propelled shit. Scotty confesses to some Giro guilt and highlights Arnaud Demare and his team's piss-taking racing thus far. Also, they chat about the freak that is Peter Sagan, Kwiatkowski and how we'd like to see him at the business end in the one-day classics. There's some new bike talk, a calculation of the Giro's vertical metres and some very juicy news about a scandal that our private investigators have uncovered at the Italian 3 week Grand Tour.
How do we fit all that in?
Have a bloody listen and you'll find out...
With the cycling extravaganza in full swing, there is a shit load for Scotty and Rosco to chat about...
They discuss the World Championships and Rosco asks "why work your arse off and then sit up?"
Fleche Wallone and the Mur de Huy gets a good going over, Scotty brings up MVDP's 'Coolangatta Gold' shoulders and wonders out loud...I mean really out loud...if the new TT World Champion is packing some heat of the golden variety?!?!
The boys also bring up love triangles, drama queens and Adam Hansen's career move as well as a little bit of the mental application to cycling in their own riding. All this and more in Half Wheelin...
That's a wrap for the Tour de France of 2020 and Scotty and Rosco review the final 6 stages in all their glory. They pay homage to the stars of this years 'lap around France' and examine who they thought were the riders or teams that could hold their heads high or perhaps those that would be licking their wounds.
Scotty reveals that Tadej Pogacar may have been given a recording of Episode 4 of Half Wheelin prior to his glorious Stage 20 time trial and Rosco opens a discussion on how the very public bad-days of some riders this tour, were at the same time perversely beautiful to watch!
There's also a preview of this weekends Road World Championships and some high-brow chat about anything they could think of cycling wise... a real Half Wheelin style operation!
As another rest day on the 2020 Tour de France rolls around, Scotty and Rosco re-cap the stages since the last break the riders had and dive into a few topical items to come out of that. I'm not talking your normal topical items either...think Jonathon Vaughters in Speedo's...wait, what?!?!
You need to listen to Scotty as he takes a learned look at riding by numbers and asks whether it leaves riders falling short of their capabilities, Rosco retreats a little in his criticism of Sunweb and starts to fan-boy the shit out of them, the boys analyse why Richie is up and about, the two Slovenian's get a mention and Roglic's yellow kit gets a drive-by. All this and a fair bit more in Episode 4 of Half Wheelin!
As Rosco puts it, we're balls deep in the Tour de France at the moment so him and Scotty dissect the action so far, as well as putting their Half Wheelin spin on some things that have grabbed their attention. They re-visit the predictions they made before Stage 1, the stage where "the man with 4 kids" Kristoff took the chocolates. There's a close look at the ins and outs of the sprints, how Astana are dodgy bastards, the sheer brilliance of Wout Van Aert, why Thibaut Pinot can't be trusted, Fabio Aru's public capitulation and Scotty asks the question that perhaps we all ahould ask ourselves sometimes - what would Patrick Lefevere say? All that and more in Half Wheelin'...oh shit how could I forget...The Crosswinds, my god The Crosswinds!
*You may notice that Scotty's sound isn't quite 100% in this episode and there's a good reason for that. He was bunkered down in the Deceuninck-Quick Step toilet on the team bus, trying to listen out for what Patrick Lefevere would say to the riders after a stage. He was in the toilet after Tim Declercq, who had just disposed of 8 gels, 4 bars and 6 bidons from his guts after a big day, so that impacted on the audio. We'll have it fixed for next time!
Scotty and Rosco immerse themselves in all things Tour de France for 2020.
They take a look at a few of the squad selections from various teams, give their respective jersey selections in each category and in this year's pandemic delayed roadshow they double down on some of the measures that teams may have to go to in an attempt to stay healthy...which as the episode title suggests, includes some rather left-field ploys.
Scotty digs into the mystique surrounding the man that he likes to refer to as "The Killer" and what that individual's TDF may look like.
The boys also indulge us as to what their winter riding regime has consisted of and the driver behind their motivation for doing so.
Some poor name pronunciation, wise opinions and all-round half-wheelin' antics...what more do you want in from your cycling podcast?!?!
Vive la France!
Is half-wheeling a dominance thing? A lack of cycling etiquette? Perhaps ignorance or even arrogance?!
Join your hosts Scott Barrow and Ross Hill for this prologue episode as they give their insights and take on the world of cycling in its many forms. The heroes, the villains, the tech, the tactics and the beauty...my god the beauty!
There's a half-wheeler in all of us isn't there...?