Active Hobo

Every rider who's done a stage race has seen it: the school kids handing out water, the local guy who's swept the same piece of singletrack all year so it's ready for you. James Beers joins The Breakaway to unpack what actually happens to the money you pay to enter a race — and why it matters more than most riders realise.This is a big one. James breaks down the real, direct link between event entry fees and rural community income in South Africa — school fees paid, local trail builders employed, families supported through a single race weekend. It's not corporate box-ticking. It's tangible, and it compounds year on year.We also get into the Giro d'Italia GC battle — Jonas Vingegaard's gearing, Tadej Pogačar's dominance, and what's coming in the next two weeks. Plus two big pieces of South African cycling news: performance coach Reece McDonald's move into the WorldTour pipeline with Q36.5 Pro Cycling, and Daryl Impey's new role as a Sport Director at Ineos Grenadiers for 2026.# === CHAPTERS ===================================0:00 — Intro: Do Races Actually Help Communities?2:05 — James Beers' Toyota Commercial Stunt Double Story6:35 — The Philosophy of Riding When the Stoke Is High15:10 — Cape Epic's UNCO Valley & the Beaded Bracelets23:14 — Craig Wapnick, go2berg & Community-Powered Events28:46 — Whose Job Is It to Fix the Trails?43:48 — The Trail Pass: An Easy Lever Riders Ignore49:14 — Giro d'Italia: Vingegaard's Gearing Under the Microscope52:47 — Could Different Gearing Have Changed the Giro?1:07:28 — Pinarello-Q36.5 & Reece McDonald's Move to the WorldTour Pipeline1:08:06 — Daryl Impey Joins Ineos Grenadiers as Sport Director1:14:18 — Wrap-Up & Thanks to James Beers# === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b# === THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkins# === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ======================Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5UFull podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXHRelated episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount# === WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

Tristan Nortje and Matt Beers made history in 2026 by becoming the first all South African team to win the worlds biggest mountain bike race - The Cape Epic.This film tells Tristan's story and how the result was his destiny foretold long before the day arrived. SPECIAL THANKS to TOYOTA SA, Specialized South Africa, Cape Epic, RideLife George, Matt Beers, Anika Boshoff, Linda Nortje & of course Tristan Nortje for letting us tell this story 🇿🇦#storiesmatter #capeepic #southafrica # === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b

THIRSTI is hosting its inaugural Half Marathon and 10km on the 29th of August 2026. Active Hobo has assembled a super crew to help you get there in tip top shape whether you want to race the event and set PB's or simple achieve something you never thought you could! Weekly runs with Terence Petterson (the influencer) Paige and Lindi (The brains and BIO's) and Alec (the storyteller) will ensure peak vibes and form! Free entry spot prises, THIRSTI Sports drinks and other cool giveaways weekly! Join us by simply DM'ing your whatsapp number and we'll add you to the group! #yourstorymatters #storiesmatter #springmarathon #thirsti

For the first time outside of COVID, Dryland Event Management had to cancel a race ten days before the start. Here's the man who made that call — and built a 20-year career on the events that came before it.Henco Rademeyer is the co-founder and director of Dryland Event Management, the team behind some of South Africa's toughest and most loved mountain bike stage races: the Attakwas Extreme, the Cape Pioneer Trek, the Tankwa Trek, and the brand-new Garden Route Giro. In this conversation he tells the story from the very beginning — running a bike shop in Oudtshoorn before online retail existed, realising that events drove more bike sales than anything else, and starting Dryland almost by accident with his co-founder Carel Herholdt.He walks through the flooding that forced the cancellation of the 2026 edition of The 36ONE MTB Challenge — a 361-kilometre race through the Klein Karoo that had never been called off outside of the pandemic — and the decision-making process behind making that call ten days out, with refunds rather than partial routes. He also gets into the business side most riders never see: how commercial partnerships made the events financially viable, why the average rider age has settled around 44, and why South Africa might have the best standard of mountain bike and gravel events in the world.This one is for anyone who's ever finished one of these races and wondered who actually builds them — and what it costs, physically and financially, to pull it off year after year.# === CHAPTERS ===================================0:00 — The 36ONE cancellation and 20 years of Dryland events0:27 — Inside the Garden Route Giro1:02 — From bike shop owner to accidental events founder4:41 — Attakwas: the race that started it all6:03 — The Cape Pioneer Trek and the move toward technical single track7:10 — Bernard le Roux joins, and Dryland starts to scale26:15 — A mountain biker's-eye view of Dryland's events31:03 — COVID, gravel's rise, and shifting rider demographics38:39 — The funniest and most dramatic moments in 20 years of events41:53 — Why Tankwa Trek is Henco's own personal favourite45:02 — Equipment trends: dual suspension, gravel, and changing customer expectations52:21 — The real cost of getting young riders into endurance sport72:24 — New recovery partnerships and what's coming for finishers76:45 — What Henco does when he's not running events78:05 — Why Drive to Survive changed sports storytelling forever80:37 — Cricket, rugby, and the cultural weight of schoolboy sport in South Africa# === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b# === THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkinsAlec @alec.gatesRegardt @regardt.stander# === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ======================Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5UFull podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXHRelated episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount# === WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #originstory #podcast #revive #capeepic #enduranceathletes #mtb

Premier Wednesday 15 July 2026

This special edition of The Breakaway explores the powerful connection between cycling, community and the lives changed by every race. Do cycling races really make a difference beyond the finish line? We travelled to the heart of rural South Africa to uncover the untold impact that events like Berg & Bush, Oxpecker and G2C have on local communities, speaking to farmers, residents and race organizers to hear their stories firsthand. What we discovered challenged our assumptions, revealing how cycling creates jobs, builds schools, inspires young people and brings hope to places many riders never see. These trips have direct costs we struggle to absorb and bicycle rental and car rental didn’t have to be one of them. Thank you to TOYOTA SA, Specialized and Complete Cyclist for helping us and supporting what we do!#storiesmatter === CHAPTERS ===================================00:00 Introduction 01:01 Why We Flew Across South Africa 03:17 The Question Nobody Is Asking 07:15 Farmer Gary Explains the Real Impact of Racing 22:32 Visiting a School Built Through Cycling 28:28 Asking the Community: Do Races Really Matter? 32:47 A Different Perspective from the Community 36:27 How Local Businesses Benefit 40:00 Our Biggest Takeaway 42:11 Seeing the Impact Firsthand 48:48 The Opinions We Didn't Expect 52:35 The Sponsors Behind These Events 54:17 Do Cycling Races Actually Change Communities? 55:11 Why This Story Matters 57:42 Final Thoughts=== LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFm...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...=== FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: / @activehobo Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b=== THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkinsAlec @alec.gates=== MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ======================🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/scicon...=== WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

Cutting weight for the Nedbank Gravel Burn is only half the fight. The other half is not losing the strength to survive it.Five weeks ago, Dave couldn't activate some of his own muscles. He didn't know where his body was in space. Now, deep into an 8-week calorie deficit ahead of a 750km gravel stage race across South Africa's Great Karoo, he heads to a biokineticist in Westlake, Cape Town, to build the functional strength his cycling alone can't give him — the kind that keeps a rider upright, pain-free, and strong on day six of seven. It's not about looking strong. It's about not falling apart.What is a biokineticist?An exercise-therapy professional who uses movement science to build strength, stability, and resilience — often used by cyclists and endurance athletes to complement on-bike training.Why does strength training matter for a gravel stage race?A seven-day event like the Nedbank Gravel Burn demands more than fitness — riders need the core, glute, and postural strength to hold form and avoid injury deep into repeated long days on rough terrain.# === CHAPTERS ===================================0:00 — The Weight Cut Wasn't Enough1:55 — Why Cycling Fitness Isn't the Whole Picture2:39 — Meeting the Biokineticist Building Him From the Ground Up3:38 — Cycling First, Strength Second — Or the Other Way Around?5:23 — Five Weeks In: The Body Awareness Turnaround6:41 — Training That Complements, Not Competes With, the Bike9:47 — Protecting Muscle While the Weight Comes Off10:27 — Next Stop: Fuelling the Fight# === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b# === THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkinsAlec @alec.gatesRegardt @regardt.stander# === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ======================Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5UFull podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXHRelated episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount# === WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #podcast #toyota #gravelburn #gravelcyclist #enduranceathletes #mtb

The latest gravel superbike has arrived, and after spending time on the all-new Pinarello Grevil F9, it's safe to say this bike exceeded every expectation. In this review, we dive into its ride quality, comfort, handling, premium Italian craftsmanship, and whether its eye-watering price is truly justified. From high-speed gravel descents to technical terrain, we put the Grevil F9 through its paces to find out if it really is the ultimate gravel bike. Watch until the end to see who this bike is built for.00:00 Introduction01:00 First Impressions of the Pinarello Grevil F902:35 Why This Might Be the Best Gravel Bike Ever04:45 Wheels, Tires & Cockpit Setup07:15 SRAM, Frame Design & Premium Features10:10 In-Frame Storage & Practical Details12:40 Comfort, Geometry & Ride Position16:20 The Beauty of Italian Design19:30 Climbing & On-Trail Performance22:50 Descending Confidence & Stability26:15 Living With the Grevil F930:10 Is It Worth the Price?33:40 Who Is This Bike For?36:30 Final Verdict38:45 Closing Thoughts# === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b# === THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkins# === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ======================Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5UFull podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXHRelated episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount# === WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #gravelbike #giantrevoltreview #bikereview

At 13, she cried until the start gun went off — then she raced. At 17, she won the XTERRA Youth World Championship in Italy. At 18, Nadia van Wyk is just getting started.This is the intro. The full origin story episode drops very soon — subscribe so you don't miss it.Nadia van Wyk is 18, from Durbanville in the Western Cape, and competes in more disciplines than most athletes manage in a career: XCO mountain biking, road cycling, track, duathlon, XTERRA, and horse riding on the side. She's a reigning XTERRA Youth World Champion, a U23 SA XCO MTB Champion, and a SA Duathlon Cross Champion. She homeschooled her matric year to compete at world level, skipping Grade 8 along the way to give herself more time. This week on The Breakaway, she talks about the mental cost of competing young, the nutrition challenges no one warns you about, why girls drop off from cycling at Grade 10, and what South African youth cycling actually looks like from the inside. Plus: Tour de France predictions, her favourite rider in the peloton, and what it was like to see Tadej Pogačar in person in Spain and think, "How is that small?"# === CHAPTERS ===================================0:00 — Welcome: Meet Nadia van Wyk1:13 — Cycling, XTERRA, Horses: Her Multi-Discipline Life4:25 — Homeschooling to Compete at World Level5:36 — The Mental Game: Crying on the Start Line at 136:13 — Pre-Race Nutrition: The Thing Nobody Talks About10:14 — Why Homeschooling Works for Elite Young Athletes20:11 — How to Get More Girls on Bikes23:27 — What Titan Racing Is Doing for SA Youth Cycling31:18 — Downhill MTB: What She's Watching Right Now36:52 — XTERRA Explained + Worlds Qualification42:46 — Training Camp in Spain: Life on the Road45:08 — Tour de France: MvdP, Pogačar & Breakaway Love49:54 — SA Road Champs: Negative Racing and What to Do About It# === LISTEN ON THE GO ===========================Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699# === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO =========================Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1Website: https://activehobo.com/Instagram: @theactivehoboStrava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b# === THE CREW ===================================Dave @davlewjenkins# === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ======================Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5UFull podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXHRelated episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount# === WORK WITH US ===============================Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.comSend a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com#ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling