Escape Collective

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Channel • 9 Shows

Sports News

Sports News

Updated weekly
Sports News

Sports News

Updated 8 Mar
Sport

Sport

Updated weekly
Sports News

Sports News

Updated twice weekly
Sport

Sport

Updated 17 Mar
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Every two weeks
Sport

Sport

Updated weekly

23 JAN

In the pits of the Tour Down Under

We’re in Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, and it would be rude not to take a stroll through the race mechanics’ village. After all, the race provides a unique opportunity to see all men’s and women’s WorldTour teams in one place.Tune in as Caley Fretz and Dave Rome reunite and casually chat tech. From big changes, rumours, to fancy hand-built bikes – there’s plenty to take in.It’s worth noting that the episode starts with some audio issues, but they're quickly fixed. This episode is wholly free to all of our listeners, whether members or not. And on that note, there is no Ask a Wrench segment this week.

23 Jan

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45 min
10/12/2025

Introducing Escape tyre testing: Get ready to rethink accepted wisdom

In this episode, we finally dig into the tyre-testing project that quietly consumed most of my year. Nine months, six tyre widths, hundreds of test runs, three road surfaces, four identical wheelsets, and far too many cold late-night tests than any sane person should attempt. But it was worth it. Today, Ronan is joined by John Buckley the founder of Streamlines Aero, the company behind the hardware and technical support so crucial to this testing. Together, we break down how the test protocol worked, why it’s different, and why those differences matter. We also unpack the major findings: why pressure mattered more than width in this dataset, why some long-held assumptions didn’t hold up in the real world, and how tyre temperature turned out to be one of the biggest and least appreciated variables affecting performance. This is just the beginning. Later in the episode we explain where our tyre testing goes from here and what to expect in the new year.

10/12/2025

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24 min
19/12/2025

The 2025 GWAs

The red carpet is out and dozens of interesting cycling products are strutting their way down it.In this final episode of Geek Warning for 2025, the full cast of geeks assembles for the GWAs. What’s the GWAs you ask? What’s the GWAs?! It’s only the most prestigious and hard fought nonsense in all of cycling tech!As always with Geek Warning, there are interesting and informative tangents around every corner. If you’re keen on those time stamps in order to jump through the sections, then you’re truly missing the point of this podcast.Much of this episode is free to all, but only members of Escape Collective are invited to the afterparty. And as is often the case, it’s the afterparty where things get said and friendships are broken. If you haven't already, it's never too late to join.We had fun putting this one together and we hope you have fun listening to it.Time stamps:2:30 - The about time reward4:30 - Best new drivetrain10:00 - The coolest bike of the year18:30 - Our favourite products (one each)32:00 - Our most read tech articles38:00 - The biggest industry story and the word of the year41:30 - We didn’t see that coming46:00 - Most overrated new trend56:00 - The Members Only after party57:00 - The buyer’s remorse badge1:08:00 - The ‘Wait, What?!’ Award1:11:30 - Media Beef of the year1:24:00 - The reoccurring news award1:27:00 - The messiest situation (shituation?)1:32:30 - The Grumpies1:34:00 - Most anticipated new thing

19/12/2025

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56 min
03/07/2025

The ‘why’ behind my circumnavigation of Ireland helped me find the ‘how’ to pull it off

In this special episode of Performance Process, Ronan shares the story behind his 3,000+ km solo circumnavigation of Ireland – a ride powered not by chasing records, but by purpose. This was a deeply personal challenge to raise awareness for food allergies and support life-changing research, all while adhering to the same strict allergen-free diet his six-year-old daughter Sophia must follow daily. From the original plan of a record attempt to the emotional pivot toward solidarity and visibility, Ronan breaks down how and why the ride evolved, the symbolic meaning of circling the island, the injuries, and what it revealed about resilience and navigating life with allergies. Expect raw honesty, plenty of reflection, and the beginnings of a much bigger story. The fundraiser is still open here, every contribution makes a real difference. • £10 provides allergy education packs for a school• £25 trains 50 teachers to support allergic kids• £100 covers a life-saving dose of treatment for a child• £1,500 funds six months on the life-changing Natasha Clinical Trial Hitting the target, could fund 20 trial places for allergic children, and take a real step toward a future where no child has to live in fear of their food.

03/07/2025

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52 min
01/09/2023

A wrap on MADE with Rob English

Two episodes of Geek Warning in one week? Oh yes! This second episode has a more familiar format, but there’s still a twist. First, we have James and Dave chatting about what’s new this week and their thoughts from the MADE bike show. And then, you’ll hear from famed frame builder and Escape Collective contributor Rob English about the show, plus thoughts on the handmade scene. Timestamps: 2:35 – A brief recap of new gravel and road groups from Shimano 14:57 – Layoffs at Wahoo 17:50 – James and Dave chat Made. 32:18 – Hello Rob English! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

01/09/2023

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1hr 15min
12/05/2025

Don't make a bet with Mads

If there's one thing we've learned over the first three days of the Giro d'Italia, it's never make a bet with Mads Pedersen. The Lidl-Trek rider is on fire, trimmers in hand. In today's episode, Caley, Jonny, and Kit break down the Giro's opening weekend, question the morality of one of a big newspaper, learn the fate of the Tro-Bro Leon pig, and introduce the Farce-O-Meter.

12/05/2025

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56 min
18/08/2024

Tour Daily: A polka-dot kind of day

The penultimate stage brought some fireworks, with a new winner and a whole lot to talk about before stage 8 on Sunday. Loren, Tilda and Abby break it all down, with audio diaries from Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal), Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx-Protime), and Noemi Rüegg (EF-Oatly-Cannondale).

18/08/2024

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45 min
10/12/2025

Building Team AMANI

Mikel Delagrange is the reluctant face of Team AMANI. While he prefers the title of 'Head Cheerleader,' he was left to carry the torch after the project's founder, Sule Kangangi, tragically died in a high-speed crash in Vermont. Now leading the mission to dismantle the barriers facing African cyclists, Mikel oversees a unique ecosystem: From building a high-altitude training center in Kenya to the Migration Gravel Race. With a moonshot goal of fielding an all-African team at the Tour de France, Team AMANI is fighting to ensure the next generation can bridge the gap to the sport's highest levels.

10/12/2025

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1hr 35min
07/05/2025

Special ep: In For Review, May 2025

It’s time for the second edition of our ‘In for Review’ Geek Warning podcast. Like the first edition, this one looks to share some of the bikes we’ve been testing and the gear we’ve been enjoying. Plus, we’ve added a segment that talks about newly released products we’re interested in trying. And for those on the Escape Collective member feed (which as the name implies, is only for members), you’ll get a little extra as we discuss a few of the products that haven’t quite met the mark. If you aren't a member yet, you can sign up here. This episode is hosted by tech editor Dave Rome, and you’ll also hear Escape’s tech writers Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt. Enjoy! Time stamps: 3:30 - Van Rysel RCR-F aero bike14:00 - Standert Kettensäge alloy gravel racer23:00 - Dave was sidelined for a bit24:25 - What we’re enjoying using25:00 - POC Cytal road helmet28:45 - Women’s bib-shorts31:30 - Michelin’s road tyres35:30 - Alex’s introduction to cargo bibs38:30 - Feedback Sport’s Pro E-Lift repair stand43:30 - New products we’re intrigued to try43:50 - Suvi’s keen to test the Cannondale Synapse49:00 - New Wahoo computers52:00 - Boardman SLR 105 Di2 road bike56:00 - A new wave of gravel tyres58:45 - Member-only bonus section: the products that have left us underwhelmed1:00:00 - What’s with tyre logos not lining up?1:04:00 - Fizik’s entry into helmets1:08:00 - Dave’s expensive tool purchase

07/05/2025

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1 hr
6 FEB

Pro cycling is box office

Today on the show: A detente in the Hundred Smears War, a small problem for Andrea Piccolo, and some unfortunate news for the spring Classics. To get After Dark, click here.

6 Feb

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34 min

Welcome to Escape Collective, your home for independent cycling journalism.