Escape Collective

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Channel • 9 Shows

Sport

Sport

Updated weekly
Sport

Sport

Updated 25/10/2025
Sports News

Sports News

Updated 14/01/2025
Sports News

Sports News

Updated weekly
Sport

Sport

Updated weekly
Sport

Sport

Updated 13 hr ago
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Every two weeks

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
09/05/2025

Is every flagship drivetrain bound to go 13-speed?

How is it that a product can be raced by a professional, in a professional event, and that the media aren’t allowed to tell all? It’s become a surprisingly common occurrence, and in this episode, you’ll hear Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome explain how it all works. You’ll also hear about Campagnolo’s latest spotted new drivetrain, and why it likely spells a wider change to 13-speed. Also, Ronan and Dave discuss the new Cannondale Synapse and its rather confusing overlap with other bikes in Cannondale’s range. The conversation then moves to cover other new products and industry news. Finally, Escape Collective members will hear our popular Ask a Wrench segment. This week, Ronan and Dave answer member-submitted questions related to their favourite Co2 inflator heads (and preferred alternatives), an update to the Classified two-speed hub system, and calibrating power meters. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective (go here) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here. Language warning: Ronan said a naughty word at the 6:58 point of the episode. Time stamps: 2:00 - Spotting new products in clear sight and embargos explained10:40 - Campagnolo 13-speed EPS Wireless is coming22:00 - We’re not sure how to define the new Cannondale Synapse37:00 - Chit chat, amusing clickbait, and problematic AI41:00 - Canyon US and Amazon Prime42:00 - Industry news from DT Swiss43:20 - Vittoria updates the Rubino45:30 - Park Tool’s new free things47:00 - Feedback Sports’ new chain whip alternative50:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only)51:00 - Our preferred Co2 inflator heads and alternatives59:20 - Calibrating power meters1:04:10 - Classified’s requirements for the 10T cassettes

09/05/2025

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51 min
19/09/2025

Rainbows in Rwanda

Today on the show: Worlds starts this weekend, we love Tom Pidcock’s mum, and Philly is back, baby.

19/09/2025

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44 min
23 Apr

No questions asked warranties aren’t all upside

It’s the week after the Sea Otter Classic, and the geeks speak surprisingly little of the products shown there. Instead, Ronan and Dave cover new budget drivetrains from SRAM and Shimano. Dave is thinking about unsustainable warranty policies. And there’s plenty more covered from the world of cycling tech. As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench (at the end of the free episode). This week, Zach Edwards joins Dave in answering a variety of questions from members. Happy geeking! Time stamps: 00:01:29 - Should you grease headset spacers? 00:05:39 - Lifetime warranties on wear items 00:16:14 - Sea Otter - lots of 32” wheels and the rise of Chinese brands 00:31:38: - SRAM S-Series, where 9 becomes 3 00:39:54 - Shimano CUES 2x11 overlapping with Tiagra 2x11 00:45:37 - UCI vs SRAM. The UCI will make everything safer with limit screws 00:56: 11 - Ronan’s nipples are sore, but it’s in the name of unlocking performance 1:00:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 1:02:00 - How does new Campagnolo differ in installation? 1:15:00 - Tips for maintaining a full suspension MTB 1:26:00 - Sweat causing Shimano pedal failures?

23 Apr

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1hr 2min
09/05/2025

The Giro d'Italia and a Matt White mystery

The Giro d'Italia is upon us! Chris Marshall Bell rings in from Albania with the answers to cycling's biggest questions - whose legs are good? Who will be taking it day by day? We've got everything you need to know about the year's first Grand Tour. Plus, there's been a massive shakeup at GreenEdge. Longtime director Matt White is out. What are we hearing?

09/05/2025

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54 min
25/11/2025

The unseen struggle behind women's cycling rise

You could make a Bingo game out of how many times Gracie, Loren, Georgia, or Abby bring up the development problem in women's cycling – the lack of lower-level races and teams, WorldTour teams signing riders too young, etc. But we aren't the only ones constantly harping on about these issues. This week, Loren and Abby sat down with someone who has been pinpointing these problems for years and is actively working to combat the lack of development on a daily basis: Natascha Knaven-den Ouden. If you follow her on social media, you'll know she has come head-to-head with a lot of the challenges currently facing the lower levels of women's road cycling, and as the General Manager for NXTG Racing, she's guiding the next generation through the growing landscape.

25/11/2025

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59 min
03/01/2024

Placeholders: MVDP is in his villain arc (does he recycle?)

This week on the show: Red Bull's buy-in at Bora-Hansgrohe, Mathieu van der Poel's spit, Ronan's beard, and our New Year's resolutions for professional cycling. To get access to the members-only Escape After Dark segment of this podcast, sign up here.

03/01/2024

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42 min
30/08/2024

Member's Only: Stunning bikes and interesting accessories at Made

In a member's only Geek Warning episode, Dave Rome and framebuilding expert Rob English discuss some of the highlights from the 2024 Made handmade bike show. We have made a shortened version of the ep available here on the free Geek Warning feed, but to get the full show, you'll need to head on over to escapecollective.com/member to sign up!

30/08/2024

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33 min
12/06/2024

Unchained Binge: No Risk, No Reward

With the release of season 2 of Netflix's Tour de France: Unchained, the Unchained Binge podcast is back. In this first episode of the year, Kit Nicholson, Jonny Long, and Caley Fretz dive into the first episode, which sets the scene for another season of drama behind the scenes at the Tour. Escape Collective's podcasts are made possible by our members. Head on over to escapecollective.com/member to support this show and everything else on our podcast network. Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.

12/06/2024

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45 min
09/06/2025

Dauphin-yay

Jonny Long, Kit Nicholson, and Dane Cash debate the merits of sprint stages and ponder the media-friendliness of today’s peloton.

09/06/2025

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49 min

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