Active Hobo

David Jenkins
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The Active Hobo is a community of storytellers on a mission to make meaning. We’re rooted in Westlake, Cape Town—part café, part studio, all heart. Drop by for a great flat white, stay to enjoy our shows, or book a session to capture your own story.

  1. 3d ago

    Shannon Valstar on Running the World’s Toughest MTB Race

    What does it take to run the world’s biggest mountain bike stage race? In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Valstar, race director of the Absa Cape Epic, to unpack her journey from growing up around endurance sport to leading one of the most iconic events in cycling. From behind-the-scenes logistics and creative event strategy to lessons from Paul Valstar and the influence of festivals like Rocking the Daisies, this conversation dives deep into what makes great events truly unforgettable. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 00:00 – Introduction to Shannon Valstar & the Epic Series 03:45 – Growing Up Around Endurance Sport 06:20 – What the Cape Epic Race Director Actually Does 10:05 – Why Rider Feedback Is So Important 14:10 – Lessons From Her Father & Loving What You Do 19:30 – School, Sport & Finding a Career Path 23:40 – Big Shot Media & Discovering Event Storytelling 30:15 – Joining Cape Epic & Learning Logistics From the Ground Up 33:45 – Building the Stellenbosch World Cup 35:50 – Leaving Cycling for the Music Festival Industry 43:20 – Returning to Cape Epic With a New Perspective 47:10 – Cape Town vs Joburg & Creative Culture 50:00 – Rocking the Daisies Stories & Secret Festival Stages 55:45 – Why Events Need Creativity & Constant Innovation 57:50 – Formula 1, Drive to Survive & the Future of Sports Storytelling # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    1h 36m

  2. May 21

    Jonas Vingegaard, Women’s Racing & Why the Bellville Velodrome Matters | The Breakaway EP18

    The 2026 Giro d'Italia has a new-look leaderboard — and Jonas Vingegaard's cautious racing style is dividing opinion. Dave and guest Layla Schwellnus dig into the GC battle, debate whether Tadej Pogačar's absence has changed how we watch the race, and break down what Mischa Bredewold's Itzulia Women win means for the sport. Closer to home: the conversation gets real. SA Track Champs results, the Western Province road scene keeping road cycling alive, and the Bellville Velodrome — a facility at the heart of a community that can't afford to lose it. Plus: Lisa Bone's 19th at the Mali Gravel UCI Qualifier, Lella Loops, and the question nobody's asking loudly enough — are cycling groups the new cycling clubs? # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — Giro d'Italia: Is Jonas Vingegaard Too Cautious? 3:44 — Afonso Eulálio, Felix Gall & the Pink Jersey Battle 10:16 — What to Race in the Western Cape This Month 18:35 — Mischa Bredewold Wins the Itzulia Women 23:25 — When Do Women Peak? The Science Behind the Career Arc 28:15 — Lisa Bone Goes 19th at the Mali Gravel UCI Qualifier 30:11 — SA Track Champs Results & the XCO Pipeline 39:41 — The Bellville Velodrome & the Riders Who Need It 43:00 — Urban Cycling, Cape Town & the Bree Street Experiment 49:44 — Western Province Road Race Results (All Categories) 58:40 — Rehboks Kloof Preview & MTB Skills 1:00:14 — Lella Loops: How a Thursday Ride Became a Movement 1:03:06 — Wrap-Up # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    1h 3m

  3. May 19

    Sandra Sischka Cycled From Portugal to Cape Town Alone

    Sandra Sischka shares the incredible story of cycling from Portugal to Cape Town over two years with almost no prior bikepacking experience. From crossing the Sahara Desert to navigating conflict zones in West Africa, Sandra reflects on fear, freedom, hospitality, and the people she met along the way. This conversation dives into border crossings, survival, cycling culture, and what long-distance travel teaches you about humanity. Along the journey, she experienced overwhelming generosity, dangerous moments, and life-changing friendships. A powerful conversation about adventure, resilience, and seeing Africa beyond the headlines. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 00:00 - Welcome Sandra Sischka 02:10 - Growing Up With Bicycles in Germany 06:00 - Why Sandra Sischka Chose Africa 10:15 - Planning the Route & Preparing for the Unknown 15:30 - Starting the Journey in Portugal 19:45 - Entering Morocco & First Impressions of Africa 27:30 - Hospitality, Family & Culture in Morocco 35:00 - Crossing the Sahara & Mauritania 40:00 - West Africa: Food, Borders & Daily Challenges 50:30 - Malaria, Recovery & Finding Human Connection 55:00 - Ghana, Travel Advice & Perspective on Africa 57:00 - Nigeria, Conflict Zones & Dangerous Decisions 01:02:00 - The Open Water Boat Crossing to Cameroon 01:08:00 - Jungle Routes, Wildlife & Cycling Through Cameroon 01:15:00 - What Africa Taught Sandra Sischka # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    1h 26m

  4. May 16

    How Kevin Vermaak Created Cape Epic From Nothing

    What does it take to build the world’s biggest mountain bike stage race from scratch? In this conversation, Kevin Vermaak unpacks the untold story behind Cape Epic — from years of financial pressure and relentless risk-taking to creating an event that transformed cycling in South Africa and around the world. We also dive into the future of gravel racing, the vision behind Gravel Burn, and why Kevin believes the next era of cycling is only just beginning. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — The Vision Behind Cape Epic 2:45 — From London Banking to Building a Race 10:35 — Himalayan Expeditions & Adventure Mindset 19:05 — Five Years of Losses & Extreme Stress 20:23 — The Decision That Changed Cape Epic Forever 31:05 — The Reality of Building Something Big 36:50 — Riding Cape Epic for the First Time 41:25 — Selling Cape Epic & Building a Legacy 52:50 — Why Gravel Is the Future of Cycling 2:09:30 — The Big Vision for Gravel Burn # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    1h 44m

  5. May 14

    Simon Stofberg on being a Dad, Burnout, and Coming Back at Garden Route Giro | The Breakaway EP 17

    Simon Stofberg joins the Breakaway for an honest conversation about fatherhood, fitness, and finding your way back — three and a half months in. Also in this episode: Gallows 2026, the XCO Western Cape Schools League, a young Wellington rider's miraculous recovery. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 Intro 0:28 What's on today: Gallows, XCO schools, and the Giro 1:29 Simon Stofberg: three and a half months into fatherhood 4:58 Life stood still: postpartum depression, emergency C-section, the dark first months 6:35 Light at the end of the tunnel 7:00 David's parallel: 18 months in with Gabriella 8:00 The all-in athlete personality vs. having a baby 11:20 First race with the family — and the panic attacks that came before it 14:13 The dopamine crash: going from 20 hours a week to nothing 15:01 48T vs. 44T — GRG media weekend to GRG with a newborn 17:00 Garden Route Giro debrief: Stage 1, Stage 2 blowup at Rooibos Pass 23:39 David's GRG — Day 1 power PB and Stages 5–7 riding with Dusty 26:08 Shout out to Dryland and the 36ONE weather situation 30:15 A young XCO rider from Wellington: broke his neck, three hours alone, making a recovery 33:28 XCO Western Cape Schools League: 926 boys, 280 girls 35:30 Titan Racing, Ford and Shimano back the next generation 37:30 Elite racing highlights — and why the YouTube footage is worth your time 39:01 Jan Vitor from Tech Science — the next guest David wants in the studio 39:43 Why Simon skipped Gallows, and what's next with Cam Roach 42:15 Gallows 2026: Poffada, The Hosepipe, and the climb to Heavens View 49:20 Finding an XCO schools correspondent: Boaf ⚠️ verify timestamp 51:11 Episode 17 wrap # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    51 min

  6. May 12

    He Was Too Scared to Race. Now He’s SA Road Champion. | Daniyal Matthews

    Daniyal Matthews is the 2025 SA National Road Champion and African track champion — and the first person of colour in over a decade to win the Elite Men's national road race in South Africa. He races with 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, riding Elves bikes, and is competing at UCI Continental level. He grew up in Cape Town's Southern Suburbs, started racing on the track at age eight because his father dragged him there, and spent years gripping the start line with so much anxiety he didn't actually enjoy cycling until his mid-teens. This episode is the full story: the sprint finish that made SA cycling history, what it means to represent a country where your face doesn't often appear on the podium, what life at a Continental team racing in Asia actually looks like, and an honest conversation about road safety, the motorist-cyclist tensions that cost lives in South Africa, and what it will take to change the culture. Dave and Daniyal also talk about the state of South African track cycling, why the Bellville Velodrome matters, the generation of SA riders who are quietly pulling the sport toward something that looks like a golden era — and why SA Champs wasn't even Daniyal's primary target. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — Meet Daniyal Matthews: SA Road Champion & African Track Champion 1:40 — The Elves signing that lit up social media 2:29 — Growing up in Cape Town's Southern Suburbs 3:08 — Racing track at eight years old — and hating every second 5:20 — A father's obsession: Belgium, UCI track teams, and a cycling inheritance* 10:29 — Track cycling in South Africa: Bellville Velodrome and the access problem* 27:30 — Career goals and why SA Champs was a bonus, not a target* 31:11 — Road safety: the fatal accident, the comment sections, and the real cost* 37:23 — South African cycling's future: Tshenolo, the golden era, and what's next* 40:06 — Matric, Asia, and the long road to Continental racing* # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    1h 33m

  7. May 8

    Massimiliano Ambrosi | The XCO Champ Following in Hatherly’s footsteps | Active Hobo Podcast

    Massimiliano "Masi" Ambrosi is South Africa's 2025 Under-23 XCO Champion, a privateer racing the UCI World Cup circuit on pure belief and a support structure built from scratch. In this conversation, he walks us through the full arc: growing up in Johannesburg on motorbikes, the deal his dad made with him to keep his school average above 75% or lose the bike, seven years with Trek from a borrowed top fuel to a direct contract with Trek Europe, and what it actually costs — logistically, mentally, physically — to show up at Les Gets or Andorra against the factory riders of the world. # === CHAPTERS =================================== # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    54 min

  8. May 7

    He Lost 40kg. Now He’s Riding 361km Through the Night | The Breakaway EP 16

    They couldn't hold Sabastian Sawe's marathon pace for more than 300 metres. That's where this one starts. From there, Episode 16 gets into how good women's cycling actually is, whether Cape Epic made the right call shortening the elite women's route to match TSS rather than distance (the feedback from the elite ladies themselves is unanimous), and why the Femme Series matters to what The Active Hobo is building. Then we get into gravel bikes. A YouTube poll. That opens a conversation about what R90k really buys you in 2026, who the premium market actually serves, and why every rand you spend at a proper bike shop is doing more for the sport than you might think. But the heart of this episode belongs to Timo. A viral Instagram video. A gravel bike from D'VILLE CYCLERY and TITAN RACING. A friend who entered him while he wasn't looking. And in two weeks, the 36ONE — 361km, 5,500m of climbing, riding through the night to the finish. Timo's been training 20 hours a week, up at 4:30am, coached by André Hubert from Training Lab in Durbanville, fuelling on 80–90g of carbs per hour with 226ERS. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 Could you hold sub-2 marathon pace? We tried. 1:35 What we're covering today 2:27 La Vuelta Femenina Stage 3: Noemi Rüegg out, crashes dominating 6:00 How good female cycling actually is — and why people miss it 11:53 Cape Epic's call to shorten the elite women's route to match TSS 15:18* The Femme Series: KZN's XCO superstars, aged 16 to 18 18:08* Compete vs complete — why the distinction matters 22:08 YouTube poll results: what actually drives a gravel bike purchase 23:41 Inside the Titan Gen2 Switch MX Pro 26:12 Is R90k "good value"? Unpacking gravel bike pricing in SA 29:00* Why every rand spent at a bike shop matters for the whole sport 42:50* Craig Marzuola's legacy and the birthplace of a community 49:09 The 36ONE: how Timo went from "no way" to the start line 51:31 The viral Instagram video that changed everything 53:41* Training for 361km: 20 hours a week and 4:30am starts 55:41* Fuelling strategy: 226ERS, 80–90g carbs per hour, and why solids matter 1:00:08 What to expect on the 36ONE — advice from someone who's been there 1:03:58* Timo's origin story: October 3rd and the toenail moment 1:10:09* The next goal: Cape Epic 2027 # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 Website: https://activehobo.com/ Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

    1h 19m
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About

The Active Hobo is a community of storytellers on a mission to make meaning. We’re rooted in Westlake, Cape Town—part café, part studio, all heart. Drop by for a great flat white, stay to enjoy our shows, or book a session to capture your own story.

Information

  • Creator
    David Jenkins
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Active Hobo

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