Burning Matches Cycling Podcast

Kurt Hoffmann
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  • Spirituality
  • Updated Semimonthly

If you love riding bikes and want to get better Burning Matches cycling podcast gives you tips and insights from the front lines of real riders like you. My simple goal is to help you enjoy this incredible sport more by riding better and appreciating the sport and spirituality that comes with it. I am Kurt Hoffmann, a former Cat 2 Junior bike racer who raced for the St. Louis Cycling Club during one of its heydays in the 1980s. Founded in 1887, SLCC is the oldest cycling club in the US. I returned to bike racing in 2022 for and since January 2023 have ridden for Northern California bike racing team Red Peloton. "Cycling has always been the greatest outlet for me and became even more important to me as I went through some extremely challenging times in 2024. The cycling community and time spent on my bike were my salvation. I realized how much I love these people and this activity and wanted to explore the stories of my fellow riders who share this love." Kurt Hoffmann What is Does Burning Matches Mean? In cycling, "burning matches" means you've put forth an intense effort that zapped a good chunk of your available strength, endurance or other riding capabilities. For a competitive ride, race or just personal effort, we only have so many matches to burn. A critical path to success is managing your matches. Burning Matches cycling podcast is presented by Alien Feedings, originally started by me as the indie DIY record label for the multiple bands and local music projects I produced in the 1990s. The full video episodes can be watched on the Burning Matches YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@burning-matches Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Burning Matches - Even Faster at 40+

    May 7

    Burning Matches - Even Faster at 40+

    Burning Matches Cycling Podcast Ep-19 Duchy Cycling Coaching Event Faster at 40+ Keep it in the Day! The Duchy cycing coaches are back with more awesome insights on how riders 40, 50, 60+ (they’re even helping riders 70+) can go faster on their bikes. There are some just classic themes from this episode: How to Come Back from a Slump Abandon the Numbers! The Sum Total of All Stresses and my favorite: Keep it in the Day Here’s to all us Busy People Trying to Ride Our Bikes Fast. This is Episode 3 of 3 with Duchy Cycling Coaching, a highly recommended coaching company that focuses on cyclists 40+, but younger riders can learn a lot from Duchy. https://www.duchycyclecoaching.com The Duchy coaches are former European pros and their insights on what helps older riders are extremely valuable. Huge thanks to Will Harper, Duchy founder, and Alex Sanković, a Duchy Coach. Title and end credit song: The North of California by The Guide to Fast Living https://open.spotify.com/track/7Ml8DDrduQFbQpeMyympyr 00:33 Focus on Fueling 01:53 Nigel’s Story on Fueling Benefits 04:15 The Duchy Process 05:10 Eating More on the Bike 06:00 Fuel Yourself on the Bike 06:25 We Need Coaches 07:00 Coming Back from a Slump 07:13 Abandon the Numbers 08:48 Keep it in the Day 09:58 Stop Comparing Yourself 10:52 Just Go Out and Ride 12:05 Your Body is Your Temple 13:07 The Sum Total of All Stresses 14:35 Busy People Trying to Ride Our Bikes Fast Links Duchy Coaching Website https://www.duchycyclecoaching.com Duchy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/duchycoaching Duchy YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLOLaqAuYc7GI7y2IQG1YgQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  2. Burning Matches - Fast at 40, 50, 60+

    Apr 17

    Burning Matches - Fast at 40, 50, 60+

    Burning Matches Cycling Podcast Ep-18 Duchy Cycling Coaching Fast at 40, 50, 60+ This is Episode 2 of 3 with Duchy Cycling Coaching, a highly recommended coaching company that focuses on cyclists 40+, but younger riders can learn a lot from Duchy. https://www.duchycyclecoaching.com The Duchy coaches are former European pros and their insights on what helps older riders are extremely valuable. Huge thanks to Will Harper, Duchy founder, and Alex Sanković, a Duchy Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  3. Burning Matches - Duchy Cycling Coaching - Older Cyclists Need to Train Differently

    Mar 29

    Burning Matches - Duchy Cycling Coaching - Older Cyclists Need to Train Differently

    Burning Matches Cycling Podcast Ep-17 Duchy Cycling Coaching Older Cyclists Need to Train Differently I’m trying a bit of a new approach with this episode. I’ve got a full hour with the coaches at Duchy Cycling Coaching, but am breaking it up into 3 shorter episodes. This is episode 1 of 3. I don’t even remember how I got on the Duchy email list but I am SO happy I did. These guys have absolutely game changing advice to help you be a faster cyclist. Even more importantly their advice will give you perspectives that will help you take a much healthier approach to your riding and enjoy it more. I’ll add that even though their coaching is focused on older riders 40, 50, and 60+, younger riders should pay attention. You can get a lot wrong as a younger rider and still be fast. But a lot of these tips could give you a real competitive advantage. Huge thanks to Will Harper, Duchy founder, and Alex Sankovic, a Duchy coach. Duchy Coaching Website https://www.duchycyclecoaching.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  4. Burning Matches - Dennis Verity - You Never Got Off the Bike

    Mar 1

    Burning Matches - Dennis Verity - You Never Got Off the Bike

    Burning Matches Cycling Podcast Ep-16 - Dennis Verity You Never Got Off the Bike Happy Birthday to my stepfather Dennis. On your day I wanted to take few moments to recognize you with two cycling anecdotes that represent many ways you had brought a great presence to my life. One important thing I need to correct: at the Hilly Hundred in Indiana my stepfather actually rode 55 miles that first day. I misspoke as it was the second day that was only 45. Incredible! "Lanterne Rouge" is the name for the person in last place in a bicycle stage race (a multiple bike races over multiple days where the overall time and/or points by the end of the race determine the winners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min
  5. Burning Matches - Just Get On Your Bike

    Feb 28

    Burning Matches - Just Get On Your Bike

    This is a slightly different episode as it's just me, Kurt Hoffmann, with an update on Burning Matches cycling podcast as of February 27, 2026. "Cycling Has Been My Salvation Always" is my favorite line from the episode. I cannot tell you all the times I have been so low or lost, but somehow getting on the bike changes everything every time. I remember one time in particular during the past couple years I was so utterly depressed. It was a depression unlike anything I had ever experienced. It just would not stop for an entire year. One day laying on the couch I just said to my self: GET ON YOUR BIKE. You have to get on your bike. And I did. I put no expectations on myself except to pedal. Maybe ride to the end of the block, maybe a mile. As I kept going, through Montgomery Village, a tiny momentum found it's way and then I was in the Montgomery neighborhoods, that great tree in the middle of the road, kept going into Howarth, onto Channel. I was barely there just spinning around 12 mph, but it helped to just keep pedaling. I was making my way through Oakmont when I saw two riders coming the other direction. As they got closer I recognized them. It was Mike and Natalie from Red Peloton! I was so grateful to be riding with them. Just being with two teammates had me feeling better in minutes. Mike asked me if I was up for a sprint to light pole in the distance. Man, that felt so GOOD!!! There was a similar afternoon recently where I found myself dead again on the couch from the weight of it all. I had posted how down I was online and saw there were messages from my teammate Clint and Mark Tucker. From those encouraging words I returned to my own mantra: JUST GET ON YOUR GODDAMN BIKE! I was processing it all when a call came through from another Red Peloton team mate Brett. He was checking in on me as he had heard about my post. For some reason that broke me and I was in tears. We had a long talk and one of the things he said was, "You are resilient! You'll get through this!" That phrase stayed with me in the days and weeks following. I was so happy to get out on a ride with Brett, Clint and Brian that Saturday. We all needed it. To so many people on the road, whether we had a great talk, or just spent some time quietly riding by each other, you have no idea the difference you made. I hope you enjoy this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
  6. Burning Matches - Joe Feng /veloToze - Endless Improvement

    Jan 3

    Burning Matches - Joe Feng /veloToze - Endless Improvement

    I’m really happy to present a look behind the scenes of veloToze cycling gear company. I love this episode. It captures how cyclist’s devotion to endless improvement can permeate into the rest of our lives. A huge part of the fun of cycling is all the toys we get to play with. How cool to share the road with the inventor of multiple of my favorite toys! Joe Feng is a great rider who - through his company veloToze - has created many products that have become essential gear in our efforts to “outsmart the elements.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  7. Burning Matches - Jon Fisher - You Can Do Hard Things

    12/30/2025

    Burning Matches - Jon Fisher - You Can Do Hard Things

    Sycip/Devout bike racing team was one of the teams that caught my attention when I got back into bike racing in 2022. Multiple riders from this team were doing impressive things on Sonoma County group rides, at the local TNT criteriums series, 2 Rock training races and at USA Cycling events throughout Northern California - and competing nationally. It was especially impressive that this is a team of all juniors. On any given week you can find Sycip/Devout juniors going strong on group rides and on podiums for both men and women races. It was great to talk to Sycip/Devout cofounder Jon Fisher about how the team grew out of his and his wife’s love of riding and supporting their 5 kids with healthy lifestyles and values. Mentors and parents had an even greater impact than I realized on my cycling and it’s an honor to recognize people like Jon who make the wheels go around for young riders, the future of this great sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  8. Burning Matches - Mark Tucker - Bringing the Fire

    10/17/2025

    Burning Matches - Mark Tucker - Bringing the Fire

    Mark Tucker has been one of my favorite bike racers to watch since returning to racing in 2022. I’m excited for you to get to know Mark and get insights on this great sport! In this episode you’re going to get a lot of great bike racing tips but even if you’re not a bike racer you will learn how to improve your cycling no matter what riding level you’re at. I love that Mark did not even get into cycling until his 40s due to a back injury (he didn’t even like the idea of cycling as a form of exercise when his doctor first suggested it!), but has built an absolutely dominating record on the bike. Most of all Mark’s passion for bike racing illuminates something truly special about this sport: you can bring the fire at ages when most people can no longer enjoy the sports they once loved. You can ride a century, you can ride across the country, and YES you can race your bike even into your 90s! I recently visited my brother who nearly died from cancer earlier this year. His first exercise in his journey of recovery from surgery and radiation was when we got out for a 12-mile ride together. He was hooked! We rode over 50 miles together that week and riding is now a part of his weekly routine. No matter what your level of riding - getting in 10 miles or riding 50 races a year - I hope Mark’s story will inspire you to get on your bike and feel the fire! PS I’m listing this here so you don’t have to hunt through the episode to see that Mark’s all time power record is 371 watts - I believe my top FTP is around 220 watts. I’ve got some work to do! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
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About

If you love riding bikes and want to get better Burning Matches cycling podcast gives you tips and insights from the front lines of real riders like you. My simple goal is to help you enjoy this incredible sport more by riding better and appreciating the sport and spirituality that comes with it. I am Kurt Hoffmann, a former Cat 2 Junior bike racer who raced for the St. Louis Cycling Club during one of its heydays in the 1980s. Founded in 1887, SLCC is the oldest cycling club in the US. I returned to bike racing in 2022 for and since January 2023 have ridden for Northern California bike racing team Red Peloton. "Cycling has always been the greatest outlet for me and became even more important to me as I went through some extremely challenging times in 2024. The cycling community and time spent on my bike were my salvation. I realized how much I love these people and this activity and wanted to explore the stories of my fellow riders who share this love." Kurt Hoffmann What is Does Burning Matches Mean? In cycling, "burning matches" means you've put forth an intense effort that zapped a good chunk of your available strength, endurance or other riding capabilities. For a competitive ride, race or just personal effort, we only have so many matches to burn. A critical path to success is managing your matches. Burning Matches cycling podcast is presented by Alien Feedings, originally started by me as the indie DIY record label for the multiple bands and local music projects I produced in the 1990s. The full video episodes can be watched on the Burning Matches YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@burning-matches Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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