Service Course Report

Service Course Report
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This podcast episode features a roundtable discussion among three cycling enthusiasts, Kurt Stockton, Derin Stockton, and Ed Philbrick, as they share their personal journeys in the world of cycling. From their early experiences in BMX to professional road racing and the golden era of mountain biking, they reflect on the evolution of the sport, the importance of mentorship, and the cultural influences that shaped their paths. The conversation also explores team dynamics, product design, and the importance of fostering a cycling community.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 52: Is Pro Cycling Clean? Zone 2, Real Food & Asa Vermette's Historic Win

    Is pro cycling really cleaner today? Is Zone 2 training worth the hype? And how do you fuel a 24-hour ride without eating 18 gels? Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton, and Derin Stockton answer listener questions with stories and advice from decades of professional racing, coaching, and riding. We get into real food versus gels, functional fitness, mobility, post-race blues, and finding the right balance between easy rides and hard training. Then it's on to the racing. Asa Vermette makes history with his UCI Downhill World Cup overall title at Lake Placid, Sina Frei holds off Martina Berta in an incredible XCO finish, and Remco Evenepoel proves why you sprint all the way to the line against Giulio Ciccone. We also discuss modern doping concerns, dangerous incidents involving vehicles on race courses, recovery, sleep, and the ongoing SRAM chain wear debate. Real cycling talk from three former pros who have been around the sport for more than four decades. The Service Course Report — Season 2, Episode 52. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and Sponsors(00:01:57) - Reader Question: Nutrition on 24-Hour Rides(00:06:05) - Real Food vs Event Sponsor Nutrition(00:08:56) - Practical Fueling Tips and Real Food Options(00:12:42) - Classic Stories: Angelo's Spaghetti and Carrying Food(00:14:21) - Fueling Philosophy and Enjoying the Ride(00:17:43) - Favorite Off-Bike Exercises for Performance(00:24:21) - Mobility, Stretching, and Functional Fitness(00:28:31) - Dealing with Post-Race Blues(00:34:48) - Zone 2 Training Discussion(00:42:11) - Balance, Listening to Your Body, and Training Zones(00:48:35) - Is Pro Cycling Clean? Doping and Technology Debate(00:58:41) - Free Laps and Recent Rides(01:04:42) - Sleep, Recovery, and Life Updates(01:09:02) - Mountain Bike World Cup: Vermette's Title Battle(01:17:29) - XCO Racing and TV Coverage Quality(01:21:16) - Epic Sprint Finishes: XCO and Road Racing(01:26:05) - Remco vs Ciccone Sprint Breakdown(01:30:00) - Wrap-Up: Race Safety Issues and Finish Line Science(01:34:28) - Closing Remarks and Outro

  2. Oct 3

    Ep. 51 — Team USA’s Worlds Masterclass: McNulty, Barry & Three in the Top 10

    American cycling had a massive World Championships, and Episode 51 breaks down how it happened. Ed, KS and DS dig into Brandon McNulty’s elite world title, Ashlin Barry’s U23 victory and the team tactics behind three Americans finishing in the top 10. Matteo Jorgenson gets plenty of love for covering moves and disrupting the chase, while Quinn Simmons battles his way back into the action. Then it’s Lifetime Grand Prix, Matt Wilson, the MTB World Cup finale at Lake Placid, Asa Vermette, SRAM chain wear, long-race cramping, Sonoma gravel and another deserving recipient of the SCR “Amateur” award. Plus: listener questions queued up for Episode 52 on ultra-endurance nutrition, post-race blues, strength work and Zone 2. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and welcome(00:00:47) - Weekend rides: Sonoma exploring and the Drake trails(00:03:58) - Face flies, bug nets, and trail humor(00:05:37) - Castelli kit, vests, and jersey history with Roy Knickman(00:07:25) - SRAM chain checkers and drivetrain maintenance talk(00:10:20) - Castelli sponsor break and jersey/vest nostalgia(00:13:35) - Helmet talk and ride wrap-up(00:18:29) - Worlds: Ashlyn Berry's U23 win and family cycling legacy(00:21:07) - U23/Elite team strategy and race tactics breakdown(00:23:14) - Analyzing the men's elite road race dynamics(00:27:36) - Remco's fight and amateur radio leak drama(00:30:08) - Del Toro's struggles and race distance/fatigue factors(00:34:01) - Mads Pedersen comeback and Jorgensen's masterclass(00:36:32) - Historical context: LeMond's world championships(00:37:46) - Future of US cycling and sponsorship concerns(00:40:46) - Women's World Championship road race recap(00:43:28) - Lifetime Grand Prix and Leadville gravel racing(00:46:50) - Mountain Bike World Cup downhill and Asa Vermette's season(00:49:15) - Qualifying rules and championship consistency debate(00:54:45) - Asa Vermette's future and sponsorship speculation(01:01:32) - Avocado Festival and local carpentry fun(01:03:14) - European Championships preview and Roglich speculation(01:06:04) - Technical difficulties and segment transition(01:06:50) - What Went Wrong: cramping at Worlds(01:10:13) - Team car driving stories and caravan chaos(01:13:35) - Blinded by Science: don't lose the joy of riding(01:15:11) - Retro bike nostalgia and modern comfort appreciation(01:16:50) - That's How the Pros Do It: Michael Creed's leadership(01:19:22) - Lachlan Morton's departure from EF and adventure racing(01:20:33) - Demi Vollering's incredible 2025 season recap(01:23:26) - Velo d'Or history and award speculation(01:25:35) - Amateur segment: Joe's Strava knee injury story(01:27:39) - Reader questions teaser and episode wrap-up

  3. Sep 25

    50 Episodes! The Cycling Stories, Tech & History That Got Us Here | Service Course Report Ep. 50

    The Service Course Report hits 50 episodes. KS, DS and Ed celebrate by digging into the number 50 throughout cycling history and their own careers—from 50x15 junior gearing and 50/34 compact cranks to huge 50-tooth cassettes, 50 mph descents, 50-mile criteriums and today's 50mm gravel tires. They also revisit cycling's controversial 50% hematocrit rule, DS brings out an original Intense System 2 tire, Kurt remembers the Olympic Training Center and a brutal Greyhound ride home, and the guys talk World Championships, Soldier Hollow and where bike racing is headed next. Fifty episodes down. Fifty more to go. Sponsored by Castelli and Lazer Helmets. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro and Sponsor Shoutout(00:02:29) - Episode 50: The 50-Tooth Chainring Era(00:04:29) - The 50/15 Gear Roll-Out Story(00:11:56) - Wide-Range Cog Sets and Modern Gearing(00:14:37) - 50 MPH Descents and Old-School Risks(00:16:31) - Turning 50: Aging and Recovery(00:21:45) - Montreal Worlds and Olympic History(00:23:46) - 50-Mile Criteriums and Records(00:28:00) - The UCI's 50% Hematocrit Rule and Pantani(00:31:35) - 50mm Tires: From XC to Gravel(00:34:11) - Specialized Tricross Tire History(00:37:01) - The Filthy 50 and Costume Racing Tales(00:41:46) - Tire Prices Then and Now(00:43:08) - Reader Question: Olympic Training Center Stories(00:48:07) - Greyhound Bus Jersey Delivery Story(00:50:55) - Recovery Updates and Bike Rides(00:54:24) - Local Life: Fall Colors and Food Scene(00:59:14) - AI Customer Support Frustrations(01:05:18) - AI Ads and Deepfakes(01:07:15) - Weekend Plans: Pizza and Music(01:09:13) - World Championships Time Trial Recap(01:11:37) - Road Race Predictions for Worlds(01:16:26) - Soldier Hollow World Cup Recap(01:19:58) - Amateur Hour: USA Cycling Controversy(01:21:21) - Closing Remarks and Subscriber Push

  4. Sep 19

    Who’s Responsible for E-Motos? E-Bike Rules, Trail Access & Shimano Pedals | Ep. 49

    Where does an e-bike end and an e-moto begin? Ed, Kurt and DS tackle e-moto safety, regulation, manufacturers, retailers, parents, trail access and the three-class e-bike system. We also discuss the problems created when high-powered electric motorcycles are treated like bicycles—and what that could mean for legitimate e-bike and mountain-bike access. Plus: Ed’s NYC Citi Bike experience, Kurt at Lassen Gravel, DS back on the bike, our Vuelta recap, World Championship picks, and a deep dive into Shimano’s new pedal/S-Phyre shoe system and the renewed battle over pedal stack height. Chapters (00:00:20) - Intro and Sponsor Shoutouts(00:02:28) - Question of the Week: E-Bike/E-Moto Liability(00:04:16) - E-Bike Classifications and Legislative History(00:11:20) - Land Use, Trail Damage, and Nighttime Riding(00:15:24) - Noise, Perception, and Historical Comparisons(00:18:41) - Purpose-Built Parks and the Bradley Park Incident(00:25:01) - Parental and Manufacturer Responsibility(00:27:34) - Battery Safety and Legislation Challenges(00:31:01) - Bike Rental Systems and Future of Pedal-less Bikes(00:34:19) - NYC City Bike Experience and Safety Concerns(00:41:03) - Injury Data and Closing Thoughts on E-Bikes(00:42:42) - Rides of the Week: Lassen Gravel Adventure(00:47:30) - Casual Race Starts and Pack Riding Experience(00:49:02) - DS Knee Recovery Update(00:52:25) - World Championships Preview and Vuelta Recap(00:58:24) - Time Trial Predictions(00:59:42) - Blinded by Science: New Shimano Pedal and Shoe System(01:04:12) - Stack Height History and Comparisons(01:14:01) - Cost and Proprietary Shoe Concerns(01:18:31) - Closing Remarks and Show Info

  5. Sep 5

    Roadside Finds, MTB Worlds & Philly’s Cycling Comeback

    What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found while riding? Episode 48 starts with roadside discoveries ranging from tools and music to a live round and a loaded handgun. Then we dig into MTB Worlds, Tom Pidcock’s race craft, Jackson Goldstone and Vali Höll defending their downhill rainbow jerseys, and how something as subtle as tire casing can change the feel of a World Championship downhill bike. We also talk Vuelta tactics, Primož Roglič, Life Time Grand Prix changes at Sea Otter, The Radavist’s visit to Nevada City and the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. For this week’s Blinded by Science, we go deep on a Graham Watson photo of Kurt racing the 1990 World Championships—a Land Shark, early Shimano STI, Vittoria tubulars, Chris King headset and all the tiny details that defined a pro race bike of that era. Plus: the new Service Course Report Castelli kits, Lazer helmets, Dave Wong’s broken toe clip and a bike shop that closed for the weekend simply so everyone could go ride. Ride all the bikes. Chapters (00:00:00) - Service Course Report(00:01:28) - Castelli Espresso Jersey(00:06:34) - Laser Helmets(00:08:49) - What's The Most Interesting Thing You've Found On The Road?(00:15:00) - Stepping Back in Time: The Motels(00:16:43) - I Found A Sawzall In The Road(00:20:15) - Saved from the Desert: Riding Again(00:25:26) - Service Providers Training(00:25:41) - Rainy Weekend for Cycling(00:29:26) - The Rativist: A Retro Review Podcast(00:34:04) - Mountain Bike Worlds Coverage(00:36:32) - Jackson Goldstone's back to back World Downhill Championships(00:41:34) - Jackson Harrison's Downhill Casing(00:44:31) - Moss on the Vuelta(00:49:05) - What Went Wrong(00:49:28) - Davis Wong On His Toe Clips(00:52:57) - Kurt Angle on His Pro Cycling Pedals at the 1990 World(00:57:31) - American Classic Water Bottle Cables(00:58:08) - Phil and Chris King Headsets(01:02:42) - Phil LeMond On His First Pro Cycling Bike(01:06:00) - The Philadelphia Classic(01:10:39) - Another UCI World Tour race in North America(01:11:24) - Patagonia Gear Shop Closes for the Long Weekend

  6. Aug 28

    Episode 47: XCO’s New Guard, Pogačar at the Vuelta & Les Gets Goes Wild

    Is the next generation of XCO racers officially taking over? Episode 47 starts with Adrien Boichis vs. Mathieu van der Poel and a discussion about why younger riders are arriving at the elite level faster and more prepared than ever. We also dive into Pogačar’s Vuelta dominance, gravel and dirt in Grand Tours, the incredible crowd scene at Les Gets, the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic and Manayunk Wall, a new 24-hour gravel race in Southern California, recovery tools, Lifetime Grand Prix coverage and some classic downhill stories. We wrap it up with our Good Idea File: the hotel that opened its doors to the Vuelta peloton during a brutal hailstorm — then declined payment for helping them out. The Service Course Report — Season 2, Episode 47. Chapters (00:00:15) - PODCAST: Course Report, Episode 47(00:01:14) - Adrian Boashy riding away from Matthew Vanderpool(00:05:32) - Cross Country Prodigy and More(00:10:57) - Charlie Aldrich wins sprint medal in short track(00:13:09) - Longevity Grand Prix: Should We Include Women's Recaps?(00:15:34) - Kelvin's ACL Repair: Restoring the Cellular Function(00:20:36) - Theragun Wave Solo: A Ball That Relaxes Your Leg(00:23:57) - Slant Boards(00:24:12) - 24-Hour Gravel Race(00:28:32) - Paul's Pickleball National Championship(00:32:36) - The Tour de France 2018(00:37:39) - Tom Dumoulin on(00:41:40) - Mountain Days in the Tour(00:43:15) - Petey Peat And The Crowd Rush The Finish Line(00:46:36) - The Max Alrin Crowd Storming The Course(00:49:53) - Clash vs The Who(00:53:29) - Philly Bike Classic(00:56:55) - Philadelphia Cycling Classic(01:01:04) - Honorary mention for the Wet Screams(01:03:19) - Blowing Chainsaws(01:09:17) - A Cross Race in the Pacific Northwest(01:09:36) - Good Idea Files(01:11:08) - 500 Subscribers

  7. Aug 22

    Alaphilippe’s Last Dance, Leadville 100 & the Tire Wars | Ep. 46

    Is Julian Alaphilippe the last great showman in men’s cycling? Episode 46 starts with a look back at Alaphilippe’s career, his attacking style and the unmistakable panache he brought to racing. Then Ed, Kurt and Derin break down Keegan Swenson’s sixth Leadville Trail 100 win, Quinn Simmons’ transition from the WorldTour to Leadville, Lifetime’s race coverage and the growing importance of technology in bringing off-road racing live to viewers. They also talk Jonas Vingegaard, the Tour de France Femmes, why riders crash, Specialized’s custom race-tire operation in Germany, aero tricks at Leadville, Downieville and SILCA’s new tire lineup. And, naturally, there’s some Tahoe riding, bike-cleaning advice and cycling-industry critique along the way. Chapters (00:00:16) - Service Course Report(00:01:30) - Julian Alaphilippe's retirement: The last great show(00:06:04) - Jonas' Crash Return(00:10:09) - After My Mountain Bike Crash, Physical Therapy Remains a Pain(00:13:11) - How To Clean Your Bike During a Mountain Bike Ride(00:18:32) - Local Bike Rides(00:23:43) - New York Times Cooking: Scruffy Man Cooking(00:25:52) - Jonas Quintana on his future(00:29:14) - Demi Vollering Won The Tour de France(00:33:58) - Keegan Swenson's Leadville Marathon(00:38:09) - Amateur Cycling Coverage(00:42:12) - Leadville Trail 100 Coverage on Lifetime(00:47:45) - Keegan Simmons on His Preseason(00:51:59) - DSU on the Leadville crash(00:55:50) - Blind by Science: The Specialized Tire Factory(00:59:58) - Specialized Race Tire Factory Employee on Maxis Tires(01:05:10) - 5 Dev(01:09:16) - Yeti vs Penske(01:12:33) - The Leadville Lifetime Grand Prix(01:16:36) - "She flipped the script!"(01:18:50) - Silica Tire Launch

  8. Aug 7

    Ep. 45: The Next Performance Leap, Tour de France Femmes & Tarmac SL9

    Where does cycling’s next big performance gain come from? Ed, Kurt and Derin debate whether the next leap will come from bike geometry and rider position, AI and technology, recovery, nutrition or training. Then we get into the Tour de France Femmes and the incredible depth of the racing, including a closer look at Lorena Wiebes’ dominant sprint technique. Kurt also conducts a highly unofficial real-world aero test of the Specialized Tarmac SL9, we talk Garmin Varia and rider safety, DS begins his rehab journey, and the conversation turns to the current state of cycling media, clickbait and paywalls. Plus, a quick look at the newly modified Leadville Trail 100 MTB course. It’s Episode 45 of the Service Course Report. Chapters (00:00:11) - Service Course Report Podcast(00:00:57) - Laser Helmets(00:02:23) - Question of the Week(00:03:28) - Is More Forward Riding in Triathlon the Future?(00:10:24) - Tom Dumoulin on Cycling's Future(00:14:24) - Garmin Varia Radar on Your Bike(00:18:39) - No cell phone warning on the Tour de France(00:20:17) - Tom Dumoulin on Recovery(00:24:06) - Sleep Science and Recovery(00:29:39) - Does Physical Therapy Help Your Muscles?(00:31:06) - Santa Barbara Road Ride: Volume 1 and 2(00:35:18) - The Casitas Pass store still there(00:37:53) - Shelly's Influence on Cycling(00:42:52) - The Essential Oil Rub by Shelly Swan(00:45:30) - The Tour de France 2018: Stage 3(00:51:55) - Philip Van Vleuten on Women's Cycling(00:53:11) - Lorena Weebs's Sprint(00:57:16) - Blinded by Science Speed Test(01:02:23) - "They're riding hard,"(01:02:47) - Amateurs For The Week(01:07:50) - "Wide doping"(01:09:35) - Cycling Media: The Need for Independent Journalism(01:15:14) - Not to Know(01:15:51) - Tour de France 2018: Zwift Sponsorship(01:17:11) - This Week's Question

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

This podcast episode features a roundtable discussion among three cycling enthusiasts, Kurt Stockton, Derin Stockton, and Ed Philbrick, as they share their personal journeys in the world of cycling. From their early experiences in BMX to professional road racing and the golden era of mountain biking, they reflect on the evolution of the sport, the importance of mentorship, and the cultural influences that shaped their paths. The conversation also explores team dynamics, product design, and the importance of fostering a cycling community.

Information

  • Creator
    Service Course Report
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Service Course Report

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