ETAPA Cycling Podcast

ETAPA

Two blokes, two hemispheres, one shared belief that cycling got way too complicated. Corey's in Perth, somewhere between a hard session and a very slow recovery ride. Rob's in England building Etapa, a cycling app for everyone who isn't trying to win anything. Each week they talk about the stuff actual riders care about: what keeps you on the bike, what to eat before a 50k, why nobody should feel stupid for mispronouncing a French climb. Plus honest updates on building the app, bugs and all. No jargon. No podium or bust. Just two people who like riding. Sharing their App.

Episodes

  1. Aug 20

    Episode 8 - The reason ETAPA was started with Lucia

    Most new cyclists quit before they ever feel confident on the road. Corey Rocchiccioli and Rob reveal the exact on-ramp that turned a rower with zero cycling background into a rider who went from clipped-in basics to a 100 km goal faster than expected. What starts as a simple Google Sheet for Rob's girlfriend, Lucia, becomes the origin story behind the app itself - and a surprisingly practical blueprint for helping beginners fall in love with cycling instead of getting overwhelmed by it. From riding in trainers around Richmond Park to tackling roads, cleats, distance, nutrition, and even the fear of London traffic, this episode shows how small, structured wins build real confidence. You'll discover: Why the first milestone should be comfort, not speed How to structure a beginner cycling plan without making it boring Why cleats can help, but only after the basics feel natural How the app's companion feature adapts to different personalities, from gentle encouragement to brutal accountability Why the events finder and in-app coaching matter once you move beyond simple training plans Lucia  shares what it actually feels like to start cycling from scratch, why road riding felt intimidating at first, and how that fear changed once the rides started feeling safe, social, and fun. Rob explains how he reverse-engineered her progress into the app, why he built different companion personalities like Kai, Elena, and Lars, and how the product evolved organically from a real beginner's journey rather than theory. This episode also gets honest about the culture around cycling - the expensive kit, the Instagram pastry stop, the obsession with speed, and the pressure beginners feel to look like "real cyclists" before they've earned it. Corey pushes back on the noise and makes the case for a better starting point: ride more, compare less, and focus on enjoyment, not status. Essential listening if you're new to cycling, getting back into it, coaching someone who is, or building any habit that needs to feel doable before it feels impressive. If you've ever looked at cycling and thought "that looks amazing, but where do I even start?" - this conversation gives you the answer.

  2. Aug 12

    Episode 7 - London to Brighton

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publishHeat, identity, and recovery collide in this brutally honest ride from London to Brighton - and it might change how you think about fitness goals. Rob and Corey Rocchiccioli unpack why a 93.3 km day in 30-plus degree conditions can leave you completely cooked, what the pros actually do to recover, and why chasing "more" is often the fastest way to feel worse.What starts as a chaotic debrief on a scorching ride quickly turns into a bigger conversation about the way social media warps our idea of what "normal" fitness looks like. Rob shares how easy it is to compare yourself to full-time athletes and content creators, while Corey pulls the thread on identity, training pressure, and the danger of tying your self-worth to pace, distance, or output.You'll discover: Why a 93.3 km ride in the heat can leave your body wrecked for daysThe recovery stack that actually matters: sleep, hydration, nutrition, then everything elseWhy elite cyclists and cricketers keep their recovery simple once the basics are coveredHow wearables like Whoop can help you spot patterns, but not replace common senseWhy less pressure, more consistency, and better self-awareness beat obsessing over every sessionCorey brings the perspective of an elite cricketer who has lived through extreme heat, cramping, and the realities of performance under pressure. Rob adds the everyday athlete lens, exploring how ambitious goals, recovery, and longevity fit into real life when sport is supposed to make you feel better - not burn you out.If you've ever finished a big session and wondered whether you should push harder, recover smarter, or just lie on the couch and do nothing, this episode is for you. Essential listening for cyclists, runners, cricketers, and anyone trying to stay fit without turning fitness into a full-time job.

About

Two blokes, two hemispheres, one shared belief that cycling got way too complicated. Corey's in Perth, somewhere between a hard session and a very slow recovery ride. Rob's in England building Etapa, a cycling app for everyone who isn't trying to win anything. Each week they talk about the stuff actual riders care about: what keeps you on the bike, what to eat before a 50k, why nobody should feel stupid for mispronouncing a French climb. Plus honest updates on building the app, bugs and all. No jargon. No podium or bust. Just two people who like riding. Sharing their App.