Active Hobo

David Jenkins

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. 10 hr ago

    It’s time to talk about China | The Breakaway EP32

    Tom Pidcock started the 2026 MTB World Championships XCO race from the fifth row of the grid. He finished it as world champion — his second rainbow jersey, won by clawing back through the entire field in Val di Sole, Italy. Jared Haley (East City Cycles) joins us to break down exactly how he did it, and why Mathieu van der Poel's race went the opposite way. We also cover the Tadej and La Vuelta race shake up, lessons learned the hard way at the Sedgefield 500, preview of go2sea — the seven-day stage race everyone's talking about. The main talking points are then the China effect and what we need to safeguard in South Africa and a bike preview and MTB advice for the upcoming stage race. Plus: East City Cycles has a new gravel bike launching this Friday at 9am, timed to drop simultaneously with the rest of the world. Come for the ride, stay for the coffee. 0:00 — Intro & News Roundup 3:24 — MTB World Championships: Pidcock's Incredible Comeback 09:45 — Tadej Crash & La Vuelta 18:26 — Can Pidcock make World Champ History? 21:04 — Sedgefield 500 recap 30:18 — Gran Fondo Worlds 32:13 — Project 'Reform Cycling' 35:03 — Viewer Bike Spotlight: A UK Project Build 36:24 — Go 2 Sea 2026 43:09 — DuraAce 13 Speed 45:20 — Global Factor Launch at ECC 47:25 — Thank you Netto Invest 48:15 — New Pathfinder 2.2 and Maxxis Aspen 49:38 — East City Cycles' New Gravel Bike Launch 55:10 — Trek Domane 59:01 — The China Debate 1:31:05 — Choosing a MTB # === 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins Jaryd @jarryd_haley # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #TheBreakawayPodcast #TheActiveHobo #SouthAfricanCycling #MTBWorlds #TomPidcock #xlab #go2sea #cannondalescalpel

  2. 1 day ago

    He Started at 115kg. Then Rode Into Cape Town’s Winter

    He was 115kg and hadn't ridden a bike properly in decades. Then a Cape Town bike shop's Instagram challenge changed his winter — and Gear Change's own co-founder had a strikingly similar story to tell. 0:00 — The 500km challenge that started it all 1:47 — The Argus that changed everything at school 3:55 — The weight he'd been carrying 7:46 — 110kg to 90kg: the video his nephew sent him 14:19 — Racing Cape Epic with his business partner 37:17 — 16 gels a stage: learning to fuel properly 42:31 — Why "Joe Public" is the whole point 50:38 — Saturday's community ride (and a bike up for grabs) 58:53 — One more pedal stroke # === 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo === FOLLOW THE GUESTS ========================= Sulaiman Wyngaard: @ridewithsuli Justin Tuck: @gearchangesa # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #StoriesMatter #TheActiveHobo

  3. 1 day ago

    30 Hours, One Bad Night, and a Finish Line With My Family | Road to Gravel Burn Episode 8 PART 2

    Dave first heard of the Sedgefield 500, a self-supported, 500km-plus gravel race through South Africa's Garden Route, watching a video of ultra-endurance cyclist Tegan Phillips take it on years ago. This episode is the honest post-race account: what worked, what didn't, and the night things nearly fell apart. Somewhere past halfway, a stomach crisis turned a hard day into a genuinely frightening one — alone, in the dark, with no signal and the hardest section of the route still ahead. What followed was one of the more honest reflections on endurance sport you'll find: not a highlight reel, but the real cost and the real reward of finishing something that once felt out of reach. 0:00 — Before the Start: Recording a Message to His Future Self 2:23 — The Sedgefield 500: The Post-Race Report Begins 4:56 — Rating the Equipment: What Actually Held Up 9:35 — Fuelling 500km: The Full Nutrition Breakdown 11:30 — Where It Went Wrong: The Night Into Uniondale 14:51 — Coming Back to Life: The Final Stretch 16:29 — 30 Hours Later: What the Body Proved 17:37 — Thank You — and What Comes Next # === 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #RoadToGravelBurn #TheActiveHobo #StoriesThatMatter #HumanSpirit #Sedgefield500

  4. 1 day ago

    The Complete Rig for a 500km Unsupported Ride | Road to Gravel Burn Episode 8

    Every item on this bike earned its place. Ahead of a self-supported 500km-plus ultra-distance race with no aid stations and no route markings, Dave walks through exactly what's coming with him — from the kit built to handle a 30-degree swing in temperature, to the nutrition strategy built around 226ERS products, to the worst-case-scenario repair kit put together with help from Nick at Freewheel. Nothing here is guesswork. It's all been tested, questioned, and packed for a reason. 0:00 — Unpacking the Rig: What's Actually Going On This Bike 0:43 — The Kit: Bibs, Jacket, Shoes, Helmet & Glasses 5:16 — Nutrition: The Fuelling Plan for 30 Hours in the Saddle 8:23 — Hydration & Storage: Where Everything Actually Goes 9:50 — Spares & Repairs: The Worst-Case-Scenario Kit 14:19 — Lights, Navigation & Power: Surviving the Dark 20:13 — Final Send-Off: The Distance Ahead # === 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #TheActiveHobo #UltraCycling #SouthAfricanCycling #gravelrace

  5. 1 day ago

    Hayley Preen’s Secret Bike, Swiss Epic History & La Vuelta’s Wild Stage | The Breakaway EP31

    South Africans were quietly dominating overseas: Hayley Preen backed up her form in the US by coming home and winning African Gravel Champs on a bike that doesn't officially exist yet, Alex Miller took the men's title in Namibia, and Marc Pritzen and Felix Stehli made history as the first team to win a Swiss Epic stage on 32-inch wheels. Plus Lucy Burns and Michelle Bowden quietly picked up a podium at one of the toughest races on the calendar. We also break down the chaos at La Vuelta a España, where Stage 3 was neutralised and then cancelled with 15km to go after a severe hailstorm hit the peloton — and why Tadej Pogačar's role in that decision mattered. Plus a genuinely great impact story: a Mandela Foundation-linked initiative driven by Sipho of VeloKhaya that's built 20 schools, now taking the model to Mozambique. 0:00 — Intro & Studio Chat 9:08 — The Fake Wheels Story 14:11 — Gravel Worlds & African Champs: South Africans Abroad 19:15 — Swiss Epic: 32-Inch Wheels Make History 22:00 — La Vuelta a España: Stage 3 Chaos 27:07 — Impact Story: Building Schools, One Ride at a Time 40:39 — Gravel Wheels Deep Dive: 45mm vs 55mm Tires # === 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #TheBreakawayPodcast #TheActiveHobo #UltraCycling #SouthAfricanCycling #gravelrace

  6. 1 day ago

    Is This the Most Stable Gravel Aero Wheel Ever Made? | Interview with Mark Hopkins from CSixx

    We sit down with Mark Hopkins the founder of CSixx to find out how his 65mm deep gravel wheels became the biggest surprise in the insane crosswinds on our wheel test. From rim shape and aerodynamics to internal width, spoke choice and real-world durability, Mark breaks down the design philosophy behind these seriously deep gravel wheels. We also talk about why a deeper wheel can still feel incredibly stable in brutal Cape Town crosswinds—and whether the 65mm is the right choice for a 517km gravel race. Is deeper really faster, or have we completely lost our minds chasing aero gains? 01:01 Meet Mark from C6 03:04 Where Does a Carbon Wheel Begin? 04:34 Why Internal Rim Width Matters 05:43 Aerodynamics & Tire Harmony 07:53 Why Go 65mm Deep? 09:05 The Secret to Crosswind Stability 11:55 Spokes, Compliance & Gravel Durability 13:15 Why External Nipples Matter 15:30 Hub Engagement & Reliability 17:54 Is the 65mm Wheel Right for Gravelburn? # === 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za Code: THEACTIVEHOBO30 (30% off, first 10 users) 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #gravelbike #envewheels #zipp #carbonwheels #gravelwheelreview #ENVEGSES4.5 #Csixx65 #Zipp303XPLRSW #RovalTerraCL

  7. 1 day ago

    Gravel Burn Episode 7: Bike Breakdown for Sedgefield 500 | The First Prep Race 517km Ultra

    In this episode of Road to Gravel Burn, Dave takes on his first major test: the brutal 517km Sedgefield 500. After failing to finish the event last year, this ride is about unfinished business, mental resilience, and finding out whether his training, nutrition, and gear are truly ready for the challenge ahead. Alec and Dan take a deep dive into his Specialized Diverge setup, analysing everything from wheels and tyres to hydration, nutrition, pacing, lights, and the mental strategies needed to survive 30 hours on the bike. Can Dave put the past behind him and prove that he's ready for the road to Gavel Burn 2026? #gravelburn #sedgefield500 # === CHAPTERS =================================== 00:51 Why the Sedgefield 500 Matters 02:41 Unfinished Business & Mental Preparation 05:13 The Ultimate 517km Bike Setup 08:29 Alec & Dan Rate the Bike 09:33 Hydration, Gearing & Bikepacking Setup 14:02 Lights, Tyres & Mechanical Preparation 21:40 Nutrition, Fueling & Pacing for 500km 33:35 Mental Strategies, Music & Getting Through the Night # === 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/ LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === THE CREW ON INSTAGRAM =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins Alec Gates @alec.gates Dan Loubser @danloubser # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za Code: THEACTIVEHOBO30 (30% off, first 10 users) 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === 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 #roadtogravelburn #gravelburn #gravelracing

  8. 1 day ago

    One of the Hardest Bike Races on Earth: Alec’s TCR Story | The Breakaway EP30

    Before anything else: our thoughts are with Laura and her family after a serious collision this week, and with everyone in our community grieving a fellow rider we lost. If you're able to support Laura's family, Southside Cycles is coordinating help directly — please channel support through them rather than the family. On a different note: Alec is back; from finishing the Transcontinental Race. Roughly 5,000km, solo, self-supported, from Trondheim, Norway to Kalamata, Greece, riding on four hours of sleep a night with no outside help allowed. He talks about why he chose it, the accident in Taiwan that nearly ended his cycling altogether, and what actually goes through your head on hour 20 of a ride with no finish line in sight. We also cover La Vuelta a España (with SA coach Reece McDonald in the mix), and wrap up our gravel wheel testing series with a verdict nobody expected. 0:00 — Intro & A Message About Road Safety 9:01 — La Vuelta a España Begins: Reece McDonald in the Coach's Chair 18:27 — Gravel Wheel Testing: The Verdict 34:28 — Alec's TCR: One of the Hardest Races in the World 35:34 — The Crash in Taiwan That Changed Everything 41:47 — Inside the Race: No Sleep, No Support, No Rules 1:02:57 — 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 ========================= https://linktr.ee/theactivehobo # === PARTNER LINKS =================================== Doolhof Wine Estate https://doolhof.com 🔗 Code: ActiveHobo (20% off wines) RH 77 🔗 https://rh77.co.za Code: THEACTIVEHOBO30 (30% off, first 10 users) 226ERS 🔗 https://226ers.co.za/ Code: ActiveHobo (10% off) SCICON 🔗 https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount (URL and 10% Discount code link) East City Cycles 🔗 https://eastcitycycles.com/ Gear Change Bicycle Store 🔗 https://gearchange.co.za/ # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/vSnCZ6pTguQ?si=4hvAobdbQznnyw10 Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH Related episode: https://youtu.be/mgogDtiB_vg?si=RBaUt8VItbQisdTd # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #TheBreakawayPodcast #TheActiveHobo #Transcontinental #UltraCycling #SouthAfricanCycling

See All (100)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Active Hobo

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