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48 reviews

Description

Cycling is a beautiful sport. It's also a nightmare for new fans to get into – a mess of jargon, history, and tactics, spread across a long and confusing calendar. We are here to help. Journalism professor (and new cycling fan) Holly Johnson has questions, and Iain Treloar has answers (sometimes). Join us for the beginners' guide to pro cycling, as we break down what you need to know about the sport, and why. Escape Collective is member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/member/

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Beginner's Guide to Pro Cycling podcast

Newbie newbie new: Or, how do you know if you're a cycling fandom beginner?

2025/10/25

How can cycling be more welcoming to newcomers? How do you know if you are one? Does it matter? Holly takes the reins as she and Iain assess the landscape for fresh fans of the sport, figure out the best way to open the tent for everyone, and come up with a handy tool to Find Your Own Pro Cyclist Name.

What WorldTour races are actually worth your time?

2025/09/22

So you've watched the Tour de France – what next? With a continent-hopping WorldTour calendar, running from January to October, there's a whole lot to wrap your head around. Holly and Iain run through the races that are worth getting up early (or staying up late) for, the ones that help shape the season's narrative, and the ones that are worth skipping.

The Tour de France edition

2025/09/15

Ever have a question about the Tour de France? We've got you covered.

The beginner's guide to pro cycling

2025/09/15

Cycling's a beautiful sport. It's also a nightmare for new fans to get into – a mess of jargon, history, and tactics. Journalism professor (and new cycling fan) Holly Johnson has questions, and together with Iain Treloar, is on a mission to decipher pro cycling. In the first episode of this Rabbit Holes podcast offshoot: a chat with EF Education-Easypost CEO Jonathan Vaughters about how teams work.

S3E8: Take a Bow

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Kit Nicholson discuss the final episode of Unchained, focusing on the finale of the 2024 Tour de France.

S3E7: King of the Mountain

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, Dane Cash, and Intern Nick tackle the penultimate episode of Tour de France: Unchained, centering on the hopes of Richard Carapaz and other stagehunters trying to break free of the firm grip that UAE has on the race.

S3E6: History Makers

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, Dane Cash, and Intern Nick talk Unchained S3E6, which focuses on the history-making achievements of Biniam Girmay and Mark Cavendish.

S3E5: The Comeback

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Kit Nicholson, and Dane Cash dive into the fifth episode of season three, which takes a closer look at Jonas Vingegaard's journey back to racing after the crash that derailed the first half of his season.

S3E4: Road to Hell

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Kit Nicholson talk Unchained S3E4, which centers on the gravel stage of the 2024 Tour and the twin battles for stage honors and for GC position.

S3E3 Adapt or Die

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, Kit Nicholson, and Chris Marshall-Bell break down the third episode of the third season of Unchained, covering Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale's evolution and the challenges the team faces trying to get a return on sponsor investment

S3E2: Disruptors

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Kit Nicholson talk season three, episode two of Unchained, honing in on the four-rider GC battle at the 2024 Tour de France.

S3E1: David v Goliath

2025/07/02

Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Kit Nicholson discuss the opening episode of Tour de France: Unchained season three, which focuses on the build-up to the race and the dynamic of smaller teams taking on big-budget powerhouses.

S2E8: The Last Dance

2024/06/28

The Unchained Binge podcast discusses the final episode of season two, the last Tour days of Thibaut Pinot.

S2E7: Kamikazi Mission

2024/06/28

The Unchained Binge podcast discusses season two, episode seven of the show, which focuses on Soudal-Quick Steps quest to win a Tour stage.

S2E6: Domination

2024/06/26

The Unchained Binge podcast discusses season two, episode six of the show, which offers an inside look in the Jonas Vingegaard's ascent to the top of the Tour standings.

Podcast reviews

Read The Beginner's Guide to Pro Cycling podcast reviews

5 out of 5

48 reviews

ajones819 2025/07/13

TDF unchained translation to fun

Good Netflix series, great Podcast to listen! Sad to see the series end.

Helgi Hundingsbane 2025/07/11

The best

rockin_balme 2025/07/02

Fantastique

Absolutely fantastic discussion by hilarious and informative hosts. It’s a good program that they talk about and the hosts make it much more enjoyable...

kelsey718 2024/06/24

Perfect compliment to Unchained

I discovered this show right after watching season 2 and it was so good that I had to go back and rewatch season 1! I’m new to cycling and the hosts d...

arkottke 2023/06/24

Wonderful insights

Great podcast to accompany the recent Netflix documentary. The insights and commentary are stronger than Jakobsen’s sprint.

Velo Velo velo 2023/06/12

The winningest podcast

Great fun and insight, would love to hear a ranking at the end of all the things left out.

Smoot_Smoot 2023/06/09

A perfect compliment to the Netflix show.

I’ve consumed other “binge” podcasts and couldn’t be happier with what the Escape Collective delivered. It’s made my membership at escapecollective.cc...

Escapada Anónima 2023/06/09

The missing context I didn’t know I needed

Very good companion debrief of le Nètflix documentaire. Whether one is new to this weird sport or a seasoned follower, the escape collective crew brin...

DCpdx 2023/06/09

Great!

A+ so far

colbylaw 2023/06/09

Fantastic show

Great behind the scenes details.

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