Active Hobo

He failed most of his subjects, raced mountain bikes on three different pro teams, and still never had the breakthrough he dreamed of. So at 23 years old, with R15,000 and a plan scribbled after six months of marketing studies, Jurgens Uys walked away from everything he knew — and started making socks. Ten years later, Versus Socks has sold over 6 million pairs, employs more than 50 people, and runs community events that draw 20,000 signups. But this isn't really a story about socks. It's about what happens when a farm kid from Lourensford with ADHD, a competitive fire, and zero backup plan decides to build something that matters — one brick in the wall, every single day. In this conversation, Jurgens sits down with David Jenkins to trace the full arc: growing up watching the Cape Epic roll past his front door, the heartbreak of never quite making the podium, the moment his business partner said "let's go 50/50," and the wild ride from a parents' garage in Stellenbosch to a world-class production facility in Kuils River. He talks about running a business like a sports team, why there are no side hustles allowed, the viral banana socks moment, and why he still believes the best is yet to come. 🔗 Versus Socks: https://www.versussocks.com 📲 Jurgens on Instagram: @jurgensuys1 🧦 Support our friends at Scicon Sports SA — get 15% off with code ACTIVEHOBO at https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount If this story inspired you, subscribe, share it with someone building something of their own, and leave a comment — what would you build if there was no backup plan? 00:00:00 — Welcome to The Active Hobo 00:01:20 — Growing Up on a Farm Where Cape Epic Rolled Past 00:02:05 — ADHD, Ritalin, and Finding Identity on a Bike 00:02:49 — First Pro Contract: A Small Salary and a Dream 00:05:02 — "There Was a Monopoly" — Spotting the Gap 00:07:48 — Going 50/50 with Hanno: No Side Hustles, No Backup Plan 00:09:26 — 260 Orders Before They Had a Product 00:12:34 — The Sportsman's Warehouse Breakthrough 00:17:00 — "The Most Loved Sports Sock Brand in the World" 00:19:01 — How Paul Roos Shaped the Man Behind the Brand 00:23:03 — 50% Motivated, 50% Scared of Losing 00:25:06 — Kevin Evans, David George, and the Heroes on the Doorstep 00:29:52 — Choosing Business Over the Yellow Jersey 00:32:40 — "We're Not a Family — We're a Sports Team" 00:39:05 — When Cycling Saves the Leader 00:41:02 — R15,000 Each and a Boot Full of Socks 00:46:27 — The Swiss Knife Partner and Learning to Let Go 00:51:57 — Knowing When to Fire Yourself as CEO 00:55:57 — Banana Socks and the Moment Versus Went Viral 01:03:19 — Nerdy Sock Tech: 200 Needles and Seamless Machines 01:06:42 — The AI Sock Designer That Changed Everything 01:07:24 — 4,000 Pairs a Day: Inside the New Kuils River Facility 01:17:18 — Why They'll Never Be an Events Company (But Run the Best Events) 01:22:05 — Back to Base: 20,000 People, 50K in 10 Days 01:24:02 — The Versus Road Run Party: 7,500 Runners in Stellenbosch 01:25:51 — "What If There's No Ceiling?" 01:27:06 — The Floodgates Are Open

This week's Breakaway hits a nerve. Dave opens up about something a lot of cyclists won't say out loud — the moment a week off the bike becomes two, then a month, then you're not sure how to come back. Sarah breaks down the coaching side: patience, accountability, and why consistency beats intensity every time. It's the conversation you didn't know you needed. From there, the crew recaps Sarah's first full Savage ride and her sub-10 Chappies attempt on a gravel bike, dives deep into the Garden Route Giro stage breakdown as Dave prepares for six day stage race, relives the electric sprint finish at the inaugural Red Hill road race, and gets into a proper GOAT debate — Pogačar, Van der Poel, or Pidcock? Plus: Jonas Vingegaard is back firing, Ryan Gibbons is coming to Cape Town for a Scicon-supported group ride and feature, and the crew tries Moodhouse adaptogens live on air. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — Premium eyewear and luggage for cyclists who take their kit seriously. https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 📩 Got a story? A question? A wager idea for Dave vs Cam at Garden Rijero? Drop it in the comments, DM us, or email — we read everything. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and share this with someone who needs a reason to get back on the bike. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 — Something Different This Week 00:02:14 — Sarah's First Full Savage & Chappies on a Gravel Bike 00:10:00 — The Savage Ride Breakdown: Ben Tables, Sprints & Secret Segments 00:15:58 — The Conversation Nobody Has: Getting Back on the Bike 00:19:08 — Patience, Accountability & Consistency (Sarah's Coaching Take) 00:23:40 — Post-Epic Blues: "What's Next?" Isn't Always the Right Question 00:25:38 — Upcoming Races: Sondela, Berg en Busch & Cape Pioneer Trek 00:30:01 — Garden Route Giro Stage-by-Stage Breakdown 00:45:30 — The Active Hobo Is Going to Garden Route Giro (Daily Podcasts, Come Say Hi) 00:48:30 — The Dave vs Cam Wager: Suggestions Welcome 00:50:29 — Red Hill Is Back: The Inaugural Road Race That Gave Us Chills 00:57:39 — Jonas Vingegaard Returns & The Classics Are Heating Up 01:00:00 — Tour de France Predictions & The Alpecin Problem 01:04:07 — The GOAT Debate: Pogačar vs Van der Poel vs Pidcock 01:11:10 — Ryan Gibbons Group Ride & Feature (Thursday 9th, Scicon x Active Hobo) 01:18:09 — Moodhouse Adaptogens: A Wine Replacement? 01:23:00 — Wrap Up: Keep the Feedback Coming

He was given a 10-year life expectancy at eight months old. At 19, Jason van't Slot became the first person with cystic fibrosis to finish the Absa Cape Epic — the toughest mountain bike stage race on the planet. But this isn't just a story about cycling. It's about what it means to live inside a body that fights you every single day — chains around your chest, breathing like you're pulling air through a straw, eating 8,000 calories just to keep up — and still choosing to line up at the start. When a miracle drug called Trikafta finally reached South Africa after years of fighting, fundraising, and a community that refused to give up, Jason took his first unrestricted breath at 28 years old. He describes it as "mental chewing gum" — no pain, no caging, no chains. For the first time in his life, he was free. Now he's got his sights set on something nobody with cystic fibrosis has ever done: representing South Africa at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Japan. The road there runs through the Cape Town Cycle Tour, a top 25% finish, and rebuilding the fitness he set aside while he was busy doing something he'd never been able to do before — just living. This is Jason van't Slot. And he's not done yet. SCICON x Active Hobo Discount Code: https://za.sciconsports.com/discount/ACTIVEHOBO

Winning a Cape Epic stage isn't just about fitness — it's about surviving the first 10 minutes, holding position through blind corners on rocky single track, and then having enough left to produce 1,000-watt kicks on grass after 4,000 kilojoules of work. In this breakdown, performance coach Reece McDonald pulls back the curtain on exactly what it took to win Stage 1 and Stage 6 of Cape Epic 2025. From the opening selection — 18 minutes at 6.1 watts per kilo on a 14.5% gradient — to the tactical patience of the mid-stage settle, to the breakaway on Stage 6 that came down to who could resist fatigue the longest. This is what race-winning durability looks like from the inside. Whether you're a data-driven cyclist, a coach, or just fascinated by what elite performance demands from the human body — this one will change how you watch mountain bike racing. 🔗 Scicon Sports SA — https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 📩 Got questions about training or performance analysis? Drop them in the comments — Reece might just answer yours next. 👉 Subscribe for more stories from the world of endurance sport. 00:00 — A week that kept everyone guessing 00:58 — Stage 1: fresh legs, 35 teams, and the fight for position 02:50 — The first selection: 6.1W/kg on a 14.5% wall 04:30 — The settle: knowing when to save and when to spend 05:38 — Final attacks and the race to the line 06:38 — The sprint: 1,000-watt kicks on grass after 4,000kJ 08:00 — Stage 6: what six days of racing does to your legs 10:00 — The breakaway that broke the field 13:00 — What it actually takes: durability, cadence, and years of training 16:00 — How to get involved and what's next

She calls it "ruthlessly brave." Others might call it reckless. Jess Meniere has built her life around one principle - put your hand up first, figure it out later. And the consequences have been spectacular. In this episode of the Femme Series, Jess sits down with David to talk about what it really costs to chase a creative life in South African sport. From running the 13 Peaks with no training and no nutrition plan, to landing a dream career in sports photography before she even owned a camera - Jess's story is one of audacious leaps and hard landings. She opens up about the financial reality of freelancing, why she took a corporate job and immediately knew it was wrong, and the moment in Europe where an eight-day solo cycling odyssey through the Tour de Femme broke her completely. Along the way, there's a vegan cookie business born from spinal fractures, an honest conversation about what it's like being the only woman on the back of a motorbike at an event, and a triathlon that raises millions for education in South Africa. This one's for anyone who's ever been told they're not qualified enough, not strong enough, or not ready — and did it anyway. Part of the Femme Series — stories of remarkable women shaping South African cycling and beyond. 🍪 Bitchy Bites — Follow Jess's vegan cookie business: @ bitchy_bites 📸 Follow Jess: @ jess_meniere 🎧 Follow The Active Hobo: Instagram: @theactivehobo Website: https://activehobo.com 🏷️ Scicon Sports SA DISCOUNT: https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 00:00 — Ruthlessly Brave, Fuck Around And Find Out 02:29 — "How Hard Can It Be?" — 13 Peaks With Zero Prep 04:37 — Landing Her Bum In The Butter At Faces 06:05 — Going Freelance At 21 Without A Camera 14:19 — The Only Woman On The Mountain 22:20 — 250km Days And A R36K Disaster In Europe 27:46 — The Crushing Reality Behind The Glamour 37:42 — A Broken Back, 500 Biscuits, And Bitchy Bites 42:53 — Twitch Bitchy: The 100K Cookie-Fueled Gravel Route 47:04 — A Monday Marathon And A Near-Hijacking 49:41 — The Three Gravel Events That Ruined Everything Else 53:36 — Why Grassroots Beats Corporate 58:05 — What's Next: Cedar, Epic, And Calling Cape Town

For 23 years, no all-South African team had ever stood on the top step of the Cape Epic. On Sunday, Matt Beers and Tristan Nortje of Toyota Specialized Imbuko changed that - and the entire finish line held its breath counting down the seconds. This episode is a full Cape Epic 2026 debrief from the people who lived it. Sully was behind the camera on the back of a motorbike. Cam Roach finished in the top 40 alongside 16-time finisher Ollie Munnik. Sarah Maré made the hardest call a racer can make - to stop. Together, they break down the historic men's victory, Candice Lill's long-awaited women's win after being second on the podium fige times, the team dynamics that made it all possible, and what it actually takes to survive eight days on South African soil. Plus: Pogačar vs Pidcock at Milan-San Remo, the women's race crash that sparked an important conversation, and why the ABSA Cape Epic is still putting this country on the global stage. 👉 Subscribe for stories that matter 📲 Follow us: Instagram: @theactivehobo #TheActiveHobo #BreakawayPodcast 00:00 — Welcome to the Breakaway 00:03 — The Holy Trinity: Pogačar, Pidcock & Four Centimetres 08:30 — "Women Drivers" — The Crash Commentary That Has to Stop 15:15 — South Africa's Back, Baby: The Headline That Changed Everything 19:17 — The Crowd Counts Down — A Moment That Rewrote History 22:00 — Candice Lill: Eight Attempts and Five Second Places Later 26:08 — Hailey Squared & the Art of Chipping Away 27:20 — The Brands and People Behind the Winning Machine 33:27 — Sarah's Decision: When Health Comes Before the Finish Line 43:54 — Cam & Ollie: Piano, Piano to the Top 40 48:56 — The Epic Bug, Bin Bags & 690cc War Stories 52:15 — Sully on the Media Bike: Chasing Sam Gaze Downhill 57:00 — Did the Women's Separate Start Work? 1:05:00 — The Tour de France of Mountain Biking — Or Something Better 1:11:00 — Closing Thoughts: Pride, Gratitude & What Comes Next

She calls it "ruthlessly brave." Others might call it reckless. Jess Meniere has built her life around one principle - put your hand up first, figure it out later. And the consequences have been spectacular. In this episode of the Femme Series, Jess sits down with David to talk about what it really costs to chase a creative life in South African sport. From running the 13 Peaks with no training and no nutrition plan, to landing a dream career in sports photography before she even owned a camera - Jess's story is one of audacious leaps and hard landings. She opens up about the financial reality of freelancing, why she took a corporate job and immediately knew it was wrong, and the moment in Europe where an eight-day solo cycling odyssey through the Tour de Femme broke her completely. Along the way, there's a vegan cookie business born from spinal fractures, an honest conversation about what it's like being the only woman on the back of a motorbike at an event, and a triathlon that raises millions for education in South Africa. This one's for anyone who's ever been told they're not qualified enough, not strong enough, or not ready — and did it anyway. Part of the Femme Series — stories of remarkable women shaping South African cycling and beyond. 🍪 Bitchy Bites — Follow Jess's vegan cookie business: @ bitchy_bites 📸 Follow Jess: @ jess_meniere 🎧 Follow The Active Hobo: Instagram: @theactivehobo Website: https://activehobo.com 🏷️ Scicon Sports SA DISCOUNT: https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 00:00 — Ruthlessly Brave, Fuck Around And Find Out 02:29 — "How Hard Can It Be?" — 13 Peaks With Zero Prep 04:37 — Landing Her Bum In The Butter At Faces 06:05 — Going Freelance At 21 Without A Camera 14:19 — The Only Woman On The Mountain 22:20 — 250km Days And A R36K Disaster In Europe 27:46 — The Crushing Reality Behind The Glamour 37:42 — A Broken Back, 500 Biscuits, And Bitchy Bites 42:53 — Twitch Bitchy: The 100K Cookie-Fueled Gravel Route 47:04 — A Monday Marathon And A Near-Hijacking 49:41 — The Three Gravel Events That Ruined Everything Else 53:36 — Why Grassroots Beats Corporate 58:05 — What's Next: Cedar, Epic, And Calling Cape Town

He went to Joburg for one ride. He got dropped by a world-tour cyclist, skipped a robot or two, and came back a convert. That's where Episode 10 begins — and it only gets bigger from there. Cape Epic is underway, and the stories coming out of those trails are exactly why this race is unlike anything else on earth. Dean Hoff and Kevin Benke ran 30 kilometres with their bikes after a mechanical destroyed their race — and kept going. Tristan de Villiers and Kezia Llewellyn are in the yellow jersey, chasing what no South African pairing has ever done: win the Cape Epic. Meanwhile, Cam and Allie are out there somewhere in the peloton, laughing their heads off. Alec's on the ground. Sarah's racing. This one's personal. On the world stage: del Toro is making GC statements, Vingegaard's wardrobe is making headlines, and Van der Poel is riding like a man possessed. Milan-San Remo is around the corner — and the women's race might be the most unpredictable one-day classic in years. We also touch on Allan Hathley quietly going 13th at Tirreno and what that could mean. And then — gravel. Gallows. Garden route Giro. Roads to Desolation. If the gravel bug hasn't bitten you yet, this episode might be the one that changes that. We're a year old, Scicon has come on board, and we're just getting started. 🎙️ Hosted by David & Jason | The Breakaway Podcast 📸 Follow Alec's live Cape Epic coverage on Instagram: @theactivehobo 🕶️ Gear up with Scicon Sports SA — 15% off https://theactivehobo.short.gy/sciconsports-discount 💬 Drop your take in the comments — is Gallows South Africa's best gravel race? And can Tristan & Kezia make history? 🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss our daily podcasts from the Garden route Giro. Gallows Gravel Race Link: https://www.thegallowsrace.co.za/ Garden Route Giro link: https://www.gardenroutegiro.co.za/ #capeepic2026 #capeepic #achievementunlocked 00:00 — The Capetonian Goes to Joburg (and Gets Schooled) 11:34 — Inside the Cape Epic: Yellow Jersey, Broken Bikes & 30km On Foot 16:15 — The Story That Defines What Epic Actually Means 22:00 — Can a South African Pair Finally Win the Cape Epic? 30:04 — Del Toro, Vingegaard's Shorts & Tour de France Signals 47:08 — Women's Milan-San Remo: The Race Nobody Can Call 50:37 — Allan Hathley's Quiet Statement to the World 54:20 — South Africa's Gravel Season Is Here 55:24 — Gallows: The Race That Breaks You in the Best Way 1:00:13 — Garden Route Giro 2026 1:08:49 — One Year In: Scicon, Milestones & What's Coming 1:11:29 — See You Out There

You've seen the numbers on the packet. 2:1 ratio. 60 grams. 90 grams per hour. Multiple transportable carbohydrates. But what does any of it actually mean — and how do you use it without blowing up your stomach on race day? In Part 2 with Reece McDonald — head of performance at Embukos and Science to Sport partner — we sit down and break race-day nutrition into language that anyone can understand. No jargon walls, no brand pushing. Just the honest, practical science behind what goes in your bottle, how concentrated it should be, what your pre-race breakfast should look like, and why the stuff you do in training matters more than anything you panic-buy the night before. If you've ever stood in your kitchen staring at a bag of race mix wondering how many scoops actually go in — this one's for you. https://www.sciencetosport.com 🎙️ Missed Part 1? Watch it here: [https://youtu.be/GSd23504_04] 📩 Got a nutrition question we didn't cover? Drop it in the comments or DM us — Reece is game to come back and go deeper. 👉 Subscribe to The Active Hobo for stories that matter — on and off the bike. SCICON Active Hobo Discount Code: https://za.sciconsports.com/discount/ACTIVEHOBO 00:00 — The Scoop Problem Nobody Talks About 02:50 — Train How You Race (Or Pay For It Later) 05:17 — Multiple Transportable Carbohydrates — In Plain English 06:18 — The 2:1 Ratio and Why 90 Grams Is the Ceiling 08:58 — Going Above 90g — Who Actually Needs That? 10:03 — Gut Training: Why Racing Intensity Changes Everything 11:10 — How Concentrated Should Your Bottle Actually Be? 13:26 — Gels, Bars, or Bottles — Building Your Race-Day Stack 16:01 — The Pre-Race Breakfast That Won't Wreck You 19:20 — Bagels, Maize Meal, and Better Alternatives to Oats 20:43 — The Electrolyte Trap Most Riders Fall Into 22:05 — Panic Consuming: The Race-Day Mistake You Keep Making 24:24 — Your Questions, Our Next Episode 26:17 — Incremental, Not Experimental

💬 What sport or activity changed the direction of your life? Tell us in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe — this series is just getting started. 🎙️ The Active Hobo — Stories That Matter 📍 Cape Town, South Africa Over 400 career victories. Three Cape Town Cycle Tour wins. Eight gold medals in a single national track championship. Seven wins in his first season in Belgium, as a teenager from Joburg who didn't know a soul. He raced against Lance Armstrong, sprinted against Robbie McEwan, and built some of the most iconic professional cycling teams South Africa has ever seen, HSBC, Med Scheme, Bonitas, DSV, often pitching boardrooms in the morning and winning races in the afternoon. But this conversation isn't just about the wins. It's about what South African cycling was, what it lost, and what one man is trying to build back from the ground up. Malcolm now runs the DSV Shift Academy in Paarl, putting 25 kids from his community on bikes, into classrooms, and onto a path that didn't exist for them before he showed up. From BMX ramps in the suburbs to basement floors in Cologne. From the golden era of Rapport Tour and packed road closures to the silence that followed. This is the story of the most winning South African road cyclist in history. And it's only part one. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Tracksuit Pants and a Bike Too Big 06:00 — 200 Schoolboys on a Start Line 12:00 — Eight Gold Medals in One Weekend 18:00 — Break a Record, Get Sunglasses 25:00 — Landing in Belgium With No Plan and No Phone 32:00 — Seven Wins in Season One 40:00 — The Doping Era Nobody Talks About Honestly 50:00 — Winning Is Not Everything 58:00 — The HSBC Pitch That Changed Everything 1:08:00 — Racing Against Lance, McEwan, and the Best in the World 1:18:00 — The Rapport Tour and the Glory Days Nobody Remembers 1:28:00 — Nick White, Jock Green, and the Lotto Hat 1:38:00 — From Rider to Team Boss to Rival 1:50:00 — When Doug Ryder Left a Void 2:00:00 — Why He Walked Away From Pro Racing 2:08:00 — 25 Kids, Six Containers, and a Velodrome in Paarl 2:18:00 — The High-Speed Police Officer 2:28:00 — Criteriums, Leagues, and Fixing the Media Problem 2:38:00 — Put Your Money Back Into This Sport

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss our daily Epic coverage dropping next week. 💬 Tell us — what's your "almost" moment? The time you were so close you could taste it. Drop it in the comments. 📲 Got a story from Epic? Come find Cam, Sarah, or Alec on the route. That's why we're there. A world tour rider stopped Cam at Strade Bianche and asked how to get on this podcast. That's not the only thing that caught us off guard this week. Lisa Iterate finally broke through at the Cape Town Cycle Tour — after years of seconds and thirds, she stood on top in front of 28,000 riders. Ryan Gibbons used world tour-level tactics to take the men's race in a sprint that nearly slipped away from Jayden Lill at the line. Meanwhile, Cam just got back from his first behind-the-scenes experience at Strade Bianche with Team Q36.5, where Tadej Pogačar soloed 80km to victory and reminded everyone why the sport can't look away — even when one man is rewriting the rules. And we break down why women's racing, both locally and internationally, is delivering the most compelling action in the peloton right now. Then we turn all our energy to Sunday. Cape Epic starts in five days. Sarah's battling nerves and flashbacks from the one year she didn't finish. Cam just landed from Italy and hasn't touched his bike in a week. The stages are longer than ever. And Alec just got a media pass — so we're going all in to bring you the stories from the dirt. 🕐 CHAPTERS: 00:00 — We're Back, Cam Shaved, and Epic Is Coming 03:30 — Cape Town Cycle Tour: The Women's Race That Had Everything 10:00 — Lisa's Breakthrough — Years of Seconds, One Massive Win 13:00 — Ryan Gibbons Takes It — World Tour Tactics on Home Soil 17:00 — Jayden Lill: The Kid Who Nearly Clipped Him on the Line 19:30 — Crashes, Chaos and the Chappies Wipeout 21:00 — Riding With Malcolm Lange — A Legend in Your Group 24:00 — 28,000 Riders, UCI Medals, and Why This Race Matters 26:00 — Strade Bianche: Cam Goes Behind the Curtain at World Tour Level 30:00 — Pogačar Solos 80km — Is Dominance Good for Cycling? 35:00 — The Women's Strade Bianche Finish That Gave Us Goosebumps 39:00 — A World Tour Pro Asked to Be on This Podcast 42:00 — Cape Epic Preview: Longer Stages, Old-School Routes & Foot-and-Mouth Detours 47:00 — The Queen Stage Through Lawrenceford 50:00 — Sarah's Unfinished Business & the Stage That Haunts Her 53:00 — Final Nerves, Race Prep Tips & See You on the Start Line 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss our daily Epic coverage dropping next week. 💬 Tell us — what's your "almost" moment? The time you were so close you could taste it. Drop it in the comments. 📲 Got a story from Epic? Come find Cam, Sarah, or Alec on the route. That's why we're there.

He wasn't good at catching a ball. He wasn't good at sitting still in class. But put him on a bike and something switched! David George represented South Africa at three Olympic Games, won the country's first Commonwealth Games cycling medal, stood on the podium at World Championships, and raced for one of the most iconic teams in professional cycling history. And almost nobody in South Africa knows his name. This is one of the most honest, layered conversations we've ever had on The Active Hobo. From a childhood in Cape Town's southern suburbs to the basements of Europe, from the highest stage in world sport to losing it all and starting from absolute zero. 00:00 — The Kid Who Won Barefoot 05:30 — Drawing Bikes in Class 12:00 — Tandems, Track Nights, and the Golden Days 22:00 — The First Breakaway That Changed Everything 30:00 — A Record Broken in a Shed in Leicester 38:00 — Faxing Your Future to Europe 45:00 — The Medal Nobody Expected 55:00 — Basements, Dogshit Bikes, and Marginal Losses 1:05:00 — Inside the Most Famous Team in Cycling 1:15:00 — Three Olympics and a Growing Frustration 1:22:00 — Mountain Biking and Being a Kid Again 1:30:00 — The Day It All Went to Zero 1:38:00 — A Bike Shop Next to a Urinal Wall 1:48:00 — Covid, the Boom, and the Bust 1:58:00 — The Hook — Why People Walk Through His Door 2:08:00 — South Africa's Golden Era Right Now 2:20:00 — The Super Team That Should Exist 2:30:00 — The Hero Series Begins

The Iconic Series begins with a name that carries real weight in South African cycling: Nic White. In this first episode, we sit down with one of the sport’s most respected and influential figures to unpack a career filled with legendary stories, hard racing, unforgettable wins, and a deep love for the bicycle itself. From the old Joburg racing scene to European cobbled classics, Morocco, HSBC, Microsoft, and the evolution of South African cycling, Nic shares the kind of perspective you rarely get in one conversation. This is more than a podcast about results. It’s about the culture, the characters, the suffering, the freedom, and the journey that helped shape an era.

Cape Town Cycle Tour race week is its own sport: tapering without going stale, fueling without doing anything “new,” and staying calm when the roads (and the vibes) get hectic. In this episode of The Breakaway Show, David and Sarah break down what the final week should actually look like—from elite-level readiness to “punter” practicality. You’ll hear how to think about rest days vs openers, why you shouldn’t chase “race weight” in taper week, and how to keep your energy stable when work stress and travel are peaking. Then we go deep on race-day fueling: carb targets, mixing strategies, and the real-world way people use caffeine (and why timing matters). Sarah explains caffeine’s effect on perceived exertion, when it helps, and when it can backfire—especially for anxious riders. We also hit the most important topic: safety. Wind, descents, bunch dynamics, marshal awareness, and the simple habits that keep everyone getting home in one piece. Finally, we pivot to the weekend’s racing: the classics season opening, Demi Vollering’s statement ride, Paul Seixas’ breakout win, and a quick crash course on monuments. We wrap with Tuesday segment chaos (Engine-to-Engine vs Chappies) and a tech rabbit hole on Challenge’s new Stagioni tire and why tires might be the most underrated upgrade you can make. Subscribe for weekly cycling + running talk, tech rabbit holes, and local stories that deserve the spotlight. — 00:00:03 Introductions + why CTCT week is “the elephant in the room” 00:01:24 Race-week taper mindset: rest days vs keeping the legs awake 00:03:02 What riders are doing now (Tabatas, 3x8s) + “finish feeling strong” 00:05:01 Setting your CTCT goal: the four key pinch points (Edinburgh, Smits, Chappies, Suikerbossie) 00:07:25 Mental readiness: why some riders rest the day before (and others spin) 00:08:01 Cape Town vibes + road etiquette with motorists (diffuse tension fast) 00:09:16 Race week nutrition rules: don’t try new things, don’t chase “race weight” 00:11:19 Race day carbs: 2:1 talk, practical targets, gels vs bottles, and caffeine strategy 00:14:57 Caffeine explained: perceived exertion, timing templates, and who should be cautious 00:17:49 Pre-hydration: electrolytes, travel dehydration, and split bottles (carbs vs salts) 00:24:09 Running vs cycling Fuelling 00:25:08 CTCT media access 00:26:11 Safety talk: crosswinds, descents, and why safety is paramount 00:28:24 Trail awareness 00:30:22 CTCT as a UCI Gran Fondo event + qualifying storylines 00:32:59 Race Predictions from Jaedon Terlouw, Kyle Mitchel & Tyler Lange 00:37:23 Classics season primer: what the “classics” are and why they matter 00:39:49 Demi Vollering’s move + why women’s classics are a massive stage 00:41:26 Paul Seixas breakout + monuments crash course (San Remo, Flanders, Roubaix, Liège, Lombardia) 00:48:09 Where to follow classics coverage + quick broadcast chat 00:49:33 Tuesday segment review: Engine-to-Engine vs Chappies leaderboards 00:55:47 Tech rabbit hole: Challenge tires (Elite vs Strada vs new Stagioni) + why tires are overlooked 01:01:14 Wrap-up + good luck for Cycle Tour week — # Footnotes / Sources (copy-paste links) 1) Cape Town Cycle Tour — official site (UCI Gran Fondo World Series mention): https://www.capetowncycletour.com/ 2) UCI event listing — Cape Town Cycle Tour (UGF / Gran Fondo World Series): https://www.uci.org/competition-details/2026/CPT/78708 3) UCI Gran Fondo World Series — Cape Town Cycle Tour event page: https://ucigranfondoworldseries.com/en/cape-town-cycle-tour/ 4) CTCT 2026 Rider Guide PDF (official event guide): https://www.capetowncycletour.com/system/refinery/resources/W1siZiIsIjIwMjYvMDIvMjgvMTgvMjYvNDQvMTMzZmIwYTgtMmQyYi00OTNjLTgwNmYtZGQ1MzkyMTZiYzYzL0NUQ1QyMDI2X3JpZGVyIGd1aWRlX3Y0X2NvbXByZXNzZWQucGRmIl1d/CTCT2026_rider%20guide_v4_compressed.pdf 5) ProCyclingStats — Omloop Het Nieuwsblad WE 2026 results: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-we/2026/result 6) Cyclingnews — Paul Seixas wins Faun-Ardèche Classic with long-range solo: https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/racing/faun-ardeche-classic-young-frenchman-imitates-tadej-pogacar-by-annihilating-stacked-field-with-long-range-solo-move/ 7) Challenge Tires — 4 Stagioni XP product page (Easy-Fit Shape / easier mounting): https://challengetires.com/en-row/products/4-stagioni-handmade-tlr

The Cape Town Cycle Tour trophy isn’t “just a trophy.” It’s a handcrafted piece of design history — built from emotion, legacy, and obsessive attention to detail. In this episode of the Active Hobo, we sit down with **Michelé** (PR + events, 19 years at Carol Boyes) and **Madi** (Head of Product, 20 years in design) to unpack the story behind some of South Africa’s most iconic event trophies — including the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Cape Town Double Century (DC) trophies. You’ll hear how the Cycle Tour trophy started with a simple brief — Cape Town’s natural beauty and Table Mountain — and turned into a layered, laser-cut stainless-steel artwork that’s remained iconic since 2013. We also get into how design teams translate a “wish list” into a final object, why small details matter more than people think, and why the process can take 12–18 months from concept to reveal. Then we go deeper into the DC trophy — the climbs, the teamwork, the farms on the route — and the meaning hidden in the layers. Finally, we touch the powerful Carol Boyes Legacy Trophy, created to honour Carol’s spirit and awarded to a team that embodied courage and purpose beyond performance. If you love cycling, design, or South African stories that deserve more spotlight — this one will change how you see trophies forever. Subscribe for more story-driven conversations where the real meaning is in the details. — 0:00 Intro: Stories matter + trophies behind the scenes 0:22 Meet Madi & Michelé (Carol Boyes) 4:52 Why Cycle Tour needed a new trophy 6:41 The brief: Cape Town beauty + Table Mountain 11:47 From sketches to laser-cut stainless steel layers 13:05 Timeline: why it can take 12–18 months 15:53 Build challenges + finishing details 29:22 DC & the Carol Boyes team connection 38:22 DC trophy story: farms, climbs & route symbolism 39:08 DC trophy story: teamwork + “little men” details 53:33 Cape Town Marathon trophy mention 56:03 The Carol Boyes Legacy Trophy explained 59:34 The moment it clicked: the tandem/blind teammate story 1:01:24 Closing: what legacy really means

Heat training has become one of the most practical “unfair advantages” a normal rider can actually use—without a WorldTour budget. In this special edition of The Breakaway, we sit down with Reece McDonald (Science to Sport) to break down heat acclimation vs heat acclimatization, and why a simple sauna routine can improve your heat tolerance, your cooling efficiency, and potentially even performance via mechanisms that overlap with altitude-style adaptations. We cover the real-world, no-lab-coat version: • The difference between natural heat exposure (riding in summer) vs artificial heat exposure (sauna / hot baths / indoor heat sessions) • Passive vs active heat training (and why passive is often the easiest win) • What to track if you don’t have a core temp sensor: cardiac drift, sweat rate, and body mass change • Why sauna beats steam room for this goal (most of the time) • How heat training can expand plasma volume, influence hematocrit, and might support a later rise in hemoglobin mass (“poor man’s altitude”) • Safety and execution: building tolerance, not overdoing the stress, and smart rehydration after sessions If you ride or race in South African summer conditions—road, gravel, or MTB—this is one of the most accessible training tools you can add this year. 00:00 Intro + why heat training matters 03:14 Heat acclimation vs heat acclimatization (simple definitions) 03:48 Active vs passive heat training (core temp, cardiac drift, sweat rate) 07:02 Is heat training “new”? What the research + pros are doing 10:34 “Poor man’s altitude”: the crossover benefits (heat ↔ altitude) 13:11 Hemoglobin explained (and why EPO mattered in the doping era) 16:04 What actually changes: sweating earlier, plasma volume, cooling efficiency 18:58 Measuring progress: bloods, hematocrit, timelines, expectations 21:06 Sauna protocol: how long, how often, and how to build tolerance safely 24:49 Cold rinse / contrast hacks: helpful or undermining the adaptation? 34:02 Indoor workaround: fan-off cooldown + jacket (smart stress, not all the time) 40:13 Steam room vs sauna + alternatives (hot yoga, indoor heat sessions) 40:36 Hydration + carbs + electrolytes when doing heat work (kidney strain warning) 42:54 Outro + where to find Reece / Science to Sport resources

This week on The Breakaway, we kick off with the frothiest new idea we’ve had in a while: **SA’s Segment Challenge** — Cape Town’s Chappies culture vs Joburg’s Engen-to-Engen chaos, plus a shout to Durban to send their “we kill each other weekly” segment so we can put it on the show. Then it’s straight into **Tap-Out Tuesday** energy: sub-10 obsession, perfect wind conditions, lead-out etiquette, and why “it counts” even if you didn’t do it in the ‘right’ spirit. From there we pivot to the **Big 5 by Imbuko Wines** — record-level performances, Epic implications, and why pacing + self-belief is still the ultimate cheat code. We break down the key moments, the podiums, and what it signals for the Cape Epic build-up. We also touch the **Cape Epic** shake-up that changes the race narrative overnight, plus a quick detour into road racing and the running check-in. Drop your segment suggestions (Joburg/Durban/any city), your spiciest banter, and what you want us to cover next. — 00:00 Intro + Episode 7 opens 00:24 Drift detour + tyre price madness 01:07 The “Segments Challenge” (CT vs JHB vs Durban) 03:16 Tuesday Chappies: sub-10 day recap + tactics 10:35 Joburg clapback: Engen-to-Engen vs Chappies + stats 22:20 Durban call-out: send your segment (we’ll feature it) 23:00 Big 5 MTB: Kefenga descent + race takeaways 25:22 Big 5 women’s results + what it means for Epic 31:01 Cape Epic women podium predictions 35:51 Cape Epic drama update 38:45 Big 5 men’s podium + Toyota Specialized team shout 49:47 Can Big 5 become XCM Worlds? 51:05 PPA road racing: “C-batch is the real race” + Jason’s win story 1:02:16 Running check-in + fast half marathon times 1:05:07 Next week tease: Cycle Tour week + Epic prep — Footnotes / Sources (official links) 1) Big 5 2026 recap + race dynamics: https://www.bicycling.co.za/race-news/course-records-smashed-at-the-2026-big-5-mtb-challenge/ 2) Big 5 2026 recap + women’s results + course record time: https://bikenetwork.co.za/results-recap-2026-big-5-by-imbuko-wines-canetsfontein/ 3) Big 5 2026 ladies podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-ladies-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-candice-lill-04h25m54s-greta-/1461632195964214/ 4) Big 5 2026 men’s podium (Imbuko Big 5 FB post): https://www.facebook.com/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge/posts/your-2026-mens-podium-at-the-big-5-mtb-challenge-alan-hatherly-03h37m49s-tristan/1461634282630672/ 5) Keegan Swenson Cape Epic withdrawal / fractured pelvis report: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/us-gravel-pro-keegan-swenson-breaks-pelvis-after-getting-smoked-by-car-door

Shaun Glover (Red Cherry Events) breaks down the reality behind South African cycling events—what it took to survive COVID, rebuild a team, and claw back from the edge when income stopped for 18 months. We talk event economics (cashflow, liabilities, debt), why sponsors are essential for world-class events, and the hidden workload of delivering real ROI for corporate partners. Shaun also shares how relationships and consistency turned “friends, fools and family” attendance into real momentum—plus a behind-the-scenes look at what makes M&G Investments more than a sponsor through genuine community impact. Then we zoom out into the bigger picture: why virality fades, why long-term brand building wins, and why riders should support the brands that keep the sport alive. To close, Shaun runs through standout upcoming events (including PE Platinum, Forest Boogie, Tour de Addo, Weekend Warrior, and Grab Jura), and we geek out on the Orbea Epic bike tech (Flight Attendant + Transmission) before touching on Cape Epic riding for charity and the “Give and Gain” mission. If you love cycling, events, business, or building something that lasts—this one’s for you. 0:00 Intro + Shaun Glover joins 0:33 Shaun’s origin story: family business → events 1:45 COVID: 18 months of zero income & survival mode 10:18 Event cashflow reality: liabilities, debt & clawing back 19:21 Why events need sponsors (and what they really pay for) 25:48 The hidden cost of sponsorship: relationships & delivery 30:29 M&G Investments: ‘More than a sponsor’ partnership story 34:46 Why consistency beats virality (marketing & brand building) 38:59 Support the brands that support your sport 41:55 Weekend Warrior: from 54 riders to a 3-year headline deal 55:25 Upcoming events: PE Platinum, Forest Boogie, Tour de Addo… 1:06:14 Orbea Epic bike: Flight Attendant + dream tech breakdown 1:12:40 Cape Epic for charity: riding for kids & ‘Give and Gain’ 1:15:36 Wrap-up + where to find Red Cherry events

This week on The Breakaway we get stuck into the Tour of Oman drama and why Astana’s 1–2 felt like a real “we’re back” statement — plus where Adam Yates landed and what it means when early-season racing turns chaotic with weather and tactics. ¹ ² Then we bring it home: the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight and the Herald Cycle Tour — what stood out, who showed depth, and why the SA calendar is quietly producing seriously strong racing (men and women). ³ ⁴ From there we go full gravel/MTB brain: UCI Gravel World Series – The Cedar recap, the moves that mattered, and why certain “big race” dates can clash hard with training blocks (Tankwa / Epic prep). ⁵ ⁶ And if you’re counting down to Cape Epic, this is the practical section you don’t want to skip: tires, tire pressure, and the small mistakes that become massive time losses over a long week — plus what most amateurs get wrong when they chase “light and fast” setups. We also talk Tuesday Chappies chaos (how it works, who’s there, and why it’s such a good midweek test), and we preview the In Buku / Big 5 MTB Challenge in Wellington as an Epic-style reality check. Finally: a quick nod to the Peninsula Marathon and why we’re going to give the running side more love after Cycle Tour + Epic. ---- Footnotes / sources 1. Tour of Oman official rankings (GC after Stage 5): https://www.tour-of-oman.com/en/rankings  2. ProCyclingStats GC result page (Tour of Oman 2026): https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-oman/2026/gc/result/result  3. Dis-Chem Ride for Sight coverage (Lucy Young winner): https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/news-headlines/2026/02/16/young-races-to-first-ride-for-sight-title/  4. Herald Cycle Tour results recap (Tyler Lange win; Ryan Gibbons 3rd): https://heraldcycletour.co.za/news/2026/2/17/lange-powers-to-first-herald-cycle-tour-victory-in-thrilling-sprint-finish  5. UCI Gravel World Series recap: “The Ceder” (Colombo & Preen): https://ucigravelworldseries.com/en/colombo-and-preen-conquer-the-ceder/  6. Cyclingnews race report: The Ceder winners + key race dynamics: https://www.cyclingnews.com/category/womens-cycling/uci-gravel-world-series-hayley-preen-attacks-on-uitkyk-pass-to-claim-win-at-the-cedar-while-filippo-colombo-scores-maiden-gravel-victory/  7. Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge official site (21 Feb 2026 + 3000m/80km): https://imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za/  --- 00:00 Intro music 00:03 Cam & Sarah take the hot seats + “Tap Out Tuesday” banter 01:52 Tour of Oman: weather chaos, Astana 1–2, Adam Yates 3rd 04:08 UCI points explained: why teams race full gas early 06:37 Dis-Chem Ride for Sight: wind/rain racing realities 10:55 Herald Cycle Tour: SA depth + women’s racing growth 14:47 The Ceder (UCI Gravel World Series): key moves + Colombo wins + Preen 21:36 The Ceder timing debate: Tankwa / Imbuko / Epic clashes 28:08 Cape Epic prep: small mistakes get punished (nutrition, pacing, saving tires) 32:14 Tires: why “light & fast” can cost you 38:07 Tire pressure: too hard vs too soft (grip, comfort, rim risk) 44:23 Tuesday Chappies battles: who’s there + how to join 46:06 Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge: perfect Epic-style test day 58:48 Bonus clip: Mark & Felix recap The Ceder + MTB vs gravel bike take 1:01:21 Running: Peninsula Marathon mention + more running focus coming 1:02:55 Viewer callout + questions + outro

Andrew Gold is the co-founder of CIOVITA—a Cape Town–built cycling apparel brand engineered with a global mindset and a deep respect for craft. With a background in product development and garment manufacturing, Andrew didn’t enter cycling kit as a “logo-on-a-shirt” play. He built it as a long-term, say-it-and-prove-it brand—where comfort claims are backed by obsessive iteration, materials sourcing, and serious R&D.  From day one, the vision wasn’t only South Africa—it was global relevance, built from a home base in Woodstock, Cape Town. Today, the company runs a substantial local operation (including a Woodstock facility employing around 230 people) and has been expanding internationally through community-first touchpoints like store concepts and weekly rides—most notably in places like Amsterdam—while also pushing growth into markets like Australia.  What makes Andrew compelling is that he’s not selling “hype.” He’s selling standards—the kind you only learn when you’ve lived inside manufacturing, managed teams, and watched small errors become expensive problems at scale. CIOVITA’s edge is end-to-end control: design, prototyping, production capability, and a customer experience designed to feel seamless. That same philosophy shows up in the brand’s culture: curated retail experiences, a strong ambassador community, and real-world connection through rides that break down barriers and build belonging.  If you care about cycling, entrepreneurship, or what it actually takes to build premium product from Africa to the world—Andrew’s story is a masterclass in doing it with conviction.