Active Hobo

A South African junior cyclist is chasing a European breakthrough — and the biggest hurdle isn’t talent. It’s access. In this episode of Active Hobo, Faraz Khatieb shares his origin story: how his dad and brother pulled him into cycling, how his father became his coach and mechanic, and why racing in Europe is a completely different game. Faraz is leaving **26 February** for an **Italy-based trial** with a European team — with Belgium racing on the cards — and he’s doing everything he can to turn a one-month opportunity into a full-season contract. You’ll also hear the real behind-the-scenes reality young riders face: the costs of joining teams, the pressure to perform with limited support, and how community fundraising can make (or break) the dream. What you’ll hear in this episode: - How Faraz got into road cycling (and why he had to “wait his turn”) - Dad-as-coach: training structure, recovery days, and race prep - Why Europe racing demands race craft, nerve, and positioning—not just fitness - The sponsorship problem: how talented riders get stuck behind paywalls - The fundraising push to make the Italy trial possible

Cycling airbag tech is no longer sci-fi. In Episode 2 of The Breakaway, the guys unpack the “Aero Bag” — a wearable airbag integrated into bibs that pro teams are already testing — and ask the real question: is this the biggest safety leap since helmets, or a false-deployment disaster waiting to happen? Then the conversation pivots to a running doping provisional suspension and why headlines can poison a sport’s credibility long before the facts are clear. From there, it’s a full “Peloton Bulletin” week: Tour Down Under reactions (including the women’s race format debate), Western Cape & Gauteng champs talk (plus road-closure frustrations), and the kind of race calendar that makes January feel like mid-season. The most serious moment lands hard: a story of a cyclist killed by a drunk driver, and a call for the active community to mobilize—because outrage without action changes nothing. SHOWNOTES: # Western Province Champs (results) https://www.wpcycling.com/results/2026-western-cape-road-champs/ # Gauteng Champs (best public references found) https://gautengcycling.org/disciplines/road-cycling/ https:contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}ional-race/provincial-cycling-champs/2026/result # Attakwas Extreme (results) https://www.sportsplits.com/r :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}ps://www.atta.co.za/ # Let’s Ride (cycling community / safety) https://www.instagram.com/letsride_cpt/ # Aerobag (wearable airbag for pro cycli:contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}news/aerobag-airbag-for-cyclists https://www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/picnic-postnl-set-for-2026-primeur-with-wearable-airbag-trial/ https://www.domestiq :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}he-aerobag-how-picnic-postnl-are-developing-cyclings-next-safety-breakthrough/ # Running doping allegation (Albert Korir – AIU official list) https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/disciplinary-process/provisional-suspensions-in-force https://www.barrons.com/news/kenya-s-ny-marathon-champ-albert-korir-gets-drug-suspension-c4592845 # Women’s Tour Down Under (women’s stages) https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/womens/stages https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/stages # Bay to Bay 30km (results) https://live.ultimate.dk/mobile/front/?eventid=7322 https://runningcalendar.co.za/events/bay-to-bay # 100km sub-6 (Chasing 100) https://www.irunfar.com/sibusiso-kubheka-breaks-6-hours-for-100k-chasing-100-2025 https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/speed-without-limits--sibusiso-kubheka-breaks-the-6-hour-barrier-in-100km-chase--powered-by-latest-i/s/bf8d3d51-3fa1-4ee4-8afc-1eb5333a970d # Camps Bay cyclist Idries Sheriff (coverage) https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/12/18/anger-as-driver-accused-in-fatal-camps-bay-cycling-crash-granted-r15-000-bail https://www.capetownetc.com/news/tragic-accident-claims-life-of-cyclist-on-victoria-road-near-glen-beach/ # Scicon bike travel bag (road) https://za.sciconsports.com/products/aerocomfort-3-0-road-bike-travel-bag-tp053105013 # Factor ONE https://factorbikes.com/bikes/one # Winelands Cycle Race https://winelandscyclerace.co.za/ # Old Mutual Wealth Double Century (save the date) https://doublecentury.co.za/ # Van Rysel FTP² concept / shoes https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2026-van-rysel-ftp2-concept-bike https://www.cyclingnews.com/bikes/road/wireless-shoes-and-a-playstation-cockpit-van-rysel-has-just-launched-the-maddest-bike-of-2026-and-were-only-two-weeks-in/ --- 0:00 Welcome + what’s coming in Ep2 1:46 The “Aero Bag” cycling airbag: what it is + who’s testing it 7:35 False deployments, heat, and “should it be mandatory?” 11:26 Running doping allegation: credibility, media, and transparency 21:24 Peloton Bulletin: Tour Down Under + women’s race length debate 24:38 SA champs talk: Western Cape & Gauteng + road safety concerns 29:49 Atukwos: brutal climbing day + racing calendar overload 30:58 30K race talk + insane pacing perspective 33:55 Idris story: why this must be a turning point 38:14 Ride in support + how to show up as the active community 41:16 Community news: guests, sponsor gear, bike bag program 45:19 Joburg trip: Factor One ride/review teaser 45:44 Monthly marathon + upcoming races (Winelands, DC chat) 47:44 Next week teaser: Van Rysel/Decathlon tech thread 48:43 Closing: “Stories matter” invitation

Support Jessie’s recovery: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/jessie-munton-5834745534688430810 https://www.gofundme.com/f/rallying-for-jess-recovery-from-tragic-accident/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_US Byron Munton is the kind of rider who can chase a Cape Town Strava KOM in the morning… and still talk like a student of the sport at night. In this episode, Byron breaks down the exact moments that separate “strong” from “pro”: pacing a full-gas effort (including a Trapeze KOM attempt that came within seconds of a milestone), learning how European racing really works, and what it takes to keep your head steady when the pressure spikes. He’s also stepping into a new chapter with Modern Adventure Pro Cycling—George Hincapie’s new UCI ProTeam project (debuting in 2026) with big European ambitions. Byron’s recent results back it up too: a stage win and 3rd overall at the 2025 Tour of Portugal. But the real weight of this conversation is what happens off the bike. Byron speaks about his sister Jessie—hit by a driver while training in January 2024, leaving her in a coma, and the ongoing reality their family has had to face since then. What you’ll hear in this episode: - How pros think about pacing, risk, and recovery (when it matters most) - The mental game of racing in Europe (and why “fitness” isn’t the whole story) - The truth about chasing big goals while carrying real-life pain - Why cycling safety isn’t a debate—it’s a responsibility If this episode resonates, subscribe for more honest conversations with riders shaping the next era of South African cycling. Share it with a friend who needs a spark—and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments.

Cape Town cycling has a rich history... In this episode, Graham Ward (Western Province Road Commissioner and Chair of the City Cycling & Athletic Club) takes us inside one of Cape Town’s oldest sporting communities—how the club traces its roots to 1891, what’s been preserved in minute books dating back to 1905, and the legacy of riders who went from Cape Town to the Empire Games and the Olympics. But this isn’t just nostalgia. We unpack why road racing in the Deep South largely disappeared, how compliance and permits changed the economics of hosting events, and what it really takes to put a race on the calendar today—from marshals and traffic support to ambulances and cost break-evens. 00:00:00 Meet Graham Ward + City Cycling’s origins (1891) 00:01:52 The archives: minute books (1905) + early club stories 00:03:47 Legends & legacy: Jack Rose, hour-record era + Green Point track 00:05:40 City riders at Empire Games & Olympics (1930s–1960) 00:08:19 The old scene: 100km time trials, trophies, Fripp Cup 00:10:53 Why SA lost time trial culture (traffic + safety realities) 00:13:48 Modern club racing: DC, safer circuits, “club races” today 00:14:21 Compliance 101: permits, police, medics, what triggers what 00:17:15 What makes a “real” club? constitution, committee, affiliation 00:19:29 WP League + provincial champs (Durbanville) + virtual colours 00:25:33 Clubs shaping change: meetings, agendas, building the calendar 00:27:27 Event permits: “Cycle Tour rules for 200 riders” + Cat 1–4 system 00:31:03 Safety calls: cancelling races, marshals, ambulance thresholds 00:40:21 What it costs to host a race + why crit racing could work 00:47:47 Deep South case study: Radial/Simonstown league race + risk planning 00:58:28 Motorists vs cyclists: hooting, etiquette, and practical fixes 01:10:03 Quick fire: DC, favourite rides, UCI classic, Cycle Tour 01:14:27 Join the club: pace groups, rides, membership (R400/yr) 01:16:51 Double Century teams + final wrap

Luke Moir went from being a kid digging “gnarly” trails with spades in the bush… to lining up at MTB World Cups and earning a spot on Mondraker Factory Racing (MFR). This episode is the real story arc — not the highlight reel. You’ll hear the early sparks (traveling overseas young and getting results that hinted at something bigger), the big jump (a standout junior performance that proved he belonged), and then the harsh reset that hit right after (COVID-era disruption, fewer racing chances, and the mental grind of trying to keep momentum alive when the calendar collapses). Luke also talks about the unglamorous side: the sponsor scramble, the pressure that comes with finally “making it,” and what it feels like to race when you’re not starting at the front — having to fight forward and learn fast at elite level. Now he’s in a new chapter: joining MFR, spending time in Europe, and learning how to turn raw potential into consistent World Cup-level execution.

Intervals.icu (aka “Intervals RCU”) started as one developer’s side project to analyze torque intervals… and quietly grew into a serious training-analysis platform used by over 120,000 monthly active athletes. In this episode, we sit down with David, the founder, to unpack the full origin story—and what it takes to scale a niche endurance product into something the pro world starts paying attention to.  We talk cycling progression (and why he’s chasing an age-group win at the Cape Town Cycle Tour), power-meter accuracy, and how Intervals pulls data from platforms like Garmin and Strava—plus the realities of building on APIs with shifting rules. David also breaks down what “serious” teams care about (kilojoules, durability after 2,000+ kJ, nutrition modeling), why he runs major parts of the infrastructure on real hardware (not just cloud), and how the platform evolved from evenings and early mornings into a full-time business supporting a small team.

Cape Town bike shop stories don’t get more real than this. John O’Connor shares how he went all-in on a small storefront in town—after being told he “won’t last three months” —and how that decision helped shape a huge part of Cape Town’s cycling culture. John takes us back to 2009: the move from the Tiger Valley area, the risk of using what was left in their bond, finding the spot in the rain, and backing his gut when the “smart” advice said don’t do it  . From there, we go deep into what’s changed in the sport—especially gravel—plus the hard-earned lessons you only get after decades in the industry. 0:00 Intro  5:42 Bike touring lessons: safety, punctures, staying smart  7:05 Cycling community: how the shop introduced him to everyone  7:49 The shop origin story (how it started after liquidation)  8:39 Finding the spot in the rain + “pitching” the landlord  10:06 “They said you won’t last 3 months” — surviving the early rent pressure  15:06 The day-to-day reality of running the shop (logistics, grind, consistency) 16:34 The cycling boom: what changed and how demand exploded 18:51 Old-school road racing culture (why it worked, why it was special) 21:36 Malcolm Lange + the SA circuit / racing memories 26:44 Double Century: how it started and why it exists  31:30 Tandem with his daughter + Cape Town Cycle Tour reflections  35:03 Southside Cycles + women showing up in a big way  36:49 Trends in cycling (where bikes and the culture are going)  42:06 Bikepacking story: Caledon → Riviersonderend (heat, storms, learning)  46:22 GravelBurn 2025: route breakdown + “Hospital Bend” moments  1:02:19 Riding in Europe: Alps climbs + what it teaches you  1:08:07 Savage Tuesday, cycling groups, and the Coates battle  1:09:35 Final thoughts + wrap 

What does it take for a Cape Town motocross kid that championed the coaching game and led multiple SA champs to become one of the leading performance brains behind UAE Team Emirates and Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe? In this episode, John Wakefield—director of coaching, sports science and technical development at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe—unpacks the wild, unplanned journey from local tracks and garage coaching to testing WorldTour riders in a Sheik’s private gym and shaping grand tour contenders. John shares how a bad injury pushed him from racing to coaching, the early days of building Science to Sport with Jeroen, and the “we’re going to take over the world” mentality that took two South Africans into the very top tier of pro cycling. We get into how UAE rebuilt its performance structure before its Tour de France breakthrough, how the Bora Hansgrohe → Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe evolution changed the game, and what it’s really like living out of hotels for 160 days a year while trying to keep riders healthy, fast and winning. You’ll also hear honest stories about brutal interviews, being thrown into high-pressure testing days in Abu Dhabi, handling difficult personalities inside WorldTour teams, flirting with burnout, and why John still gets his biggest kick from a domestique nailing their job or a development rider stepping onto a podium. If you love pro cycling, performance, or underdog South African stories punching in the big leagues, this one’s for you. 00:00 – Intro: Springboks, Saturdays & who is John Wakefield 02:22 – Present day: Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe & life in Andorra 04:40 – Growing up in Cape Town & school sport 05:09 – Surfing, speed and discovering motocross 06:41 – Injuries, rehab & first road bike with Jeroen Swart 11:29 – Starting Science to Sport & the first 20 athletes 17:27 – Taking Science to Sport to Girona & Europe 20:49 – The UAE Team Emirates phone call & N1 roadside interview 31:22 – Burnout, stepping away & why he almost left pro teams 37:13 – Inside UAE’s rebuild and the structure behind a Tour win 39:31 – Why South Africans are more world-class than they think 44:23 – From BORA to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe: culture, budget & pressure 56:52 – Purpose, underdogs & what success means to John

What happens when a few friends in Cape Town decide cycling shouldn’t be lonely, intimidating, or only for “serious” racers? In this episode we sit down with the founders of Let’s Ride, a fast-growing community cycling crew rolling out from Rondebosch Common every Sunday and proving that vibes, safety and belonging matter more than fancy bikes. You’ll hear how a R300 Facebook Marketplace bib-short deal, an emotional wake-up call after losing a friend, and a 100-kg weight-loss journey all collided to spark a movement. The guys share how Let’s Ride went from four mates on a WhatsApp group in 2024 to a 20–30 rider bunch, why they keep the pace accessible (around 24–28 km/h), and how they’re creating a space where no one gets mocked for “cheap kit”, dropped on a climb, or left alone after a crash. They talk safety in numbers on Cape Town roads, the “no club kit” rule, and their dream of becoming the city’s biggest community cycling group without losing the relaxed, fun, non-FTP-obsessed culture that makes Sundays feel like therapy on two wheels.

What starts as a gift meant to nudge Farhad into endurance sports – a single cycling helmet – turns into a life-changing journey that now shapes one of South Africa’s most loved races, the Old Mutual Wealth Double Century. In this episode Farhad shares how a persistent colleague, a tragic diagnosis, and a growing love for endurance sport pulled him deep into cycling, community, purpose and the most important race on all our calendars. You’ll hear how he went from “team sports only” to Joberg2c, road races and Zwift sessions, why the Old Mutual Double Century became his favourite race on the calendar, and how Old Mutual ended up as title sponsor. Farhad unpacks what the DC really means for riders, small towns, schools and marshals along the route – and why the brand cares more about community and memory than hard lead numbers. We also get into the infamous DC subplots: savage team tactics, the KOTAS rivalry, and the growing wave of corporate and mixed teams using the event as their year-end event. Thank you for your time and all do for our sport and community Farhad.

What happens when a bunch of Atlantic Seaboard savages, a charity foundation, and a 200 km sufferfest collide? In this episode we sit down with the founders of House of 12 – the loud new kids on the block who’ve gone from “outsiders” on the Savage rides to one of the most talked-about DC teams on the seaboard. They unpack where House of 12 actually came from, how a small charity foundation became the platform for the team, and why they care just as much about banter and chaos as they do about watts and results. From old WhatsApp group names to the meaning behind the rainbow kit, they explain how the whole project came together in a matter of days – name, design, team, and all. We get into DC strategy (and anti-strategy), why drafting ethics spark such strong opinions, how far they’ll go to avoid “cheating to win”, and what it feels like lining up seedings-wise against stacked outfits like ECC, LPC and Savage. There are bold predictions, reverse-podium jokes, and even a wager involving road captains, underpants and a very public team ride if things go wrong.

Gravel Burn 2025 pushed riders to the edge of what’s possible on a gravel bike. In this raw debrief, Aaron sits down with David to unpack what really happened out there: from African “champagne gravel” that feels like technical MTB anywhere else, to days of corrugations, hail, heat, and howling winds that literally blew pro riders off their bikes. Fresh insights from Aaron who is now back in the UK, he takes us through the reality of a seven-day gravel stage race in South Africa: the brutal descents, endless washboard, shockingly unpredictable weather, and the mental battle of waking up each morning knowing what’s still to come. He explains why he told the organisers not to “dumb down” the route, why African gravel is on a whole new level, and how those war stories earned around the campfire might be the real magic of Gravel Burn. You’ll also hear a deep dive into bike choice and setup for Gravel Burn: what worked, what didn’t, and what Aaron would change next time. From tire width, inserts and suspension forks, to bar/stem choices, torque checks and chain catchers, this is a masterclass in future-proofing your gravel bike for truly gnarly terrain. Then they move into the softer side: world-class catering, shared tents with world-tour pros like Tom Pidcock, and the unique way this event puts everyday riders shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest names in the sport.

If you’ve ever stood at the edge of something bigger than you—new team, new league, new level—and wondered, “Do I have the courage to go again?” this conversation with Sarah Hill is your blueprint. Sarah’s story is a full-send masterclass: a Joburg lady raised on school-sport intensity, a rower who learned discipline the hard way, a mountain biker who taught herself to fly—and a pro who had the courage to step back, rebuild, and return sharper. She breaks down the mindset that turns fear into fuel, why team culture can resurrect a career, how to train for stage racing without breaking your body, and the exact moments that flipped the switch from “I hope I can” to “I know I will.” Expect the kind of honesty that makes you sit closer to your screen: the Wines2Wales moment that felt like a private victory, learning to “send” downhill (yes, including a road gap), and the practical habits—nutrition, recovery, confidence reps—that separate good from great. If you’re an athlete, creator, or anyone climbing back from a setback, this episode will light a fire under your goals. 01:14 Pro season & team context 01:37 Back with Efficient Infinity 05:03 Growing up: East London → Joburg 09:43 School sports & identity 11:10 Coach steers to rowing 22:16 Wines2Wales turning point 49:24 Learning to send: DH & the road gap 51:20 US college path (Lees-McRae → Brevard) 58:59 Nationals omnium title 1:30:48 Fueling the engine: training & nutrition 1:42:52 Looking ahead

00:00 – Cold open 08:30 – East Africa opportunity: zones, free trade, and growth vs. Europe 12:30 – Cape Town Cycle Tour: finances, sponsorship droughts, and recovery 17:30 – Global cycling headwinds & why formats must evolve 20:30 – A life changed by cycling: DC culture, move to Cape Town, purpose 28:00 – Why fun rides vanished: 2010 safety act, compliance costs, risk 36:00 – Prize money vs. media value; TV rights reality 41:00 – Cavendish, Armstrong & the solidarity ride (fires year) 47:00 – Rebuilding the ecosystem: short routes, youth on-ramps, coffee stops 53:00 – E-bikes: perception vs. actual incident data 57:00 – Deep South road closures, traffic constraints & what could work next 1:02:00 – Inclusivity, new demographics, and where SA cycling can go from here We dig into the cost of compliance, the role of PPA, prize-money vs. media reality, the DC culture, e-bikes, short routes, and practical ways to rebuild the fun-ride ecosystem in Cape Town. You’ll also hear wild behind-the-scenes moments. #DavidBellairs #CapeTownCycleTour #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #CapeTown #DoubleCentury #PPA #CyclingCulture #EnduranceCycling #MassParticipation #Ebike #SportBusiness #UCI

Velokhaya has developed and exposed more Africans to the Global Cycling stage than any other cycling academy, their story is hard to summarise but Sipho Mona does an incredible job of doing just that as we unpack his story and how it led to this incredible academy reshaping the lives of many cyclists in Africa. Sipho thanks SO MUCH For your time and what you doing for the industry and youth! #cycling #cyclingacademy #podcast #storytelling #velokhaya

La Perla Classic AKA LPC are the main protagonists in the KOTAS (King of the Atlantic Seaboard) battle and are soley responsible for bringing world tour riders to the DC (Double Century) They are easily one of the gnarliest groups to hook onto for a weekend thrash and individually have some incredible stories. Gents it was such a pleasure to have you in studio and to get onto the group ride. Best of luck for the DC, lets see how those predictions hold ;) #doublecentury #cycling #cyclingcapetown #KOTAS #capetown #dc

East City Cycles is without a doubt one of if not Cape Towns most desirable bike shop. Nestled in the vibrant Harrington Street this owner run and passion inspired business has grown from strength to strength and Jarryd sits with us to take us through the origin story. Naturally some DC banter is thrown into the mix for good measure. Jarryd it was a treat to join the morning ride and get to know you and the brand a lot better. Wishing you and the team all the success in the future! Here's to many more Tuesday burns and collabs! #bikeshoplife #bikeshop #storytelling #capetown #cycling #factorbikes