The BaseCamp Community Podcast

Join Head Coaches Namrita Brooke and Tim Cusick for this week 1 podcast focused on building an understanding of the why behind base training. We talk all things aerobic and answer our community questions.

Interplay is a word we use frequently in BaseCamp. Sometimes it helps us discuss how our program blends training, nutrition, strength and mental performance into a full spectrum training program, other times it is about our physiological approach towards training, a multifaceted approaching for enhancing performance. Confused? Check out our podcast and get some deep insight into a superior process.

Join Head Coaches Namrita Brooke, Ph.D and Tim Cusick for this dive into the art of planning and executing your “transition season”.  From managing training chronic fatigue to tips and tricks for the 50+ athlete, this podcast covers all the things you need to know about ending your 2023 training season and setting up 2024 for success. 

Getting older doesn't have to mean getting slower—but you've got to understand how to stay one step ahead of the aging curve. We explore it all in this podcast.

Group rides, training races and race simulation workout are essential tools in training. The skills and situational awareness gained from riding in a group or training race and/or the specific prep of the race simulation workout make riders more confident in all riding environments. The key is to understand the pros and cons of group rides and to integrate them into your training at the right time.

Racing and events are in full swing and if you spent the last several months riding your bike indoors and are now starting to ride or race outside, you know what we are talking about today… because you’ve probably experienced some differences and maybe even challenges.

Welcome to Breaking the Line, a podcast about evolving how we think about training and performance. This is part one of a three-part series exploring the shift from traditional linear periodization to a functional approach that connects structure with adaptation.Periodization is an excellent process that organizes training, recovery, and performance, but it is not the driver. The real driver is function—how the body adapts, builds capacity, and expresses fitness.Each episode dives into the Train Perform model, exploring concepts like chronic training load, durability, and readiness, and how they shape a modern athlete’s path to peak performance.Breaking the Line is for coaches and athletes who want to understand not just the structure of training but the system of adaptation behind it.

Cyclists know the tug of war well: the push and pull between training with others and going it alone. On one side, community training offers accountability, shared momentum, and the motivation of the pack. When the group shows up, you show up, and peer energy often pulls more out of you than you thought possible. On the other side, solo training develops autonomy, self discipline, and the grit to take full responsibility for your progress. Alone on the road or trainer, you sharpen your focus, refine technique, and learn to manage effort without distraction.In this episode, we unpack the science, psychology, and real world performance lessons behind both approaches. We will explore concepts like social facilitation theory, higher completion rates in group models, and the resilience building effects of solo work. We will also dive into how modern technology allows athletes to blend the best of both worlds, creating hybrid systems that deliver accountability while preserving autonomy.The question is not which is better, it is which is better for you, and when. By the end, you will have a clearer framework for deciding when to lean into community momentum, and when to harness the power of training alone.

In this special BaseCamp Explore team LIVE episode of the BaseCamp Podcast, we dive into the art and science of summer training. As the racing season heats up, so do the challenges of balancing intensity, recovery, and performance. Head Coaches Tim Cusick and Namrita Brooke break down the key components of an effective summer strategy—from dialing in intensity and leveraging variety in your training, to managing fatigue and arriving fresh and focused for your key events.You'll learn how to shift from base to peak performance, why rest is as powerful as effort, and how to maintain consistency when life gets busy. Whether you're chasing podiums or personal bests, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you train smarter and perform at your best this season.

In endurance sport, physical strength is only part of the equation. True performance is built on the ability to stay composed under pressure, rebound from failure, and keep pushing when the body says stop. This is the concept of resiliency. In this episode, head coaches Namrita Brooke and Tim Cusick are joined by Carrie Jackson, renowned mental performance consultant and co-author of Rebound, to explore what it really takes to develop resiliency and hardiness as an athlete.Together, they break down the habits, mindset shifts, and mental training techniques that forge durable athletes—those who can withstand the demands of training, adapt to setbacks, and rise stronger after every challenge.This conversation is not about quick fixes or surface-level motivation. It’s about the deliberate practice of mental resilience, and how athletes at every level can build the psychological capacity to go the distance—through injury, adversity, or the toughest mile of the day.If you’re ready to train your mind with the same purpose and structure you bring to your body, this episode is your starting line.

In today’s episode, “Bridging the Gap: How to Take Your Indoor Gains Outside,” we’re talking about one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of your season: the transition from structured indoor training to successful outdoor riding.You’ve built fitness in the lab. Now it’s time to apply it in the wild. We’ll break down some key tips to transition your training and translate your fitness and performance gains to where it matters most—out on the road.Whether you're preparing for your first outdoor group ride or gearing up for race season, this episode will give you practical tools and coaching insight to make the most of your transition.Let’s get rolling.

At BaseCamp, we believe endurance isn’t just about how long you can ride—it’s about how long you can perform at your best. That’s where durability comes in.Durability is the ability to sustain power, efficiency, and resilience deep into your training and racing, when fatigue sets in and the real challenge begins. It’s the edge that separates good athletes from great ones, and it’s the foundation of long-term success in cycling.In this podcast, we break down the science and strategy behind building durability—from structured training and fatigue resistance workouts to nutrition, recovery, and mindset.

Many cyclists train hard but struggle to translate fitness into race-day results. Why? Because conditioning—your ability to handle workload and build endurance—isn’t the same as performance—your ability to execute when it matters most. We’ll explore how to balance both, the concept of conditioning hierarchy, interplay and the specific training strategies that help BaseCamp athletes turn their hard-earned fitness into peak performance. Join us as we break down the key principles, discuss real-world examples, and give you actionable insights to fine-tune your training for maximum gains. Let’s get started!

Special Guest: Coach Brian Hammond, Oxygen Advantage Advanced Instructor  Breathing isn't just about survival—it's about thriving. From enhancing endurance and power to managing stress and recovery, your breath holds the key to unlocking new levels of performance on and off the bike. Today, we’ll explore the science of breathing, share practical techniques to integrate into your training, and show you how mastering this simple skill can help you ride stronger, longer, and more efficiently. So, take a deep breath and get ready to revolutionize the way you train.

Welcome to the BaseCamp Podcast, where we bring you the tools, insights, and strategies to elevate your cycling journey. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the fascinating relationship between FTP and performance. Functional Threshold Power (FTP) has long been a cornerstone of cycling training, but is it the ultimate measure of your potential? We’ll explore the limits of FTP as a metric, uncover the broader aspects of performance that truly define success, and discuss how you can unlock your full potential by going beyond the numbers. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a dedicated enthusiast, this episode will help you rethink your approach to training and performance. Let’s get started!

In this episode we explore the art and science of creating sustainable nutrition habits that fuel both performance and daily life. Learn practical tips, bust common myths, and gain insights into how intentional eating can help you feel stronger, recover faster, and perform at your best. Whether you're a competitive athlete or simply looking to build a healthier routine, this episode offers the tools you need to thrive.

This isn’t about training in compartments or single system development; it’s about synergy—how focusing on the relationships between physiological aspects of performance in our training can lead to exponential growth. Whether you’re chasing KOMs, podiums, or simply the joy of a stronger ride, today’s episode will inspire you to rethink your approach to training and tap into your true potential.

As the days grow shorter and the excitement of the race season fades, many of us cyclists and endurance athletes find ourselves at a critical juncture—the off-season. This period, often overlooked or underestimated, holds immense value in setting the stage for success in the coming year. While it may seem like a time to simply rest, the off-season transition is a key opportunity to reset, recharge, and build a solid foundation for the months ahead.

In today’s episode, we'll explore why training stagnation happens, how to identify if you're stuck in a rut, and—most importantly—proven strategies to break through that wall and keep moving toward your goals. From adjusting your workouts to reassessing recovery, we've got actionable tips to help you reignite your progress.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a crucial topic that can make or break your race day—selecting the right tires for gravel racing. Whether you’re a seasoned gravel grinder or just getting started, choosing the right tire can significantly impact your performance, comfort, and overall race experience. BaseCamp Head Coach, Tim Cusick, with his deep expertise in data-driven performance cycling coaching, will break down the technical aspects of tire selection and the key concepts that should impact your decision. He’ll explain factors such as vibration, flotation and aerodynamics and how you should consider how these factors interact to help select the right tire and set it up for you. Meanwhile, Head Coach Dr. Namrita Brooke, will guide us through how tire choice impacts not just your ride but your entire race strategy. She’ll share insights on how tire selection can influence your fatigue levels, planning, and overall race day outcomes. So, whether you’re looking to shave seconds off your time or simply want to enjoy the ride, stay tuned as we help you roll smoothly over any terrain and come out on top! Join us this winter: 2025 BaseCamp Winter Group Coaching The 2024 season is still in full swing, but we’ve had many athletes already reaching out to discuss what they can do to better prepare for 2025. And truly, a successful 2025 season starts with excellent winter base training, it’s the foundation on which the rest of your year is built on. But we know those winter months can be challenging for so many reasons. And that’s why we have created our 16 week winter group training program with both Tim and I leading the coaching with over a dozen of our other amazing coaches to help guide you and train with you. It’s all virtual, we have riders from around the world, and training can be executed indoors or outside. It’s a true 360 degree coaching program with a plan that takes into account many of the aspects we discuss here in previous episodes of this podcast, Tim designs the training plan, I lead the nutrition program , and you also get a full-strength program, mental performance coaching, and tons of exclusive education and access to true world class coaching and guest pro athletes. If you like what you hear in these podcasts, there’s a LOT more of that all winter long. It’s a rare opportunity to work with an entire team of performance experts*, and is designed for both the newer cyclist and the experienced racer alike. Plus, you get to train and learn alongside fellow cyclists. You can learn more and reserve your spot for just $25 over at www.joinbasecamp.com . So come train with us, train with a community of other athletes, and train where you belong.