The Beginner's Guide to Pro Cycling
The Beginner's Guide to Pro Cycling
Escape Collective
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/
Newbie newbie new: Or, how do you know if you're a cycling fandom beginner?
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. 
Oct 25, 2025
29 min
What WorldTour races are actually worth your time?
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.
Sep 22, 2025
50 min
The Tour de France edition
Ever have a question about the Tour de France? We've got you covered. 
Sep 15, 2025
24 min
The beginner's guide to pro cycling
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.
Sep 15, 2025
54 min
S3E8: Take a Bow
Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Kit Nicholson discuss the final episode of Unchained, focusing on the finale of the 2024 Tour de France.
Jul 2, 2025
1 hr
S3E7: King of the Mountain
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.
Jul 2, 2025
36 min
S3E6: History Makers
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.
Jul 2, 2025
45 min
S3E5: The Comeback
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.
Jul 2, 2025
46 min
S3E4: Road to Hell
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.
Jul 2, 2025
50 min
S3E3 Adapt or Die
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
Jul 2, 2025
47 min
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