Criterium Nation

Life lived one corner at a time. On Instagram @criteriumnation

Get Busy Living featuring Dr. Andrea Cyr 03/11/2026

Get Busy Living featuring Dr. Andrea Cyr In this conversation, Dr. Andrea Cyr shares her journey from growing up in rural Maine to becoming a professional cyclist and a medical doctor. She discusses the impact of personal tragedy on her life and career, her determination to succeed in cycling, and the importance of resilience and teamwork. Andrea also highlights her new cycling team, Higher Dose Renova, and her aspirations for the future. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/40374945

On the Media Featuring Caley Fretz 03/04/2026

On the Media Featuring Caley Fretz In this conversation, Rob Kelly interviews Caley Fretz, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Escape Collective, discussing the current state and future of cycling media. They explore the unique membership model of Escape Collective, the importance of diversity in cycling journalism, and the challenges faced by American cycling media. The discussion highlights the need for athlete engagement, the role of media in promoting cycling, and the potential for building a sustainable media ecosystem. Caley emphasizes the importance of passion and commitment in creating valuable content for cycling enthusiasts. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/40299895

Be The Educator, Featuring Daniel Holloway 02/25/2026

Be The Educator, Featuring Daniel Holloway In this conversation, Robert Kelly and Daniel Holloway discuss various aspects of cycling, including personal experiences, the transition to a non-alcoholic lifestyle, and the dynamics of criterium racing. They delve into the state of American cycling, the importance of etiquette, and the need for educational content within the sport. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in cycling, emphasizing the role of professional athletes in educating the community and improving the sport's overall quality. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/40223400

Navigating Safety in Criterium Racing with Adam Mills 10/02/2025

Navigating Safety in Criterium Racing with Adam Mills In this conversation, Rob Kelly and Adam Mills discuss the multifaceted aspects of safety in cycling, particularly in criterium racing. They explore the physiological impacts of race neutralization, the identification of dangerous parts of a race, and the importance of technicality in making racing safer. The discussion also delves into course design, equipment regulations, and the role of speed in safety. They emphasize the need for rider education and responsibility, highlighting that safety is a collective obligation among all participants in the sport. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/38430155

Happy Cows with Happy Bells featuring Aline Seitz 09/18/2025

Happy Cows with Happy Bells featuring Aline Seitz In this conversation, Aline, a Swiss cyclist, shares her journey from Switzerland to racing in the U.S. She discusses her experiences in criterium racing, the importance of community, and her reflections on the Olympics. Aline emphasizes the significance of process goals in her racing strategy and expresses gratitude for the support she has received from her teammates and hosts. As she looks forward to future races, Aline remains focused on enjoying the sport and improving her skills. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/38246520

Racing While a Mom with Erica Carney 08/27/2025

Racing While a Mom with Erica Carney In this conversation, Erica Carney shares her journey as a competitive cyclist and the impact of motherhood on her identity and racing career. She discusses the challenges women face in cycling, especially after becoming mothers, and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support for female athletes. Erica reflects on her transition from a focus on winning to enjoying the sport and fostering connections within the cycling community. She envisions a future where motherhood and cycling coexist harmoniously, advocating for more support and funding for women's cycling teams. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/37955195

Might as well go all in with Brody McDonald 08/13/2025

Might as well go all in with Brody McDonald We've paid for the hosting, and done the miles with the riders, so we might as well go all in; but this time we are not taking half answers. We are raising our game as a show, and expect the same out of the riders who race our roads. That's why we've got Brody McDonald of the Golden State Blazers on the podcast. He has raised his game a lot this year and really committed to criterium racing. From a win at Cry Baby Hill to being one of the major foils and threat to the dominance of Team Cadence, he's got a lot going on. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/37767185

Aero as Crit with Coach Zach Gregg 07/09/2025

Aero as Crit with Coach Zach Gregg In this conversation, Robert Kelly and Zach Gregg delve into the intricacies of aerodynamics in mass start bike racing, discussing how it impacts performance, the importance of bike fit, and the role of strength training. They explore the nuances of aerodynamic claims made by manufacturers, the significance of rider position, and the evolving metrics in cycling performance. The discussion also touches on the implications of UCI regulations on bike design and racing strategies, emphasizing the need for cyclists to understand the balance between aerodynamics and practical performance. We are brought to you by Hammerhead and the Karoo. Get you free HR strap by going to Hammerhead.io and use the promo code "CRITNATION" /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/37328485

Heroes, Anti-Heroes & Villains 06/24/2025

Heroes, Anti-Heroes & Villains Two national champions, best friends, and teammates-- Lucas Bourgoyne and Luke Fetzer. However, where do they fit in our story, are they the heroes or villians, or maybe they are the bad good guys? Let's find out. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/37107985

Popping Bubbly with Katherine Sarkisov of CCB/Levine Law Group 06/12/2025

Popping Bubbly with Katherine Sarkisov of CCB/Levine Law Group Katherine Sarkisov of CCB/Levine Law Group is a rising talent in women's bike racing. She's not new on the scene because she literally grew up riding and racing her bike; but she's definitely made some big steps and improvements in the last couple of years. After stints on LUX and Cynisca Cycling, Katia came home and joined CCB. Little did any of us know that in signing up to race US races, that we were about to see her light up the podium. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/36964640

Taking on the World With Sidney Swierenga 05/27/2025

Taking on the World With Sidney Swierenga Canadian Sidney Swierenga is having a season most racers can only dream of. At 17 years old she became the youngest rider to podium the GC with second overall at the Redlands Bicycle Classic and then repeated the feat at the Tour of the Gila a week later. The next youngest rider to pull off that double podium was Mara Abbott at 21-and she went onto win the Giro D'Italia twice in her career. Sidney then won a major junior race in France, a result that made her the number one-ranked junior in the world. Sidney talks about beating pros in running races at 12 years old, drops hilarious hot takes on the World Tour, and what it means to take on the world and win. Don't miss this one. Photo Credit: Brian Knox Tour of the Gila /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/36680775

Athens Twilight Recap with Clever Martinez and Will Hardin 05/14/2025

Athens Twilight Recap with Clever Martinez and Will Hardin Lights, Live stream, action. We are back. Criterium racing is back. It is time to get 2025 started in a huge way. For the first time ever we brought competitors together to talk about how the race happened. Ok, when it comes to Will Hardin and Clever Martinez, it is hard to call either of them competitors, they are more like friends who want to push each other's physical and mental limits to the max. Either way, it is great to get the inside view from the guys who won the race. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/36551260

The Project Echelon Files: Where Eagles Dare with Tyler Stites 12/12/2024

The Project Echelon Files: Where Eagles Dare with Tyler Stites From the top of one of the tallest points in Arizona we join our hero, Tyler Stites, as he prepares to set out on a new journey across the ocean to a fulltime spot in the European peloton. For the last 3 seasons we've got to enjoy his racing on Project Echelon but now he's signed a two-year deal with Caja Rural and he's ready to spread his wings. Before he does, we got a chance to talk with him about where he's been and how he's enjoyed the ride along the way. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! We are also brought to you by Properties on the Potomac, the boutique real estate firm for all your needs in Northern Virginia, Washington, and Maryland. Check them out at PotPhomes.com. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/34405290

The Way Back with Alexis Magner 12/04/2024

The Way Back with Alexis Magner Alexis Magner 100% stands on her own when it comes to accomplishments. With a win at Acht van Westerveld, second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Ronde van Drenthe in 2018; along with third at Dwars der Vlaanderen in 2021 while racing for Canyon-SRAM you may be wondering, how did she end up on the American criterium scene? We've got those answers for you in this episode. Plus we have the story of how she parlayed back-to-back wins at her hometown Athen's Twilight Criterium into a new opportunity with the UCI Contintental squad Cynisca Cycling. It's a lot to pack in, but our man Jordan Cheyne is on top of it. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! We are also brought to you by Properties on the Potomac, the boutique real estate firm for all your needs in Northern Virginia, Washington, and Maryland. Check them out at PotPhomes.com. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/34276235

Cowboy: Featuring Lucas Bourgoyne 11/13/2024

Cowboy: Featuring Lucas Bourgoyne Seventy-five minutes of laughter, levity, cowboy hats, and some hot takes. It's Lucas Bourgoyne and he's 100% worth all of your time. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! We also have a special guest sponsor this week, ! The cramp busting, hydration boasting, delicious treat that has 20X more sodium and 8X more potassium than normal sports drinks. With a new design and shot bottles coming, they've got you covered. Find them on Amazon or, this is amazing, at Walmart!!! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33907402

Paul Abrahams Knows What He's Talking About 10/30/2024

Paul Abrahams Knows What He's Talking About We are taking a step back in time to the original days of this podcast. Back in the heady days of 2018 and 2019, a team known as Elevate-KHS dominated the scene. Many of our guests, and even one host, came through that program, and even more were mentored and influenced by riders who had Paul Abrahams as their DS. Jordan talks with Paul all about that time and his experiences in the sport. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33675922

Have We Reached Peak Crit? 10/23/2024

Have We Reached Peak Crit? A discussion months in the making-- have we reached peak crit? The data has been compiled and the takes are all hot. It's time to give you the thesis and then let Allan Schroeder and Logan Jones Wilkins back it all up. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33577087

Living the Dream with Maggie Coles Lyster 10/16/2024

Living the Dream with Maggie Coles Lyster One of our favorite Women's World Tour pros, and a true Canadian national treasure is back in the studio and ready to talk the Olympics, a full road and track season, and push-ups. So join Maggie Coles Lyster and Jordan Cheyne in this 100% pure maple syrup ride. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33457042

The Phoenix 10/09/2024

The Phoenix Interview a classics PhD and another guest studying to get her PhD and you come up with intelligent titles with multi-tiers and meanings. The women of Work Hard Be Humble have risen, and turned what could have been the flaming wreck of a season into a meaningful quest and an opportunity to bond and grow. As a unit they have been born again, but born better. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! We also have a special guest sponsor this week, ! The cramp busting, hydration boasting, delicious treat that has 20X more sodium and 8X more potassium than normal sports drinks. With a new design and shot bottles coming, they've got you covered. Find them on Amazon or, this is amazing, at Walmart!!! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33384787

Tolley Tolley Tolley! 09/25/2024

Tolley Tolley Tolley! The beauty of long-form journalism is that the person and the story evolve. You get to see and learn so much more because the time is dedicated, and we all end up better for it. The story of Chris Tolley is evolving and changing. The version that we interviewed in 2022 has given way to this more distinguished thought provoking one (that's not to say the 2022 version lacked anything in those categories). However, with more time we have more to work with, and we hope you enjoy the result. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to Hammerhead.io today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! We also have a special guest sponsor this week, ! The cramp busting, hydration boasting, delicious treat that has 20X more sodium and 8X more potassium than normal sports drinks. With a new design and shot bottles coming, they've got you covered. Find them on Amazon or, this is amazing, at Walmart!!! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33178967

Changing the Game with Michael Garrison 09/11/2024

Changing the Game with Michael Garrison Look up the road or at the front, that's where you'll find this week's guest Michael Garrison of NICH +SpeedClub. Singlehandly he animated, disrupted, and changed the outcome of races like Tulsa Tough this year. In a sport built around the best teams he has been a solo revelation and we are lucky enough to have him on the show. This week we are brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo. Visit right now and use promo code CRITNATION at checkout to get yours today!!! By using the code CRITNATION you’ll get a free heart rate monitor with your purchase of a Karoo. Go to today, add both items to your cart, and the HR monitor is on us! /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/33000217

What We've Learned: Taylor Swift Fixes All 08/28/2024

What We've Learned: Taylor Swift Fixes All 5 years or 5 episodes, it's all about celebration and a learning curve. Jordan Cheyne and Rob Kelly sit down and talk about what they've respectively learned about podcasting and North American bike racing over their respective tenures hosting a podcast about it. And yes, Taylor Swift can fix all problems. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/32751872

Mike Creed Tells It Like It Is 08/07/2024

Mike Creed Tells It Like It Is As a rider, Mike Creed raced on some of the most storied teams in North American cycling history, from US Postal to Slipstream to Optum Kelly Benefits. As a director, he guided the Smartstop team to one of the great underdog seasons in recent memory, featuring a win at Nationals. He now leads the charge at Aevolo Cycling, the premier US based development squad which will be part of the EF Education First organization starting next season. Mike has lived this sport for decades. Fortunately for us, he isn't afraid to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Tune in for insight, entertainment and some takes you won't hear anywhere else. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/32438592

Potential Featuring Joe Laverick 07/24/2024

Potential Featuring Joe Laverick When have we lived up to our potential? A lot of us never really get to answer that question; but rather must deal with the pitfalls life throws in our way. Some of us are lucky, or stubborn enough, to push on beyond those pitfalls and create opportunities for themselves when none present. That is the story of Joe Laverick of Ribble Rebellion. When opportunities did not present themselves at the close of his U23 career Joe set out to make his own, and found a willing partner in Ribble. Together they've built an impressive bike racing team that has come to the US and taken the fight to all the best that we have here, and returned victorious. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/32267317

Coming to America with Cecile Lejeune 07/09/2024

Coming to America with Cecile Lejeune At a time when many American racers are taking to Europe to race, Cecile has done the opposite. Trading in Mt Ventoux and baguettes for Mt Lemmon and burritos, Cecile is making the bike racing dream work in North America from crits, to UCI podiums to gravel wins. Whether it is for the adventure, the laughs or the complimentary French lesson-you don't want to miss this one. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/32057627

Into the Wild with Kimberly Lucie 06/20/2024

Into the Wild with Kimberly Lucie New host, who dis? Can our Criterium Nation survive a new host? And a Canadian one at that? We are about to find out as retired pro Jordan Cheyne takes the front. But what better guest than the lead out woman herself, Kimberly Lucie of DNA Pro Cycling. Kim is one of the few bike racers in the peloton who can actually say they are really, genuinely, 100% a Tucson, Arizona native. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/31830562

Four Take Aways from Stage Race Season 05/08/2024

Four Take Aways from Stage Race Season We are now at the end of the beginning and poised for a new phase of the domestic racing scene. That means it is a perfect time for us to check in on what has happened, identify some solid trends and talk about all the takeaways that we can from the first part of 2024. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/31183797

What Happened with the NCL 04/24/2024

What Happened with the NCL On April 15 the National Cycling League shuttered its doors for 2024, and announced that it will focus on 2025. That has left riders and teams in limbo, and a lot of confusion as to what is happening. We are joined by journalist Logan Jones-Wilkins to help provide context and build a historical picture for what has led up to this point. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/30960303

The Project Echelon Files: The Working Man Pro with Matt Zimmer 04/17/2024

The Project Echelon Files: The Working Man Pro with Matt Zimmer Job, wife, child, pro bike racer. That's a full day and for Matt Zimmer that's his reality. He's come a long way since being the high schooler in Iowa who just raced bikes, and he is here to share that journey with us along with tidbits about racing in Europe and how we can make racing here more inviting. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/30856333

Reputation with Jordan Cheyne 04/03/2024

Reputation with Jordan Cheyne Your reputation is who you are before you actually arrive. It's the version of yourself that stays behind long after you have left. It opens doors and definitely gets some doors closed very hard. In bike racing your reputation is just as important as the results that you put on your race resume. This episode we talk with retired pro and current stand up comedy star Jordan Cheyne about reputation. /episode/index/show/notrainingwheelspod/id/30635243

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