Home Podcasts Road Cycling Academy Podcast
Road Cycling Academy Podcast

Road Cycling Academy Podcast

Ryan Thomas & Cam Nicholls 85 Episodes Jun 17, 2026

Interviews with top performing cyclists and industry experts in the fields of coaching, advanced training techniques, and human physiology. The purpose of this podcast is to learn and understand what makes high performing individuals tick, digging deep into their ingredients to success both on and off the bike.

Episodes

Thinking About Hiring a Cycling Coach? Here's What Actually Happens Jun 17, 2026 37:39 Thinking about hiring a cycling coach but not sure what's actually involved? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with RCA coach and sports scientist Ben Treble to pull back the curtain on the coaching process and explain exactly what recreational and amateur cyclists can expect when they start working with a coach. Whether you're training 6–12 hours per week, struggling to i
Want to Climb Faster? Here's How to Train for BIG Climbs Jun 16, 2026 30:11 Are you planning a cycling holiday in Europe, tackling iconic climbs like the Alps, Dolomites, or Swiss mountain passes? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with RCA coach and data science specialist Ben Treble to discuss exactly how recreational and amateur cyclists should prepare for a climbing-focused cycling trip. Ben breaks down the key physiological factors that determ
Long vs Short Intervals: Which Builds VO2 Max Faster? Jun 10, 2026 29:41 Are short VO2 max intervals better than long intervals for cyclists? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with coach and data science specialist Ben Treble to unpack one of the most debated topics in endurance training: long intervals versus short intervals for improving VO2 max and cycling performance. Recent research has suggested that short interval formats such as 30/15s
The Simple 6-Week FTP Boosting Plan Most Cyclists Ignore Jun 2, 2026 13:29 Are you stuck on a cycling performance plateau? Have your FTP gains stalled despite doing hard intervals, bunch rides and endless VO2 max sessions? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Road Cycling Academy Head Coach Ryan Thomas explains why a dedicated block of tempo training (Zone 3) may be the missing piece in your training program. Many recreational and amateur cyclists spend too much time ridi
Time to Move on from FTP Tests (Critical Power Simply Explained) May 27, 2026 18:16 In this episode of the Road Cycling Academy podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with RCA Head Coach Ryan Thomas to break down one of the most talked-about topics in modern cycling training: Critical Power vs FTP. If you've ever wondered: What is critical power? Is FTP testing outdated? How do you test critical power? Why do some cyclists struggle at threshold but excel in VO2 max efforts? How do prof
Cycling & Lower Back Pain: The Hidden Cause Most Riders Miss May 19, 2026 11:58 Summary Cycling causing lower back pain? Dealing with sciatica, disc injuries, or recurring pain after long rides? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with expert bike fitter and sports physiotherapist Neil Stanbury to unpack one of the most frustrating issues cyclists face: lower back disc problems. Neil explains the difference between common muscular lower back pain and mo
Bike Fitter's Top 3 Race Bikes (geometry & adjustability) May 13, 2026 11:43 Podcast Summary In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with expert bike fitter Neill Stanbury to break down their top three modern race bikes — but from a bike fitting and geometry perspective rather than the usual marketing hype around stiffness and aerodynamics. Neill explains why geometry, sizing range, and adjustability matter far more for recreational and amateur
Why Amateur Cyclists Plateau (What I Learned From 80 Calls) May 6, 2026 14:13 Summary: In this episode of the RCA Podcast, expert bike fitter Neill Stanbury interviews Cam Nicholls about the biggest training mistakes recreational and amateur cyclists make when trying to improve FTP, endurance, and overall cycling performance. After completing more than 80 one-on-one coaching calls with plateaued cyclists, Cam reveals the three major problems repeatedly holding riders back
10% Power Gains with THIS Simple Bike Fit Adjustment Apr 29, 2026 16:36 Summary In this episode, expert bike fitter Neill Stanbury explains the importance of Q factor (aka stance width) in cycling and bike fitting. Notably, how it affects power transfer, injury prevention, and how to optimize it for individual riders. Learn practical tips on measuring and adjusting Q factor for better cycling performance and comfort.   Key topics What is Q factor and why it matters
YouTuber Mitch Boyer Shares His Coaching Journey with the RCA Apr 16, 2026 39:15 Podcast Summary:   In this episode, Mitch Boyer shares his journey from a casual cyclist to a more confident and skilled rider through coaching, structured training, and community engagement. Discover how personalized coaching, mental resilience, and strategic training can lead to significant performance improvements and life benefits.   RCA 12 WEEK CUSTOM PLAN; https://roadcyclingacademy.com/cycl
Indoor vs Outdoor Cycling: What the Research Really Says Apr 15, 2026 21:24 This episode explores the differences between indoor and outdoor cycling, examining research findings, muscle activation, and practical tips for optimizing indoor training. Hosted by Cam Nicholls with expert insights from RCA coach Ben Treble, it offers valuable guidance for cyclists aiming to improve performance and understand the nuances of training environments.   Stannards: https://stannards.
The VO2 Max Workout Most Cyclists Don't Know About Apr 8, 2026 11:29 Summary:   What if the best VO2 max workout… isn't the one everyone's doing? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with Head Coach Ryan Thomas to break down a lesser-known, research-backed VO2 max protocol from 2020 — and why it's been delivering serious results with RCA riders. Instead of traditional intervals like 30/15s or sustained 3-minute efforts, this session flips thin

Recommended