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#VeloPodcast #ZwiftPlus #HighIntensityIntervals #WinterTraining #Strava #AICoaching #Randonneuring #ParisBrestParis #CyclingEmergencies #OutsidePlus
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The Velo Podcast is back this week with hosts Mike Levy, Lisa Charlebois, and Josh Ross, who dive into winter training strategies, awkward mid-ride confessions, and the latest Zwift updates. As a thank-you to the show’s subscribers, listeners can score a 25% discount on an Outside+ membership by entering code “velopod” at checkout.
Winter has arrived for most riders, and the trio discusses how best to structure off-season fitness. Josh recently penned an article about his experiment skipping structured intervals for an entire year, arguing that grinding out long base miles indoors is a counterproductive use of time for the majority of cyclists. He contends that a year of training should be viewed differently—not as endless endurance miles, but as a chance to prioritize quality over quantity. Instead, he is focusing on high-intensity intervals this winter to maintain fitness more effectively. Mike is taking a different approach, hitting the weight room for heavy strength training to build full-body power for a massive ultra-endurance ride he refuses to officially name, though he hints it will be a significant challenge. Lisa announces she has qualified for Paris-Brest-Paris, which sparks a lively debate on randonneering rules. She enjoys the ritual of checkpoint stamps and wearing prominent reflective gear, while Mike jokes that the discipline feels “forced,” and Josh quips that the requirements often get in the way of simply riding. Lisa counters that the reflective triangle and checkpoints add a fun, structured element to the challenge.
The conversation turns cringeworthy when the hosts confess their most embarrassing mid-ride emergencies. A Zwift Plus video route inadvertently captured a cyclist dealing with a bathroom break roadside, prompting all three to share their own panic-struck stories of being trapped in cycling kit. Their anecdotes provide comic relief and underscore the unpredictable, often messy, realities of long-distance cycling. Earlier in the episode, they also referenced spooky listener submissions from a Halloween episode, including near-misses with falling trees and a terrifying encounter with a machete in Morro Bay, adding a frightful backdrop to the discussion.
Shifting to technology, Josh breaks down the new Zwift Plus subscription service. Despite complaints about the additional $10 monthly fee and the addition of video routes, he argues the true value lies in the machine-learning coaching integration, originally developed by the creator of Best Bike Split. This AI-driven coaching tool offers personalized training insights that may justify the cost for data-focused cyclists. Josh also makes the case that Zwift’s outdoor ride tracking could serve as a viable alternative to Strava, particularly for riders seeking to avoid the platform’s mandatory social network and algorithm-driven feed. A discussion on whether the upgrade is worth the price concludes that while the video routes are a nice addition, the AI coaching feature is the primary reason to subscribe for those serious about structured improvement.
As the episode wraps, hosts outline 2027 training goals and invite listeners to share objectives and mid-ride mishaps in comments. They stress the podcast thrives on subscriber support and welcome feedback for future episodes.
