News

No Comments

The FredCast — A Podcast for Serious Cyclists

Podcasts have been around for several years, yet had never been of much interest to me. But last month I discovered The FredCast, and that has all changed. The FredCast focuses on anything and everything cycling, including gear reviews, news, advocacy, professional bike racing, training, safety and myriad other topics that anyone reading this blog is sure to find compelling.

I like The FredCast so much that I’ve gone all the way back to the first episode from December 2005 and started working my way forward. In a few short weeks – and a number of long plane rides – I’ve consumed two years’ worth of shows. Much of the content is timeless and is just as relevant today as it was then. The pro racing news is dated, but I’m finding it interesting (though a little depressing) to hear about the feats of racers like Tyler Hamilton, Floyd Landis or Jan Ullrich days or weeks before they get caught up in their various doping scandals. It’s also fun hearing the host rave about things like the first Garmin GPS-enabled cycling computers. I get very excited for him because I know full well how awesome the later versions of this particular product have become.

Just in case you don’t have the time to go through every single show, here are a few episodes that riders getting ready for Cycle Oregon might find particularly helpful:

Shows #5 and #7 feature tips on getting ready for your first century. Most of these tips apply directly to training for Cycle Oregon.

Show #29 features an inspiring story about a young cyclist who is winning the fight against cancer, and has the very real potential to bring you to tears. There is also a good segment about the value of professional bike fitting.

Show #51 features a long and informative discussion about nutrition with cycling trainer Graeme Street.

How to Listen

If you’ve never experienced a Podcast before, you’re in for a treat. There are lots of ways to listen to the FredCast. All of them are easy, and all of them are free. iPod or iPhone users can go through iTunes. MP3 users can download shows directly from the FredCast Web site. You can also access episodes directly from your PC. For more details on how to enjoy the FredCast using any of these methods, click here.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *