Dialed Cycling Podcast #358 - Recap

What Happens When Cyclists Leave the Rain?

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a group of cyclists escapes the Pacific Northwest gloom in search of dry roads, high-speed racing, and enough suffering to make a monk question their life choices—this episode of the Dialed Podcast is for you.

Your favorite crew—Jake von Duering, Matt LeGrand, Sir Ian Gibson, and Lance friggin’ Heppler—is back after a few weeks off the air (don’t worry, they still remember how to podcast… barely). They’ve been out tearing up the roads in Arizona and pushing their limits at the Valley of the Sun Stage Race and the Tucson Bicycle Classic, plus an epic Dialed Team Training Camp.

This blog breaks down everything from race-day chaos to near-death experiences on Tucson’s legendary Shootout ride. Oh, and there’s a crash, a destroyed helmet, and some badly bruised ribs. Because, you know, cycling.

So, grab a coffee, clip in, and read on—this is the kind of content that’ll make you want to book your next training camp ASAP.

Racing in Arizona: Getting Kicked in the Teeth (and Loving It)

Lance and Ian took their fitness on the road, heading to Arizona for back-to-back stage races: the Valley of the Sun and the Tucson Bicycle Classic. These weren’t just your average weekend crits – we’re talking 800+ racers, former pros, Olympians, and an absolutely stacked junior field.

Despite digging deep, both riders found themselves mid-pack, humbled by the raw speed of their competition. As Lance put it, “We got our asses kicked.” Yet, the experience of racing in massive fields reignited their love for road racing – proving that competitive cycling is far from dead.

Backpedal Recap: A Whole Lot of Miles and a Whole Lot of Pain

Before jumping into the big stories, the guys catch up on what they’ve been up to:

•Matt’s been keeping up with the Dialed 100 Challenge (where he rides every day), though he’s been winging it on how many days he’s actually completed.

•Ian and Lance? Absolute maniacs. They went from Tenerife (Spain) to Arizona, stacking 20 straight days of riding at full gas. Their Chronic Training Load (CTL) numbers? 119. Their fitness form? Negative 75 (which means they were basically zombies on bikes).

•Jake has been Zwifting his face off. Six days a week, nine hours a week, just counting down the days until daylight savings lets him escape the trainer dungeon.

Then, it’s on to the main event: a deep dive into the epic Arizona adventure.

Valley of the Sun Stage Race: Getting Kicked in the Teeth

First stop: Valley of the Sun, a three-day stage race featuring a time trial, a brutal road race, and a downtown criterium.

• Ian edged out Lance by 0.8 seconds in the time trial, which was basically a friendship-breaker.

•The road race? Pure carnage. 100+ riders, ex-pros, Olympians, and national champs all mixing it up. Lance got dropped on the climbs, Ian hung in, and everyone suffered.

•The crit? High-speed, full-send madness. Ian called it “full-on.” Lance? He nearly ended up on the sidewalk.

By the end of the weekend, the guys were mid-pack, but the experience of racing against some of the strongest age-group cyclists in the country was invaluable.

Tucson Bicycle Classic: “Hey, Maybe Arizona Fours Are Different”

After Valley of the Sun, the crew drove south for another three-day sufferfest at Tucson Bicycle Classic.

• Lance entered the Cat 4/5 race, thinking it’d be easier. Turns out, Arizona Cat 4s are built differently. He got his teeth kicked in again.

•Ian held his own in the Masters 60+ race, but the competition was just as stiff.

•The crit was terrifying. Crashes everywhere, a 28.4 mph average speed, and enough sketchy cornering to make you rethink your life choices.

By the end of the week, Lance finished 3rd in the Masters 50+ GC, but the real takeaway was that Arizona road racing is alive, well, and absurdly fast.

Training Camp: Bonding, Suffering, and Orange Kits Everywhere

Dialed Team Training Camp: 6 Days of Full Gas

Just when their legs were ready to fall off, the rest of the Dialed Cycling Team arrived for a full training camp.

•The accommodations? Perfect. A cycling-friendly ranch with catered meals specifically designed for endurance athletes.

• The rides? Savage.

• Day 2: A fast-paced Colossal Cave loop.

• Mount Lemmon: A 21-mile climb where Lance set a 10-minute PR and went sub-2 hours.

• The Tucson Shootout: 200 riders hammering at race pace, and the Dialed squad lined up 10 deep in matching kits.

•The vibes? Elite. Camaraderie, racing, and the kind of suffering that bonds people together forever.

Training camps aren’t just about fitness—they’re about pushing limits, learning to suffer, and making memories with teammates.

Post-race, the Dialed Cycling Team descended upon Tucson for their annual training camp. With a new house and catering dialed in, the squad enjoyed an all-time great week of riding.

Highlights:

• The Shootout: A massive group ride with 200 riders that felt more like a full-on race than a casual spin.

• Mount Lemmon: Lance knocked 10 minutes off his PR, breaking the two-hour barrier for the famous 21-mile climb.

• Colossal Cave & Pistol Hill: Scenic rides, serious training, and top-tier suffering.

• Catering & Lodging: A game-changer. High-quality meals tailored for athletes made the week even better.

With all the miles banked, everyone left feeling stronger, more connected as a team, and ready for race season.

The “One Ride Too Far” Crash

What’s a cycling trip without a little road rash? After feeling unstoppable all week, Lance took his mountain bike out for a quick shakeout ride and promptly wrecked himself. The result? A cracked helmet, bruised ribs, and the decision to sit out the Cactus Cup MTB race.

Moral of the story: Know when to call it a day – and always replace your helmet after a crash!

Old vs. New Tech: What’s Worth Keeping?

The crew tackled an interesting question: with all the advancements in bike technology, what old-school tech is still worth holding onto?

Jake’s pick: Threaded bottom brackets over press-fit.

Ian’s take: Mechanical shifting. Sure, electronic groupsets are cool, but not having to worry about charging batteries? Priceless.

Matt’s vote: Tried-and-true saddles. Some things just feel right.

Lance’s pick: A derailleur hanger straightener. Because some things never change (including how often he bends his derailleur hanger).

The Tubeless Revolution: Is This the End of Tubes?

Silca’s new Ultimate Tubeless Sealant has the cycling world buzzing, and for good reason. The updated formula fixes previous issues with clogged valve cores and now seals holes up to 6mm with ease. If it lives up to the hype, this could be the final nail in the coffin for inner tubes.

The Dialed crew is eager to put it to the test. If it works as advertised, expect to see it in every bike at the Dialed Cycling Lab.

Training Without a Coach: AI or Traditional Plans?

For time-crunched athletes looking for structured training, AI-driven platforms are making waves. The team breaks down options:

• TrainerRoad: One of the best AI-based training programs, now integrating directly with Zwift.

• TrainingPeaks: Great for structured plans from experienced coaches.

• Coach Cat: Another solid AI-based option with auto-adjustments based on daily feedback.

Bottom line? AI training is good, but nothing beats having a great coach – like, say, Sir Ian Gibson.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Road Racing

With road racing participation booming in Arizona, is the sport making a comeback? The massive fields at Valley of the Sun and Tucson suggest that well-organized races in warm-weather locations are thriving. The big question: how can other regions replicate that success?

One thing’s for sure: the passion for racing is alive and well. If you haven’t thrown your hat in the ring yet, now might be the time.

Listen to the Full Episode

Want the full scoop, including even more race stories, tech talk, and some classic Dialed banter? Listen to the full episode of the Dialed Podcast now.