Dialed Cycling Podcast #362 - Recap

When your spring racing season includes hypothermia, surprise podiums, and cramping on your own doorstep, you know you’ve had a full week on the bike. Episode 362 of the Dialed Podcast dives into a jam-packed roundup of road and mountain racing, team challenges, and the kind of weather that tests both gear and grit. Whether you’re here for the suffering or the subtle laughs, we’ve got both.

The Studio Reunion + Backpedal Banter

The crew's all in the studio for this one—Jake, Lance, Ian, and Matt—kicking things off with that signature energy and inside jokes only teammates can pull off. Lance was finally back in person after a few days in homebody mode, and the group wasted no time getting into the rhythm of updates and storytelling.

100 Rides, 100 Days: The Dialed Challenge Comes to a Close

Matt hit day 100 of the annual “Ride 100 Days in a Row” challenge—barely. He admits to hitting the minimum time almost every day with surgical precision (think: 1 hour, 1 second). Meanwhile, teammate Randy Frost organized a celebratory group ride to wrap things up. Spoiler: Matt was double-booked and on the edge of missing the party. Classic.

Racing Through the Pain at Banana Belt

Ian threw down at the Banana Belt Road Race and came back with tales of soaked socks, fogged glasses, and legs that just stopped working. Despite the miserable weather, he gritted out the laps and landed second in the 60+ field. Shoutouts went to teammates David Barna (2nd) and John Hatfield (4th) for strong rides in the mixed field of 50+, 60+, and 3/4/5 racers.

The key takeaways? Dress smarter for races in the Pacific Northwest and never underestimate a damp hill climb when Chris Hannah is in the field. That guy rode off the front like it was a warm-up.

Mountain Mayhem: Lance’s Mudslinger Adventure

Lance had his own race drama. After spending several days taking care of his wife post-surgery, he nearly skipped the Mudslinger mountain bike race. But his wife knew better. “Go do it, or you’ll be miserable,” she said. She wasn’t wrong.

He made the trip, raced Cat 1 with zero prep, and finished 8th in the 50+ field (out of 9—but who’s counting?). Highlights included sunny weather, strong junior teammate performances (Evan took 2nd overall!), and 58-year-old Jonathan Myers throwing down like a man half his age. Moral of the story? Sometimes the dry race isn't the easy race.

Jake's Comeback Ride: Cramping, Comebacks, and Humbled Muscles

Jake returned to flogging ride duty after a stretch of indoor Zwift sessions. The plan? Hang with the A group. The reality? He hung, held strong (until he didn't)... and cramped so hard near his house that he had to abandon the final climb and call for a ride home. Even the quads gave up. The culprit? A brutal combo of dehydration, underfueling, and not being acclimated to outdoor efforts. Lesson learned. And his wife got a good laugh out of the pickup call.

YouTube Growth and Mid-Pack Motivation

Lance shared an honest reflection about results this year—less podium, more perspective. But there’s a silver lining: storytelling. His YouTube channel has grown to over 600 subscribers, and his videos now highlight the grind of mid-pack Cat 1 racing. The content is raw, real, and more relatable than solo wins. Jake, Ian, and Matt all chimed in with support and laughs about hecklers in the comment section. If you haven’t subscribed, what are you waiting for?

Chain Mail Q&A: Gels, Pet Peeves, and Race Day Blunders

Listeners brought the heat with questions and hot takes:

• A listener recommended TryCarbs Fuel Gels: 50g carbs for $2? That’s legit.

• Pet peeves included tinted driver windows, people passing too closely, wheel suckers who don’t say hi, and group ride etiquette flubs.

• Someone asked about live Dialed shows at races. Great idea, but maybe wait until there's no PA system blaring over the top.

And yes, the Eddie Team Time Trial format is a go for this year’s Michael Myers Memorial TT. That’s officially happening.

Mountain Bike Training: Where to Ride Within an Hour of Vancouver

Lance and the crew fielded a question about mountain bike training options near Vancouver, WA. Here's the rundown:

• Round Lake/Camas: Great for quick efforts and shorter trail intervals.

• Cold Creek/Yacolt Burn/Tarbell: Plenty of technical terrain within 45–60 minutes.

• Rocky Point: Amazing trails, but a little less practical for midweek sessions.

• Sandy Ridge: A bit farther, but worth the trip for longer rides.

Road Racing Prices: What Gives?

Races are getting expensive. Ian pointed out that the Washington State Road Championship was $90 to enter, and some other road races are creeping toward the $100 mark. Travel, insurance, and operational costs all add up—but it’s a point of frustration, especially for grassroots riders trying to stay involved.

Pro Racing Recap with Champ Bailey

The Tour of Flanders delivered. Vanderpoel won, while Wout van Aert took fourth in a tight finish. But it wasn’t without pressure—especially after Wout’s team blew a 3-on-1 tactical advantage at Dwars door Vlaanderen midweek. Oof.

Up next? Paris-Roubaix. Predictions flew: Jake, Matt, Ian, and Lance all took “the field” over Tadej Pogačar. Not because he’s not fast, but because Roubaix is chaos. Mechanical, crash, wrong move—it can all end your day fast. That said, if he does win, it’ll be legendary.

Wrap-Up: Grit, Growth, and Good Stories

This episode had everything—wet misery, last-minute wins, YouTube breakthroughs, and quad cramps that ended with a rescue. Through it all, the Dialed crew keeps things real, reminding us why we ride, race, and keep coming back for more.

If you’re juggling family life, training, business, and still showing up to suffer with your friends, this episode will hit home. And if you're not already on board with the Dialed 100 or Lance’s YouTube channel, you’re missing out on some seriously good motivation.