Indoor season is spinning up, bringing as always fresh hardware announcements and big races, coffee controversy and… magpies?!
We begin with a deep dive into Stages Cycling’s new SB200, the first complete smartbike to hit the market in quite some time. Stages are clearly looking to make a splash with their first big announcement since bankruptcy and acquisition. So how does the new bike feel? Shane and Eric flew to Colorado for a first look, and now they’re riding it in their pain caves. We chat about its unique features, and how it stacks up against the competition, especially Zwift’s new Ride version 2.
Next: we’re not a racing podcast, but the first race of Zwift Racing League was annulled due to a combination of problems, and that’s worth talking about. Who allowed TT bikes into the inaugural Race of Truth, and why were teams shuffled around in the final hours? We chat about the relationship between WTRL and Zwift, and like everyone else, hold out hope that it’ll go smoother next round.
We head down under for a quick magpie report from Shane, who says the birds are smarter and faster than ever. Is it time for magpies to come to the game? And the bigger question: how is “indoor season” experienced by riders in the southern hemisphere, when all the big events get scheduled during prime outdoor riding weather?
Lastly, it’s a coffee break hot take. Shane and Eric weigh in on one of Zwift’s more controversial features, the Coffee Stop. Is it OK to use one at the front of a fast group ride? Eric says, “Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD.” But do the Constance Couch Potatoes agree? And will Zwift ever do anything to discourage riders who are gaming this feature?
And that’s a wrap. Join us next time to learn about the Watopia expansion, how Zwift Racing League’s first round shook out, and much more.
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Listen On:
Meet the Team
- Dave Towle: The voice of American cycling, having called some of the biggest races in the country for decades. Find him @davetowleannouncer.
- Shane Miller (GPLama): Based in Australia, Shane is one of the most followed and trusted cycling tech reviewers in the world. Find him at @gplama.
- Eric Schlange: Founder of Zwift Insider, the internet’s most comprehensive and reliable resource for Zwift routes, updates, and platform intelligence. Find him @zwiftinsider.
Share Your Thoughts!
This is just an early episode of what we hope is a long-running and useful community Zwift podcast. Share your thoughts below. We’re listening!
