Shannon Valstar on Running the World’s Toughest MTB Race

Shannon Valstar on Running the World’s Toughest MTB Race

What does it take to run the world’s biggest mountain bike stage race? In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Valstar, race director of the Absa Cape Epic, to unpack her journey from growing up around endurance sport to leading one of the most iconic events in cycling. From behind-the-scenes logistics and creative event strategy to lessons from Paul Valstar and the influence of festivals like Rocking the Daisies, this conversation dives deep into what makes great events truly unforgettable. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 00:00 – Introduction to Shannon Valstar & the Epic Series 03:45 – Growing Up Around Endurance Sport 06:20 – What the Cape Epic Race Director Actually Does 10:05 – Why Rider Feedback Is So Important 14:10 – Lessons From Her Father & Loving What You Do 19:30 – School, Sport & Finding a Career Path 23:40 – Big Shot Media & Discovering Event Storytelling 30:15 – Joining Cape Epic & Learning Logistics From the Ground Up 33:45 – Building the Stellenbosch World Cup 35:50 – Leaving Cycling for the Music Festival Industry 43:20 – Returning to Cape Epic With a New Perspective 47:10 – Cape Town vs Joburg & Creative Culture 50:00 – Rocking the Daisies Stories & Secret Festival Stages 55:45 – Why Events Need Creativity & Constant Innovation 57:50 – Formula 1, Drive to Survive & the Future of Sports Storytelling # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699] # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1] Website: https://activehobo.com/ [https://activehobo.com/] Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b [https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b] # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

Jonas Vingegaard, Women’s Racing & Why the Bellville Velodrome Matters | The Breakaway EP18

The 2026 Giro d'Italia has a new-look leaderboard — and Jonas Vingegaard's cautious racing style is dividing opinion. Dave and guest Layla Schwellnus dig into the GC battle, debate whether Tadej Pogačar's absence has changed how we watch the race, and break down what Mischa Bredewold's Itzulia Women win means for the sport. Closer to home: the conversation gets real. SA Track Champs results, the Western Province road scene keeping road cycling alive, and the Bellville Velodrome — a facility at the heart of a community that can't afford to lose it. Plus: Lisa Bone's 19th at the Mali Gravel UCI Qualifier, Lella Loops, and the question nobody's asking loudly enough — are cycling groups the new cycling clubs? # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — Giro d'Italia: Is Jonas Vingegaard Too Cautious? 3:44 — Afonso Eulálio, Felix Gall & the Pink Jersey Battle 10:16 — What to Race in the Western Cape This Month 18:35 — Mischa Bredewold Wins the Itzulia Women 23:25 — When Do Women Peak? The Science Behind the Career Arc 28:15 — Lisa Bone Goes 19th at the Mali Gravel UCI Qualifier 30:11 — SA Track Champs Results & the XCO Pipeline 39:41 — The Bellville Velodrome & the Riders Who Need It 43:00 — Urban Cycling, Cape Town & the Bree Street Experiment 49:44 — Western Province Road Race Results (All Categories) 58:40 — Rehboks Kloof Preview & MTB Skills 1:00:14 — Lella Loops: How a Thursday Ride Became a Movement 1:03:06 — Wrap-Up # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699] # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1] Website: https://activehobo.com/ [https://activehobo.com/] Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b [https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b] # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U [https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U] Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH] Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY [https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY] # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

Sandra Sischka Cycled From Portugal to Cape Town Alone

Sandra Sischka shares the incredible story of cycling from Portugal to Cape Town over two years with almost no prior bikepacking experience. From crossing the Sahara Desert to navigating conflict zones in West Africa, Sandra reflects on fear, freedom, hospitality, and the people she met along the way. This conversation dives into border crossings, survival, cycling culture, and what long-distance travel teaches you about humanity. Along the journey, she experienced overwhelming generosity, dangerous moments, and life-changing friendships. A powerful conversation about adventure, resilience, and seeing Africa beyond the headlines. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 00:00 - Welcome Sandra Sischka 02:10 - Growing Up With Bicycles in Germany 06:00 - Why Sandra Sischka Chose Africa 10:15 - Planning the Route & Preparing for the Unknown 15:30 - Starting the Journey in Portugal 19:45 - Entering Morocco & First Impressions of Africa 27:30 - Hospitality, Family & Culture in Morocco 35:00 - Crossing the Sahara & Mauritania 40:00 - West Africa: Food, Borders & Daily Challenges 50:30 - Malaria, Recovery & Finding Human Connection 55:00 - Ghana, Travel Advice & Perspective on Africa 57:00 - Nigeria, Conflict Zones & Dangerous Decisions 01:02:00 - The Open Water Boat Crossing to Cameroon 01:08:00 - Jungle Routes, Wildlife & Cycling Through Cameroon 01:15:00 - What Africa Taught Sandra Sischka # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699] # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1] Website: https://activehobo.com/ [https://activehobo.com/] Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b [https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b] # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

How Kevin Vermaak Created Cape Epic From Nothing

What does it take to build the world’s biggest mountain bike stage race from scratch? In this conversation, Kevin Vermaak unpacks the untold story behind Cape Epic — from years of financial pressure and relentless risk-taking to creating an event that transformed cycling in South Africa and around the world. We also dive into the future of gravel racing, the vision behind Gravel Burn, and why Kevin believes the next era of cycling is only just beginning. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 — The Vision Behind Cape Epic 2:45 — From London Banking to Building a Race 10:35 — Himalayan Expeditions & Adventure Mindset 19:05 — Five Years of Losses & Extreme Stress 20:23 — The Decision That Changed Cape Epic Forever 31:05 — The Reality of Building Something Big 36:50 — Riding Cape Epic for the First Time 41:25 — Selling Cape Epic & Building a Legacy 52:50 — Why Gravel Is the Future of Cycling 2:09:30 — The Big Vision for Gravel Burn # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699] # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1] Website: https://activehobo.com/ [https://activehobo.com/] Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b [https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b] # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling

Simon Stofberg on being a Dad, Burnout, and Coming Back at Garden Route Giro | The Breakaway EP 17

Simon Stofberg joins the Breakaway for an honest conversation about fatherhood, fitness, and finding your way back — three and a half months in. Also in this episode: Gallows 2026, the XCO Western Cape Schools League, a young Wellington rider's miraculous recovery. # === CHAPTERS =================================== 0:00 Intro 0:28 What's on today: Gallows, XCO schools, and the Giro 1:29 Simon Stofberg: three and a half months into fatherhood 4:58 Life stood still: postpartum depression, emergency C-section, the dark first months 6:35 Light at the end of the tunnel 7:00 David's parallel: 18 months in with Gabriella 8:00 The all-in athlete personality vs. having a baby 11:20 First race with the family — and the panic attacks that came before it 14:13 The dopamine crash: going from 20 hours a week to nothing 15:01 48T vs. 44T — GRG media weekend to GRG with a newborn 17:00 Garden Route Giro debrief: Stage 1, Stage 2 blowup at Rooibos Pass 23:39 David's GRG — Day 1 power PB and Stages 5–7 riding with Dusty 26:08 Shout out to Dryland and the 36ONE weather situation 30:15 A young XCO rider from Wellington: broke his neck, three hours alone, making a recovery 33:28 XCO Western Cape Schools League: 926 boys, 280 girls 35:30 Titan Racing, Ford and Shimano back the next generation 37:30 Elite racing highlights — and why the YouTube footage is worth your time 39:01 Jan Vitor from Tech Science — the next guest David wants in the studio 39:43 Why Simon skipped Gallows, and what's next with Cam Roach 42:15 Gallows 2026: Poffada, The Hosepipe, and the climb to Heavens View 49:20 Finding an XCO schools correspondent: Boaf ⚠️ verify timestamp 51:11 Episode 17 wrap # === LISTEN ON THE GO =========================== Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5GselFmeym7YgYXtcyPUXU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-hobo/id1846864699] # === FOLLOW ACTIVE HOBO ========================= Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@activehobo?sub_confirmation=1] Website: https://activehobo.com/ [https://activehobo.com/] Instagram: @theactivehobo Strava: https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b [https://strava.app.link/ciVbx92FJ2b] # === THE CREW =================================== Dave @davlewjenkins # === MORE FROM ACTIVE HOBO ====================== Latest episode: https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U [https://youtu.be/VRIeP2JYf5U] Full podcast playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2XIoaiAXafwoZykJM-jg6HnrLkWlJXH] Related episode: https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY [https://youtu.be/lGfvanjllXY] # === WORK WITH US =============================== Sponsorships & collabs: david@activehobo.com Send a question for the show: noah@activehobo.com #ActiveHobo #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling