It's Just A Hill: A Podcast About Bike Stuff

Solo Late Summer Round-Up | IJAH Pod 080

For the eightieth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon recaps the summer and looks ahead to fall. He kicks things off with a thank you to everyone who made Sloppy Jon’s 2025 a success, from riders and volunteers to NBX Bikes for fueling the ride and providing prizes. Rider donations went above and beyond, covering all the food and drink costs, with the extra being paid forward to Tour de Rhody. From there Jon previews what’s coming up, including Tour de Rhody 2025, the new Tour de Cider ride series, and some late-season bikepacking plans. He reflects on his fitness after the DC ride, the 4Fs ride, and D2R2, while also talking gear with his Cervélo Áspero-5, a possible mountain bike, and maybe even a Cervélo S5 on the horizon. The episode also touches on a recent motorist encounter caught on camera and why Jon continues to speak up for rider safety, along with a quick for-sale section highlighting a Cycliq Fly12 Sport camera/light combo and a Salsa Warbird carbon frame. [https://ia601002.us.archive.org/24/items/ijah-pod-080-master/IJAH%20pod%20080%20Master.mp3]

Unbound XL with Adam Carroll | IJAH Pod 079

For the seventy-ninth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, we sit down once again with longtime IJAH member Adam Carroll. This specific episode has been a long time coming — Adam took on Unbound XL back in May, and we finally had the chance to record while driving up to D2R2. He dives into his trip to Kansas and what it was like to tackle the notorious 360-mile Unbound XL, finishing with a total elapsed time of 25 hours and 40 minutes (24 hours and 12 minutes moving). [https://ia803203.us.archive.org/23/items/ijah-pod-079-master/IJAH%20pod%20079%20Master.mp3]

Ten Stages Deep & Dirty Money in the Peloton with Hugh Ford | IJAH Pod 078

For the latest episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by Amateurs Talking Pros correspondent Hugh Ford for a two-part remote special. First up, they break down the first 10 stages of the 2025 Tour de France—GC shakeups, team tactics, sprint drama, and who’s already blown their shot at yellow. Then in the second half, they dig into a more serious topic: sport washing in pro cycling. With state-backed teams like UAE Team Emirates and Bahrain Victorious playing a major role in the peloton, it’s time to ask—can fans still cheer when the money behind the sport gets murky? [https://ia601206.us.archive.org/16/items/ijah-pod-078-master/IJAH%20pod%20078%20master.mp3]

Marfa, Macros, and Making It Work with Norlan Olivo | IJAH Pod 077

In episode 077 of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by returning guest and IJAH collective member Norlan Olivo for a conversation about what it means to train when time is tight. They dig into how Norlan is preparing for another run at the Marfa ride, what realistic training looks like for busy people, and how nutrition and coaching play into the bigger picture. It’s a laid-back but honest talk about showing up, staying consistent, and making it work with the time and energy you’ve got. [https://ia600901.us.archive.org/24/items/ijah-pod-077-master/IJAH%20pod%20077%20master.mp3]

Placebos, Pain & Pizza with Brian Cauti | IJAH Pod 076

For the seventy-sixth episode of the It’s Just A Hill Cycling Podcast, Jon is joined by friend of the club and returning guest Brian Cauti. Brian’s been on a bit of a journey lately—recovering from a long-term injury, training with the Rhode Island Track Club (yes, running), and opening a pizza shop. In this episode, they talk about what it’s like to shift focus from bikes to running, the challenges of injury recovery, and how nutrition and life balance fit into the mix when your days are full of dough, decisions, and training plans. Later in the episode, they dive into their supplement routines, including creatine, tart cherry extract, turmeric, and other recovery and performance tools—some science-backed, some… maybe just rituals. [https://ia601607.us.archive.org/9/items/ijah-pod-master-76/IJAH%20pod%20Master%2076.mp3]