Inspiring Black Women to Go Riding: Meet the Iron Empress, Donna McConnell

Ama Nsek on Racing Hard & Giving Back

In this episode of Cycling Culture Club Connections, Miles sits down with Ama Nsek, three-time US national champion, privateer road racer, and one of the most thoughtful voices on diversity, development and the future of cycling. Ama shares his journey from mountain biking as a kid with asthma in Southern California, through racing in Europe on the US junior national team, to building a privateer programme that puts grassroots development and community at its core. He talks candidly about what it feels like to be a black man in a predominantly white sport, the mental friction of racing in Europe, and why he came back to cycling after nearly walking away for good. They also explore the racing scenes in Colombia and Mexico, the joy of salsa dancing, and why making the right friends might be the most important thing anyone can do in cycling. Key Topics * Growing up with asthma and discovering the bike through mountain biking * The US junior national team and racing in Europe as a 17-year-old * Being a black man in professional cycling and the reality of racial barriers * Three national championships and what they meant * Building a privateer programme around racing, social media and community * Youth development and bridging the gap for the next generation * Racing and riding in Colombia and Mexico * Why Cycling Culture Club felt like the right fit Links * Ama on Instagram: @amansek [https://www.instagram.com/amansek/] * Ama on YouTube: Amaette Nsek * Ride for Racial Justice: @rideforracialjustice * Follow us: @cyclingcultureclub [https://www.instagram.com/cyclingcultureclub/] Want more from our podcast? Listen to CCC Connections on all the major podcasting platforms. For more episodes of Cycling Culture Club Connections [https://www.cyclingcultureclub.cc/cycling-culture-club-podcast]

Makesi Duncan — DadBod Cycling, Brooklyn, and the Power of Shooting Your Shot

Makesi Duncan is the founder of DadBod Cycling, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Brooklyn, New York. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, raised in Brooklyn, Makesi came to cycling post-pandemic and quickly turned a personal frustration into a community movement. From donating bikes to kids in his neighbourhood to competing at SBT GRVL three times, his journey is one of relentless positivity, community building, and an unshakeable belief that anything is possible if you shoot your shot. In this episode we cover: * How Makesi got into cycling during the pandemic and why he was immediately hooked * The birth of Dad Bod Cycling and the kit frustration that started it all * Building a nonprofit: grants, partnerships, and how to ask for the world * Riding in New York City — what it's really like versus the reputation * The DBC NYC Cycling Tour and why he's bringing riders to Brooklyn * Three attempts at SBT GRVL, including altitude sickness at mile 60 * Being a Black cyclist in the gravel world and disarming people with a smile * Raising three daughters bike-adjacent and what that means for representation * The SRAM Community Program and what's coming in 2026 Links: * Dad Bod Cycling on Instagram: @makesiduncan [https://www.instagram.com/dadbodcyclinginc/] * DBC NYC Cycling Tour: wetravel [https://www.wetravel.com/users/makesi-duncan-c931fc5c-717b-4dfc-8cef-fe896a7c3046] * TD Five Boro Bike Tour: fiveborobike.org [http://fiveborobike.org] * Cycling Culture Club: cyclingcultureclub.cc [http://cyclingcultureclub.cc]

Building Community Through Listening: A Conversation with Alisha Zellner

Episode Summary: In this episode of Cycling Culture Club Connections, Miles speaks with Alisha Zellner, Community Specialist at SRAM and the driving force behind its global community programme. Alisha shares her journey from mental health and law enforcement into the cycling industry, and how her lived experiences shaped a programme designed to support underrepresented communities in cycling. From her research into systemic barriers, to leading initiatives that create real access and opportunity, this is a conversation about listening, trust, and building something that truly reflects the people it serves. They also explore the power of the bike as a space for healing, connection, and change, and why community work must start with those closest to it. ---------------------------------------- Key Topics: * The SRAM Community Programme and how it works * Building community led initiatives through listening and trust * Barriers to cycling and representation in the sport * From law enforcement to the cycling industry * Bike Ride for Black Lives and the role of cycling in healing * Creating sustainable change through community partnerships

Wango Alfred: Creativity, Community and Capturing Cycling in East Africa

EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Cycling Culture Club Connections, Miles sits down with Wango, a Nairobi based multidisciplinary creative working across photography, design, and storytelling with Team Amani. Wango shares his journey into cycling through creativity, documenting riders across East Africa and capturing moments that reflect a bigger cultural shift within the sport. From the World Championships in Rwanda to life at altitude in Iten, this conversation explores what it means to tell stories from within your own community. They talk about representation, creative process, and why showing up matters more than anything else. KEY TOPICS * Storytelling and documenting cycling in East Africa * Team Amani and building pathways to the global stage * The impact of the World Championships in Rwanda * Representation in cycling media and creative spaces * Creative process across photography, design, and art * Community work and cultural storytelling in Nairobi * Why showing up is everything

Llori Sharpe: Racing for Jamaica and Building Opportunity Through Cycling

In this episode of Cycling Culture Club Connections, Miles sits down with Llori Sharpe, former national champion of Jamaica and one of the Caribbean’s most inspiring voices in cycling. Llori shares her journey into the sport, from a childhood rooted in swimming and running to discovering cycling through triathlon. What started as an unexpected transition quickly grew into a competitive career that has seen her represent Jamaica on the international stage. The conversation explores the realities of racing from a country where cycling infrastructure and pathways are limited, the challenges that come with visas and international competition, and the pride that comes with representing Jamaica in the global peloton. Beyond racing, Llori reflects on the role of community in sport and why visibility matters for riders coming from underrepresented cycling nations. This is a conversation about resilience, opportunity, and the responsibility that comes with riding for something bigger than yourself.