We Compared ChatGPT, TrainerRoad & a Cycling Coach. Here's What We Learned.

We Compared ChatGPT, TrainerRoad & a Cycling Coach. Here's What We Learned.

Everyone has an opinion about the best way to train for cycling. Some swear by a coach. Others say TrainerRoad is all you'll ever need. And now more and more cyclists are asking the same question... Can ChatGPT actually build a training plan that's just as good? Instead of guessing, we spent an entire race season finding out. We trained with ChatGPT for nearly a year. We spent a full year working with a cycling coach in 2025. We also completed 5+ months using TrainerRoad. Then we sat down and compared everything—not opinions, but the actual training plans, workout structure, and race results. We break down: * Training philosophy * Weekly TSS * Time spent in every training zone * VO₂ Max, Threshold, Sweet Spot and Endurance work * Interval design * Recovery weeks * Adaptability to busy schedules * Race specificity * The biggest strengths and weaknesses of each approach Most importantly, we answer the question every cyclist wants to know: Which one actually made us faster on race day? Whether you're considering TrainerRoad, wondering if ChatGPT can replace a cycling coach, or trying to figure out the best cycling training plan for your goals, this episode should help you make a more informed decision. We also catch up on our latest training, share our thoughts on the newly released Specialized Tarmac SL9, discuss the new Specialized Crux 5, and talk about what's next for the rest of our racing season. Chapters 01:21 - New Specialized Tarmac SL9 impressions 09:49 - The new Specialized Crux 5  19:05 - Recent training updates 29:26 - TrainerRoad vs ChatGPT vs a coach 32:55 - Training philosophy comparison 38:27 - Time spent in each training zone 46:06 - Weekly TSS comparison 50:16 - Interval design comparison 58:19 - Pros and cons of each approach #TrainerRoad #CyclingTraining #ChatGPT #RoadCycling #CyclingPodcast Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

Cycling With a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): Worth It?

Are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) worth it for endurance athletes? Or are they just another expensive trend? After hearing that professional athletes have used continuous glucose monitors to optimize their fueling (and that they're no longer allowed during races), we wanted to find out for ourselves. So we each wore a CGM for a month during training and everyday life to answer one question: Can tracking your glucose actually help you become a faster cyclist? Over the course of our experiment, we tracked blood glucose before rides, during high-intensity workouts, after long Zone 2 rides, and around meals to see whether we were underfueling, overfueling, or simply misunderstanding how our bodies use energy. In this episode, we cover: ✅ What glucose actually is (and why every cyclist should understand it) ✅ How continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) work ✅ What our glucose looked like during training and racing ✅ Can a CGM help prevent bonking? ✅ The biggest surprises from wearing one for multiple weeks ✅ The downsides of CGMs for everyday cyclists ✅ Are continuous glucose monitors worth it if you're not diabetic? We also catch up on recent racing, including Josh's health scare after a race, Greg's latest KORRs, the ongoing power meter saga, plus we recap an incredible Giro d'Italia and make our predictions for this year's Tour de France. 👇 We'd love to hear from you: Have you ever bonked during a ride? Would you ever try CGM to better understand your fueling? 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with another cyclist trying to level up. #Cycling #CGM #ContinuousGlucoseMonitor #CyclingNutrition #Fueling #Bonking #EnduranceSports #RoadCycling #BikeTraining #AmateurCycling #TourDeFrance #GirodItalia Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

The Maintenance Mistakes That Are Slowing You Down

Are you losing speed because of simple maintenance mistakes? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Lundrigan, Service Manager at Trek Fort Wright, bike mechanic and racer to discuss the biggest bike maintenance mistakes cyclists make without even realizing it. Many riders spend thousands of dollars chasing upgrades, deeper wheels, lighter bikes, and electronic shifting when the reality is they may be losing free speed because of poor bike maintenance, drivetrain inefficiency, or overlooked mechanical issues. Sean shares the most common problems he sees every day in the bike shop, the preventable mistakes that can ruin races, and the simple things cyclists can do to make their bikes faster, quieter, and more reliable. 🛠 We dive into: •The #1 bike maintenance mistake cyclists make • How much speed a poorly maintained drivetrain can cost you • Chain lubrication mistakes • Tire pressure mistakes • Brake rub and drivetrain efficiency • Common race-day mechanical failures • The ideal 24-hour pre-race bike check • Marginal gains and free speed • What bike mechanics wish every cyclist knew This episode is packed with practical advice that can help you ride faster and avoid costly mistakes. 👉Follow Sean and Trek Fort Wright: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/fort_wright/ or email him: sean_lundrigan@trekbikes.com  ⏱ Chapters:  00:00 - Intro 24:08 - Biggest Bike Maintenance Mistakes 25:17 - Chain Care & Lubrication 31:45 - Weekly Bike Inspection Checklist 42:37 - Bearing Maintenance Explained 44:19 - How to True a Wheel 46:44 - Essential Bike Maintenance Tools 48:10 - Disc Brake Maintenance Tips Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

The Biggest Cycling Tech Trends According to Mechanics

Cycling tech has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. From wider tires and disc brakes to electronic shifting, 1x drivetrains, massive cassettes, integrated cockpits, and SRAM’s UDH system — modern road bikes are evolving faster than ever. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Haas and Andreas Frances of Reser Bicycle to discuss the biggest cycling tech trends happening right now from a mechanic’s perspective. We break down what innovations are actually improving cycling, what trends may be overhyped, and where road bikes could be headed in the next 5–10 years. We also dive into: * Wider tires, rolling resistance & internal rim width * SRAM UDH & the rise of 1x gearing * Modern gearing trends & easier gear ratios * Electronic shifting vs mechanical * Integration vs serviceability * Proprietary bike parts & modern bike maintenance * What mechanics really think about current bike trends * Predictions for the future of cycling tech Follow Reser Bicycle Outfitters: reserbicycle.com [https://reserbicycle.com] Chapters:  03:18 — Rapid-fire mechanic questions 18:58 — Where bikes have come from over the last 20 years 31:51 — Rise of UDH 36:41— 1x Drivetrains and gear ratios 50:35 — Wider tires and clearance  54:40— Integrated vs non-integrated  1:09:16 — Where bikes are headed in the next 5 years  #cycling #cyclingtech #roadcycling #biketech #cyclingpodcast Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

This Is Why Your Power Isn’t Improving (It's Not Your Training)

Most cyclists think getting faster means riding more. But what if the real limiter isn’t your training — it's your strength, nutrition, and durability?  In this episode, we sit down with a sports nutrition expert, Dr. Cindy Cassell to break down why power doesn’t equal strength, how metabolism and fueling impact performance, and why cyclists over 35 need to rethink how they train. If you’ve been training harder but not getting faster, struggling with recovery, or feeling like your power doesn’t match your effort — this episode will show you what’s really going on. What You’ll Learn: • Why strength training is critical for cyclists • How nutrition impacts cycling performance and recovery • The truth about low energy availability in cyclists • How to improve cycling durability and fatigue resistance • Why VO2 max declines with age and how to slow it down • How to build power that lasts deep into races and long rides Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]