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The Velo Cast cycling podcast
The Velo Cast cycling podcast – a passion, or shall we say obsession of cycling with a musical twist.
Like the previous invasion by the Beatles, these Scottish Podcasters are taking the States by storm, with one big difference. These UK boys are on two wheels speeding down the Internet directly into our MP3 players. Both had/have screaming fans, but unlike the Beatles, I suspect the Velo Cast supporters are not throwing any bras at Scott and John (last names withheld intentionally with the hopes of creating a conspiracy). One can dream.
The Velo Cast is already some 50+ episodes old and are the results of two good friends bringing their passion for all things cycling, together with their respective professional backgrounds in music performance and recording production.
John (the bombastic flame thrower of the two) began cycling in his late teens. He was a climber at this time and had a fellow climbing friend who used a bike for transportation. Noticing that his buddy seemed to get around town faster than the bus John normally took, he jumped on board and bought his first bike. John states that it has been his love ever since, having begun a long career working in bike shops doing a range of jobs from sales to mechanic, eventually starting his own store about a decade later.
Now at age 47, John is a self-declared roadie, freely admitting that he does not get into the baggie pants gravity generation that represents “modern” cycling. He sold his interest in the store to his partners about three years ago and now spends his time helping take good care of his ailing mother and has a “proper” job as a “postie” (mailman), which provides his with lot’s of exercise and time to listen to podcasts as he makes his rounds. The Velo Cast and it’s fans has John filled with cycling enthusiasm and he current rides 150-200 miles a week.
Enter Scott. The other half of the Velo Cast really started paying attention to cycling after taking notice of Scottish road racing legend Robert Millar, who was a European sensation throughout the 1980’s having won King of the Mountains jerseys in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
As Scott entered his 20’s he fell away from cycling and became a touring musician forming a rock band with his high school friends and a recording artist. Yes folks, Scott is an actual Rock Star and guitar hero with several albums to boot. He’s currently a web/digital media developer.
During his years in the “business”, Scott and his family relocated from Glasgow to Scottish Borders and became a customer of John’s bike shop.
It turns out that John is also a guitarist and the two soon made the connection between their respective background in music and their love for cycling. Through John’s industry role, Scott joined for a trip to Eurobike 2008 (cycling industry tradeshow and the light bulb went on.
Both John and Scott are fans of Leo Laporte and his tech focused, TWiT podcasting network (Laporte is by far the most commercially successful podcaster today). They drew upon Laporte’s show and saw a need/fit in the cycling market. A few months of back and forth between the two (John was slow to warm to the idea) and the Velo Cast was born.
Harnessing the passion and knowledge of John, who was also a competitive road racer and Scott's deep experience in audio recording and performance, the two have ventured in front of the microphone and began recording. At first they admit, they were awful. But as they recorded more episodes, a natural banter began to emerge. In fact, as any listener can attest, Scott’s voice smoothly merges in and out of John’s wise cracks and occasional “f-bombs” (don’t worry, they are bleeped out and the podcast is family friendly).
Topics covered on the Velo Cast are wide ranging. There’s lot’s of pro racing talk and analysis, but listener’s are also treated to subjects such as: bike commuting, cycling lifestyle, equipment (John refers to as “Bike Porn”) and interviews of racing and industry notables. It is perhaps the most well rounded cycling podcast available today.
The two treat the Velo Cast as a business. The production quality is high and you can count on a new episode coming out every week. This is an important distinction. The Velo Cast accepts contributions to help fund their production and growth. Scott and John feel a strong sense of obligation to their fans and to accept their money, consistent value must be returned. They deliver exactly that.
What’s most surprising is the demographic of the Velo Cast. The United States is by far the number one listener market and indeed, they have 1,000s of fans in the States already. Building on the success of other independent cycling podcasts such as The Fredcast and The Two Johns, Scott and John are have a clear vision and goal to build the Velo Cast into a serious business concern built on an absolute obsession for all things cycling. They are well on their way.
To add the Velo Cast podcast to iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=30...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/velocast
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/VeloCast/84325064276
Blog: http://www.velocast.co.uk/
VeloReviews profile page: Velo Cast on VeloReviews
written by: Jeff Helfand
Like the previous invasion by the Beatles, these Scottish Podcasters are taking the States by storm, with one big difference. These UK boys are on two wheels speeding down the Internet directly into our MP3 players. Both had/have screaming fans, but unlike the Beatles, I suspect the Velo Cast supporters are not throwing any bras at Scott and John (last names withheld intentionally with the hopes of creating a conspiracy). One can dream.The Velo Cast is already some 50+ episodes old and are the results of two good friends bringing their passion for all things cycling, together with their respective professional backgrounds in music performance and recording production.
John (the bombastic flame thrower of the two) began cycling in his late teens. He was a climber at this time and had a fellow climbing friend who used a bike for transportation. Noticing that his buddy seemed to get around town faster than the bus John normally took, he jumped on board and bought his first bike. John states that it has been his love ever since, having begun a long career working in bike shops doing a range of jobs from sales to mechanic, eventually starting his own store about a decade later.
Now at age 47, John is a self-declared roadie, freely admitting that he does not get into the baggie pants gravity generation that represents “modern” cycling. He sold his interest in the store to his partners about three years ago and now spends his time helping take good care of his ailing mother and has a “proper” job as a “postie” (mailman), which provides his with lot’s of exercise and time to listen to podcasts as he makes his rounds. The Velo Cast and it’s fans has John filled with cycling enthusiasm and he current rides 150-200 miles a week.
Enter Scott. The other half of the Velo Cast really started paying attention to cycling after taking notice of Scottish road racing legend Robert Millar, who was a European sensation throughout the 1980’s having won King of the Mountains jerseys in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
As Scott entered his 20’s he fell away from cycling and became a touring musician forming a rock band with his high school friends and a recording artist. Yes folks, Scott is an actual Rock Star and guitar hero with several albums to boot. He’s currently a web/digital media developer.
During his years in the “business”, Scott and his family relocated from Glasgow to Scottish Borders and became a customer of John’s bike shop.
It turns out that John is also a guitarist and the two soon made the connection between their respective background in music and their love for cycling. Through John’s industry role, Scott joined for a trip to Eurobike 2008 (cycling industry tradeshow and the light bulb went on.
Both John and Scott are fans of Leo Laporte and his tech focused, TWiT podcasting network (Laporte is by far the most commercially successful podcaster today). They drew upon Laporte’s show and saw a need/fit in the cycling market. A few months of back and forth between the two (John was slow to warm to the idea) and the Velo Cast was born.
Harnessing the passion and knowledge of John, who was also a competitive road racer and Scott's deep experience in audio recording and performance, the two have ventured in front of the microphone and began recording. At first they admit, they were awful. But as they recorded more episodes, a natural banter began to emerge. In fact, as any listener can attest, Scott’s voice smoothly merges in and out of John’s wise cracks and occasional “f-bombs” (don’t worry, they are bleeped out and the podcast is family friendly).
Topics covered on the Velo Cast are wide ranging. There’s lot’s of pro racing talk and analysis, but listener’s are also treated to subjects such as: bike commuting, cycling lifestyle, equipment (John refers to as “Bike Porn”) and interviews of racing and industry notables. It is perhaps the most well rounded cycling podcast available today.
The two treat the Velo Cast as a business. The production quality is high and you can count on a new episode coming out every week. This is an important distinction. The Velo Cast accepts contributions to help fund their production and growth. Scott and John feel a strong sense of obligation to their fans and to accept their money, consistent value must be returned. They deliver exactly that.
What’s most surprising is the demographic of the Velo Cast. The United States is by far the number one listener market and indeed, they have 1,000s of fans in the States already. Building on the success of other independent cycling podcasts such as The Fredcast and The Two Johns, Scott and John are have a clear vision and goal to build the Velo Cast into a serious business concern built on an absolute obsession for all things cycling. They are well on their way.
To add the Velo Cast podcast to iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=30...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/velocast
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/VeloCast/84325064276
Blog: http://www.velocast.co.uk/
VeloReviews profile page: Velo Cast on VeloReviews
written by: Jeff Helfand
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joey on -
Great posting about the VeloCast which is truly a wonderful production. Scoot and John come across as two sincere, down to earth, bicycle ENTHUSIASTS whose passion is very evident. It is one of the few podcasts that I find myself laughing and learning a lot with every episode, and enjoy listening to episodes multiple times. Simply, these guys are great. At work… mostly when things are slow… I listen to the VeloCast and check out the “enhanced” information that pops up on my ipod (pictures and text of what the current topic is) and do a bit of online research while they converse. Have to be careful, though, because guttural laughter coming from my office (while I’m alone) has made a few wonder what I am up to.
Scoot and John, thank you for a great podcast!
Joe
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Permalink Reply by The VeloCast on -
Hey Joey
Only six months late but thanks for the kind comments. Too much social media meant that I forgot to check these comments. Sorry!
John
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Permalink Reply by Fun Run Robbie on -
Hi Jeff,
The scottish borders were famous for selling quality tweeds and tartans to the USA, The Velocast are now importing their quality podcast every week, people Know now 4 famous scottish bike riders, Robert Millar , Grahame Obree ,John Galloway and Scott 'O'raw. Well done the boys from doon the road in Peebles.
Stewart Fun Run Robbie Barker
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Permalink Reply by Steven Smoke on -
Hello Velo Review,
I was listening to your broadcast "VR008" "no motor oil". I had to comment. Ive been cycling since the 1970's. I am currently 56 years old and started cycling when I was 17 with no breaks in years. Every bike ive had for the past forty years was put together and maintained by myself. Im no bicycle mechanic by profession but never had a bicycle repaired by a bicycle shop. You laughed at a comment made by one of your subscribers regarding the use of motor oil recommended by a "Columbian".
Many years ago I was a a dealers only trade show at the New York City Coliseum. I approached a representative from the "Gios Bicycle" family. I personally asked them what type of oil is used on their chains for their "Tour De France" bikes. I was informed that they used "Motor Oil"! Given that information for years I utilized motor oil as a chain lube without any problems. It is a fine inexpensive great lubricant. It is applied on the chain...allowed to soak....the chain is spun to allow distribution...then the chain is cleaned with a rag to remove all visible traces of the oil. A chain will last for a long time using motor oil. Yes.....the chain will get dirty but you just re-clean and apply!!!
Cycling is a constantly evolving sport with new technology implemented frequently. But......there are old techniques that were utilized successfully for many years before you were born that were excellent. Never laugh at a suggestion without researching it first! The bicycle has been around for a long time.....and while you were cutting your baby teeth men were building and repairing them.
Keep up the good work on your podcasts.
Enjoy your cycling season.....be safe.
Steve
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Permalink Reply by VeloReviews on -
Hi Steven, thanks for your response. One of the points of note that I did not mention on the podcast is that at one point in my life, I owned a quick lube service facility. So, I actually do know quite a bit about automotive lubricants, both for gas and diesel applications.
You are know doubt correct that you COULD use such an oil on your chain and in the short-term it would work. But these oils are formulated to pick up and move foreign particles through a filtration system. This type of oil is also highly viscous and WOULD NOT adhere to the metal, as it is design to move freely in very tight tolerances. Motor oil is also designed to disperse RAPIDLY at very low temperatures, especially synthetic products like say, Mobile One. The short story is, this type of oil would attract and retain dirt and other particles rather than repel them. Is it better than no oil? Yes. Is it the right type of oil for a bicycle chain application, most definitely not.
Thanks for joining VR and please keep contributing!
- Jeff
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