Geoff Kabush has a unique perspective on what it means to be a pro cyclist. Not only has his career spanned more than two decades, it has also included three trips to the Olympics — not to mention four different cycling disciplines.
Kabush joins host Dan Cavallari on the Slow Guy on the Fast Ride podcast to offer his take on how the job description of a pro cyclist has changed over the years, for better and for worse. While sponsorships have always been part of the game, social media has complicated matters for athletes looking to focus on winning podiums rather than likes.
Kabush also recaps his thoughts on the burgeoning gravel race scene. Can the UCI actually make gravel racing better? Is gravel truly as inclusive as it purports to be? (Be sure to check out his article in CyclingTips for more perspective on the conversation.)
As gravel attempts to find its way, Kabush notes that we don’t have to choose between racing and fun rides. Both can exist, but the lines need to be much clearer. With money on the line for the winners, it’s vital that gravel adopts a set of uniform rules to even the playing field. And event organizers need to decide whether those events are races, fun rides, or both. If it’s that last option, the structure of the events need to reflect the different goals for racers vs fun riders.
Give the episode a listen and be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Theme music: “This Year” by Angela Sheik. Check out her new single, “Under The Sun”