Why the most common answer to aero questions is 'it depends'
Arguably no topic generates more questions, or more frustrating answers, than aerodynamics. Ask which helmet, skinsuit, or wheel is fastest and the reply from those in the know is almost always the same: “It depends.” In this episode, Ronan Mc Laughlin is joined by data scientist Tom Epton to dig into why "it depends" is the only accurate answer, why aero is never a fixed number, why your CdA isn't always your CdA, and why context matters more than any marketing claim.
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Creatine for Cyclists? Separating the hype from the science
Creatine is one of the most researched supplements in sport, with decades of evidence showing clear benefits for strength and power athletes. But what about endurance sport, and cycling in particular? Creatine is back in the spotlight, hyped as everything from a sprint enhancer to a brain-boosting miracle.In this episode, Ronan Mc Laughlin sits down with sports dietitian and researcher Dr Alan McCubbin to cut through the noise. They explore what creatine actually does in the body, the science behind traditional and high-dose protocols, why the original studies on endurance performance might be wrong and what recent studies really show for cyclists. They also look beyond performance, asking whether creatine has a role in brain health, ageing, or recovery.If you’ve ever wondered whether creatine belongs in your supplement routine or if it’s just another short-cut-promising fad, this conversation has the answers.
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A dentist check-up on high carb fuelling and your teeth
We all know carbohydrates are essential for endurance performance, we also know the same gels, chews and drinks fuelling our rides could be destroying our teeth? But what should we do, can we protect our teeth and still do high-carb?In this episode, Ronan is joined by Jason Henry, a specialist in oral surgery and decorated masters cyclist, to explore the surprising connection between sports nutrition and dental health. They discuss how high-carb fuelling strategies affect our teeth, why frequency matters more than quantity, and practical ways cyclists can protect their smiles without compromising performance.From rinsing strategies to night-time recovery routines for your teeth, this conversation offers a new perspective on performance optimisation that goes well beyond watts and training zones.
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Could an easier warm up add 35 watts to a rider’s TT power? Yes!
How much thought do you give your warm up? Where did your warm up protocol come from? For most riders it’s a borrowed routine, something a coach prescribed, or they read online from a pro team, or just something they’ve always done. But what if your warm up is actually costing you performance instead of priming you for it? How hard should it be? And how long should it last? By asking those questions and making a few key changes to one rider’s warm up he added 35 watts to his time trial power.In this episode of Performance Process, Ronan Mc Laughlin sits down with Chris Blomfield-Brown, performance and technology specialist, to unpack why we should stop calling it a “warm up” and start thinking about it as “activation.”Together they break down: why most warm ups are counterproductive, why an individualised warm up protocol matters, how practicing your warm up can deliver huge gains, and how to time the end of your warm up with the start of your event. This episode is full of practical tips on intensity, timing, cooling strategies, and individualisation, that could change the way you think of warm-ups.
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What is it gut training and how can we do it?
Gut training has become one of the buzzwords in endurance sport, but is it hype or a real performance advantage? In this episode of Performance Process, Ronan Mc Laughlin is joined by accredited sports dietitian and endurance nutrition researcher Dr Alan McCubbin to break down what gut training really is, why it matters for cyclists, and how to apply it in the real world.From the science behind carbohydrate absorption and fluid tolerance to the practical protocols used by pros, they explore how to reduce gut discomfort, handle higher carb intakes, and adapt your digestive system for race-day demands. The podcast discusses much of the same topics Dr McCubbin covered in his article Gut training for cyclists: What is it and how can we do it? on EscapeCollective.com last month.
Welcome to the Performance Process podcast, hosted by Ronan Mc Laughlin and Caley Fretz.
This podcast is dedicated to unearthing and analysing the processes behind some of the most successful athletes in the world, and understanding how every rider can apply them to their own improvement.
The Performance Process podcast is produced exclusively for Escape Collective members. While you'll see partial episodes on this feed please head to https://escapecollective.com/member/ to become a member and gain access to the full episodes!
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