Rebecca Richardson is the special guest in this tenth edition of the Brother UK Cycling Podcast. Rebecca’s hill climb prowess has made her a familiar face to Brother Cycling’s followers (she’s the reigning Welsh hill climb champion, after all). Now, she’s added another string to her bow: setting endurance records.
Rebecca joins co-hosts Timothy John and Phil Jones, the Managing Director of Brother UK, to discuss her new women’s record for the Brecon Beacons Circuit: a gruelling, 104-mile loop with 6,500ft of climbing. Rebecca completed the course – which includes an ascent of Black Mountain – at an average speed of 20.7mph.
Rebecca reveals the genesis of her attempt: a quest for renewed motivation in the depths of lockdown. She describes her preparation, equipment choices, nutrition strategy and liaisons with the Road Records Association: an institution whose history can be traced to its foundation in 1888. Revealingly, she describes her fears and satisfaction, too.
Phil shares his emotional response to the demands of his #TOB1DA challenge: a feat that saw him ride the entire course of the 2018 Tour of Britain, one day ahead of the race. He gets geeky with Rebecca, too, quizzing her on data and equipment in a “techy time out”.
Tim offers insights into drivetrain friction from his work with one of the leading lubricant brands and, with Rebecca, explores the importance of adventure, the challenges of pacing and the similarities between cycling’s hill climb and endurance communities. He even shares his difficulty in pronouncing the name of Welsh village, Bwlch!
Listen now to enjoy a lively conversation that covers a range of topics, from the technical requirements of Rebecca's record-setting ride to its emotional demands. From aerodynamics to pre-ride anxiety, gear selection to roadside support, this episode explores every aspect of a gruelling cycling challenge that demanded speed and endurance.