Cycling Tips, Rapha & Escape Collective: The Accidental Blogger that Built a Cycling Media Empire

Wade Wallace's journey from a nuclear research town in Manitoba to building one of cycling's most influential media platforms was anything but conventional. As the founder of Cycling Tips and now Escape Collective, Wallace shares how a simple blog started during the 2008 financial crisis grew into a pioneering digital cycling platform.

This conversation traces his path from accidental blogger to media entrepreneur, including his formative years at Rapha and his vision for sustainable, independent cycling journalism. His unique story serves as a microcosm of cycling media's evolution in the digital age.

00:00 Introduction to Wade Wallace
03:05 Wade's Early Life in Manitoba
05:39 University and Early Career
06:48 Accidental Foray into Competitive Cycling
13:59 The Birth of Cycling Tips
26:31 Joining Rapha and Learning the Ropes
35:49 Balancing Rapha and Cycling Tips
37:12 Reflecting on the Early Days of Cycling Tips
37:38 Transitioning from Rapha to Cycling Tips
40:36 Challenges and Growth of Cycling Tips
45:22 Entering the U.S. Market and Taking on Investment
49:16 Partnership with Pinkbike and Private Equity
55:18 The Outside Acquisition and Its Challenges
01:03:28 Launching Escape Collective
01:09:59 The Future of Cycling Media
01:13:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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