If you’ve ever stood at the edge of something bigger than you—new team, new league, new level—and wondered, “Do I have the courage to go again?” this conversation with Sarah Hill is your blueprint.

Sarah’s story is a full-send masterclass: a Joburg lady raised on school-sport intensity, a rower who learned discipline the hard way, a mountain biker who taught herself to fly—and a pro who had the courage to step back, rebuild, and return sharper. She breaks down the mindset that turns fear into fuel, why team culture can resurrect a career, how to train for stage racing without breaking your body, and the exact moments that flipped the switch from “I hope I can” to “I know I will.”

Expect the kind of honesty that makes you sit closer to your screen: the Wines2Wales moment that felt like a private victory, learning to “send” downhill (yes, including a road gap), and the practical habits—nutrition, recovery, confidence reps—that separate good from great. If you’re an athlete, creator, or anyone climbing back from a setback, this episode will light a fire under your goals.

01:14 Pro season & team context

01:37 Back with Efficient Infinity

05:03 Growing up: East London → Joburg

09:43 School sports & identity

11:10 Coach steers to rowing

22:16 Wines2Wales turning point

49:24 Learning to send: DH & the road gap

51:20 US college path (Lees-McRae → Brevard)

58:59 Nationals omnium title

1:30:48 Fueling the engine: training & nutrition

1:42:52 Looking ahead

00:00 – Cold open

08:30 – East Africa opportunity: zones, free trade, and growth vs. Europe

12:30 – Cape Town Cycle Tour: finances, sponsorship droughts, and recovery

17:30 – Global cycling headwinds & why formats must evolve

20:30 – A life changed by cycling: DC culture, move to Cape Town, purpose

28:00 – Why fun rides vanished: 2010 safety act, compliance costs, risk

36:00 – Prize money vs. media value; TV rights reality

41:00 – Cavendish, Armstrong & the solidarity ride (fires year)

47:00 – Rebuilding the ecosystem: short routes, youth on-ramps, coffee stops

53:00 – E-bikes: perception vs. actual incident data

57:00 – Deep South road closures, traffic constraints & what could work next

1:02:00 – Inclusivity, new demographics, and where SA cycling can go from here

We dig into the cost of compliance, the role of PPA, prize-money vs. media reality, the DC culture, e-bikes, short routes, and practical ways to rebuild the fun-ride ecosystem in Cape Town. You’ll also hear wild behind-the-scenes moments.

#DavidBellairs #CapeTownCycleTour #CyclingPodcast #SouthAfricanCycling #CapeTown #DoubleCentury #PPA #CyclingCulture #EnduranceCycling #MassParticipation #Ebike #SportBusiness #UCI

Velokhaya has developed and exposed more Africans to the Global Cycling stage than any other cycling academy, their story is hard to summarise but Sipho Mona does an incredible job of doing just that as we unpack his story and how it led to this incredible academy reshaping the lives of many cyclists in Africa.

Sipho thanks SO MUCH For your time and what you doing for the industry and youth!

#cycling #cyclingacademy #podcast #storytelling #velokhaya

La Perla Classic AKA LPC are the main protagonists in the KOTAS (King of the Atlantic Seaboard) battle and are soley responsible for bringing world tour riders to the DC (Double Century)

They are easily one of the gnarliest groups to hook onto for a weekend thrash and individually have some incredible stories.

Gents it was such a pleasure to have you in studio and to get onto the group ride. Best of luck for the DC, lets see how those predictions hold ;)

#doublecentury #cycling #cyclingcapetown #KOTAS #capetown #dc

East City Cycles is without a doubt one of if not Cape Towns most desirable bike shop. Nestled in the vibrant Harrington Street this owner run and passion inspired business has grown from strength to strength and Jarryd sits with us to take us through the origin story. Naturally some DC banter is thrown into the mix for good measure.

Jarryd it was a treat to join the morning ride and get to know you and the brand a lot better. Wishing you and the team all the success in the future! Here's to many more Tuesday burns and collabs!

#bikeshoplife #bikeshop #storytelling #capetown #cycling #factorbikes

Such an inspiring and uplifting conversation with Aaron Borrill, fortuitously on the Savage ride and in true South African spirit was happy to just jump into the podcast room post ride - SO Grateful for your time and willingness Aaron.

Aaron has managed to climb his way to the very top of the mega publication empire of cycling and is a Tech Writer for Cycling Weekly Magazine. Previously been with Roadcc, Bike perfect and Bicycling. He tells a great story about how much value we have and just how limitless our opportunities really are.

Naturally there's some DC banter and froth geek out over his incredible Lab 71 Gravel weapon for the upcoming #Gravelburn

Aaron - best of luck for the race and can't wait to chat again!

#cyclingweekly #southafrican #storytelling #podcast #doublecentury #puresavage

Sulli (Max Sullivan) is easily the most well known, respected and decorated cameraman you maybe haven't met. He has shot just about every premier event in South Africa and worked with the biggest brands and athletes South Africa has to offer including the infamous Cape Epic.

Max is a rare breed being an exceptional hybrid shooter who can capture both photo and video.

Join us as we unpack his story!

Enquriies for Max: https://maxsullimedia.co.za/

#cycling #photographer #videographer #capeepic #enduro #maxsullivan #southafrican #podcast #storiesthatmatter