In this special Performance Process x Geek Warning crossover, Dave Rome grills Ronan Mc Laughlin about every technical detail from his 3,000 km unsupported lap of Ireland. From aero bag hacks and drivetrain quirks to cleat regrets and a failed light, this is a deep dive into the tech setup behind a truly personal and punishing ultra-endurance ride. Ronan shares what worked, what didn’t, and what he’d change next time – all while reflecting on how the gear supported his mission to raise awareness for food allergy research.The fundraiser is still open here, every contribution makes a real difference.• £10 provides allergy education packs for a school• £25 trains 50 teachers to support allergic kids• £100 covers a life-saving dose of treatment for a child• £1,500 funds six months on the life-changing Natasha Clinical TrialHitting the target, could fund 20 trial places for allergic children, and take a real step toward a future where no child has to live in fear of their food.
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Performance Process: How, when, and why to use bicarb for performance
It’s a humble kitchen cupboard staple, but sodium bicarbonate is also one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools in the endurance athlete’s arsenal. In this episode of Performance Process, Ronan Mc Laughlin is joined by Robert Gorgos – nutritionist to WorldTour teams and founder of MNSTRY – to unpack the science and practical use of bicarb. From dosage protocols to side effects, gels vs powders, recovery benefits, and whether it’s worth using for amateurs, pros, short efforts, or ultras, this episode is the definitive guide to bicarb loading in cycling. Plus, how it stacks with beta-alanine and nitrates, and what’s changing with encapsulated delivery formats.
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Think MTB tyres are faster on gravel? Think again.
Real-world testing shows suspension forks might flip the script in the gravel v MTB tyre debate.What happens when you bring WorldTour-level testing rigour to gravel? In this episode of Performance Process, Ronan sits down with performance engineer Marc Graveline to unpack a surprising result from two intensive testing blocks with pro rider Hannah Shell in the run-up to Unbound.Using drag sensors, IMUs, and a structured testing protocol, Graveline found that 40 mm gravel tyres paired with a suspension fork outperformed even wide MTB tyres, overturning one of gravel racing’s biggest equipment trends of the past two years.They dig into tyre pressure, terrain interaction, the importance of system thinking, and how optimisation on rough roads demands a rethink of conventional aero priorities. This one’s about more than just tyres—it’s about changing how we think about speed on gravel.
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Is heat training a marginal gain or major stressor?
Is heat training the next big performance unlock, or just another way to cook yourself? In this episode of Performance Process, Ronan Mc Laughlin sits down with elite coach Jacob Tipper to unpack the science, applications, and pitfalls of heat training. They dive into what actually happens to your body in the heat, the potential gains in plasma volume and haemoglobin mass, and why more athletes are turning up the temperature even in cold climates. From WorldTour race prep to age-group applications, the conversation blends physiology, practical protocols, and hard-earned lessons from coaching athletes like Ben Healy and working with Dan Bigham in preparation for his successful Hour Record attempt. If you’ve ever wondered about heat training, this is the episode for you.
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Is lower slower? Aero part 2 with JP Ballard
Part 2 of our listen back to when JP Ballard of SwissSide joined us for part one of our Performance Process deep dive into all things aerodynamics.Ballard is founder and CEO of aerodynamics specialists Swiss Side. The Swiss company produces wheels and aero calf sleeves, but the majority of its work is in offering its aerodynamic expertise to other manufacturers in the cycling industry. He had also sat down with us in January 2024 to record three hours worth of discussion and advice on aerodynamics and performance.In part 2 we discuss if lower and narrower is slower or faster, acid tests for assessing aero marketing, and why aero matters regardless of what speed we ride at, even uphill. We then delve into where’s best to spend your money chasing aero gains, the best bang for the buck, so to speak. Finally, perhaps the biggest takeaway is that JP doesn’t believe the rule of 105 is as critical as we once thought
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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