The American Cycling Report

Welcome back to The American Cycling Report. This episode is one that gets at the foundation of the sport—how we grow it, who gets access to it, and what the future actually looks like on the ground. Today’s guest is Pete Webber, a former professional cyclist who’s now helping lead Boulder Junior Cycling, one of the top development programs in the country and a Platinum-level USA Cycling Center of Excellence. But this conversation goes beyond results and performance—it’s about building pathways into cycling that are open, sustainable, and inclusive.
If you care about where American cycling is headed, this is worth your time. We get into the real barriers that keep kids out of the sport—cost, access, awareness—and what programs like Pete’s are doing to break those down. There’s insight here for parents, coaches, and anyone invested in the next generation, but also a broader look at what cycling needs to do to stay relevant and grow. It’s a practical, honest conversation about development, opportunity, and how to make this sport something more kids can realistically be part of.
 
You can learn more about Boulder Junior Cycling's programs at www.boulderjuniorcycling.org
 
Thanks to Kuhl for the support, visit them at www.kuhl.com

This week on The American Cycling Report—we’re going big.
Because when you talk about the modern era of American cycling—road, gravel, the whole evolution of the sport—you cannot tell that story without Pete Stetina.
This is a guy who raced at the absolute highest level of the sport, lining up in the biggest races in the world, doing the work, earning the respect, and living the full WorldTour grind. But what makes Pete different isn’t just what he did there—it’s what he did after.
Because when everything changed—when the crash, the setbacks, and the questions hit—Pete didn’t fade out. He reinvented. He helped define what gravel racing could look like in the U.S.—not just as a competitor, but as a builder, a connector, and a guy shaping the culture in real time.
And now, it’s another turning point.
Pete is stepping into a new phase—pulling back from elite competition, doubling down on community, on events like Stetina’s Paydirt, and on what impact in this sport really means when the racing days start to shift.
So this is not just a career retrospective. This is a conversation about longevity, about identity, about risk, reinvention—and ultimately, legacy.
Strap in—this is a big one.
Pete Stetina, right here on The American Cycling Report.

Chad Sperry is one of the most respected event organizers in American cycling and the man behind Breakaway Productions.
With a track record that includes legendary races like the over 25 USA Cycling National Championship events, the Cascade Classic and the Tour of Utah, Chad has spent decades building events that racers genuinely care about. These days, he’s channeling that experience into Oregon Trail Gravel—one of the most unique and ambitious stage races in the gravel space.
Known as a tireless worker and a true “for the racers” promoter, Chad brings a grounded, no-nonsense perspective to an evolving sport.
In this episode, we dive into the origins of his biggest events, what he’s learned from years in the trenches, and how he sees the future of cycling continuing to take shape.

This weeks guest is one of those rare figures in cycling who doesn’t just participate in the sport—he shapes it. Chris Tolley is the engine behind Austin’s iconic Driveway Series, a weeknight crit that’s grown from a local race into a full-blown community phenomenon.
Chris is a racer in his own right, but what really sets him apart is his ability to bring people together—new riders, seasoned pros, and everyone in between—under the lights for something that feels bigger than just a race. The Driveway isn’t just about watts and results; it’s about culture, consistency, and creating a place where cycling actually thrives.
He’s built a following, a vibe, and honestly, a bit of a cult of personality around what grassroots racing can look like when it’s done right.
So today, we’re digging into how it all started, what keeps it going, and why the Driveway Series might just be a blueprint for the future of American bike racing.
Chris Tolley—welcome to the show.

Today’s guest is someone who proves that experience, dedication, and passion for the sport can take you a very long way in a very short time. Mark Tucker of the Meteor Masters Team is the reigning USA Cycling Masters National Champion in the Men’s 50–54 Time Trial, and he’s built an incredible reputation in the masters peloton.
Mark came into high-level racing later than many riders, but what he’s accomplished since then is remarkable—racking up wins, national titles, and the respect of competitors across the country. He’s known not only for his power in the time trial, but also for the professionalism, sportsmanship, and leadership he brings to the racing community.
Beyond the results sheet, Mark is widely regarded as a true class act—someone who represents what masters racing is all about: hard work, community, and a love of the bike.
So today we’re going to talk with Mark about his path into competitive cycling, what it takes to win a national championship in your 50s, the level of competition in masters racing right now, and the teams and races that really define the scene.
Mark Tucker, welcome to The American Cycling Report.

 
Welcome back to the American Cycling Report.
 
Today we’re talking about one of the true builders of American bike racing — a guy who doesn’t chase the spotlight, but quietly keeps the sport moving forward. Bruce Dunn is a salt-of-the-earth race promoter who’s spent years putting in the hard work to give riders a place to compete and communities something to rally around.
 
When the legendary Joe Martin Stage Race disappeared from the calendar, it left a huge hole in American road racing. But Bruce didn’t step away from the sport — he doubled down. He’s been creating standout gravel events like The Highlands and The Skirmish, races that capture the grit and spirit that makes American cycling special. And he’s not stopping there. Bruce is also working to launch the Tour of Arkansas, a project that could become a major new stage race in the U.S.
 
Simply put, cycling needs more people like him — the folks who do the work behind the scenes so the rest of us can pin on a number and race our bikes.
 
So today we’re excited to welcome Bruce Dunn to the American Cycling Report.

The best cycling events aren't just races — they're gatherings. The kind of thing people rearrange their calendars for, drive hours to get to, and talk about long after the finish line. Bryan Yates built one of those. The Bovine Classic didn't come with a playbook — it came with passion, community, and a very clear sense of purpose. In this episode, Bryan joins us to talk about how an event finds its place, and how you grow something worth growing.

Today’s guest is an absolute force of nature. Breanne Nalder is a former professional racer who has taken that same competitive fire and poured it straight into building some of the most exciting events in the sport. From the dirt roads of the Utah Gravel Series, to the high-speed chaos of SLC Crits Weekend, to the epic challenge of the Utah Challenge Fondo — she’s not just participating in cycling culture… she’s shaping it.
High energy, relentlessly passionate, and somehow balancing it all as a mom of two, Breanne represents the modern evolution of our sport: athlete turned entrepreneur, competitor turned community builder.
We’re talking racing, organizing, the grind behind the scenes, and what it really takes to create events that riders can’t stop talking about.
So buckle up — this is going to be a fun one.
Let’s get into it.

Today’s guest is someone whose fingerprints are all over modern cycling culture, whether you realize it or not.
Michael Marckx is best known as the founder of the Belgian Waffle Ride — an event that smashed together road racing, gravel, suffering, and just the right amount of madness. But what’s remarkable is that BWR isn’t the story. It’s the result of a life spent immersed in bikes, media, creativity, and big swings.
Michael has lived multiple careers inside one lifetime — journalist, editor, marketing mind, entrepreneur, and experience architect — navigating the ever-changing cycling industry while somehow staying both relevant and rebellious.
What unfolds in this episode is more than an event origin story. It’s a conversation about vision, resilience, reinvention, and what happens when passion and stubbornness collide in the best possible way.
And fair warning — by the end, you may agree with me: this probably should’ve been a two-part episode.
Here’s my conversation with Michael Marckx.

My guest today is someone whose fingerprint is all over modern American endurance mountain biking.
Mike McCormack is the founder and race director of the Breck Epic—an event that’s become more than just a stage race. It’s a proving ground, a reunion, and for many riders, a defining week on the bike.
But what really sets Mike apart isn’t just the courses or the competition—it’s the culture. He takes enormous pride not only in the race itself, but in the people who make it happen. From volunteers to crew to longtime staff, Mike talks about his team with genuine gratitude and respect, and you can feel how much that matters to him.
This is a conversation about building something that lasts, about leadership, about community—and about caring deeply for the people who stand next to you when the start gun goes off.
Mike McCormack, on The American Cycling Report.