The Stable Cyclist

Colleen Maher: From Couch Potato to Gravel National Champion

In this episode of The Stable Cyclist Podcast, I sit down with Colleen Maher, whose rise in gravel racing is nothing short of incredible. Just three years ago, she was a self-proclaimed couch potato—now, she’s a national champion. We discuss her rapid ascension in the sport, what it’s like to experience so much success so quickly, and how that can lead to an unexpected identity crisis. When cycling becomes such a big part of who you are, what happens next?
Beyond racing, we dive into the struggle of making new friends as an adult and how cycling has helped her build a strong community. Colleen also shares insights on getting more beginners involved in the sport and why progress looks different for everyone. Whether you’re just getting into cycling or have been riding for years, this episode is packed with inspiration and real talk about the challenges of personal growth in sport and life.
Follow Colleen on Instagram for more content: @colleenmaher007
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
 

My Real Bonk Bros Story | The Bootleg Miles | Episode 3

In this episode of The Bootleg Miles, I’m finally telling the full story of my love for the Bonk Bros. But this is more than just fanboy appreciation. This is a story about the kindness of strangers, unsolicited support and finding your way back after everything falls apart.
In the midst of a massive mental health project in 2023, I had a devastating mountain bike crash and head injury sidelining me for over a year, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever ride again. But the guys in the Bonk Bros helped in the ways they could, and Adam Saban stuck with me. Now we’re working together to prepare for the Maah Daah Hey 100 and to finish that massive Mental Health Project—and this episode is a tribute to the people who never stopped believing. If you’ve ever struggled to get back up, or wondered if your story still matters, I hope this video reminds you that you are not alone. Subscribe for more stories at the intersection of cycling, community, and mental health.
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com/
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
 

The One Choice That Changed My Life | The Bootleg Miles | Episode 2

In this episode of Bootleg Miles, JP opens up about something far harder than finishing a grueling 100-mile mountain bike race: asking for help with his mental health. As a teacher, filmmaker, and endurance athlete living with Bipolar Disorder, JP reflects on the fears that held him back from getting help — and the life-changing shift that happened when he finally did. Filmed on the bike and from the heart, this ride dives deep into the raw, often unspoken challenges of living with mental illness.
Whether you're struggling yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode tackles real mental health conversations head-on — including how coaching, therapy, and community can make all the difference. If you're navigating anxiety, depression, or Bipolar Disorder, this story might be the nudge you need to ask for help. And if you're just here for a ride, trust us — this one goes way deeper than watts.
This series is brought to you by Wahoo (www.wahoofitness.com)
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
 

Kelly Jones | Overcoming Addiction with Rediscovery on the Bike | The Stable Cyclist Podcast

Kelly Jones is a two-time national champion in eSports and eMTB, but her path to the top was anything but typical. In this powerful episode, she shares her journey from growing up in England to moving to the U.S. at 15, and how a snowboarding accident changed the course of her life. For the first time, Kelly talks about how that injury led to a long struggle with addiction and abuse—but it was the bike that ultimately became her lifeline.
After rehab, Kelly found a new identity and purpose through cycling. We talk about the highs and lows of recovery, the role of mental health, and how racing gave her a way forward. This conversation is a raw and inspiring look at transformation, resilience, and the power of sport to rebuild a life.
Follow Kelly on Instagram for more content: kellyjonesmtb
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com/
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
#KellyJones #TheStableCyclist #CyclingPodcast #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #BikeLife #FromAddictionToAthlete #eMTB #eSportsCycling #NationalChampion #WomenWhoRide #RecoveryThroughCycling #InspiringStories #CyclingCommunity

Why Community Matters More Than Ever | The Bootleg Miles | Episode 1

Welcome to the first episode of The Bootleg Miles. Where we'll all come along on the journey this year as I look to finish the 3rd film in the Maah Daah Hey Film Series.
This week, we'll start by looking back at the premiere tour for Maah Daah Hey: Together and the moment a room full of strangers became something much more.
From Knoxville, TN to Fargo, ND, we sat down and shared stories—about bikes, yes—but also about friendship. And in a time when we seem divided on everything, that shared space meant everything.
This series is brought to you by Wahoo. (www.wahoofitness.com)
🎬 *Back to the Start*, the next MDH film, begins production this summer.
🟡 Want to support the film? I'll share that information next week in our next episode.
🔔 Subscribe for the ride: races, recovery, and real conversations.
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
 

UPDATE: A New Stable Cyclist Mini-Series is Here

Running through the spring and the summer, The Stable Cyclist presents a new mini-series within The Stable Cyclist's feed: The Bootleg Miles.  This new series will focus on JP and his stories as he prepares to film the 3rd film in the Maah Daah Hey Series, a mental health film about his own journey.  This won't be a BTS style show though.  JP will take you to races, you'll meet his coach and sometimes he'll really open up about his mental health.  Wahoo Fitness (www.https://www.wahoofitness.com/) has come on board to help sponsor this series and the work JP is doing!  
Episodes of the Bootleg Miles will typically drop on Mondays or Wednesdays and the first full episode will drop tomorrow.  
Also, DON'T WORRY!  The regular long form interviews will keep appearing on Fridays and I have some really big name guests coming your way in the next 6 weeks.  
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

James Huang | N-1, Honest Reviews, and the Wild Ride at CyclingTips | The Stable Cyclist Podcast

In this episode of The Stable Cyclist Podcast, I sit down with James Huang, one of the most respected voices in cycling tech. James now runs N-1, his Substack dedicated to honest, unbiased bike reviews, but his career has taken him through some of the biggest names in cycling media. We discuss his journey, the importance of integrity in product reviews, and how advertising dollars can sometimes muddy the waters of journalism.
But the heart of this conversation is James’ time at CyclingTips, where he was part of a team that felt more like family—until Outside bought the company and tore it apart. James stayed until the bitter end, not out of loyalty to the new management, but to provide for his family. We talk about what it’s like when a job you once loved turns into something you can’t stand, and how to navigate the emotional and financial strain of staying in a toxic work environment. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job you can’t leave, this episode will hit home.
Read James' work: nminus1bikes.substack.com
Follow James on Instagram for more content: @angryasian
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
#thestablecyclist #cyclingtech #biketech

Hannah and Kevin Simms | Insta Contest Winners to Cape Epic Contenders | The Stable Cyclist Podcast

Six weeks. That’s all the time Hannah Simms and her father, Kevin Simms, had to prepare for one of the toughest mountain bike stage races in the world—the Cape Epic. When Hannah unexpectedly won an entry through an Instagram contest, the father-daughter duo jumped at the chance to take on the grueling multi-day race in South Africa. Despite the short notice, they not only finished but placed 5th overall in the Mixed GC battle, proving that sometimes the best adventures are the ones you never planned.
In this episode, we dive into the chaos of their last-minute entry, the highs and lows of racing Cape Epic as a team, and the unique experience of tackling an endurance event as a father-daughter duo. Hannah and Kevin share what it took to prepare, how they supported each other through brutal stages, and why this race became more than just a competition—it was an unforgettable bonding experience. Whether you're a fan of MTB racing, adventure stories, or just love seeing family push limits together, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Follow Hannah on Instagram for more content: @hannahsimms11
Follow Kevin on Instagram for more content: @coachkevinsimms
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel: Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
#CapeEpic #thestablecyclist #MountainBiking  #HannahSimms #KevinSimms

Abi Snyder | Overcoming Public Fear | The Stable Cyclist Podcast

In this episode of The Stable Cyclist Podcast, I sit down with professional enduro and marathon XC racer Abigail Snyder, who I first met at the Maah Daah Hey: Together premiere in Roanoke. Abigail shares her journey in the sport and her work to lower the barriers of entry for women in mountain biking. But beyond her racing career, she opens up about a moment that made her unexpectedly go viral—a video of her having a panic attack mid-jump. Meant to show that even pros struggle, the video led to an onslaught of online attacks, mostly from men, forcing her to confront the darker side of vulnerability in the public eye.
We dive deep into what it means to be open about struggles while navigating the toxicity that can come with it. Abigail shares how therapy helped her regain confidence on the bike and why creating space for mental health conversations in cycling is so important. This is a powerful and necessary discussion about resilience, online criticism, and the mental side of being an athlete. Whether you’re a cyclist, an advocate for women in sport, or someone who has faced public scrutiny, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
Follow Abi on Instagram for more content: @abi.ridefierce
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
#thestablecyclist #AbiSnyder #roanoke

Ask JP Anything | Ignoring Drama, Film Premieres, and Much More | The Stable Cyclist Podcast

This episode of The Stable Cyclist Podcast is all about you—our listeners! In our first ASK JP ANYTHING episode of 2025, I tackle your questions about everything from best bar tape to podcasting to filmmaking to life itself. Why didn’t I dig into the break-up drama of previous guests when we talk about their relationships ending? Why do we have in-person premieres after a film is already on YouTube? And how did I become good at listening to others? We cover all that and much more in this candid, no-holds-barred episode.
Beyond answering your questions, I dive into the philosophy behind my approach—why I choose to focus on meaningful conversations over controversy, the importance of community-driven storytelling, and how listening can be one of the most powerful tools in life. Whether you’re here for cycling insights, filmmaking strategies, or just a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in for an open and honest discussion shaped entirely by your questions!
Follow JP on Instagram for more content: @thestablecyclist
If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com
The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://www.theblackbibs.com
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/
Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/