The Stable Cyclist

Cape Epic Stage 6 Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

Stage 6 of the Cape Epic brought more chaos for Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden. After a late-night bike issue left Leah’s setup questionable heading into the start, the day quickly unraveled with a puncture, a crash, and time lost early in the stage.
Despite the setbacks, the pair fought their way back through the field, navigating tight singletrack, technical descents, and the challenges of racing blind on unfamiliar terrain. The day ended with frustration after a wrong turn in the final kilometers cost them valuable time.
In this episode, JP, Jenna, and Leah break down the mechanical issues, the mental battle of chasing from behind, and the emotional swings that come with racing a multi-day event like the Cape Epic. They also reflect on the role of their support crew and what it takes behind the scenes just to make it to the start line each day.
With one stage to go, the focus shifts to finishing strong.

Cape Epic Stage 5 Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

Stage 5 of the Cape Epic is known as the Queen Stage, and it delivered in a big way. Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden break down one of the toughest days of the race, with massive climbing, fatigue setting in, and the cumulative toll of multiple stages starting to show.
In this episode, JP, Jenna, and Leah recap how the day unfolded, what made this stage so challenging, and how they managed their effort through one of the most demanding profiles of the week. They also share what it feels like deep into a stage race like Cape Epic, where every decision matters and every pedal stroke counts.
Another raw, inside look at the women’s race during one of the hardest mountain bike stage races in the world.

Cape Epic Stage 4 Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

Stage 4 of the Cape Epic didn’t go to plan for Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden. Within the first five minutes, they were caught up in a crash that left Jenna dealing with a broken valve stem and the constant challenge of keeping air in her tire over the opening kilometers.
Despite the early setback, the pair fought their way back through the field to finish 10th on the day.
In this episode, JP, Jenna, and Leah break down what it’s like trying to recover from a crash early in a stage, the difficulty of passing riders on tight singletrack, and the mental battle that comes when your race plan is thrown out almost immediately. A raw look at the realities of racing the Cape Epic when things don’t go your way.

Cape Epic Stage 3 Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

Stage 3 of the Cape Epic brought early adversity for Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden after a crash left Jenna without her Garmin, forcing them to adapt quickly in one of the longest and most demanding stages of the race. Despite the setback, the pair fought back to secure another strong 7th place finish on the day.
 
In this episode, they reflect on whether Cape Epic is the hardest stage race they’ve ever faced, how they managed the chaos after the crash, and the mental resilience required to stay locked in over such a long day. They also discuss the conversation around women racing shorter distances than the men and what that means within the context of this event. Another honest, behind-the-scenes look at life inside the world’s toughest mountain bike stage race.

Cape Epic Stage 2 Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

Stage 2 of the Cape Epic took Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden from Montagu back to Montagu for a long, fast day of racing in South Africa. In this daily recap, they break down a strong performance on the results sheet while also opening up about the emotional side of racing as a team when one rider feels like she may have let the other down.
JP, Jenna, and Leah talk about the psychology of pairs racing, how momentum can swing multiple times even within a single stage, and why staying patient matters so much in a race as long and demanding as Cape Epic. They also share what post-race recovery actually looks like, from the finish line all the way back to the Airbnb, in another inside look at the women’s race during one of the hardest mountain bike stage races in the world.

Cape Epic Stage 1 Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

Cape Epic Stage 1 Recap | The Stable Cyclist Daily Series
Stage 1 of the Cape Epic delivered exactly what this race is known for — a brutal opening climb that immediately shattered the field and forced teams to settle into the rhythm of racing as a pair. In today’s daily check-in, JP sits down with Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden to break down their Stage 1 experience after another solid day in South Africa.
They talk about:
• The massive climb right out of the gate and how it shaped the race • How communication works in a pairs stage race like Cape Epic • Managing effort when two riders must stay together • What they’re learning about racing this legendary event • Why telling the women’s race story matters when coverage is limited One of the motivations behind this daily series is simple: there is very little coverage of the women’s race during the live broadcast, and this podcast is a way to bring that story directly to you from the riders themselves.
Every day during Cape Epic we’ll sit down for a short conversation to talk about the stage, the challenges, and what lies ahead. Tomorrow: another massive day in the saddle.

Cape Epic Prologue Recap | Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden

The Cape Epic adventure is officially underway.
In this first daily episode, Jenna Rinehart and Leah Vander Linden check in after the prologue stage of the 2025 Cape Epic, where they delivered a strong ride to finish 7th overall against one of the deepest women’s fields in mountain biking.
JP sits down with the team to talk through the start of their South African adventure — from the logistics of traveling halfway across the world with bikes and support crews, to the unique challenge of navigating Cape Epic courses that wind through massive sections of private land.
They also break down the prologue effort itself: pacing, expectations for the race, and what it felt like to finally get the Cape Epic experience underway after months of preparation.
This is the first episode in a daily Cape Epic series, where we’ll follow Jenna and Leah through every stage of the race.

Jenna Rinehart & Leah Van der Linden | Cape Epic, Teamwork, and Racing Together

Jenna Rinehart and Leah Van der Linden join The Stable Cyclist Podcast before heading to South Africa for one of the biggest challenges in mountain biking: the Cape Epic. In this conversation, they share how their friendship grew through the LifeTime Grand Prix, why they decided to race together, and what it takes to prepare for the hardest mountain bike stage race in the world.
They talk about stage racing experience, training camp in Tucson, building trust as teammates, bringing their husbands along as support, and the huge logistical challenge of getting to Cape Epic in the first place. This is the start of a special Cape Epic series on The Stable Cyclist, with daily episodes following Jenna and Leah through every stage of the race.
https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod or use the code is "StableSilca15"
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/
Wark's Cycling Services - https://www.warkscyclingservices.com/
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/  Use code StableCyclist100
Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Wahoo Fitness - https://amzn.to/48RUSqe
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm
Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p
Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended
 
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/
 
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Reid Burrows | Ultra Running, Mental Health, and Attempting the Mid South Double

Reid Burrows joins The Stable Cyclist Podcast for an honest conversation about endurance sport, mental health, and what it means to bet on yourself when life no longer fits. Reid shares his path from small-town Canada into triathlon, ultra running, and now a new crossover into gravel racing. Along the way, he opens up about trusting his gut, leaving jobs and sponsorship situations that no longer felt right, and learning how to build a life that is sustainable both mentally and physically.
JP and Reid also dive into the darker seasons of life, including burnout, depression, substance use, therapy, and the process of asking for help. They talk about why endurance sport became both survival and healing, why curiosity drives Reid more than comfort, and what makes the Mid South Double such an exciting next chapter. It’s a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and chasing the kind of adventure that still makes you feel alive.
https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod  or use the code is "StableSilca15"
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/
Wark's Cycling Services - https://www.warkscyclingservices.com/
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/  Use code StableCyclist100
Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Wahoo Fitness - https://amzn.to/48RUSqe
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm
Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p
Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended
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/

Marley Blonsky on Building All Bodies on Bikes (And Why Cycling Needs to Be More Inclusive)

Marley Blonsky is the co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes, a movement dedicated to making cycling more welcoming and accessible for riders of every size.
But Marley didn’t set out to start an organization.
She originally found the bike during a difficult moment in her life — navigating divorce, rebuilding her identity, and searching for community. What started as a way to get around Seattle quickly turned into a passion for riding, adventure, and eventually advocacy.
In this conversation we talk about:
• How Marley discovered cycling in her late 20s• The barriers many riders face when the industry isn’t built for them• The origin of All Bodies on Bikes and how it grew into a national nonprofit• What inclusive cycling actually looks like in practice• Gravel events like Unbound and Midsouth• Fueling long rides, gas station snacks, and the joy of riding bikes
We also get into a deeper conversation around body image, health, and the evolving discussion around GLP-1 medications in endurance sports.
This episode is thoughtful, funny, and a reminder that the bike can be for everyone.
 
https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpodor use the code is "StableSilca15"
 
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/
Wark's Cycling Services - https://www.warkscyclingservices.com/
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/  Use code StableCyclist100
Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Wahoo Fitness - https://amzn.to/48RUSqe
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm
Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p
Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended
 
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/