Show Notes
Hey hey check out this week’s episode of the Bonk Babes. Find us on the socials: Bonk Babes - IG - @bonkbabespodcast Grace Washburn - IG - @gracewashburn Danni Shrosbree - IG - @danni_shrosbree Esma Taylor - IG - @_esmataylor Like what you hear? Help us keep the pod going by supporting our sponsors!! (See the most recent video upload for most up-to-date codes & deals) ROAD ID This episode is brought to you by Road iD—simple, durable ID gear designed to keep you safe and give you peace of mind on every ride or run. Built from a real-life close call, Road iD helps ensure first responders have the info they need when it matters most. Use code BonkBabes15 for 15% off your order. roadid.com/bonkbabes BIKE TIRES DIRECT If you listen to the Bonk Bros, you know that they're big fans of both of our shows and we're so grateful for their support. Need something bike related? They've got it all. Head to Biketiresdirect.com/bonkbabes to get 10% off your order. TRAINING PEAKS Train with purpose so you’re ready for your endurance events and adventures. Train indoors on TrainingPeaks Virtual in high-energy immersive environments with real-world physics.
THIS WEEK'S EPISODE This week on the Bonk Babes, Australian track cyclist Claudia joins the girls to catch up after Track Worlds in China and a whirlwind season of racing around the globe! From Australian state championships and the American Crit Cup to snagging the ACC sprint jersey in St. Louis, Claudia shares the highs, lows, and unexpected challenges of life as a professional cyclist. The girls get into everything from racing culture across different countries and designing custom cycling kits to the realities of traveling, training, and competing at the highest level. But what happens when the racing finally stops? Claudia opens up about the importance of taking a real break from the bike, navigating recovery after an exhausting season, and learning to embrace rest without feeling guilty. They also dive into athlete health, the financial realities of professional cycling, sponsorships, and what it takes to keep chasing big goals. Plus, with Olympic qualification on the horizon, Claudia shares what's next on her racing calendar, her experience at Track Worlds, and her dreams of competing at a home Olympics in Brisbane 2032. From sprint jerseys to Olympic dreams (and learning how to do absolutely nothing), this episode has a little bit of everything! CHAPTERS 00:00 Sticker mystery and Claudia's return to the show04:00 Australian state teams and championship kits07:05 Designing custom cycling kits11:00 Life at Track Worlds in China15:01 Commonwealth Games and championship racing21:00 Winning the ACC sprint jersey in St. Louis23:59 Racing fatigue, health checks, and taking a break28:17 Recovery, appetite, and returning to exercise32:55 Life without the bike37:37 Learning to embrace the rebuild38:28 Claudia's upcoming racing calendar41:02 Australian vs. American vs. European crit racing44:41 Recovery and Olympic qualification47:33 Super Worlds and Brisbane 203249:43 Claudia's sixth-place finish at Track Worlds52:11 Olympic venues and spectator experiences55:09 The realities of professional cycling56:34 Sponsorships, self-worth, and what's next
More from The Bonk Babes
Cyclist Kylee Hanel joins the Bonk Babes to talk about her rise from local racing to competing across road, gravel, and mountain biking—and how racing multiple disciplines has helped shape her into a smarter, more well-rounded athlete. Kylie shares how she first got into cycling, the rapid progression she’s made through structured training and coaching, and why top-end power, handling skills, and race tactics have become major focuses in her development. She breaks down the differences between racing road, gravel, and mountain bikes, from navigating group dynamics and making tactical decisions to staying confident when lining up against some of the best riders in the sport. The conversation also dives into the mental side of racing, managing expectations, learning from every start line, and why a little nervousness can actually be a good thing. Kylie shares how family support has influenced her journey, what keeps training fun, and the goals she’s chasing heading into the upcoming season and Grand Prix. In this episode:
Hey hey check out this week’s episode of the Bonk Babes.
Hey hey check out this week’s episode of the Bonk Babes.
Hey hey check out this week’s episode of the Bonk Babes.
Hey hey check out this week’s episode of the Bonk Babes. Find us on the socials: Bonk Babes - IG - @bonkbabespodcast Grace Washburn - IG - @gracewashburn Danni Shrosbree - IG - @danni_shrosbree Esma Taylor - IG - @_esmataylor Like what you hear? Help us keep the pod going by supporting our sponsors!! (See the most recent video upload for most up-to-date codes & deals) ROAD ID This episode is brought to you by Road iD—simple, durable ID gear designed to keep you safe and give you peace of mind on every ride or run. Built from a real-life close call, Road iD helps ensure first responders have the info they need when it matters most. Use code BonkBabes15 for 15% off your order. roadid.com/bonkbabes BIKE TIRES DIRECT If you listen to the Bonk Bros, you know that they're big fans of both of our shows and we're so grateful for their support. Need something bike related, they've got it all. Head to BiketiresDirect.com and use code BONKBABES in all caps to get 10% off your order. TRAINING PEAKS Train with purpose so you’re ready for your endurance events and adventures. Train indoors on TrainingPeaks Virtual in high-energy immersive environments with real-world physics. In this episode, hosts discuss the complexities of international travel for athletes, race organization issues, and the state of gravel cycling, including race logistics, federation support, and industry insights.