What if the future of cycling journalism wasn’t found in glossy issues of Rouleur or Outside magazine, but right in your inbox?
In a world dominated by mainstream media, cycling Substacks are carving out a niche for passionate riders, journalists, and writers to share their voices. Here are some of our must-follow cycling Substacks.
Note: This post was originally created in 2024, but has been updated with new and active suggestions for 2026! We hope you enjoy our recommendations.
Are cycling Substacks the new era of cycling journalism?
The “couch peloton” of cycling fans, as it’s known on social networks, is changing. So is cycling media. And Substacks are leading the charge.
Substack is an online platform that allows writers and journalists to create and publish newsletters directly to subscribers. Essentially, it’s a tool for building a direct relationship with your prospective audience of readers, bypassing traditional media outlets. It’s close to a blog, but the Substack company then handles the publishing, payment processing, and analytics, allowing creators to focus primarily on content. Plus, Substack posts are delivered as email newsletters to subscribers, making it super easy for readers to stay up to date on the Substacks they subscribe to.
Why are so many cycling journalists and experts using Substacks these days? As the cycling media landscape changes with time, many creators see a chance to go deeper into the stories and insights their readers are looking for. Just as readers are losing touch with cycling magazines and other mainstream coverage, they’re also going away from the AI-powered “news” churn that dominates much of the cycling internet space. Substacks provide a happy medium. They also give writers a more intimate connection with their audience.
A chance to step outside traditional modes of coverage.
Substack’s model also allows creators to be, well… creative, especially with how they present their content.
Cycling creators, many of whom have been in journalism or the cycling industry for some time, are experimenting with different formats, styles, and business models. The platform supports podcasts, meaning that many of the Substacks listed below also have listenable content.
A Substack author’s “voice” and popularity is limited only by the size of their subscriber list. Consequently, underrepresented groups in cycling have more opportunity to speak out via Substack. Some of the Substacks we’ll share with you today are operated by established cycling voices, but others are newcomers, giving a fresh perspective to the options we have to enjoy cycling!
Image from Unsplash.
You might be wondering: how do I get into cycling’s Substack scene?
If you’re thinking that you don’t subscribe to ANY cycling Substacks… yet. Don’t worry!
We’re here to help you. We’ve got some great, updated recommendations of Substacks to check out. When you subscribe, you’ll be getting the full gamut of what cycling on Substack has to offer: amateur cycling, coaching, pro cycling, some hot takes (and some room-temperature ones), statistics, personal stories, and more.
Are you ready? Let’s jump right into the list!
Our must-subscribe cycling Substacks:
- Beyond the Peloton
- The Outer Line
- Daniel Benson
- The Urban Cycling Institute
- Rockets Cycling
- Write Bike Repeat
- Spokes Sports with Sophie Smith
- Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn
- N-1
- In the Draft
- Endurance Collective
- Riding With
- The Cycle Scribe
Beyond the Peloton
https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com
One of the biggest challenges in introducing people to professional cycling is how complex and difficult the sport can be for newcomers to understand. Traditional cycling media often fails to bridge the gap between insiders and fans. That’s where Beyond the Peloton comes in.
This Substack was founded by Spencer Martin, a cycling fan and professional video analyst for pro cycling teams. Through his writing, he offers accessible yet in-depth analysis for cycling enthusiasts and novices alike! The “Key Takeaways” posts, which serve as stage recaps, are a perfect entry point for anyone interested in cycling’s strategy and central tenets. Beyond the Peloton also features podcasts for folks who enjoy listening rather than reading.
Read first:
The Cobbled Classics Begin: Mathieu van der Poel Versus The World
Key Takeaways: UAE Tour, Volta Algarve & Ruta del Sol
The Outer Line
https://theouterline.substack.com
The Outer Line provides in-depth coverage of professional cycling and focuses on the economic, governance, structural, and ethical aspects of the sport. There are many controversial topics that traditional cycling outlets tend to shy away from. Not The Outer Line! If you want well-researched facts and in-depth journalistic reporting on important topics, this is a perfect newsletter for you.
The Outer Line platform was started in 2013 by Steve Maxwell, Joe Harris and Spencer Martin. Each of these authors has a unique, diverse background and connection to cycling. The site also boasts some excellent outside contributors and guest writers, meaning that the audience gets a broad range of voices and perspectives from each article. The Substack posts weekly newsletters very consistently, aggregating news and articles, so you’ll always catch the latest from them in your inbox. If you like listening in, don’t worry — they also do podcast content!
Read first:
Daniel Benson’s Substack
https://dnlbenson.substack.com
A lot of people love to hear from respected journalists on Substack.
Daniel Benson is a veteran cycling journalist with decades of experience covering the sport, and he’s quickly become one of the top voices in cycling on Substack. He has held top editorial positions at major cycling publications and reported on numerous Grand Tours and World Championships. With a wealth of knowledge and a network of contacts from the biggest stages in the sport, Benson has decided to embark on more freelance work. This outlet, which opened around the start of the 2024 Tour de France, offers his personal and independent perspectives. At the time of writing this article, it has over 7,000 subscribers!
A big area for Benson’s newsletter is transfer rumors, reports, and analysis, which means fans will get a sneak peek of which riders may be moving teams from season to season. However, be aware that most of the posts require a subscription.
Read first:
Inside Remco’s world: 7 conclusions from Evenepoel’s debut in Mallorca
Cycling transfers: Inside EF Education-EasyPost’s transfer strategy
The Urban Cycling Institute
https://urbancyclinginstitute.substack.com
The Urban Cycling Institute Substack is one of the most do-good options you can probably subscribe to on this list, and if you care about access to cycling and the safety associated with it, you probably should hit that subscribe button.
For the unfamiliar, this is the official newsletter of a non-profit research and education group that focuses on transitioning urban settings from being more car-centric to sustainable and safe forms of movement, especially cycling. This Substack bridges the gap between “what do we know?” and “what can we do about it?”, and there’s a fair dose of scientific research and practical application to be found here.
But it’s not all dry thinkpieces. This Substack’s content is divided into a few key themes such as policy and planning, health and wellbeing, and justice and inclusion. They feature a mix of research summaries, interviews with experts, some webinars, and other educational resources. We like the international case studies, like their deep dives into Amsterdam’s cycling infrastructure.
If you want to help advocate for more inclusive and bicycle-friendly cities, this is your place!
Read first:
Reclaiming the City: Paris’s Decade-long Ride Towards a More Liveable Future
Unwritten Codes For Cycling (Perspectives | Cycling in the Netherlands)
Rockets Cycling official Substack
https://rocketscycling.substack.com
To our knowledge, there is only one pro cycling team currently active on Substack.
As a digital home of the Unibet Tietema Rockets, a professional UCI ProTeam that originated from a YouTube channel, it just makes sense that it would be on the cutting edge. This newsletter provides a so-called “raw and unfiltered” look at the team’s unconventional journey. How did Bas Tietema go from being a content creator and “weekend warrior” to the head of a real cycling squad, with an ambition of racing in the Tour de France? You may get your answer if you follow along!
What do subscribers get? If you pay, you’ll see exclusive behind-the-scenes content that goes deeper than their other social media: rider diaries, race breakdowns, inside looks at team strategies, and stories from their training. But there’s plenty here for free subscribers too. This Substack is one of the first to bridge the gap between professional racing and fan engagement… but it won’t likely be the last. For now, the Rockets are shaking up pro cycling, and you can stay in touch with them along the way.
Read first:
It’s time for Opening Weekend!
Write Bike Repeat
https://writebikerepeat.substack.com
The popular Write Bike Repeat cycling website has migrated to Substack. Operated by cycling journalist Katy Madgwick, this Substack focuses more closely on the human side of professional racing rather than technical data or transfer news — which we love.
Write Bike Repeat covers both the men’s and women’s professional pelotons. There’s an emphasis on French cycling culture and the smaller, often overlooked details of the sport. What should subscribers expect to see? Common content includes essays, some interviews, and mixed-in observations on race-day atmosphere. We love that these articles are often highlighting underdog stories and the personalities of the individual riders. Plus, Madgwick does a great job of making the sport accessible and personality-driven, which is important in today’s cycling fan ecosystem.
Read first:
UNDER THE RADAR: 9 riders on the comeback trail in 2026
Spokes Sports with Sophie Smith
https://spokessports.substack.com
If you love alliteration, this is a great Substack for you. If you love great writing about cycling, this is ALSO a great Substack for you!
This Substack is headlined by sports journalist Sophie Smith. It features some fantastic exclusive interviews, in-depth profiles, and all kinds of stories from the professional peloton. We love Smith’s personal, engaging writing style, and her voice really draws you into what we love about the sport. She’s covered cycling for years at major outlets, and now uses this platform to give us all a closer look at the athletes and the culture of international racing.
What should subscribers look for? There’s some emphasis on Australian riders and the major Grand Tours like the Tour de France and La Vuelta. The content ranges from more technical styles of race analysis, to “travel diaries” from the roadside. In addition to the written articles, Spokes includes a podcast featuring interviews with some key players in the cycling world: riders, authors, and other insiders.
Read first:
Olympic cycling champion launches sunscreen
Tadej Pogačar: Unstoppable — Behind the Book with Andy McGrath
Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn
https://lennardzinn.substack.com
I ADORE that Lennard Zinn is on Substack. You might recognize his name: Zinn is a legendary figure in the cycling world. He’s a frame builder, former member of the U.S. Olympic cycling team, and author of the definitive “Zinn & the Art of Maintenance” book series (recommended here in our essential cycling books article). His Substack is a continuation of his long-running tech columns seen in publications like VeloNews.
The content covers a wide range of topics, including some real deep dives: drivetrain compatibility, tire technology, rolling resistance, and frame geometry. Zinn shows a particular emphasis on his expertise in building bikes for tall riders, so if you are tall, this might be for you. Beyond mechanical advice, the newsletter often touches on cycling health, longevity, and some broader industry trends as well.
Best of all, many of the posts answer reader questions, so if you have a burning “techie” question you need help with, you can send it in. You might just get a reply from the one and only Lennard Zenn!
Read first:
Proportional crank length and frame design
Tire Width Tolerances, 750D Tire Sizing, and Brake-Cleaning Solvents
N-1 Bikes by James Huang
https://nminus1bikes.substack.com
Now here’s a fun title! A play on the “N+1” rule of bike ownership, that you always need one more. Maybe it’s time to take a more intentional approach to gear, rather than always looking for the next thing?
N-1 is authored by veteran cycling tech journalist James Huang, and he’ll get you on the right track. His Substack is dedicated to providing some honest, independent, and sometimes very technical reviews of bikes and cycling equipment. Huang formerly wrote for CyclingTips and BikeRadar, and he is now using Substack to offer his great analysis away from the traditional cycling media world.
What will you find here? Content typically includes in-depth reviews, high-level discussions on industry trends, and some practical mechanical advice mixed in. All is aimed at helping bike lovers dig into the (increasingly expensive) exciting world of modern cycling tech.
Read first:
N-1ws #38: Faster road racing bikes, budget steel hardtails, and everything in between
In the Draft
We love Substacks that go deeper into parts of cycling that aren’t touched on by traditional cycling media. Since the discontinuation of Derailleur, we’ve been looking for something to fill the gap. This might be the next best thing.
This Substack is written by journalist Rosael Torres-Davis, who has a writing career at Bicycling Magazine, CyclingWeekly, and Esquire. A cycling newsletter that takes a lighter touch to the sport, and looks beyond race results. What tactics, personalities, and cultural forces shape pro cycling? Torres Davis goes there a bit better than most. These articles are great reads and will keep you in touch with the sport beyond the stat-crunching and power numbers that so many others throw out there.
What will you find in In the Draft? Studies of human emotion, the power dynamics of sport, and the media mythology all play a part. Torres-Davis herself says: “This newsletter is for readers who follow cycling closely and want writing that goes further than previews, recaps, or consensus takes” … and yes, that’s exactly what we want. Maybe you do, too!
Read first:
Five Opinions About the Tour de France I’m Already Apologizing For
Riding Zwiftland With Dominique Powers
Endurance Collective
https://publication.endurancecollective.co
Most of these Substacks have been focused on pro racing news. What about for the folks who just love riding their bike? We’ve got you covered!
Endurance Collective offers insights into cycling, bike fitting, coaching and training, and sports nutrition. The primary author, Noa Deutsch, is a Vancouver-based bike fitter, endurance coach, and sports nutritionist. Her passion for cycling and photography really shines through on this Substack, which always features gorgeous camerawork and articles written from the heart. We particularly love Endurance Collective‘s dedication to women in cycling, but there’s something for everyone here. The fantastic, healthy recipes are a standout. Also, the training advice that Deutsch shares is very practical and implementable while still being information-rich. If you’re looking for amateur cycling content on Substack, this is one of our top picks!
Riding With
https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com
Are you looking for more pro racing opinion and storytelling? Riding With by Jonathan Kaplan may be a good choice for you. Where this newsletter shines is in exploring the intricate interplay of cycling, media, business, and politics.
The author of this Substack, Jonathan E. Kaplan, initially started writing about the paths of American cyclists who were making their mark on European teams. As an established journalist, Kaplan really knows how to bring these stories to life for the reader. However, Riding With has evolved beyond its original mission to encompass a broader spectrum of stories. Many of the articles are interviews and there is also audio content available. As American cycling fans, we love Kaplan’s authentic voice.
Read first:
PROFESSIONAL CYCLING’S “NEW NORMAL”
The Cycle Scribe
https://thecyclescribe.substack.com
Here’s another one for folks who like to ride their bikes… and I mean really get the distance in! If huge endurance efforts on the bike are your thing, you’ll love The Cycle Scribe.
The Cycle Scribe is a relatively new Substack written by our guest author Mike Kirby, a long-distance cyclist and writer. Here, he shares a mix of personal cycling stories and pro news and analysis.
Even though this newsletter is relatively new on the cycling Substack scene, it is already shaping up to be full of interesting reads. Many of Mike’s posts have no subscription fee; instead he sells coaching “blueprints” for anyone who’s curious about tackling a long-distance ride themselves. If you’re curious about what it’s like to go thousands of kilometers on your bike in a single outing, then check this one out!
Image from Unsplash.
Are you following some cycling newsletters on Substack? Share your favorites! We’d love to hear from you. ★
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