With Pace

Latest Episodes:

Kate Courtney on tackling Leadville and her first season as a privateer Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Kate Courtney returns to the show the day after completing the Leadville Stage Race. Just a few months ago, it was barely on her radar, but after a broken wrist took her out of the World Cup circuit, she decided to look for a new way to challenge herself before the season starts up again at the end of August. In a couple of weeks, she’ll be lining up for her first Leadville 100.

Kate sat down with Payson to talk about how the reality of the stage race diverged sharply from her expectations, what she learned, and why she isn’t viewing the 100-mile race as a mere side quest. She also talks about how her first season as a privateer is going. Spoiler alert: She and Payson go about things differently.

Kate's Substack: https://themondaymantra.substack.com

Instagram: @withpacepodcast
YouTube: Payson McElveen

Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Cécile Lejeune on her steep gravel learning curve and medically retiring from sports in college Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

Cécile Lejeune started racing triathlons in her native France at 12 years old and quickly began picking up national titles. After gaining the attention of international recruiters, she moved to the US to race track in college. Soon, however, a chronic series of stress fractures took her out of competition and forced her into early retirement. Now, after just one year racing gravel, she’s become a top contender in the Grand Prix, even nabbing fifth at her first Unbound earlier this year.

Cécile sat down with Payson at the studio in Durango to talk about learning the ins and outs of gravel racing at the front of the peloton, her early introduction to professional cycling racing on the road in Europe, and how she hopes gravel will evolve. She also talks about the culture shock of moving from France to Arizona for college, the eating disorder that likely contributed to her chronic stress fractures, and how she's navigated her diagnosis of RED-S, relative energy deficiency in sport.

Instagram: @withpacepodcast
YouTube: Payson McElveen

Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Annika Langvad on coming out of retirement after having a baby Jul 13, 2025

Show notes

With six mountain bike world championships, a Leadville win, six World Cups, and six Cape Epic victories under her belt, Annika Langvad is one of the most decorated off road cyclists of all time. But shortly after yet another career triumph in 2019 when she pivoted to road racing and placed second at the Strade Bianche, she decided it was time to retire from racing. She began working as a dentist, but after the birth of her daughter 10 months ago, she realised that she was ready to jump back into competitive cycling, this time to gravel.

Payson sat down with Annika a few days before she competed in her first Unbound to talk about why she decided to quit racing, why her daughter’s birth made her want to come back, and why she chose gravel. She also talks about the challenges of undergoing IVF treatment, saying that it was more difficult than anything she’s ever endured on the bike.

Check out the Osprey Escapist™ Velocity 3 hydration pack and early access to Crossings: New Zealand.

Instagram: @withpacepodcast
YouTube: Payson McElveen

Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Oregon Trail stage 5 co-hosted by Sarah Sturm, with Dylan Stucki and Nichole Baker Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Payson and Sarah made it back to Bend. They may be a bit more haggard than they were at the beginning of the race, but that hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm. They sit down to talk about how the final stage played out, including all the tactics that went into the series overall standings. Then, they bring in Sarah’s husband Dylan to talk about his week, which involved a lot of mountain biking and car maintenance. Lastly, Nichole hops on the mic to talk about winning the women’s open category, learning about road tactics the hard way, and the fueling faux pas that left her extra dehydrated.