Escape Collective

After two years at home racing the Life Time Grand Prix and working coaching and bike fitting roles, Ruth Edwards is back in the WorldTour peloton and already back on the pro road podium. We sat down with Ruth in Adelaide just days after her first WorldTour race back at this year's Tour Down Under in January to discuss all things returning to professional road racing. 

We kick start the conversation deciding this is not a "comeback" but merely a return from sabbatical. Ruth talks us through the whys of needing to walk away from the WorldTour, why gravel is not for her, and why ultimately the lure of a road return was too much to ignore. We discuss the process of determining if a return is the right idea, setting goals with no idea where your level is, and process for mitigating the challenges that ultimately led to her needing a break just over two years ago. 

Ruth explains why you do things because you want to, not because you should and how the rapidly changing landscape of pro racing was a major motivation in wanting to return. 

What is Escape Collective?

Welcome to the Escape Collective podcast network. On this main channel, you’ll find episodes of the Tour Daily in July, plus Placeholders, Wheel Talk, Geek Warning, and Pretty Serious Bike Racing Podcast the rest of the year.

Escape Collective is entirely member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/member/