Chatting with USAC CEO Brendan Quirk
Shifting into a Stacked April on the Road, Plus a Candid Conversation with USA Cycling CEO Brendan Quirk
After a killer start to the season, it’s time for +SpeedStudio to reset and shift into a full road block. MG went 4-for-4 on podiums, landing a spot every weekend through his first four weeks of racing. Now, the calendar stacks up fast—Sunny King, Hapeville, Newnan, Levi’s Gran Fondo, Athens Twilight, and the full grind of Speed Week. April is going to be relentless.
Meanwhile, the club keeps rolling. Atlanta rides are ticking away, we previewed an exciting new event coming to the southeast this fall, our CLT crew is stacking race weekends, MIA crew is logging more miles than us all, and Pablo is back in Spain, living it up. The momentum is real.
On top of that, Basso’s are arriving left and right—stay tuned for a special event at the Studio featuring these new Italian stallions.
And for those who love a no-BS conversation, the latest episode of The Culture Edit podcast is out now—featuring USA Cycling CEO Brendan Quirk. This one doesn’t hold back. Tune in.
This week, we're joined by Brendan Quirk — CEO of USA Cycling and founder of CompetitiveCyclist.com, the largest online cycling retailer in the U.S. In this insightful and wide ranging conversation, Brendan shares stories from his hometown rides in Little Rock, weighs in on America's growing dominance in international cycling, Olympic medal goals for 2028, and we discuss how collegiate programs are an important but complicated part of USA Cycling. We also dive into the origin story of Competitive Cyclist, the strategies behind its explosive growth, and Brendan's take on why today's entrepreneurs may be chasing the wrong goals.
Weekly +SpeedStudio Saturday’s ride details in our Strava Club here.
MGR CORNER
Hey everyone,
It’s been an incredible feeling to finally hit reset. I was tempted to jump into Rattlesnake Gravel Grind last weekend, but ultimately, we made the call to sit it out—and without a doubt, it was the right move. I took the week easy, knowing that all the factors outside of racing—travel, school deadlines, stress, even the constant focus on race nutrition—add up in ways you don’t always realize. Gravel racing, in particular, demands a different level of preparation, with 5,000-6,000 kJs to fuel.
Looking back, I could tell I was carrying some fatigue at Pace Bend, but it wasn’t until I truly let off the gas that I felt the difference. By Thursday morning, I decided on a whim to race that night at the Driveway Series—arguably America’s biggest weeknight sanctioned race. Not for a result, just for the love of racing and riding hard. And it was incredible. I felt fresher than I had in a long time. My mind was sharp, my body felt amazing, and for the first time in weeks, I just let it rip.
Interesting note—I can see the neuromuscular fatigue in my numbers-most notably the sprint. At Pace Bend, the numbers were low, and it was obvious. Four straight weeks of racing had taken a toll—my mood, my top-end power, everything felt a little dulled. But after just a week off the gas? My sprint was back up by a few hundred watts. It’s wild what fatigue does to the body.
And the sensations? So good. It was a reminder that going hard should feel good. When you’re fresh, the effort isn’t just manageable—it’s exciting.
I wrapped up the week with a fun Friday night with friends before heading back to Atlanta. Monday and Tuesday were spent previewing an exciting new off-road event—one I’ll have my sights set on to close out the season.
Now, with just under a week and a half until Sunny King, it’s nice to step away from the chaos for a moment. Spring in Atlanta is glorious, and I’m soaking up every bit of it. See you all at PZA tomorrow.
MG
+SPEEDY UPDATES
Ep. 083 - Brendan Quirk, CEO of USA Cycling and Founder of CompetitiveCyclist.com
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