Heather Benning

In this episode of the Iowa Gravel Series Podium Podcast, we're sharing the interview Caleb recorded with Connor Harbott from KCII to talk about the unique charm of Washington County gravel. Listen to the original by subscribing to KCII's In Touch on their website.

Eight years ago, Mitch Brekke was nearly killed. During a 2017 group ride, he hit debris at 25-30 mph, went over his handlebars into the oncoming lane, and was run over by a car. The accident severed his femoral artery , broke all his ribs and lower eight vertebrae , collapsed his lungs, and dislocated […]

A 95-degree race day with 20 mph winds is enough to make any rider nervous, but for a self-described “tentative gravel racer,” it’s even more daunting. Yet, that’s exactly what podiatrist Maggie Fournier faced when her husband signed her up for the Waukon 100 just days before the event. She went on to win the […]

At 13 years old, Olive Lind has swiftly established herself in the Midwest cycling community, excelling in various races from NICA mountain biking to 100k gravel events. Her training commitment, including 100 miles weekly and multiple practices, fueled her impressive success, including winning and placing in several competitive events throughout her 2025 season.

In this episode of the Iowa Gravel Series Podium Podcast, host Chris McQueen welcomes guest Jonathan Wait for his third appearance. They cover Jonathan’s 2025 racing season, his strategies for performance and longevity, and recap several Iowa gravel events. 🧪 Jonathan Wait’s DIY “Hydrocarbon” Drink RecipeJonathan shared his personal DIY recipe for a high-carb “hydrocarbon” […]

In the Iowa Gravel Series Podium podcast, host Chris McQueen interviews Heather Benning, a successful gravel cyclist and coach, who shares insights on her sports background, the significance of community in cycling, nutrition, recovery strategies, and the challenges of perimenopause. She emphasizes inclusivity in gravel racing and advocates for better course transparency.

Zach Isaacs, co-founder of Movemint, joins the Iowa Gravel Series Podium Podcast to share his insights on the gravel scene and the future of event registration. A 2021 podium finisher at the Lost and Found 100, Isaacs brings a unique perspective as both a racer and a tech entrepreneur. He and Chris dive deep into […]

Ross Hansen, a physician’s assistant and lover of all things endurance sports, joins the Iowa Gravel Series Podium Podcast to share his origin story. A relative newcomer to the gravel scene, Ross dove into the world of gravel grinding after a stress fracture effected his running goals. Fortunately, he signed up for a two gravel […]

If you've been on an Iowa Gravel Series race in the last two years, it's likely you've seen Camden sporting his Ames Velo jersey near the front of the pack. Except for a broken clavicle, nothing much slows Camden down. So, it was exciting to see him come in 3rd at the Albia Holy Cow this year. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with Camden at RAGBRAI and to chat with him at the races, but it was nice to get to know him a little better and learn how he fuels, what he's learned from his trainer, and that he struggles up 138th and Fulton in Pisgah just like everyone else.

Linda Cooper has enjoyed riding her bike for a long time and that consistency over years has paid off. She's a regular on the group rides in and around Des Moines and that consistent effort to show up, week after week, might well be the key to her super powers. Linda took the top spot on the podium at the Waukon 100 and Albia Holy Cow. Those are very different courses and it goes to show the strength that Linda has to take on a challenge.