Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike
Episodes
Holiday Throwback: Alexandera Houchin on Racing with Heart & 10 Years of Bikepacking
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season! This week we're throwing it back to an episode recorded right around this time last year with the...
Reflecting on a Wild 2025: Behind the Scenes of Detours and a Year at The Mountain Races with Mel Webb
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a little different. For the final episode of the year, the roles are reversed as Detours alum and journalist Hélène Fromenty steps i...
The Spirit of Adventure: Kara Woolgar on AZT As Her First Ultra
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Arizona Trail Race is a massive undertaking for any rider — rocky singletrack, long stretches of hike-a-bike, and a full bike portage through th...
Jake Cullen on his 2025 Triple Crown Challenge
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Triple Crown of bikepacking is a massive undertaking: three iconic routes, thousands of kilometres, and a season that demands a hell of a lot from...
Hélène Fromenty on Her First MTB Ultra, Trans Pyrenees and Bikes as Way of Life
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The beauty of riding is that it can hold so many versions of us at once — the traveller, the dreamer, the person who loves a challenge, and the pers...
Weronika Szalas on Bikepacking Central Asia
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a certain kind of freedom that comes with slowing down: giving yourself time to stay, to notice, and to let a place leave its mark on you.Ov...
Endurance Nutrition 101: Uri Carlson on Building a Fuelling Foundation
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re fuelling for a multi-day bikepacking race, trying to get more out of your training, or simply hoping to feel a little better on your ...
Quinda Verheul on Finding Purpose Beyond Performance
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you’re chasing big goals, it’s easy to get tunnel vision — to pour everything you have into one idea of what success should look like. What...
Sarah Diekmeyer on Racing Her First Ultra and What She Learned from Badlands
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a certain magic in firsts — especially your first bikepacking race. They’re full of unknowns, and no matter how much you prepare, nothin...
Marei Moldenhauer on Recovery, Rebuilding, and the Road Back From Injury
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marei Moldenhauer burst into 2025 with a win at the Atlas Mountain Race in February. No doubt eager to build on that early momentum and with big goa...
Roz Osborne on Silk Road Mountain Race, Motherhood & Ultra
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Roz Osborne signed up for the Silk Road Mountain Race, her motivation was simple: to prove her son wrong.Living in Cornwall with her husband and ...
Cynthia Carson on Racing the Transcontinental Race & The Art of the Comeback
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a crash just weeks before the start of the 2024 Transcontinental Race, Cynthia spent months recovering—stitches, broken teeth, and the mental ...
Julie Von Gruenigen on Racing on Her Own Terms
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spend a few minutes with Julie von Gruenigen and you'll hear it right away, she loves riding her bike. On the surface ultra-cycling can feel like it h...
Chris Burkard on Taking Joy Seriously & Life Lessons from the Silk Road Mountain Race
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Burkard is no stranger to grand adventures. He’s built his career chasing light at the edges of the world, photographing athletes in their ele...
Kyrgyzstan, returning home and what's next
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I am back after a month away from home! This is episode is a somewhat chaotic catchup of where I've been, what I've been up to and things I'm looking ...
We are so back... kinda!
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are so back... kinda! We'll be resuming normal episodes next week and want to know, what do you want to hear on Detours? Shoot us a dm @detourscycl...
Women of Silk Road Mountain Race 2025
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In ultra distance bikepack racing, women typically make up just over 10% of the starting line. In recent years, we've begun to see that number grow wi...
Jake Cullen on 16 days down the Tour Divide
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Tour Divide sits on nearly every bikepack racers’ bucket lists—a someday ride. Someday, when there’s more time, more money, more fitness. So...
Five Times Unbound XL: Rachel Wills on Ritual, Resilience, and the Allure of the Flint Hills
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, the Flint Hills of Kansas call Rachel Wills back to Unbound XL. At 350 miles, the race is a test of endurance: relentless heat, drivetrain...
Community First: Making Bikepacking More Inclusive with Bikepacking Roots
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The pathway into bikepacking isn’t always straightforward—and even with endless routes and resources online, it can still be hard to know where to...
On The Edge: Molly Weaver’s World Record Ride
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On July 6th, after 21 days, 10 hours and 48 minutes, Molly Weaver rolled into Tower Bridge in London—becoming the first woman to set a world record ...
Washed Away: Kerry MacPhee on HT550 2025 and Finding Joy in Going Fast
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when your bike gets swept down a flooded Scottish river, you're soaked to the bone, and miles from the nearest village? Well... you'll ...
Racing Season is Here! Crying in the Desert & Other Summer Highlights
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The summer racing season in the world of ultra and bikepacking is in full swing! In this episode, I’m catching you up on what’s been happening and...
Emma Bateup on Going Full Send at Highland Trail 550 and Beyond
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Bateup is no stranger to going full send into the deep end. Whether it's tossing her bike across a flooded river or screaming into the Scottish m...
Get to Know Nathalie Baillon [ReRelease]
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been getting loads of questions as this year's Tour Divide is underway – who is Nathalie Baillon? After leading for the first 4 days of the rac...
Women of Tour Divide 2025
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Each year, on the second Friday in June, hundreds of riders gather outside the YMCA in Banff, Alberta, to begin what’s widely considered bikepacking...
In the Field at Hellenic Mountain Race: Listen to the Mountain Races Podcast
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm out in the field reporting from the Hellenic Mountain Race and dropping daily episodes through June 1st! If you're after your bikepacking, ultracy...
Nelson Trees on Building The Mountain Races
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most people in the bikepacking world know Nelson Trees as the mind behind the Silk Road Mountain Race—a race that has become legendary for its beaut...
For the Vibes: Alyssa Gonzalez on Building Inclusive Spaces and Joyful Movement in Cycling
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s wild how something as simple as walking into a bike shop can make you feel like you don’t belong. It's a feeling many folks, especially margi...
Building Confidence in Bikepacking Through Mentorship: Athlyn Cathcart-Keays and Roll Models
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When we talk about barriers to entry and bike packing, so many things come to mind. For many, it's gear. For others, it's about confidence. For many f...
Do I Always Need to Race? Mel Catches Up On Life Lately
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's just me, Mel, on the mic, and I'm finally sharing a long overdue catchup. Today I share some behind-the-scenes moments from Morocco and the Atlas...
Tandemonium with Shona and Rich Oldfield: Bikepack Racing on a Tandem
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you take a bike built for two and bring it to some of the most rugged, remote and challenging bikepacking in the world? You get tand...
Sherry Cardona’s Off-Road Ultra-Cycling Journey: From the Transcontinental Race to Atlas
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I was in the middle of nowhere in Albania on a road bike, and there was no way out—I had to go through the parkour. So I told my husband, ‘I ca...
Inviting Adventure: Jen Adams & Eric Betteridge on the Log Driver's Waltz
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The Log Driver’s Waltz isn’t a race; it’s an invitation. An opportunity for anyone curious about bikepacking to show up, ride at their own pace...
Racing Free: Mascha Wahlig on Confidence & Mental Strength
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"I want to finish with a big smile on my face."That’s Mascha Wahlig’s goal for the 2025 Atlas Mountain Race. Last year, Mascha lined up at Atlas M...
Riding in the Moment with Marei Moldenhauer
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Marei Moldenhauer—a rising star in ultra-cycling and bikepacking. Marei balances a demanding career as a doctor while e...
BIG NEWS! Mel's reflections on 2024 and what's in for 2025
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve got some big news! I am so so stoked to share that Detours is now presented by Albion Cycling. They’ve been fans of the show since day one a...
Alexandera Houchin on racing with heart and 10 years of bikepacking
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When I think of women in bikepacking, Alexandera Houchin is one of the first people that comes to mind. She’s raced the Tour Divide countless time a...
Theo Kelsey-Verdecchia on creating the Golden Horseshoe bikepacking route
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mel chats with Theo Kelsey-Verdecchia, ultra-endurance cyclist and creator of the Golden Horseshoe bikepacking route in Ontario. Theo...
Leanne Bentley: Alps Divide 2024 women's winner and bag maker at Carrie Gere
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we chat with Leanne Bentley, an ultra-distance cyclist and creative living in the Netherlands. She is also the maker behind the bikep...
Justinas Leveika on racing the Triple Crown Challenge: Tour Divide, Colorado Trail & Arizona Trail
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Justinas is back on Detours sharing all about his wild 2024 season where he set a new record on the Triple Crown of bikepacking: The Tour Divide, Colo...
Emma Missale, bike messenger World Champion, on her first year bikepack racing
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This past year Emma Missale has burst onto the bikepack racing scene, landing herself second on the podium at both the Hellenic and Silk Road Mountain...
Jade Simpson-Field on a life of big adventures & the Silk Road Mountain Race
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jade Simpson-Field is an adventurer and bikepacker from Leeds who’s made a habit of squeezing in massive adventures around her "normal boring life."...
Stephen Shelesky on photographing the Silk Road Mountain Race
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Shelesky is commercial outdoors photographer who has shot for some of the biggest brands in the space and some of the world's best skiiers. He...
Joe Nation, winner of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stoked to bring you this conversation with the winner of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race, Joe Nation. Hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand, Joe wen...
Hannah Simon, women's winner of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race
07 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Simon took the women's win at this year's Silk Road Mountain Race, in a time of 8 days 20 hours and 16 minutes. She navigated the 1939km and 30...
Mateo Paez on racing the 2024 Tour Divide
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stoked to catch up with my good friend Mateo Paez. 2022 was Mateo's first attempt at any ultra endurance bikepacking race and that experience quickly ...
Catching up with Mel & Quinda: HT550, the art of resupplying and more
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's so much fun to have two people in an interview, so I'm stoked to share that you'll be hearing more of Quinda's voice on the show, as she'll be jo...
Meaghan Hackinen, 2024 Women's Winner of the Tour Divide
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thrilled to bring you this conversation with your 2024 women's winner of the Tour Divide, Meaghan Hackinen. Meg won this year's women's race in a time...
Justinas' Leveika on winning the 2024 Tour Divide and breaking the record
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At 9:25AM on June 27th, Justinas' Leveika arrived at the USA/Mexico border in Antelope Wells after 13 days 2 hours and 16 minutes, winning this years ...
Austin Killips on her Arizona Trail 800 FKT
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At the end of May 2024, Austin Killips set a blisteringly rapid overall fastest known time on the Arizona Trail. She bested the previous record held b...
Weronika Szalas: the fastest woman at the Accursed Race and life by bike
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show we have Weronika Szalas. For the last 5 years she's been living life by bike, touring solo as a woman around Europe. While Weronika ...
Cynthia Carson on Unbound XL and preparing for the Trans Continental Race
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a bittersweet day over here at Detours as we're airing our last episode hosted by both Mel and Cynthia. As you'll hear in today's episode, Cynthi...
The Women of the Highland Trail 550 2024
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kicking off May 25, 31 women will race the 11th edition of the Highland Trail 550, a self-supported bikepacking race through the Scottish highlands. W...
Hannah Simon on the Triple Crown, Atlas Mountain Race and bikes as a tool for good
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Simon is one of those people that make you feel like anything is possible. She has a can do attitude and is a downright joy to be around. Since...
Quinda Verheul: artist, bikepacker, women's winner of the inaugural Hellenic Mountain Race
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Quinda is an artist, photographer and ultra-distance cyclist from the Netherlands. She's taken on some of the hardest bikepacking races in the world, ...
Sarah Sturm on her alternative approach & life as a gravel pro
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we step just outside the world of ultra, and into the world of long distance gravel racing. For folks who follow the gravel scene, you may a...
Jenny Tough: making space for women in cycling, pressing pause & returning to racing
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jenny Tough is a woman who hardly needs an introduction. A quick Google search will pull up a laundry list of accomplishments in the outdoors — from...
Meg Knobel on the Stagecoach 400
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Show NotesMeg Knobel is the organizer (or as you’ll come to learn, “disorganizer”) of the wildly popular bikepacking event in Southern Californi...
Nathalie Baillon on AMR, SRMR and all things adventure
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While she's a relative new comer to the world of off-road ultra racing, Nathalie Baillon hardly needs any introduction. She has a laundry list of acco...
Atlas Mountain Race 2024 Recap
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're baaack! Today on the show we share more about our time in Morocco for the Atlas Mountain Race, as well as answer your questions about the race. ...
The Women of the 2024 Atlas Mountain Race
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A small but mighty field of women will be starting the fourth edition of the Atlas Mountain Race. We were fortunate enough to hear from nearly all of ...
Ep. 13 - Atlas Mountain Race Preview with special guest host, Allan Shaw
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's officially the week of Atlas Mountain Race! We're joined by special guest host, Allan Shaw, who interviews us on our preparations for the race, e...
Ep. 12 - Luisa Werner, the 2023 women's winner of Atlas Mountain Race
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're officially into racing season over here at Detours. Cynthia and Mel will be toeing the line of the Atlas Mountain Race kicking off on February 9...
Ep. 11 - Molly Weaver, leaving the professional peloton and entering the world of ultra
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're officially back for 2024! January and February will mainly be occupied with Atlas Mountain Race content so buckle up.In this episode we are join...
Ep. 10 - Mel and Cynthia take the hot seat
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our last episode for 2023 and thought it was about time the two of us took to the hot seat and answered some of your questions. We share how we found...
Ep. 9 - Robin Todd, the bikepacking poet
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A retired English and Creative Writing teacher, Robin Todd started bikepacking in the 80s and has since ridden across Canada and the United States. At...
Ep. 8 - Allan Shaw: Gay's Okay Cycling, Silk Road Mountain Race finisher... on a cargo bike!
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Be prepared to be hit with a heavy dose of inspiration — Allan Shaw is a breath of fresh air. In a world where we are constantly being marketed the ...
Ep. 7 - Nils Laengner, tales from behind the lens of an ultra-photographer
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you've dotwatched any ultra-races in recent years or kept up with social media, you've likely seen Nils' photos. But the photos of riders and their...
Ep. 6 - Meaghan Hackinen
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh off her win at the Silver State 508, a Race Across America Qualifier, we sat down with Canadian ultra-endurance cyclist and author, Meaghan Hack...
Ep. 5 - Katya Rakhmatulina, Colorado Trail women's FKT holder
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Katya Rakhmatulina has been on fire this season, finishing second at The Tour Divide and winning the Colorado Trail, setting a new women’s FKT in th...
Ep. 4 - Abe Kaufman, self-care & FKTs
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everybody loves Abe! Abe Kaufman is potentially the nicest person we'll ever have on the podcast and has numerous FKTs to boot. In this episode we cha...
Ep. 3 - Whop Wagon has it her way at Badlands 2023
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Cynthia shares the behind the scenes of her iconic win. Badlands has made a name for itself as Europe's wildest gravel challenge — a...
Ep. 2 - Dr. Marion Dziwnik, women's winner of Badlands 2021
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With less than a week to go to the 2023 edition of Badlands, we're joined by 2021 female winner, Marion Dziwnik (@supermajon on Instagram). A full-tim...
Ep. 1 - Adventure, camaraderie and... pit toilets?
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Yahoo! Episode 1 of Detours is here. We finally sit down to share what this show will be about, why we love ultra cycling/bikepacking, and some tales ...