There has been a LOT of life lived in the past few months.

Jake and I are in the middle of packing up our life in Vancouver ahead of our move to Bristol + Atlas Mountain Race just happened, so I thought we were long overdue for a bit of a catchup. I share a few reflections from Atlas Mountain Race, including what it felt like to see nearly 70 (!!!!) women on the start line this year.

We also talk about our quick trip through London (and finally meeting the Albion team in person), some Highland Trail 550 prep, new bike plans, and a little more about this big jump over the pond. Thanks as always for all your love and support for me and the show.

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Albion just released an updated version of their Ultralight Insulated Jacket, now with a women’s-specific fit. If you’re looking for a lightweight and super packable jacket for long rides or bikepacking trips, you can check it out here. AND Detours listeners can use the code DETOURS15 for 15% off.

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

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It has been a whirlwind few weeks but we will be BACK next week with new episodes. In the meantime, check out all the incredible guests, re-listen to a fave (or check out The Mountain Races podcast).

Thanks for all the love and patience and see you SOON!

xx Mel

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

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Last year’s Atlas Mountain Race saw 30 women take place. This year, beginning in Beni-Mellal, 54 women will be on the starting line. Of course there is still a long way to go in seeing equal participation between the men and women, but to see a race nearly double it’s participation in one year is certainly a sign that momentum is building. We hope that their stories inspire you to take on your own adventure, and of course, to have more women on start lines.

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

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Three weeks after finishing second at Silk Road Mountain Race, Sami Sauri hiked up Mont Blanc in the dark and paraglided off the summit at dawn.

Sami is a mountain woman in every sense — she ski tours, she paraglides, she bikepacks remote corners of the world, and she documents it all through her lens. Based in Chamonix, she's proof you don't have to choose between competing and creating.

In this episode of Detours, we talk about the steep learning curve of ultracycling, getting a mentor to prepare for Silk Road Mountain Race, and the power of mantras. Sami shares how she went from signing up for her first ultra after a couple bottles of wine to podiums at the world's most demanding mountain races and how she's built a life that blends her creative and competitive pursuits.

Follow Sami on Instagram: @samisauri

Plus we have a bonus segment with our Sound Designer, Ben Crannell. Ben just got back from riding the Queen's Ransom route in Arizona and shares all about his adventure! If you're keen to hear more about the Queen's Ransom or Arizona Trail Race, check out our Detours episode with Kara Woolgar.

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

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Mel shares a peek inside her training for the Highland Trail 550 in May. We go into building back from ground zero, incorporating more strength training and an easter egg for those who make it all the way to the end.

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

If you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

Kara Folkerts doesn't fit in any boxes. She's a trail running guide, bikepacker, and has lived a nomadic life for the past ten years.

In this conversation, Kara opens up about identity, life on the road, and the freedom that comes with allowing yourself to change. We talk about sustaining a nomadic lifestyle, run travel, bike travel, solo adventures, and bikepacking with a partner. She also shares what's next — upcoming trips to Oman and Morocco, and her first ultra bikepacking race later this year.

Follow Kara's adventures: @karafolkerts

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

If you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

The Transcontinental Race is often described as the self-supported bikepacking race across Europe, drawing some of the biggest names in ultra cycling each year. Riders plot their own routes across the continent — this year, roughly 4,700 kilometers — linking a handful of mandatory control points and parcours. Every decision, from navigation to sleep and everything in between, is left entirely to them.

Jana Kesenheimer has won the women's race not once, but twice, lining up in 2025 alongside riders like Lael Wilcox and Cynthia Carson in the most competitive women's field TCR has ever seen.

In this conversation, Jana reflects on the road that led her to ultra-distance racing — and why, despite all her experience, it took years to feel ready to line up at TCR. We talk about her 2025 race, confidence, and self-trust. As a psychologist, Jana brings a rare perspective to the mental side of endurance racing, exploring how gender, motivation, and self-perception shape not just how we race, but whether we feel like we belong at the start line at all.

Follow Jana's adventures and racing: @jananas.banjana

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Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

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Happy New Years Detours listeners! We'll be back on Jan. 8 with a brand new episode, but in the meantime we've got an awesome throwback to our first ever in person recording with Hannah Simon back in August 2024. This episode gets me fired up for the racing season ahead is the perfect companion for your next long ride.

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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 30,000m+ with determination, resilience and grace. Not only was she the first woman home, but also landed 9th overall in an exceptionally deep field. In this episode we talk all about her preparation and the race itself. She shares so many great nuggets about her own personal hygiene, her kit and so much more. It was an absolute joy to get to record this episode in person together and to celebrate her achievement.

Stay up to date on Hannah's adventures by following her on Instagram.

If you loved today's episode please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listen and don't forget to subscribe.

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb

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Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling

Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion

If you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast