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Artwork for Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

Mel Webb
Bikepacking
Ultra Cycling
Silk Road Mountain Race
Atlas Mountain Race
Tour Divide
Cycling
Morocco
Kyrgyzstan
Albion Cycling
Nutrition
Highland Trail 550
Mountain Biking
Ultra-Cycling
Mental Resilience
Women In Cycling
New Zealand
Hellenic Mountain Race
Adventure Cycling
Badlands
Bikepacking Roots

Hosted by ultra endurance and adventure cyclist Mel Webb, Detours brings you stories from inside the world of bikepacking and ultra cycling, featuring racers, community members, race directors and more. This show is about celebrating the journey, and the detours along the way, as much as the destination. We're especially passionate about providing space for folks that identify as women to share th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes96Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsHobbiesWildernessLeisure

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Artwork for Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

Latest Episodes

What does it take to win an ultra-distance bikepacking race and then run 192 kilometres across the Balkans three days later? Dilara Tuna is a Belgian adventurer who moves as comfortably on foot as she does on two wheels. In 2026 she took the women's ... more

Now in my 30s, the question of whether or not to become a mum sits heavier than it used to. And when I go looking for a template to follow — women who've done it without giving up riding, racing, their freedom — I come up with a handful. Today's gues... more

Meaghan Hackinen just rode the Tour Divide faster than any woman ever has in 14 days 10 hours 2 minutes, taking more than a full day off her own previous time across nearly 4,400 kilometres from Banff to the Mexican border, and besting Austin Killips... more

Svenja Betz is a rider I've had on my radar for quite some time. She's won the likes of Unbound XL — twice — along with Badlands and Traka560. But what's intrigued me most is how she's balanced racing at such a high level with her career. For the pas... more

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Recent Guests

Dilara Tuna
Belgian adventurer who bikes and runs ultramarathons
Episode: Why Not Me? Dilara Tuna on Building Confidence Across Trail Running & Bikepacking
Luisa Werner
Adventurer and athlete, winner of the Atlas Mountain Race women's division, mother
Independent athlete
Episode: Luisa Werner on Motherhood & Ultra
Meaghan Hackinen
Record-breaking cyclist featured on the show
Self-supported racer, Canadian cyclist
Episode: Meaghan Hackinen's 2026 Tour Divide Record
Svenja Betz
Professional ultra-endurance cyclist
Unbound XL, Badlands, Traka 560 winner
Episode: Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain: Svenja Betz on Unbound XL, Badlands and Traka 560
Maddy Nutt
Ultra endurance cyclist making her ultra debut in the Traka 560
Racer (Traka 560)
Episode: Maddy Nutt's Record Breaking Ride at Traka 560
Paula Gibson
Rider, competing in this year's Tour Divide
New Zealand rider, Tour Divide competitor
Episode: Women of Tour Divide & Hannah's Great Plain Ride
Megan Hackenon
Rider, returning to the Tour Divide after 2024 win
Kelowna, British Columbia
Episode: Women of Tour Divide & Hannah's Great Plain Ride
Hannah Glatter
Rider, Great Plains Gravel Route advocate
Lawrence, Kansas
Episode: Women of Tour Divide & Hannah's Great Plain Ride
Katherine Anderson
Rider, Tour Divide rookie
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Episode: Women of Tour Divide & Hannah's Great Plain Ride

Host

Mel Webb
Host of Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike; focuses on stories from endurance cyclists, with emphasis on women's experiences and community building.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 399 ratings
  • Mel hits right on her conversations and she is genuinely interested in her guest. The content is perfect for cycling adventurers. Love the range of guest and the inspiring stories, i always glean great insights into improving my bikepacking. Love the nutrition advice, love to hear how people are packing out. Love the mental insights AND Mels voice. Like crazy comforting to hear her pleasant voice. This podcast has gotten me through January Trainer rides...

    Podcast Addict
    5
    dlm_explores
    6 months ago
  • Must Listen!!

    I’ve listened to quite a few cycling centered podcasts, and this is definitely one of the best! Mel’s skill as an interviewer are exceptional and her interviewees always have great in-depth meaningful conversation conversations about the WHY behind the ride as well as the how to’s and gear talk that we are also there for. It is not to be missed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fabuliz on the road
    Canada6 months ago
  • Interesting chats with "ordinary" people who do superhuman things!

    Mel is such a skilled interviewer! I love how she and her guests transport you to wild locations and impossible situations, but also casually chat about daily life, to show how "ordinary" people can do extraordinary things. I'm learning a lot about training for ultra cycling, and psychology in particular, from these conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    superduperuser
    Canada6 months ago
  • Brilliant Show

    Great host that gets the best out of her guests. Each show gives you another insight or helpful advice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xXxRosiexXx1661
    Ireland9 months ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    Mel is a gifted interviewer and storyteller. I appreciate the care she puts into sharing such amazing stories. Truly one of my favorite podcasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K N Pfaff
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently highlight practical tips and inspirational stories that motivate training and adventures.
The host delivers thoughtful, in-depth conversations with guests and asks insightful questions that pull out the WHY behind the ride.
Listeners praise how the show makes ultra cycling approachable and emphasizes community and female representation.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#96
Canada/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#71
Italy/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#88
France/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#120
Germany/Sports/Wilderness
Apple Podcasts
#203
Australia/Sports/Wilderness

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Luisa Werner on Motherhood & Ultra
Q: How did pregnancy physically affect her riding before birth?
She faced varying symptoms, with fatigue and sickness early on, but was able to stay active through much of pregnancy, adjusting as advised by medical professionals and listening to her body.
Fuelling an Ultra-Distance Bikepack Race: Uri Carlson on Nutrition for HT550 and Beyond
Q: What is a good approach to breakfast on race morning and earlier in the taper?
Treat the morning like a long ride: keep breakfast simple, focused on carbs with modest fat and protein, avoid unnecessary fiber, and don't drastically change what you've trained your gut to handle; the goal is consistency and comfort rather than a big, new meal that could upset the stomach.
Fuelling an Ultra-Distance Bikepack Race: Uri Carlson on Nutrition for HT550 and Beyond
Q: How should you approach hydration and electrolytes during a multi-day event with variable weather?
Stay consistent with hydration and electrolytes, using a baseline fluid intake while adjusting for sweat rate and temperature. Carry lightweight salt pills and electrolytes, test tolerance beforehand, and fill up strategically to avoid carrying excess weight while maintaining electrolyte balance.
Fuelling an Ultra-Distance Bikepack Race: Uri Carlson on Nutrition for HT550 and Beyond
Q: What should be the baseline carb intake and how should it be distributed across the hour?
Carbs should be the primary fuel, with fats and proteins added for hunger management and satiety. Aim for a slow, steady drip of nutrients across the hour, with about 60% of calories coming from liquids early on and balancing to include solids as you go, adjusting based on tolerance and access to resupply.
Adventure More: Sami Sauri on Building A Life In The Mountains
Q: How did you discover that you could enjoy racing and taking photos simultaneously?
I found that I could actually race and do photos at the same time, and that made the experience fun.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on bikepacking, ultra-cycling, and adventure racing, with a strong emphasis on storytelling from women and non-traditional routes into endurance sports. Episodes frequently cover race prep, mental resilience, nutrition, equipment, and the joy and challenge of detours along long-distance journeys. Listeners can expect candid conversations about community building, gender dynamics in extreme sport, and practical tips for training, fueling, and navigating remote terrain. A standout element is the host's focus on women's experiences in endurance cycling, which provides a welcoming space for ambitious athletes and curious newcomers alike to learn, be inspired, and plan their own detours into the sport.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Ultrascape Podcast; Bikepacking & Ultracycling news, discussion, chat & rumours.
2. The Mountain Races Podcast
3. With Pace
4. Dot Comms
5. Bikes or Death

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 96 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dilara Tuna
2. Luisa Werner
3. Meaghan Hackinen
4. Svenja Betz
5. Maddy Nutt
6. Paula Gibson
7. Megan Hackenon
8. Hannah Glatter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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