Dot Comms

Jenny Tough knows a thing or two about taking on challenging endeavours. But how does she decide which races are going to give the experience she is after? In Episode 015 of Dot Comms, Jenny speaks about the importance of the race director and knowing you can trust them. Nelson gets her vote apparently! You can hear more from Jenny and our other Roundtable guests discussing the topic of 'How Hard is Too Hard' in the full episode, available on all major podcast platforms.

It's good to do hard things, but that shouldn't be the only purpose of an event. In Episode 015 of Dot Comms, Hélène Fromenty speaks about how and why she chooses an event to participate in. She admits to have being drawn to events that market themselves as 'hard' in the past but is keen to highlight those that may not get the media attention they merit. You can hear more from Hélène and our other Roundtable guests discussing the topic of 'How Hard is Too Hard' in the full episode, available on all major podcast platforms. Photo credit: @stefanhaehnel

Dot Comms Episode 015 - How Hard is Too Hard? Now live on all major podcast platforms. This month’s episode is supported by @acier.cc who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more. As always, we bring you all the latest race reviews, previews & news in the ultra-distance cycling world and a Roundtable where we ask we how hard is too hard in ultra-cycling events with co-host @kirstencluley and guests: @hfrome : First female finisher at the Trans Pyrenees Race, finisher of Silk Road Mountain race as a pair, and women’s podium finishes at Desertus Bikus and French Road 66, all in 2025. @jennytough : Adventurer, storyteller and mountain lover. Twice first female finisher at Silk Road Mountain Race (2018, 2021) and first woman in the inaugural Atlas Mountain Race (2020). Author of Solo, chronicling her 2021 challenge to run, solo and unsupported, across a mountain range on every continent. @nelsontrees : Founder of the Mountain Races series, renowned as some of the most prestigious and challenging ultra-cycling races in the world. Including this year’s new addition, @taurusmountainrace in Turkey. On the bike he has finished twice in the Top 10 at TCR and finished 4th in the Highland Trail 550 in 2018. Also including… Race re-caps of: @theunknown_race , @dalesdivide , @twovolcanosprint & @thetraka 560. Dots to Watch at: Highland Trail 550, @lostdot101 & @mittelgebirgeclassique . We also have exclusive audio from @alistair.brownlee on his Dales Divide experience and a no-holds-barred recap of Traka 560 from @angusyoung139 . And not to forget… A Mishap of the Month, Chapeau of the Month and our pick of the Best of Bikes Of… Subscribe so that you don’t miss out on future episodes. New episodes drop on the first Thursday of each month with the best of the ultra-cycling scene coverage.

More Sleep = Higher Race Ranking…? or Snooze You Lose…? We all know how important sleep is. Especially so in ultra-cycling, where striking the optimal balance between shut eye and the ability to keep moving at a strong pace is a key factor in race outcomes. However, despite the growing popularity of ultra-cycling, there has been very little research carried out on the role of sleep management and sleep strategies within races. The authors of a recent study carried out during the Race Across France in 2024 recognised this yawning gap, noting that inadequate sleep management may not only impair performance but also endanger athletes’ physical and psychological well-being. On the @dotwatcher.cc Substack, you can read Samuel Thompson’s review of this study (currently free to read) where the key findings and takeaways are neatly summarised. The insights from this study are eye-opening and can help us all when planning and executing sleep strategies during ultra-distance events. The lead author of the study, Rémy Hurdiel, was also recently on Episode 013 of @dotcommspod where he speaks more about this study and the research he and his team are doing in this important area. The episode is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.

Who knew that the fable of the golden goose was so relevant to ultra-cycling? Gail Brown is not only a seriously accomplished ultra-cyclist, with events such as The Transcontinental Race and Tour Divide in her 'ultra nest', but a practising physiologist who works with the GB Olympic team. In Episode 014 of Dot Comms, she shares her approach to planning for races so that expectations are managed appropriately, and focus can be maintained on the primary goal. You can hear more from Gail and our other Roundtable guests discussing the topic of 'How Many Races Are Too Many?' in the latest episode of Dot Comms, available on all major podcast platforms.

Chris Mehlman has a lot of exciting races on his calendar for 2026, which will be his first full season solely dedicated to ultra-racing. The year has started well for him with his fourth place finish at Atlas Mountain race and he will be one to watch in his upcoming races. In Episode 014 of Dot Comms, Chris explains the motivation behind wanting to participate in the events he has selected and how he plans to manage his load throughout the season. You can hear more from Chris and our other Roundtable guests discussing the topic of 'How Many Races Are Too Many?' in the latest episode of Dot Comms, available on all major podcast platforms.

@richrothwellcycling knows a thing or two about managing an ultra-racing schedule, both through his role as a coach with advance_cycle_coaching and from his vast experience riding some of the toughest events out there. In Episode 014 of Dot Comms, Rich shares some of the considerations we should all be making when looking at recovery periods and how much time to allow for between events. You can hear more from Rich and our other Roundtable guests discussing the topic of 'How Many Races Are Too Many?' in the latest episode of Dot Comms, available on all major podcast platforms.

Dot Comms Episode 014 - How Many Races Are Too Many? Now live on all major podcast platforms. This month’s episode is supported by @acier.cc who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more. With @amandawish.art co-hosting, we bring you all the latest race reviews, previews & news in the ultra-distance cycling world and a Roundtable where we ask we ask how many ultra-cycling races are too many with guests: - Rich Rothwell (@richrothwellcycling ) - One of the most experienced endurance riders there is, at times accompanied by his teenage son, James. He is also a coach with Advance Cycling Coaching and organises @_thelandbetween , a 320 mile ultra-distance event from Northumberland, UK. - Chris Mehlman (@the_mehlman_delivers ) - Endurance MTB and gravel rider who has gradually shifted towards longer events, achieving impressive results such as 4th in Unbound XL, 3rd at Badlands 2025 & 4th at AMR 2026. - Gail Brown (@g.h.brown ) - A physio who works with the GB Olympic team and accomplished ultra-distance rider having completed events such as the Transcontinental Race, Tour Divide & was 3rd overall in the fully self-sufficient 2020 version of GBDURO in 2020. Also including… Race re-caps of: @granguanche.audax Gravel & a weather update from @theunknown_race . Dots to Watch at: @dalesdivide & @twovolcanosprint . And not to forget… A Mishap of the Month, Chapeau of the Month and our pick of the Best of Bikes Of… Subscribe so that you don’t miss out on future episodes. New episodes drop on the first Thursday of each month with the best of the ultra-cycling scene coverage.

Are there any potential downsides to mandatory sleep periods? Do they inhibit a rider's flexibility to choose sleeping patterns that suit them best? This question was put to Ana Orenz (@moremiles_moresmiles_ ), who has plenty of experience riding in events that do or don't enforce such rules. Even if certain rules don't work perfectly for everyone, is this a necessary compromise to have a beneficial impact on the majority of the field and ensure safety? You can hear more from Ana, and the other Roundtable guests, discussing whether sleep periods should be mandatory in Episode 013 of Dot Comms which is available now on all podcast platforms.

Race organisers often feel a responsibility to balance the safety of the riders participating in their event with maintaining the self-sufficient principles of the sport. In Episode 013 of Dot Comms, Juliana Buhring (@2wheelsdoubletrouble ), the race organiser of @twovolcanosprint gave her reasoning for implementing a mandatory sleep rules at her event. Especially with the growth of the popularity of ultra-cycling, such rules can be seen as safety nets for less experienced riders. You can hear more from Juliana, and the other Roundtable guests, discussing whether sleep periods should be mandatory in the full episode, which is available on all podcast platforms.

In Episode 013 of Dot Comms, Nicky Shaw and Samuel Thompson discuss the emergence of a number of race teams with ultra-cyclists on their roster. This is another illustration of the move towards professionalisation of the sport, although is there a danger this could conflict with the rules and spirit of self-sufficiency? Listen to the full episode now, available on all major podcast platforms, to hear their full discussion.

Dot Comms Episode 013 - Do We Need Mandatory Sleep Periods? Now live on all major podcast platforms. Fastest Known @fastestknowntimes Timekeeper @nicky_._shaw returns to co-host in this episode whose number may be unlucky for some but, with content this good, that by no means applies to you our lucky listeners 🍀. This month’s episode is supported by @acier.cc who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more. As always, we bring you all the latest race reviews, previews & news in the ultra-distance cycling world and a Roundtable where we ask whether there is a requirement for mandatory sleep periods in self-supported ultra-distance events with guests: 🥱 Rémy Hurdiel: PhD in Sports Science and researcher at the Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale in Dunkirk, France with more than 15 years experience in the field of sleep and fatigue risk management for ultra-endurance athletes. 😴 Juliana Buhring (@2wheelsdoubletrouble ): Organiser of @twovolcanosprint , Guinness World Record breaker as the fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe in 2012 and bestselling author. 🫩 Ana Orenz (@moremiles_moresmiles_ ): Experienced ultra-distance rider with an impressive palmares including Top 10 overall finishes at 2VS, Transiberia and Transpyrenees. Also including… Race re-caps of: @atlasmountainrace & @theracearoundrwanda Dots to Watch at: @theunknown_race & @frthr.co Lost Ways And not to forget… A Mishap of the Month, Chapeau of the Month and our pick of the Best of Bikes Of… Subscribe so that you don’t miss out on future episodes. We will be back on the first Thursday of the month with more of the best of the ultra-distance cycling scene coverage.