The Just Bikes Podcast

Happy World Bicycle Day! Earlier this year, I spent a week chasing - and sharing the stories of the cyclists competing in the Race Around Rwanda, a 1000km self-supported bikepacking race with 18,000m of elevation and 40% offroad. I detailed the stories from the road of beautiful and brutal race this year in episodes 6 through 10 as well as episode 14 so go back and check those episodes out. This is a story from Rwanda but it's not just about the race. This is about the impact of one woman, Violette Neza, a champion Rwandan ultra-cyclist and coach and I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy to feature - and spotlight on World Bicycle Day. In this episode, you’ll hear Violette’s own story of learning to ride a bike. What cycling means to her and why she wants to share the joy of cycling with other girls and young women, who otherwise may never have the opportunity to experience what we all do regularly, how wonderful and freeing it is to ride your bike. I recorded this back in February in Kigali so to get up to date with Viollete and her team, please follow: Komera Cycling Team: @komeranewct Violette: @nezavioletteI hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

If you’ve been following The Just BIkes Podcast for a while, you’d know that earlier this year, I spent a week chasing the cyclists competing in the Race Around Rwanda, a 1000km self-supported bikepacking race that took place in February. With about 18,000m of climbing and 40% offroad with some VERY wild weather patterns, this race is tough. It’s one I did myself in 2023 but that is a story for another day - or today, if you want to hear it, I did do two episodes based on my own experience below: Dawn’s DNF Race Report Part 1Dawn’s DNF Race Report Part 2Also please feel free to scroll back to episodes 6 through 10 to get a flavor of this year’s race. We’re revisiting Race Around Rwanda today with my last episode detailing some of experiences of those who took on the race this year, sharing a interview I did on the ground in Kigali with the Lanterne Rouge(s) Christine & Roland Bartmus Caps 55… who timed it perfectly by rolling into the finisher's party to a hero's welcome. You may also be interested to know that registrations are now open for the 2025 edition of the race: https://racearoundrwanda.com I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

Moroj Adil is Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclist and you’d be forgiven for not knowing her name yet as she only started cycling two years ago. Yes, that is right, from not knowing how to ride a bike, to being on the Liv Alula Jayco Continental team, her story is one that needs to be heard and what’s most exciting is that it's just getting started. In this episode, we chat through: 🚲 How Moroj got started 🚲 Her first group ride - which was also her first time riding a bike 🚲 Her first mountain bike race, The Neom Titan Desert Race and how she went from disqualified finisher to podium finish a year later 🚲 The fateful The AlUla Tour 🚲 Joining the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team 🚲 The Traka; and 🚲 Her Olympic and Paris Roubeux aspirations Moroj’s story highlights what’s possible when you don’t put limits on yourself. It’s a story of taking and making opportunities, working hard and then letting the magic happen. It’s a story of heart, self-belief and the support you receive along the way.  Find Moroj on Instagram at @moroj.adi More Good Stuff:  🔗 🇿🇦 Sani2C - Dawn’s latest race 🔗🇷🇼  The Race Around Rwanda - the first in the 2024 Race series I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

Today’s episode features a member of a very elite club with member numbers totalling around 50 worldwide at the time of recording. This club is the Triple Everest Hall of Fame. Not just any old member of this club, Dubai-based Nick Glover is a unique one as he is also believed to be the first type one diabetic to ever Triple Everest, and the first in the UAE to do so. Nick is exceptional in every sense of the word. He is also a two time cancer survivor and someone who’s not just satisfied with a personal accomplishment, but wants to take others along with him for the ride. This episode is a rich episode, full of learnings and inspiration. In my chat with Nick Glover, we go into: ⚽ The role of sport in Nick’s childhood ⚕️His type-one diabetes diagnosis 🚴‍♂️ Overcoming cancer twice and becoming a cyclist 🏃‍♂️ His entry into endurance sports including Ultraman 🏔️ From single to triple everesting 🫂 The experience… and the sherpas🧠 Mindset 🚲 What’s next 🇬🇲 The Why - Waste to Wonder For more info on what was discussed in the episode: 🚲 Nick Glover on Strava 🚲 Nick Glover on Instagram🚲 Everesting.cc🚲 Jebel Jais on Climb by Bike 🚲 Jebel Hafeet on Climb by Bike 🚲 Waste to Wonder Cookery School 🚲 Dawn’s next MTB Race Sani2C Two Episodes from The Mettleset Podcast 🎙️ Nadhira Al Harthy on becoming the first Omani woman to summit Everest 🎙️ Faranak Partoazar, Iran’s first female MTB championIf you liked this episode, please tap subscribe wherever you are listening. Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only. Check out The Mettleset Podcast and follow @JustBikesThePodcast and @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  x Dawn

This is part two of our two part episode on VIA Race, a new 4000 km self-supported bikepacking race set to kick- off this July from Southern Spain. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, I do suggest you do that as this is a continuation of our chat with Ingeborg and Ian, the organizers of VIA Race. Check it out HERE. In part two we discuss the evolution of ultra-cycling, the role of technology, the rules, and linked to the rules, the importance of transparency when it comes to a fair & safe adventure. We also chat about who has signed up for Chapter 1 of the race and in addition to Niel sharing his prep and routing choices, Part also feature the voices of some of those participating. Thank you to Saz, Olly & Ben: 🚲 @_saz_h 🚲 @paradisduvelo 🚲@benjamescyclingFor more info on what was discussed in the episode: 🚲 VIA Race Online - https://via-race.com🚲 VIA Race on IG - @VIA_RACE 🚲 Some info on those elephants HERE 🚲 Niel’s DotBooster Academy - https://dotbooster.com 🚲 Niel on Instagram - @nielcopeland🚲 She Races - https://www.sheraces.com Race Partners 🚲 Cafe Du Cycliste https://www.cafeducycliste.com🚲 Le Bezy Pyrenees -https://www.lebezy.com 🚲 Cyclete - https://cyclite.cc/en🚲 Madcap - @madcapp.cc If you liked this episode, please tap subscribe wherever you are listening. Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only. Check out The Mettleset Podcast and follow @JustBikesThePodcast and @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  x Dawn

We know that bikepacking and ultra-cycling is about testing your limits - physical and mental, it's about adventure, camaraderie. It is about eating. It’s also about storytelling and this is the story of one of the newest self-supported ultra-cycling races on the calendar, VIA Race.Ingeborg Oie and Ian To, the team behind this upcoming race, agreed to speak with me and Niel Copeland about the first Chapter of this 4000km adventure which sets off from Southern Spain on 20 July, 2024.  This is an ultra-cycling race for ultra-cyclists, by ultra-cyclists and there was so much to cover that we’ve split the episode into two parts. Part 1 covers the origins of the race, Ian and Ingeborg’s own cycling journeys & world record, the route, the thinking behind various race elements, the importance of story-telling, the dotwatching experience, safety, different race categories, support for new riders and how the race aims to welcome a more diverse line-up of cyclists. We also discuss the role of the race partners (linked below). Part 2 will be live by the 27th of March and will discuss teh evolution of ultra-cycling, the role of technology and also the importance of transparency when it comes to a fair & safe adventure.  In addition to Niel sharing his prep, Part 2 will feature the voices of some of those participating. For more info on what was discussed in the episode: 🚲 VIA Race Online - https://via-race.com🚲 VIA Race on IG - @VIA_RACE 🚲 Niel’s DotBooster Academy - https://dotbooster.com 🚲 Niel on Instagram - @nielcopeland🚲 She Races - https://www.sheraces.com Race Partners 🚲 Cafe Du Cycliste https://www.cafeducycliste.com🚲 Le Bezy Pyrenees -https://www.lebezy.com 🚲 Cyclete - https://cyclite.cc/enIf you liked this episode, please tap subscribe wherever you are listening. Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only. Check out The Mettleset Podcast and follow @JustBikesThePodcast and @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  x Dawn

The Race Around Rwanda is a 1000km self-supported cycling race that takes place annually every February in Rwanda. This year, The Just Bikes Podcast was on the ground and aimed to give you a daily update of what was happening, the highs, lows, weather and emotions and all the people questioning, ‘can that really be considered gravel?’Due to tech problems and a lack of wifi for the remainder of the race, we had to bank our stories but we’re back today with just some of the rest of the best stories at the finish line of the race. In today’s episode you’ll hear from Jenny Tough, an accomplished endurance athlete and author. For more info on Jenny: 🚲 @JennyTough on Instagram 🚲 Jenny’s Substack - highly recommend checking that out  📚 More information on RED-S HERE📚 More information on athletes and eating disorders from NEDA HERE Earlier Episodes of The Race Around Rwanda series can be found here:🎙️Day 1: Tugende... Or Not - Listen Here🎙️Day 2: CP 1o CP2: Hard Earned Kms - Listen Here🎙️Day 3: Twinning with Caps 77 Mark & Oli - Listen Here🎙️Day 3 & 4: Here for the Vibes at RAR - Listen Here 🎙️Stories from the Finish Line: Look at Us- Listen Here 🇷🇼 For more information on Race Around Rwanda visit: https://racearoundrwanda.com/🇷🇼 To see the dots of the race, visit: https://rar-2024.legendstracking.com: 🇷🇼 For more info on travel to Rwanda, visit: https://www.visitrwanda.com If you liked this episode, please tap subscribe wherever you are listening. Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only. Check out The Mettleset Podcast and follow @JustBikesThePodcast and @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  x Dawn

The Race Around Rwanda is a 1000km self-supported cycling race that takes place annually every February in Rwanda. This year, The Just Bikes Podcast was on the ground and aimed to give you a daily update of what was happening, the highs, lows, weather and emotions and all the people questioning, ‘can that really be considered gravel?’Due to tech problems and a lack of wifi for the remainder of the race, we had to bank our stories but we’re back today with just some of the rest of the best stories at the finish line of the race.  In Today’s Episode you’ll hear from: 🚲 Max Rosenfeld 🚲 Ada Xinxo 🚲 Mohib Caglidil🚲 Stephanie Daddi 🚲 Benjamin Schmetz 🚲 Sarah Ruggins - Here her on EP 1 of Podcast HERE 🚲 Frédéric Monet🚲 Fabian Wurm Earlier Episodes of The Race Around Rwanda series can be found here:🎙️Day 1: Tugende... Or Not - Listen Here🎙️Day 2: CP 1o CP2: Hard Earned Kms - Listen Here🎙️Day 3: Twinning with Caps 77 Mark & Oli - Listen Here🎙️Day 3 & 4: Here for the Vibes at RAR - Listen Here 🇷🇼 For more information on Race Around Rwanda visit: https://racearoundrwanda.com/🇷🇼 To see the dots of the race, visit: https://rar-2024.legendstracking.com: 🇷🇼 For more info on travel to Rwanda, visit: https://www.visitrwanda.com If you liked this episode, please tap subscribe wherever you are listening. Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only. Check out The Mettleset Podcast and follow @JustBikesThePodcast and @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  x Dawn

The Race Around Rwanda is a 1000km self-supported cycling race that takes place annually every February in Rwanda. This year, The Just Bikes Podcast was on the ground and aimed to give you a daily update of what was happening, the highs, lows, weather and emotions and all the people questioning, ‘can that really be considered gravel?’Due to tech problems and a lack of wifi for the remainder of the race, we had to bank our stories but we're back with EP 8 on Day 3 and 4 (6th/7th Feb) of the Race with a view and some voices from CP3.Earlier Episodes of The Race Around Rwanda series can be found here: 🎙️Day 1: Tugende... Or Not - Listen Here 🎙️Day 2: CP 1o CP2: Hard Earned Kms - Listen Here 🎙️Day 3: Twinning with Caps 77 Mark & Oli - Listen Here 🇷🇼 For more information on Race Around Rwanda visit: 🇷🇼 To see the dots of the race, visit: https://rar-2024.legendstracking.com: 🇷🇼 For more info on travel to Rwanda, visit: https://www.visitrwanda.com 🇷🇼 For Team Amani's video on Kenneth Karaya's Race Around Rwanda click HEREIf you liked this episode, please tap subscribe wherever you are listening. Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only. Check out The Mettleset Podcast and follow @JustBikesThePodcast and @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.  x Dawn