Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

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 record 14 days 23 hours. In this episode of Detours, Meaghan shares the ins and outs of her record-breaking run: what she learned from her rookie attempt in 2024, the marginal gains that added up, the collective she built for women and underrepresented riders to build community around the divide, how she managed to find time for a skinny dip on route... yes you heard that right! and so much more. 

Follow Meaghan's adventures on Instagram @meaghanhackinen

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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 past two years she's been in an intensive teacher training program in Germany, finishing her final exams just one week before flying to Kansas to defend her Unbound XL title. 

In this episode of Detours we talk all about her approach to racing — why having nothing to lose became her secret weapon, the rise of fiercely strong women on the start line and why she's an open book with all of them, and the brutal Badlands debut where she begged her mom to pick her up. We also get into what she's learned about enjoying the experience along the way, not just chasing the win — and what she's most looking forward to in this next chapter now that her studies are finally done. 

Plus! We have another listener voicenote from Alex who just raced his first ultra at Solstice Sprint. 

 I'd love to hear from more of you! What adventures have you been up to this summer? What did you experience or learn along the way. Send me a voice note to thedetourspodcast@gmail.com and we'll feature if on an upcoming episode.

Follow Svenja's adventures on Instagram @svenja__betz

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb
Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourscycling
Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling
Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion
If you enjoy listening please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

The Traka has become one of the biggest gravel events in cycling, rivalling Unbound for prestige and increasingly important for sponsors. The 560 – their adventure distance added in recent years – has quickly become a proving ground for endurance talent.

This year, Maddy Nutt lined up for the 560 having never raced an ultra. She had big goals, with her eyes on the women's record time – which she went on to smash.

In this episode of Detours, we get into her ride along with preparation that included AI-assisted pacing, carrying five kilos of nutrition and water, the importance of having fun, and what a win like this could mean for her future.

Check out Maddy's Traka 560 film

Follow her adventures on Instagram @maddy_nutt

Plus we hear from Ainsley who just raced her first bikepacking race!

 

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb
Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourscycling
Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling
Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion
If you enjoy listening please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

Racing and riding season is in full swing! This week we hear from some of the women racing Tour Divide 2026, along with Hannah Glatter who is currently riding 5,600KM along the Great Plains Gravel Route. 

 

 

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb
Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourscycling
Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling
Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion
If you enjoy listening please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

For the first time ever, the Highland Trail 550 has a 50-50 gender split on the startline. For the 14th edition in 2026, 32 women will be racing. Since 2022, Alan has worked hard to build a 50-50 start list, encouraging women that they belong on the startline.

This year’s event is longer than previous editions, with 913km around the Scottish highlands. Created by Alan Goldsmith, it was inspired by events in the US like the Tour Divide and the Colorado Trail Race. As Alan describes it on the HT550 website: initially put together as a training ride, it became apparent that the great trails, beautiful scenery, remote wilderness, and fickle Scottish weather offered a world-class route for a self-supported challenge right here in the UK. The route follows stunning trails, includes some boggy and technical sections, and hike-a-bike to boot.

Watch our dots HERE as we make our way around the highlands.

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb
Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourscycling
Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling
Use code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from Albion
If you enjoy listening please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast