The Just Bikes Podcast

What does it actually look like behind the camera at some of the toughest cycling adventures in the world?

In this episode of The Just Bikes Podcast, photographer James Busby joins me to talk about the endurance behind documenting endurance, the sleep deprivation, logistics, long drives, questionable meals, and constant problem-solving required to capture ultra cycling as it unfolds.

If you follow ultra cycling, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen James’ work.

From Race Around Rwanda to Dr. Sarah Ruggins’ outright world record cycling the length of the UK and back, James has captured some of the most iconic imagery in ultra cycling over the past few years.

What’s perhaps more interesting is that none of this was really the plan.

In this episode, we talk about:
How a chance introduction to Dr. Sarah Ruggins changed the trajectory of James’ career
Photographing the TCR
Race Around Rwanda and why it remains one of the most beautiful — and brutal — races on earth
Why ultra cyclists are such fascinating people to photograph
Capturing world record attempts and emotional finish lines
The photographs that almost never happened
Why covering ultra races can become its own kind of endurance event

We also talk a lot about Rwanda, resilience, sleep deprivation, following riders across continents, and why difficult experiences often make the best stories.
As mentioned in this episode, Dr. Sarah Ruggins is just days away from another world record attempt: One Way North, aiming to become the fastest person in history to cycle end-to-end across Europe.

One Way North will see Sarah cycle:
• 6,000km
• Across 9 countries
• 35,000m elevation gain
• Target time: 16 days, 20 hours and 59 minutes

James will be there documenting it all.

Follow Sarah’s attempt: https://www.own2026.com
Follow James Busby: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbusbyimages/

And if this podcast disappearing for two years somehow made you miss it, thanks for sticking around.
Dawn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello everyone, Dawn here

Today’s episode is all about the Titan World Series and more specifically, their plans to get more women on the starline, and over the finish line of the original Titan Series Race, The Skoda Titan Desert Race in Morocco.

Mariona Faixat Codinach tells me all about the SheTitan program, what it aims to achieve and why it's important.

Helpful Links:
🚵🏻‍♀️ She Titan: https://skodatitandesertmorocco.com/en/shetitan/
🇲🇦 The Skoda Titan Desert Race in Morocco, visit: https://skodatitandesertmorocco.com/en/
🇸🇦 The Neom Titan Desert Race, visit: https://titandesertksa.com
🎙️Episode 19.1 on the Titan Desert Race Saudi Arabia: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6h9YolHMH7EPXzZBryYJyz?si=f036f5f2eff24073

To hear about Moroj Adil, Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclist’s experience on the race, check out our episode with her here.

I hope you enjoy the episode!
Dawn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is all about the Neom Titan Desert Race Saudi Arabia, which is my next mountain bike race. The race takes place 18-22 November in Neom, KSA.

In today’s episode, I chat with Manuel Tajada Vitales, the manager of the Titan World Series to chat the origins of the race, this year’s edition, the camp and some of his favorite memories of the race

This is part 1 of 2 parts so stay tuned for episode 19.2 going live on Wednesday 31, July, the second of which focuses on Titan’s efforts to get more women on the startline, things we love to hear!

🇸🇦 For more info on the Neom Titan Desert Race, visit: https://titandesertksa.com
🇲🇦 For more info on the Skoda Titan Desert Race in Morocco, visit: https://skodatitandesertmorocco.com/en/

To hear about Moroj Adil, Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclists experience on the race, check out our episode with her here .

I hope you enjoy the episode!
Dawn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi All

In April, I finished Sani2C, a three day, point to point stage mountain bike race in KZN, South Africa.

The race was 272 km with 4000m of elevation gain on some of the most beautiful mountain bike trails in the world with various terrains including single track through farmlands, nature reserves, sugar cane fields, forests, down the infamous Umko drop and along the stunning uMkhomazi River. This is the long-awaited race report, in which guest host and race partner, Annie Baillie joins me for Day 1and 2, thank you Annie for your voice and being my partner. A special thank you also to Darren, Jared and Gerard who were kind enough to speak with me pre-race. And thank you to Samantha and Kelly for allowing me to be third wheel on Day 3.

Some useful links:
🇿🇦 Registration is now open for the 2025 edition: https://sani2c.co.za
**If you’re a big group, Farmer Glen did mention that there are special rates available so do email the team. All the contact details are available on their website.
** Did we mention going for the Luxury Tents?
🎙️ My interview with Farmer Glen is live on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to your podcasts
🔗 Find Sani2C on IG: @_sani2c

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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi all,

In April, I finished Sani2C, a three day, point to point stage mountain bike race in KZN, South Africa.

The race was 272 km with 4000m of elevation gain on some of the most beautiful mountain bike trails in the world with various terrains including single track through farmlands, nature reserves, sugar cane fields, forests, down the infamous Umko drop and along the stunning uMkhomazi River.

My race report, much of which recorded day by day on the race, will go live later this week but today, I’m sharing a chat I had with the brains & heart behind Sani2C Farmer Glenn Haw, who along with his family and wider community, have been hosting this event for 20 years now.

In this Episode, Farmer Glen and I chat about:
His experience at Comrades - a 90km ultra-marathon that he just returned from at the time of recording in early June
Farmer Glen’s philosophy on life & adventure and how the race is a family affair
The Format of the race including an e-bike category and a non-stop category - which has since taken place since we recorded this
The impact of the race on the communities it travels through
What funny things have happened on the race, including what happened to me
What advice her would give to any aspiring race organizers

Registration is now open for the 2025 edition: https://sani2c.co.za
**Reminder, if you’re a big group, Farmer Glen did mention that there are special rates available so do email the team. All the contact details are available on their website.

Find Farmer Glen on IG: @farmer_glen
Find Sani2C on IG: @_sani2c

My race report will follow this week and I’ll also include some useful info and tips for travel logistics as well based on my experience.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.