Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

• Chris Burkard on Taking Joy Seriously & Life Lessons from the Silk Road Mountain Race

  Chris Burkard is no stranger to grand adventures. He’s built his career chasing light at the edges of the world, photographing athletes in their element, from the ocean to glaciers, sides of mountains, and continues to test himself on countless expeditions — including a sixteen-day finish at the Tour Divide.But the Silk Road Mountain Race remained an elusive someday ride, shadowed by imposter syndrome, questioning if he really belonged on the startline. This year he took the leap, training with new focus and deep respect for the mountains.Chock full of life lessons, Chris reflects on his time in Kyrgyzstan, the lessons he carried from his time on the Tour Divide, and how he’s learned that fear and readiness can coexist. He shares stories of crushing loneliness — the realization of how far from home and familiarity he really was — and moments of elation, from the tears of relief when the headwind finally broke to the overwhelming joy of reaching the summit of the final pass. Most of all, he reflects on the power of vulnerability, the importance of taking joy seriously, and the truth that so much of what these experiences give us, more often than not, has nothing to do with the bike.Follow Chris on Instagram: @chrisburkard Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

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• Kyrgyzstan, returning home and what's next

  I am back after a month away from home! This is episode is a somewhat chaotic catchup of where I've been, what I've been up to and things I'm looking forward to this fall. Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

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• We are so back... kinda!

  We are so back... kinda! We'll be resuming normal episodes next week and want to know, what do you want to hear on Detours? Shoot us a dm @detourscycling or @melwwebb on Instagram, send us an email at [email protected] or comment on Spotify.   Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

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• Women of Silk Road Mountain Race 2025

  In ultra distance bikepack racing, women typically make up just over 10% of the starting line. In recent years, we've begun to see that number grow with a number of efforts popping up to encourage more women to take to the start line and give the sport a go. This year, 30 women will be lining up to take on the Silk Road Mountain race, which is often regarded as the pinnacle of off-road bike pack racing. They'll travel more than 1,900 kilometers across the country, into the high mountains, across rivers and valleys, and into some of the most remote and rugged destinations of Kyrgyzstan. This episode is a celebration of the women lining up this year. They come from all corners of the globe, and it's a spotlight on their individual stories.Dotwatch the 2025 Silk Road Mountain RaceListen to the race podcast Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

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• Jake Cullen on 16 days down the Tour Divide

  The Tour Divide sits on nearly every bikepack racers’ bucket lists—a someday ride. Someday, when there’s more time, more money, more fitness. Someday when it fits neatly into life. But the reality is, there never is a perfect moment to take on a ride of this magnitude. This year, for Jake, “someday” became this year.With just four months to prepare, Jake lined up in Banff for the 2024 Tour Divide, ready to see what he was capable of. Sixteen days and 4,400 kilometers later, he arrived in Antelope Wells, in 19th overall. It was wild to sit at home and watch his dot fly down the Divide, and beyond special to surprise him at the border in Antelope Wells.In this episode, Jake reflects on the reality of chasing a big dream and what it takes to see it through. He shares how he’s learned to find his own rhythm and trust his own instincts, embrace the unknown, and so much more. Plus, we talk about the dynamic of supporting each other’s ultra racing, and what it was like to be on the other side dotwatching.Topics include:The decision to finally go for it—and what training looked like with four months to prepareLearning to race his own raceGear choices, including a bikepacking bags, camping gear and morePeanut butter mud, windstorms, and post office floorsMental lows, unexpected highs, and crossing the finish line after 16 daysWhat he learned about himself out there on the DivideUp next Colorado Trail RaceP.S. If you’re a new listener, Jake is my husband :)Follow Jake on Instagram: @_jakecullen_ Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you love this show please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

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