Explore every episode of the podcast The Mountain Races Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMR 2026 Day 2: At The Speed of Bike | 16 oct. 2026 | 00:34:09 | |
Day two of the inaugural Taurus Mountain Race, and the field has well and truly spread out. A night of thunderstorms has left riders scraping peanut-butter mud from their tyres. Some slept on mosque verandas, in goat sheds and under concrete shelters. Others found a warm welcome from strangers, including a Syrian refugee family offering tea, dry clothes and a litter of kittens. We catch riders pushing up the hike-a-bike before CP1, chat with others as they head back out from the checkpoint, and follow them through the cedar forests and up onto the yaylas. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots here. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Visal Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Supernova and STYRKR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TMR 2026 Day 1: Baptism of Rain | 16 oct. 2026 | 00:34:57 | |
The first Taurus Mountain Race gets a baptism of rain, with 100 millimetres forecast for the first 24 hours. In places the track has turned to thick, sticky mud. We hear from riders as they settle into the adventure ahead. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots here. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Visal Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Supernova and STYRKR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Day 0: Prologue | 14 oct. 2026 | 00:53:29 | |
We begin our race coverage in Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains rise straight out of the Mediterranean, for registration day at the inaugural Taurus Mountain Race. Riders trickle in throughout the day outside The Beaver, a coffee shop on the beachfront boardwalk, collecting trackers and race caps while storm clouds gather over the mountains. With the route only revealed 48 hours ago and 100mm of rain in the forecast, the mood is equal parts excitement and nerves. We hear from first-timers and old friends from past Mountain Races, ahead of what will no doubt be an exciting first edition. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots here. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Visal Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Supernova and STYRKR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Welcome to the 2026 Taurus Mountain Race | 12 oct. 2026 | 00:01:36 | |
Not long now until the start of the inaugural Taurus Mountain Race… With the route under wraps until 11th October and little known about what lies ahead, follow our race coverage for a full taste of what’s in store. Follow @taurusmountainrace on Instagram for daily visual updates, and subscribe to The Mountain Races Podcast wherever you listen for daily episodes from the trail. Racing begins in Antalya at 9AM local time on Wednesday 14th October. Follow the dots here. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Visal Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Supernova and STYRKR. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 14: The Finish Line | 30 août 2026 | 00:28:28 | |
The clock has finally wound down. After more than fourteen days, 2,060 kilometres and 38,000 metres of climbing, the 2026 Silk Road Mountain Race comes to an end on the shores of Issyk-Kul, at the finish line at Hotel Zeto. Riders roll in sun-weathered, filthy and running on empty — five spokes gone and a wheel rebuilt in Bishkek, blistered hands from one last descent of sand and cobbles, a phone broken on day two, a mascot named Beaker who's been everywhere and never had a wash. We greet them as they arrive on the final day of racing. Riders featured in this episode:
Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 12&13: Come On Then | 28 août 2026 | 00:28:41 | |
The race clock is ticking into its final twenty-four hours, and time has gone strange — seconds stretching into hours, hours vanishing in the blink of an eye. High on Ükök Pass, the media team hikes to 3,920 metres alongside riders bouldering their loaded bikes up gray scree toward a hard blue sky, some doing the climb twice to carry bikes and bags separately. Beyond it lie Kegeti, the bonus climbs of Kokorik, and finally the shores of Issyk-Kul. We hear from riders all over the map as they navigate the final days of this year's race. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026: Nathalie Schneitter, Women's Winner | 28 août 2026 | 00:50:38 | |
Completing the 2,000-plus-kilometre course in nine days, 15 hours and 51 minutes, Nathalie Schneitter took the women's win and tenth overall at the 2026 Silk Road Mountain Race. She came to Kyrgyzstan with a professional pedigree few could match — a former junior world champion, elite World Cup winner, and Olympian in cross-country mountain bike — but almost no experience of racing this long or this remote. She came, in her own words, out of curiousity: to see how her body would handle the distance, the altitude and the solitude. The answer was a patient, calculated ride that came down to the final quarter, when a race-defining night high on the mountain turned a multi-hour deficit to Kerry into the lead. In this episode, Nathalie shares all about her winning ride, the delicate balance between pedalling and faffing, running out of food on the climb to Arabel, and the tight, thrilling race against Kerry. Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026: Justinas Leveika, Men's Winner | 28 août 2026 | 00:51:31 | |
Justinas Leveika is the overall winner, and first man, of the eighth edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race, finishing in 7 days, 16 hours and 56 minutes. In this episode, Justinas shares his winning ride: surviving on fluids and pickle juice through the brutal first days, falling into a glacier river in the dark, and the ins and outs of a race he never expected to lead. Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Nils Laengner Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 11: To Laugh or Cry? | 27 août 2026 | 00:27:08 | |
Kegeti Pass is one of the best mountain passes in all of Kyrgyzstan. Control Car 1 spent a gorgeous sunny day, catching riders as they make their way toward the summit after the brutal hike-a-bike over Ukok the day before. What comes out, between the switchbacks, is everything at once — Kristen close to tears one minute and calling herself invincible the next, Paul laughing off a welded frame and a breakfast of sheep-butt fat, Nick finding the wire he needs wrapped around his own cassette. Two years lived in ten days, as one rider puts it: not sure whether to laugh or cry, and doing both. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 10: Tick Tock | 25 août 2026 | 00:18:54 | |
Day ten of the Silk Road Mountain Race, and at Checkpoint 3 in Tamga the clock is running down on the back of the field — the general classification cutoff closes at 4pm, and these are the last riders to get their stamps in under the wire. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 9: A Parallel Universe | 25 août 2026 | 00:39:05 | |
Day nine of the Silk Road Mountain Race, and the cutoff for CP3 is looming. Riders arriving are salt-stained and the fatigue is setting in — peeling faces, wrecked lips, bodies ripped thin on Coca-Cola and M&Ms, one pair swollen with altitude sickness, another kept awake all night by cows licking their tent. We hear from them washing kit and hosing down bikes, still lost in the strange parallel universe of following a little blue line for ten days straight. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Danil Usmanov Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 8: Where Is My Mind? | 23 août 2026 | 00:30:06 | |
Day eight, and CP2 is now officially closed. The race clock is past halfway, the field strung out across Kyrgyzstan's high passes on the long haul to their third stamp at Tamga. This year the country has shown its old face: scorching heat one day, snow and freezing cold the next, and peanut butter mud that clings to everything. We hear from riders about their journeys so far from CP3. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 7: Everything At Once | 22 août 2026 | 00:34:07 | |
Over a week into the eighth Silk Road Mountain Race, and the field has settled into the strange rhythm of life on the road: long days in the elements, time melting, an afternoon gone in a breath and a hard minute stretching on forever. Well past the 1000km mark, we hear from riders as they make their way through the endless Burkhan valley. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 6: Middle of Somewhere | 21 août 2026 | 00:20:46 | |
Past Naryn and into the long, braided sweep of the Burkhan valley, the riders climb toward the Arabel Pass — 3,800 metres of loose switchbacks that has them off their bikes and pushing after more than 1,300 kilometres in the legs. Arabel is notorious for its weather, riders often getting all four seasons in the span of a few hours — and today was no exception. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 5: All Over The Map | 20 août 2026 | 00:32:11 | |
Nearly a week into the eighth Silk Road Mountain Race, and the field is all over the map. Checkpoint One at Son Kul closed on Wednesday with 146 riders inside the cut, worn down by 47-degree heat, endless climbing, and the countless challenges the route keeps throwing at them. We hear from riders all over the map, plus the team of volunteers stamping brevet cards around the clock. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 4: Flat Out | 20 août 2026 | 00:01:17 | |
As is so often the case in Kyrgyzstan and at the Silk Road Mountain Race… things rarely go to plan. We set out with the best intentions this morning to bring you all the stories. But as they say, shit happens. Today it came in the form of not one, not two but three punctures, and a mad dash to CP2 to catch our leading women. It's been a long day... All of this to say — there won't be a new episode today so that we can take the chance to rest and recover after our own challenges out here. If you haven't listened to all of our episodes yet, make sure to do so, and we'll be back tomorrow for all of the action yet to unfold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 3: Son Kul | 18 août 2026 | 00:35:36 | |
Three days into the eighth Silk Road Mountain Race, we climb to three thousand meters and the still, impossibly blue shore of Lake Son Kul, where Checkpoint 1 sits waiting at the yurt camp of Sarybulak. The riders arrive late into the night off the brutal push up Tuz Ashuu — salt-stained, nosebleeds and cut sleep behind them, the day's forty-three-degree heat traded for four degrees and hard wind on the passes above the lake. We hear from riders arriving day and night, and what it's taken to get here. Riders featured:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 2: The Pendulum Swings | 17 août 2026 | 00:35:01 | |
On the second day of Silk Road Mountain Race 2026 we set out early in search of the leading women. We hear from riders as they push into the Karakol Valley, as well as the leading men arriving at Checkpoint 1. Over the past two days many have had to square up to the race they'd imagined and recalibrate to the one in front of them. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026 Day 1: A Dream Alive | 16 août 2026 | 00:23:53 | |
The eighth edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race is underway! We hear from riders at the startline and on their way up the first long climb. For many this has been years in the making, and now the racing is officially underway — the adventure has begun and their dream is alive.
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2026: Day Zero | 15 août 2026 | 00:36:29 | |
We begin the eighth Silk Road Mountain Race in Talas, a small town tucked in a green valley in Kyrgyzstan's far northwest, walled off from the rest of the country by mountains and best known as the birthplace of the hero Manas. We hear from riders on Registration Day before they embark into the mountains. Riders featured:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover photo by Stephen Shelesky Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex and Tailfin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Welcome to Silk Road Mountain Race 2026 | 13 août 2026 | 00:01:30 | |
Silk Road Mountain Race begins 15th August, 2026 at 09:00 local time. Beginning in Tala and finishing on the shores of Issyk-Kul in Cholpon Ata, riders will embark on a route of over 2000km and 35,000m in elevation — the longest route to date. We'll be on the ground throughout the racing, bringing you visual updates on Instagram and our daily race podcast. Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @silkroadmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026: Cynthia Carson, Women's Winner | 05 juin 2026 | 00:37:38 | |
Cynthia Carson, women's winner of Hellenic Mountain Race 2026, fell violently ill on the opening hike-a-bike over Smolikas — what she calls the hardest thing she's ever done. With 700km still to go, she was forced to recalibrate and what follows was a masterclass in relentless self-care, patience, and perhaps a record quantity of glasses of milk consumed. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026: Max Riese, Men's Winner | 05 juin 2026 | 00:36:23 | |
Max Riese took the overall win at Hellenic Mountain Race 2026 by just 24 minutes, after a knife's-edge battle with his friend and rival Marc Büchel in the final days. We get into the obsessive route prep, a hailstorm that tipped him toward hypothermia, the full-compromise bike, and the metal-and-drum-and-bass playlist that carried him to the line. Read the interview Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026: The Finish Line | 31 mai 2026 | 00:26:23 | |
The final episode of our Hellenic Mountain Race coverage. We hear from riders at the finish line about their journey, and everything that they learned along the way. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 7: Beautifully Stupid | 30 mai 2026 | 00:34:37 | |
In our penultimate episode, we jump ahead to the sea. CP3 is now closed, the heat is on, and Nafpaktos is filling up with riders who've made it. With plenty hanging around, we hear from some of them before heading up to the final climb before the sea.
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 6: Patience Over Panic | 29 mai 2026 | 00:37:33 | |
Day six, and the field is on the home stretch. As riders collect their final stamp at CP3 in Karpenissi, the race is taking its toll — cut hands, burst spokes, nine stitches, and a bumblebee with a bottle of Smirnoff for antiseptic. The weather has flipped: the snow and frozen passes of the early days are a distant memory, replaced by thunderstorms and scorching heat. We hear from riders at the checkpoint, on the climb up Kaliakouda, and cooling off in the turquoise water at the Stenoma–Viniani bridge. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 5: Seduced and Betrayed | 28 mai 2026 | 00:21:26 | |
Day five, and nearly a week of living on the bike is starting to show. As Checkpoint 2 in Melissourgi closes its doors, we hear from the riders streaming through, as well as those who have just arrived at CP3 in Karpenissi. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 4: Pines to Sky | 27 mai 2026 | 00:30:30 | |
Three days into Hellenic Mountain Race and past the halfway mark, we begin our day at Checkpoint 2 in Melissourgi. The route swings from snow-lined waterfalls and 1,600-metre climbs to baking valley heat, leaving riders salt-stained, sunburnt and behind on sleep.
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 3: The Long Game | 26 mai 2026 | 00:41:06 | |
Day three of the 2026 Hellenic Mountain Race begins in Metsovo after a brutal night of storms, with riders rolling in soaked and muddy to dry kit, resupply, and weigh up whether to push on or sit out the next storm. As the field settles into the rhythm of the race, things also start to unravel for many. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 2: Up and Over | 25 mai 2026 | 00:29:42 | |
Day two of the fourth Hellenic Mountain Race takes us to CP1 at the Mount Smolikas refuge, reached only by a tough nine-kilometre hike-a-bike over the second-highest peak in Greece. What follows is one of the finest, and gnarliest, single tracks in the country. Riders trickle in bleary-eyed and hungry, swapping stories of punctures, loose cranks, bear tracks and not-quite-enough sleep over spaghetti bolognese and Coke. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Day 1: To The Mountain | 24 mai 2026 | 00:30:07 | |
The 2026 Hellenic Mountain Race is underway. We wasted no time showing riders what they signed up, ascending a 1,200-metre climb straight off the start. Rolling out of Agios Athanasios, riders are quickly dropped into the adventure, surrounded by alpine tundra and snow drifts. In this episode we transport you to the side of this first mountain pass, before catching up with riders resupplying and the first to arrive at CP1.
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| HMR 2026 Registration Day: Agios Athanasios | 23 mai 2026 | 00:45:12 | |
The fourth edition of Hellenic Mountain Race has finally arrived. We gathered in Agios Athanasios for the usual registration day proceedings. Hear from our riders, along with Nelson Trees. Riders featured in this episode:
Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Visit our website to learn more about The Mountain Races Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race 2026 | 22 mai 2026 | 00:01:25 | |
Hellenic Mountain Race begins Saturday May 23rd at 09:00 local time. This year we start in Agios Athanasios, a picturesque stone village in the north. We'll be on the ground throughout the racing, bringing you visual updates on Instagram and our daily race podcast. Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @hellenicmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. Production & hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026 Day 8: The Finish Line | 15 févr. 2026 | 01:13:36 | |
At long last, we arrive at the finish line of the sixth edition of the Atlas Mountain Race. We hear from our riders arriving in Essaouira about their stories from the road. Riders featured in this episode:
Visit our website to stay up to date on future Mountain Races Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026: Cynthia Carson, Women's Winner Atlas Mountain Race | 15 févr. 2026 | 00:46:47 | |
We sit down with 2026 women’s winner Cynthia Carson following her second victory at the Atlas Mountain Race. Returning with more experience and a clear plan, Cynthia used this race as the opening chapter of a season in which she’s racing all four Mountain Races. Finishing in 5 days, 5 hours, and 2 minutes, she rode with patience and composure across a longer course marked by more extreme weather than in 2024. In this conversation, we reflect on her preparation, her mindset, and how staying committed to her own strategy shaped her race from start to finish. Visit our website to stay up to date on future Mountain Races Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026 Day 7: To The Coast | 14 févr. 2026 | 00:22:17 | |
After days of mountains and desert, riders cross back over the Atlas one last time, descending through fog and green hills toward the Atlantic coast. The air shifts, the ocean comes into view, and the end begins to feel within reach. In this episode, we hear from riders in the final kilometres before rolling into the finish line. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Nils Laengner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026 Day 6: Victor Bosoni, Men’s Winner of Atlas Mountain Race | 13 févr. 2026 | 00:40:52 | |
We've jumped forward to the finish line to catch up with our men's winner, Victor Bosoni. The young French rider won this year's race in a time of 4 days, 1 hour and 46 minutes. We sat down in the Medina of Essalouira to hear all about his ride: the highs, the lows and how prioritising rest throughout allowed him to not only race to his fullest potential, but to enjoy the experience to its fullest as well. As Victor's first language is French, we cover a few questions in both French and English. Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026 Day 5: The Old Colonial Road | 12 févr. 2026 | 00:39:50 | |
The Old Colonial Road is one of the most iconic sections of the Atlas Mountain Race route, featured across all six editions. Carved into the mountainside, it winds through folded layers of sedimentary rock, the earth rippling in bands of rust and ochre. From a distance the surface appears smooth; up close it is loose, and badly broken in places from erosion. Many riders will rider it at night, missing out on the views. At sunrise, the scale of the landscape comes fully into view and for the lucky few who see it at daylight, it will no doubt be a highlight of their race. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Nils Laengner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR Day 4: Between Two Worlds | 11 févr. 2026 | 00:40:44 | |
Checkpoint Two: the halfway mark of the Atlas Mountain Race. Riders descend out of the desert and into an oasis of palms, couscous, showers, and stamped brevet cards. For some, arrival brings relief. For others, difficult decisions. Ankles, batteries, bottom brackets, and nerves are all negotiated in equal measure. We hear from riders resetting body and mind, celebrating birthdays, managing setbacks, and chasing the cutoff as the clock ticks toward 17:00. By day’s end, 163 riders make it in before time, the snail still moving steadily behind. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR Day 3: Etched In Stone | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:35:01 | |
One of the most famous sections of the Atlas Mountain Race is the 100KM stretch of no resupply through the desert. Here riders meander through the Anti Atlas, climbing their way up to a plateau with stunning views of the network of canyons below. We meet riders chasing the snail here. We also hear from riders at Café Atlas in Ait Saoun which has become a popular stop for riders, and potentially the best omelette of the whole race. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Nils Laengner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026 Day 2: Windy AF | 09 févr. 2026 | 00:29:37 | |
Conditions remain incredibly demanding as our riders press on towards Checkpoint 1 in Boutharar. The weather has improved in some ways, and worsened in others. The silver lining is that, at long last, most of the tarmac is behind them and the route turns back into the terrain riders came to the Atlas Mountain Race for. In this episode, we hear from those still pushing toward their first stamp, as well as riders who have just arrived. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 26 Day 1: First Light | 08 févr. 2026 | 00:31:29 | |
After a cold, rain-soaked first night at the Atlas Mountain Race 2026, riders emerge from darkness into morning light scattered across the High Atlas. Frigid temperatures, flooded roads, and icy descents define the opening hours of the race, forcing decisions around shelter, sleep, and when to keep moving. In villages along the early tarmac corridor, riders gather briefly around wood stoves, cafés, and petrol stations — drying socks, warming hands, fixing mechanicals, and weighing fatigue against momentum. Some push on through the night, others pause for rest, all navigating the consequences of an unusually harsh start. As daylight reveals snow-covered peaks and saturated landscapes, bringing with it a renewed spirit for our riders. The lead riders reach Checkpoint 1, while much of the field continues to funnel through towns toward their first stamp. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Cover image by Lloyd Wright Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 26 Day 0: Into the Atlas | 07 févr. 2026 | 00:31:57 | |
Atlas Mountain Race 2026 is finally here, beginning with the usual proceedings of registration. Riders trickled into the cultural centre at Ain Asserdoun Park in Beni-Mellal under persistent rain. After years of drought, high rivers, lingering snow on mountain passes, and late route changes set the tone for the adventure ahead. In this opening episode, we hear from riders across the field to heart their thoughts and feelings on the road to the start line and what they are about to embark on. Riders featured in this episode:
Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| AMR 2026: Race Preview | 05 févr. 2026 | 00:35:47 | |
Welcome to our podcast coverage of the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race, supported by Tailfin, Pertex and Albion. The sixth edition is a year of change for the Atlas Mountain Race with a new start in Beni-Mellal. In this episode, Media Manager and host of this year's race podcast, Mel Webb, sits down with Race Director Nelson Trees to provide an overview of this year's route, our favourites for the win and what dotwatchers and riders alike are in store for. Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates Credits: Hosted and produced by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Welcome to the Atlas Mountain Race 2026 | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:01:29 | |
The sixth edition of the Atlas Mountain Race kicks off Friday 6th February, 2026. For the first time, we'll start in Beni-Mellal, a new gateway into the Atlas Mountains. From CP1 riders enter classic AMR terrain, into the rugged Anti-Atlas, winding their way to the old port town of Essaouira. Riders will have have until midnight on February 14th to reach the finish line. Tune in every day for a front-row seat to the action. We’ll bring you stories and updates from the trail, illuminating the dots on your screen and bringing their adventure straight to your ears. Follow the dots on MAProgress and follow @atlasmountainrace on Instagram for visual updates from the trail. This series is hosted and produced by Mel Webb and sound design by Ben Crannell. Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2025 Day 15: The Finish Line | 31 août 2025 | 00:36:44 | |
After 1,924 kilometers, riders finally reached the finish line in Karakol. Some had been there for days, others arrived just in time for the cut-off. The end of the race can be disorienting—time on the trail stretches and bends, days blur into nights, and by the time they reach the finish line, their ride can already feel like a different lifetime. In our final episode we hear from some of our riders, along with Race Director Nelson Trees, about their experience, knowing full well it will take plenty of time to soak in and more stories to emerge. Riders featured in this episode:
Visit our website to stay up to date on future Mountain Races Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Batyrkan Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2025 Day 14: One Last Pass | 30 août 2025 | 00:28:26 | |
As the Silk Road Mountain Race winds toward its conclusion, the final loop around Karakol brings riders close to the finish only to send them back out again along the Kazakh border. The route follows the Karkara River, climbs over a nameless pass, and then takes on Chon Ashuu, one last high mountain pass at over 3,800 meters. From there, riders still face 100 kilometers before they can finally roll into Karakol. In this episode, we hear from riders making their way through these final days — moments of exhaustion and doubt, but also joy, beauty, and the small encounters that become unforgettable along the way. Riders featured in this episode:
Click here to Dotwatch the race Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Batyrkan Cover image by Lloyd Wright Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2025 Day 13: Meaghan Hackinen, Women's Winner of Silk Road Mountain Race | 29 août 2025 | 00:52:27 | |
In this episode of the Mountain Races Podcast, we sit down at the finish line with Meaghan Hackinen women’s winner of the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race and 10th overall. She completed the 1,924km route in 9 days, 4 hours, and 6 minutes, capping off a season where she became the first woman to finish all three Mountain Races in a single year. A Canadian ultra-distance cyclist and writer, Meaghan’s path to this milestone is anything but conventional — from roller derby and long-distance touring to record-setting rides across North America. Along the way she has collected FKTs, a women’s win at the 2024 Tour Divide, and podiums across Atlas, Hellenic, and now Silk Road. Marking her 40th birthday in style, Meaghan reflects on her ride at the Silk Road Mountain Race and her year at the Mountain Races. Click here to Dotwatch the race Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Batyrkan Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2025 Day 12: With Bated Breath | 28 août 2025 | 00:30:43 | |
Now reporting on the 12th day of racing, the finish line is becoming busier with each passing day. Riders arrive from what we hope has been the adventure of a lifetime through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. On the final loop, riders skirt around Karakol, passing just by the finish before being sent once more into the wilds. The route follows the Karkara river along the Kazakh border and out into the striking Eshkilitash valley before returning at last to Karakol via Chon pass (3860m). It’s a huge mountain to climb, though the gradient is kind, and if they glance back over their shoulders, they’ll see a wall of jagged, snow-capped peaks etched against the sky. It’s here that we meet many of our riders, cresting the final pass before the descent toward Karakol. We also hear from our women's podium of Leanne Bentley, Sami Sauri and Meaghan Hackinen. Riders featured in this episode:
Click here to Dotwatch the race Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Batyrkan Cover image by Stephen Shelesky Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SRMR 2025 Day 11: Lost In Time | 27 août 2025 | 00:37:06 | |
On Day 11 of the Silk Road Mountain Race, we meet riders again as they reach Checkpoint 3 on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. After more than 1,400 kilometers, they’ve endured a lot, and may be tempted by the allure of the checkpoint. For some, the checkpoint becomes a vortex, holding them longer than planned. For others, it’s a fleeting stop before setting out again into the mountains. Beyond CP3, the road climbs once more into Tranquility Valley before sending riders over Juku Pass and into the final loop around Karakol along the Kazakh border. Riders featured in this episode:
Click here to Dotwatch the race Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates Production and hosting by Mel Webb Sound design by Ben Crannell Music by Batyrkan Cover image by Lloyd Wright Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||