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Episode 59! Today's conversation is with a truly remarkable athlete and adventurer, Liz Woodgate.

While Liz's athletic and adventure background is extensive, the focus of this conversation is around her setting the huge Larapinta Trail end-to-end-to-end Fastest Known Time in July this year, covering an incredible 460KM on the brutal Larapinta trail, in 5 days, 22hours, 43minutes and 10 seconds. You can see her FKT on the Fastest Known Website here.

We cover off a range of aspects of her amazing endurance accomplishment including, but not limited to(!):

• Liz's journey into endurance sports and trail running, from her beginnings in IRONMAN in the '80s to now, multiple time West Macs Monster champion. In the intro I mention Liz racing 13 UTA 100s, and with that, I should say, the race now known as UTA 100 - given Liz raced the inaugural and subsequent North Face 100s long before it became Ultra Trail Australia.
• Liz's relationship with the Larapinta Trail over the years, including winning the 230KM West Macs Monster and acting as Race Director last year while rehabbing a MTB injury
• Training for and fuelling this FKT
• Highs and lows across the FKT
• Liz's support crew along the way, comprised primarily of her husband, Rhett plus the support of local runners including the Alice Springs "Dirt Divas"
• Recovery, including multi-day hiking the Jatbula Trail and sweeping for Run Larapinta stage race not long after her finish!
• Longevity in endurance sport, achieving these incredible endurance feats at 60, and sucking people into Liz's "vortex" !

You can find Liz's run on her Strava feed, and also find Liz on Instagram @liz.woodgate

Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

Or, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd consider buying me a virtual coffee, to help me create the next podcast episode!!

Season 2 intro vocals and music created and performed thanks to the very kind gift of Allie Geddes, Episode 28.

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Episode 58! Today's conversation is with the incredibly motivated, inspiring and humorous, Brisbane based endurance open water swimmer, born without arms, Kerry-Lee Gockel.

We cover a whole raft of topics based around Kerry-Lee's journey into swimming and in the past five years or so, long-distance ocean swimming events, including:

• Kerry-Lee's birth story; being born - unexpectedly - without arms; and the sanctuary and support her family have provided over the years
• Kerry-Lee's journey from self-proclaimed "the least sporty child" to a highly accomplished swimmer as an adult - initially as a competitor in the pool, before entering her first open water swim in 2004
• The logistics and ins and outs of taking on mammoth 10KM++ ocean swims including training; fuelling and teamwork, "getting into cruising altitude", along with adaptations Kerry-Lee makes as a "wingless warrior" in ocean swells
• Kerry-Lee's experience of the Island Charity Swim from Mudjimba to Moolooolaba on the Sunshine Coast and the connections she and her team have fostered with the Sunshine Coast Special Schools as a result.
• Kerry-Lee's very positive experience of community through open water swimming and how anyone curious about open water swimming can give it a try
• Holidaying with her husband Paul (also a swimmer and former Australian Paralympian) "Ocean Swim Safaris" across the world
• Kerry-Lee's goals and vision for the future, increasing mileage even further!

We recorded this prior to Kerry-Lee taking on the Swim Around Keppel - a 20KM swim, as a team (and in future plans, solo!)

Be sure to say hi to Kerry-Lee on Instagram @thewinglesswarrior

Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

Or, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd consider buying me a virtual coffee, to help me create the next podcast episode!!

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Episode 57!

Today's conversation is with UK based adventurer Lottie Dodd.

Currently based in the Wirrall, Lottie gives us a glimpse into life, career changes and travel - and in particular, shares with us stories of her HUGE first year of bikepacking while on a career break from her role as Senior Lecturer of Law at the University of Law in Manchester, including:

• Her journey into bikepacking over the past year 
• Conversation around the bikepacking trips she’s undertaken including her first mission on the Hebridean Way, Scotland. And during a career break - Tour Aotearoa, New Zealand. The East Coast Greenway, USA. Lotties shares with us highlights; challenges, and the contrasting nature of the different trips
• Using "Warm Showers" as a means of accommodation while bikepacking in the USA
• Plans for her upcoming trip in South Korea and Japan
• How Lottie prepares (or doesn’t prepare!) for these multi day missions, and learnings from her first year and thousands of miles
• How Lottie’s intuition and trust guides many of her choices, including when it comes to adventure 

If you want to check out posts Lottie has shared along the way on these adventures, you can find her on Instagram @onyourbikelottie

Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

Or, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd consider buying me a virtual coffee, to help me create the next podcast episode!!

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Welcome to the third and final part of our Into the Wee hours Podcast x Gusty Girls Adventure Film Tour mini-series! A huge thanks to our first ever podcast sponsor – the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour!

I've been thrilled to be partnering with Gutsy Girls, a celebration of adventurous women around the world and in Australia. If you haven't already purchased your tickets, head to www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au - and if you've missed a screening or these aren't accessible to you, don't forget you can access past films via Adventure Reels TV.

Episode 56! My guest is none other than Lisa Blair, a remarkable world record-holding Aussie sailor. As you'll hear, Lisa has faced incredible challenges and achieved extraordinary feats on the open seas. Amongst this great conversation, we cover topics including:

• Lisa's background and journey to becoming a world record-holding sailor.
• The realities of the behind the scenes fundraising hustle and planning for big campaigns
• The most challenging moments of her career so far including facing the possibility of death on her first attempt to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica in 2017
• How Lisa prepares mentally for her missions and the risk assessment involved
• Her boat Climate Action Now, and the science and data capture projects Lisa has taken part in so far while out on her world breaking campaigns, including her latest world record breaking missions sailing solo to, and around NZ
• Lisa’s next campaign to sail around the Arctic solo - and the huge environmental aspect of this mission

Thanks Lisa for your time and we can't wait to follow along on your Arctic campaign. You can find Lisa on Instagram at @lisablairsailstheworld and her website www.lisablairsailstheworld.com

If you've enjoyed this episode and are enjoying listening to the podcast, you can join the Patreon community for as little as $2 a month - any contribution really helps to keep the lights on and would be enormously appreciated. www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast Thanks so much to the existing patrons! I appreciate you!

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode. A huge thank you to our sponsor, Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour, and to my amazing guest, Lisa Blair, for sharing her incredible journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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The second in our Gutsy Girls three part mini series is here!

A huge thanks to Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for sponsoring this series - make sure to check out the film festival and get tickets to a show near you at www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au

Episode 55! Today's conversation is with Geelong based adventurer, travel writer and author, Laura Waters. Laura shares with us her metamorphosis from city living corporate 9-5er to adventurous travel writer and published author - a journey which was sparked during her 3000KM hike, the length of NZ, over a decade ago.

Laura is this year's Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour Grant recipient and also shares with us her plans for kayaking over 2000KM from source to sea on the Murray River in October this year.

We touch on many aspects of big life changes; hiking; travel writing and paddling including:

• the inspiration for Laura's book "Bewildered" - a life changing 3000KM through hike of the Te Araroa trail when it was a newly established trail
• documenting the experience on the trail and the craft of storytelling
• the process of writing a book with no prior knowledge, including literary speed dating events
• the realities of a life as a travel writer
• Planning for Laura's upcoming Murray River paddle

Thanks Laura for your time and we can't wait to follow along on your Murray River adventure. You can find Laura on Instagram at: @laurawaters_writer and Facebook: Soul Trekkers

If you've enjoyed this episode and are enjoying listening to the podcast, you can join the Patreon community for as little as $2 a month - any contribution really helps to keep the lights on and would be enormously appreciated. www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast Thanks so much to the existing patrons! I appreciate you!

And thanks too to the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for supporting this three part mini series, celebrating Gusty Girls in the Aussie adventure space.

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The first in our Gutsy Girls three part mini series is here!

A huge thanks to Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for sponsoring this series - make sure to check out the film festival and get tickets to a show near you at www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au

Episode 54! Today's conversation is with Canberra based bikepacker, Stephanie Skinner. After chasing a big goal of racing the Tour Divide in 2023, Steph had to make some serious decisions when struck by injuries which forced her to refocus and push out this enormous, iconic bikepacking challenge. In the meantime, Steph has had the opportunity to stay close to bikepacking in a different form by spending time building community events for women and locals, while rebuilding and navigating surgery and recovery.

We cover all things bikes and bikepacking, including:

• Discovering a love for riding bikes thanks to a work commute
• Rediscovering Canberra through the lens of riding bikes, on road and off-road
• Discovering offroad riding and her Hunt 1000 experience
• Fuelling your races and adventures
• Injury, healing and refocusing - and the (somewhat begrudgingly done but essential!) physio exercises that are required to build overall physical strength and resilience for big goals
• Mental strength in endurance environments
• Creating a women's only bikepacking overnighter out of Canberra
• Making bikepacking more accessible to a wider audience
• Canberra winter solstice camp out and tips for winter bikepacking on a budget

Steph also references "Touring with a Sense of Urgency" - by legends Sarah Hammond and Jesse Carlsson.

And, of course, we have a chat about dogs too, because, dogs!

Thanks Steph for your time and all the best in your post surgery healing. You can find Steph on Instagram at: @steph_skinner

If you've enjoyed this episode and are enjoying listening to the podcast, you can join the Patreon community for as little as $2 a month - any contribution really helps to keep the lights on. www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast Thanks so much to the existing patrons! I appreciate you!

And thanks too to the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour for supporting this three part mini series, celebrating Gusty Girls in the Aussie adventure space.

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

A less than ten minute check-in to let you know the latest in the land of the Into the Wee Hours Podcast, and to announce an exciting collaboration coming up thanks to the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour - www.gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au .

Listen in and make sure you're subscribed to receive the three part weekly series!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @intotheweehourspodcast

Thanks to the Patreon community for your support! www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

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Episode 52!

Today's conversation is with the super inspiring, Meanjin, Brisbane based bicycling advocate, Ben Fallon.

Ben shares with us how his love for riding bikes has been so pivotal in his life, including:

• Adventuring with his two young children, taking them bikepacking from the ages of 2 and 4
• Family bikepacking 1000km routes across Tasmania and in New Zealand and tips on choosing gear for bikepacking with children
• Fat biking across the Simpson Desert on an adventure, following in the footsteps of Australian explorer, Cecil Madigan
• Stage Racing the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge several times
• His upcoming European adventure, riding 5000+KM from Norway to Spain along EuroVelo 3

If you're looking for tips on bikepacking with young children, or on riding across the Simpson Desert, or the multitude of other topics we touched on, Ben can be found on Instagram at @benny_pacer

Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

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Episode 51! Today I speak to the very lovely Sophie Gray, originally from the UK, now based on SA's Fleurieu Peninsula.

Sophie generously shares with us her reality of a shock diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at 29, which subsequently resulted in a lifesaving stem cell transplant. While trapped in a hospital ward for over a month, Sophie looked out of the hospital windows at the countryside surrounding Adelaide, wishing she were out exploring. Indeed nature and movement have formed a major part of Sophie's recovery, and without having ever gone on a multiday hike before, Sophie embarked on a through hike of the 1200km Heysen Trail as part of her journey.

Now working as a yoga teacher, we cover a range of topics including:

• the magic of yoga, meditation and breathwork
• movement as medicine
• how you may be able to make a difference to someone else's life through the stem cell registry
• Sophie's own Yoga after Cancer course creation
• hiking the 1200km Heysen Trail (with a few days left to complete, thanks to a sprained ankle along the way!)
• Camel trekking through the desert

Sophie references the organisations Strength to Give and Ur the Cure.

We also mention Sophie Matterson's book, The Crossing.

You can find Sophie on Instagram at @sophiegrayyoga

Thanks as always to the podcast Patreon supporters - you're amazing! You can help keep the podcast lights on and join the community here: www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

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Episode 50! Wow. And what a great Episode 50 as I'm joined by the super down to earth and engaging, Evan Howard, generously sharing his time with me (on his birthday!) from his home on Wurundjeri Country.

As an accomplished mountaineer, skier, climber, bikepacker and much more, not to mention a talented creator, this was a wide ranging conversation with Evan. Tune in to hear it all! A few of the topics we touched on include:

• the evolution of his business, Terra Rosa Gear, creating and sewing lightweight gear for many adventure purposes
• being an Arc'teryx Design Ambassador and part of the ReBird upcycling program (...and for the dog lovers, Barctery'x!)
• life as a first time father, adventuring with Gwendolyn and his changing views of risk tolerance through life, especially now as a Dad
• Packrafting and the versatility of these boats when it comes to exploring
• Understanding the environment you're adventuring in and the crew you're going with - and the value of backcountry training and courses like Remote Area and Wilderness First Aid

Evan mentions Schusser Threads, Packraft Australia, Survive First Aid,

You can find Evan on Instagram at @terra_rosa_gear

To support the show and keep the lights on, check out www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast - any donation of any size means the world to me and to keeping the podcast going!

And not forgetting, the amazing new podcast music, courtesy of Allie Geddes (Episode 28) @themisadventuresofalice

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Episode 49! Today's episode is a laughter filled, insightful conversation with Rhianna Knight, based on Wurundjeri Country. Rhianna is a fashion designer, hiker, founder of Amble Outdoors and all in all, a really joyful, inspiring creative and adventurous human.

While out on her own hiking adventures, including in Patagonia, Rhianna realised that while the gear she was wearing was technically appropriate for the conditions, her sense of personal style was totally missing in the then offering for women in the outdoors. Building on her experience as a Fashion Design student, and a really valuable internship in a small snow sports brand where her responsibilities were huge and wide ranging, Rhianna set out to design her own line of outdoor apparel which women can feel good in, while also focusing on sustainability throughout the journey.

Rhianna shares with us so many gems when it comes to the realities of creating, and continuing to evolve "Amble" with sustainability in mind, and her knowledge and passion in this space is so incredibly evident, along with her strong desire to see more women outdoors.

Tune in to hear about many things not limited to:

• building an outdoor apparel brand
• sustainability considerations in creating and choosing outdoor gear
• designing for women and size inclusivity for women
• Rhianna's experience in multi-day hikes and her contrasting approaches to different (both solo and shared) adventures

Amongst others that we no doubt didn't cover (!) Rhianna herself has hiked Wilsons Prom; Great Ocean Road Walk; Larapinta Trail; Grampians Peaks Trail, in addition to her overseas adventures. It's clear that her very open minded and really balanced approach to her own adventures brings such an inclusive perspective to the development of her own brand.

Rhianna mentions the book "Let my People Go Surfing" - Yvon Chouinard.

To find Rhianna online, visit @amble.outdoors or www.ambleoutdoors.com.au

Thanks so much to our newest Patreon sign up - Allison W - and to all of our patrons, I appreciate you so much! To support the show and keep the lights on, check out www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast - any donation of any size means the world to me and to keeping the podcast going!

And not forgetting, the amazing new podcast music, courtesy of Allie Geddes (Episode 28) @themisadventuresofalice

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Episode 48. Well, there's nothing quite like kicking off Season 2 and Sarah solo hosting, by chatting to Patrick Farnsworth, creator of Bikes or Death podcast - a conversational bikepacking, adventure cycling podcast that hit over a MILLION downloads in 2023!

Patrick was super generous with his time, dialling in from Texas, USA, with wide ranging conversation covering everything from podcasting to parenting; mental health to miles on the bike, to entrepreneurial spirit and bikepacking events. We also chatted about:

• Life living and adventuring in Texas, where less than 3% of land is public lands
• Creating a whole new series of bikepacking style events, including the Texas Showdown series. Check this out - for the lowdown, slowdown, showdown and of course, the hoedown!
• Experiencing life as a single parent of two young daughters in Texas
• Living with ADHD and social anxiety and the ways this manifests itself in life
• Inclusivity in events and community - including encouraging non-male participation and BIPOC focussed events
• Creating really meaningful life shifts, moving from a place of alcoholism to a far healthier, "total life optimisation" and feeling great for it
• Patrick's personal riding goals including some significant rides to start the year, including but not limited to - Mid South 100 mile gravel race; Ozark Gravel Despair 200 miles and an Individual Time Trial on the 300 mile Arizona Trail race section
• Patrick also references the books: Wild, Cheryl Strayed and Last Child in the Woods – Richard Louv
• Brendan Leonard's Practice Maximum Enthusiasm essay - can be found on his site here and his Instagram @semi_rad

Patrick's Instagram: @bikesordeath

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate and review the podcast or share and tag us on Instagram @intotheweehourspodcast

A HUGE thanks also to the podcast patrons - I am SO grateful for your support. If you'd like to join the Patreon family, you can check it out at www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast Every contribution makes a huge difference, thank you! And not forgetting, the amazing new podcast music, courtesy of Allie Geddes (Episode 28) @themisadventuresofalice

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Welcome to Episode 47 and a new season of the Into the Wee Hours Podcast.

This is brief check in from Sarah to say thank you to you all for sticking by us this past couple of years - we appreciate all of our listeners, guests and Patreon patrons enormously.

With a change in hosts, it's now time to reinvigorate the podcast with regular scheduling and a whole bunch of awesome new guests. It's just Sarah taking the reins now and she's committed to continuing to elevate the voice of the everyday adventurer.

Tune in to hear about:

• the past year and reflections on the podcast
• the vision going forward including regular scheduling
• Patreon updates
• and maybe even a chance to meet in person at an Into the Wee Hours podcast campout!

Thanks so much for your support of the podcast. Sarah (and Ness - who gives one single bark to just welcome in the new year, and then she's quiet, promise!).

If you'd like to help keep the lights on, I'd be so incredibly grateful: www.patreon.com/intotheweehourspodcast

Don't forget to hit "follow" if you don't already, so you don't miss out on this year's episodes!

Happy adventuring and I'll be back VERY soon with our first guest of 2024 - it's a big one.

You can find Sarah on Instagram at @allthegearnaeidea and @intotheweehourspodcast

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Well, it's a new year and we have big news for you... 2024 is going to look a little different for the Into the Wee Hours podcast. Tune in to find out why...

(Spoiler alert: Kristen, we're going to miss you big time - thank you so much for everything x )

Find us on Instagram @intotheweehourspodcast

A huge thanks to our Patreon patrons (including our brand new patron, Henrietta L!) for helping us keep the lights on. www.patreon.com/iintotheweehourspodcast

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Episode 45! 

Today's episode is a great conversation with German, Gold Coast Hinterland based, Natalie Reutter.

Natalie and Kristen met through their joint love of handling and hiding from dogs, at the Queensland K9 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) group.

A concreter by day, as you'll hear in the episode, Natalie loves an endurance challenge and has completed enormous trail runs and races, including the 200 mile "Delerious West" in WA. 

We could have covered an entire episode on ultra distance running, however today's focus is one for the dog lovers as we chat in depth about Natalie's experience training and adventuring with her two kelpies - Lucy and Wilbur. 

If you're curious about what it means to be a dog handler at USAR, or the ins and outs of adventuring with your trail dog, this is the episode for you! While we're pretty restricted in Queensland when it comes to adventures with dogs, Natalie has completed the 100 mile Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, over four days, with her kelpie Lucy, and shares the experience and learnings with us.

To see more of Natalie's adventures with the kelpies, you can find her on Instagram at @lucylovesadventures_

If you are keen to help keep the lights on for this podcast, you can support us on Patreon, or you can leave a review on your preferred podcast platform like Apple or Spotify.

We appreciate the support of all of our listeners! 

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Episode 44 is here! 

We speak to bubbly, super adventurous Bright based adventurer, Elise Marcianti just a couple of weeks out from her huge 300KM multiday self-propelled mission through the Australian Alpine region. 

Elise chats to us about this upcoming adventure, running an ultramarathon to the highest point of Australia - Mt Kosciuszko, before hiking 250KM solo along the Australian Alps walking track back to Bright. We hear about her planning; her hopes for the journey and her "why' for undertaking such a big challenge. 

Elise also shares with us her mission to fundraise along the way for Eating Disorder Families Australia, an organisation close to her heart after being diagnosed with an eating disorder nine years ago. 

Content warning: this episode includes conversation around eating disorders and eating disorder recovery. We're highlighting this so you can make healthy decisions about how and if you should consume this podcast content.

Elise is a fellow podcaster and you can check out her podcast: Explore Your Core.

Elise's fundraising page can be found here if you'd like to donate.

You can follow Elise (and check out her incredible high-lining videos!) on Instagram: @elisemarcianti 

Quick shout out to Elise's sponsors: Take the Lead Apparel, Koda Nutrition, and Bright Brewery.

Thanks as ever to our fantastic listeners, we appreciate you!

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Episode 43! Sarah arrived back in Australia from her Light to Light adventure a few weeks ago so Sarah and Kristen took the opportunity to check in and debrief on her 675KM run from the most southerly point of Scotland at the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, north to the most northerly point of the Outer Hebrides at the lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis. 

If you don't know about Sarah's self-mapped and self-named adventure, "Light to Light", skip back to Epsiode 35, Episode 37 and Episode 42 where we talked through the mission from the time Sarah committed back in January of this year, with progress updates along the way.

Otherwise, tune in here to hear all about how the adventure went down. We cover the journey along the way across dedicated trail networks; the physical and mental challenges; the experience of designing and running your own adventure outside of a dedicated event, plus other stuff not previously shared via Instagram!

Thanks to everyone for their support in Light to Light including lululemon, Nemo Equipment, OMM, Smartwool Socks, CLIF Bar and the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Festival. 

Sarah's run was in support of Free to Run -  you can visit her fundraising page here. Thanks to everyone for your generous donations for this incredible cause. The short film FREE TO RUN about the NGO and its founder, Stephanie Case, is available on YouTube here.

You can check out images of the adventure via Sarah's instagram: @allthegearnaeidea

If you are keen to help keep the lights on for this podcast, you can support us on Patreon, or you can leave a review on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on like Apple or Spotify.

We appreciate the support of all of our listeners! 

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Episode 42!

A third and final pre mission check in with Sarah a week before she heads off to start her 700KMish Scotland end-to-end mission on 21 August. For more context, you can hop back to Episode 36, when Sarah set this intention in January and Episode 37 for a May update. 

We cover off a general update including:

• the final name for the project, "Light to Light"
• how training has been going
• a fundraising update - fundraising for Free to Run; you can donate via the link here
• support received - including from Converge Marketing; becoming a lululemon Run Ambassador; being the recipient of the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Festival fundraiser; gear support from Nemo Equipment and Smartwool and O.M.M. in addition to nutrition support from CLIF Bar. 
• Plus featuring on the We Are Explorers podcast: "This explorer draws the gear she reviews"
• storytelling and the bigger picture

You'll be able to follow the adventure via Sarah's instagram: @allthegearnaeidea

If you are keen to help keep the lights on for this podcast, you can support us on Patreon, or you can leave a review on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on like Apple or Spotify.

We appreciate the support of all of our listeners! 

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Episode 41!

Today's episode is a cracking conversation with Melbourne based, April Drage. April recently returned from taking part in the grand depart of the iconic Tour Divide - a 4000KM+ mountain bike route stretching from Banff, Alberta, Canada to the New Mexico border at Antelope Wells. April completed the route on "Miles" her Curve Cycling, XS Big Kev. If you're interested in a different perspective on the route, on Episode 12 we talked to Toby Lukins about riding the same route, outside of the grand depart, on a bike he made of wood. 

We barely scratched the surface in this hour long chat, but a few of the discussions you can look forward to - all accompanied by April's genuine and infectious enthusiasm for riding bikes and her witty storytelling:

• hearing about April's origin story and how she came to love riding bikes - and after years as a social worker, now even working in the bike industry for Curve Cycling
• Using bikepacking as a means to work through emotions and explore herself, including riding significant bikepacking races and routes including Race to the Rock, Rhino Run, Kudlila Rally, Karnu Rally, Mallee Blast 1000, Munda Biddi and many Mawsons!
• becoming a Curve ambassador in 2021 and truly integrating herself in the bike/bikepacking community
• Riding Tour Divide 2023 and "finding the sweetspot between enjoyment and efficiency"
• Racing versus adventure and "April's holiday" riding through nights and completing the route in a seriously competitive time at just over 18 days (or just under 19 - in April's words!)
• The awesome women's field - albeit low representation still; a hugely significant representation in the top 30 - and how taking part in niche activities means you have alot in common with fellow riders
• The iconic Brush Mountain Lodge experience! 
• Solo versus shared adventures - and bikepacking with kids
• plus April trains (commuting with pumpkins on her bike), including a shout out to Alice Marsh at @mtb_bods ....
• and more!

You can find April on Instagram at @aprilawol

April also shares some great writing on Curve's Blog.

If you are keen to help keep the lights on for this podcast, you can support us on Patreon, or you can leave a review on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on like Apple or Spotify.

We appreciate the support of all of our listeners! 

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