n this episode I talk with Jenny Tough, a freelance adventurer, writer, and film-maker. Jenny has competed (and won the women's category) in two of the most notorious ultra-endurance bikepacking races: the Silk Road Mountain Race (2019), and the Atlas Mountain Race (2020).

In addition to competing in bikepacking events, Jenny is an avid expedition runner and the first person to traverse the High Atlas mountain range, and the Tien Shen mountain range, through solo and unsupported journeys. I chat with Jenny about her experiences and mindset during some of these adventures, and we also discuss some of the ways in which Jenny gives back to the adventure community through her educational, and inspirational content.

Follow Jenny on her adventures:

Instagram: @jennytough

Website: jennytough.com

YouTube: Jenny Tough

To support the Experience by Bike Podcast, please check out our support page here: www.experiencebybike.com/support

In this episode I speak with Jesse Blough, the race director of The Big Lonely. The Big Lonely is a 362 mile unsupported bikepacking adventure with 25k feet of elevation gain, which takes place in Central Oregon. Racers traverse through the iconic Mrazek trail in the Skyline Forest, ride along the Metoliusand Crooked Rivers, summit the relentless Ochoco mountains, and cross the high desert on a rarely-ridden 30-mile ribbon of smooth singletrack. All proceeds of registration for this race benefitted Bethlehem Inn, a shelter supporting the homeless community of Central Oregon.

For more information on The Big Lonely, go to nwcompetitive.com/events/biglonely

Follow Jesse on Instagram: @thegreatjesse

Follow Northwest Competitive on Instagram: @northwestcompetitive

This August, Emily Lippe competed in her first unsupported ultra-endurance cycling race, the Hoodoo 300. Not only did she set the overall record for the unsupported (nomad) category, but she also beat the record for the women's supported (solo) category with an overall finish time of 21 hours and 11 minutes. In this episode Emily gives us an overview of her training for the race, and details about her race experience.

You can read more about Emily's race experience on her blog at misslippes.com/blog