Episodes

  • On The Dot 001. Lost Dot 101, HT550, Hellenic Mountain Race & More! With Nicky Shaw & Rob Gardiner.

    On The Dot 001. Lost Dot 101, HT550, Hellenic Mountain Race & More! With Nicky Shaw & Rob Gardiner.
    May 21 2026
    On The Dot is Dot Comms’ brand new race-dedicated show where we review the recent ultra-cycling action and look ahead at dots to watch in the near future. For this first episode Samuel Thompson is joined by Nicky Shaw and Rob Gardiner to provide some expert analysis, hot takes, inside info and occasional wild speculation.

    Races that are recapped include:
    • Highland Trail 550
    • Lost Dot 101
    • Mittelgebirge Classique
    • Wild West Country
    And there are dots to watch at:
    • Hellenic Mountain Race
    • Trans Balkan Race
    • Race Through Poland
    • Kromvojoj
    • Utrecht Ultra
    • Aethelred Ultra
    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    Links:
    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 015 - How Hard is Too Hard? With Co-Host Kirsten Cluley, Nelson Trees, Jenny Tough & Hélène Fromenty.

    Episode 015 - How Hard is Too Hard? With Co-Host Kirsten Cluley, Nelson Trees, Jenny Tough & Hélène Fromenty.
    May 7 2026
    Dot Comms is the audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Kirsten Cluley, Race Coordinator at DotWatcher

    In this episode’s Roundtable we ask how hard is too hard in ultra-cycling events with guests:
    • Hélène Fromenty: First female finisher at the Trans Pyrenees Race, finisher of Silk Road Mountain race as a pair, and women’s podium finishes at Desertus Bikus and French Road 66, all in 2025.
    • Jenny Tough: Adventurer, storyteller and mountain lover. Twice first female finisher at Silk Road Mountain Race (2018, 2021) and first woman in the inaugural Atlas Mountain Race (2020). Author of Solo, chronicling her 2021 challenge to run, solo and unsupported, across a mountain range on every continent.
    • Nelson Trees: Founder of the Mountain Races series, renowned as some of the most prestigious and challenging ultra-cycling races in the world. Including this year’s new addition, the Taurus Mountain Race in Turkey. On the bike he has finished twice in the Top 10 at TCR and finished 4th in the Highland Trail 550 in 2018.
    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    Links:
    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • Episode 014 - How Many Races Are Too Many? with Co-Host Amanda Wishart, Rich Rothwell, Chris Mehlman & Gail Brown.

    Episode 014 - How Many Races Are Too Many? with Co-Host Amanda Wishart, Rich Rothwell, Chris Mehlman & Gail Brown.
    Apr 2 2026
    Welcome to Dot Comms: The audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Amanda Wishart, Web Editor at DotWatcher

    In this episode’s Roundtable we ask how many ultra-cycling races are too many with guests:
    • Rich Rothwell - One of the most experienced endurance riders there is, at times accompanied by his teenage son, James. He is also a coach with Advance Cycling Coaching and organises The Land Between, a 320 mile self-support ultra-distance bikepacking event from Northumberland, UK.
    • Chris Mehlman - Endurance MTB and gravel rider who has gradually shifted towards longer events, achieving impressive results such as 4th in Unbound XL, 3rd at Badlands 2025 and 4th at AMR 2026.
    • Gail Brown - A physio who works with the GB Olympic team and accomplished ultra-distance rider having completed events such as the Transcontinental Race, Tour Divide and was 3rd overall in the fully self-sufficient 2020 version of GBDURO in 2020.
    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspod or via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Episode 013 - Do We Need Mandatory Sleep Periods? with Co-Host Nicky Shaw, Rémy Hurdiel, Ana Orenz & Juliana Buhring.

    Episode 013 - Do We Need Mandatory Sleep Periods? with Co-Host Nicky Shaw, Rémy Hurdiel, Ana Orenz & Juliana Buhring.
    Mar 5 2026
    Welcome to Dot Comms: The audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Nicky Shaw, Contributing Editor at DotWatcher (@nicky_._shaw)

    In this episode’s Roundtable we ask whether there is a requirement for mandatory sleep periods in self-supported ultra-distance events with guests:
    • Rémy Hurdiel: PhD in Sports Science and researcher at the Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale in Dunkirk, France with more than 15 years experience in the field of sleep and fatigue risk management for ultra-endurance athletes.
    • Juliana Buhring: Organiser of Two Volcano Sprint, Guinness World Record breaker as the fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe in 2012 and bestselling author.
    • Ana Orenz: Experienced ultra-distance rider with an impressive palmares including Top 10 overall finishes at 2VS, Transiberia and Transpyrenees.

    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    Links:
    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Episode 012 - Do Sponsored Athletes Receive an Advantage? With Co-Host Millie Gibbons, Jana Kesenheimer, Jack Howker & Jan-Willem Bobbink.

    Episode 012 - Do Sponsored Athletes Receive an Advantage? With Co-Host Millie Gibbons, Jana Kesenheimer, Jack Howker & Jan-Willem Bobbink.
    Feb 5 2026
    Dot Comms is the audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Millie Gibbons, Web Editor at DotWatcher

    In this episode’s Roundtable we ask whether sponsored riders receive an advantage in ultra-distance events with guests:

    • Jana Kesenheimer - Two time fastest women at The Transcontinental Race (6th overall in 2025), brand ambassador for Specialized, Rapha and others.
    • Jack Howker - Co-founder of Albion and veteran of events such as HT550 and Fat Viking.
    • Jan-Willem Bobbink - Organiser of The Unknown Race and experienced ultra-distance rider.
    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Episode 011 - The Dot Comms Alternative Awards with Co-Host Kitty Dennis, Niel Copeland & Mel Webb.

    Episode 011 - The Dot Comms Alternative Awards with Co-Host Kitty Dennis, Niel Copeland & Mel Webb.
    Jan 8 2026
    Welcome to Dot Comms: The audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Kitty Dennis, Managing Editor at DotWatcher

    In this special episode we bring you the Dot Comms Alternative Awards, highlighting those who may not get the attention they merit, giving recognition for performances and gestures that don’t fit into the typical awards boxes and just recalling some amusing anecdotes. Bringing their dotwatching expertise to assist with handing out the awards are:
    • Niel Copeland - coach with Turn Cycling, athlete who has done pretty much every ultra-distance event out there, bike fitter, race reporter and recipient of the DotWatcher Best DotWatcher award in 2024.
    • Mel Webb - Host of the Detours podcast, official roving race reporter for the Mountain Races, previous participant at SRMR, AMR & HMR and winner of the DotWatcher 2025 Documentation Award.
    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    Links:
    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
    Acier article on Chewing the Fat: https://www.acier.cc/savoir-faire/fat-the-ultra-distance-fuel-part-three-c
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Episode 010 - US vs Them: Who Does Ultra Better? with Co-Host Kirsten Cluley, Brian Alder, Hannah Simon & Adrian O'Sullivan.

    Episode 010 - US vs Them: Who Does Ultra Better? with Co-Host Kirsten Cluley, Brian Alder, Hannah Simon & Adrian O'Sullivan.
    Dec 4 2025
    Welcome to Dot Comms: The audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Kirsten Cluley, Race Coordinator at DotWatcher (@kirstencluley)

    In this episode’s Roundtable we compare and contrast the two main ultra-distance bikepacking worlds - the grassroots scene originating from the US or the European-style formally organised events with guests:

    • Brian Alder - Creator of Tour Te Waipounamu and experienced cyclist having ridden events including the Tour Divide, Silk Road Mountain Race & the Trans Pyrenees Race.
    • Hannah Simon - Ultra-distance athlete with prestigious results worldwide including first female at Silk Road Mountain Race in 2024 (9th overall) and completing the US Triple Crown Challenge in 2023.
    • Adrian O’Sullivan - Organiser of the TransAtlanticWay and veteran of the Transcontinental race & Trans America Bike Race.

    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    Links:
    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
    Acier article on year-round heat training: https://www.acier.cc/knowledge/should-you-be-heat-training-year-round
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    1 hr
  • Episode 009 - Are Ultra-Distance Events Too Expensive? w/ Co-Host Amanda Wishart, Katie-Jane L'Herpiniere, Dominik Bokstaller & Will Pomeroy

    Episode 009 - Are Ultra-Distance Events Too Expensive? w/ Co-Host Amanda Wishart, Katie-Jane L'Herpiniere, Dominik Bokstaller & Will Pomeroy
    Nov 6 2025
    Welcome to Dot Comms: The audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

    This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

    Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

    Presented & Produced by:
    Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

    Co-hosted by:
    Amanda Wishart, Web Editor at Dotwatcher (@amandawish.art)

    In this episode the Roundtable we ask whether ultra-distance events are too expensive, with guests:
    • Katie-Jane L’Herpiniere, multi-disciplinary adventurer and organiser of the Alps Divide
    • Dominik Bokstaller, co-founder of the Cake Movement and experienced ultra-distance racer
    • Will Pomeroy, organiser of the Great Western Randonnée Audax UK events

    Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspod or via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

    Links:
    DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
    Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/
    Acier article on Core: https://www.acier.cc/knowledge/the-core-central-to-ultra-distance-cycling-success
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    1 hr