Hello! Dawn here.

So you want to be an ultra-cyclist? Well, maybe you do, maybe you are one already, or maybe you’re just curious to know how one can race distances that range from 700 km to up to over 7000 km, all self supported.  Well, today’s episode aims to share a good overview of the sport and how you can get involved as I speak with my coach, Niel Copeland, one of the world’s most experienced ultra-cycling coaches.

I’m in full training mode for Race Around Rwanda, a 1000km self supported road and gravel cycling race taking place early February 2023. This will be my fourth ultra, and hopefully my third successful finish. For some background, don’t forget to listen to Episode 1, which details my first race or our last Bonus Episode with Simon DeSchutter, the man behind Race Around Rwanda.

So, who is Niel and what do we chat about? Niel has 20 ultra-distance race finishes under his belt. He's podiumed in some of the biggest races in the world and as a coach, he helps people realize their dream of finishing an ultra cycling race.

This year Niel and fellow world renowned ultra coach Jasmijn Muller got together to launch ultra-focused training camps to provide the next level of coaching to any athlete looking to step into this crazy world.

In my chat with Niel, we discuss how to get started, training differences for women and men, the timeframe and considerations needed before you sign up for a race, training yourself mentally, race management, the beauty in the experience, race selection and we touch upon nutrition.  We only touch upon nutrition because we have a whole bonus episode on ultra-eating later this week.

I hope you find this episode informative, useful and also inspiring. Self-supported ultra-cycling changed my life and if I can help and encourage one person (maybe you?) to take it up, my job here is done.

To follow Niel, check him out on IG @nielcopeland (feel free to slide into his DMs and also on YouTube at @turncycling. For info on his training camps visit https://dotbooster.my.canva.site/home or IG at @dotbooster.academy.

Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn & Afshan

@dawnable

@afshahmed