Riding in the Moment with Marei Moldenhauer

Explicit content warning

01/23/25 • 69 min

Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

In this episode, I chat with Marei Moldenhauer—a rising star in ultra-cycling and bikepacking. Marei balances a demanding career as a doctor while excelling in the world of endurance racing. Her recent accomplishments include winning the women’s race at Bright Midnight in Norway (where she also finished fourth overall!!!) and finishing second just two and a half hours behind the women’s winner at the Transcontinental Race (TCR) 2023.

We discuss Marei’s entry pathway into ultra-cycling, from receiving her first steel bike as a gift from her brother to becoming a competitive bikepacker. She shares her training approach, how she’s preparing for the Atlas Mountain Race, and her love of climbing. Marei also opens up about the challenges she faces as a celiac athlete, her strategies for fueling during ultra-endurance events, and her unexpected preference for Katjes over Haribo gummy bears!

Marei will be one of the many women racing this year's Atlas Mountain Race and I can't wait to see how she gets on.

Thanks to Albion Cycling for supporting the podcast and my adventures this year!

Follow Marei on Instagram: @marei.mol

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb

Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourspodcast

Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling

Do you have a story from your own adventures you want to share with us?

We’d love to feature your story on the podcast! Write us a short piece of 200–300 words describing a memorable adventure or experience related to bikepacking, ultra-cycling, or outdoor exploration. Whether it’s your first ultra-endurance race, an unforgettable moment with locals on the trail, a tough lesson learned in the wild, or a surprising detour that changed your journey, we want to hear about it.

Stories don’t have to be epic—it could be something simple but meaningful, like discovering a hidden gem on your favourite route, overcoming a fear on the bike, or connecting with fellow riders in an unexpected way. Send your write-up to [email protected], and we’ll feature selected stories on future episodes!

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

Marei will be one of the many women racing this year's Atlas Mountain Race and I can't wait to see how she gets on.

Thanks to Albion Cycling for supporting the podcast and my adventures this year!

Follow Marei on Instagram: @marei.mol

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb

Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourspodcast

Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling

Do you have a story from your own adventures you want to share with us?

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

Previous Episode

BIG NEWS! Mel's reflections on 2024 and what's in for 2025

We’ve got some big news! I am so so stoked to share that Detours is now presented by Albion Cycling. They’ve been fans of the show since day one and to have their support feels pretty darn cool.

In this solo episode, I reflect on a transformative 2024—a year defined by big goals, unexpected detours and a ton of personal grown.

Through listener questions, I share more about the ups and downs of racing, how I balance work, life, and ultra-endurance training and everything in between. I also share what I’m most excited about for the year ahead.

I’d love your feedback on today’s episode — what did you think? What do you want to hear more of on solo episodes in the future?

Do you have a story from your own adventures you want to share with us? Submit it to be featured in an upcoming episode! Email us at [email protected]

This episode was brought to you by Albion, the very best cycling kit, designed to help you stay outside longer.

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwwebb

Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourspodcast

Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode!

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

Next Episode

Racing Free: Mascha Wahlig on Confidence & Mental Strength

"I want to finish with a big smile on my face."

That’s Mascha Wahlig’s goal for the 2025 Atlas Mountain Race. Last year, Mascha lined up at Atlas Mountain Race, her second-ever ultra-endurance bikepacking event. She was fast, pushing herself to the limit, but she was also overwhelmed. The intensity of the race, the sheer number of riders, and the pressure she put on herself—it all built up, culminating in a moment of panic and paralysis in the middle of the desert when her cleat broke.

She eventually got it fixed (with a bit of super glue and grit), but mentally? The race left her drained. Even months later, she found herself experiencing panic on training rides in the dark, reliving the helplessness of that night in Morocco. Instead of pushing it down, she did the work. She sought help, developed strategies to manage fear and build mental strength, and slowly rebuilt her confidence. And it worked.

Since Atlas, Mascha has gone on to win both the Hellenic Mountain Race and Sneak Peeks, proving to herself that mental performance is just as crucial as physical fitness in ultra-cycling and bikepacking. Now, she’s coming back to Atlas Mountain Race 2025, but this time, with a totally different mindset.

She’s racing for herself—not for a number, not for a podium—but to ride with confidence, be present, and take in the experience.

In this episode we talk about:

The mental battles of ultra-cycling and bikepacking—panic, fear, and self-doubt.
How Mascha built mental resilience and confidence after last year’s Atlas Mountain Race.
What it takes to win ultra-endurance bikepacking races like Hellenic and Sneak Peeks.
Strategies for handling stress and mental fatigue in long-distance racing.
The power of self-compassion, managing expectations, and racing with a freer mind.
How to prepare mentally and physically for events like Atlas Mountain Race.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, struggled with confidence in endurance sports, or felt overwhelmed by the sheer challenge of a long-distance race, this episode is for you.

As always, thank you to Albion Cycling for supporting Detours this year.

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