Rosie is a qualified cycle leader and bikepacking guide who lives in Perthshire, Scotland. She describes herself as “happiest when feral”. Rosie discovered the joy of cycling off-road in 2016 and she’s been bikepacking around the UK, solo and with friends, since 2017.

Rosie embodies our Bikepacking Buds ethos; she is not destination focused , rather, she enjoys taking her time and living in the moment, stopping to appreciate the small beautiful details as well as the vast breathtaking landscapes.

In this podcast, we chat to Rosie about how she’s made a full-time career in the cycling industry, about her business running bikepacking experiences, how she manages her Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) diagnosis whilst working in the active industry, and her involvement in supporting adaptive cyclists in Scotland.

To follow Rosie:

Website: www.rosiebaxendine.com

Instagram: @rosiebaxendine

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds

Vedangi Kulkarni grew up in India and currently lives in the Scottish Highlands. She’s an adventurer, endurance athlete, writer, and event/project manager. She owns and runs a business called the Adventure Shed through which she helps plan and manage expeditions for people.

In 2018, she rode 29,000km around the world in 160 days, mostly solo and unsupported, becoming the youngest woman to circumnavigate the globe on bike, at the age of 19. She’s always keen for an adventure, be it cold water swimming, long distance hiking or cycling, climbing, mountain biking, skiing or travelling through remote places. On her most recent expedition, she skied across Svalbard.

In this podcast, we chat with Vedangi about how her upbringing shaped the adventurous life she lives now. She also shares with us some funny stories from her cycling adventures and recent arctic expedition, as well as advice on how to challenge your fears and take on adventures of your own.

Website: https://vedangi.info/

Instagram: @wheelsandwords

Twitter: @wheelsandwords

Tough Girl Podcast Episode about Vedangi’s cycle around the world

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Charlotte has travelled across the world on her bike and now dedicates her time to providing women, non binary and trans people with the skills and confidence to take on and plan their own adventures. In 2021, she ran one of the first women-only bikepacking events in the UK, and has since organised a further 16 events, creating a community and upskilling over 450 people.

We chat about her cycling adventures and the community that she has helped build.

Sisters in the Wild website: https://sistersinthewild.com/

Sisters in the Wild instagram: www.instagram.com/sistersinthewilduk/

Charlottes instagram: www.instagram.com/charlotte_inman_/

Some other links mentioned in the show

East Devon Trail: https://www.instagram.com/eastdevontrail/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

In this episode, we chat to Biola Babawale about Cycling Together, a community she co-founded which aims to get more people from marginalised communities into cycling and reduce barriers to entry into the sport. We chat about how she got into bikepacking and camping despite her poor experience during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition when younger, and her continuing ear of spiders. We also delve into some of the changes she helped champion as the former chair of Velociposse, which enabled the cycling club to become more inclusive, and how other clubs could do the same.

Biola’s Instagram: instagram.com/biolasarah/?hl=en

Cycle Together Instagram: instagram.com/cycletogether.com_/

Cycle Together Website: cycletogether.com/

Cycle Together LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cycle-together/?trk=similar-pages

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/”

In this podcast episode I will be chatting to Calum Munro about self-supported bike rallies. After completing the Torino-Nice Rally, Callum was inspired to create something similar in Scotland and in 2019 the Roam Scotland Rally was born. Its mission is to bring together some adventurous cyclists that want to meet similar people and explore a different corner of Scotland.

Roam Scotlands Website: www.roamscotlandrally.org/the-routes/

Roam Scotlands instagram: www.instagram.com/roamscotland/

Some other links mentioned in the show

Torino - Nice Rally
https://torino-nice.weebly.com/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

In this episode, we chat to Alvaro de la Camara about Cycling 4 Soup, a platform he co-founded which aspires to engage community by using sport to raise awareness for important causes worldwide. We chat about his 2500km cycle from Croydon, London all the way to Cadiz, Spain, as well as some of the charities that he supports through doing these challenges.

Alvaro also talks about his plans to go bikepacking in April 2023 on a 500km route in the south of England with his 2 year-old daughter in a trailer. He also shares about his plans to set a world record for cycling the iconic Route 66 in the next couple of years.

Alvaro’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sir_cyclealot/?hl=en

Cycling 4 Soup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cycling4soup/featured

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/”

In this episode, we speak to Niel Copeland and Jasmijn Muller about their journey into ultra endurance bikepacking races, what kept them coming back and the Dot Booster Academy that they are running together this year.

The Dot Booster Academy which is a unique training camp designed to help other cyclists learn more about racing mindset, training, sleep, nutrition and equipment. The aim is to help more people finish, perform better and ultimately have a better time when participating in endurance events.

Dotbooster Website: https://dotbooster.my.canva.site/home

Dotbooster Academy instagram: www.instagram.com/dotbooster.academy/

Ticket information: https://coconuttickets.com/events/dotbooster-may-2023

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/”

In this episode, we will be speaking to Alison Wormell, a professional bassoonist and producer at Play Outdoors Productions (POP). We chat to Alison about their newly founded film production house and community for underrepresented voices in music and the outdoors. Alison also shares with us how the freedom of the outdoors and cycling has enabled them replicate that self-expression as a non-binary person more comfortably in regular society.

Alison’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisontheworm/

Alison’s website: www.alisonwormell.com

Conduits for Joy: https://youtu.be/Mqp4ai77qH8

Mailing list: www.bit.ly/pop-mailing

POP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.outdoors.productions/

POP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086395240776

Contact for POP: playoutdoorsproductions@gmail.com

Contact for Alison: alisonwormell@gmail.com

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/”

In this episode we will be speaking to Katherine Moore, a writer, podcast host, route creator, presenter and guide in the cycling industry. We chat about how Katherine went from a professional cow nutritionist to working freelance in the cycling industry, specialising in gravel and adventure cycling.

Katherines instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinebikes/

Some other links mentioned in the show

East Devon Trail: https://www.instagram.com/eastdevontrail/

Sisters in the Wild: https://www.instagram.com/sistersinthewilduk/

F**K being humble: https://www.fuckbeinghumble.com/book

NFORC: https://www.instagram.com/newforestoffroadclub/

Guide to Bikepacking on your period: https://bikepacking.com/plan/bikepacking-on-your-period-guide/

Wheelsuckers Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/wheelsuckerspod/

Komoot Collections: https://www.komoot.com/user/444811548445

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

In this episode we will be speaking to El Jaskowska, the founder of School of Rocks, about what led her to setting up this women-led community designed to break down the complexities of off-road riding into some fun and achievable steps aka 'The Curriculum'. We chat about how you can set up a ‘school’ where you are, as well as scaling the community and accelerating change in the world of cycling.

You can follow School of Rocks on Instagram: www.instagram.com/theschoolofrocks/?hl=en

Website: https://chain-beef-e11.notion.site/School-Of-Rocks-f770b31ca4ff477b9c5d89ae74f7231f

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

In this episode I chat to Cally about her trip cycling from Cape Town to Kilimanjaro. We talk about her motivations behind the trip, the highs, the lows and what it was like travelling as a solo woman as well as her goal of setting the fastest known time to cycle up Kilimanjaro!

You can follow Cally on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callysilberbauer/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

In this episode I chat to Zara about winning the 2022 Ultra Distance Scholarship and the journey leading up to her first ultra distance race, GBDuro. We will hear about how she went from being a commuter in London, to taking part in one of the toughest endurance races in the UK, as well as her plans for cycling around the world.

Zara grew up in London, and it was only 6 years ago that she discovered a love for cycling. She went from having never cycled more than 10 miles, to deciding that she wanted to cycle around the world after being inspired by reading Emily Chappell's book “Where There's a Will”.

In 2021, Zara applied for and won the Ultra Distance Scholarship, which saw her train for and compete in GBDuro, a 2000km mixed-terrain ride from Land’s End to John-o-Groats. Zara talks us through her training journey, and how she found the race and the aftermath of it.

Zara also works as a bike mechanic, and shares with us a few tips about keeping your steed in good condition.

You can follow Zara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npcycles/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Cathryn is an avid runner, cyclist and cake connoisseur. After reigniting a passion for cycling she has convinced the rest of her family to join in. Together as a trio, with her husband and teenage son they have taken on several cycling adventures, most recently spending 2 weeks cycling through France.

On this episode we talk to Cathryn about her journey, cycle touring as a family and her 52 cafe challenge.

Instagram: @cathrynramsden

Cathryns Blog: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3d2&doc_id=24367&v=5l

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Vanessa Trish Lowe (Vee) is a scientist for the British Heart Foundation, and was introduced to cycling by her friends from an Ultimate Frisbee team in 2018. Her first bikepacking adventure was cycling back from a Frisbee tournament in Belgium to London, followed by a bikepacking trip to Rwanda the following year.

Vee doesn't shy away from a challenge, and in this episode we talk about her adventure on the challenging Lakeland 200 bikepacking route as part of the Steezy Collective, and her experiences of crit racing and how she returned to it after two consecutive crashes in her first 2 races. We also talk about ethnic diversity in cycling, and how Vee is co-hosting an Intro to Bikepacking weekend for women and non-binary people of colour with Sisters in the Wild this October.

Instagram: @vee.lowe

Steezy Lakeland 200 Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zhGRjzTvjpE&feature=youtu.be

Vanessa’s Lakeland 200 Blog: https://steezycollective.com/vanessas-lakeland-200-part-1/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Vera caught the bug for cycling four years ago when taking part in a tandem charity ride and became more independent through lockdown. In 2021 she was awarded the Ultra Distance Scholarship aimed at increasing representation of BAME cyclists.

Vera has an incredible set of achievements both on and off the bike, from 9-5 she works as a mechanical engineer and in her free time you will see her doing everything on two wheels, for mountain biking, endurance racing, bikepacking and even regularly riding a tandem bike

We talk about Vera’s journey into cycling and experiences in self- supported ultra distance cycling, including taking part in the Pan Celtic race and more recently the Dorset Divide.

Veras personal instagram
https://www.instagram.com/pedalling.to.and.fro/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Hetty is a keen cyclist, climber, ski tourer and all round endurance adventurer. She’s passionate about getting more women into the outdoors and works with

We focus on her research project ‘turning the cogs’ that looks at how we can encourage women to get to the start line of cycling events but also discuss her journey into cycling the women’s trad festival and running out of time, an extraordinary 7,200km non-stop relay from Scotland to Egypt for COP 27.

Some links mentioned in the show.
Turning the Cogs
https://turningthecogs.com/

Running out of Time
https://www.theworldrelay.com/running-out-of-time/

Womens Trad Festival
https://www.womenstradfestival.co.uk/

Peaks Gravel Gang
www.instagram.com/peak.gravel.gang/

Hetty’s personal instagram
www.instagram.com/hettykingston/

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Ellen is the founder of Borders Gravel Gang, a gravel cycling club for women and non-binary people in the northwest of England and north Wales.

We’re talk about her journey into bikepacking, setting up a women’s cycling group, her recent experience cycling through Spain and her upcoming bikepacking buds trip to N.Wales at the end of July.

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

Follow Borders Gravel Gang at www.instagram.com/borders.gg/ and Ellen at www.instagram.com/blazing_borders/

Catherine Green is about to embark on a 3 month, solo, cycling expedition across Europe. In this episode, we chat about how she’s feeling and preparing for this endeavour. We discuss methods Cat uses to manage anxiety, her thoughts on travelling as solo female and what she’s most looking forward to.

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

In 2021 Abby Popplestone tackled one of the toughest offroad routes in the UK. It was her first bikepacking trip! We discuss what she learnt from diving straight in the deep end and some of the challenges she’s taken on since. We also talk about her motives behind the challenge and her mission to help raise awareness for ovarian cancer.

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/

David Charles is an organiser of Thighs of Steel, who aim to raise money for refugee projects through cycling adventures. We talk about some of the amazing things Thighs of steel have achieved, how David got involved and how you can get involved and support their work too.

If you like what we’re doing, you can support us at www.bikepackingbuds.com/supportus or join the community on www.instagram.com/bikepacking.buds/