Hi Dawn here, 

As you may know, I recently took part in the Race Around Rwanda, a 1000km self supported cycling race in early February. It was my fourth ultra cycling race in total and my first since 2019. Spoiler alert, it was also my second scratch or DNF. 

I did make it 712 km along the route and I’m detailing my experience in an upcoming episode. 

But before that, I had the chance to speak to 9 women I raced with -  and alongside - to get their thoughts on the race to share with you across two episodes… think of it as a double dose of adventure. 

This Episode (Part 1) features the amazing Mona Stockhecke, Juliet Elliott, Juliana Veterano, Alina Kilian and Caz Buckland. 

Part 2, (EP25) is also live now, featuring ultra women Cleo Jensen, Julie Melville, Hari Milburn and Isabel Riffel. 

As a reminder, the Race Around Rwanda 2023 was 1000km with approximately 17,000m of climbing. It’s also ‘30%’ ‘gravel’ and of course, self supported.  

All women were asked:

• ❔What was their ‘why’ or reason for doing the race? 
• 🤩 What was the highlight of the race for them? 
• 😞 What the lowlight was? 
• ℹ️ What advice would they give other women thinking of signing up?
• 💭 And, any additional thoughts. 

For more information on the race and also the final standings, visit www.theracearoundrwanda.com with full standings available here. 

To follow and support the women featured across the two episodes, please find their IG handles/websites and other info below: 

EP 24 - PT 1 

• 🇩🇪🇨🇭Mona Stockheale  - @stockheckemona and @team_alphaadventure
• 🇬🇧 Juliet Elliott - @julietelliott. And don’t forget to check out Juliet’s YouTube series on the Race Around Rwanda for a real but also fun look at the race. Viewable here. 
• 🇧🇷 🇺🇸 Juliana Veterano - @this.is.juliana.v
• 🇵🇱 Alina Killian - @alamakola 
• 🇬🇧 Caz Buckland - @caz_travelling_artist

EP 25 - PT 2 

• 🇮🇪 Cleo Jensen - @cleojensen12
• 🇦🇺🇬🇧 Julie Melville - @macjelle 
• 🇬🇧 Hari Milburn - @hariannealice 
• 🇩🇪 Isabel Riffel - @isabel.alina

Today’s episode was supported by the awesome and adventurous team at Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool. Check them out for some truly awe-inspiring scuba and freedive experiences. Visit www.deepdivedubai.com

A big thank you to all the women who shared their perspectives and voices and thank you to you for listening! 

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

For more info,  visit www.themettleset.com , and follow us on @themettleset

Enjoy!

Dawn & Afshan 

@dawnable 

@afshahmed