In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we shift gears—literally and figuratively—to explore a different kind of endurance adventure. Our guest is Tyler Stancill, a passionate bikepacker who pedaled more than 6,000 miles from Key West, Florida to Newfoundland, Canada along the newly established Eastern Divide Trail.

His journey captures the same spirit that fuels every adventure racer and explorer: resilience, curiosity, and a deep love of the road ahead. From the logistics of a months-long solo ride to the mental highs and lows that come with such an undertaking, Tyler’s story will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever wondered just how far they can go.

Join us as we talk about bikes, backroads, and the beautiful intersection between endurance and exploration. Whether you race, ride, or simply dream of big journeys, this episode reminds us that adventure comes in many forms.

Shownotes:

The Eastern Divide Trail - https://bikepacking.com/eastern-divide-trail/

Sponsor Links:

Nuataaq Carabiner Hydration Bottle - www.nuataaq.com

Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race - https://www.adventureenablers.com/

Adventureware Shop - https://adventureware.shop/

In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, host Brian Gatens welcomes John Karlsson, captain of Team SAFAT, the reigning Adventure Racing World Champions. Known for their precision, discipline, and calm under pressure, SAFAT has come to define the standard of excellence in expedition racing.

John shares his introduction to the sport, his growth as a racer, and the lessons learned on the journey from first-time competitor to world champion. He offers an inside look at the team’s mindset, their approach to success, and the chemistry that fueled their dominance. But with whispers that SAFAT’s future may be uncertain, this conversation carries an undercurrent of reflection—about legacy, leadership, and what comes next.

As always, you keep racing—and we’ll keep talking.

Shownotes:

Team SAFAT - https://www.facebook.com/swedisharmedforcesadventureteam/

Sponsor Links:

Nuataaq Carabiner Hydration Bottle - www.nuataaq.com

Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race - https://www.adventureenablers.com/

Happy October, TDZ Nation

Here is a quick 5-minute update following the Adventure Racing World Series AR World Championship in Penticton, British Columbia. TDZ was onsite to help with media, and the race was quite the ride.

Per the episode, everyone involved in the race - racers, supporters, volunteers, family, media, EVERYONE - is encouraged to record and send a 90-second (or so) voice message/memo to [email protected] or send via WhatsApp if you have that info. Include your name, your role, and your team (if applicable) and share your thoughts on the race or a great story. All submissions will be used to create a special episode of TDZ.

You keep talking, and we'll keep editing!

Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. From time to time, we like to support our companion podcast, The Course Reveal, by crossposting special episodes.

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Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast, a companion show to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship, where the best teams on the planet will converge in Penticton, British Columbia, to chase the ultimate prize in the sport.

This year’s race features an epic 799-kilometer course, with teams racing for up to 9 days across glaciers, mountain ranges, whitewater rivers, and backcountry roads while visiting remote villages along the way. Expect rugged mountains, complex navigation, and the dramatic landscapes of British Columbia as athletes push through a relentless test of strategy, endurance, and teamwork.

We’re joined by three key voices behind the event: Lyndie Hill of Hoodoo Adventures, Race Director John Ford, and Course Designer Alex Man. They go deep into the course, the challenges faced by the racers, and their pride and joy in bringing the ARWC to British Columbia. Together, they’ll guide us through the vision for this year’s championship, the details of the course design, and why British Columbia is the perfect stage for the world’s toughest teams.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to give at-home fans and dotwatchers another opportunity to connect with and enjoy the world of adventure racing.

You Keep Watching, and We’ll Keep Talking.

Shownotes:

Race Website - https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/

Tracking Website - https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/livetrackmedia

Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. From time to time, we like to support our companion podcast, The Course Reveal, by crossposting special episodes.

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Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 United States Adventure Racing National Championship, where the best teams in the country will gather in Northwest Arkansas to battle for the top of the podium.

This year’s Nationals features a demanding 230-kilometer course, with 78 teams racing against the clock for up to 30 hours across trekking, mountain biking, and paddling stages. Expect rugged terrain, steep climbs, and the wild beauty of the Ozarks as racers push themselves through a nonstop test of endurance and teamwork.

We’re joined by two key voices at the heart of the event: Stephanie Ross, Nationals Coordinator, and Michael Garrison, Executive Director of USARA. Together, they’ll guide us through the vision behind this year’s championship, the details of the course design, and what makes Northwest Arkansas such a powerful stage for the sport.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races.

You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking.

Shownotes:

Race Website - https://www.usara.com/2025-national-championships

Tracking Website - https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2025/

Welcome to a special edition of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Our sister show, The Course Reveal Podcast, is your spot for adventure racing course breakdowns and interviews with race directors, but for championship races we like to crosspost those episodes to what we call The Big Feed. See below for this show's highlighted race.

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Welcome to the Course Reveal Podcast.

Join Course Director Lauri Hollo as he breaks down each stage of Endurance Quest Saimaa.

As the Adventure Racing European Championship, this race will bring 60 teams from 12 countries to the Savonlinna region of Finland, and winners will earn a coveted spot at the ARWS World Championships. The course includes more than 70 km of trekking, 125 km of mountain biking, 44 km of paddling, and 2 km of swimming – plus climbing and rope challenges. Competitors have up to 30 hours to complete the race course.

This demanding course will be the highlight of the European adventure racing season.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races.

You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking.

Shownotes:

Race Website - https://www.endurancequest.org/

Tracking Link - https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025eq/

In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we welcome Olga Huber of Team Fragile Flowers. A well-known racer, Olga has taken on a growing number of events, both with teammates and solo. She loves AR, and she enjoys learning from all of her experiences. Wise, direct, and thoughtful, Olga shares so much with TDZ. When she speaks, school is in session. Enjoy!

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

The mountains, midges, and lochs of Scotland are putting racers to the test at ITERA and ITERA-Lite. In this Flash Episode, Race Director Paul McGreal joins The Dark Zone to share not just the leaderboard highlights, but the many stories from the trail — teams helping each other through brutal weather, challenging stages, in-race competitions, and gritty comebacks after early setbacks. From the sharp end of the race to the determined mid and back of the pack teams, this update captures the iconic ITERA.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

ARWS Page: https://arworldseries.com/races/itera-2025-scotland

Tracking Page ITERA - https://live.durtyevents.com/itera2025/

Tracking Page ITERA-Lite -https://live.durtyevents.com/iteralite2025/

Course Reveal Part 1 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-course-reveal-podcast/id1830676195?i=1000721371672

Course Reveal Part 2 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-course-reveal-podcast/id1830676195?i=1000721654274

Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today’s episode takes us north to the wild, water-rich terrain of Finland, where host Brian Gatens is joined by Lauri Hollo —longtime racer, passionate advocate for the sport, and Technical Director for the 2025 Endurance Quest Saimaa, the European Adventure Racing Championship.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Lauri reflects on his path into adventure racing, what kept him coming back for more, and how the Finnish AR community has grown over time. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned expedition racer, this episode is a great look at how personal passion evolves into professional leadership in the AR world.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

All Race Media: https://www.adventureracinginsider.com/tld2025

ARWS Page: https://arworldseries.com/races/endurance-quest-saimaa-europe-championship-2025-finland

Race Website: https://www.endurancequest.org/raceinfo

Tracking Page: https://live.enabledtracking.com/tld2025/

Sponsor Links:

American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/

Today’s episode is a special one — it’s a course reveal for the 2025 Wilderness Traverse, the iconic Canadian adventure race and this year's ARWS North American championship. This event has long been a staple in the North American adventure racing calendar, known for its challenging terrain, demanding navigation, and classic Canadian spirit.

Joining the show are Event Director Bob Miller and Race Coverage Lead Wayne Leek. Together, they pull back the curtain on this year’s course, offering a preview of what lies ahead — strategic route choices, paddle lengths and portages, and the sweet spot between challenge and fun. Whether you’re a veteran racer or a first-time TDZ listener, this conversation serves as a solid introduction to the course, the terrain, and what is in store for the racers.

Let’s get into it.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

Main Page: https://www.wildernesstraverse.com/

Live Coverage page: https://www.wildernesstraverse.com/2025wtcoverage

Direct tracking page: https://live.enabledtracking.com/traverse2025/

Sponsor Links:

American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/