Refuel & Reboot - The Tech and Bikepacking resupply Podcast

In this episode, I recorded some footage from my gravel bike ride this week to scout the area affected by the New Forest Wildfire started by the vehicle fire on the A31 two weeks ago. Thanks to the amazing work of the combined emergency services response the damage to the Forest is not worse than it could so easily have been. The fire was started on Sunday 9th August by a vehicle fire on the A31 which quickly spread to the nearby verges and then into the forest. It took over a week for the fire to brought under full control and a further four or five days to continue with the damping down process to make sure no fires were reignited. The A31 was finally opened again on Saturday 22nd August, the impact of closing a major arterial road for so long was massive on the whole area. I had never seen so many cars on the quieter rural roads of the forest. I avoided the area on my bike during the disruption, venturing only to the south of the forest. Thankfully the area has started to get back to normal again. The footage from my ride showed the effect in the Forest on both sides of the carriageway. Amazingly, and thanks to the efforts of the emergency services the fire did not spread further north, the footage shows how the clear demarcation of the fire break along the gravel path. It is also incredible that the damage on the south side of the A31 was not worse. This video episode contains some comparison footage shot by Mike & Julie Wheeler https://www.youtube.com/@WheelersAtLarge from earlier in the year. Check out their channel for loads of great footage of riding around the New Forest and Dorset. Watch this short episode on my YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/gPvSINtxTmQ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

Even though the pod is currently on a season break, while I pull together new interviews and discussions ready for season three, which will begin towards the end of September, I thought I would record a brief episode and share a few thoughts on the ongoing Silk Road mountain race, which started last Saturday on the 15th of August in Talas in Kyrgystan and is currently underway. Now, the Silk Road mountain race is widely regarded as... If not the pinnacle, one of the major bikepacking ultra races of the season. And as part of the organization of that, there is a group of dot watchers that are based all around the world, across multiple time zones, keeping an eye on riders as they make their way through the 2050 kilometre course across the country. The high peaks in Kyrgyzstan ranging up to over 4,000 meters. I'm one of those dotwatchers who is assigned a group of riders to keep an eye on their security, their safety, and we're tracking those riders as they complete the course. Official Race Website & tracking Silk Road Mountain Race — The Mountain Races: Silk Road, Atlas, Hellenic Tracking: https://srmr2026.maprogress.com/# Official Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Official Podcast with daily updates : The Mountain Races Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

This episode of the Refuel and Reboot Podcast is an interview with former cycling professional Matt Rowe, founder of Rowe & King, older brother of the Team Sky /Ineos Grenadiers legend Luke Rowe and husband of Olympic champion and former professional cyclist Dani Rowe (nee King) His story of racing bikes as a junior and pro and having to give it up all because of illness is a fascinating story. Especially when he talks through the massive decision he had to make at just the tender age of 18. Matt is open and brutally honest about that time and what lead to him studying, working in the corporate environment before making the decision to start his own business with his wife and found Rowe & King Cycling coaching. I really wanted to hear Matt’s story which can be overshadowed by the public successes of his famous younger brother Luke and Olympic Champion wife Dani. His story is relatable to all those who have chased a dream only to have that dream shattered and have to find a new path. To connect with Matt and Rowe & King coaching, check out their website roweandking.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

Ep. 22 Aren't you the cycling guy. Mark Taggart of Taggart People. This episode is a discussion with Mark Taggart, founder of Taggart People and follows a theme of business owners who have struck out on their own after a successful career in the corporate environment. In this episode, Mark talks about redundancy, making the decision to start up on his own, the challenges of first starting, the power of personal brand and tapping into what makes us different in what we do. Mark Taggart is also a member of the Tullio Business Community for Cyclists, a networking group for business leaders who ride bikes and are looking to further their network reach. Mark is ride captain for the Bedfordshire group and its inaugural ride with take place on Thursday 9th July. Details on tullio.cc or through contacting Mark on LinkedIn Mark Taggart FCIPD | LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In this episode of the podcast Mark goes for a ride on the Isle of Wight with Joe Staunton, performance coach at Ceyreste Performance and author of the Human Operating System mental performance programme. They talk through mental resilience, training for the brain, combating mental fatigue and even have a short example session whilst riding through the lanes and roads of the eastern Isle of Wight coastline. They top off the conversation at lunch on the beach eating Fish Finger sandwiches. To connect with Joe visit his website https://www.ceyresteperformance.com or find him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joecstaunton/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

Episode 20 : Still not giving up. Reflections from the SuperMaratona Challenge. This episode begins at dinner on the evening before the challenge attempt on Thursday 4th June in Alta Badia discussing the plan for the next day, how to organise the car, the nature of the climbs and the descents for the day. The episode continues with snippets from the day and an interview with Jamie at KM90. All will be revealed in the episode when safely back in the UK Jamie and Mark reflect on the challenge and lessons learnt. To give to Cancer Research follow this Link to Jamie's fundraising page. https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/tour-dfk-cancer-stage-4-the-supermaratona This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

Ep 19: The Tour de F.... Cancer Preview Its a return to the podcast for Jamie Granados on the eve of the challenge that he and Mark spoke about in a bonus Episode of the Podcast back in February. (That episode can be reached here Never Giving Up - Jamie’s Adventure to honour bravery and Courage. ) (photo Credit Gerard Probst ) Recorded on Wednesday 3rd June just before Jamie attempts his challenge as a preview and a promo for his fundraising which at the time of recording has surpassed £3500. Hopefully next week we will be able to report back how the challenge went and capture a few moments from the ride. To support the challenge and donate to Cancer Research follow this link Tour de F$%k Cancer - Stage 4: The SuperMaratona Thanks for listening and subscribe to the podcast to find out how Jamie and his support team got on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In a first for the Refuel and Reboot Podcast, this latest episode with Lee Curtis CEO of Seguro Technology was recorded in person. So you can watch the interview also on Mark's YouTube Channel. In this episode Mark and Lee talk about Lee's early cycling, racing on BMX bikes and then on the road whilst also building a career in sales before moving into the IT space. He tackles the question what are SME CIOs and IT Directors concerned about right now and introduces the term of AI fatigue. Look out for the bonus episode where the conversation turns back to racing and the general state of cycling in the UK. To contact with Lee reach out via LinkedIn: Lee Curtis | LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

After a weeks break the podcast is back with a new interview and a minor exclusive in this interview with Chris McKnight, founder of the Altus Collective an experience led travel business with a big focus (but not exclusively) on cycling and endurance events. Chris and Mark met through the Tullio Business Networking Community for Cyclists at the Derby Velodrome and on subsequent Tullio events. After listening to the episodes with Dom Rowing Parker from Tullio (Ep 15.) Alex Tebbs from Kalas (Ep16), Chris got in touch to share a little of his story to his current business. It also tracks along the line of a major life event being a catalyst for change in career and giving a new business a go. So I thought this would make an interesting episode to listen too. In this episode they talk about Chris' journey to this business startup which is not at all linear, and also Chris shares some exciting news about a new partnership with the Everesting team as they take the brand forward. To get in touch with Chris, Website: altuscollective.cc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mcknight-altus-collective/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismcknight___/ / https://www.instagram.com/altuscollective___/ *** Apologies to those who got the early feed update with only the 53 second intro, the correct audio is now on the feed***** This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In this episode of the Refuel and Reboot Podcast I once again combine cycling and business and technology as I speak to a fellow telecoms cyclist and entrepreneur Alex Tebbs, who has founded two telecoms companies in the fields of UCAAS and voice platforms and now runs the UK division of the sports clothing brand Kalas. Kalas is the clothing partner for professional sports teams such as Alpecin Premier Tech and national federations such as the Dutch Federation and was previously the kit supplier for British Cycling for 8 years. In this conversation we talk through Alex’s career to date and go full circle as we talk about his telco roots, starting Via, a Unified Comms platform, his route into cycling and Kalas and some of his investment ventures such as Intake talent and Calobra Recruitment before coming back to Telco and discussing his latest venture Whoot, a voice AI collaboration platform with applications across remote teams, incident management and project delivery. This is an insightful conversation about starting and exiting businesses, the cycling industry especially retail and clothing and navigating the start up world. Useful links www.kalas.co.uk Www.intaketalent.co.uk Www.calobra.digital Www.whoot.me This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

This episode of the podcast is one of rare occasion episodes that combines both cycling and business, that forms the dual identity of the refuel and reboot podcast. In this episode Mark speaks to Dominic Rowing-Parker founder and owner of Tullio CC, the business Community for Cyclists. It's a insight into the world of business networking events and how bringing the bike is changing the dynamic. More information on Tullio CC Website: https://www.tullio.cc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tullio-cc/ Find a local ride : https://www.tullio.cc/rides This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

This episode of the podcast is part 3 of the 3 part series recorded a couple of weeks after the 2025 edition of the El Piri Gravel Ultracycling event and is a conversation between Mark, Adam Masters and Sean Donevan, answering questions submitted by cycling club members and members of the Tullio Cycling Business Networking group. In this part of the conversation we cover what we learned from the event, what we would do next time and talked about the culture of bikepacking ultra events. All 3 parts of the Q&A are now available on the feed, so if you haven't heard the first two sections go back and listen now. There is also a video version with footage from the race and a full race recap available on my YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/wlYZlfPmDJo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

This episode of the podcast is part 2 of the 3 part series recorded a couple of weeks after the 2025 edition of the El Piri Gravel Ultracycling event and is a conversation between Mark, Adam Masters and Sean Donevan, answering questions submitted by cycling club members and members of the Tullio Cycling Business Networking group. In this part of the conversation we cover kit choice, nutrition & hydration strategy and getting through the challenging parts of the event. Part 3 of the series will be available on the feed in coming days. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

El Piri Question & Answer Episode 1. This episode of the podcast was recorded a couple of weeks after the 2025 edition of the El Piri Gravel Ultracycling event and is a conversation between Mark, Adam Masters and Sean Donevan, answering questions submitted by cycling club members and mebers of the Tullio Cycling Business Networking group. This is the first of a 3 part series covering the following questions: What is El Piri & what makes it different from other events?How much experience does someone need to have to attempt El Piri?What was the toughest part of the parcour?What was the most scenic part?How did it compare to your expectations beforehand?Any mechanicals or disasters? Parts 2 & 3 cover topics such as bike and kit choice, nutrition and the challenges faced on the route and how to prepare. So check back in a few days for the next episode. For More details on El Piri check out the race recap video on my YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/3pAgcsgqyVQ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In this episode of the Refuel & Reboot Podcast, Mark talks with Monika Sattler, Author, Endurance Athlete, TEDx & Keynote Speaker about her latest endurance challenges to hike 30 Swiss Peaks in 30 Days as part of her Climb series of challenges. Monika is the first woman to ride the complete Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) men's route back in 2018 where she completed every stage on the morning of the men's race. She also rode 124 Swiss Passes in 26 days and from these epic challenges has devised the CLIMB strategy that she teaches and trains executive and leadership teams on. In the episode Mark and Monika talk about the challenges and the CLIMB framework and application in a business and corporate setting. To connect with Monika, find out more about the upcoming challenge or get involved visit her website https://www.monikasattler.com or follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rad_monika/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In this bonus episode, of the Refuel and Reboot Podcast, I chat to Andrew Harding, owner of Cycling Strength PT and fellow member of the business networking group Tullio. Andrew reached out to me after hearing the mind over mountains episode of the pod. He had some aspects to add to the preparation aspect of ultra or any distance cycling. His website is https://cyclestrengthpt.com/ and you can follow him on Instagram or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/cycle-strength/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In the last of this series that focuses on mental preparation for endurance cycling events, Mark speaks to Jake Dugdale, Jake_is_outside , who rides for the Experimental Bikepacking Team. Jake and Mark are from the same town and met for the first timethe finish line of the Hellenic Mountain Race. In this episode, they cover how Jake got into bikepacking in the first place, some great insights into building up a reservoir of experiences to call upon, and some tips for getting through challenging moments. They talk about what it feels like to scratch in a race, the decision process and then how it feels afterwards with a very honest take on it. You can listen back to the other episodes in this series with all the full interviews now available on the podcast feed and video versions available on the YouTube Channel Thank you to all the contributors to this series. You can find Jake on instagram as Jake_is_outside This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

In this bonus episode of the Reboot & Refuel Podcast, Mark speaks with Andrew O'Connor known as Andrewon2Wheels on social media, who is in the process of cycling all of the UK 100 Climbs and more. The reason for this conversation is because Andrew has added some extra spice to his ongoing challenge by cycling what is probably one of the most notorious, Hardknott Pass continuously for 24 hours. In this episode Andrew talks about some of the considerations he has in preparing for the challenge, such as riding at night, nutrition strategy and strength training ahead of the challenge and also a little bit about how he got into cycling by cycling to all the national league football stadiums. The date for the challenge is not fixed yet but will take place in late April, early May, so follow him on any of his social media channels (@ Andrewon2Wheels) to keep up to date. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

Episode 7: Preparing for El Piri & the AlpsDivide The podcast returns to the Series topic of mental preparation for Ultracycling events after a brief technical interlude from Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona and the last episode covering first hand reports from the Atlas Mountain Race . In this episode Mark talks with Oscar Mager, a relative newcomer to the sport of Ultracycling racing but no stranger to long distance riding over an extended period of time. Oscar and Mark met on the 2025 edition of El Piri, which was Oscar's first ultra race. The discussion covers some of the preparation Oscar did to tackle that first ultra and how that is influencing his 2026 races at Gravelbirds XL & GOAT in Portugal and AlpsDivide later in the year. To hear the other episodes in the series including the Mind Over Mountains interview video that spawned this podcast series, subscribe/follow the podcast on your preferred podcast platform or head over to substack or YouTube to see the whole series. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com

This is a special episode of the Refuel and Reboot Podcast, recorded at MWC 2026 (aka Mobile World Congress) where I focus on the tech side of my interests. In this episode I capture a few voice notes on the hot topics and discussions I have been in during the conference week. It should be no surprise to anyone in the telecoms industry that AI featured not just heavily but everywhere at the event. With every talk, pitch or promotional piece of media including AI somewhere in there, whether it was needed or not. It seemed to be that if AI wasn't mentioned then the topic wasn't worth mentioning or would get no attention. Listeners will also get a sense of the buzz of the show especially in the 4YFN section of the conference which showcases startups and early investment projects. Thanks for listening to this tech interlude in the podcast, the next episode will return to cycling topics and a tech and cycling episode is in the pipeline for later in the series. To hear other episodes in this series or catch up on my posts subscribe to my substack or follow the podcast on your preferred podcast platform. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit markgilmour.substack.com