Refuel & Reboot - The Tech and Bikepacking resupply Podcast

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 AlpsDivideThe 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

Episode 6: Chasing the Snail - A report from the 2026 Atlas Mountain RaceIn this episode Mark breaks from the Mental Preparation for Ultra events that has been the theme of this series to have a chat with Richard Hunt and Matthew Franklin who have both come back from the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race. This years edition was an epic edition due to the weather influencing the route and conditions.Even though they were never more than 20km apart on the tracker neither spoke to each other on the race so this conversation starts with them working out where they met on the race.They give a first hand report of the race especially the changes and impact.To hear more conversations from the Ultracycling scene please subscribe to the feed 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

Episode 5: Riding into the Dark: Lynne Diamond Davies. This is the 5th Episode in the series on Mentally Preparing for UltraCycling events and races and in this episode Mark speaks with Lynne Diamond Davies i_am_diamond_davies on Instagram . Lynne is a mother of three and rides part time for Pipedream Cycles in Scotland. In the episode Lynne and Mark talk about how different experiences in Ultra events and how they prepared, they also talk about how they met on the Col Du Sommelier on the AlpsDivide, Lynne was coming down from the summit having gone up at night whereas Mark was riding up, highlighting their different approaches to riding at night. Other Episodes in this series include interviews with contributors to the Mind Over Mountains Video and can be found on your favourite podcast application. Please Subscribe to be notified of when the next episodes are released. 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

Never Giving Up - Jamies Adventure to honour Bravery and Courage. Another Bonus Episode; Jamie and I are members of the Tullio Cycling Business Community and lead local rides as Ride Captains in the Chilterns and New Forest respectively. After listening to the Mind Over Mountains episode and the discussion on Mental preparation, he reached out to talk about his current cycling challenge and the preparation it entails. We talk about the death of his mother and father to cancer, his father very recently and how that has driven the nature of this challenge. We touch on the topics of grief and loss, and so if this effects you, the cancer research website has some great resources to assist. Coping with cancer | Cancer Research UKA link to Jamie's fundraising page is here : Tour d'F$%k Cancer - Stage 4: The SuperMaratonaAnd details of the Supermaratona route What is 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

Episode 4: Cat Magill - Learning along the way, one Ultra race at a time. Cat Magill https://www.instagram.com/catrmag/ and I had a shared experience in scratching at CP2 on the 2024 edition of the Atlas Mountain Race. As she lay recovering from sickness that caused her to scratch she was already planning on how to return to ultra riding and what she needed to do next. She then rode the Highlands Trail again and Silk Road Mountain Race twice. Her interview as part of the series of interviews I did for the Mind Over Mountains video and episode was the catalyst for starting this podcast series. She made a concerted effort to seek out techniques to help her mentally prepare for bikepacking and ultra races. I wanted to put out the full interview so here it is in full. Enjoy. 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 3 : Ultra Runner to Ultra Cyclist. In this episode of the Refuel and Reboot podcast , I interviewed Steve Hayes as part of the Mind Over Mountains series of videos on my YouTube channel. During that interview Steve spoke about the transition from being an Ultra Distance Runner to starting out in Ultracycling and long distance bikepacking. Steve shares why he made the move, the crossover in skills and the new skills he has had to learn and what motivates him to continue the ultra endurance world. Follow Steve on Instagram www.instagram.com/stevehayesendurance or view his blog stevedavidhayes.wordpress.comAre you a former ultra runner that has made the move over to ultracycling and bike packing, if so please add your thoughts and comments that will help others. 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

Bonus Episode : A Wild Weekend at the Atlas Mountain RaceA short bonus episode of the Refuel and Reboot podcast in-between regular episodes to give a quick glimpse into the opening weekend which has been governed by the weather and conditions. I am a volunteer dotwatcher on the race and it has been an eventful weekend. So here in this episode I give a quick update on events. The next regular episode of the Podcast will be out on Tuesday and features interview with Steve Hayes who I met at the beginning of the 2024 Atlas Mountain Race. Also an edition influenced by the weather.Follow the Atlas Mountain Race on their tracking page on Atlas Mountain Race — The Mountain Races: Silk Road, Atlas, Hellenic including their excellent daily coverage podcast. 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 2 - Interview with Erin Poland and Jono Freeman ahead of the Atlas Mountain Race. This is the full interview from our discussion for the Mind Over Mountains YouTube video about Mentally Preparing for an Ultracycling race like Atlas Mountain Race, Alpsdivide or Silk Road. Track their progress at AMR when tracking goes live on Friday 6th February and follow them on instagramErin Poland https://www.instagram.com/erin_polandJono Freeman https://www.instagram.com/worstknowntime 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 1: Mind Over Mountains: Conquering the Mental Barriers of Ultracycling events such as Alps Divide, Atlas Mountain Race, Dales Divide, Highland Trail 550, Hellenic Mountain Race or the infamous Silk Road Mountain Race.In preparing, the core challenge isn't just physical endurance but the mental fortitude required to navigate relentless ascents and unpredictable weather. In this video I explore how ultra-endurance athletes cultivate resilience, manage self-doubt, and push through the psychological walls that truly define success on such epic routes.This episode offers a deeper dive into the less-explored mental aspect of these events, providing valuable insights beyond just the physical grind.With special thanks to those who participated and gave their insights and tips. Lynne Diamond Davies https://www.instagram.com/i_am_diamond_daviesCat Magill https://www.instagram.com/catrmagOscar Mager https://www.instagram.com/oscarmagerJake Thomas https://www.instagram.com/jake_is_outsideSteve Hayes https://www.instagram.com/stevehayesenduranceErin Poland https://www.instagram.com/erin_polandJono Freeman https://www.instagram.com/worstknowntimeYouTube Video : https://youtu.be/ngT4zsVu64kJoin in the conversation and leave your tips and insights in the comments below. 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

I’m Mark Gilmour, the new host of this new podcast, Refuel and Reboot, a podcast that tries to cover subjects across technology and bikepacking, two aspects of my life. I’ve spent my working career in technology, principally in telecoms and I am also an avid cyclist, riding road, gravel and mountain bikes. In the last few years I have got involved in long distance bikepacking and ultra cycling events. So this podcast will be a mix of bike related and technology related topics and every so often an episode might include both.So this is a quick introduction to the podcast, the first full episode will be released Thursday 29th January and features a series of interviews on mental preparation for ultracycling events. Please subscribe and join me and my guests for these upcoming episodes. Speak soon. Mark 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