On this extended episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we head into the rugged heart of Monterrey, Mexico, home of La Ruta Madre—a race that blends blistering heat, steep technical terrain, cultural immersion, and the kind of navigational complexity that defines true expedition racing.
Our guests—Una, Joel, and Zach—join TDZ to unpack the story of their team’s experience on this iconic course. But rather than spotlighting individual accomplishments, this episode explores how the team operated as a single unit: how decisions were made under fatigue, how pacing and strategy evolved across the Sierra Madre, and how communication and trust became just as critical as solid navigation or a strong climb.
Together, they paint a vivid picture of what it means for a team to hold form across long hours, hard miles, and constantly shifting conditions. From their brief pre-race meeting to the moments deep in the mountains when teamwork mattered most, listeners get a rare inside look at how a successful team thinks, reacts, and stays connected.
La Ruta Madre isn’t just a race—it’s a test of cohesion, resilience, and collective problem-solving. Settle in for an immersive conversation that brings you right into the heartbeat of the team as they took on one of the world’s most striking and demanding adventure races.
Shownotes:
La Ruta Madre ARWS Page – https://arworldseries.com/races/319
La Ruta Madre Event Website – https://larutamadre.mx/
Bend Racing’s LRM Report – https://www.bendracing.com/post/racing-la-ruta-madre-a-journey-of-teamwork-terrain-and-top-gear
Sponsor Links:
Nuataaq Carabiner Hydration Bottle – www.nuataaq.com
Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race – https://www.adventureenablers.com/
Adventureware Shop – https://adventureware.shop/
The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast 