Rachel Nolan is back on the show FOUR YEARS (We can’t believe it either!) after her first visit on Episode #35, and it’s great to have her join us. In July 2026 she won PC12 in Colombia with Vidaraid, her first race with the team. Rachel and Brian also get into how she got there: solo bikepacking across the Atlas Mountains and the Pan Celtic, a training week built on hill repeats and packrafting off the west coast of Ireland, and a racing style she calls steady rather than fast.
They also talk meat-free fueling in a meat-heavy country, sleeping (or not sleeping) through a five-day race, running her own tour company, and why she thinks waiting to feel ready is a mistake. Next stop for her is the world championship in Corsica.
Shownotes:
Rachel on TDZ #35 – https://ardarkzone.com/2022/06/27/the-dark-zone-35-rachel-nolan-irish-adventure-racer-bikepacking-champion-and-african-donkey-whisperer/
Jen Segger – https://jensegger.com/
Jill Mooney – https://barrultra.com/about-us/jill/
Northwave – https://www.northwave.com/en/bike/shoes
Infinity Bike Seat – https://infinitybikeseat.com/
Albion Cycling – https://www.albioncycling.com/
Orbea Bikes – https://www.orbea.com/es-es
Columbia Sportswear – https://www.columbia.com/
Montenegro Mountain Madness – https://www.montenegromountainmadness.com/
Super Jay – https://www.instagram.com/jay_jantaraboon/
The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast 