Three weeks after finishing second at Silk Road Mountain Race, Sami Sauri hiked up Mont Blanc in the dark and paraglided off the summit at dawn.

Sami is a mountain woman in every sense — she ski tours, she paraglides, she bikepacks remote corners of the world, and she documents it all through her lens. Based in Chamonix, she's proof you don't have to choose between competing and creating.

In this episode of Detours, we talk about the steep learning curve of ultracycling, getting a mentor to prepare for Silk Road Mountain Race, and the power of mantras. Sami shares how she went from signing up for her first ultra after a couple bottles of wine to podiums at the world's most demanding mountain races and how she's built a life that blends her creative and competitive pursuits. 

Follow Sami on Instagram: @samisauri

Plus we have a bonus segment with our Sound Designer, Ben Crannell. Ben just got back from riding the Queen's Ransom route in Arizona and shares all about his adventure! If you're keen to hear more about the Queen's Ransom or Arizona Trail Race, check out our Detours episode with Kara Woolgar. 

Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebb

Follow Detours on Instagram: @detourscycling

Follow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cycling

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