Dot Comms

In this special episode, originally featured on the Seek Travel Ride Podcast in August 2025, host of Dot Comms, Samuel Thompson (@touriste.routier), recounts his experience of completing the Tour de France Randonner, as well as his cycling journey to this point and the philosophy behind his approach.

Established in 1958, the Tour de France Randonneur is essentially a permanent Randonnée demarcated by 61 control points (often in emblematic locations such as Omaha Beach, Carrefour de l’Arbre, and the Col du Tourmalet) that leads riders on a roughly 4,800km true tour of France.

Thank you to Bella Molloy for allowing us to share this episode with you and check out the Seek Travel Ride podcast for other inspiring recollections of journeys by bicycle.

For more information on Samuel’s Tour de France Randonneur, see:

https://www.acier.cc/tdfrhttps://dotwatcher.cc/race/the-touriste-routier
https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/touriste-routier
https://www.hauteprovenceinfo.com/actualite-47770-manosque-samuel-thompson-tour-de-france-randonneur-en-12-jours-et-13h
https://www.usmetrocyclotourisme.fr/tdf-2025/thompson-samuel-2073-gb-finisher

Dot Comms is the audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

Presented & Produced by:
Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

Co-hosted by:
Amanda Wishart, Web Editor at DotWatcher

In this episode’s Roundtable we we review the Tour Divide with guests from the Old Man Mountain Experimental Bikepacking Team :
Paola (Poli) Berber: adventure cyclist, environmental manager, and community organiser born and raised in Mexico City.
Susie Douglas: Mountain biker of all formats, Director of Operations for Wildfire International, and ultimately Jill of All Trades: living a life filled with remote adventure and unconventional career pursuits with bikepacking the thread that ties it all together.

Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

Links:
DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/

On the Dot 002 - June 2026. Recapping Trans Balkan Race & Kromvojoj. Previewing Tour Divide, La Peripherie and Transpyrenees (Transiberica). And much more. With Nicky Shaw & Meaghan Hackinen.

On the Dot is Dot Comms’ race-dedicated show where we review the recent action and look ahead at dots to watch in the near future.

For this episode Samuel Thompson is joined by Nicky Shaw and Meaghan Hackinen to provide some expert analysis, hot takes, inside info and occasional wild speculation.

Races that are recapped include:Trans Balkan Race
Kromvojoj
Nordic Chase
And there are dots to watch at:Tour Divide
La Peripherie
Transpyrenees (Transiberica)
Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

Links:
- DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
- Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/

Dot Comms is the audio home of ultra-distance cycling coverage, in partnership with DotWatcher.

Each month we bring you all the latest racing news and goings-on from the ultra-distance self-supported cycling world, and a Roundtable discussion where prominent characters of the community share their opinions on pressing issues in the sport.

This month’s episode is supported by Acier who provide ultra-distance specific coaching and consulting services. Go to Acier.cc to find out more.

Presented & Produced by:
Samuel Thompson of Acier Coaching & Consulting (@touriste.routier, @acier.cc)

Co-hosted by:
Kitty Dennis, Managing Editor at DotWatcher

In this episode’s Roundtable we discuss the crossover space where gravel and ultra meet with:
Angus Young: One of the most accomplished riders in the ultra scene. FKT holder for the Eastern Divide (9,575km) and European Divide (7,600km), winner of HT550 and Dales Divide and now organiser of ÆthelredUltra.
Adam Jordan: Ex-pro road racer who turned to gravel and has participated in the Gravel World and European Championships. In ultra cycling he was winner of Basajaun in 2025, first pair at Badlands 2025 and second at Seven Serpents Quick Bite in 2026.
Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspod
or via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

Links:
DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/

On The Dot is Dot Comms’ brand new race-dedicated show where we review the recent ultra-cycling action and look ahead at dots to watch in the near future. For this first episode Samuel Thompson is joined by Nicky Shaw and Rob Gardiner to provide some expert analysis, hot takes, inside info and occasional wild speculation.

Races that are recapped include:
Highland Trail 550
Lost Dot 101
Mittelgebirge Classique
Wild West Country
And there are dots to watch at:
Hellenic Mountain Race
Trans Balkan Race
Race Through Poland
Kromvojoj
Utrecht Ultra
Aethelred Ultra
Get in touch via our Instagram page: @dotcommspodor via email: dotcommspod@gmail.com

Links:
DotWatcher website: https://dotwatcher.cc/
Acier Coaching & Consulting website: https://www.acier.cc/