Girls Gone Gravel podcast

This week, Kathryn sits down with Kara Folkerts, a full time trail running guide and global bikepacker, to talk about the overlap between endurance sport, travel, and cultural curiosity. Growing up a runner in Canada, Kara moved into ultra-running during university while studying ecotourism and outdoor leadership which introduced her to guided trail running trips. They cover Kara’s path into guiding, the logistics of a nomadic life, solo bikepacking, bikepack racing, and how she’s navigated RED-S, fueling, and recovery while staying active. Kara and Kathryn also discuss the realities behind the glamorous outdoors lifestyle too, including the mental load of guiding, the challenge of consistent training, and why Kara keeps choosing adventures that require problem-solving instead of perfect plans.
Follow Kara on Instagram @karafolkerts

On our episode this week, Kathryn is live on the ground in Port Gamble WA, for the 5th annual Hangtime women’s freeride event. Created in 2021 by pro freeride athlete Hannah Bergemann, the event brought together 60 women from across the world to showcase the rapidly progressing level of women’s freeride. The weekend isn’t about competition, it centers development and progression, and encourages the riders to support each other to progress at their own pace. Kathryn chats with young, up-and-coming riders Mayumi Wakefield and Peyton Lee about what the events means to them, and where they hope to see women’s freeride go as their careers progress in the sport. We also hear from event organizer Hannah Bergemann about what inspired her to start the event, and the changes she has seen and continues to see in the sport.
Follow the event & riders on Instagram:
@hangtime.bike
@hannahbergemann
@peyton.lee22
@mayumi.wakefield
Find the event highlights on PinkBike at: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/hannah-bergemanns-5th-annual-hangtime-recap.html
Join us at FeistyFest: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/
Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/
Follow us on Instagram:
@feistycycling
@feisty_media
Girls Gone Gravel Website:
https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/
Support our Partners:
Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb
Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com
Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

On this week’s episode Kristi and Kathryn talk with internet sensation Laini Bones, about how a joking Instagram bit turned into a fast-growing cycling platform. Laini started running during college, and spent 10 years as a runner working in the world of corporate finance before cycling piqued her interest. She tells us about her path from running marathons to road racing, the viral segment-hunting reels that launched her account, and how she balances comedy, competition, and growing visibility in the cycling world. The conversation also digs into her racing plans with Lauren Stevens’ team, Aegis Next Step Racing where she has been a guest rider this year, and her plans for the future - which may just include some gravel racing
Aside from being a total bad-ass on a bike, Laini is also co-founder and CFO of Carbs Fuel with her husband Gabe. She tells us how the company got started, and what it was like making the leap from her full-time corporate gig to the life of an entrepreneur and influencer.
Follow Laini on instagram @lainibones

On this week’s episode Kathryn joins us from on the ground at Gavel Worlds in Lincoln, Nebraska. First we hear from fellow podcasters, the Bonk Babes who tell us a little bit about how their show got starters, as well as a few plans they are cooking up for the future. Then we hear from a number of athletes including Sofia Gomez-Villafane, Cécile LeJeune, Danni Shrosbree, and race winner Gee Schreurs. Tune in to get all of the on the ground details!
Join us at FeistyFest: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/
Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/
Follow us on Instagram:
@feistycycling
@feisty_media
Girls Gone Gravel Website:
https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/
Support our Partners:
Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb
Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com
Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

On our episode this week Kathryn catches up with friend of the podcast, and founder of All Bodies on Bikes, Marley Blonsky. With her recent move to the west coast Marley opens up about what prompted the move, and why Portland feels like home. This year Marley took a step back from running All Bodies on Bikes, and is now working on the sales floor at River City Bicycles in Portland. She gives her perspective on what she’s learning in the role, why she loves it, and some of the trends she is seeing in the bike industry from the sales side. Marley will be having a knee replacement in the fall, after a long journey with a knee injury that has affected her life for years. She gives us an honest look at the challenges that she has faced as a person in a larger body trying to seek treatment for her injury. Marley also discusses her decision to use a GLP-1, and how she has handled the use of this medication as an endurance cyclist.
Earlier this year Marley released a children' s book called Rag Tag Best Friends Bicycle Club. She tells us about where the inspiration for the story came from, as well as where you can buy the book.
Learn more about Marley on her website marleyblonsky.com
Check out Marley’s signature collection with Shredly at https://shredly.com/ and use the code GirlsGoneGravel at checkout to save 15%!