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In episode #190 we spoke with Charlotte Backus Turner, a former professional cyclist turned endurance cyclist and coach, exploring her multifaceted experience balancing high-level biking, pregnancy, and personal growth. Discover how she navigates the physical and mental hurdles of ultra bikepacking, pregnancy, and recovery—all rooted in science, lived experience, and resilience.
KEY TOPICS
- Charlotte's transition from road racing to ultra bikepacking and her recent races like Doom
- The impact of pregnancy on endurance training, fueling strategies, and nutritional needs
- Managing health challenges like pneumonia, lung capacity, and recovery after injury
- Dietary considerations for pregnant athletes, including cravings, supplements, and gut health
- Practical tips for ultra fueling, hydration strategies, and carrying essentials on long rides
- Insights into postpartum mindset and balancing athletic goals with family life
Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE BACKUS TURNER:
Charlotte Backus Turner is a 28-year-old former professional UCI road cyclist, accredited cycling coach, nutritionist, ultra-endurance bikepacker, and psychology-driven Scholar based in Park City, Utah. With a background in road, gravel, Mtb, Zwift racing, and self-supported ultra-distance events, Charlotte blends science, lived experience, and human emotion to help athletes build strength, confidence, and resilience from the inside out.
She is also the co-founder of Uinta Bikepacking alongside her husband, Matthew Turner — a northern Utah ultra-bikepacking event created to inspire more riders, especially women, to explore hard things with confidence. Outside of coaching and endurance sport, Charlotte also works in property management, bringing the same attention to detail, care, and commitment to people that she carries into her athletic and coaching life.
Charlotte and Matthew live in Park City and are expecting their first child, a baby boy, in July 2026. Through her coaching, writing, adventures, and growing family life, Charlotte continues to share a grounded perspective on endurance, nutrition, mindset, resilience, and the deeper lessons we learn on and off the bike.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction to Charlotte Turner, pro cyclist and ultra endurance bikepacker
02:25 - Charlotte’s background and journey into ultra bike packing
04:21 - Pregnancy updates, upcoming races, and life changes
05:36 - Transition from racing to pregnancy and mental challenges
06:27 - Exploring self-supported ultra events and race strategies
09:21 - Managing refueling and hydration on ultra distances
10:28 - Completing Doom 100-mile race while pregnant and lessons learned
11:04 - Adjustments in fueling and hydration during pregnancy
12:10 - Early pregnancy challenges and managing physical symptoms
13:08 - Facing food cravings and micronutrient needs during pregnancy
14:36 - Physical changes like blood volume increase and lung capacity
15:37 - Reflecting on racing before and during pregnancy
16:24 - Overcoming injury, pneumonia, and lung capacity recovery
19:37 - Transition from road to ultra bike packing and lifestyle shifts
23:17 - Nutrition practices for ultra bike packing and managing dietary restrictions
25:07 - The importance of mindset and nature connection in ultra endurance
26:11 - Fueling strategies, food options, and managing GI issues during long rides
27:13 - Favorite race snacks and planning for ultra events
29:56 - Hydration tactics, bottle placement, and water sources during races
33:19 - Monitoring fluid intake, fueling, and the body's response during ultra races
36:55 - Managing gluten sensitivities and gluten-free foods while racing
41:22 - How pregnancy altered her fueling needs and blood sugar regulation
44:12 - Balancing energy output and carbohydrate intake in ultra endurance
45:31 - Preferred protein sources during pregnancy for endurance athletes
47:29 - Supplements, vitamins, and minerals for pregnancy and athletic performance
49:56 - Upcoming races, training plans, and balancing family life
57:13 - Charlotte’s international bikepacking adventures and future goals
57:43 - Connecting with Charlotte: social media and website links
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