Jan Heine Establishes the OCVA FKT

While slinging high-TPI tires is his day job, many are also aware of Jan Heine’s exploits as an ultra-endurance cyclist. With FKTs across many events around the world, Jan Heine set the OCVA FKT as one of the first true challengers on the course. With a time of 49 hours and 58 minutes across 413 miles of rough-and-tumble Pacific Northwestern terrain, it’s high on the list of his biggest and best achievements.

Requiring hours of hike-a-bike to traverse snow-covered trails, backtracking to account for a missing bridge taken out by rushing water, and miles of singletrack on his classically styled randonneuring bike, Jan said this was the hardest ride he’s ever done. “Oregon Outback, Arkansas High Country, Unbound XL just don’t compare, especially with respect to the mental challenge.” said Jan. “The only route that comes close is the Dark Divide 300, but the OCVA is just that much longer, to push you to the limit and beyond,” he continued.

While the route has existed for some time, our recent work with Our Mother The Mountain to bring it to the site has surely shed some more light on what looks like an incredible ride. Now that Jan has served as the starting gun for accomplished ultra-cyclists everywhere, it will be interesting to see if anyone has a whack at his formidable time.

From everyone here at BIKEPACKING.com, we want to congratulate Jan on a massive effort. Chapeau, Jan! For more on the OCVA, check out our full route guide here.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

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Inspiration

The Rene Herse Pass Tour

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