Rigs of the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race (Part One)

Having gathered dozens of “Rigs of” roundups by now, I generally have a pretty good idea of what to expect from each event we feature. There are a handful of popular events, such as the Tour Divide, the Mountain Race series, Badlands, and DOOM, that seem to keep seeing bigger and bigger turnouts. More riders means more rig submissions, which often means we split the roundups into two parts, generally flat-bar and drop-bar categories. The split is usually relatively even, which makes it an obvious option. This year, when I was about 100 rigs into our largest Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR) rig roundup to date, I noticed our usual split wouldn’t work. I had a small group of drop-bar bikes and a massive collection of flat-bar setups, which caught me off guard. While this isn’t entirely unusual for the SRMR, the discrepancy is interesting. This year, the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race rigs are being presented in two parts, listed in alphabetical order.

• 
• 

The seventh edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race begins at 6 p.m. local time on Friday, August 15th, in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. There will be 250 riders tackling a 1,954-kilometer route with around 28,000 meters of climbing to reach the finish in Karakol. It’s the longest and most remote route yet, with minimal pavement and 730 kilometers of freshly added terrain that will take riders to some of the wildest and most remote places in Kyrgyzstan, far from the beaten path that most know. This year, the route connects the south of the country with the east via a route that few people have ever taken a bike on.

• 
• 

We gathered details on over 120 rigs that will be taking on the race. As always, we included details on each rider’s bike, bags, what GPS device they are using, and other highlights, as well as their age and hometown. Scroll down for the first 60 rigs, and come back tomorrow for the rest.

For more, you can head to the Mountain Races website to dot watch, follow Silk Road Mountain Race on Instagram for daily visual updates, and subscribe to the Mountain Races Podcast for audio updates from the field. You can also follow race updates via our Tracker here on the site.

Slava Agis

Age 39 / Almaty City (Kazakhstan)

BIKE: Priority ADX (2024). I bought this bike specifically for SRMR 2024. It arrived just two weeks before the race. No test rides, no break-in period. We both went straight into the wild. Before this, I’d never really been into bikepacking. This was a leap of faith—a new discipline, a new setup, and new terrain. And it paid off. The Pinion gearbox turned out to be a game-changer. Smooth, reliable, and perfectly suited for long-distance off-road adventures. For this kind of riding, I’d say it’s a must-have. I made a few upgrades: swapped in a WREN handlebar, added Ergon GP3 grips, and mounted an Aeroe Spider Rear Rack and Spider Handlebar Cradle. This season, I’m also running new tires. Vittoria Barzo up front and Mezcal in the back, both 29 × 2.6″ XC Trail. Loving the setup so far.
BAGS: Custom-made frame bag by NerpaGear, Aeroe 12L (black) + 8L (orange) Heavy Duty Dry Bags, Revelate Designs 2x Mountain Feedbags, EgressPocket, Mag-Tank 2000, and a Jerrycan.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar.

Marius Allebe

Age 24 / Toulouse (France)

BIKE: For the SRMR I will ride in team Crank and Crust on a 2018 Orbea Alma M10 with Shimano XT brakes, Deore derailleur, 22T chainring, Rene Herse tires, and a SON hub dynamo. Total weight: 28 kg.
BAGS: My setup includes a Zéfal saddlebag, Restrap top tube bag, Apidura frame bag, two Apidura food pockets on the handlebar, and a small front pocket. I’m carrying 3L of water and sleep in a Hyperlite 2P tent with my favourite gear: a shocking blue -11°C sleeping bag and Forclaz mat. Cooking is done with a Jetboil stove.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Clothing: two bibs, two jerseys, Patagonia down jacket, Rab shell, gloves, winter pants, warmers, Gore overpants, Fizik Terra shoes, and a Scott helmet.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 530.

Natalie Anderson

Age 42 / Long Beach, NSW (Australia)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Silk Road Mountain Race on a Superior XP 969 29er carbon hardtail that goes by the name Charlie. The bike has a 100mm travel fork, and the drivetrain is 1×12 with a 32T chainring and a 10-51T cassette. I’m running a SON Dynamo hub with K-Lite lights and a charging system.
BAGS: There is a mix of bags and racks, including a Tailfin AeroPack Cargo and Tailfin fork packs attached with the suspension fork mounts. Topeak cradle and an Exped drybag for a handlebar roll. Apidura toptube bag, Revelate Designs feedbags, and a homemade frame bag (Thanks, Dane), housing an Apidura water bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Nemo Hornet 2P for plenty of space as my shelter along with an Mountain Designs sleeping bag and Sea To Summit mat and pillow. I’m hoping the feedbags will be constantly filled with snacks, and my new down booties will keep my feet warm at night.
GPS DEVICE: I’ll be carrying a Garmin Edge 530 for navigation.

Kollegin Anton

Age 36 / Saint Petersburg (Russia)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a steel Susanin Adventure frame, handmade in Saint Petersburg, equipped with 29″ wheels. This year, I decided to add some extra comfort up front with a Fox 34 fork (with modified travel) and Ergon GP3 grips. For the rear, I’m running a Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost paired with my favorite SQLab 612 saddle. The drivetrain is a 1×12 SRAM X01 with a 28T chainring, and brakes are Lewis AX. Rolling on Vittoria Mezcal 2.35″ tires, the bike is equipped with a Shutter Precision dynamo hub powering a kLite lighting system.
BAGS: Mix of Rhinowalk bags and custom-made ones I sewed myself.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Restrap Hike-a-Bike harness for those days when I feel like pushing the bike instead of riding.

Walter Arer

Age 50 / Vallarsa, Trentino (Italy)

BIKE: Specialized Epic World Cup equipped with SRAM GX Eagle 1×12, 30T chainring, 10-52T cassette, and Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.35″ tires.
BAGS: All from Revelate Designs. Ranger frame bag, Terrapin 8L seat bag, Pitchfork Aerobar System, Joey Downtube bag, Gas Tank, and two Mountain Feedbags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Zpacks Plex Solo Light Tent, Sea to Summit Spark III sleeping bag. MSR/Sea to Summit cooking set.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge Explore 2.

Cedric Aubert

Age 38 / Chamonix (France)

BIKE: I’m riding a 2023 Specialized Epic Evo Expert full suspension, upgraded with the new SRAM T-Type Transmission (10-52T cassette and 32T chainring). 29 x 2.35″ Fast Trak tires front and rear, with a Roval carbon wheel out back and a DT Swiss alloy wheel up front, paired with a SON dynamo hub.
BAGS: Tailfin AeroPack in the rear and a Tailfin handlebar roll up front, plus a Rhino long top tube bag. I carry two 750ml bottles on the frame. For long stretches without resupply, I have a 8L hydra vest and a 2L soft flask.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My dynamo is wired into a kLite charging system with two power banks (30,000 mAh total), a custom Petzl headlamp, and a Bookman 1500 lumens front light (super powerful for off-road riding). My sub-1kg sleep setup includes a Millet Trilogy bivy, Sea to Summit Nano Air inflatable pad, and The North Face Blue Kazoo -2c sleeping bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar (2024 edition).

Christophe Audiberti

Age 58 / Nice Alpes-Maritimes (France)

BIKE: Chiru Kegeti, Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tires, 1×12 SRAM 90 XO, DT SWISS 1700 wheels.
BAGS: Oveja Negra.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Cumulus 300 Xlight, NITECORE Carbon battery.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Ace.

Marcus Baguley

Age 55 / Wellington, Aotearoa (New Zealand)

BIKE: The frame is a titanium Olsen tiger running SRAM Eagle Transmission 90 with a 30T chainring. For squish I have a SID 120mm, Redshift seatpost, and for slowing me down I have Magura with 203/180mm rotors. I am doubling down on comfort with the carbon Profile Designs aeros sitting on a Fred bar and my Brooks saddle, which I am hoping will save a prolonged arse beating.
BAGS: The carrying system is based around the Tumbleweed rack and two 16L MLD pannier bags plus Zpacks 30L pack strapped on top. I hope this gives me good control and confidence on the downs, plenty of spare capacity for treats and calories on the longer stretches, and an option for transforming it on HAB sections and put the load on my back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system is the Altraplex tent, MLD quilt, down booties, and a thick Exped mat for added warmth.
GPS DEVICE: I will be navigating with the Wahoo Bolt plugged into the Sinewave/SON dynamo, and phone for backup.

Hj Abu Bakar

Age 52

BIKE: Trek Procaliber with Roval Control SL wheels and Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25″ front and 2.1″ in the rear.
BAGS: Apidura Expedition Saddle Bag, Apidura Expedition Handlebar Bag, Aeroe Spider Rack, Restrap top tube bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 530.

David Barkhuisen

Age 35 / Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng (South Africa)

BIKE: Titan Cypher carbon dual suspension. SRAM GX AXS 1×12 10-52T with a 30T chainring. For power I have a Son 28 and a kLite light and charger.
BAGS: Ortlieb tail pack 16L, Texrex bar bag, Tailfin tool kit, Apidura top tube bag, and two Texrex feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Soft tail for some comfort.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Fenix backed up by an eTrex.

Lacee Barr

Age 36 / North Saanich, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I will be riding my custom steel Puszta. The bike is set up with a 100mm DT Swiss F232 One fork. Mostly mid-tier Shimano drivetrain and brake components. Hand built DT Swiss wheels featuring SP Dynamo hub and Bontrager 2.4″/2.6″ tires. I’ll have bar ends and customized aero bars to give me a range of hand positions on the bike.
BAGS: My bike will be equipped with a Puszta exclusive STWR (Stop! The Wag Rear) bag rack and a PTF (Pizza! Tray Front) bag rack. Various dry bags will be strapped to these racks. I’ll also have two snack pouches and a frame bag I made myself.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system will include a Big Agnes Fly Creek Tent, Exped Ultra sleeping pad and Exped Ultra Pillow. I will pack a GoPro with me to capture the epic views.
GPS DEVICE: I will be using the Coros Dura.

Leanne Bentley

Age 35 / Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

BIKE: I’ll be racing on my Sour Pasta Party, with custom anodized hubs from QVIST laced to Reynolds carbon rims, a Manitou R8 fork, and SRAM 1×12 mechanical drivetrain. Tires are 2.35″ Schwalbe Racing Ralph/Ray. I’m also running Profile Design aerobars for comfort and a Mica Rat Tail rack for extra capacity.
BAGS: All the bags are made by me (Carrie Gere) except the long top tube bag which is from Tailfin.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m racing with a tent for the first time, which I’m excited about. It’s the Tarptent Rainbow Li, nice and light and quick to set up. Also have lots of versatile layers from Albion which should comfortably see me through the big temperature swings on the race.

Blair Blackwell

Age 50 / Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my first SRMR with a teal Ibis DV9 with Rekon Race 29 x 2.4” tires. I’ve added a Cane Creek eeSilk+ suspension seat post and Ergon grips and saddle for comfort. An SP PD-8X hub with kLite light and charging will light the way and keep things charged.
BAGS: I absolutely love my Nerpa Gear custom bags with stitching of the Tien Shan mountains and Kazakh swallows. They’ll join the sparkle Squatch sticker in keeping me smiling along the trail. For the race, I’ve switched out my tail bag for a Tailfin cargo Aeropack to make carrying calories easier.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Hoping for a bit of “good” sleep and warmth in a Big Agnes Copper Spur tent with a Therm-a-Rest Hyperion -6C sleeping bag and NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad. Kit is a combo of 7mesh and Albion and one each of their ladies cargo bibs.
GPS DEVICE: I’ll be navigating with a Garmin Edge 1040 Solar with an iPhone and my Garmin Fenix as backups.

Melina Boening

Age 33 / Berlin (Germany)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Silk Road Mountain Race on my Vetra Fennek—a custom-built hardtail, handcrafted by Vetra Bikes in Berlin. It is named after the desert fox—a small, resilient creature built for the extremes, surviving by agility and instinct. The colour and decals represent memories from past adventures. It features a 100mm suspension fork, a dropper post and a 1×12 drivetrain with a 30T chainring. The wheels, hand-built by Munro Wheels, feature 29″ carbon rims, a SON dynamo, a silent Onyx rear hub, high-flow valves and 2.4″ tyres. Inner bar ends and a Redshift Aerobar will keep me comfortable in the front.
BAGS: The Dyneema handlebar roll, full-frame bag and top-tube bag are all handmade by Gramm Tourpacking. The rack is a self-brazed project to carry a simple drybag. I’ll also be wearing an Albion visibility cargo vest to carry water and snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An extra warm sleeping bag customized by Cumulus Outdoor, combined with a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, a bivy bag and a tarp (for potentially wet nights) will keep me cosy at high altitude. For the night riding I’ll be layering up with Albion clothing, while a Supernova M99 DY Pro with high-beam function will light the road ahead. I will also bring a small camera to capture some moments of the race.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.

Sandor Boros

Age 41 / North Saanich, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: Puszta Bikes Ti SS “Mush Mush” dachshund inspired long and low. Featuring STWR (Stop! The Wag Rear) bag rack and PTF (Pizza! Tray Front) bag rack, exclusive to Puszta Bikes. SS setup 36/19T ratio, dialled in for the hike-a-bikes. Loving the TRP Hylex brakes with big rotors and my Repente saddle. Wheels are hand-built with Spank Race 33 rims, Formula rear and SP dynamo front hubs. 2.6″ XR tires smooth out the rigid setup.
BAGS: Woho saddle bag, custom and regular dry bags on the sides. Custom frame bag and snack pouches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Kodak Ektar H35N film camera, Zoom H1 voice recorder, Cateye bell (for those speedy running kids!), and lights. Tatptent Pro trail dyneema tent and Exped Ultra sleeping pad.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Dan Bridle

Age 28 / East London (England)

BIKE: The mighty Brother Cycles Big Bro, 100mm RockShox SID fork, sweepy SQLabs bars, squishy Redshift seatpost, SON Dynamo and the classic Mezcal/Barzo combo for the boots. Photos by Dan Woodcock.
BAGS: Wizard Works with Tailfin rear and Aeroe/Revelate Designs bar bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Gassed about it all really, but mega shoutout to Wizard Works for the oh so special lidded stem bags…they are ace.
GPS DEVICE: Coros DURA, gotta be.

Markus Brigl

Age 35 / Munich (Germany)

BIKE: Cube Elite, XTR mechanical, 32T chainring, Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 x 2.25″ tires.
BAGS: Apidura Frame bag, Tailfin Aero pack AL, Tailfin Bottom tube bag, Cyclite Aerobar bag, Restrap Dry bag on Bar.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lupine SL Nano AF with 2x5Ah + 1x 6,9Ah Akku batteries.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar.

Matthew Brough

Age 44 / Tasmania (Australia)

BIKE: My bike is a 2019 Salsa Cutthroat in full party mode, all dressed up with a Rockshox Reba suspension fork and obnoxiously wide Curve Walmer bars. The wheels are Curve Dirt Hoops on uncharacteristically pragmatic SON 28 and DT Swiss hubs, wearing Vittoria Mezcals in a festively plump 2.35″. The groupset is a mishmash of Shimano GRX, Garbaruk, and SRAM, yielding a low gear ratio so far below 1:1 it’d probably be faster to walk, if I wasn’t slow at that too.
BAGS: I’m running Revelate Designs bags, with the exception of the handlebar setup which is from Tailfin. Other cages and adapters are mostly King Cage and Wolf Tooth, with a sprinkling of Free Parable, Gorilla Gear, and Bor Yueh.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Igaro C1 dynamo light puts out enough light to make a small city jealous, and generates enough surplus power to supply a large one.
GPS DEVICE: For navigation I have a Coros Dura, with my phone on a Quadlock stem mount as backup and makeshift action camera—because if it’s not on Insta, did it even happen?

Nick Bulgakov

Age 42 / Moscow (Russia)

BIKE: Custom-built Specialized Epic HT with fast Conti Race King 2.2″ tires, 32×10-51T Shimano XTR, SON dynamo hub, and Klite front light. Custom-made titanium rear rack from Protostudia.
BAGS: All bags are custom made by Dalekodolgo.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lightweight sleep system: polycro shelter, mesh bivy, foam mat, and Silvera down sleeping bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin + Garmin + iPhone.

Chris Burkard

Age 39 / Reykjavik (Iceland)

BIKE: Trek Supercaliber with XX Transmission drivetrain, Reverb dropper and Enve wheels, bars and stem and components. 32T chainring for this machine will be powering 29 x 2.35″ Vittoria Mezcal XC trail tires.
BAGS: Bags are a mixture of Tailfin Aeropack and top tube bag which is my tried and true, Revelate Designs frame bag which was one of the first bags I ever bought and a modified Hyperlite Mountain Gear camera bag that I use between a set of Ride FARR aero bars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I think the Enve M6 wheels laced up with a SON dynamo hub is the highlight for me. Super light but burly and it charges all my essentials through the kLite system. My sleep kit is special to me. It’s a custom made “JP skirt” and Anorak puff made my nanutak gear which is filled with Eidar down from Iceland. I’ll be in a Mountain Laurel Designs bivy.
GPS DEVICE: COROS Dura with an extra one for backup and a COROS apex watch. (I lost my GPS on TD 2023 and vowed to always bring a backup)

Tobias Callister

Age 27 / St. Gallen (Switzerland)

BIKE: My bike of choice is the Canyon Exceed CF 7 (2023). I have mounted a Redshift seatpost to combat the washboard gravel. Pro Missile aerobars and Syntace Handlebars with a 12° backsweep help with a more ergonomic fit. The gears are stock Shimano XT with a 12-speed 10-51T cassette and a 34T chainring.
BAGS: Mostly Tailfin. The aeropack, the frame, top and downtube bags, and the fork mounts. Finally, a Rogue Panda handlebar harness.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar harness. It holds a 16L Gila Dry bag which can fit my Cumulus sleeping bag, Durston Xmid 1 tent, Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad, Albion puff jacket, and Mammut puff shorts.
GPS DEVICE: The Coros Dura was a last-minute purchase and so far it has proven to be the best choice I could make. Fast, simple, reliable, and an unheard of battery life with its small inbuilt solar panel.

Matteo Carbone

Age 41 / Sansepolcro, Tuscany (Italy)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a custom no-brand carbon MTB frame in size 56. The bike features Hunt Search 29” MTB wheels with a SON dynamo hub, Maxxis Ikon 2.25” tires, and a Fox 32 Factory fork. The drivetrain is a SRAM GX T-Type with a 30T front chainring and SRAM Force shifters. Braking is handled by Level Stealth 2P brakes with 180/160mm rotors. The setup includes a drop bar with Blips on the aero extensions, and front/rear kLite dynamo lighting for night riding.
BAGS: I’m using a Tailfin AeroPack Cargo as my rear bag, a custom Missgrape frame bag, a Missgrape top tube bag, and a 12L Aeroe front drybag mounted on “Il Coso” by Missgrape.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My shelter system includes a Nemo Dragonfly OSMO Bikepacking tent and a Sea to Summit Spark -1°C sleeping bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040.

Anders Carlson

Age 18 / Brighton, Utah (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing a 2022 Trek Procaliber. I’m using Hunt Proven Race XC carbon wheels with Rekon Race tires, and a 1×12 SRAM drivetrain with a 36T chainring.
BAGS: My frame bag is custom x-pac bag that I made myself, as well as my front handlebar bag and bottle bags on the bars. For my seat bag I am using the Rogue Panda Ripsey dropper bag, as well as a Oveja Negra top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be using a Lupine Designs dyneema tarp tent that weighs around 4 oz.
GPS DEVICE: I will be using a Wahoo Elemnt, as well as a Garmin inReach.

Ben Chambers

Age 37 / Squamish, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ve upgraded the rig since the photo; I’ll be riding a 2024 Kona Sutra Ltd. with Fresh 29 x 2.25″ Vittoria Mezcal tires, wrapped around DT Swiss rims laced to Hope Pro 5 hubs, hand-built by the great guys at Corsa Squamish. Other upgrades include a set of Hope RX4+, Redshift shock stop stem. I’m using a 30T chainring, and the 11-speed drivetrain was expanded to 9-46T with an E*thirteen cassette. It has a Salsa Anything cradle and Tumbleweed T-Rack. And a cheeky bottle mount up top.
BAGS: The Frame bag is the star, it’s a custom bolt-in Nook Packs design with matching feed bags. Various brands of dry bags strapped to a Salsa anything cradle and a T-Rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack, Ether Light XR Insulated Pad, along with a merino T-shirt I found in the woods.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura with a Garmin Fenix 6S for heart rate, with my phone for a bigger picture and backup.

Sergei Cherepanov

Age 28 / Kyrgyzstan

BIKE: I’ll be racing on a custom build with a Tideace FM-M039 Chinese carbon frame, fitted with handbuilt DT Swiss wheels and Vittoria Mezcal tires (2.35″ front, 2.25″ rear) for optimal traction and speed. It’s equipped with a Rockshox SID Select 120mm fork to handle the rugged Kyrgyz trails, a SRAM GX drivetrain with a 30T PassQuest chainring for crushing climbs, and SRAM Motive ULT brakes for confident stopping power.
BAGS: A split frame bag from Sarmatian, with an Apidura hydration system neatly integrated in the lower section. Handlebar and saddle bags are from Brooks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The handlebar is a titanium replica of the “Moloko,” custom-welded by Rapid with tailored angles. Paired with a Farr rest kit and a custom Sarmatian inner-handlebar bag, it’s fully optimized for 100% functionality.

Danielle (Danni) Coffman

Age 50 / Kalispell, Montana (USA)

BIKE: My bike is a Bingham Built titanium “Bingo.” If I need a distraction during the race at any point, I will just admire her beautiful and perfect welds. This is the nicest bike I’ve ever ridden with electronic shifting, 155mm cranks, 28T chainring, Astral wheels, a Dynamo hub, 29 x 2.35″ Mezcals, a Fox suspension fork, and many potential hand positions. Most importantly, this bike fits me perfectly—thank you Brad Bingham!
BAGS: The highlight is the tiny frame bag made by my friend Mark Christensen (Dirt Bound Bag Works) complete with the Girl Scout badge he awarded to me. The rest are either Revelate Designs or Tailfin. I’m also trying the Restrap HAB harness for the inevitable nonsense.
GPS DEVICE: I am trying the Coros Dura with my phone as backup.

Federico Colalongo

Age 49 / Italy

BIKE: Titanium Curve Uprock V2 (XXL). RockShox SID Ultimate 120mm fork with remote lockout. RAM XX1 AXS Eagle with 28T Absolute Black oval chainring, 12-speed 10–52T. Curve Dirt Hoops Carbon 29″ wheels, tubeless with Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.35” front and rear + Air Liner Light XC. SRAM Code RSC brakes (200mm front, 180mm rear). Joystick 8-BIT LT bar, Ergon GP3 grips, Profile Design Sonic Ergo 50A aerobars, Rockshock Reverb Stealth 175mm dropper post. Fizik Vento Argo R3 saddle.
BAGS: Tailfin AeroPack Alloy, Tailfin 3L top tube and downtube bags. Custom Mrs Grape full frame bag. Mrs Grape Il Coso harness with 30L Sea to Summit eVac drybag. Fork-mounted bottles on Tailfin mounts (2).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: kLite ULTRA Adventure, Garmin inReach Mini 2. SON dynamo and kLite charger, 2× Nitecore 10,000 mAh power banks. Neve Gear Waratah Pro quilt (–8°C), Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT, 3F UL Tyvek bivy, Hyperlite Dynema Flat Tarp, Polycryo ground sheet.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar and Edge 840 backup.

Ashley Cordingley

Age 40 / Scotland

BIKE: I’m riding a Fairlight Holt, set up with a Shimano XT/XTR drivetrain, SID SL 110mm fork, and a wide range 1×12 drivetrain using an e*thirteen 9–52T cassette. Wheels are JRA carbon built on Hope Pro 5 rear and SON 28 front hub for reliable dynamo power and durability in the rough stuff.
BAGS: I’m running a homemade frame bag and front harness tailored to the Holt, Ortlieb dry bags and Quick Rack. Everything is dialled in to keep the weight low and the setup tidy.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping setup is warm: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1, Nemo Tensor all season, and a lightweight RAB Mythic 400 sleeping bag. I’ve opted for aero bars, mainly for mounting kit. They weigh less than a harness and front bag combo, and add just enough comfort for longer stretches.
GPS DEVICE: Navigation is on a Garmin 1040 Solar.

Igoshin Denis

Age 46 / Salekhard (Russia)

BIKE: Orbea OIZ Carbon OMX 29″. Full suspension Fox 32 100mm fork, Shimano XTR, 34T chainring was changed to 32T, 10-51T 12-Speed cassette, DT Swiss 1650 rims, Maxxis Rekon Race tires were changed to Vittoria Mezcal Graphene 2.0″ tubeless 2.35″. Deda FastBlack 2 Carbon bars, Ergon GP3 grips.
BAGS: All from Tailfin. AP18 rack top bag carbon, bar system, long top tube bag, suspension fork mounts with cage packs and bottle cages.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: MSR Hubba NX tent, Sea to Summit Spark III sleeping bag, Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT sleeping pad.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar.

Cal Dew

Age 33 / Macclesfield, Cheshire (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’m racing in the ‘pairs’ category on a Trek Procaliber SL hardtail that I bought last year (frame only) and built up with some existing and some new parts. The build highlights are: 12-speed drivetrain with 32T Burgtec oval chainring, Michelin Jet XC2 tyres (2.35″ wide), Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seatpost, and a SON Dynamo hub to generate power, built up by Beespoke, Macclesfield.
BAGS: I’ve chosen a full Tailfin bag setup throughout: Bar-bag, top-tube bag, and rear cargo rack with side panniers. I’ve tried other setups over the years but this feels the most solid with the greatest carrying capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m really impressed with the Rab Mythic Ultra 360 Down sleeping bag, the Sea to Summit UL mat, and the Exposure Torro and Sirius lights.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar.

Annie Dunlap

Age 26 / Aldie, Virginia (USA)

BIKE: Canyon’s Grand Canyon 7. Added suspension seatpost and Jones handlebar. This singlespeed conversation tested my sanity, but landed on a XLC CR-A03 chain tensioner to work with a 30x20T.
BAGS: Highlights include my frame bag from Straight Cut Design, the Aeroe front/rear systems with 12L Mountain Laurel drybags, and my Fishski feedbag holding my camera (hoping it survives the bumps!)
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve been running the Ripsaw flats this year by Wolf Tooth Components paired with some Topo hiking shoes. This combo is everything I could dream of for long efforts with plenty of pushing.
GPS DEVICE: I’m using the Coros Dura with my phone as a backup.

Justus Eisenbeiss

Age 36 / Frankfurt am Main (Germany)

BIKE: For my race against the snail I’ll be riding my trusty set-up rather than a purpose-built bike. My rig consists of a (fully rigid) Curve GMX+ titanium frame, a Rohloff speedhub (geared for climbing: 32T chainring, 16T cog), a SON dynamo hub, Vittoria Mezcal 2.35″ tires and a Redshift suspension seatpost (to compensate the lack of front/rear suspension).
BAGS: I have a large custom frame bag and two gigantic feed bags handmade by RogovBags of Etsy (highly recommended). Continuing with the theme of riding the gear that I have rather than the one I’d ideally have or purchase, I‘m running an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rear rack with a dry bag and cradle/dry bag combination mounted to the handlebars for my sleep setup. I‘ll also be wearing a Decathlon hydration west with 2L capacity as well as two 650ml bottles mounted to the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Alpha direct clothing for warmth on and off the bike as well as my kLite lighting/charging system.
GPS DEVICE: I’m using a Wahoo Element Roam v2 and Komoot/Ride with GPS on my iPhone as a back-up.

Jonathan Elliot

Age 48 / Hobart, Tasmania (Australia)

BIKE: For the 2025 SRMR, I’m taking my 2017 Muru Innaminka titanium mule. Fox 34 SC forks and a CC eeSilk seatpost will smooth out the washboard, and a full Hope setup for reliability in the Tian Shan, HS, BB, V4 brakes, and crankset. Salsa bars, Ergon GS3 grips and Profile Design aerobars with HED carbon armrests. A Gates carbon belt drives a Rohloff hub, rolling on DT Swiss 32-spoke rims wrapped in 2.35” Vittoria Mezcals with XC Lite cores. Power and light come from a SON dynamo feeding kLite front and rear lights, while a Nitecore NU53 headtorch will light the way through goat tracks and rivers when the sun’s long gone.
BAGS: MLD large panniers on a Protostudia Ti rack, giving quick access and heaps of room for food for long sections without resupply. An Apidura frame bag, Tailfin top tube bag, Rockgeist feedbags, and a Revelate Designs Pronghorn harness with Egress pocket (plus an MLD dry bag) round out the storage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Two 950ml Elite Fly Tex bottles sit in a Cyclewerks cage adapter for primary hydration. When needed a 1.5L Nalgene under the downtube runs through a Big Swig tube system, protected from grit by a Mucky Nutz Gut Fender. No backpack or vest, everything’s on the bike. Shelter is a Tarptent Rainbow Li, with a Tier Gear -7 °C quilt, Therm-a-Rest XTherm pad and ZPaks down booties. Clothing includes Assos Mille S11 bibs, Maap Alt Road jersey, Specialized Rime 2 shoes, and Soomom Ultra mitts, plus Assos and Kuiu winter gloves. For warmth, an Enlightened Equipment synthetic puffer, Ground Effect merino tights, Artilect merino long sleeve and Macpac Nitro hoodie. A Da Brim helmet visor is all function over fashion in the Kyrgz sun.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar.

Tomas Fabian

Age 29 / Kraliky (Czech Republic)

BIKE: Full suspension Ridley Raft XC 2024, mechanical SRAM GX 1×12 drivetrain with 32T chainring, 10-51T cassette, RockShox SID fork, RockShox SID Lux shock, SRAM Level TL brakes, Javax M521 wheels with Javax hubs, FSA carbon bars, Deda aerobars.
BAGS: Restrap Aero Bag, 2x Silo Basama Bags, 1x Top Tube Basama Bag, Acepac Saddle Bag, Ospray running backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Ridley bike with Javax wheels.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 540.

Torsten Frank

Age 54 / Wuppertal (Germany)

BIKE: I’m riding my lovely Dropbar Exceed. I converted it to drop bars, set it up with a hybrid “Sramimano” group consisting of Shimano crankset, chain, and cassette (36 x 10-51T), SRAM Eagle AXS X01 RD. Recently upgraded to the new Red brifters and brakes. A RockShox SID SL Ultimate provides just the right amount of squish and bling at the front while being utmost light and avoiding cable mess via the lockout lever (I’ll want to use very rarely anyways) on the crown. Tires are 29 x 2.25″ Vittoria Mezcal. Lighting is provided using a SON hub dynamo and a kLite Bikepacker Ultra light (plus head torch).
BAGS: Mainstay for many years is may Tailfin Aeropack. For the SRMR, I added 2 10L Mini-Panniers. I’ll also use a Tailfin Downtube Bag, a Fliptip Toptube bag, a small 1.9L Wedge Pack, and on the handlebar I carry my MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack Tent in the provided bag, strapped to my aerobars. A Revelate Designs Food Pouch completes the kit on the bike. On the back, I have a Rockrider 12L Hydration Pack with a 2L bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nothing special, hopefully it all works as I’m used to. Certainly, quite a bit of extra stuff I packed for the SRMR.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040, iPhone for notes and in-town navigation, as well as a road book.

Alain Frechette

Age 57 / St-Bruno, Quebec (Canada)

BIKE: Pipedream, Sirius 7 with Shimano 12-speed XT and 32T chainring, 120mm Ultimate SID shock, Salsa Rustler Handlebars with Ergon grips and seat, SQLabs innerbarends, Supernova M99 dynamo light, We Are One carbon rims with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35″ tires and XC light inserts.
BAGS: Mix of bags from Tailfin, Ortlieb, Rogue Panda, and Montreal-based Gurp, resting on the frame, an Old Man Mountain rack and a Rogue Panda Blue Ridge harness.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I built the bike from scratch, which should help in the event of mechanical issues. I will be using a Hyperlight Ultamid (shelter only) with a 5-degree quilt and Katabatic bivy for protection at night.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 830 with phone backup.

Helene Fromenty

Age 32 / Lille (France)

BIKE: I’m riding my Orbea Alma carbon MTB, equipped with a Shimano Deore XT groupset 12-speed (10-51T) and Duke wheels with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35″ tires. I have a SON Dynamo hub up front, with a set of Supernova lights. I also use Deda Elementi aerobars and Ass Savers Win Wing MTB.
BAGS: The bags are a mix of Tangente Atelier (top tube: electronics/handy stuff, saddle: clothes, and food pouches: lot of snacks) and Tailfin (front bar cage and dry bag: bedding, downtube: tools and pharmacy). In addition to my bottles, I will also carry up to 2L of water or whatever I need on my back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I picked a light sleeping kit including a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress, a Cumulus X-Lite 300 sleeping bag, a Borah Gear bivy, and a cheap Decathlon pillow (because comfort first!).
GPS DEVICE: I use a Gamin 850 and my iPhone as a backup.

Michael Gaffey

Age 49 / Boston, Massachusetts (USA)

BIKE: Seven Sola S hardtail, XTR with Fox 32 step-cast suspension fork, Envy flat bar, Whisky No.9 36w Rims with Mezcal XC trail tires 29 x 2.35″, SON Dynamo hub, rear DT Swiss hub 180, 1×12, 32T chainring, 11-51T cassette, Redshift suspension seat post, Brooks C17 saddle and Exposure Revo light.
BAGS: CamelBak Chase 8 Vest, Bontrager top tube bag, (Sinewave Revolution charger), Moosetreks stem feed bags, Ortlieb frame (3L bladder, pump) and Ortlieb seat bag (sleeping kit).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Seven Cycles Ti frame.

Ivan Garanin

Age 35 / Ulyanovsk (Russia)

BIKE: Spcycle carbon frame, Fox SC Performance 100mm fork, FIT4, Kashima, Speedsafe carbon wheels, Maxxis Recon Race 2.4″ tires, Neutrino components crankset, SRAM GX 10-52T cassette, 32T chainring, SRAM X01 rear derailleur, Shimano XT brakes.
BAGS: Ortlieb Seat-Pack 11L, Tailfin Downtube Bag, 1.7L, Backcountry Long Top Tube Pack, 1.8L, Rhinowalk 4L full frame pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix BC26R front light, Knog rear light, Malachowski Ultralight Bivy Bag, Klymit Inertia Ozone sleeping pad, Sivera Вежа Short +3 sleeping bag.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Matteo Garbellini

Age 28 / Dresden (Germany)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the SRMR on a Sour Pasta Party with a Manitou R8 120mm fork. Tires are 2.35” Vittoria Barzo in the front and Mezcal in the rear. Shimano XT (32 x 10-51T). SON dynamo with kLite lighting and charging setup. Ergon grips, aerobars, and SQLab innerbarends for comfort.
BAGS: Running a MissGrape IlCoso in the front, and a Restrap Race harness in the back. The frame and top tube bags are made by myself (Erogazione Etica) out of Ultra200X. Same for the front and rear drybags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am rocking a lightweight bivy and tarp setup, a ultralight down quilt and a Sea to Summit mat. With the exception of the mat, everything has been made by me. My favorite piece is a Devold merino base layer full of holes that I’ve been using for the past 10+ years.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Bolt (v2) with phone as a backup.

Thibaud Gautier

Age 34 / Le Kremlin-Bicetre (France)

BIKE: I’ll be riding for the Silk Road Mountain race on a Trek Procaliber 9.9 SL 2018. SRAM XX1 drivetrain, 34T chainring, with a bombtrager carbon 30mm wheel and a son Dynamo hub up front. A 11-52T cassette and Shimano XT shifter. SID Ultimate fork and Redshift seatpost with the saddle.
BAGS: The frame bag and popcorn bags are handmade by Merit Gear, saddle and handlebar bag by Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: As a french I’m bringing my 2kg of cheese. Under the heat of the sun it could be very liquid and useful for my tubeless setup
GPS DEVICE: I’m using my Garmin 1040 and my pixel 7 Inc backup.

Bulat Gizatullin

Age 35 / Moscow (Russia)

BIKE: Canyon exceed CF 4, Fox 32 100mm fork, Reynolds TR309c/TR289c wheels, Maxxis tires Ikon EXO MaxxSpeed 2.35″ tubeless, Shimano XT group, 1×12 34-10/51T, Shimano XTR-M9120 pedals, Profile design Neosonic Ergo 52A GMR aerobar, Ergon GP4 grips, SQlab 60x Ergowave saddle, SQlab 80x stem, Redshift endurance seatpost, Race Face handlebar.
BAGS: Apidura Racing Long Top Tube 2L, Apidura Expedition Frame 4.5L, Apidura Expedition Saddle 17L, Apidura downtube pack, Agu venture snack pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 bikepacking tent, Klymit Inertia xlite mat, Sivera Veja -1C sleeping bag, Fenix BC30 front light, Fenix HM65R-T head light, BRS-3000T stove, Sawyer micro squeeze water filter.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura, Garmin Fenix 7, Google pixel 8.

Sebastian Golisch

Age 36 / Cologne (Germany)

BIKE: For maximum comfort I’ll be riding the SRMR with my Cannondale Scalpel full-sus called ‘the frog‘ with Lefty fork, Hope brakes, 1×12 Sram X01 drivetrain with 32T chainring and 10-50T cassette, and Vittoria Mezcal tires.
BAGS: The framebag is made by a good friend and I just love it. For the long stretches without resupply I added two 5L panniers to my Tailfin to store some oats and noodles. I am riding in a pair and we are sharing a MSR Hubba tent and a stove. All my electronics are in my Tailfin top tube bag. Lighting system is from Fenix.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Supply vest from Carrie Gere to carry all my snacks and my Hydrapak inline water filter.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Bolt.

Daniel Gottschalk

Age 33 / Erfurt (Germany)

BIKE: For the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race, I’ll be riding a Rockrider 940S with a 1×12 SRAM Eagle Transmission, 32T chainring and 10–52T cassette. My Hunt Proven wheelset is paired with a SON 28 dynamo hub that powers a kLite light and keeps my GPS running on long stretches. I’m rolling on 29 x 2.4” Continental Dubnital tires.
BAGS: My gear is carried in a custom-fitted Cyclite framebag, complemented by a top tube bag, saddle bag, food pouches, handlebar roll, and the touring backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My most important item is a small guardian angel charm that has been with me for many times.
GPS DEVICE: I’ll be navigating with a Garmin Edge 1040 Solar.

Terje Gunnestad

Age 49 / Skien, Telemark (Norway)

BIKE: Scott Spark WC EVO 2023 with SRAM XX Eagle Transmission AXS drivetrain. SON dynamo with kLite light in front. Salsa Rustler handlebar to fit both Miss Grape ILCOSO and Pro Missile aerobars.
BAGS: A mix of Tailfin, Miss Grape ILCOSO, Apidura, and Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nordisk Lofoten tent, Sea to summit UL air mat, and Therm-a-Rest Parsec -6 sleeping bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1030.

Meaghan Hackinen

Age 40 / Kelowna, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Silk Road Mountain Race on my 2025 Cutthroat C Force CO AXS Transmission with a 10-52T cassette and 34T chainring. I’ve swapped the rigid fork for a RockShox SID Select 3P suspension fork. The bike features custom Light Bicycle WG44 carbon rims, laced with a Hope Pro 5 rear hub, and a SON dynamo hub paired with the new kLite and Micro USB charger. I’m running 29 x 2.2” Rene Herese tires, and I’ve added a Redshift ShockStop Suspension Seatpost to help smooth out the washboard and rough descents.
BAGS: My Apidura Backcountry bag setup consists of a front roll, saddle pack, long top tube pack, downtube pack, a food pouch, and a stem pack for resupply, and a full frame pack with hydration bladder. I’m also carrying Apidura’s tiny packable backpack, which expands to 13 L for those longer stretches between resupply points.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I invested in an entirely new cold-weather sleep system so that I could be more self-sufficient and comfortable at high elevations in inclement weather. I’m excited to test out my new Rab Mythic Ultra 360 sleeping bag (rated to -8 C/-17.6 F) paired with the Nemo Tensor Ultralight insulated all-season sleeping pad inside an OR Helium Bivy.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V3 (plus a V2 for backup).

Tomas Hadamek

Age 33 / Vienna (Austria)

BIKE: Self-painted Carbonda FM936 fully, self-tuned Manitou suspension for comfort, mixture of bump proof old Shimano 11-speed XTR, SRAM 12-speed Eagle shifter, and Garbaruk 10-52T cassette. Deda and BBB Frankenstein aero bars. XTR brake levers with Formula Cure calipers. Comfy flat carbon rims mated to DT350 and Novatec hubs. 40mm short stem and comfy carbon bars from Reverse. Inner bar ends.
BAGS: Apidura saddle bag and top tube bags, CYCLITE front bag, Basama food bags, and a Salomon ADV skin 15 backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Solc Spike headlamp, 1kg- light tent or SOL bivvy, depending on how I feel before the race.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 530 and 830.

Stefan Haehnel

Age 40 / Berlin (Germany)

BIKE: Alonukis ERT steel frame welded in South Germany. Hunt Proven Dynamo wheels. Mechanical Transmission (30-52T). Suspension fork. SQ lab saddle, inner bar ends and grips. 2.35″ Mezcal tires. Sinewave Beacon front light. Asssavers Win Wing MTB.
BAGS: Gramm Tourpacking custom bags made in Berlin. Handlebar roll for the sleeping kit and tarp. The camera goes in the food pouch. Small down tube roll for tools, spare parts, medicine. Saddle bag for (warm) cloth and rain gear. Top tube bag for snacks and the full frame bag for food an everything else.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For independence from stopping to charge devices I’m using a Forumslader, which is powered by the Son dynamo.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Hamish Hall

Age 55 / Devon (United Kingdom)

BIKE: A Trek Procaliber 9.7 hardtail with some tri bars and a hand-turned wooden thing to mount the lights and computer.
BAGS: A mix of Restrap, Tailfin, Decathlon, and Vaude. Being able to quickly take the saddle bag and front bar bag off is really useful.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve finally thrown away the bivvy bag for the luxury of a tent and a mosquito net fly. No more sweaty nights and no sleep!
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura. I can’t believe the battery life! If only they would update the software to increase font size, for the old gits who needs glasses for reading.

Kayla Hall

Age 31 / Roanoke, Virginia (USA)

BIKE: Alexandra Houchin’s Chumba Sendero!
BAGS: Dispersed Bikepacking and South City Stitch Works.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Ten Speed Hero socks and a pillow. Mountain Laurel Designs rain mitts. Mont Bell rain jacket!
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo and an extra Wahoo!

Andy Harp

Age 56 / UK

BIKE: Specialized Epic 8 Expert, Vittoria Mezcal tyres, power meter, clip-on tri-bars.
BAGS: all Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: PHDesigns sleeping bag, MSR stove, Big Agnes Fly Creek tent, too many Firepot vegetarian meals, but the more I eat, the lighter the bike gets! Luxury item is a Ricoh GR III camera.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 with an eTrex for backup.

Dominik H.

Age 39 / Zwiefalten, Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany)

BIKE: My bike is a Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon with Lefty Ocho, powered by SRAM components, 30T x 10-52T, and Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25″ on Hollogram carbon rims.
BAGS: The bags are a mix of heavy but proven Ortlieb stuff, ultralight Cyclite, and practical Restrap Stuff.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I was not a fan of tubeless for a long time until I found Silca sealant, it has never let me down so far. Hopefully it will stay that way with the SRMR!
GPS DEVICE: My navigation system is a Garmin Edge 1040 with a Garmin Fenix 6 Solar backup.

Wolfgang Hiltscher

Age 62 / Munich, Bavaria (Germany)

BIKE: For my second attempt of the SRMR, I will be riding a V-Pace Ti frame with a Fox 34 fork, Mavic carbon wheel with a SRAM 10-52T cassette. Self-built front wheel with Son dynamo, Supernova dy99, and a Forumslader for charging my Garmin 1040.
BAGS: Bags are a mix of Tailfin, DIY carbon front rack, Decathlon, and a Gramm frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nordisl Lofoten Uberlite tent, sleeping bag, insulated trousers and jacket by Mammut. Highlight: Old school grip shift.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040.

Stephen Hurdley

Age 53 / Auckland (New Zealand)

BIKE: Specialized Epic, battle-ready with Shimano XT/XTR, 10–45T cassette and a last-minute panic swap to a 30T chainring. Rolling on Carbon hoops from Light Bicycle, DT Swiss 240 hubs, and 2.25″ Mezcals. Flat pedals for hike-a-bike freedom, Exposure lights up front and a beautiful Galibier leather saddle.
BAGS: Trusted waterproof bags from Ortlieb and Apidura, and a Salomon vest for tea and sandwiches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: OR Helium bivy, Exped pad, Nitro -1°C bag. A backup Joystick for the long nights, cheers Charlie! Drink bottles with caps, a 350 song playlist, and inner bar ends repurposed from my old 90’s MTB.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Roam 3.

Josh Ibbett

Age 37 / Cambridgeshire (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’m running my Mason Macro for the Silk Road race, complete with Tailfin bags. Groupset is a mix of Shimano XT and SLX with a 120mm RockShox SID fork. Wheels are HUNT Proven XC Dynamo with 2.2″ Conti Dubnital tyres and a Redshift seatpost for extra comfort. A kLite endurance light and charging system will light the trails and charge my gps.
BAGS: A full set of Tailfin bags, Bar bag up front for sleeping bag and Albion Zoa jacket. Custom frame bag for riding layers. Cargo Aeropack for Bivvi, rain gear and extra food for the remote sections. Top tube pack for tools, sunscreen, and camera.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This is my second time at SRMR and I’ve stuck to what I know. Almost all the gear is the same with some newer versions of the Albion Zoa range cutting weight and pack size a little. A RAB Ridgeraider hooped Bivvi is the same I used before. It’s almost the weight of a small tent but it is very warm and I can take a lighter sleeping bag as a result.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Roam 2 with my old Wahoo Elemnt as a backup.

Niels Ihrman

Age 40 / Knegsel, Noord-Brabant (The Netherlands)

BIKE: Specialized Epic HT, SRAM GX/NX 12-speed. 30T chainring and 11-50T in the back. Top speed is limited, but that won’t be a problem in this event. The tyres are Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ in the front and Rekon Race 2.35″ in the back, set up tubeless with Orange Seal Endurance sealant. Wheels are from Hunt with SON dynamo hub, powering a kLite ultra v2 and an Igaro USB charger.
BAGS: Tailfin Aeropack, toptube bag, downtube pack, and front roll. From Apidura there is a backcountry full frame pack (4L) and two snack pouches on the handlebar. On the Tailfin rack I have two Blackburn Outpost Elite Cargo Cages with bags, these carry my tent, food and rain gear. My sleep kit fits in the front roll. For hydration I have two 1L bottles on the fork, and a Camelback Chase vest with a 2L bladder. I’m also carrying a water filter with a 2L bladder for dirty water, that I can use for a little extra capacity in the most remote sections.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Durston X-mid 1p tent. So much room inside and takes up very little space, once packed with just two straight poles and not 5m of awkward tubes and couplings.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar and a Etrex 32x as backup, that will hopefully stay at the bottom of one of my many bags.

Matt Irons

Age 44 / Victoria (Australia)

BIKE: A Merida Big Nine XT hardtail XC mountain bike.
BAGS: An Ortlieb saddle bag, Revelate Designs frame and handlebar bags, and Apidura top tube and feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A One Planet -1 to -8C Sonder sleeping bag, partially made here in Melbourne, an Outdoor Research Helium bivy and a Ray 2600b front light. I’m not running a dynamo hub, but I have a couple of 25,000 mAh batteries, which will hopefully be enough to see me through the longer sections without any charge opportunity. We’ll see!
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 530 and a backup Garmin Instinct 2 solar watch as backup (with my phone of course). The Instinct doesn’t have base maps, but at least I’d have a line to follow.

Karen Jennings

Age 53 / Auckland (New Zealand)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Giant XTC Advanced hard tail with 29 x 2.25″ Vittoria Mezcals, 1×12 mechanical, Son dynamo hub, and aero bars.
BAGS: I’ve got a Blackburn front roll and saddle bag, Revelate Designs frame and feed bags, and Apidura tool bag and hydration pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Big Agnes Fly Creek tent and new Sea to Summit sleeping bag -1C.
GPS DEVICE: I’m using my Garmin inReach mini 2.

Ahmad Fathi Junaidi

Age 43 / Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam (Borneo)

BIKE: Trek Procaliber 9.5, Shimano Deore XT with an oval 32T chainring. Will be running Vittorio Mezcal XC trail 29 x 2.25″ tyres.
BAGS: Apidura Expedition saddle pack and handlebar pack. Rhinowalk top tube and down tube bags. 2x Qunature insulated bottle top tube bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be sleeping in an Alpkit Ultra 120 sleeping bag in a Vango Nevis one-person tent (without the inner) on a Decathlon forclaz insulated inflatable mattress.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 540 Solar and Fenix 5 as a backup.

Pavel Kazany

Age 44 / Podovinnoe (Russia)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race on a Cannondale FS-I carbon. The bike features a Lefty 2.0 fork, 29 x 2.1″ WTB Nano front tire, 29 x 2.2″ PIRELLI Scorpion RC rear tire, a modified 1×11 drivetrain with a 32T chainring and 11-50T cassette, hand-built Btllos carbon wheels
BAGS: The centerpiece of my bag collection is my custom Velohoroho bag. I also have a Talfin rear rack with a top bag and mini panniers, an AEROE Spider Cradle, a feed bag, a ZEFAL Z Adventure Fork Pack 6L, and a DOM Gorilla 2L downtube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Freetime Raidlite 1 DLX tent will serve as my shelter, as well as a Sivera down sleeping bag and a Sea To Summit ultralight self-inflating mat.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040.

Further Reading

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