Rigs of the 2020 Atlas Mountain Race
The first edition of the PEdALED Atlas Mountain Race launches from Marrakesh tomorrow, and will send racers on a 1,145-kilometer route across beautiful Morocco. More than 85 participants sent us a photo of their rig, plus a breakdown of their kit. Find them all here…
PUBLISHED Feb 14, 2020
The inaugural PEdALED Atlas Mountain Race launches from Marrakesh tomorrow, and will take 190 racers on a 1,145-kilometer, single-stage route through Morocco’s stunning Atlas Mountains. The course follows a mix of gravel, singletrack, doubletrack, and long-forgotten roads. The clock doesn’t stop and there are no prizes.
We asked participants to send us a photo of their race rig, along with a short description of their bags and kit. More than 85 participants from around the world answered the call, and you can find the Rigs of the 2020 Atlas Mountain Race below—a treasure trove of bike and gear inspiration. Best of luck to everyone out there!
Raphael Albrecht
Age 30 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: Bombtrack Hook EXT-C 2019, SON dynamo, Maxxis Ikon 2.2 (650 b), SRAM Rival 1 11 speed (11-42), 40T chainring, Sinewave Beacon light, Brooks C17 saddle.
BAGS: Apidura framebag (7,5 l),handlebar bag (9 l), and saddle bag (9 l), Salsa top tube bag (1.2 l), 2 x 1 liter drinking bottles mounted to the fork.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sea to Summit Spark II sleeping bag, Alpkit Hunka XL bivvy, Sea to Summit UltraLight Mat, Zebralight head lamp, Wahoo Element Bolt.
Pete Aldwinckle
Age 57 / Dubai, United Arab Emirates
THE BIKE: My bike is a Salsa Cutthroat 2017. It features SON 28 dynamo hub powering a K-Lite front light and all cockpit electronics, including a Garmin 1030 for navigation. SRAM Eagle groupset with 34T with eTap shifting. Pro-design aero bars. Vittoria Barzo 2.25” tubeless tires mounted on DT Swiss rims.
BAGS: All Revelate Design bags with 3L water bladder in main frame bag. Running without a front roll, so having to throw out any hint of luxury.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: MSR Trail Shot for water purifying and filtration.
Toms Alsbergs
Age 33 / Riga, Latvia
THE BIKE: For the AMR2020 I’ll be racing my Bombtrack Beyond+ ADV. Complete with H+SON Hydra wheels with a TFHPC Dynamo hub up front that powers a SINEWAVE Cycles BEACON light. My groupset is Eagle 12-speed with a 36T chainring. Brooks Cambium C15 saddle, Ergon grips, and Mitas Scylla Tubeless 29 x 2.25” tires.
BAGS: Custom frame bag made with love by the man with golden hands behind PESA Customs. Restrap saddle bag and bar bag strapped to the front, plus 2x snack packs from WOHO.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: GoPro HERO8 Black camera to capture the adventure and amazing landscapes, Wahoo ELEMNT Roam to keep me from getting lost, and Voile Straps to keep everything together.
Erik Arnewing
Age 35 / Stockholm, Sweden
THE BIKE: I’ll be racing the Atlas Mountain Race on a Bombtrack Hook EXT-C. Rolling on WTB KOM i23 rims with 2.1″ Continental RaceKing rubber and an SP dynamo up front to power the USB hub and the fantastic kLite Bikepacking Ultra head light. I run a 1×11 SRAM Force drivetrain with a 36T chainring and a 10-42 cassette. Other components are Zipp stem and post, Brooks Cambium C13 saddle, and wide Salsa Cowbell bars.
BAGS: For bags, I went with Revelate Designs all around except for the great Restrap Saddle Bag. Sleeping gear and cold weather clothes are all stuffed in the back. Frame bag holds what I might need mid ride + tools and spares, and the Gas Tank and Feed Bags for food and hygiene kit. Bottle cages on the fork legs will hold my water reservoir.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Nordisk Lofoten ULW 1 shelter gives me the tiny pack size and low weight of a bivy bag and the superior comfort of a tent. Sea to Summit Spark II bag will keep me toasty at night and for navigation and data collection I rely on the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and a Garmin eTrex Touch 35t.
Tobias Bader
Age 25 / Aalen, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a Fairlight Secan 58R. The bike features a new pair of Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires, a modified 1×11 Rival drivetrain with a 36T oval chainring, and a Hope back wheel and Hunt front wheel with a SON Dynamo hub up front.
BAGS: In the center and back I’m counting on the expedition line of Apidura bags. In the front I’m running a cheap no-name rollbag. I’ll store food in my Topeak Toploader bag. I’m complementing the setup with another feedbag where I keep a fourth bottle.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I decided to not compromise on sleep for the AMR. Therefore I decided to go with a Vango Helium F10 UL tent, which I normally go without. To complement my sleep setup, I’m carrying an Exped Synmat and a Cumulus 250 quilt. For lights I use the Supernova E3 Triple as well as a Black Diamond headlight that I mount on my helmet. For navigation I use the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.
Jackie Baker
Age 40 / Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
THE BIKE: Breadwinner G-Road. Breadwinner built my dream bike for the 2018 Silk Road Mountain Race. I’m running 650B WTB Frequency i23 wheels built by my local shop, Saturday Cycles. I use a Schmidt Dynamo SON front hub. SRAM Rival 1×11 shifters and derailleur with a 34T Wolf Tooth Components front chainring and E13 9×46 cassette. WTB Silverado saddle, Easton EA70 AX bars, TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, and Maxxis Pace 650×2.1 tires.
BAGS: The custom frame bag, Banana Hammock, and bar bag are all by BroadFork bags, which are locally made here in Summit Park, UT. The donut bag is new for this ride and I love the way it pops! Apidura generously supplied the two Expedition Fork Packs as well as the Expedition Saddle Pack. I love the extra room the Fork Packs provide, the simplicity of the Saddle Pack, and the yellow highlights!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: While the accessories are all really fun and I loved putting this kit together, the Breadwinner G-Road steel frame and Igleheart fork have my um, heart! This bike fits so well, rides efficiently, and let’s me get as rowdy on the descents as I want! I can’t wait to spend a week aboard “Lil G!”
Andrew Bannister
Age 36 / Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
THE BIKE: NS Bikes RAG+ on 700x50c WTB Venture tires, oval 38T x 10-42 drivetrain, and a Ride Farr bolt-on Gravel Aero Bar. I envisage running out of gears and riding too slow to make any use of the aero bar, but at least the 50c treads with their 1mm of clearance will make for a comfortable ride until I hit the first 2mm shards of gravel. Front lighting from Jobsworth Ultra 2000lm with 12hr battery and 20,000mAh Anker USB pack. Navigation from Garmin Edge 810 and 2x 735XT as failsafe backups. Racked and ready to roll the bike (10kg), gear (8.5kg) and rider (66kg) weighs in at a touch under 85kg (not including water ~3.6kg).
BAGS: Up front is a Restrap 8L drybag with sleeping gear (OMM Raid 1.0, Naturehike 850FP, Montane Fireball down booties, Montane Fireball jacket, Montane Prism Mitt and a tiny pillow), Woho waterproof feed bag (day snacks, passport, brevet card and a couple Firepot dehydrated risottos for emergency), 1L Woho top tube bag (suncream, deet spray for disease ridden sand flies, aminos, electrolytes and a spork), 4L Woho waterproof frame bag (the magicians hat of bags with a bunch of Mountain Fuel bars, Chia Charge bars, all my electronics and bike tools, spares, spokes, tent poles, waterproof covers, mitts, etc.), at the back supported by an Alpkit Eco-Rail (amazing and simple piece of kit) is a 12L Altura Vortex bag (with extra clothing layers, waterproof pants, OMM Aether eVent jacket, thermal pants, waterproof socks, ultralight matt) and finally a 5L Alpkit Airlock bag (despite how it looks, the 5L Airlock is totally secure – 50mm velcro really is your friend) with Alpkit Soloist tent (I chose this over a bivvy due to weather reports) and a couple spare inner tubes. There’s a well stocked first aid kit tucked under the chain drive and total water capacity is 3.6L, which should be plenty for the longest 98 km stretch of wilderness. I also opted to avoid carrying a hydration pack at all costs for breathability and wicking, particularly in the late evening when the temperature drops and I’ll want to pull up to sleep in nice dry clothing.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Definitely the Montane Fireball down booties and the Fireball jacket for extra warmth – so incredibly comfy I might even ride in them! Actually likely in the cold early hours before sunrise. Having always been an ultra, ultralight traveller, I’ve unarguably well over packed for the trip, but weather reports have been all over the place and my motto for this one is fun over speed. The extra kit will ensure comfort in the event of adverse conditions. Though I’m sure the weather will now be glorious as a result. Having gained 4kg since giving up running to train for this trip I’ll probably lose it all again burning around 8,000 calories a day and cross the finish line with total bike and rider weight well under 80kg. With all the extra gear and a 38T chainring, fingers crossed I’ll have something left in my legs to get me there in time to bag one of the 100 beds available for the 188 riders!
Rob Beard
Age 41 / Boise, ID, USA
THE BIKE: I’m riding a highly modified and well-traveled original version Salsa Cutthroat. I’m running Shimano XT di2 2×11 derailleurs, R785 shifters, and XT brakes. Wheels are custom, hand built in Boise by the incomparable Jason Bauer. They are Light Bike rims with a SON dynamo front hub and DT Swiss 240s rear hub. Schwalbe rubber: Racing Ralph up front and Thunder Burt in the rear. I ride with a Fox Step Cast 32 fork with remote lockout.
BAGS: I’m stoked to be running an awesome custom frame bag made by Rogue Panda, Bedrock Bags seat bag, Salsa EXP feed bag, Revelate gas tank bag and drink bag between the aero bars, and Wolf Tooth B Rad downtube system with Voile Ski Strap for extra support.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m a minimalist: down quilt, lightweight bivvy bag, and some things to keep me warm. I run the K-Lite lighting and charging system. WTB volt saddle. XTR pedals. I love unicorns so you’ll see them all over the bike and me (ask Rogue Panda about the non-drive side of that frame bag). I am old school and use a camelbak withg a Sawyer Mini in-line for hydration.
Jan-Hendrik Beckx
Age 26 / Ghent, Belgium
THE BIKE: My bike is a Trek Procaliber. There are no significant changes from stock, except for the tires and chain.
BAGS: Revelate Sweetroll, Revelate Terrapin, 2x Alpkit Stem Cell, Alpkit Fuel Pod.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, still my best bike purchase ever made.
Alexander Bethge
Age 40 / Stuttgart, Germany
THE BIKE: Weapon of choice for the AMR will be an OPEN Cycles W.I.D.E. The generous tire clearance allows me to run a 650B DT SWISS GRC 1400 Carbon Wheelset. For a good compromise of low rolling resistance and comfort, I have chosen 50mm WTB Venture tires. All set up with the MILKIT Tubeless System. My relentless power is transmitted through a wild mixture of Shimano bits: Ultegra DI2 levers with GRX DI2 derailleur and Dura Ace 9000 cranks paired with a Wolf Tooth 38T chainring. An 11-40 XTR cassette will hopefully be fine. My hands are resting on a Ritchey WCS Evo Max bar.
BAGS: The bag setup is basically Relevate from front to back. Terrapin as seatpack, Tangle framebag, Sweetroll front pack, and Mountain Feedbag for snacking. Topped off with a waterproof Topeak toptube bag. Four King Cages hold all my fluids and a tool keg under the BB.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A custom lazered top cap with the Terrible Heaven Team logo is a sweet detail. Thanks to the Wahoo Elemnt Roam we won’t get lost. To make the sleep as comfortable as possible, I’ve opted for the Outdoor Research Stargazer Bivy juniper and the Mountain Equipment Helium sleeping bag. The shattered bones can recover on the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Mat. The most fun part is the God & Famous tool keg with the “The world’s greatest dad” print on it.
Jesse Blough
Age 34 / Bend, Oregon, USA
THE BIKE: A custom Myrad Frameworks Windigo titanium hardtail with a carbon Cutthroat fork. Rival rear derailleur and levers, Hayes mechanical disc brakes, and a 32T chainring paired with an e-thirteen 11-speed 9-46T cassette help make the bike stop and go. DT Swiss XR391 rims with a DT Swiss 350 rear hub and Shutter Precision dynamo up front to power the flux capacitor and the Sinewave Beacon. There are aerobars and drop bars and ProBars on this bicycle. And a new set of 2.2” Maxxis Ikons.
BAGS: A healthy sampling of Revelate Designs’ catalog: Pika saddle bag, Mag-Tank Bolt-on top tube bag, Pronghorn harness and drybag, and an Egress pocket that mysteriously never has anything in it. Also, a custom framebag by my buddy at Schmidt Bags. The downtube bag in the photo will not be joining us in Africa because I killed the zipper.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My mobile home is an eVent bivy and my bed is a Thermarest NeoAir XLite with a Hammock Gear Burrow 30°F/0°C quilt. I’m stoked to be riding CushCore inserts in case of flats or emergency pool-noodle needs, and I’m infinitely grateful for the support of MontBell, Pactimo, and Myrad through Northwest Competitive Adventure.
Juliane Boetel
Age 35 / Otterfing, Bavaria, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2020 Specialized S-Works Epic HT. It’s a totally custom build, also with a custom paint job. It features a SRAM AXS mullet setup, XX1 Eagle (32:10-50) in the back, Red eTap in the front, Roval carbon wheel set with a Shutter Precision Dynamo hub up front, Specialized Fast Trak Grid tires and a Rockshox SID w/ Brain.
BAGS: I’m running mostly Specialized Burra Burra bags: big Seat Pack for clothing and some resupply, Frame Pack plus KEG Vessel for tools and hygiene items as well as Handlebar Stabilizer Harness for the sleeping system, which is wrapped in a Sea to Summit compression bag. Also, I use a handmade Benu Bags top tube bag for electronics and personal stuff as well as two Mammut chalk bags, which I converted to food pouches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Totally in love with the sleeping system, which consists of a Mammut Perform Down Bag, Outdoor Research Stargazer Bivy, and a Thermarest Neoair Xlite Mattress. The Cinq Plug 5 Plus will serve as a charger for all my electronics and navigation, Supernova lights and Lupine headlamp will illuminate the roads during the night. The Camelbak Chase Bike Vest w/ two liter bladder gives extra water carrying capacity in addition to two bottles, which are attached to the fork.
Niccolo Bonanno
Age 31 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2020 Cicli Bonanno Stay Loco, built by me. It features a new pair of WTB Sendero 27.5 x 47mm tires, a 2 x 11 drivetrain with a 42T chainring, and an Acros hub and WTB KOM wheels with a SON Dynamo hub up front.
BAGS: Handcrafted by Andrea Perici of Arch Industry in Italy, including a handlebar roll, frame bag, and seat pack.
Kai Brandhorst
Age 47 / Minden, Germany
THE BIKE: I will ride an XL Surly Krampus 29er. The bike features a pair of Specialized Fast Trak 2.35″ tubeless tires, a SRAM drivetrain with a 10-50t sprocket and a 30t chainring, and a DT Swiss wheelset with a dynamo hub up front. I mostly use Revelate Design bags, except for my handlebar bag from Ortlieb. Three 1L bottles will be mounted on the fork and the downtube. There is a B&M I-QX front light mounted on my handlebar in addition to a supernova E3 tail light.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will use a Nordisk Telemark 1 tent, a NeoAir Xlite sleeping pad, and an ME helium 400 sleeping bag.
Lexi Brown
Age 30 / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
THE BIKE: 2019 3T Exploro running Hope RD40 carbon wheels with RS4 hubs and Hope 160mm rotors, set up with Tubeless WTB Nano 40mm tires. The groupset is SRAM Force 1x with 42T on the front with 10-42 on the rear, plus SRAM Force Hydraulic brakes. A few extra bottle cages mounted to the forks with king cage mounts.
BAGS: Ortlieb Bar and Accessory pack upfront along with a Revelate Designs Mountain Feedback and Restrap Top Tube Bag. Again, a small Restrap Frame bag for tools and spares.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Tent will act as a shelter, as well as a Patagonia 850 down sleeping bag and Sea To Summit Comfort Light Air Mat. Wahoo Roam for navigation with an Element as back up. Power bank for charging. Complete bike comes in around the 20kg mark loaded up with food and water bottles.
Nick Bubb
Age 40 / The New Forest, UK
THE BIKE: Ritchey Ultra 29er with drop seat and aero bars. SP dynamo hub on Hope enduro hubs with Maxxis Ardent Race 2.35” tyres. Exposure lights, bottle cages on Rockshox fork. 11-speed Shimano drivetrain with a 34T chainring.
BAGS: Ortlieb dryroll & saddle bag. Restrap frame bag. Salomon ultra-running backpack with bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nemo Hornet 1 man tent, 3/4 length Therm-a-Rest, and Mountain Equipment Firefly sleeping bag.
Bill Caldwell
Age 73 / Saltash, Cornwall, UK
THE BIKE: I thought I had my bike all organised for the AMR until I walked into a shop in Santa Monica, CA, and saw this Salsa Fargo Ti with Sram Eagle 32- 10-50, DT Swiss wheels and lotsa Thomson bits. I contributed Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.25” rubber, Jones bar, Revelate, Apidura, and Altura bags, plus a SON dynamo wired to a Sinewave Beacon. The saddle and butt are a team: we’ve been on the road a long time, me and my much-travelled Brooks B17 Imperial.
Manu Cattrysse
Age 31 / Hamme, East Flanders, Belgium
THE BIKE: My weapon of choice for the AMR 2020 will be my trusted 2018 Salsa Cutthroat. This time I’ll ride it with a carbon flat bar, Ergon grips, and Shimano SLX brakes combined with profile design T3+ aerobars. Stealthwheels took care of a custom 29”alu wheelset build with a SON hub up front and a DT Swiss 350 hub in the rear upgraded with a 36T ratchet, rolling on a pair of 2.25″ tubeless Vittoria Mezcals. Drivetrain is a 1×12 GX SRAM Eagle setup including a 10-50 cassette with GX shifting linked with a KMC X12 chain to an Absolute Black 34T oval chainring.
BAGS: A new Apidura expedition 14l seatpost bag with a Salsa anything cradle handlebar system. Two Revelate Design food pouches and a Topeak 0.8l toptube bag for electronics. I will use three 1000ml Zéfal bottles and a tool bottle for spare parts.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: So far, my biggest upgrade is a K-lite Bikepacker ultra MTB dynamo light with a dual USB charging system. Sleepsystem is an MSR E-bivy with a Thermarest Xtherm pad and a Sea to Summit Spark 3 sleeping bag. I will be guided by a Garmin Edge 1030 and a gpsmap 62s for backup. I will also carry a Katadyn gravity water filter that I can also use as a 3L extra water reservoir.
Nick Clarke
Age 35 / Pitstone, UK
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2020 Celesteel Dark Matter, a custom steel framed bike built by Lovelo Cycle Works. The bike features, an unusual leaf spring chainstay, Lauf Forks, The Halo Vapour Wheels are shod with Vittoria Mezcal 2.1” tyres, with an eeWings Crank on a 1×11 GRX drivetrain with a 40T oval chainring and 11-46 rear. I am running a K-Lite Wiring Loom, light, and USB Charger powered by an SP Dynamo.
BAGS: My bags are supplied by Madison, the Shimano Pro Discover range, Seat Pack, Bento Bag, Frame Bag, Handlebar Roll and Feed bag on the bars. Two 500 ml bottles are mounted to the frame, with a 1litre bottle to the underside of the down tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My warm kit is the Madison Isoler Jacket, Flux Waterproof Jacket, and Madison Avalanche gloves for the colder elements of the ride. My sleeping system is a Karrimor Bivvi Bag, OEX Down Sleeping Bag, and a Sea to Summit Ultralight mat. Total weight fully loaded with food and water is c.17kg.
Michael Collins
Age 38 / Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK
THE BIKE: As cheap as possible, Kinesis AT alloy frame, carbon fork, cable discs. As budget allows, the highlight is the SP dynamo hub rigged to an eBay special USB converter, then an Exposure dynamo, a £50 rear wheel, free tyres (someone didn’t want them!), SRAM 1×11 groupset, Sunrace cassette.
BAGS: Salsa Cradle on bars, Alpkit dry bag, Apidura top bag, Wildcat frame bag, Arkel seatpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Normal team kit, Albion insulated jacket, Paramo waterproof, OMM sleeping bag, Alpkit bivi, no stove.
James Craven
Age 27 / Bristol, UK
THE BIKE: Cannondale FSI Hardtail. Custom handbuilt Pacenti I27-XC wheelset with a SON Dynamo hub. 1×12 11-50 cassette with a 34T up front. Ergon grips and Profile Designs aerobars
BAGS: Alpkit saddlebag for sleep kit, Altura handlebar roll on the front for layers and waterproofs, Ortlieb framebag and Alpkit/Apidura top tube bags for food and stuff I’ll use in the day.
Federico Damiani
Age 29 / Legnano, Italy
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a custom designed 3T Exploro. The bike will feature a full 2x Shimano GRX groupset with a 30/46 crankset and a 11-34 cassette, Panaracer Gravel King SK Plus 1.9” tires on 650B Shimano GRX wheels. Front wheel is equipped with a SON Dynamo hub. Fizik Argo short saddle and 3T Superergo handlebar to complete my bike setup.
BAGS: Custom made Miss Grape frame bag and full Miss Grape kit: a Tendril 4:10 in front, two Buds, a top tube Node, and a 13L Cluster as a saddle bag. Two 1L Elite bidons on the fork and tool bag under the bottom bracket.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 1030 for navigation and Lupine Piko as lighting system, Sea to Summit sleeping bag and Air Mat, Sierra design bivy for the night.
Theo DANIEL
Age 26 / Rouen, France
THE BIKE: BAGS: Ortlieb full kit. Decathlon food pouch.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping bag: North face gold Kazoo. Sleeping pad: Klymit X lite. Bivy: Snugpaks. Lights: USB Lezyne 1100 Lumen / BUSCH & MULLER IQ-X. GPS: Garmin Edge Touring Plus.
Mattia De Marchi
Age 29 / Venice, Italy
THE BIKE: 3T Exploro custom painted by Italian artist Giorgio Dalla Costa. The bike will mount a Shimano GRX group with 3T Torno Carbon cranks. Transmission will be 1x, 36T in front and a 11-44 for the cassette, with Panaracer Gravel King SK Plus tires mounted on 3T wheels with a SON dynamo hub. I’ll use a Superghiaia gravel-specific 3T handlebar and a Fizik Argo saddle.
BAGS: Full Miss Grape kit completed with a custom frame bag. The complete kit from handlebar to saddle: Tendril 4.10, two Buds, a small top tube prototype, 13l Cluster. Water stored on the fork with two Elite 950 ml cans on easy access holders.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Supernova dynamo light, Garmin 1030 for navigation, Sea to Summit SB and Mat.
Nico Deportago-Cabrera
Age 35 / Chicago, IL, USA
THE BIKE: Custom Squid Bikes Gravtron prototype with SRAM Red/Eagle AXS Mullet, Zipp 303 Firecrest 650b w/SON Hub up front and a Teravail 47mm/2.1″ combo, and a Zipp/Fizik cockpit. Very stoked to be putting this new Squid Bikes prototype through the wringer in Morocco. The bike was handbuilt in Kawasaki, Japan, by Above Bikes and painted with Spray.Bike by Squid in Sacramento. Squid has been working on this design for a while so I’m so hyped to give it it’s inaugural race at AMR!
BAGS: Fully Pak’d out with custom JPaks Bags! Camo, of course.
Michael Drummond
Age 31 / Essex, United Kingdom
THE BIKE: For the Atlas Mountain Race I’m going to be riding a late 90s Rock Lobster Expert, 26inch Hardtail sat on a pair of Fox Racing SL100 forks rolling on a SP Dynamo disc hub, with Sapim Race spokes laced to a Spank rim. On the rear is a Hope XC hub laced onto a Mavic XC517 rim, with both tyres being Continental Cross Kings in 2.3” width. Stopping power comes in the form of a Hope 4 piston hydraulic disc up front, while the rear is a Deore XT V brake with KoolStop Dual Compound pads. Up front I’m running a Thomson Stem with Easton EA70 Monkey Bars and Ergon GP3 Cork grips, with SQS inner bar ends as a further comfort option.
Seatpost is also Thomson, and I’m going to be sitting on a Specialized body Geometry seat. The Drivetrain is a mix of Deore XT cranks and Hollowtech II BB, with an Acera front derailleur and an XTR 9-speed at the rear, both with XTR shifter pods. Lighting comes from Supernova, both of which are dynamo powered.
BAGS: Turns out I don’t have much of an allegiance to any one brand here. My fork bags are Roadrunner Buoy Bags, of which I have two. The frame bag is a custom Alpkit Stingray, my saddlebag is by Restrap, in the large 14L capacity, and the cockpit has all been made by myself, two bottle shaped bags are from recycled LIDL bags for life, and the oversized top tube bag is made from water repellent Polyester.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wanted to say a massive thanks to Noble Wheels and Seabass Cycles for the solid wheel build and help getting the bike race ready. SBC Cycles for helping me get rolling early on with the bike. Fave things on the bike are the 3D printed brackets, which my best friend Jack designed and printed for me, allowing me to mount my toptube bag and spare bottle cage despite having cabling on the topside of it. He nailed it.
Toby Elliott
Age 26 / Kent, UK
THE BIKE: My trusty 2018 Bombtrack Beyond+1 “Tanquecito” is coming with me to Marrakesh. I’m rolling on 2.35” Vittoria Mezcal tubeless tyres sitting on DT Swiss rims with a SON dynamo hub providing power. A 1×11 drivetrain will hopefully see me up steep passes with Shimano discs helping me stop down the other side.
BAGS: My beloved custom rolltop Alpkit framebag will hold heavy tools and kit. Clothing sits nice and dry in an Apidura seatbag. Up front I have a Revelate harness with my sleep system in a drybag. An Alpkit FuelPod, Acepack feedbag, and modified climbing chalk bag will be stuffed with snacks and frequently used items.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll sleep in a toasty Cumulus bag, Thermarest Xlite pad, and Alpkit Bivvy. Navigation via Garmin Etrex 20 and my phone running MapOut with lighting and charging coming from a K-Lite system.
Rob Enslin
Age 48 / Dorking, Surrey, UK
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a customer titanium Calculus gravel/adventure bike. The bike features a pair of Panaracer GravelKing SK 1.9” 650B tires, a SRAM Force 1×11 drivetrain with a 32T chainring, and Curve carbon 650B wheels with a SON Dynamo hub up front.
BAGS: For storage I’m running all Apidura. That’s the frame bag, front roll bag and accessory bag, top tube bags, food pouches and seat pack. I’ll mount two bottles and carry a larger bottle on my large food pouch. I’m using a dry bag, mounted under the roll bag for part of my sleep system.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Nordisk Lofoten 1-person tent will serve as my shelter along with an Alpkit Pipedream 400 and Sea To Summit UL Air Mat. I’ll also be carrying a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Garmin Fenix wrist watch for navigation.
Thomas Fandrich
Age 50 / Munich, Germany
THE BIKE: For the AMR 2020 I will be riding my Specialized S-Works Epic Hardtail. The bike is rolling on carbon rims and 2.3” Specialized Fast Trak control tires. 1×12 drivetrain with a 32T chainring. SON Dynamo hub up front.
BAGS: Apidura saddle bag, top tube bag, and Backcountry food pouch. 2×1 liter bottles. Backpack with 2l bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: K-Lite Ultra Road front light, switch and USB charger to light my way and keep my Garmin 1030 running. Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy. Spot X Tracker.
Steffen Fiedler
Age 36 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: I’m riding a 2018 Veloheld iconX with Bombtrack EXT V2 fork. To run wider tires I chose custom 650B wheels with WTB KOM Tough i25 rims to accommodate the 2.25″ WTB Riddler (front) and 2.0″ WTB Ranger (rear). The drivetrain is build up of SRAM’s 1×11 Force with 30T Wolfpack chainring and 11×42 cassette. Paul’s Klampers will support me on the downhills while I’ll hold onto a Salsa Cowchipper Deluxe. On easy roads, there is the option to stretch on Profile Design aerobars.
BAGS: Combination of Apidura bags mounted on the frame and Zpacks cuben fiber drybags. Two Zpacks Tall Dry Bags attached to the fork offer plenty of space while a Zpacks Big Dry Bag is fitted into a Revelate Design Harness. For hydration I’ll carry 2×1l bottles and an additional and 1.5l on the seat tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Since we are racing as a pair, we chose a Zpacks Duplex tent to be sheltered from the elements. But the actual highlight is a small foam roll.
Stephen Fitzgerald
Age 41 / Denver, Colorado, USA
THE BIKE: Rodeo Labs Traildonkey 3.0. XT Di2 + TRP Hylex RS shifting. 36T x 9-46 drivetrain. Redshift stem. eeSilk seatpost. PNW Coast 48cm handlebar. Ride Farr aero extension. Sinewave Beacon dynamo headlight + USB charging.
BAGS: The frame bags are custom made by my friend Matt at Exile Designs here in Denver. I downloaded the USGS Topo data of our favorite local mountain and we used that as the pattern for the main patterns of all of the bags. The Fannie Packer has been custom modified to be the main mechanism for securing the front roll without need for additional cradles or mounting extensions.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This is the very first frameset we used for testing Cerakote ceramic coating on our bikes. Cerakote is thinner, lighter, more durable, and more eco-friendly than traditional liquid paint, and Morocco will be a great place to put it through its paces. Once the frame was done and we saw how the bags matched, I decided to just go full Monty and also match the seatpost, stem, rims, headlight, and brake levers.
Lukas Franciszkiewicz
Age 32 / Zurich, Switzerland
THE BIKE: I will be riding my Open U.P. fitted with 650B Hunt wheels and a Schwalbe tyre combo – 2.25″ up front and 2.1″ in the rear. I am running an 11-speed setup with 30 x 10-42 gearing. My handlebars are flared Ritchey Venture Max with Profile Design aero bars.
BAGS: I am using a Porcelain Rocket saddle pack and full frame pack, a Specialized handlebar harness with a 13l dry bag, a set of Outer Shell feed bags, and a Rapha top tube bag. Bottle cages are mounted to the fork blades and the down tube. I’ll also be carrying a lightweight backpack for longer stretches between resupply points.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This has to be my wife’s homemade granola, which will be my motivation to crawl out of my sleeping bag and hit the piste in the morning. A special mention also to my new Sinewave Beacon light and USB charger.
Torsten Frank
Age 49 / Wuppertal, NRW, Germany
THE BIKE: I will ride my new Rose Thrill Hill. Instead of adjusting my trusty titanium gravel bike, I opted for n+1 and for widening my arsenal into full MTB and suspension territory. It features 100 mm travel front and back, a Shimano 1×12 XTR drivetrain with 10-51 in the back and 32T in the front. I switched the nice XTR chainring for a Power2Max direct mount spider and a Wolftooth chainring as I always want to analyze my power data, as low as the values might be. I chose 29 x 2.2” Maxxis Ikon Exo TR tires setup tubeless on DT Swiss wheels with a SON 28 hub dynamo in the front.
BAGS: As always, a mix. I’ll use an Ortlieb Seat-Pack, an Apidura Expedition Top Tube Pack, and in the front a 15l Revelate Designs Salty Roll that I fastened with a self-made support straddle below my Profile Designs Aerobars. I also have two Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbags on the handlebars. I opted to use the frame triangle solely for a 1l bottle in good access and added Topeak Ninja cages below the down tube and on both fork legs for added water storage capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I hope I don’t get lost in the many zippers of my Outdoor Research Interstellar bivy, which will form the mainstay of my sleeping system, consisting of a Sea to Summit Extralight Insulated mat, a Sea to Summit Spark I sleeping bag, and Patagonia’s MicroPuff Jacket and Nano-Air Pants doubling up as modular iso layers for sleeping as well as for biking. Navigation and riding metrics is taken care of by a Wahoo Elemnt with an Elemnt Bolt as standby unit. These, an additional battery powered Lupine Neo light and my iPhone are powered by the forumslader charger running in daytime from the dynamo. In the night, my main light will be a kLite Bikepacker ULTRA.
Tom Gibbs
Age 35 / London, UK
THE BIKE: The bike I’ll be riding for the 2020 AMR is an XL Marin Nicasio Ridge. It uses a steel frame and full carbon fork plus a dropper post, but I’ve now replaced this for a standard one. I’m running a 1×11 drivetrain with a 38T chainring and a 9-44 cassette. The tyres I’ve chosen are the 47mm WTB Ventures for their brilliant cornering on rough stuff and fast rolling on hard pack gravel and tarmac.
BAGS: The bags are a full setup from Straight Cut Design and use some pretty awesome multicam fabric. And the frame bag splits in two to accommodate different hauling duties. I’ve also repurposed a 5ltr dry bag to carry my DSLR, camera protected in foam, on the left of the stem.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve got two 1ltr bottles on the forks and a 1ltr bladder in the frame bag. I’m using a Terranova Lazer Competition 1 tent, OEX sleeping bag, Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor, and a Thermarest NeoAir Xlite mattress. Oh, and my bodyweight in Chia charge bars.
Lukas Grabowski
Age 32 / Vienna, Austria
THE BIKE: To tackle the mighty challenge the AMR poses, I decided to ride the Liteville 4-One MK 1. It’s a light and pretty fast bike that will hopefully help me to finish the race within time. I‘ll run a 1×12 eThirteen setup with a 34T crankset and 9-46 in the back, all shifted by a SRAM Eagle AXS and SRAM Red levers. To have the most comfortable position on the bike, I ride a 50cm Curve Walmer bar with Syntace C3 Aerobars. For cushioning, I picked a good old Brooks saddle and 29“ x 2.0“ Panaracer Gravelkings.
BAGS: Eye-catching transparent stuff by Gramm Tourpacking. Thanks to Gramm Tourpacking, I’ll be able to ride the a super light and durable framebag and frontroll made of Cuben Fiber as well as a toptube bag made of X-Pac. All kinds of straps all over the place and a solid Revelate seatbag in the back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Three little waterboys (1L each) that can carry the stuff we might need most, mounted with SKS straps.
Stefan Haehnel
Age 35 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: Cicli Bonanno Stay Loco custom columbus steel frame made in Berlin, set up with Shimano GRX DI2 2×11 group set, Allygn carbon fork, WTB Ranger 2.0 Tires, Dynamo hub, Sinewave Beacon front and Supernova tail light, and a Pro Stealth MTB saddle.
BAGS: Full set of custom Gramm Tourpacking bags.
Will Harrison
Age 29 / Seattle, WA, USA
THE BIKE: I’m really embracing the ‘run what you brung’ attitude, using a Felt F65X that was bought a few years ago to race cyclocross. I’ve pushed the limits of Shimano 105 to get 46/34 x 11-40. The original TRP Spyre Mechanical Disc brakes remain, but to fit as much rubber in as possible I have used Hunt x Mason 650B explore wheelset with SON dynamo up front, squeezing in a WTB Venture 47mm up front, and a Teravail Cannonball 40mm at the rear.
BAGS: I’m running Revelate bags nearly everywhere, apart from the Oveja Negra half frame pack. There’s a Terrapin seat pack, Sweetroll handlebar bag, and a Mag Tank top tube bag. I’m going to be riding with a Salomon running pack too, with space for 3l of water and a lot of snacks!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using an Alpkit bivvy for shelter, along with a Nemo Tensor Ultralight sleeping pad and a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag. Power is going to be provided by the SON dynamo hub, via the Sinewave Beacon light & charger combo.
Neil Henderson
Age 39 / Edinburgh, Scotland
THE BIKE: I’m really proud to be riding a custom Albannach Torragar designed by Jim Cameron of Albannach Frameworks in Scotland. I’ve swapped out the 2x drivetrain I used on TCRNo7 for the 1x Force AXS Eagle setup with 11-50 cassette for all the climbing!
BAGS: The frame bag, feedbag and Jumbo Rando Sporran up front are all handmade in Glasgow by Graham Coubrough of Coubywan Stichworks. I’ll also be running the Revelate Designs Viscacha seat pack and Mag Tank.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m stoked to be riding on a custom bike with custom bags designed and made by people I know and trust. It’s almost exactly the same setup I rode on the Transcontinental Race last year and I’m really looking forward to trying to complete two completely different races on the same bike.
Chris Herbert
Age 33 / London, UK
THE BIKE: I’m riding an aluminium Cannondale Topstone with a few changes from the stock build. The bike features Redshift Sports suspension front and rear and Parcours Alta wheels to helpfully hope with comfort. I’ll be running WTB Byway 700 x 44mm tyres and a 1×11 drivetrain with a bailout gear of 40-50. Pretty sure I’ll be under-biked, but that’s part of the fun.
BAGS: I’m using a full complement of Apidura packs, with a mix of Racing Series and Expedition Series to keep the load light, but easily expandable for the long sections between resupply points. The packs I’m using include an Expedition Handlebar Pack, Fork Packs, and Saddle Pack alongside a Racing Top Tube Pack and Frame Pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system is a Black Diamond Spotlight Bivy and Mountain Hardwear Hyperlamina Spark. The CrankTank4 will allow me to carry up to 4l of water and I’ll be using a Wahoo for navigation, powered by a Sinewave Beacon.
Alex Hill
Age 27 / London, UK
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2019 Rondo Ruut. The saddle and seatpost got replaced with something comfier that fits my bum, and an oval ring. I’ve also changed the rear wheel. Unfortunately the matching front didn’t fit!
BAGS: I’ll be using predominantly waterproof Alpkit bags throughout. The frame bag, one top tube bag, and a stem cell is assigned for all the snacks. Camping kit is out front, tools in the rear top tube bag, and everything else out back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For sleeping I’ve been really happy with a PHD Alpine Half bag, a toasty down jacket and a down vest; warmer than a thin sleeping bag and lighter than a thicker one!
Charlie Holden
Age 28 / Brighton, UK
THE BIKE: I’m riding my 2019 Salsa Fargo. She’s a simple 1x with avid BB7s. 36T up front and 11-42 out back.
BAGS: I like the Blackburn seat pack because you can remove the bag from the cradle. I cut the frame bag panels from cordura and my partner Gina sewed it together.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Paul of Porteur in Brighton built my wheels. Stans Arch MK3s with a SON 28 up front and an obnoxiously loud Hope Pro4 out back. I’m running an Exposure light set and a Sinewave Revolution charger.
Alex Jacobson
Age 30 / Ridgecrest, CA, USA
THE BIKE: I plan on racing the AMR on my custom titanium build that I designed together with Myrad Cycles. I’ll be running 1x SRAM Eagle, flat bar with aero bars, lights directly off a USB powerbank, Racing Ralph 2.35″ tires, and a Fizik Argo saddle.
BAGS: Ortlieb Bags and backpack for my water pouch.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using a bivy and lightweight sleeping bag along with a down jacket and pants. I will also be carrying a small camera gimbal and tripod to try and document the race along the way.
Mitch Jones
Age 44 / West Yorkshire, UK
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the Atlas Mountain Race on a Cervelo Aspero gravel bike. I’m rocking 1.9 Gravelkings. 1 x 11 SRAM drivetrain with 11-46 cassette and a 40T Chainring. Stans Crest 650B tubeless wheels with a Dynamo SP8 hub running to a Kemo light/USB switch with Exposure Revo light. Hope rear hub. Whisky flared bars. Fabric Scoop saddle.
BAGS: Apidura 14l Handlebar Bag with Apidura clip on Accessory pocket. Apidura top tube bag. Apidura food pouch. Polaris frame and seat pack. WOHO seat pack stabiliser with bottle mounts.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Alpkit Pipe Dream 400 sleeping bag. Alpkit Bivvy bag. Therm-a-Rest lightweight sleep mat. OMM down jacket. Garmin 1030 and 520 back up. Exposure joystick helmet light with support cell. Fi’zik Terra clima x2 shoes. Veloskin butt cream. Oh, and made-in-Yorkshire wool socks.
Nico Keinath
Age 33 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: I‘ll be riding the AMR 2020 on a handbuild SUICYCLE steel frame, built by their framebuilder Hagen Wechsel. The bike features a 2×12 drivetrain with a 27-40 crankset and an 11-39 cassette. The wheels are 32h and built around a SON Dynamo hub. In the rear I’m running a 45mm WTB Riddler, in the front a 50mm WTB Nineline. I‘ll be sitting on a Brooks Cambium C15 saddle.
BAGS:
My bags are all Revelate Design. I use the Terrapin seat bag, the Ripio frame bag, the Harness, Saltyroll, and Yakataga at my bars, as well as Feedbags, top tube bags, and bags at the fork.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Next to my SON lights I run a Lupine Neo lamp on my helmet for the night rides. For sleeping I carry a Vaude Lizard tent, a Sea to Summit Spark sleeping bag, and their insulated ultralight mat. My water will be on the bike as well as in a Camelbak and the Wahoo Roam will help me navigate.
Marcin Kepka
Age 38 / Gdansk, Poland
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a Canyon Inflite AL 6.0, WTB Nano 700 x 40mm tubeless tires, and a 2×11 Shimano drivetrain.
BAGS: A combination of Apidura and Wildcat bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Cumulus Lite 200 will keep me warm at night and Alpkit Hunka bivy will serve as my shelter. I’ll be using Wahoo Bolt for navigation.
Tobias Koepplinger
Age 39 / Wuerzburg, Germany
THE BIKE: My bike for the Atlas Mountain Race is a black 2020 Salsa Fargo. This is the second Fargo I own. I am a tall and heavy rider, the steel frame with the carbon fork fit perfectly for me. The gearing is a 1×11 with 32T in the front and an 11-46T cassette. The Fargo comes with 2.25″ WTB Ranger Tires, a SON dynamo, and TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. I love this black steel tank that looks like it’s straight out of a Mad Max Movie.
BAGS: The heart of my bag setup is a 14L Apidura Expedition Framebag. It stores my tools, repair kit, stove, and some food. The bar bag and the seat bag are Ortlieb. All the sleeping stuff plus my tent fit in the bar bag, and the seatpack holds some clothes and food. On the top tube sits a Revelate Designs Mag Tank for snacks. The Revelate Designs Egress Pocket hosts my camera, phone, and documents.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Busch & Müller IQ X dynamo lamp in the front and the lightweight TarpTent ProTrail.
Patrick Lamarre
Age 52 / Montpellier, France
THE BIKE: My bike is a Salsa Cutthroat, completely custom built by With Spirit, featuring 29″ carbon Asterion Wheels Maxxis Ikon 2.2, Red etap with XX1 AXS derailleur and cassette, Enve G-Series bar, ee wings cranks, ee Silk seatpost, and a Specialized Power Arc saddle.
BAGS: Bags made by Lucy Rusjan, Cuben 40 material with some new bags and details following my first ultra experience on French Divide in 2019, except frame bag witch is a dyneema Cutthroat frame bag Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My light will be k-lite ultra kit because I became a French dealer this year and it’s a really, really good gear. I will use Vaude bike clothing, Julbo Eyewear sunglasses, and Mavic XA Thermo for shoes.
Ernie and Scotti Lechuga
Ages 43 and 37 / Little Rock, AR, USA
THE BIKE: We’re both riding TREK Procaliber 9.7s. We modified to Shimano XT Di2, with a 36/26 front chainring combo, and an 11-42 cassette. We chose a Bontrager 1120 rigid fork and Bontrager Kovee carbon 29er rims with a Shutter Precision front hub. We adapted the front end for drop bars and are using the TREK Madone aero bar setup.
BAGS: Apidura Backcountry 3L Frame Pack, 4.5L Expedition Fork Packs x2, 9L Expedition Seat Pack, Expedition Top Tube Bag, Backcountry Top Tube Bag, and Backcountry Food Pouch. We have a side loader cage mounted at the downtube, another cage atop the aero bars, and a tool keg mounted below the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For sleeping, we’ll each use a S.O.L. Escape Bivvy, Big Agnes 40 degree sleeping bag, and AXL Air pad. We have a combo of Garmin Etrex30 along with a Wahoo ELMNT for navigation.
Nigel Leech
Age 43 / Suffolk, UK
THE BIKE: I’ll be taking on the AMR aboard a 2020 Salsa Cutthroat V2 Apex 1 in stunning Atomic Pink! I’ll be running it in pretty much stock specification: WTB wheels, Teravail Sparwood tyres, Race Face cranks, and Apex 1×11 gearing. I’ve switched the saddle out for another WTB, albeit wider.
BAGS: The frame design of the Salsa allows for a huge direct-mount bag, so I’ve got a custom made one from Straight Cut Design in Edinburgh. I’ve been so impressed by Ross’s work I’ll also be using Straight Cut’s seatpack, handlebar harness, and top-tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using my trusty Alpkit Hunka XL bivvy bag along with their Cloudbase kipmat and a Mountain Hardware Hyperlamina Spark sleeping bag. A Wahoo Elemnt should keep me pointing in the right direction! I’ll be wearing Rapha Brevet shorts as I anticipate some long days in the saddle!
Marc Lehmann
Age 34 / Stuttgart, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2019 MERIDA SILEX. The bike features a new DT SWISS GRC 1400 650B wheelset paired with WTB Venture 47 mm tires. I am going for tubeless with the MILKIT valve and milk system. The heart will be a modified 1×11 Shimano GRX Di2 drivetrain with a 38T chainring and a 11-42 cassette. For a smooth grip I have chosen the Jagwire Pro bar tape.
BAGS: The bag set up is entirely covered by MERIDA waterproof bikepacking bags. The handlebar bag stores the sleeping equipment, the saddle bag the extra clothes and the frame, and top tube bag will store the electric equipment. The snack pouch will be completely filled with ASSOS chamois for a good feeling. Four bottles will be mounted to the fork and downtube. One tool can mounted on the seat tube completes the set up.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Outdoor Research Stargazer Bivy juniper will keep me dry and the Mountain Equipment Helium sleeping warm. A comfy sleep will be delivered by the NeoAir UberLite Mat. The Wahoo Elemnt Roam will lead us through the mountains. The Terrible Heaven top cap will keep the motivation high.
Adrien Liechti
Age 34 / Geneva, Switzerland
THE BIKE: I’m riding the AMR on a full rigid FOCUS Raven. My frame was custom painted on my balcony! 3T rigid fork, Shimano XT 1×11, DT Swiss X412 wheels, Vittoria Mezcal tires, SON Dynamo hub, Exposure lights, Sinewave USB charger, Brooks C15 saddle.
BAGS: A custom frame bag made ByMarion&Quentin in Dijon, a Revelate Designs Gas Tank, an Apidura Expedition 9l handlebar pack, an Apidura Expedition 9l saddle pack, and an Apidura food pouch.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An MSR bivy, an Aegismax sleeping bag, and a Sea to Summit UL air mat. I’ll use a Garmin eTrex 30 and a Garmin edge 1030 for navigation.
Jost Litzen
Age 39 / Stuttgart, Germany
THE BIKE: Chinese parts from Ali Express. Carbon frameset, carbon wheelset, seatpost, saddle, bar, bags. This bike is my daily commuter and I ride a SRAM X1 Group with Shimano XT brakes. Nothing special. Just a light, reliable bike.
BAGS: Cheap and reliable bags from China. Mission Workshop Hauser backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A 500g tailored bivy bag that spans like a tent in combination with the bike.
Christian Meier
Age 34 / Girona, Spain
THE BIKE: We built this fully custom Belle Cycles with the demands of the Atlas Mountain Race in mind. It’s a steel frame with carbon ISP (custom seat-post topper by Bastion) built on 29″ wheels with clearance for mountain bike tyres and a rigid Enve MTB fork turning on a Ceramicspeed headset. We are running GRX Di2 groupset complemented with Ingrid cranks with 40 tooth chainring and 10/46 cassette. The drivetrain is complete with Ceramicspeed titanium jockey wheels and coated bottom bracket. Wheels are Enve M630 rims laced to Son dynamo front hub and DT Swiss 240 rear hub. Final details include: Enve compact road bars plus clip on aero bars, King Cage steel bottle cages, Vittoria Terreno Dry 2.25” tyres, Fabric Scoop Flat saddle and SON headlight.
BAGS: Custom built for the bike by Cordel, including frame bag, bar bag, food pouches, and saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will have a JR Gear sleeping bag, with a Mammut Sphere Bivi and Klymit Inertia X Frame sleeping mat. Wahoo Roam for navigation.
Peter Monko
Age 40 / Chicago, IL, USA
THE BIKE: I will be riding the first edition of the AMR on a 2013 Cannondale F29 with a Lefty fork. The bike has a new pair of Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tires on custom Industry Nine + Velocity Blunt SS wheels, and a 1×11 Shimano XTR drivetrain with Chromag 32T front chainring and 11-42 rear sprocket.
BAGS: The framebag is a custom Rogue Panda Double-Decker bag. I will also have a Revelate Jerry Can bag and a Rogue Panda Bismarck stem bag which will hold a water bottle. All of my tools will be located beneath the downtube with a SKS Anywhere cage and Zefal Z-Box. On the seatpost is a 14L Restrap saddle bag and up front I have a Revelate Pronghorn harness with a 23L dry bag with Egress add-on shoulder bag which will hold my valuables and cache battery.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Big Agnes Fly Creek single person tent with a NeoAir Xlight sleeping pad and NEMO Siren 30F down quilt as my shelter. I’ll be using a Garmin 530 for navigation.
Dylan Morton
Age 30 / Colorado, USA
THE BIKE: Salsa Woodsmoke built with a Whisky Parts Co. flat bar and seatpost. Drivetrain by SRAM’s XO crankset on an Eagle 34T chainring to an e*thirteen 9-46 cassette. Whisky Parts Co 41w hoops spinning a set of Maxxis Ardent Race 2.35″ tires around an Onyx Racing Products hub out back and a Shutter Precision hub out front. Aero sticks by Profile Design holding up a WAHOO Roam up top and a Sine Wave Beacon underneath.
BAGS: Bike bags are a mix of Revelate Designs’ Mountain Feedbags / Sweet Roll and Salsa’s half frame bag / saddle bag / top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: New duds from Pearl Izumi protecting me from the Atlas Mountains and Moroccan sun. Longer resupply stretches made easy by Road Runner Bags Lil Guy Mini Pack on my hips and a Matador DL16 packable backpack. A clean navigation/lighting cockpit by a custom designed 3D printed mount by Push Plastic.
Martin Moschek
Age 45 / Halstenbek, Germany
THE BIKE: My bike for the AMR 2020 is a titanium Salsa Fargo. I built it with 1×11 (32T front, 11-50T back) shifting, but with a mix of SRAM and Shimano: SRAM Rival in front and Shimano XT in the back. For the brakes, I have relied for years on the mechanical TRP Spyre disc brakes, which are now also on the Fargo. The 29″ wheels are from HUNT and have a SON hub dynamo. I’m running Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tyres.
BAGS: I mainly ride Ortlieb Bikepacking bags. On the AMR I take the full-frame pack (6L, mainly for food), the seat-pack (16.5L) for clothes, the handlebar-pack (15L) for tent and sleeping bag, and the accessory bag for small stuff and snacks. The top tube bag is the Salsa EXP with 1.2L capacity for electronic stuff. I also have a stem bag from Restrap on the handlebars, in which a spare tube and a water bottle are transported. There are also three 950ml bottles on the bike: two on the fork and one on the down tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am especially proud of my Mullet bike, which, thanks to Shiftmate 9, shifts an 11-speed cassette with 11-50 in combination with SRAM Road and Shimano MTB without any problems and under tough conditions.
Krzysztof Miszewski
Age 38 / Gdansk, Poland
THE BIKE: Canyon Inflite AL, Sram Rival 1×11, WTB Nano 40mm.
BAGS: Sport Arsenal W2B, Topeak.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outdoor Research helium bivy, Robens Vapor sleeping mat, Malachowski UL II sleeping bag.
Roger Nicholson
Age 52 / Johannesburg, South Africa
THE BIKE: Custom hand-built Steel Mountain-Bike built by David Mercer of Cape Town, South Africa. Built as a single speed, but for this race I have an E-thirteen 11-speed cassette (9-46) with a 30T front chainring and SRAM 11-speed XO derailleur and shifter. Shimano XTR trail pedals, XTR brakes and XT crank. Chris King BB and Head Set. Enve 40mm MTN Stem and Bar with a 100mm Fox 32 Step Cast Fork with remote lockout. Ergon grips. Enve MTN Seat-post with Specialised Phenom Saddle. Specialised Fast Trak Grid 2.3″ tyres (tubeless) on Bolt Carbon Rims (25mm internal width) with a 350 DT Swiss Hub on the rear and Son Dynamo on the front. Sinewave Beacon Light and Voltaic Flow through battery bank to power devices. Garmin Edge 530 for navigation.
BAGS: Apidura Racing series top-tube bag and small frame pack. Osprey 22l backpack.
John Olofsson
Age 49 / Stockholm, Sweden
THE BIKE: I will be riding my 2019 Kona Sutra LTD. It’s a sturdy adventure bike configured around a steel frame and wide drop bars. I have installed a pair of Schwalbe 2.1″ MTB tires (Racing Ray in front and Racing Ralph in the rear) on WTB KOM Light rims. For lights and charging I have a SON Dynamo hub in the front connected to a Igaro D2 Pro USB charger. The drivetrain is a 1×11 with 10-42 cassette in the back and a 30T oval chainring from Wolf Tooth.
BAGS: My carrying system consists of Ortlieb’s handlebar pack (9L) and Cockpit Pack (0.8L) in the front. The frame bag (7.5L) and the saddle pack (14L) are both from Apidura’s Expedition series. I will also be carrying a small hydration backpack from Osprey.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My gear highlight consists of what I chose to exclude, which is the sleeping bag. Instead, I have opted to sleep in down pants and down jacket in the shelter of my MSR Hubba NX tent and emergency bivy. I did a lot of research on tyres and therefore have high expectations on my Schwalbes. Also, I have chosen to bring along a minimalistic stove, which I hope will comfort me with warm freeze dried meals and coffee to boost morale on the toughest parts of the race.
Guy Parry
Age 42 / Stockholm, Sweden
THE BIKE: My Waltly Titanium, the bike I’d pick if I could have one bike, bike. Force CX1 groupset with 38T chainring and 10-42 cassette. SON 28 and Sinewave Beacon. Gravelking SK 43mm tyres.
BAGS: Revelate bar bag, Apidura/Rapha frame bag, Restrap seat pack (with Ortlieb dry bag), and Silca top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Oldest component is a USE seat-post from 1990. Newest is the Power saddle from yesterday.
Rob Quirk
Age 36 / London, UK
THE BIKE: For AMR I’ll be riding my latest Quirk Cycles prototype. I’ve been keen to build and test out an overlander MTB setup for bikepacking, and where better than the High Atlas. There’s a full custom steel unicrown fork up front with a crown mounted front rack to keep the bar bag off the front of the bike and improve access. The rear of the bike is painted in extra tough raptor paint (think ceracote) for durability. The build rolls on 29 x 2.35″ tyres. Plenty of mounts for luggage but will be going fairly light.
BAGS: I’ve collaborated with Wizard Works for the bags, who made custom printed colour matched bags with bolt through frame mounts. The front harness straps to the rack for great stability and wraps round a 13l drybag. My entire sleep system can fit in the roll and will add a saddlebag for clothes. Water carrying capacity is handled by a Blackburn outpost cage under the downtube. May put some more on the forks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Enve finishing kit makes this rig super plush to ride. Along with the cushy Schwalbe 2.35″ tyres for that extra flotation. Can’t wait to shred this in the Atlas.
AFIEQ RADZUAN
Age 32 / Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a Soma Wolverine V3. Initially it was set up with Rohloff drivetrain, which unfortunately got stolen with my rear wheelset on New Year’s Day. Although the hub has been recovered with the assistance of the KL bicycle community, it will not be able to make it for the race. In getting the bike back to race condition, I worked with peoples from The Basikal for a new Shimano XT 12-speed groupset with 34T chainring. I’ll be rolling on combination of Velocity Dyad – Vittoria Mezcal 2.1″ & SP PL8 dynamo hub on front and Syncros x20 – Conti Race King 2.0″ for rear replacement wheel.
BAGS: I’m using a BBD full frame bag in combination with my trusted Apidura saddle & handlebar bags with food pouch. The top tube bag was sourced locally from MFKS.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Alpkit Hunka bivvy with North Face sleeping bag & Decathlon mat for my sleep system, and Sinewave Beacon for light & charging unit. I will also be using Wahoo ELMNT Bolt and phone for navigation.
Jonathan Rankin
Age 29 / Edinburgh, Scotland
THE BIKE: I’m riding the AMR on a Fairlight Secan. It’s the same bike that I rode in TCR 7, only now with a fresh Di2 GRX groupset and Hunt 650B wheels with a SON dynamo hub on the front that powers the Supernova Lights and Sinewave charger. Modifications from standard are the 25mm thick Evazote armrests, Ritchey WCS Carbon Flexlogic seatpost, and a very well used ISM saddle.
BAGS: Having a big frame means there is lots of room for luggage, however most of the peg frame bags don’t fit! So, I have a custom Restrap frame bag which they were kind enough to make a few special personalisations on. The front harness, two feedbags, and top tube bag are by Revlate and the seat bag is a small one from Apidura. I have enough room in the saddle bag and harness for all of my luggage, leaving everything else empty for food and water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Custom sized Peter Hutchinson Designs down sleeping bag, down and waterproof jackets. His down clothing is the best money can buy, especially when you fall outside of normal sized humans.
Max Riese
Age 29 / Salzburg, Austria
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2018 Bombtrack Beyond. Trusting my comfort to some 2.1” WTB Nanos and a 1×11 Setup made up of a SRAM XX1 Crank with 32t chainring and a 11-46t cassette. The Groupset is SRAM Force, I also opted for some profile design clip on bars, and double bar tape to give my hands some rest.
BAGS: I’ve got a wild mix of products, using a Blackburn Outpost full frame bag, a Specialized Burra Burra Front Harness paired with a Revelate Designs Egress Pocket, and their Mag Tank top tube bag. Last but not least an Ortlieb Seatpack. Two one liter bottles will be mounted to the fork plus a small EVOC CC 3l Race Backpack with Bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: To be sheltered from the elements, I’ll use an Outdoor Research Helium Bivy and a Sea To Summit Spark II Sleeping bag as well as an Etherlight Sleeping Matt. I’m also carrying a Wahoo ELMNT Bolt for navigation. As my light setup proved problematic at SRMR2019, I now trust my light and charging setup to a complete KLite Ultra bikepacker setup. The Quoc Gran Tourers will again be my comfortable shoes of choice, enduring hike-a-bikes and long hours on the bike.
Armanda Roco
Age 32 / Seattle, WA, USA
THE BIKE: For AMR2020 I will be riding the Santa Cruz Chameleon C S+ hardtail kit with 29 x 2.3/2.35″ Maxxis tires (DHF up front, Ardent Race in back). Custom changes include the addition of a Jones aluminum loop H-bar with ESI XXL 8.25″ extra chunky grips. A favorite addition is the hidden Wolftooth Bar Kit One multitool that stores away nicely within the handlebars. I’ll be riding on an Ergon Pro SR saddle.
BAGS: For my front handlebar and back seat bags, I’ll be featuring Blackburn’s Outpost Elite series dry bags. The rest of my bags will be from Apidura, featuring the Expedition series with two top tube packs, a 3L frame pack, two fork packs (which will be sitting inside Blackburn Outpost cargo cages on the front fork), and two Backcountry food pouches. I’ll be storing my bike maintenance tools in a Rapha waterproof container that will sit at the bottom of my downtube, and carrying 4-5 L of water across different parts of the bike, including in the downtube water holder, a feed bag, in the front fork bag, and front handlebar bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be sharing the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepack lightweight tent with my riding partner and using the Thermarest Parsec 20F/-6C sleeping bag. For GPS navigation I’ll be utilizing the Wahoo Bolt. Favorite articles of clothing include my Rapha merino leg warmers, Rapha winter gloves, and my merino snood from Iris.
Bas Rotgans
Age 47 / Haarlem, The Netherlands
THE BIKE: 2017 Salsa Cutthroat, same rig as for the Silk Road Mountain Race in 2018. It’s been drilled to route Di2 internally and features a XTR 2x drivetrain with Ultegra brifters. K-lite headlamp and charger that run of the SP dynamo hub in the front wheel. The wheels are DT Swiss XR461 rims with Schwalbe G-one Bites in 2.0” width. Since SRMR, I’ve installed a Rockshox SID that has changed the entire way this bike rides in rough terrain.
BAGS: A Revelate Designs made-for-Cutthroat frame bag in the middle, with a very well-used Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion seat pack, a Salsa EXP toptube bag, and an Apidura Handlebar Pack. I’ve got two water bottles mounted to the fork with King USB bolts. Not in the picture is a Patagonia Nine Trails Waist Pack with a 1.5l water bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The highlight of my gear is how well it all works together, and everything is tuned to cooperate. It has been tweaked and improved over a bunch of smaller and larger bikepacking events and I’m stoked to take it out into the Atlas Mountains. The waist pack is a new addition for me, and I can’t wait to try it out.
Ben Salthouse
Age 36 / San Francisco, CA, USA
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding my Rock Lobster for this one. It’s a steel drop bar 29er with 2.25” tires and all the requisite American-made goodies.
BAGS: I’ll be using the same custom Alpine Luddites frame bag I used on the Silk Road Mountain Race. Besides some mud and weird smells, it’s still basically brand new. I also have an Alpine Luddites seat bag that John made specially to fit with my brooks saddle and offset seat post. Other bits include a Revelate Designs feed bag that’s been on every bikepacking trip I’ve ever been on and a Salsa Anything Cradle that in my opinion is kind of weird but somehow works really well.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I don’t know what I’d do without my White Industries 24T and 42T front chainrings. Another highlight is my Rad Trail Garmin Etrex mount that lets me connect my Etrex 30 to any quarter turn style gps mount.
Ferran Sans
Age 49 / Mataro, Catalonia, Spain
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2019 Bombtrack Beyond+ 2. It is a chromoly frame with a carbon fork and a flat bar. The most important of this bike for me are the Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.8″ 27.5+ tires and a 1×12 SRAM eagle drivetrain with a 32T chainring and 10-50 cassette. I also really like the SQ Labs inner barends.
BAGS: My setup is an Ortlieb bikepacking kit: frame bag, saddle bag, and handlebar bag. Also, I have a Revelate Designs mountain feedbag and finally an Alpkit toptube bag. Three bottles mounted to the fork and downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I use a Vaude bivy and a Vaude sleeping bag. Also, I have two external batteries of 27000mAh each to charge a Ravemen front light, Petzl head light, and Hammerhead GPS.
RJ Sauer
Age 44 / North Vancouver, BC, Canada
THE BIKE: My ride is the 2020 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1 Carbon Frame with a SunRace Mx80 11-speed and 11-50 cassette. I am running tubeless tires, a Trevail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ on the back and a Maxxis 29 2.2″ on the front with a SON Dynamo hub.
BAGS: The frame bag is the new Salsa Full Frame Expedition Series with a Salsa Expedition Series Seat Pack. On the front handlebars is the Revelate Designs 11L Pronghorn with a Salsa Expedition Series Anything Cradle Front Pack, all waterproof. In the cockpit is the Salsa Expedition Series Toptube Bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For gear, I am using a Big Agnes Flume tent wrapped in the Mountain Laurel eVENT Soul Bivy. Connected to my dynamo hub is the k-lite ultra endurance MTB lighting system. I’m wearing 7mesh MK3 bibs with Seymour tights for extra warmth. On top I am layering the 7mesh Quantum jersey, Mission jersey, Cypress Hybrid vest, Orio jacket, Guardian jacket, and the Outflow PrimaLoft jacket for those colder nights. On my feet are the new Lake Cycling MX238. For navigation, as always, I have the tried and trusted Garmin eTrex.
Juerg Schmidl
Age 45 / Richterswil, Switzerland
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding an Open Wi.De with Schwalbe G-One Grip in 2.1″ tires on Hunt x Mason 650B wheels with a SON dynamo and cushcore inserts. The drivetrain is a SRAM Force AXS 1×12 with a 36T chainring and 10-50 gearing. I run the RedShift ShockStop suspension stem and seatpost.
BAGS: Tailfin Aeropack combined with Ortlieb Front Roll, accessory bag, and toptube bag. A total of four water bottles on the bike and the 3T aero bars, plus an additional 2L bladder as reserve. Spare parts and tools are in a box beneath the bottom bracket.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nordisk Lofoten 1 ULW tent, Sea to Summit Spark SP sleeping bag, Thermarest NeoAir Xlite mattress, Garmin GPSmap66i for Navigation.
Robert Schmidt
Age 41 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: My bike for the AMR2020 is my old Breezer. The frame was built in 1996, but it’s updated with an 11-speed SRAM drivetrain, some css plated Ryde rims on Hope hubs, and excellent working v-brakes (haha). Tyres are 2.2” Conti Speed Kings. The front light is a very cheap but powerful Cree attached to a USB powerbank.
BAGS: All bags have been made by Gramm Tourpacking. I use a two-liter water pack in the frame bag and a two-liter pack in my backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Well, it’s still 26 inch because 26inch ain’t dead ;)
Andrea Seiermann
Age 29 / Heidelberg, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding (and pushing) a Brother Cycles Mehteh, steel with a carbon fork. The frame was built up with a Shimano GRX groupset, running 2x with an 11-36 cassette. The DT Swiss GR 531 wheels in 650B are set up with Vittoria Mezcal 2.1” tires. I run a SON dynamo that powers a Supernova E3 pro, a beautiful Busch & Müller Mü tail light, and a Busch & Müller USB Werk for charging on the go.
BAGS: My bag setup has been provided by Ortlieb and consists of their large seat bag, large frame pack, small handlebar pack with the super neat accessory pack attached to it, and a cockpit pack. In addition, I have two small snack bags on the stem. I fit two liter bottles on and below my downtube and carry an extra 2l water bladder for the driest stretches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An MSR AC Bivy will be my shelter along with a Mountain Equipment Helium sleeping bag, a silk sleeping bag liner, and a Thermarest NeoAir Xlite. My luxury item is an inflatable pillow. I also carry a case for my sunglasses that looks like a slice of a watermelon. You might think this is useless, but it does cheer me up very reliably, which can be crucial in desperate moments.
Chris Simpson
Age 35 / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
THE BIKE: 2019 3T Exploro running Hope RD40 carbon wheels with RS4 hubs and Hope 160mm rotors, set up with Tubeless WTB Nano 40mm tires. The groupset is SRAM Force 1x with 42T on the front with 10-42 on the rear, plus SRAM Force Hydraulic brakes. A few extra bottle cages mounted to the forks with king cage mounts.
BAGS: Ortlieb Bar, Accessory and Seat Pack. Revelate Designs Gas Tank and Mountain Feedbag upfront as well, with a Small Restrap Frame bag for tools and spares.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Tent will act as a shelter, as well as a Patagonia 850 down sleeping bag and Sea To Summit Comfort Light Air Mat. Wahoo Roam for navigation with an Element as back up. Power bank for charging. Complete bike comes in around the 20kg mark loaded up with food and water bottles.
Kyle Sole
Age 34 / Seoul, Korea
THE BIKE: Trek Procaliber 9.7, mostly standard build including SRAM NX Eagle with a 30T chainring and 11-50 cassette. Bontrager Kovee Elite wheels with Maxxis Ikon tyres. A few cockpit changes for added comfort, including Origin 8 Batwing bar, Profile Design clip-on tri bars, and WTB Pure saddle.
BAGS: Restrap Bags: Bar bag, Frame bag, Saddle bag (14L), Top tube bag, Stem bag x2.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system: Highlander Hawk Bivy Bag, Powerlix air mat, Uniqlo ultralight down jacket and pants. Navigation: Garmin etTex 30x, Edge 820, iPhone8 & Komoot. Lights and Power: Bontrager Ion Pro, Ion 120 & Flare. Headlamp, Ion 120 & eTrex powered with AA batteries, the rest will recharge from 10,000mAh solar power battery pack. Dressed by PedalEd & Sidi SD15 shoes.
Bengt Stiller
Age 42 / Berlin, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on the all-new Liteville 4-ONE MK1. It’s Liteville’s first take on a 29” aluminum gravel bike. I swapped the Enve carbon fork to a prototype by Allygn,a sub-company of Fern Bikes from Berlin, which offers direct mounts for bottles or Anything Cages and all other eyelets needed. The drivetrain is a SRAM mullet bike setup with Eagle/Red AXS parts, powered by an eThirteen carbon CX crank. It’s 1×12, 34T, 9-46 cassette. One of the main features of the frame is the integrated dropper post by Eightpins. Wheels are the new Syntace Gravel wheelset with 55mm WTB Nineline up front and 45mm Riddler in the back. For comfort and speed, I topped the cockpit with a Syntace C3 aero bar.
BAGS: All bags are custom made by Gramm Tourpacking from Berlin. Tine, the founder of Gramm, is a good friend of mine and who makes turning your ideas into bags easy. She made my dream come true and realized a wonderful full frame bag and troll out of Cuben Fibre – insanely light. All my insulation, including sleeping bag and bivy, is wrapped up in that roll.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll approach the challenging conditions of the Atlas Mountains with a set of Western Mountaineering Flash Down Booties, Down Flash Pant, a Patagonia Down Sweater, and a Western Mountaineering Nano-Lite Quilt. Exped’s Synmat UL and the VentAir Bivy will keep me warm from bottom up and covered!
Robert Striedieck
Age 32 / Hamburg, Germany
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2018 CANYON Inflite CF SLX 9.0. The bike features a new pair of 1.5″ SCHWALBE Ultrabites TLE (rear) and 2″ SCHWALBE Ultrabites TLE (front), a modified 2×11 drivetrain with a 11-34 SHIMANO cassette and 30/46 ROTOR noq chainring, HUNT Carbon Dynamo wheelset with a SON hub up front. Additional modifications include a SHIMANO GRX derailleur on an ULTEGRA groupset. The seat post has been updated to a CANYON S15 VCLS 2.0 CF for additional comfort and the seat is a FIZIK Ariane R1 open. Bar tape is bright orange from FIZIK.
BAGS: The three bags (seat post, frame & handle bar) are from APIDURA. Water bottles will be mounted to the fork and downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A MSR Hubba NX will provide shelter from the elements along with a FRISLUFT UL Air Mat for comfort. For navigation I’ll be using a GARMIN Edge 530 for GPS navigation and using a QUADLOCK bike mount for my phone. A wooden keychain owl from Japan will bring luck and offer protection from suffering :)
Joergen Trepp
Age 29 / Rotterdam, Netherlands
THE BIKE: I’m riding the AMR with a Sour Purple Haze and a modified SRAM Rival group using a 36T chainring and 11-50 cassette with an Eagle derailleur. I’ve built some DT Swiss rims onto Hope and SP hubs and wrapped a set of Teravail Sparwoods around them, and Hope RX4 calipers will slow the party down.
BAGS: I decided to use a full frame bag for extra snack room, and Bas at Detour Studios spun magic with this custom bag! My saddle and handlebar bags are from Daniel at Cordel in Spain. Additionally, two feed bags and a top tube bag for maximum snackage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My frame bag is one of my favourite bits, but I have to say that the kLite lamp and USB charger are truly my favourite, and probably one of the most important bits on my rig.
Pascal Vanhove
Age 50 / Antwerp, Belgium
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a titanium J.Guillem Atalaya, a Dutch made gravel bike. The bike features a 27.5″ DT Swiss wheelset with Conti Mountain King 2.2″ tires. The front wheel is equipped with a SON Dynamo hub. One recent modification is the new Shimano GRX groupset with 46-30T chainrings and an 11-34T cassette, probably a gear ratio that’s still too high for the AMR.
BAGS: I use a mix of waterproof Alpkit and Apidura bags. From Alpkit, the Tivaro and 2 Stem Cells on the handlebar, plus 2 Fuel Pods on the top tube. From Apidura, an Expedition frame bag and seat pack. Three water bottles are mounted to the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am looking forward to using the kLite Bikepacker Ultra dynamo light, combined with USB recharge using the standard Igaro D2 power converter. For navigation I use a Garmin eTrex 20 with a Garmin Edge 820 as backup. I hope to catch some sleep in my Nordisk Lofoten 1 ULW, using a Marmot Phase 30 sleeping bag and a NeoAir XLite sleeping mat.
Martijn van Loon
Age 36 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2019 Sour Purple Haze. The drivetrain is Shimano GRX 1×11. Tires are a tubeless 2.2″ Maxxis Ikon up front and a 2.0″ Continental RaceKing at the back.
BAGS: Seat bag is a Topeak Backloader. Frame pack and top tube bag from the AGU Venture line. At the front a Restrap roll drybag + waterbag safely secured with Voile straps.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SP Dynamo hub connected to a Sinewave Cycles Beacon for light and charging. Brooks Carved Cambium saddle for some extra comfort.
Quinda Verheul
Age 30 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
THE BIKE: Sour Purple Haze and Parallel Handbuilt for the BudgetMullet drop-bar SRAM Eagle 1×11 hack and all other mechanical advice and wheeldorky stuff, including Teravail tires and K-Lite.
BAGS: Custom frame bag by Detour.Studio and Apidura covering all the necessary accessories.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wahoo, Cumulus Down Pants, and Pedla Rain jacket.
Vendelin Ondrej Vesely
Age 45 / Czech Republic
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on an OPEN WI.DE. I am running 2.25” wide WTB Beeline tires with an ENVE rear wheel and Hunt front wheel with a dynamo hub.
BAGS: I’m using Ortlieb bags, lightweight and waterproof. The saddle bag does not move at all, which is very important to me. Gramm’s handlebar bag because it does not touch the cables with Ortlieb accessory pack on top of it. I also have Acepac’s top-tube pack, with double zipper and side mesh pockets. I made a tool bag out of an over-engineered bag from a pair of 20 year-old-sunglasses.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nordisk’s 500g two person tent, Sinewave’s dynamo-powered light with integrated USB charger, Powertravellers’s power pack with integrated cables, Wahoo Element Roam for navigation.
Tom Vincent
Age 42 / Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2019 Salsa Cutthroat Rival 1. The bike features a new pair of Vittoria Mezcal 2.1″ tires, a modified 1×11 drivetrain with a 11-46T cassette, and a new WTB front wheel with a SP dynamo hub. I have also fitted a pair of Profile Design T2+ aero bars with lifters (for comfort, not speed!).
BAGS: I’ll be running a 12ltr Restap seat pack and custom Restap frame bag, along with a 12ltr dry bag at the front on a Salsa EXP Anything Cradle. The top tube bag is a Blackburn Outpost. Water will be carried in 2no 1ltr Nalgene flasks attached to the forks with Topeak Versacages and Voilé straps, and in a 1ltr bidon in a stem bag (not shown).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Possibly foolishly, but my bivi is a cheap imported single-skin trekking pole atrocity. Sleep system is a Thermarest Hyperion 32 bag and Exped Synmat HL mat. My attempts at making my own ultra light carbon fibre tent pole were a disaster, so I bought some Six Moon Al ones instead.
Joeri Wannijn
Age 35 / Gent, Flanders, Belgium
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a new custom steel DeAnima Defer. It’s perfectly welded and painted by hand by Gianni Pegoretti in Italy to my demands. It has a Chris King T47 bottom bracket and all internal cable routing. The fork is a repainted Lauf JAF fork. I prefer two chainrings, so the new GRX Di2 combined with a 11-42t cassette is perfect. A Son dynamo hub is laced in the strong handbuilt 650B SWS-wheels, connected with the Edelux front light and the Plug USB charger.
BAGS: I use my four-year-old Revelate bags together with two new Wolftooth B-Rad Roll top bags mounted on the fork. No mag-tank or feedbags near the handlebar to have more free movement.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I prefer a Nordisk lightweight tent above a bivy bag to get a better sleep. Having my Wahoo Roam charged continuously by the SON hub is just great.
Jon Woodroof
Age 35 / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
THE BIKE: A 2015 custom Lester Cycles, the same bike I used for the first Silk Road Mountain Race in 2018. For SRMR, Lester installed a new rear triangle with extra tire clearance, plus a new paint job courtesy of my girlfriend Kristy. It’s a steel frame and fork with Avid Shorty Ultimate canti brakes (for the record, cantis can stop), Thomson stem & seatpost, and a Berthoud Galibier saddle. Shimano XTR (11-46) on the back & Ultregra cranks w/ 38T Wolftooth chainring & Ultegra Di2 road shifters on Salsa bars. Chris King to DT Swiss rim on the back with 2.1” Maxxis Pace tire and a SON hub powering a Supernova plug + front and rear lights on the front wheel to a 45mm Maxxis Rambler tire for extra clearance on the originally CX-intended fork (the matching 2.1” was too tight).
BAGS: Clearly I’m holding on to my rando roots. French Berthoud bag on a TimTas custom front rack built here in Holland with Apidura fork bags on King Cage mounts. Apidura top tube bag housing electronics along with dual snack sacks holding 500ml Maurten bidons, one by Neza Peterca of Blind Chic Budapest and the other by Apidura. Also a Freight Baggage road soda holder for personal reward Cokes & cans of beer. On the back, a Carradice bagman holding clothes, a Nelson longflap, and an Ortlieb dry sack with my camping mat, all held snug by Voile straps. The Revelate frame bag will house a 3L reservoir and the Loose Nuts bidon under the downtube holds even more water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Clearly the heavily decorated Berthoud bag. It’s been with me for more than 10 years. I cannot imagine a trip without it. I fill the map window with photos of my family and gain strength & inspiration from the photos and drawings of and by my kids. Plus, it’s easy to access everything in the bag while I’m riding! Rando FTW!
Lloyd Wright
Age 29 / London, England
THE BIKE: I’m riding a Fairlight Secan with Shimano Di2 on loan work. This bike has been through the mill, already having been on the Italy Divide and a couple winters training beneath its tyres. The only thing I’ve changed is the wheels. I built up a pair of wide 650B wheels to give me some cushion for the pushin’ in the rough stuff.
BAGS: My luggage is a bit of a mismatch: Restrap frame bag, Alpkit stem cells and bar bag, Blackburn top tube bag, and a podsacs tail pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The highlight is probably the Dynamo setup, SON Edelux front hub and lights with a Sinewave revolution charger to keep my Garmin and phone topped up.
Felix Wyns
Age 27 / Brussels, Belgium
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a 2015 Scott Scale 920. The bike features a new pair of Schwalbe Racing Ralphs 2.25” tires and 2×10 gearing.
BAGS: I am riding with a 6L Ortlieb Frame Pack, 15L Handlebar Pack 15L + Accessory Pack, and an 11L Seat Pack. I’ll also have a 3L Camelbak.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Outdoor Research Helium Bivy will serve as my shelter. I’ll also be carrying an Wahoo Bolt and Garmin eTrex 30 for navigation.
Liam Yates
Age 26 / Ashdown Forest, UK
THE BIKE: My bike for the first edition of the Atlas Mountains Race is a Specialized Epic Hardtail, running SRAM GX Eagle 32T on the front and 10-50 out back. Only changes to new are carbon bars (cut down), some bar ends, and Ergon grips to help with extra riding positions.
BAGS: I have the 9L Apidura Expedition pack on the rear. In the frame is a custom pack from Straight Cut Design and then an unreleased Apidura pack on the underside of the down tube for a few extras. For hydration I will be using the Camelbak Chase Vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For night riding I have the Exposure lights SixPack, navigation will be handled by my Wahoo ROAM, and for sleeping I have the Sea to Summit Spark III bag.
Ales Zavoral
Age 42 / Roudnice nad Labem, Czech Republic
THE BIKE: I decided to ride the AMR on a Swiss full XC MTB Koba Sentiero UL (2019). The bike is very comfortable and light. Despite the fact that it’s a full-suspension MTB, its empty weight is about 10.5 kg. The bike is on Continental Race King 2.0” tires, 1×12(10-50T) Sram GX Eagle drivetrain with 34T chainring. Front DT Swiss wheel is with a SON28 dynamo hub that’s connected to an Igaro D1 USB hub.
BAGS: The frame bag is my custom homemade bag. It’s the first bag I have ever made. The rest of the bags are Apidura: Expedition seat bag (14l), Expedition Handlebar bag (14l), Backcountry Top Tube bag, 2x Backcountry Food pouches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Navigation: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, backup Suunto Ambit 3, 2nd backup Smartphone. Front Lights: Headlamp Fenix HM61R, backup Fenix HL50. Rear lights: Fenix BC05, backup Fenix CL09. Bivi bag: High Point Super Light 2.0 Cover.
Bilal Zia
Age 42 / Washington, DC, USA
THE BIKE: I’ll be riding the AMR on a Open One+ Hardtail equipped with a Lauf TR29 Boost fork, Enve bar and seatpost, Thomson stem, Fredbar and vision carbon aerobars, Nox Skyline carbon rims laced to I9 Hydra (rear) and Son dynamo (front) hubs, SRAM XX1 DUB drivetrain w/ 10-50 cassette, power2max powermeter and 30T Absolute Black oval ring, Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.25″ tires, Shimano XTR Trail brakes, XTR pedals, Kogel ceramic BB and pulley wheels.
BAGS: My setup is a mashup of various brands and colors, whatever I already owned. The centerpiece is a bright orange Rogue Panda roll-top frame bag (originally customized for an orange bike!), Ortileb seatpost bag, Revelate front harness, Bedrock Bags and Rogue Panda top tube bags, and Revelate snack bag. Two SIS 1-L bottles will be mounted to the Lauf with King Cage mounts and another 1-L Nalgene to the down tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wahoo Roam and Garmin eTrex 30 for navigation, Sinewave Beacon for light and electricity, and various ultralight camping and sleeping gear. On me, the Assos Cento Evo bibs are the most comfortable bibs I’ve worn, though they do require a second mortgage on the house. The gear highlight however has to be the Kogel ceramic BB and especially the pulley wheels. I don’t care about performance, they just look so cool!
Keep up with our continuing Atlas Mountain Race coverage by following #atlas-mountain-race.
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