Rigs of the 2022 Huracan Challenge

Every year, we select a handful of bikepacking events and showcase the riders (and their rigs) who are participating. The list of riders is always so interesting to pick through, from the ultralight race setups of those chasing records to more casual riders who are simply in pursuit of time outside in beautiful a location.

We’re kicking off our 2022 series with an event and route put on by our friend Karlos Bernart in Florida, the Huracan 300 Challenge. The Huracan Challenge is offered in either a 330-mile “lite” version or a 360-mile route and has quite the reputation down south. The route features over 100 miles of singletrack, many remote miles of doubletrack forest roads and abandoned paths, and a few miles of pavement here and there.

There are more than 70 riders registered to participate, and with their help, we’ve collected bike and gear info for around 50 riders who are tackling the route. Scroll through and get a good look at everyone’s rig and then head over to the 2022 Huracan Challenge event page to follow along live.

Ben Carpenter

Age 29 / Greenville, South Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Specialized Chisel I built up this year with GX AXS and going a little plush with the 120mm SID on the front. I don’t find any loss in speed between a 100mm SID and this one, so why not get a little “sendier.” Since it’s primarily flat, I’ve got a larger 36t chainring paired with a 10-52 out back. For wheels/tires I’m running Specialized Renegade 2.35 tires on Industry Nine Trail S wheels.
BAGS: Nothing special in the way of bags. Everything is Relevate except for the burrito bag, which is full of Tailwind Mix packets. A Revelate Jerry Can, Shrew Seat Pack, and two feed bags cover the rest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This will be my first time riding through the night. I wanted a Dynamo, but the industry’s shortage had other plans. So, I’m running a Fenix PD36R on the bike, and the Fenix HM61R on my helmet with spares for each.

Andy Roberts

Age 54 / Tallahassee, Florida (USA)

BIKE: Lynskey Ridgeline 29er, Fox stepcast 32 shock, Sram X0 crank with Stages Power meter, Shimano GRX 1×11 drivetrain 36 front 11×46 rear, Industry 9 stem, Ritchey Venture Max bars, Profile Aero bars, WTB Rocket saddle, Schwalbe Thunder Burt tires, King cages on forks mounted with King cage mounts, Shutter Precision Dyno hub with Velocity Blunt rim, DT Swiss rear wheel, K Lite light.
BAGS: Topeak Front loader with Sea to Summit Evac bags for tent and sleeping bag, Six Moon Designs Lunar solo tent. Sleeping bag will depend on the weather. JPaks top tube bag, Revelate smaller top tube bag, Revelate seat bag, Rockgeist custom frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This will be almost the same setup that I used for Tour Divide Race (TDR) the only difference will be the seat bag which is new after mine died during TDR. I also will be using the smoother tires, I used Mezcal tires at TDR. Finally I will be using a 36 tooth ring instead of the 32 I use in the mountains. In addition to the K Lite I will be using a Fenix 36r light on my helmet at night.

Travis Berry

Age 34 / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Page Street Cycles, which is a collaboration between Josheph Ahearne and Christopher Igleheart. A set of Maxxis Ikon 2.2s. 2×10 Shimano drivetrain. Pass and Stowe front rack modified to lock more sturdily to the fork. SP PL-7 dynamo will power my lights. B&M Luxos U headlight allows me to charge a power bank.
BAGS: Handlebar bag is a large Fabs Chest. Two Nittany Mountain Works Manythings stem bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Navigation with a Garmin Etrex 20x. Still undecided if im carrying a sleeping bag, but I’ll have an emergency blanket bivy either way.

Austin Sullivan

Age 32 / Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a ~2017 Santa Cruz Highball CC with 2.4 & 2.2 inches of Maxxis rubber on the front and rear, respectively. Enve hoops on DT Swiss hubs and a Sram Eagle 10-50t drivetrain on a 32t chainring. Rocking some old aero bars for a change a position.
BAGS: I’ve got four of my favorite bag brands on the bike. Rockgiest gondola dropper bag for clothes (warm things, change of bibs and extra wool socks). On the bottom of the down tube is a Rogue Panda Oracle holding down all my tools, tubes, repair and first aid items. The bar roll is made by Bedrock bags out of Durango, CO, and it’s packed with my bivy and rain jacket/pants. Revelate Designs fills out the top tube and feed bag situation. Those are mostly for foods, charging brick and random finds.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SOL escape bivy if things get tired, wool base layer/jersey and socks. And Wahoo Roam to keep on the little black line of Karlos’ choosing. Double bottle mount from Wolftooth (not yet installed) will bump my water capacity to three bottles in the frame.

Benjamin Meyer

Age 36 / Sarasota, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Huracan 300 on a rigid drop-bar Surly Ogre. The bike has 3″ WTB Ranger TCS tires on WTB rims laced to a Profile Racing Elite hub in the rear and a SON dynamo in the front. I’m using a mechanical 11-speed Shimano drivetrain. Something that’s a little different about this bike is that I’m using the Wolftooth TanPan adapter to run road bike shifters on a mountain bike rear derailleur.
BAGS: The catchall for my gear is the Middle Earth Jammer from Road Runner Bags. Because of the low clearance between the bag and front tire, I have a Surly 8-Pack rack to keep it secure. As always, I will be using the Revelate 14 liter Terrapin saddlebag and Gas Tank top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleeping gear is a Big Agnes UL2 Carbon, REI Magma 30 sleeping bag, and an inflatable sleeping pad. I’ll be keeping my electronics charged with a cache battery hooked up to a Sinewave Beacon headlight. For navigation, I have a Garmin 830 and an InReach paired to my phone as a backup.

Bernie Veon

Age 52 / Minneola, Florida (USA)

BIKE: For my first ultra event, I’ll be riding Apocalypta, my rigid Surly Krampus. The steel, down-for-anything bike features a Shimano Deore 12-speed, 30T 11-50 drivetrain and Sun Ringle Duroc 50mm wheels laced to 29 x 3″ Knards for extra float in the sand and muck. Whisky Milhouse carbon bars, a Cane Creek eeSilk seatpost, and an Ergon SMC Core saddle provide long-haul comfort on rooty singletrack and challenging terrain.
BAGS: Revelate Designs, including a frame bag specifically fitted for the Krampus, Spinelock seat bag, Sweetroll, and Gas Tank for electronics/portable charger. A Nalgene 48oz bottle mounted to the downtube and a 24oz bottle zip-tied to the top tube will keep me hydrated on remote stretches between resupplies.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SQlabs grips and inner barends to minimize hand suffering and Outbound Lighting Hangover/Trail Evo combo to extend the fun into the night. For navigation, I’ll be using a Garmin Edge 530 and my iPhone as a backup. An Eno SingleNest hammock and Zenbivy quilt slung between the pines and live oaks will serve as shelter. Ditching clipless in favor of flats and feet-friendly Kuru Chicane/Five Ten Trailcross combo for river crossings and swamp slogging.

Bobby Ruple

Age 40 / Auburn Hills, Michigan (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Journeyman Apex 1 with 11-speed 10-42 SRAM GX cassette. Wheels/tires 650B Stan’s Arch S1 w/ Rene Herse Juniper Ridge tires and a SP dynamo hub upfront powering a K-lite Ultra Gravel light & USB converter. Garmin 1030+ so I don’t get lost.
BAGS: I’ll be running a custom Rockgeist seatbag and toptube bag. Duel feedbags (Revelate & Moosetreks). Handlebar system is a Revelate Pronghorn harness with a generic drybag. The wedge framebag is made by Oveja Negra (picked it up using the Bikepacking Collective discount at Campfire Cycling).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Favorite gear by far is the dynamo powered kLite Ultra light. Switching from battery powered lights to the kLite was an absolute game changer in terms of stress-free night riding.

Borja Burgos

Atlanta, Georgia (originally from Madrid, Spain)

BIKE: Canyon Grizl 7 1by. Stock model with a few changes, including a 36T chainring, a Canyon flip head seat post, and bigger 50mm wheels (Schwalbe G-ONE Ultrabite) to deal with whatever it is HuRaCaN throws at us.
BAGS: Custom-made full frame bag from The Spindle in Atlanta. Top tube bag from Orucase. Ortlieb panniers mounted on a Tailfin rack with its accompanying top bag. A small Bedrock bag to carry small miscellaneous items (mainly snacks) during the day. Backpack (not shown) from Mission Workshop in San Francisco, mainly for camelback and light clothing (e.g. rain jacket).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I would definitely highlight the lights from Outbound Lights, Evo and Hangover lights, both mounted in the handlebar in the picture. These lights are quite impressive! Tracking provided by my trustworthy Hammerhead Karoo 2. To camp, I’ll be carrying a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 bikepacking tent and a Nemo sleeping pad (both shown mounted in the handlebar), as well as a Revelation quilt from Enlightened Equipment. And to hold many of these things in place, nothing better than a few Voile straps.

Adam Rouillier

Age 38 / Gonzales, Louisiana (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding the Huracan 300 on a 2021 Pivot Trail 429. The bike features a mismatched pair of carbon wheels, the original DT Swiss XMC 150 rear wheel with a Maxxis Dissector, and a Whisky Parts No. 9 front wheel with a Maxxis High Roller II. The Whisky Parts wheel was built with a Shutter Precision PD-8X Dynamo hub as a power solution. The drivetrain is the original 1×12 X01 Eagle and the pedals are Look X-Track Race Carbon pedals. The seat post is a 175mm Fox Transfer but is limited with a Wolftooth Valais. Upfront is a Bar Yak Ultra 35 on the handlebars for bag support.
BAGS: This setup is a full complement of Rockgeist bags. This includes a custom frame bag, two Honeypot Feedbags attached to a spacelink, Cache Top Tube Bag, custom Medic Top Tube Bag, Foxglove Saddlebag, and a BarJam Harness. All of the bags are made from VX21 Black except for the Barjam Harness (VX42) and the Foxglove Saddlebag (Dyneema). The Barjam Harness holds a Sea to Summit eVent Compression dry sack. I also use a Woho XTouring Anti Sway to bring extra stability to my saddlebag and to provide additional water storage. Around the saddlebag holding my sandals and other items is a custom Kemp Keeper by Charlie Kemp.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I handle navigation with a Hammerhead Karoo II and live tracking with a Garmin inReach Mini. The dynamo hub powers a kLite Bikepacker Ultra V2 through a dual USB charger. The charger also powers the inReach Mini as well as a backup battery. Downtime is covered with the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 tent along with a Big Agnes Star Fire UL 30° and Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xlite Sleeping pad.

Brent Griswell

Age 48 / Elizabethtown, Kentucky (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding the 2022 Huracan 300 on my 2016 Scott Spark 920. The bike features a new Maxxis Rekon up front/Maxxis aspen in the rear both 2.25”, a modified 1×11 drivetrain with a 34T Wolf Tooth chain ring, Crank Brothers Highline dropper seat post, and Shimano XTR PD-9100 pedals. Added specifically for this race are the Ergon G3 grips, Bi-Saddle, and Profile Designs T2 clip-on aero bars.
BAGS: Rogue Panda Custom full main frame bag along with their Alamo top tube bag mounted in reverse. Revelate Designs Terrapin 14L seat bag, Mag Tank 2000, and two Mountain Feedbags. Rockgiest Bar Jam Bracket and Harness with a Zpacks Dyneema Drybag out front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock, Hammock Gear Dyneema Tarp, 30° top quilt/20° bottom quilt. Misc: Garmin 830, NiteRider Lumina 1200, NiteCore EA21, NiteCore NU25, Anker PowerCore 20,000mAh power bank.

Brent Marshall

Birmingham, Alabama (USA)

BIKE: Surly Krampus SS 32×18
BAGS: Revelate/Rockgeist bags

Brett Hack

Age 39 / Jacksonville Beach, Florida (USA)

BIKE: We call it Frankenbike. I snagged a forgotten Access XCL 26″ frame out of the rafters of a bike shop for $50 in 2005 and originally built it from leftover parts bin stuff. It’s been ridden/broken/upgraded so many times over 17 years that it’s evolved into this little monster. The drivetrain is a brand new SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 (32F/11-50R) with some trusty RaceFace Chesters. Stopping power is provided by new Shimano SLX 4-pots (180F/160R) on some vintage blade-spoked Mavic CrossMax SL tubeless 26″ rims with Surly ExtraTerrestrial 26×46 tires. I ride astride my trusty WTB Volt on a cable-less dropper, and the cockpit is a combination of a Surly Terminal bar on top with some Ergon GP3s, and a second lower/longer stem and stubby generic aluminum bar holding the front bags. My double-alt-bar setup got nicknamed Reindeer Bars by my neighbor thanks to the double-bar-ends. The only old 90s part left is an ancient RockShox Dart 2 fork, which is badly in need of replacement. You guys got any 26″ forks in the parts bins?
BAGS: My luggage is as Frankenstein as the bike. Out back I’ve got some Sea to Summit dry bags velcro-strapped to an Axiom Journey rack, along with my goes-everywhere Sunyear folding chair (huge shout out to Sunyear for their support). The tool bag is an old Topeak someone gave me, and the frame bag is a cheap Amazon bag while I await my custom-made Lesenok Bag. Lights and stuff sit in a Rockbros top tube bag, alongside dual Moosetreks chuck buckets for water. Up front is the awesome Oveja Negra Front End Loader and Lunchbox combo holding my tent in a Sea to Summit mesh bag and lots of munchies in the Lunchbox.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A good Frankenbike needs mismatched gear to go with it. A cheap Bessport 1P tent houses my not-cheap Sea to Summit Etherlite XT insulated bed and Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury pillow. Navigation is handled by a Wahoo Element Roam, and I absolutely must give a shout-out to the PlanetBike Superflash rear strobes for keeping me safe for 20+ years (we have them on every bike in the family).

Brian Fleming

Age 56 / De Leon Springs, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Huracan 300 on my 2019 Salsa Woodsmoke. The bike features a pair of new Vittoria Mezcal 2.6” tires with a SON Dynamo hub up front. Titanium Jones bar with Bar Yak mounts.
BAGS: Feed bags, frame bag, and top tube bag are all custom made by JPAKS. Two 24 oz hydro flask will be used in the feed bags with an additional 32oz hydro flask in the frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be using a Garmin Montana 700i for navigation, plus it has the InReach features on the device.

Bryan Timbrook

Age 48 / Morehead City, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be adventuring the HuRaCaN 300 on a 2018 Specialized Chisel. This bike features NOX Teocalli 29” rims, Industry Nine Hydra rear hub, Son 28 Dynamo up front and WTB Ranger rubber. Drivetrain is 1 x 11 with Oneup’s 34 tooth Switch chain ring, 10-50 Garbaruk Cassette, Chris King bottom bracket, and Stylo Carbon Cranks. Sitting on a plush leather Rivet Independence Sadde.
BAGS: Rockgeist frame bag, spacelink, honeypot feedbags, Cache & Medic top tube bags, and a borrowed Rock Brothers saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Klite Backpacker MTB Ultra and rear Cube light, MagicShine MJ900 headlamp, Big Agnes Fly Creek 2-person tent, Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, Garmin Inreach, and me Lucky Charms.

Charlie Reverte

Age 42 / Miami, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding the Huracan lite on a 2021 Salsa Cutthroat GRX 810 2×11. This is my first season and the bike is pretty stock including 2.2” tires, except for 170mm crank arms and a Brooks C17 saddle. Up front, I added a Bar Yak Expedition XL with Profile Design flip-up arm rests (love) all mounted on a Fred bar.
BAGS: I have a Rogue Panda double decker frame bag with a 3L Apidura bladder in the lower compartment and random gear and cold weather stuff in the upper compartment. I want my spare tubes and tools to be out of the way so I keep them under the frame in an Apidua Backcountry Downtube Pack, except my multi tools, which live in a Revelate Designs Jerry Can along with my wallet. I keep snacks in a Salsa top tube bag and extra water/coffee in Rockgeist feed bags. A Sea to Summit compression bag holds my sleeping bag and clothes in a BarYak talon harness, and my camping gear and food live in a Mr. Fusion seat pack and Salsa anything cages on the fork.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m sleeping on a Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Pad with an Enlightened Equipment Convert quilt. I just discovered that my beloved Outdoor Research Alpine bivy has a tear, so I’m sleeping in an REI shell bivy since the OR Helium bivys are out of stock everywhere. I also got an Ultimate Direction FK tarp for some space to cook and change if it rains. The bike props it up and it connects right to the hoods. For navigation/tracking, I’m using a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt v2 and Garmin inReach Mini. BarYak makes some nice carbon mounts to attach them to the aero bars.

Chase Blanton

Age 50 / Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

BIKE: This is my second Lynskey, it’s a 2019 Live wire with Jones carbon bars, Dragon carbon rims with a DTSwiss 350 rear hub and a HP Dyno hub up front rolling on Maxxis Ikons 2.35. Shimano XT brakes with SRAM Eagle drivetrain.
BAGS: Centerpiece is a custom Rockgeist frame bag and his Horton front pouch. Wayward Ryders seat bag harness and a Revelate Design Sweetroll up front and their top tube bags. Bedrock Bags Tapeats handlebar bag and Sinbad stash pack. King Cage mounts on the fork for 1L water bottles and King Many Thing cage on the down tube for extra stuff on the road. Can’t go without my Spurcycles bell to scare all the alligators either.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sea to Summit Quilt pillow and air pad. Nemo Hornet 1 tent. I’ll carry a tiny stove because I love coffee in the morning. Hammerhead Karoo 2 and my faithful Etrex 30 GPS to guide the way.

Chris Bulloch

Age 47 / Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

BIKE: This will be my second year riding the Huracan 300 on my 2020 Santa Cruz Highball. The setup hasn’t changed much since last year’s OYO edition. Fox 34 SC fork, 1×12 Shimano drivetrain and brakes (34 x 10-45), Maxxis 2.35 Rekon (F) / Ikon (R), Shutter Precision PD-8X dynamo and a Sinewave Beacon light, Origin8 Strongbow bars with ESI Extra Chunky grips, a PNW Rainier Gen 3 post, and a Brooks Cambium C15.
BAGS: My set up is a combination of Revelate and custom bags. Revelate Terrapin 8L seat bag, a Mag Tank TT bag, and two Feedbags. I have no real experience building bags but after a few small projects, last year I built the rest of this setup that includes a 3/4 frame bag, front roll/harness, and a front bag. So far they are holding up and back for another go. Three large bottles will be in the feedbags and frame. Repair kit in the downtube bottle mount.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My approach is keep it light but comfortable. Nemo Hornet 1, Sea to Summit quilt/pad/pillow sleep system, Xero Z-Trek sandals for camp, and new this year is a Hammerhead Karoo 2 to keep me on course.

Clark Hewitt

Age 51 / Elizabethtown, Kentucky (USA)

BIKE: 2019 Scott Spark WorldCup with X01 drivetrain and Ergon saddle and grips. Grips are over-wrapped with Bontrager bartape to keep the hands happy. DT Swiss hubs. Maxxis Reckon Race 2.4 up front and Aspen 2.4 in back. Garmin 1030 Plus for navigation, NiteRider Lumina series lights. Anker powerbank for recharging lights and electronics.
BAGS: Revelate Terrapin holds sleep system and a Sweetroll up front for puffer, shell and miscellaneous. Custom frame bag from Rogue Panda for tools, tubes, electronics and a Sawyer filter. Bedrock Bags Dakota tank bag holds literally hours and hours of gummy bears! Two Revelate Mountain Feedbags for bottles and nutrition. A pair of Xlab Gorilla XT cages on fork legs for a second pair of bottles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Recently upgraded sleep system to Warbonnet Blackbird single layer hammock with their 20° Wooki underquilt, and Mambajamba fly, as well as a HammockGear 20° custom Burrow topquilt and goodies from Dutchware to tie it all together. Complete sleep system is warm as heck and comes in at a svelte four pounds.

Chris Hudson

Age 48 / Tallahassee, Florida (USA)

BIKE: As usual, I’ll be racing my Niner Sir 9 on the OG Huracan route. The Reynolds steel frame makes a couple of nonstop days in the saddle as comfortable as can be expected. The drivetrain setup is SRAM Egale GX 1×12. I’ll be running my new favorite saddle, the Ergon SMC, and to round it out, Ergon grips to keep my hands happy. I generally ride the Florida stuff rigid but as of writing this I’ll probably go with 120mm of squish up front to smooth out some of the rougher sections (“Smooth is fast.” – JW). The Vittoria Barzo tires have never disappointed me. They handle the sand nicely and roll fast on the hard packed stuff.
BAGS: Bags are by Revelate and JPaks. I really enjoy the Jpaks SnakPak and it continues to be my favorite piece of luggage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I don’t plan on sleeping, so my sleeping gear is more intended for short snoozes or emergency situations. A SOL bivy and tarp to leave room for all of the extra socks I’ll be carrying. For navigation, I’ll be using the Garmin eTrex 30x and a Wahoo Roam.

Chris Jackson

Age 50 / Georgia (USA)

BIKE: Moots Routt 45 2015, 650c ENVE AG28 wheels.
BAGS: Revelate Tangle, Gas Tank, Sweet Roll, Feedbag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Karoo2, Jacks-R-Better down quilt, extra puffy and fleece, Anker batteries.

David Bohl

Age 50 / Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding on my Ti Salsa Fargo. Custom-built using SRAM AXS groupset consisting of electric Force levers, Red brake calipers, XX1 cassette, derailleur, and crankset. I will be running Atomik Carbon wheels with BERD spokes and Maxxis Pace 2.1s. BarYak Expedition with Profile Design armrests to take a load off for comfort. The light source will consist of kLite Bikepacker powered by my front Dynamo Hub to light the way.
BAGS: Apidura Expedition Pach with Accessory Pocket, hanging off the BarYack. Custom-built Rockgesist half-frame bag and feedbags. Salsa EXP Anything bags on the Firestarter fork, EXP seat pack, and top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Since I will be touring this year’s Huracan, I will be packing plenty. Garmin 1030 plus for navigation. kLite for lights and charging. The camping setup consists of ENO hammock, tarp, Siera Madre under quilt, and sleeping bag. Since there’s no rush, I will also be packing a JetBoil for coffee and hot food.

Dwayne Allgire

Age 48 / Palm Harbor, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) the HuRaCaN original route with my wife on a 2020 Why Cycles S7 (medium frame). The bike features a mix of Shimano XTR and XT 12-speed components with a Wolf Tooth 32 tooth chainring and XTR 10-51 cassette. Rolling on Stans No Tubes 27.5” Flow wheels with Schwalbe Nobby Nick 2.6” tires. Pretty good tire size to be surfing through the awesome Florida sand!
BAGS: For this adventure, I’m running a trimmed-down setup that includes a custom Bedrock Bags frame bag and Revelate Designs feed bags and gas tank. I have a cheap waterproof seat bag that holds my spare parts, tubes, and tools, and lastly, I am running an Old Man Mountain rack on the back with an 8L Sea to Summit Big River dry bag to hold clothes and an emergency bivy. I plan on carrying 3L of water: 1.5L on the down tube and the rest in the feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This is a new piece of gear that I hope will become a highlight! It’s the NITECORE HU60 headlamp that connects to power banks instead of an internal battery, this will give long lasting power to see all of the glowing red eyes staring back while riding through the Florida swamps! For navigation, I will be using a Garmin Edge 830. I love that device!

Greg Knecht

Age 55 / Tallahassee, Florida (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Salsa Cutthroat
BAGS: Salsa EXP anything cradle w/ bag & Revelate Designs 14L Terrapin seatbag.

Ian “Big DiRtY” Mullins

Age 46 / Kapaa, Hawaii (USA)

BIKE: I’m going for speed on this Huracan 300, so I opted for the Boltcutter Peacemaker Gravel+ with a Sram AXS mullet 1×12 (44t, 10x50t) drivetrain with blips for shifters in the drops, Zipp Speed bars and stem, two layers of Lizardskins DSP 3.2 tape, and HiFi EP30 carbon wheels with Maxxis 700 x 50mm Ramblers as my shoes.
BAGS: Lezyne bags all around, and I’m using the XL caddy rear bag, Frame caddy bag, the Hard Bar caddy and the Stuff caddy up front, as well as their CNC bottle cages. I’ll rock a Camelbak Lobo hydration pack. Not planning on sleeping, so saving space and weight by only bringing an emergency bivy and colder weather clothes.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Electronic for this race will be the Wahoo Roam for navigation, Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL and Lite Drive 1000XL for LED light sources, my phone and a couple of battery chargers. Other essentials will be emergency first aid kit, necessary tools and flat fixins’, and all the damn snacks I can carry.

James Wilson

Age 50 / Ocala, Florida (USA)

BIKE: My Whip for the 2022 Huracan 300 is a 2022 steel framed Kona Unit X. This bike was built from a frameset with a 1×12 SRAM GX Drivetrain with a 32T oval chainring, a 130mm RockShox Reba suspension fork, and a set of Alpkit Confucius bikepacking expedition handlebars. The wheels are DT Swiss E512s laced to a DT Swiss 370 hub in the rear and a Kasai FS Dynacoil D6 hub in the front. The Dynohub runs a Kasia Trail Beam light in the front and a Supernova E3 Taillight. The hub also allows for charging a battery backup and other devices on the fly. I chose to roll on 29 x 2.35″ Vittoria Barzo (front) and Mezcal (rear) because of the mixed terrain on this course.
BAGS: The bags I’ll be running are a Blackburn Handlebar bag, an Oveja Negra Lunchbox Bag, 2 Revelate Designs Feedbags, 2 Oveja Negra Top Tube Bags, Oveja Negra Full Frame Bag, Oveja Negra Bootlegger bag on the down tube, and a Revelate Designs Shrew seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My navigation unit is a Garmin 32X with a Garmin 1030 as a backup. I also have a 1.5L Apidura Hydration Bladder in the frame bag as well as a Sawyer MINI Water Filter to keep my hydration needs met.

Jason Timmons

Age 42 / Miami, Florida (USA)

BIKE: Open U.P.
BAGS: Rockgeist handlebar feed bags and top tube bag, JPaks Modpak frame bag, Revelate Designs Terrapin saddle bag, and salsa front roll hidden under a BarYak, DOM fork leg bags held on by BarYak mule and Below 40 cages.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 650b x 2.1” Vitoria Mezcals wrapped around ENVE gravel wheels laced to custom colored ONYX hubs.

Jason Vance

Age 40-something / Johns Island, South Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be pedaling a Canfield EPO, 38×16 gear, with Ti Cycles cockpit, SON dynamo and K-Lite.
BAGS: I run Rockgeist feedbags, Oveja Negra top tube bags, and a Blackburn frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Navigation is handled by a Garmin eTrex 30x unless things get really bad, in which case Google Maps will point me to the nearest Waffle House.

Jeff Sumsion

Age 59 / Park City, Utah (USA)

BIKE: OPEN WI.DE, ENVE Cockpit, ENVE Adventure Fork, SRAM Force 1x eTap (MULLET design-42 chainring, 10-50 cassette-because we have 4,000-foot climbs out West), ENVE M50 rims with Maxxis Rambler 45mm, Fabric carbon saddle, Profile Design Aero bars.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Pronghorn, Tangle, Terrapin System 14L, Rockgeist Cache.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 830, Outdoor Research Helium Bivy, Sea to Summit Women’s Ultralight pad, Enlightened Equipment Quilt.

Jen Coleslaw

Age 33 / Muskogee Creek Land (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

BIKE: This bike is a custom steel frame built by Ken Holmes. It’s a drop-bar MTB with beefy tubes. The drivetrain is a set of Ultegra shifters hooked up to a Shimano GRX 1x with a 36t oval chainring and an 11-46 cassette. It’s also sporting a 100mm SID Ultimate fork. The wheels are SS Blunts laced to a WI rear and a SON dynamo front. The dynamo is hooked up to a Sinewave Beacon to keep everything charged up. The tires are Rene Herse Oracle Ridge knobbies.
BAGS: On the front, I’m running a Bags x Bird Piccolo to keep most of my gear, with a Spindle ATL Crusher bar bag for snacks and a Revelate Terrapin to keep my sleeping kit and extra socks dry.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love the “No Fear” top cap from Sal’s Bikes. I’m also 5’7” and love having a frame where I can easily carry three one-liter bottles, with two in the main triangle.

Jerry Metz

Age 51 / Jupiter, Florida (USA)

BIKE: Meet “Hidalgo.” Hidalgo and I have traversed the Huracan route six times since 2015, and these days enjoy the time spent out on to route just taking in the sights and experiences. Hidalgo is built on a 2014 Carver Gnarvester Ti frame. A Ritchey carbon fork completes the frameset. Wheels are Nextie carbon Jungle Fox I wrapped with 29 x 3” Bontrager XR2 tires. Front wheel is laced to an SP dynamo hub and rear is laced to Industry 9 Hydra hub. Braking duties are handled by Shimano XTR Trail brakes with 180/160 rotors. Drivetrain is a mix of parts that begin with a Shimano XTR crankset with a Wolftooth 26t Drop-stop chainring and bash guard that drives a Sunrace 11-42t cassette via a SRAM 10-speed chain. Shifting is handled by a 10-speed SRAM XO derailleur and shifter. The cockpit begins with Carbon Jones Bars with BG Ergo grips. The Profile Design aero bars are mounted to a Siren Bicycles Fred Bar. Keeping things on track is a Garmin etrex 20x with phone backup provided by GAIA mapping app. Distance is kept via Cat Eye wired wheel speed sensor. Keeping the electronic powered up while rolling, the dynamo power is controlled by a two-way switch which can go to either a kLite main drive light or a Sinewave USB charger with which I can power up my phone, GPS, or, on rare occasions, a rechargeable blinker light.
BAGS: The main component of my bag system is a Blackburn Fat Rack over the rear wheel covered with Arkle Dry-lite pannier bags. Moving forward inside the triangle is a small Zefal gear bag that stores critical bike repair and maintenance equipment. Returning to the cockpit, first is a Topeak top tube bag for small essentials surrounded by Revelate feed bags on either side for water and odds and ends storage. Under the bars is mounted a Revelate Sweet Roll (medium) bag. I make most of all my own straps to keep everything secured. Also mounted up front is a Lezyne 1400 light that can easily be mounted to the helmet for those tight nighttime singletrack situations.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit is built upon an Eagle Nest Outfitters (ENO) Jungle Nest hammock with an integrated bug net suspended by 5/16” sailboat lanyard for incredible tensile strength and minimal stretch and Nite-Ize Figure 9 tie-downs for infinite adjustment and fast setup. Keeping me dry is a Hennessy ultralight rain fly with an ENO Blaze underquilt keeping me warm on those chilly nights. The kit is rounded out with a Sea to Summit bag, liner, and inflatable pillow. Water heating duties are handled by a Jet Boil gas stove. Speaking of water, I carry water in stainless double insulated Engle tumblers up front and Fifty/50 bottle mounted to the frame with accommodations underneath for additional water for those long stretches.

Jesse Davis

Age 54 / Manteo, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: 2022 Lynskey Live Wire (large), pretty much stock but single speed. Fresh 29 x 2.6″ Ikons for speed and sand floatation. I-9 Trail S wheels. Ergon lil’ bar ends for comfort and leverage. Dropper post forced me to run a non-Brooks saddle and I’m a little worried.
BAGS: Oveja Negra in the frame (size med fits perfect BTW), Rockgeist bottle bags, Ortlieb front and rear. Big Oveja stem bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Rolling the dice with a SOL bivy and a 40 degree bag – all under the seat. Apparently, I learned nothing from my last Huracan about how cold it can get. 34/18 gear got me through the Florida Pyrenees last time without pushing. Etrex because I hate bossy GPS units. L&M Imjin 800 with 24 hours of batteries. Black Diamond headlamp for nighttime fiddling. Custom-shaped tool/tube bag down in the frame bag made by my daughter.

Joe Wharton

Age 58 / Tierra Verde, Florida (USA)

BIKE: Specialized Epic Pro HT, running 1×12 drivetrain with 32 oval chaining, Continental 2.2″ Speed Kings. Bottle cages mounted on Fox shox with bungee cord to keep bottles in.
BAGS: All my bags are Rockgeist, custom Frame, two honeypots & Top tube with Spacelink. Rockgeist small Gondola saddlebag. Right now, I have my Spot mounted to custom made aluminum bracket (I have been laughed at about it) mounted to the seat rails.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll not be using my Dyno SON/kLite setup on the HuRaCan. Instead, I’ll be running a Light & Motion Vis 360 head, mounted on my bike with a 6cell battery. On the helmet will be a Felix HM65R. For navigating, Garmin 1030Plus with iPhone RWGPS as a backup. I will have a Voltaic 6400mah V25 battery to recharge my Garmin.

John Bruno

Age 56 / Chapel Hill, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a Hudski Doggler (L, Mountain); a fully rigid rig with an aluminum frame and carbon fork. Unpacked, it weighs in at about 25 pounds. 1×12 (11-50) with a 32 tooth chainring. Key modifications include a SON Dynamo hub, Jones bars (H-Loop), a Brooks C17 saddle, and fast-rolling Schwalbe G-one AllRound tires (2.8″), which should be great for the sand and pavement.

BAGS: A combo of DIY (frame and fork) and Rockgeist bags with a 3L bladder in the frame bag for hydration.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An iPhone for navigation (via Ride with GPS and Gaia GPS) with a Wahoo Bolt for backup. I ride without chamois (just shorts and silk boxers – once you adapt, it’s the best!), and for sleeping, I will pack an REI down blanket, a Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm pad, and a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 tent. I’m going to attempt this route fully self-supported, meaning I’m bringing all my food. I’m packing 5,000 calories / 100g of protein per day. A yummy vegan combo of Tailwind nutrition, a nuts-n-dried berries mix, DIY PowerBalls, misc. bars, apples, bananas, etc. Also, a simple alcohol stove to make dinner and for morning tea.

Justin M Short

Age 50 / Spokane, Washington (USA)

BIKE: OPEN UP. Gearing: 9/46T out back with a 38T up front. Sram Rival build with Force crank. Origin8 Everland bars with Redshift Cruise Control grips on the tops and drops. Selle Anitomica X Series saddle mounted on a plain old rigid post.
BAGS: Ortlieb seat bag, Revelate half-framer, Sea to Summit dry bag strapped to the Handlebars, double Revelate top tube bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 17° down sleeping bag with MSR AC bivy—I’ll definitely need AC down in Flor-duh. I’m wearing a Salomon hydration vest with a two-liter bladder, with two 24oz electrolyte bottles on the bike. The bike horn is a Canadian Gooser 2000.

Ken Stephenson

Age 42 / Navarre, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Huracan Lite on a 2015 Surly ECR. The bike features a Shimano XT 1×11 drivetrain, 700 x 50mm Panaracer Gravel King tires. Wheelset is ZTR Arch 29er with Chris King hubs. Other features include Selle Anatomica saddle, Thomson setback seatpost, Redshift stem, and Surly Cheater bars with Orgin8 inner barends and Cane Creek outer bar ends. Pedaling Innovations flat pedals.
BAGS: Orlieb panniers and 10L dry bag mounted on Surly rear rack. Revelate Designs half frame bag and gas tank bag. Lezyne bottle cages.

Kim Spera

Age 42 / Savannah, Georgia (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be giving it my best on a 2020 Otso Waheela C with 29 x 2.1 Maxxis Pace tires, a 10-50 Sram XX1 drivetrain with a 40t chainring, RedShift ShockStop Stem, Ritchey VentureMax Bars, and SON dynamo front hub.
BAGS: Revelate Viscacha seat pack, Hopper bag in the frame, a small bivy bag on the fork that I made myself, Rockgiest Barjam Harness with a waterproof dry roll out front, and a Honeypot for easy-to-reach snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Taking a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir pad and Outdoor Research Bivy for sleeping, a Sinewave Beacon will light the way at night, and a Wahoo Roam for navigation.

Lenny Keene

Age 54 / Edgewater, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my 2021 flat bar salsa cutthroat. I’m rolling 2.35″ Mezcals on Atomic carbon hoops laced up to a DT swiss 350 and son dynohub with 64 beautiful white Berd spokes. My drivetrain is 1×11 with a 36t chainring and 11-42 cassette. To take the edge off the bumps, I’m using the Redshift Shockstop stem and seatpost. Whiskey #7 carbon bars and a BarYak complete the package.
BAGS: My bags are Revelate Designs with a Salsa EXP fork bag and two EXP mounts.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using a garmin 830 for navigation and a Magicshine Monteer 8000 to light my way when the sun goes down!

Matt “Borbz” Borbely

Age 48 / Tallahassee, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Huracan 300 on a 2019 Niner Sir 9. I’ll be running a 1×12 drivetrain with a 32 T chainring. Industry 9 Trail 270s with hydrahubs, whiskey bars, stem, and seat post with an Ergon seat.
BAGS: Revalate Surly Frame Bag, Apidura Racing Top Tube Pack, Apidura 7L Racing Saddle Pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sol Bivy, Wahoo Element, Osprey Duro 6 pack.

Max Abner

Age 18 / Greenville, South Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding a Giant TCX SX gravel bike with a SRAM 1x groupset. I will be rolling with some Bontrager Aeolus carbon wheels finished off with IRC Boken Double Cross tires. Just a simple little cross bike.
BAGS: I will be running a Bontrager top tube bag (for charging stuff and lights), Bontrager front bar bag (for toiletries, food, and more charging stuff), Specialized seat pack (main tool pack), and Blackburn frame bag (tubes wrapped in cellophane and food).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite piece of tech on this setup so far has got to be my muul mounts tire plug kit that straps right on my stem. It makes for a nice quick fix if needed. Also, the Lezyne bottle cage carries a multi-tool, so that is nice to help save room. I will also be running a Giordana skinsuit for not only the comfort gains but the storage gains.

Michele Allgire

Age 49 / Palm Harbor, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) the HuRaCaN original route with my husband on a 2020 Why Cycles S7 (small frame). The bike features a mix of Shimano XTR and XT 12 speed components with a Wolf Tooth 30 tooth chainring and XTR 10-51 cassette. Rolling on Stans No Tubes 27.5” Flow wheels with Schwalbe Nobby Nick 2.6” tires. Some added rear comfort with a Cane Creek Thudbuster ST seatpost (though debatable how much it helps).
BAGS: For this adventure, I’m running a trimmed-down setup that includes Revelate Designs frame bag, feed bags and gas tank. I am also running an Old Man Mountain rack on the back with an 8L Sea To Summit Big River dry bag to hold clothes, supplies, and an emergency bivy. I prefer using a hydration pack, and am running an Osprey Salida 12 that can hold up 2.5L of water. Total water capacity is around 6L but hoping not to not need that much for this route, or just for a few limited remote segments.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Florida has some swampy areas, no surprise! I decided to try out some Sealskinz waterproof socks, especially through the Rock Springs area to help keep the feet warmer and possibly drier. My toes/feet are always my limiting factor with cold-weather riding. I will be using a Garmin Edge 530 for navigation and Garmin InReach for tracking.

Mike Root

Age 39 / Greenville, South Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing the 2022 HuRaCaN 300 on a Rodeo Labs Trail Donkey. My RLTD is outfitted with Boyd Cycling Pinnacle wheels, Son Dynamo hub, and Rene Herse 700 x 48mm Oracle Ridge tires. The drivetrain is mostly Shimano GRX Di2 with a Praxis 48/32 crank and 11-40 cassette. Specifically for this event, I added a Cane Creek eeSilk suspension seatpost, Redshift suspension stem, and Redshift Cruise Control ergonomic top grips.
BAGS: Storage duties are handled by two Revelate Feed Bags, Apidura Long Top Tube Pack, and a Revelate Spinelock seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Navigation will be on a Garmin 830. Front lights are kLite Bikepacker Ultras.

Mike Rowe

Age 60 / Panama City Beach, Florida (USA)

BIKE: For the HuRaCan, I’ll be riding a 2020 Niner SIR 9 hardtail 29er. I’m running Maxxis Ardent tires with a 2.25″ on the back and a 2.4″ on the front (I’m a big guy and need some extra float). The bike is basically stock except for the Origin8 Strongbow bars and Wolf Tooth Fat Paw Grips.
BAGS: I have a good mix of bags for hauling my stuff. I’m using a Gear Jammer Seat Bag and Superwedgie Frame Bag from the folks at Oveja Negra. I’m also sporting a Honeypot Feedbag, bolt-on Cache Top Tube Bag, and Loop Bar Harness from Rockgeist.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep setup includes a tent from Big Agnes, a Nemo Astro Sleeping Pad and an AEGISMAX ultralight down bag, all packed into a Revelate Designs Salty Roll on the Loop Bar handlebar harness. I’m using a Wahoo Element Bolt for navigation and NiteRider headlamp and helmet lights.

Mike Lamarca

Age 50 / Wimauma, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I am riding the Huracan 300 on a 2018 Santa Cruz Highball running 2.25” Maxxis Ardent Race tires front and rear and a 1×11 setup with a 34 oval up front. The fork is a 2020 Reba, with 120mm travel.
BAGS: The frame bag is a custom self-made bag. I am running an REI saddle bag, with a couple of no-name gas tanks, and two feed bags on the handlebars to hold water bottles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Eureka Solitaire bivy style tent will keep me covered, while the Klymit Static V will keep me from getting cold from the ground. An eTrex 30x is my primary navigation device, with a Fenix 5x as a backup. A couple of Sofirn SC31Pro lights will keep me riding at night, with a Cygolite HotShot Pro flashing out back.

Miles W. Swanson

Age 43 / New Orleans, Louisiana (USA)

BIKE: Bearclaw Thunderhawk w/ Shimano GRX 1×11 drivetrain, 40T White Industries chainring and cranks. Tires are Teravail Ehlines (2.5″ front/2.35″ rear) with a SON Dynamo hub up front and Chris King hub in the rear. Handlebars are a Dajia Cycleworks Far Bar.
BAGS: Framebag with the sparkle zippers and chuckbucket are Rockgeist. They hold a 2L water reservoir, extra water bottle, and other accoutrements. Fork bags are Road Runner. Handlebar roll is Revelate. Saddlebag and support is Carradice.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: PURPLE Sinewave Beacon for light and phone power. BarYak for extra hand positions and mounting things. Cane Creek eeSilk suspension seatpost with a leather Brooks B17 saddle for my rear end. Keen clipless sandals for my feet. Big thank you to Bicycle Michael’s on Frenchmen Street for making things happen!

Ralf Jenne

Age 55 / Orlando, Florida (USA)

BIKE: For my third time on the route, I will (again) be riding my 2017 Trek Stache (alloy), rolling on WTB rims laced to DT Swiss hubs and shod with Maxxis Recon 2.8 tires. A 1×11 SRAM drivetrain, Shimano XT brakes, Jones bars, and a Selle Anatomica saddle round out the build.
BAGS: I’m using a custom frame bag, a Honaker bag under the downtube for additional water carry capabilities, both by Bedrock Bags. Seat bag is by JPaks, and the accessory bags (feedbags, gas tank, jerrycan) are Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Ginormous Catalyst flat pedals by Pedaling Innovations allow me to wear ultra-comfortable Merrell trail running shoes.

Rasch Hole

Age 40 / Metairie, Louisiana (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Timberjack Ti: Sid 120, Santa Cruz Reserve 25s, DT 350 front, Onyx Vesper rear, Mezcal 2.35″ tires, Stamp 7, Eewings, and XO1 Eagle. TRP spykes.
BAGS: Rockgeist all over!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 1030 plus, Fenix hm65r-t, two nalgene bottles, and a lot of gas station food. Black diamond bivy, Big Agnes pad and quilt.

Regis Bryer

Age 26 / Brevard, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: 2021 Kona Sutra ULTD rolling on 2.6″ Ikons.
BAGS: Super custom framebag from my awesome friends Sad Sacks, and various Revelate Designs and Ovej Negra bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My gear highlights are a 13 oz squeeze bag of peanut butter, pedaling innovations catalyst feet holders to mash my bedrocks on, and my Patagonia Houdini.

Russell Hill

Age 34 / Waconia, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: Litespeed Pinhoti III titanium frame with Fox 34 fork, AXS Eagle 32 front, and 10-50 cassette. BarYak Expedition, outboard light for front light, DT Swiss XMC 1200 wheels, Shimano XT 4 piston brakes, PNW Coast dropper post, Enve M6 carbon handle bar, titanium bottle cages from King Cage.
BAGS: Custom Rockgiest frame wedge/top tube bag/bed bag/BarJam harness, Bedrock Black Dragon dropper post bag, two Salsa anything cradles/bags on the fork, and two Rogue Panda Bismarck feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite thing about the build would be the combination of titanium frame and the PNW Coast dropper to help with dampening rocks, roots, and whatever else on a long ride.

Rusti Broadway

Age 35 / Brevard, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: Secondhand Salsa Deadwood. DT 420 hubs on DT rims. Ikon 2.35s for the rubber. Running a scavenged Eagle (kacaw!) drivetrain thanks to Ratio’s awesome shifter conversion. 34t ring. TRP two banger cable brakes. PNW suspension dropper cuz because that’s supposed o be cool. No aero bars. NO AERO ANYTHING. DROP BARS NOT BOMBS!
BAGS: Bags are a mix of Rockgeist, OG Porcelain Rocket, Revelate and Bedrock. Nothing too matchy for me. The Rockgeist BarJammer is the cat’s meow for keeping things tight. Bedrock makes a dope seat bag too!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Enlightened Equipment 40-degree quilt. Nemo pad and 1p tent. Ninja stars for gator defense. Stanley thermos so I can sip coffee all day. Oh yea, big dumb pedals from Pedaling Innovations.

Sean Sawyer

Age 41 / Decatur, Georgia (USA)

BIKE: This will be my 2016 Salsa El Mariachi’s third Huracan pleasure cruise. This time around, it’s rolling on Hunt’s XC wide wheels with Teravail Sparwood tires. Drivetrain is a mix of 1×11 SRAM with a microSHIFT bar end shifter at the end of some comfy Ritchey VentureMax XLs, lifted into position by a VO Happy Stem. Stopping is courtesy of some (t)rusty old Avid BB7s cabled to a pair of Cane Creek Drop V long pull levers.
BAGS: I’m running a BXB Piccolo behind the saddle to house my shelter/sleep setup, a Revelate frame bag, a pair of Revelate feed bags up front, along with a purple Spindle Kofta (color selected by my four-year-old daughter). I’ve also tucked in a small drawstring backpack for transport of extra beer and food those last few miles to camp.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite addition this year is a Widefoot LiterCage on the downtube, secured by a couple of DMR clamps and a Voile strap. I’m ditching the stove this time around to save space, so for caffeination I’ve got a bag full of coarsely ground East Pole beans and a collapsible Platypus bottle for making overnight cold brew. My buddy Ron gifted me a Coors-branded Purist bottle which I am pretty stoked on. But hands down my favorite piece of gear is a pair of 7Mesh Foundation undershorts, which are nothing short of a revelation.

Seth Pruett

Age 46 / Tampa, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Huracan 300 on a Jones Plus Short Wheel Base. This is Jones’ standard build riding on Vee Tire T-Fatty 27.3 x 3.0s. The only addition to Jones’ excellent build is a PNW Component Cascade dropper post topped with a Specialized Comp seat.
BAGS: A Relevate handlebar harness holds a dry bag with food and a sleep system up front. A Moosetreks frame bag holds water, repair kit, and first aid. The Relevate Shrew seat pack sits behind me with my jacket and towel (there are water crossings).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Camp is comfortable with my Enlightened equipment quilt, Klymit Static V air pad, and Trail Design Caldera Cone stove.

Steve Herndon

Age 58 / Newberry, Florida (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Woodsmoke. I’ve added a Jones H Bar, a Son dynamo powering a Supernova headlight E3 and a Brooks D17 saddle.
BAGS: I have Salsa frame and top tube bags, with a Swift Industries custom Zeitgeist saddle bag in back, and a Relevate sweet roll up front. Two generic feedbags attached to the Jones bar for water bottles and snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Copper Spur tent.

TJ Kearns

Age 36 / Brevard, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: Why Cycles Wayward v1. The bike is set up with 29 x 2.8″ Maxxis Rekons, SRAM XO1 group with Sram Guide RSC Brakes, Whisky No.9 Lt Carbon fork. Onyx Classic rear hub. Tumbleweed rack and Whisky Millhouse Bars. Sp Dynamo Hub to a kLite Bikepacker Pro light and charging system (the best).
BAGS: I will be running the Rockgeist Barjammer setup up front with the Horton waterproof pouch. Rockgiest XL top tube bag Custom Rockgeist frame bag, Rockgeist Honeypot feedbags. Ortlieb Dry bag with a Rockgeist Armadillo protector for the rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Bedrock sandals for my feet. Enlightened Equipment quilt to keep me warm. Big Agnes Flycreek UL3, which I will be sharing with a friend to stay dry. Etrex 20 for Nav. Lots of Snacks and a sweet pair of HandUp Jorts for those awesome tan lines.

Tony Buchman

Age 54 / Valrico, Florida (USA)

BIKE: 2016 Lynskey Ridgeline. The wheels are NOX with Conti Cross Kings, a SON dyno hub in front, and a White Industries out back. The drivetrain is SRAM GX 1×12 and the fork is from FOX.
BAGS: All my bags were made by Joe at JPaks, and on the bars I have a Salsa Anything Cradle with a dry bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The aero bars are by Profile and are mounted on a FRED bar. For navigation, I have an eTrex 32x, and the front and rear lights are from kLite.

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