Rigs of the 2022 Stagecoach 400

Debuted as a race in 2012, the Stagecoach 400 masterfully links dirt doubletrack, sandy desert roads, technical singletrack, urban bike paths, and rolling tarmac. The route features the three distinct biomes of southern California: craggy forested mountains, spectacular and desolate desert, and the ocean, with its rich coastal canyons and urban center of San Diego.

Due to the complexities of organizing a “non-event” in a small town, this year’s grand depart registration filled up quickly, and organizer Meg Knobel made the tough decision to limit the number of riders. With that in mind, there appear to be just over 50 people registered for the grand depart on Trackleaders, and we’re aware of some others taking on the route as an individual time trial (ITT).

With help from Meg and this year’s participants, we’ve collected bike and gear details for more than 40 riders who are tackling the route. Scroll through and get a good look at everyone’s rig and then head over to the 2022 Stagecoach 400 event page to follow along live.

Aaron McNaught

Age 41 / Thousand Oaks, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding Stagecoach 400 on a 2019 Specialized Epic hard tail expert. I’ll be rolling with a pair of 29 x 2.3″ Fast Track control Gripton tires, 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle, and a 32T chainring. I’ve also added a dropper post and a pair of Ergon grips.
BAGS: I have a few assorted bags on the bike, including an Apidura frame bag and saddle bag, Oveja Negra feed bags/snack pack, and a JPaks fuel tank.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep set up will be a Get out Gear down quilt with a puff jacket, REI inflatable sleep pad, and a SOL Escape bivy. I’m using the Tailfin suspension fork mounts for extra water storage along with a Hydro pack. I will also be using two rechargeable Fenix E35s for light and a Wahoo Roam for navigation. And I can’t forget the Voile straps for the rowdy parts!

Alvin Escajeda

Age 30 / Los Angeles, CA (USA)

BIKE: Santa Cruz Highball with SRAM NX group and RACE FACE ARC Carbon Wheels with a SON Dynamo Hub up front connected to a Sinewave Beacon. A 2.35” DH Tire in the front and a 2.25” XC Tire in the rear. Profile Design TT bars for the long highway sections and PRO Stealth Offroad Saddle for the washboards.
BAGS: Centerpiece is a small Oveja Negra Framepack for food and water, an Ortlieb saddle bag for clothing, and REI Stuff Sack on the handlebars carrying my bedroom.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sinewave Beacon Front Light and SuperNova E3 Rear. I’ll be using an emergency bivy as my shelter while sleeping on a Big Agnes Pad and Sea to Summit SP2 sleeping bag. Endo Customs clothing from head to toe, on and off the bike.

Ben Handrich

Age 35 / Salem, OR (USA)

BIKE: A custom steel English Cycles. For drivetrain, I’m running on a 1x SRAM Eagle cassette and 38T chainring, Industry Nine wheels, Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, and at least one bottle cage over the legal limit.
BAGS: This setup is a real mutt for bags: Revelate Designs, Oveja Negra, and Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Of particular note are my Montbell UL synthetic jacket, my easy to access toothbrush, and the caffeinated gum that I forgot to bring.

Brian Moran

Age 48 / Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding to see what is possible for me! Lynskey Ridgeline titanium 29er, Shimano XT most everywhere, Stans S1 wheels with Maxxis 2.2” IKON rear and 2.4” Ardent front, 1×11 drivetrain, Wolf Tooth 32 drop stop, Sun Race 10×50 cassette.
BAGS: Revelate Sweet Roll with Egress pouch, Terrapin seat bag, Gas Tank, and Mountain Feedbags. Custom Rogue Panda Designs frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Gear-Blocks.com Fork Bottle Holders, Down Tube Bottle Holder, and Blinky Light Holder. Garmin Fortrex 401 – works no matter what! Nightrider Lumina 650 on bar and helmet, Borah Event Bivy and Thermarest Neo Air.

Brie Hevener

Age 43 / Carlsbad, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2019 Santa Cruz Highball. It has a SRAM Eagle drivetrain with a 30t chainring and Vittoria Mezcals 2.35”.
BAGS: Going with a Revelate shrew seat bag, Mag Tank, Oveja Negra Super Wedgie, and a KaiVenture feed bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll have an OR helium bivy/sleeping bag on the handlebar and an eTrex 30x for navigation. Lights are Fenix/ Niterider. Extra room for water on forks and downtube.

Bryan Ferkins

Age 49 / Escondido, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the 2022 Stagecoach 400 on my trusty 2019 Santa Cruz Tallboy. It’s still in its very capable CC Reserve build configuration, complete with the coveted carbon Industry Nine/Reserve wheelset. I’ve recently installed a fresh XX1 Sram 1×12 drivetrain in preparation for this ride. I’ve also installed a new 2.4” Maxxis Rekon in the rear and a 2.5” Minion DHF in the front.
BAGS: I’ve got Revelate bags all around. They make great quality products. I’ve got the Full Suspension Framebag, dual Mountain Feedbags, Mag-Tank, Vole Seat Bag, a Sweet Roll, and Egress Pocket. I also have various water bottle mounts to carry up to five liters of water.

GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Outdoor Research Molecule bivy will be my shelter along with a custom Hammock Gear quilt and Big Agnes Air Core Ultra Mat. I’ll also be carrying Nite Rider headlights for nighttime fun. For navigation, I plan to use a combination of my Garmin Fenix 7 and iPhone using the Gaia GPS app.

Carlos Garcia

Age 46 / Murrieta, CA (USA)

BIKE: 2019 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1. The bike is equipped with Vittoria Mezcal tires, 2.25” in front and 2.0” on the back. SRAM PG 1130 1×11 drivetrain with a 34T chainring.
BAGS: The following accessories mechanically attached to the frame: Salsa EXP frame bag, Salsa EXP top tube, two Salsa EXP fork bags strapped to two large Tailfin cargo cages, 16L Revelate Designs Spinelock seat bag, and a small Tailfin cargo cage under the frame that will have a spare tube and miscellaneous tools inside of a recycled bag of coffee ground (from Guatemala, my country of origin).

GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The handlebar has an ultralight cradle bar hack in which I can attach a dry bag. I learned that by watching Alan “Dirty Teeth” on YouTube. The unconventional part of my setup is a pair of bottle cages attached to the lower part of my frame (rear) that will allow me to carry additional water in the desert.

Casey Rhea

Age 29 / Durango, CO (USA)

BIKE: Niner Air 9. I’ll be proudly rocking a 2.5/2.4” tire combo, a front derailleur with a 32/46T chainring and SQ Labs grips and Inner Bar-ends to combat ongoing hand fatigue associated with rigid fork riding.
BAGS: Oveja Negra Bodega Frame Bag, Snackpack, and Chucketbucket. Bedrock Coconino seatpost bag and front roll.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I carry two iPhones equipped with Ride with GPS as the primary navigation tool, with an old Garmin as a backup. Two pieces of gear I couldn’t do without are my Terradura Mid shoe by Giro and my titanium Danglebong from Dangle Supply.

Christian Redfearn

Age 55 / Pasadena, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a Falconer XC. I love this bike: it’s good steel in the hands of a great builder, Cameron Falconer. It’s light enough to let me climb all over the San Gabriels but able enough to let me hammer through crappy trails on the way down.
BAGS: Rockgeist custom frame bag; Bar Jam, dry bag, and Horton Pouch up front; two Honey Pots for snacking (Thanks Greg and Allie!); Apidura Expedition saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Non-traditional “gear” highlights: all the great folks who helped this rookie! Cameron, Meg, Errin, and Simon at the Cub House for sure, but I wouldn’t be riding the SC400 without finding it on BIKEPACKING.com!

Dave Wilson

Age 50 / Huntington Beach, CA (USA)

BIKE: Riding my Chumba Stella Titanium, 2.3″ Maxxis High Rollers, 2x crank 28/38T.
BAGS: No backpack! Discontinued Larger Sweet Roll; Fork bottle holders from Gear-Blocks.com. H2O capacity: Seven Liters to get from Borrego Springs to Anza.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Two Nightrider mini 750s for my helmet clip (back up, lots of night riding), Borah Ultralight Bivy, Zpacks pocket tarp and pole setup, Enlightened Equipment 20 degree quilt. Secret: ski gloves and scarf to regulate body temp without having to put the jacket on, stove and fuel to whip up Next Mile Meals before bed – keto freeze-dried packets.

David Greif

Age 27 / Reno, NV (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Stagecoach 400 with the ambition of setting a new FKT below 39 hours. My bike is a Trek Procaliber hardtail with XXX Bontrager 29” wheels on an XX1 groupset with 2.3” XR2 tires in front and 2.2” Ikons in back. The cockpit is set up with XXX bars and ESI chunky grips and a Shimano stealth saddle.
BAGS: Ovega Negra top tube feed bag for additional food and course notes and Ovega Negra Superwedgie Small frame bag will carry a 2.5L hydration bladder and rain jacket. Bar bag is an Orucase burrito bag for holding lights, gloves, and multitool. Saddlebag is a Revelate Terrapin 8L bag carrying extra clothes, bivy, repair kit, pump, and first aid. Additional 700ml bottle on the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 530 and 15,000 mAh battery pack, USB 1,200 lumen light and Niterider Lumina 750, Mavic Crossmax shoes and Biomoto insoles, Jakroo kit with cargo bibs and Swift Pro jacket, Kask Rex helmet, and Koo Demo glasses.

David Vandenberg

Age 51 / Jackson Hole, WY (USA)

BIKE: 2018 Salsa Cutthroat. All touch points have been changed (saddle, handlebar, geekbar, pedals). Stock gearing with exception of Biopace front chainring.
BAGS: Bags by FBJ Creations, Rogue Panda and Revelate.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 530 and Inreach Mini. Will probably go with an ultralight down sleeping bag, bivy, blow up mat, and a pillow. No stove this time.

Ed Mason

Age 55 / Tucson, AZ (USA)

BIKE: 2019 Trek Top Fuel 9.8 with a 2.4″ Maxxis Rekon front and Rekon Race rear, 1×11 SRAM GX drivetrain with 32T chainring. Ergon GP1 grips, Bar Yak expedition up front.
BAGS: Homemade frame bag, assorted Revelate bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes CopperSpur UL1 tent, NEMO Tensor pad and REI Magma bag. Wahoo Element Roam for nav.

Emily Elliott

Age 36 / Redlands, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be making my first attempt at the Stagecoach 400 on a titanium 29+ hardtail made in Michigan by Scott Quiring. The bike features a swoopy set of Doom bars, a suspension dropper, a new set of Teravail Honcho 2.6” tires, a 1×11 SRAM drivetrain with a 28T chainring, carbon wheels laced to Industry Nine torch hubs, and Paul brakes and levers.
BAGS: Having a small frame and a dropper eliminates a larger seat pack, so my sleep system and poofy are front-loaded to the bar with the Revelate harness. A lovely Rockgiest custom frame bag holds the filter, food, first aid, tools/parts, and a small seat pack contains my electronic charging accessories/spare batteries and wind/rain layer. The cockpit is finished with two Nuclear Sunrise feed bags (one for a bottle and one to hold a spare burrito) and a Revelate Mag Tank top tube bag for snacking. Water: 2L on the downtube, 1L on each fork, one bottle on the bars, and I’ll have a 1.5L hydration vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Outdoor Research Helium Bivy, 45 degree synthetic bag, and NeoAir sleeping pad will comprise my sleep system. Navigation will be via Karoo2 plus paper cue sheets for backup, and my personal locator beacon is a Garmin InReach. A powerbank is supplemented by a small Yeti solar panel on my hydration vest in case charging becomes an issue.

Erick Podwill

Age 31 / Irvine, CA (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding the Stagecoach 400 on my “anyone can bikepack” rig, the Poseidon Redwood, a rigid aluminum drop-bar bike. The drivetrain is MicroShift AdventX 1×10 with a 32T chainring and an 11-46 cassette. Notable upgrades are Hunt Trail Wide wheels, a Selle Italia SLR Superflow Gravel saddle, and TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. I’ll be using Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.35” tires set up tubeless.
BAGS: The majority of my bags are from Revelate Designs: Sweetroll handlebar bag (M), Mountain Feed Bag, Mag Tank top tube bag, and Tangle half frame bag (M). The only other bag is the REI Co-op Link 11L seat pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite pieces of gear are my REI Quarter Dome SL1 tent and Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree quilt. I’ll be wearing Assos Cento Evo bib shorts and an Outdoor Research Astroman sun hoodie and using a Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt for tracking and navigation.

Graham Goff

Age 52 / Bozeman, MT (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the same rig as last year, a 2020 Salsa Fargo with 2.6″ Vittoria Mezcal tires. I have added a dropper post and a Redshift ShockStop stem and swapped out the 32T chainring for a 30T paired with an 11-46 cassette.
BAGS: Salsa frame bag, Revelate Shew seat bag, Revelate feed bags, a Ghost Cat Bags top tube bag, and a Sea to Summit compression sack under the aero bars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Widefoot cage with a 48oz Nalgene bottle on the down tube plus two fork-mounted bottles. A Patagonia hybrid sleeping bag and a poly ground cloth for cowboy camping under the stars.

Gregg Dunham

Age 43 / Thousand Oaks, CA (USA)

BIKE: This year, I’m riding a Why Cycles El Jefe titanium hardtail.
BAGS: I have awesome bags from Loam Equipment, Rogue Panda, Oveja Negra, and Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I plan on getting some sleep and have a light sleeping kit packed, which includes a SOL Escape Light bivy and Klymit inertia half pad. My other gear includes a Wahoo Roam GPS, Fenix lights, BeFree water filter, Wolftooth and Crankbrothers tools, and two Tubolito tubes. Plus a lot of snacks!

Gregory Ruben Shoats

Age 64 / Palmdale, CA (USA)

BIKE: This will be my fifth Stagecoach and my third year riding my NORTHROCK XCOO.
BAGS: I have been using Urban Desert bags since my first Stagecoach.

Herb Bool

Age 59 / San Rafael, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my trusted Jones 29er plus with the truss fork up front to keep the lines tight. A Jones H-Bar cockpit combined with a WTB Silverado saddle for some yeehaw all-day good times! The rims are WTB 45i KOMs matched perfectly with 29 x 3” TCS light fast rolling WTB Rangers.
BAGS: Upfront is an Ortlieb handlebar bag to keep sleeping arrangements dry. A Jones/Revelate H-Bar pack keeping my essentials close and two Road Runner feed bags holding my water and trail treats. Mounted to the truss fork are two Salsa Anything cages, each holding 2L of water secured with omnipresent Voile straps. A Porcelain Rocket seat bag keeps my clothing, hygiene, and medkit dry and stable. A full-size Jones/Revelate custom frame bag allows me to order the full menu to-go if I can’t make up my mind.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sportful keeps me styling and comfortable all day (and partial night) in the saddle. A Zpacks 32 degree 900 fill bag, Therm-a-Rest Neoair, REI shell bivy, and a Sea to Summit Aeros pillow because I’m soft. A SpotX tracker to send blue dot vibes and a Wahoo Element to show me the bread crumbs to follow.

Ian Murray

Age 53 / Pacific Palisades, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding the 2022 Stagecoach 400 on my Obed Boundary. It’s set up with Donnelly X’plor MSO 650 x 50mm tires running 24psi. The bike is built with GRX Di2 2×11 (46-30 rings with 11×42 cassette), SON Dynamo hub, and a set of clip-on aerobars mounted on a Redshift’s Kitchen Sink bar. I’m using a Redshift seat post as well.
BAGS: A lil of this, a lil of that: Rogue Panda, Relevate, Sea to Summit.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wahoo Elemnt for nav, InReach Mini for tracking, and loads of gratitude to the bikepacking community as my primary driver.

Jafet Aguilar

Age 48 / Escondido, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Stagecoach 400 on a 2018 Salsa Cutthroat Rival. Tires are Maxxis ikon 2.2″ and the drivetrain is 1×11 with a 32T chainring. One add-on is a Pedalcell external dynamo generator to power up my lights and charge my electronics.
BAGS: Revelate Tangle half frame bag, a Revelate seat bag, and a Sea to Summit eVent front bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Shelter is a OR Stargazer bivy along with a Nemo Tensor sleeping pad. Using Ride with GPS on my phone for navigation and an eTrex 30 as a backup.

Jason Shafer

Age 40 / Pasadena, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding ol’ Rusty, a 2018 Santa Cruz Tallboy (v3) size M. The focus this year is light, fun, and fast, so I’m keeping my dropper, throwing on a Maxxis Rekon Race 2.35” in the rear and a half-worn Maxxis Ardent 2.4” in the front. A 1×12 SRAM drivetrain with a 30T oval ring, 10-52 cog set, and a gold chain because Rusty’s classy like that. Otherwise, it’s stock as a rock.
BAGS: I’m running Revelate all around. Frame bag is a size two full sus frame bag (fits really well), Shrew on the tail, Gas Tank on the top tube, and two feedbags. I wear an old Camelbak Mule as well, which accommodates 3L of water and tons of expandable storage. I wear the spandex uniform, so my jersey pockets are also a well-used cargo area.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lights are Fenix PD36 (helmet) and Niterider Enduro 4200 (bars). Niterider battery doubles as a spare powerbank. E-bivvy only, just dirt naps this year. Garmin Edge 530 gets me where I need to go with Gaia on my iPhone as backup. Katadyn water filter. Contact points are ODI grips, WTB Silverado saddle, Sidi shoes, and XT pedals. A couple of secrets: spokes in the left bar-end, the Lezyne tubeless insert kit in the right bar-end, and a 1UP EDC pump with EDC tool stashed inside attached to the left side on the bottle mounts.

Jeremy Tullo

Age 33 / Redlands, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2019 Breezer Lightning hardtail 29er. The bike is completely stock except for a Brooks C17 saddle and ergo grips.
BAGS: My bag set up is all over the place, but I’ll have an Ortlieb seat pack for the sleep system. A Blackburn frame bag for carrying a water bladder and random storage. I’ll be using three Orucase bags on the cockpit: two feed bags and a top tube bag for food and more water storage. I’ll also be using a Camelbak vest for the first time.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This is the first trip I’ll be doing without a stove. I’m hoping to get enough food and nutrition from stops, but if I need to have a meal/coffee in the backcountry, I’ll be cold soaking in a Talenti jar.

Jesse Boudart

Age 36 / Oakland, CA (USA)

BIKE: My Stagecoach racing horse is a Breadwinner Komorebi complete with King Cages, Jones Bars, and dinosaur navigation via the eTrex 20. While I’ll regret my decision to forgo suspension, the 2.3” Terevail “Eh” line, Astral Backbone 27.5” rims, and PNW Rainier Dropper Post should provide some cushion. The SRAM Eagle 12-speed 11-50 and White Industries cranks with the 36T chainring help climb most hills, but eventually I’ll wish I had a 32T.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Tangle half frame bag, Gas Tank, Mountain Feedbags, and Saddle Bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For “resting,” I have a survival bivy, puffy jacket, and Fjallraven pants, which may or may not keep me warm enough to rest. Three liters of water mounted on the outside and one liter in the half-frame bag should be enough water.

Jon Dominy

Age 50 / San Diego, CA (USA)

BIKE: 2021 Large Salsa Timberjack with an assortment of old parts. Light Bike carbon wheels, SID Ultimate fork, OneUp 210 dropper, mixed SRAM Eagle drivetrain, 2.2 Ikon in the back and 2.35 Recon Race in the front.
BAGS: Relavate bags on the frame and an old sailing drybag in a Salsa cradle off the front. This is the fourth bike for the frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No computer. Lightweight bivy, some bourbon for good measure.

Kevin Emery

Age 50 / Victor, ID (USA)

BIKE: My chosen steed is a Chumba Stella Ti. This build was designed specifically for my fit and needs to ride/race in ultra-distance events like the Stagecoach and Fitzgerald’s Joyride. Vittoria Mezcal 2.35” tires are laced to i9 Trail 270 rims with Hydra rear and SON 28 Dynamo hub up front powering the k-Lite MTB front light, qube rear blinky, and Cinq5 pass through battery bank. SRAM XO Eagle drivetrain is geared 1×12, 10×52 cassette with 32T Wolftooth CAMO oval chainring. Rockshox SID Ultimate 120mm front suspension fork. The handlebar setup is customized for my needs. Whiskey Parts Milhouse Moto inspired riser handlebar with Cane Creek bar ends mounted 2” inboard of the ends for a more upright ride and many hand positions.
BAGS: All bags are stock Rockgeist with the exception of the custom-fitted framebag. Dual Honeypot feedbags with a Spacelink stem attachment are filled with 1L bottle and food crammed in the other. The Cache top tube bag is size XL filled with food and stuff.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Pluton 40 downtech bag, Therm-a-Rest Uberlight ¾ inflatable pad, and a small plastic ground sheet make up the sleep kit. Garmin Edge 530, iPhone with RWGPS route for navigation. PEdALED hydration vest filled with 1.5L H2O, snacks, personal care items, and a small pouch filled with magic for the long haul.

Kris Moore

Age 56 / Encinitas, CA (USA)

BIKE: I will be cruising the Stagecoach 400 on my 2021 YT Izzo. The bike is equipped with a new set of Maxxis tires, the front being a Rekon and the rear an Ardent Race, SRAM X01 1×12 drivetrain, 32T chainring and 10×52 cassette, Fox suspension, and DT Swiss carbon wheels. Will be using Ergon GS3 grips with a medium-size bar end to help with comfort for the long days and nights.
BAGS: I have an assortment of different brands. The handlebar and seat bags are by Bedrock (Moab and Black Dragon Dropper), frame bag is a Revelate Hopper, and the top tube bag is a Topeak Toploader. I’ll be wearing a Camelbak Lobo backpack with water and misc. stuff.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be using a Big Agnes Phuton UL 40 sleeping bag stuffed into a Montbell Breeze Dry-Tec sleeping bag cover. To make life a bit more comfortable, I will use a Nemo Tensor Alpine sleeping pad with a Sea to Summit pillow. For lighting, I’ll have two Fenix UC35 lights (one on the bars and one on the brain bucket). For navigation, I will use an eTrex 32x, and for extra geeks stats I will have a Garmin 520 Edge with the large Garmin external battery.

Mario Ibarra

Age 48 / Escondido, CA (USA)

BIKE: Marin Nicasio+ 650 (steel) mostly stock, brand new tires from American Classic. Ritchey handlebar with Salsa gel grip. Picture shows a big chainring, still waiting for a 36 to come hopefully before the grand depart.
BAGS: Main frame bag comes from Blackburn, waterproof and inexpensive and it fits perfectly. Seat bag frame is my own made from a piece of plastic, with a 5L dry bag from Amazon, capable of carrying bigger bags if needed. Waterproof front, frame, and feed bags from Birzman (I love their colors).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Most of my stuff comes from Amazon.

Mark Owen

Age 51 / Sunland, CA (USA)

BIKE: This will be my second attempt on the Stagecoach 400. After giving it all I had for two days last year and making it 140 miles, I had to pull out because I was not on pace to finish in my allotted time. I took the whole week this year but hopefully won’t need it all and can finish by 3/31 at the latest for a birthday celebration. My bike is a 2021 Yeti ARC w/ a RockShox SID Ultimate 120 mm fork. The rest of the parts spec is pretty eclectic w/ a GX derailleur, and, wait for it: GRIP SHIFT! Wheels are a mix of a $100 clearance Mavic in the rear and an SP Dynamo hub/DT SWISS XR391 up front. Both are shod with Maxxis Recon Race meats. My latest acquisition for bikepacking is the USB charger for the dynamo. It’s pretty trick. For lights, I run Exposure 6 pack on the bars and joystick on the helmet.
BAGS: Both of my bikepacking bikes are set up with a full complement of Rockgeist bags including the Bar Jam, which is so sturdy and movement free. I’m attempting to do this with no CamelBak, so I’ve got the frame bag mostly filled with a 3L bladder and a 1L Katadyn filter/bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve got the handlebar bag filled with a Big Agnes copper spur, Klymit pad, and Sea to Summit Spark SP1 sleeping bag. I’m covered head to toe in a bunch of quality Mavic clothing thanks to their liquidation, and the obligatory Mountain Hardwear down puffy will be stuffed somewhere. My Garmin inReach Mini will allow my family to find me if things go awry. The iPhone has all the routes loaded into Gaia GPS and I can also watch the DH world cup on RedBull TV, Saturday night supercross, listen to podcasts, or just rock out to my industrial/gothic heavy playlists while I fly the Lantern Rouge in the grupetto.

Martin Rodriguez

Age 25 / San Diego, CA (USA)

BIKE: After last year’s SC400, my Surly Krampus has received some changes. Drop-bar 12 Speed Eagle using the Ratio Tech. Wide upgrade kit. The cockpit has been dialed over the past few months with Stagecoach in mind. Farr Carbon Aero Bolt-On on Spank Flare 25 Vibrocore drop bars. I also sized down from last year’s 2.8” Rekons to 2.25” Aspens. It’s lighter and ready for an adventure.
BAGS: The Krampus is fully outfitted with Oveja Negra. They have served me well over several trips now without any complaints.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: By far, my favorite right now would have to be the FARR Clip-on Aero Bars. They’re a great way to declutter the handlebar while adding more functionality to the cockpit. They also perfectly house my Wahoo ROAM while still keeping the Garmin InReach Mini within sight.

Mateo Paez

Age 29 / Bend, OR (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Specialized Epic HT will be raced this year using fast and light technology. SRAM GX Eagle all the way, 34T chainring on the front, 2.4 Ground Control tires, and super special aerodynamic bar ends for optimum positioning.
BAGS: The Custom frame bag and seat pack are both made by a local sewing master, Sam Powell from Three Sisters Threadworks. The frame bag is made to accommodate calories while still having the ability to use the factory water bottle settings on the frame. Top tube bag is from Oveja Negra.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SOL Bivvy in case of emergency. Black Diamond Headlamp. No cellphone.

Matteo Pistono

Age 51 / Carlsbad, CA (USA)

BIKE: Santa Cruz Chameleon 2021 hardtail with Spinergy MXX 30 carbon wheels with pistachio-colored spokes.
BAGS: Mix of Apidura (Backcountry series) and Revelate bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system includes Sea To Summit down bag, Big Agnes pad in an Outdoor Research Helium bivy, hydration system includes HydraPak 2.5L collapsable bladder for Anza-Borrego desert crossing, nutrition system includes room in bags for two burritos.

Meg Knobel

Age 37 / San Diego, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my small 2022 Santa Cruz Blur CC, looking forward to a cushier ride than my steel hardtail that’s seen it all. I have a 2.35” Maxxis Ardent Race front tire and 2.35” Ikon rear on Light Bicycle Wheels enduro rims with I-9 hubs. Salsa 17 degree bend bars, and Ergon GP2 grips. Might add aero bars.
BAGS: Frame bag is a new custom Rockgeist that I’m very excited about, and a lovely Speedgoat front roll. Everything else is Revelate: a couple of cup holders, feedbag, and shrew seat bag (I get about 2” of dropper use with this). I also use an Osprey Salida 12 hydration pack, and the distribution of gear and water weight makes for a nice ride. I have 4.5L of water capacity and an additional collapsible liter bag I can throw on the handlebars for the daytime desert stretches, depending on temps.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a Sea to Summit UL pad, Big Agnes UL synthetic 40 degree bag, and a cheap mylar emergency bag to use as a liner (I sleep cold) that can double as some light rain protection outside the bag if needed. I have a Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt and Fenix flashlights on TwoFish mounts on the handlebars and helmet. I’m also carrying (and distributing to the riders at the grand depart!) some compostable doggie bags for on-trail trash collection!

Mike Dobransky

Age 41 / Encinitas, CA (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be pedaling a 2020 Surly Karate Monke with Maxxis Ikon 2.35” tires. Mixed build with 28T chainring and 11-50 cassette and friction thumb shifter. Upgraded this year with Onyx Hubs with Spank rims and a Fox 34 fork.
BAGS: Nothing fancy. Blackburn frame bag. Ibera rear rack with modified triple boss additions (BIKEPACKING.com inspiration using the rivet method) to mount Salsa anything cages and Salsa dry bags. I also picked up a cheap 15L dry bag that fits about everything on the rack there. Nice to get the weight off the handlebars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Carrying an Outdoor Research Aurora Bivy with REI Trail Magma 30 Quilt. The best thing is the netting in the bivy. It allows you to see the stars but also not worry that you’re going to wake up to a coyote licking your face.

Mike Hatalski

Age 63 / Laguna Niguel, CA (USA)

BIKE: 2018 Giant Toughroad GX with 29 x 2.1 Maxxis CrossMark EXO/TR tires (very tight fit in the back!) mounted on CrankBrothers Cobalt 3 XC rims (garage sale find!). Redshift Kitchen Sink handlebar and a Fenix BC30 light mounted on the loop.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Tangle frame bag, Viscacha seat bag, and Gas Tank top tube bag. Salsa EXP Anything Cradle on the handlebars, and Topeak VersaCages on the forks for water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sheltering with an ancient LL Bean down bag, REI AirRail 1.5 pad, and 2GoSystems Trifecta bivvy. Camelbak M.U.L.E. for additional hydration and storage.

Mikey Hanrahan

Age 25 / Glendora, CA (USA)

BIKE: 2019 Trek Fuel EX running on Maxxis Ardent race 2.35s, i9 trail wheels, and just about every part replaced besides the dropper.
BAGS: Custom Kai Venture bags frame bag, Swift bar bag, Road Runner bottle bags, Rockgeist Gondola seat bag, Mag Tank top tube bag, and a Wolf Tooth Teklite for the repair kit. Going to be carrying an REI Swiftland hydration vest with 2.5L of water and can carry 3L on the bike.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Katabatic Pinyon bivy will be my hotel for the weekend with an Enlightened Equipment 30° quilt and Thermarest Xlite sleep pad.

Rick Rethoret

Age 60 / Borrego Springs, CA (USA)

BIKE: Trek Xcaliber 9 with XT brakes, carbon wheels and Maxxis Ikons 29×2.65″ tires. Custom touches include carbon bars with Profile By Design bar ends located inboard of the grips (now referred to as Bartenders.) Lighting provided by a couple of Fenix flashlights with a spare battery and a Nightrider AA powered light.
BAGS: Urban Desert and Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping in a Kelty Cosmic 41° bag. Nemo sleeping pad with the bag inflator.

Rodolfo “Ro” Sales

Age 44 / South San Diego, CA (USA)

BIKE: 2022 Orbea OIZ H30.
BAGS: Revelate System: Spinelock 10L, Mag Tank, Egress Pocket, and a Salty Roll held up by a Specialized handlebar stabilizer harness. Two Outdoor Research backpack belt water bottle holders work like most “feed bags” and hold two water bottles very well.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin E530, REI ultralight Bivy, Sea to Summit UL Air Mat (women’s size works perfectly for me). Any point strapped to my frame or forks is wrapped in 3M self-adhesive tape, holds my SKS bottle cage straps solidly, keeps from sliding and no sticky residue on bike.

Sarah Mulholland

Age 58 / Tucson, AZ (USA)

BIKE: 2021 Spot Rocker, “the hot tomato”, built as a 27.5+ bike with Maxxis Rekon 2.8” tires, 1×12 SRAM Eagle 10-50T drivetrain, Surly Moloko bars, and Ergon grips. I’m more of a rider than a racer.
BAGS: Rockgeist custom frame bag and Revelate seat bag, feed bags, and miscellaneous bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I recently added a Rockgeist Spacelink on my steerer tube. Mounting bags directly to it lets me get rid of the velcro around the steerer tube from my cockpit bag and feedbags, and I’m kinda loving it.

Scotti Lechuga

Age 39 / Springdale, AR (USA)

BIKE: I’ve built up a custom Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5ti frame with a rigid Spork. I do love a 2x, so I’ve got a Shimano di2 XT drivetrain, 36/26 with 11-42 cassette. I’ve heard the route can be rowdy, so I chose 27.5 x 2.35” Maxxis Ikon tires and a Dynamo hub on Rol 650b wheels. I like a variety of hand positions, so I’m using a flat bar with Ergon grips, paired with an aero bar set up using the Fred bar stem mount.
BAGS: I’ve got my hydration bladder, tubes, and some quick clothing/snack items in my Apidura Expedition full frame pack. My (fingers-crossed) not-so-needed tools and repair items are in the Expedition downtube pack. I’ve got quick tools and snacks in my Expedition top tube pack, and my emergency bivvy and puffy jacket/spare clothes in my Back Country saddle pack. I’ll also carry the Apidura Packable Backpack to stock up for longer night hauls. There’s a Backcountry food pouch mounted between my aero bars for additional hydration real estate in case the dessert gets hot!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve got my track loaded onto a Wahoo ROAM. I’m also digging my BBInfinite bottom bracket and am stoked about the custom button shifters my husband Ernie put on this bike (on the flat bar and on the aero bar) as a real hand saver.

Seth DuBois

Age 33 / Portland, Oregon (USA)

BIKE: Boltcutter Peacemaker+ with HiFi Hootenanny wheels, running Shutter Precision PL-7 dynamo and Sinewave Beacon. Tires are Maxxis Aspen 2.1” and I’ve got a Whiskey No. 9 MTN fork for the extra clearance. The groupset is mostly SRAM Rival running a 34T front chainring and 10-42 cassette.
BAGS: 14L Apidura expedition saddle bag, Apidura backcountry half frame bag, and Apidura top tube bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m a huge fan of the dynamo setup and my Absolute Black oval chainring.

Tim Tait

Age 38 / Nucla, CO (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be floating through SoCal this year on a 2020 Salsa Beargrease. Equipped with 3.8s, XX1 cranks, and some ENVE bars. I should transcend PSI shortly after departure.
BAGS: Custom Loam Frame Bag, Rockgeist Foxglove saddlebag, and a Jpaks top tube bag.

Xavier Chiriboga Cordovez

Age 39 / Quito, Ecuador

BIKE: I’m riding a brand new bike that we built less than a week ago, It’s built with parts that I shipped to my friend’s house ahead of time that mostly came from eBay and AliExpress. It’s running 12-speed components that are Similar to SRAM (at least they use an XD driver for the cassette) and a SRAM chain seems to work best on the components. Hunt wheela is sponsoring me with a set of their aluminum XC race wheels that are set up tubeless with 2.2″ Ikons. Fork is a RockShox Pike 120mm, the frame is an open mold 29er with pretty standard XC geometry and a 30.9 carbon post.
BAGS: Mostly Revelate Designs bags that are being lent to me by Cale Wenthur. Anyone who wants to sponsor me, reach out!
BAGS: Honestly, this is all new gear, it’s going to be a test to see what makes it through the race. Obviously, the Hunt wheels are the standout piece of gear. Without them, I would be riding my old wheels that have a ton of miles on them.

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