Rigs of the 2024 Atlas Mountain Race (Part 1)

The Atlas Mountain Race (AMR) is shaping up to be one of the year’s most popular bikepacking events. Now in its fourth edition, the 2024 AMR follows a 1,300-kilometer fixed route across rugged and beautiful Morocco. The course changes slightly each year but follows gravel, singletrack trails, two-track, and old colonial pistes that have long been forgotten and fallen into disrepair.

Sofiane Sehili was the first to finish the inaugural event in 2020, riding the entire 1,145-kilometer course in just 3 days, 21 hours, and 50 minutes. Marin de St Exupéry and Ashley Carelock set new records in 2022, finishing in 3 days, 18 hours, and 14 minutes and 6 days, 1 hour, and 30 minutes, respectively. Last year, organizer Nelson Trees lengthened the route slightly to just over 1,300 kilometers, and Robin Gemperle of Switzerland took first place with a time of 3 days, 20 hours, and 15 minutes. This year’s route is slightly shorter and has a touch less climbing, but that’s not to say it’s not still one of the most challenging races on the planet.

As usual, we’ve collected bike and gear details for more than 100 riders who are tackling the route this year. Find the first 50 below, and stay tuned for part two of our roundup tomorrow. Scroll through and get a good look at all the loaded rigs below, then head over to the 2024 Atlas Mountain Race Tracker to follow along live starting tomorrow.

Alois Adam

Age 56 / Iffeldorf (Germany)

BIKE: My Bike for the AMR 2024 is my hardtail mountain bike—a Salsa Timberjack with SID Ultimate 120mm fork. Pirelli Scorpion RC Tires Tubeless on DT-Swiss x 1900 Wheels. 30T Oval Front ring, 10-52T cassette. Shigura Brakes. Pro Missile Aerobar on Renthal Fatbar, Ergon Grips. I swapped the dropper post to a Cane Creek Suspension Seatpost, Fizik Saddle.
BAGS: Framebags are Restrap, the saddlebag is Revelate Designs, and the handlebar bag is from Zefal.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lupine Piko light with extra Accu, Garmin 830 Navi, Mountain Equipment Sleeping Bag.

Andris Balodis

Age 51 / Limbazi County, Skulte Parish (Latvia)

BIKE: I will use my regular mountain bike, a SWORKS Epic. I use the same bike in MTB races in LATVIA. I made small upgrades, like a wide Ritchey WCS Carbon Trail Handlebar with WolfTooth Mega Fat Paw Grips and Easton armrests. The new pair of PANARACER Driver29erPro 29×2.20″ tyres, SRAM Eagle 1×12 group set: 36T Wolf Tooth chainring, and a 10-50T Cassette. For lightning, MagicShine Alty2000 bike lights, MagicShine Power-bank, and LUPNE PENTA Head Lamp. Bottle Cages: WolfTooth Morse Cage Ti. For mechanic work on the road: WolfTooth EnCase System Bar Kit One.
BAGS: My bag setup is from Apidura, the best bikepacking bags ever made. EXPEDITION series Saddle Bag 17L and Handlebar Bag 9L. BACKCOUNTRY series Long Top Tube Pack and Accessories Pocket and Food Pouch 0.8L.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will use CASTELLI Bike wear, EXPED bivy bag, and EXPED UL Air Mat, a very light and comfortable Montbell Seeping bag. Seamless Down Hugger WR 900 #5 (460g). For navigation, I’m using a Garmin 1030+ and Garmin inReach Mini 2.

Arnaud Bardy

Age 30 / Marseille (France)

BIKE: I’ll ride the 2024 AMR on a Canyon Exceed with a 100mm suspension fork. SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed (10-52T) with a 34T chainring. Reynolds wheels with Maxxis Ikon 2.35” tires.
BAGS: All the bags are from Apidura (top tubes and a 14L seat pack).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I don’t have a dynamo system, so I’ll rely on a MAGIC SHINE Monteer 5000S Front light and a Petzl headlamp during the nights. Garmin Edge 1040 Solar for navigation and Garmin Fenix 6X as a backup. I’ll also bring a 10,000mAh power bank. My sleep setup includes a Sea to Summit Spark I sleeping bag, Matelas Camp Essential Light, and Ultralite Bivi.

Ulrich “Uba” Bartholmoes

Age 37 / Girona (Spain)

BIKE: BMC Twostroke 01 One – the bike is a custom build with Beast Components XS30 Carbon rims wheels with a SON Dynamo hub up front, a SRAM Eagle AXS Red Drivetrain (32T x 10-52T), a RockShox SID SL Select + suspension fork and Beast Component Dropbars. Pulley wheels and all bearings are low-friction ceramic parts by Kogel to ensure smooth pedaling. The tires will be Hutchinson Skeleton & Taipan with 2.15”. My favorite highlight on the bike is my Supernova M99 DY Pro front light – it’s the brightest I have ever seen and will be my laser sword to conquer the nights!
BAGS: I will use the Apidura Backcountry series with the 6L saddle pack, the 4L full frame pack, the 1L rear top tube pack, and the 1L top tube pack – makes a total of solid 12 liters to carry clothes, spares, and food. If more storage is needed on the way, I will find it in my Apidura Backcountry Hydration Backpack, which also features a 2.5L water bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The bike and the setup for the race are a great work of art and highlight par excellence. My focus is on the lowest possible weight, good durability, and, above all, reliability. All components have been tested for thousands of kilometers and will serve me well.

Benjamin Bell

Age 45 / London (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll tackle the Atlas Mountain Race on an older Trek Supercaliber 9.7 29er, which I think will be a super comfortable bike for this race if it stays in one piece. I’ve added new Continental Race King 2.2″ tyres, Jones H Bars, and an SRAM AXS Eagle upgrade kit to the original SRAM 12-speed 11-50 groupset.
BAGS: I’ve kept it all matching with APIDURA bags: saddle bag, frame bag, top tube, feed bag, and handlebar bag. It keeps the color scheme consistent.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, Sea to Summit Spark III sleeping bag, Alpkit bivvy, MINIX 100W Turbo Charger, Anker 140w output power bank, Fenix BC30R Light and a Ledlenser MH10 headlamp for backup.

Frederic BERNARD

Age 48 / Ploemeur, Brittany (France)

BIKE: I’ll ride AMR 2024 on my PechTregon, French handcrafted frame. It’s playful with its zero-offset geometry but robust with its perimeter frame and TrussFork. It is assembled with many European parts like HOPE brakes, rear hub, and crankset. The wheels are hand-assembled in Brittany by Tregoride Cycles using Palindrom carbon rims with Hope and Son Deluxe hubs. Hutchinson tyres; 29×2.3″ (rear / Kraken) and 29×2.4″ (front / Wyrm). I’m using a 1×12 Shimano drivetrain with a 30T HOPE chainring.
BAGS: The waterproof bags were custom made in France by Studio Ricochet; full frame bag, dry bag on the front rack with my bivouac setup, two small bags on the handlebar for electronics and food. I use a compact Oveja Negra saddle bag for my change of clothes.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For lighting and charging, I use a SON deluxe dynamo hub with a Sinewave Beacon lamp, complete with a Stoots headlamp and 20,000 mah power bank. My bivouac setup consists of a Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32F sleeping bag, a Sea to Summit Ether Light XT pad, and an ultralight bivy by Borah Gear (all weighing less than 1kg). If necessary, I can carry up to 3L of water in 4 x 750ml bottles (and I have a 1.5L bottle of water as a backup). I use a Garmin 1040 Solar for navigation and will carry a Garmin 830 as a backup.

Thierry Bizet

Age 36 / Foix, Ariege (FRANCE)

BIKE: I’m riding a CHIRU KEGETI with Asterion wheels, a SID Ultimate fork, and an Ideale saddle.
1×12 drivetrain 32T.
BAGS: Apidura kit: saddle bag, handlebar bag, and food pouches. EVOC frame bag. Three-liter bottles will be mounted to the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A MILLET bivy and a Valandre Mirage and Nemo Air Mat will serve as my shelter. I’ll also be carrying a Garmin Edge 840 for navigation.

Melina Boening

Age 31 / Berlin (Germany)

BIKE: I‘ll ride the Atlas Mountain Race on a Salsa Fargo. It has a GRX 1×11 drivetrain, a Garbaruk derailleur cage, and a 32T Rotor chainring. The wheelset features a SON dynamo up front, an Onyx hub in the back, and 2.35“ tires.
BAGS: My frame bag is custom-made by Gramm, a local bag maker, and carries tools and other essentials I need quick access to. On the handlebar, I have an Apidura roll for my sleeping gear plus an accessory bag. Two candy bags (Gramm/Apidura) are for water and snacks, and a saddle bag is mainly for clothing. In addition, I will carry a running hydration vest on my back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A rear hub that does not make any noise and lets me hear that soothing sound under my tires and a tiny self-made stove that only weighs 20g and could warm up a cup of coffee in the morning.

Thomas Boury

Age 32 / Lyon (France)

BIKE: Epsilon Bikes, Steel frame, handmade in Lyon, France. RockShox SID SL Ultimate 100mm Fork, Shimano XT 1×12 drivetrain, XTR cassette 10-51T, Hope parts: 34T crankset, bottom bracket, headset, seat clamp, Ritchey handlebar and stem, Canecreek eesilk seatpost, Brooks C13 carved saddle, Asterionwheels (alloy) handmade in Lyon, Hutchinson Skeleton 2.3″ tires, Wahoo Roam V2 GPS and Bolt V2 as backup, Fenix light (battery), Garmin power pedals.
BAGS: All bags are made by Restrap. The kit includes a custom-made frame bag for a 1L water bottle; a second bottle will be in the bottom. I’ll use a top tube bag for electronics and food, a food pouch on top of the aero bars for extra food, and I will add a race saddle bag (7L) that contains my sleep kit and clothes.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will bring along some special French cream for my butt to keep it smooth like a baby!

Dirk de Brucker

Age 57 / OPWIJK (BELGIUM)

BIKE: I will be riding my trusted Singular Pegasus. The drivetrain is SRAM Eagle AXS with a 30T oval chainring. FOX SC 100mm for the comfort. My SON dynamo will power my Sinewave Beacon and all the electronic stuff for the dark moments.
BAGS: I’m using a mix of SPoK, Oveja Negra, and Miss Grape bags combined with a backpack and a 2L bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For navigation, it will be a Wahoo BOLT and my phone as a backup. I will carry an extra 2L bladder and two soft flask bottles if I need more water. My sleeping kit is an Alpkit bivvy combined with an Alpkit no sleeping mat, Sea to Summit SP III sleeping bag, and a Decathlon inflatable pillow—some rain stuff and a puffy jacket. My absolute highlight is my old MTB shoes, as we don’t get the cleats in the perfect position on the shoes I bought for this race, so I pray they survive this beast.

Manuel Brugger

Age 43 / Alterswil, Fribourg (Switzerland)

BIKE: My bike is a 2020 BMC Fourstroke with a mix of Shimano and SRAM parts. I have fitted 2.35″ Mezcals on the 1501 DT wheels. For lighting, I use a Lupine with lots of backup batteries.
BAGS: A mix of Ortlieb, Revelate Designs, Apidura, and Acepac with the 3L Apidura Frame Pack Bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Shakedry jacket from Dynafit, the battery life of the Garmin 1040 Solar, and I love my whole bike.

Marc Buchel

Freienstein, Zurich (Switzerland)

BIKE: Cannondale Scalpel HT 1 Hi-Mod hardtail, Cannondale Lefty Ocho 110mm fork, SRAM AXS Transmission XX SL, Sigeyi crank spindle based power meter, Profile Design Subsonic aero brackets, Continental Race King 2.2″, Garmin Edge 1030 plus.
BAGS: Rogue Panda Designs custom frame bag with 1.5l Apidura water bladder, 2x Rogue Panda Designs top tube bags, 6l Apidura Expedition saddle pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: USWE MTB Hydro 8l backpack with 3l water bladder (I love those darn USWE backpacks, no bouncing and super practical). The bungee cord spans a web across the aero extensions, allowing for easy access for layers, and no bouncing or hanging around of the hose attached to the frame bag water bladder.

Florian van de Calseyde

Age 27 / Ottignies, Brabant Wallon (Belgium)

BIKE: I will be riding a KONA UNIT with 30T in the front and a 10-50T in the back to help on the climbs. It is completely self-built with DT SWISS XM421 rims, a Hope Pro 5 rear hub, and a SON dynamo in the front. Lighting is provided by kLite front and back. I named it “chocolate espresso” for the original color, complete with touches of Wolftooth Espresso bits.
BAGS: Bags are provided by Moga Bags, a local bag manufacturer in Brussels. I especially like the Dyneema used for the front roll and frame bag. A Revelate Designs top tube Mag Tank and Egress front pocket complete my kit.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be sleeping in a really warm Cumulus sleeping bag, and a Sea to Summit mattress will separate me from the ground. I especially like my 45North wind jacket, which has been used for many years and never ceases to provide comfort.

Rob Roy Cameron

Age 39 / London (United Kingdom)

BIKE: It’s a 2021 Scott Scale. The drivetrain has a 36T up front and an 11-52T in the back—Stayer wheels with a SON dynamo for charging and lights. Tyers are Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ and a Brooks C15 saddle.
BAGS: Apidura 10L Seat pack, 4.5L Apidura frame bag, and Apidura top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Klite system. Being able to charge on the road and having plenty of light at night.

Luca Maria Caparco

Age 35 / Treviso (Italy)

BIKE: Basso Palta 2023, 1×13 Campagnolo Elkar with 38T chainring, 10-44T cassette. 700c wheels with Pirelli Cinturato M 45mm rear and Schwalbe MTB Racing Ralph EVO 2.1” front (I couldn’t fit anything bigger). Garmin for navigation.
BAGS: Agu and Decathlon bar bag, Apidura/Maap saddle bag, Miss Grape frame bag and top tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sea to Summit Spark III and pillow, aluminum foil sleeping mat, emergency bivy sack, Hydro Pro 3 + 1.5l bladder and two power banks (20.000+26.800mah). Considering the rainy/snowy weather, I added a pair of waterproof pants and socks.

Cynthia Carson

Age 31 / Bella Vista, Arkansas (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing on an Open One+ hardtail with new Hunt Proven Dynamo 29″ wheels, SRAM Eagle AXS, and a full spread of Apidura packs. I’m rocking the new Old Man Mountain Axle Pack that allows for cages on the fork when I need them. It’s the desert, so I’ll need all the water I can get!
BAGS: A bunch of Apidura bags including a 4L backcountry frame pack with 3L hydro bladder, 10L backcountry saddle pack carrying extra clothes and sleep kit, 1.8L long top tube pack carrying electronics and other odds and ends, 1.8L downtube pack for all tools, tubes, and extra orange seal, 1.2L plus food pouch with all the gummies I can get through TSA, 7L packable musette for all the snacks I can’t shove into my pockets after a resupply, 2.5L aero bar pack with down and wind jacket.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Despite having raced a handful of ultras, I have never carried a sleep system! I’ve got the Sea to Summit Spark 28F bag, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLITE, and an emergency bivy. I’ve added aerobars for the first time in a race and got fancy ergo grips + SQLabs Innerbarends. I’m excited about the new Hunt Proven wheels I’m rolling on with new mega durable tires from Schwalbe and plenty of fresh Orange Seal to avoid punctures in the desert.

Megan Casebow

Age 29 / Blandford Forum, Dorest (England)

BIKE: I’ll be rocking the Mason ISO with SRAM Rival mechanical. Wheels are Hunt Trailwides, which roll on Vittoria Mezcal 29×2.6″ tyres.
BAGS: Everything is stored in Restrap bags, a mixture of the Race range and others.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My top bits of kit are my Exped Ultra 0 sleeping bag for those chilly nights, and when I’m still riding, my Exposure Six Pack lights the way.

Jean-Baptiste Catte

Age 48 / Courbevoie (France)

BIKE: I will ride a Cannondale Scalpel HT with a carbon frame, a SRAM Eagle AXS groupset, and a 120mm lefty. The tires are Vittoria Mezcal 2.35”.
BAGS: The frame has quite a lot of space for my custom waterproof frame bag made in Ukraine by 7road. On the rear a Talfifin bag for clothing and my sleeping kit (Cumulus X-Light sleeping bag, Sol Escape bivouac, and Klymit Inertia X Lite inflatable mattress). Thanks to the Withspirit H20 adapter, one bottle on each side and one in the Apidura Downtube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No dynamo with a lefty, so the front light is a battery-powered Lezyne Macro Drive 1400+ with three Nitecore ultra-light power banks. I’ll navigate with the Edge 1040 Solar, which should last long if the weather is good!

Pieter Cattrysse

Age 36 / Hamme (Belgium)

BIKE: I’ll ride my Chiru Divider on the AMR 2024. The bike is equipped with SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12-speed and a SON dynamo.
BAGS: I’m using a mix of Apidura (top tube bag), Miss Grape (Saddlebag), and Ortlieb 4L (frame bag). Below my aero bars, I have another waterproof bag with my sleeping gear. In addition to this, I’ll be carrying my Osprey Duro 6L backpack as well.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll sleep in a bivy with a Sea to Summit Spark II sleeping bag on a Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xlite air mat. For lights and recharging, I have the Klite system installed, and in addition, I will have a Petzl Actik Core headlamp. My Garmin Edge 1030 plus will be my guide through this adventure!

Elijus Civilis

Age 42 / Vilnius (Lithuania)

BIKE: I’m riding a proper full suspension mountain bike, a Lapierre XR 9.9 (brand new out of the box from Biketek), for proper mountains. I upgraded the saddle to Ergon and added Innerbarends from SQLabs.
BAGS: Mix of everything. Acepac frame and top tube bag, Tarka handlebar bag, Apidura saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Since AMR is a race, I wish to stay as light as possible, but it requires a lot of heavy unusual stuff for me…including a sleeping bag.

Ramon Diaz Colomer

Age 56 / Tarifa (Spain)

BIKE: Cannondale Scalpel SE Lefty Carbon 1 2023, full suspension bike with 120mm front/rear, 12-speed SRAM XO with 32T chainring and 10-50T cassette. The tires are Maxis Aspen 2.4″ front/rear.
BAGS: My choice is a mix of Revelate Designs and Apidura. I am carrying all my sleeping stuff up front, and in the back are my extra clothes. My frame bag holds two power banks, electronics, and food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Because I am not racing, and sleeping at least six hours each night, I am carrying a Big Agnes Copper 1-person tent, Sea to Summit sleeping bag, and exposure lights. I’ll navigate with a Garmin Edge 1040 Solar.

Roberto Corrao

Age 50 / Foligno, Perugia (ITALY)

BIKE: The bike is a Niner E.M.D. 9, features a new pair of Maxxis Cross Mark II 2.10″ rear and Maxxis Ardent 2.25” front tires, a 2×11 drivetrain with a 26/36T chainring, and Fulcrum Red Zone 5 wheels. One other modification is arm rests on the handlebars.
BAGS: The centerpiece of my bag setup is an Ortileb full-frame bag. I am also running a Geosmina seat pack for the front and rear bag, a MagTank top tube bag is a Zefal 4L, and a small Sweet Roll/Pocket on the handlebars. A 2L bladder is stored in the frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Alpkit bivy, Millet sleeping bag, and Forclaz Mat will serve as my shelter. I’ll also carry a Garmin 1030 and an eTrex 20 for navigation.

Clive Cosby

Age 48 / New Forest (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’m riding my Ribble Enthusiast with Velocity Blunt Rims, Vittoria Mezcal tyres with inserts, Hope hub, SON dynamo, Klite up from and back. Hope 36T chainring with a Garburuk 11-50T cassette. Deda aero ‘comfort’ bars on a Ritchey Beacon handlebar off a Redshift stem. Navigation by Wahoo Roam.
BAGS: A progressive development over the years from Vaude seat post bag to Apidura frame and top tube completed with a Miss Grape bar bag and Camelback pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Love the Klite, so pleased to have a Dynamo these days and looking forward to testing the Mezcals. Merino will likely be my friend; I will miss the Forest but look forward to experiencing the desert.

Paul CREUSVAUX

Age 29 / Corbeil-Essonnes, Essonne (FRANCE)

BIKE: I will be riding on a homemade bike as I learned how to weld frames and sew bags to do as much as I can to create my dream bike for racing Atlas Mountain Race 2024. To make it short, it is a Deddaccai steel frame assembled with Shimano Deore XT (1×12 drivetrain, 32T chainring) and a RockShox PIKE 140mm travel fork. I have custom wheels with René Herse Fleecer Ridge 55mm tires, We Are One Composite Revive carbon rims, and 32 Berd spokes per wheel. I went with a DTSwiss 350 hub at the rear and a SON28 dynamo up front. The dynamo is connected to a Klite front and rear light system and an external battery for full electrical self-sufficiency!
BAGS: I will only use my frame, top tube, and rear rack bags (and a food pouch). I used Ecopak EPX200 fabric. The frame bag is made with two compartments. I put all my sleeping gear in the big rear rack bag. A Protostudia Titanium Y-rack supports this bag. For water, I have one bottle on the side of the bike, a cargo vest for a camelback, and two smaller flasks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Garmin Fenix 7X watch I use as my GPS has a long-lasting battery. My sure-value Endura Primaloft PRO SL vest has ALWAYS been with me during any adventure when I ride under cold conditions. Last but not least, my heated insoles will be able to recharge thanks to my dynamo, which prevents my toes from freezing.

Manuel Truccolo & Federico Damiani

Veneto (Italy)

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BIKE: We’re riding a Lee Cougan Rampage Innova with the new Enough full white colorways. The bikes are equipped with Fulcrum Red Zone Carbon wheels, Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 2.2″ tires, and a 34×10-52T drivetrain, upgraded with a new Ceramic Speed OSPW X pulley. Fizik Argo 00 adaptive saddle and CrankBrothers Mallet trail pedals.
BAGS: We have a similar setup featuring a custom frame bag from MissGrape, a Cluster 7 saddle bag, and a Moon handlebar bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A full Supernova Lights setup to ride at night, including a B54 bike light and an Airstream mounted to the helmet.

Eric Devos

Age 47 / Lasne (Belgium)

BIKE: I’m riding a Salsa Fargo Ti equipped with Shimano GRX and Garbaruk components, 34T Absolute Black chainring, and an 11-50T Garbaruk cassette. The front hub is a SON dynamo hub wired to the Klite light and charger. The tires are Maxxis, 2.35″ in front as I’m riding a rigid bike, which will add some comfort, and 2.20″ in the back.
BAGS: The bags are mostly Revelate Designs, but the top tube bag is Tailfin 1.1L. Tailfin cage on the fork to add a big bottle if more water is needed for a stretch
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: RAB sleeping bag, Big Agnes sleeping pad, and a Hunka XL bivy.

Arnaud Duruisseau

Age 50 / Pantin (France)

BIKE: A stock Canyon Exceed CF6 with 12-speed Shimano SLX 30×10/51T, SMP saddle, Ergon grips, BBB inner bar ends.
BAGS: A mix of Alpkit, Apidura, Ortlieb, Reload, and Salomon.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin Edge 830, Knog PWR Mountain, GoalZero Venture 75, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite, Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag, Alpkit Kloke bivvy bag, Decathlon MT100 synthetic down jacket.

George Everiss

Manchester (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll take a 2023 Specialized Chisel on a getaway to Morocco. It’s got a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, a pair of Fox 34s, and will have 2.25″ Vittoria Mezcals (big shock tyre choice) fitted last minute before flying (way too much slop in the Peak District for them right now!).
BAGS: I’ll be running a Topeak Frontloader carrying my sleep system, Apidura Backcountry frame bag, Podsacs saddle bag, 2x Alpkit top tube bags (not pictured) and Alpkit stem bag (not pictured). For hydration, I’ve got 2x Elite 1L race bottles strapped to the frame and an Inov8 race vest bursting at the seams with a 3L bladder stuffed inside.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A cozy Mountain Equipment down bag and silk liner to slither into for a nap, some Ergon grips and SQlab inner bar ends to help my weary hands and the 3x Alpkit feed bags stuffed with an unhinged amount of Clif bars.

Mark Fenwick

Age 44 / Wimborne, Dorset (UK)

BIKE: I am aiming to complete (not compete) the AMR 2024 on a 2023 Santa Cruz Blur XX SL AXS TR RSV, running the new direct mount SRAM Eagle AXS XX 1×12 drivetrain with 34T chainring upfront. The bike will be kitted with Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tyres sealed to carbon Reserve 29er wheels. Zipp Carbon aero bars upfront with some added SQLabs carbon 411R Innerbarends to vary the comfort.
BAGS: I chose to mainly raid the Apidura Backcountry bag catalog with a top bag, 7L bar bag, and 10L saddle bag, which works well with the OneUp V3 dropper post. These are complemented by Restrap stem bags for food and snacks on the go. I don’t have a frame bag, as I might need to get the bike comfortably onto my shoulder for the hike-a-bike sections. On top of normal bottles, full hydration is supported by an Apidura Race hydration backpack, which has extra storage for other handy items.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep is guaranteed with a Sea to Summit Spark sleeping bag atop a Therm-a-Rest air mattress and pillow. Navigation is supported by my Garmin Edge 1040 solar, backed up by a phone and Garmin Fenix watch. One particular highlight is the MAGPED pedals, which offer all of the benefits of cleats with none of the drawbacks. I can quickly disengage my feet on slow technical ascents if needed. A mix of Exposure Joystick and LifeLine Pavo lights will break the night’s darkness. Tools and spares are taken care of in the underside bottle cage, which doubles up as an extra bottle if needed.

Mark Gilmour

Age 48 / Hampshire, England (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) the AMR this year on a 2020 Bombtrack Hook EXT-C with a few modifications made in preparation for this event. The biggest change was replacing the stock cockpit for the Redshift Kitchen Sink Gravel bar with a loop, and Redshift suspension stem, combined with larger Teravail 2.3” 650b tyres to give a bit more suspension. The drivetrain has been modified to a 1×12 SRAM Eagle 10-50T with an Absolute Black 34T chainring on the front, utilizing a Ratio Upgrade kit to use existing shifters.
BAGS: My bag setup is based upon the Brooks England Scape backpacking range, Handlebar Roll, Half Frame bag to allow room for water bidons, Seat pack and Stem bag. I am not using the fork bags I used on the Granguanche to run a little lighter. I will carry an extra 2.5L of water via a Salomon Adv Skin 5 hydration vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system comprises Alpkit Hunka Bivvy, Pipedream 400 sleeping bag, and Cloudbase mat, which should hopefully suffice for the Morocco night temperature forecasts. Lighting will be provided through Exposure MaxxD and Joystick lights with external battery backups for lights and Garmin Edge 830 navigation.

Spencer Gough

Age 29 / Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: My bike for AMR is a custom steel hardtail from Marino bikes. Most of the bike came from my parts bin, a mix of XT and SLX, an FSA crank with a 32T chainring, and a Marzocchi Z2 fork. The wheelset was built by my local bike shop, King Street Cycles, and is an SP Dynamo hub and Industry Nine rear hub paired with a set of DT Swiss aluminum rims with 2.4″ Maxxis Rekon Race tires. The front light is a Supernova.
BAGS: Thief Bikepacking made the top tube and frame bags, my buddy Ben made the stem bags, and the saddle bag is by Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Having completed AMR in 2022, I’m excited to bring the proper bike this time. The final total was 17 flat tires on my gravel bike last time. I also have a handlebar-mounted iPod full of my favorite tunes and podcasts.

Vedran Gracan

Age 42 / Zagreb (Croatia)

BIKE: Orbea OIZ M-Pro with XT, XTR drivetrain and brakes. Sinewave Beacon run on SON 28 or Voltaic power bank and as backup Zebralight headlamp. I use Pro aero bars, Ergo MyRide inner bar grips, a Power 2 Max power meter, an ELEMNT BOLT, and a Garmin Forerunner 955 for navigation.
BAGS: Mokush pouch bags, Restrap, top tube bag, Apidura saddle pack, Lowe Alpine dry bag attached with Restrap Fast Straps to the handlebar. I’ll also wear a Salomon ADV SKIN 12 vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sea to Summit SP1 sleeping bag and Air Mat, Nordisk Lofoten tent is light, packs small, and is much better than all bivi bags I’ve tried.

Steve Hayes

Age 42 / Jersey (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll be taking part in my first Bikepacking/MTB race on a brand-new Fairlight Holt. There are no modifications except the Ergon grips and my Tri bars.
BAGS: A mix of Restrap, Apidura, and Alpkit—all brand new.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Probably my OMM sleeping bag and my Manta Sleep mask which I never sleep without. Most of my gear is new or has been used during triathlons. I don’t have anything fancy, although the bags and the Albion clothing are all top notch. Unfortunately most of the clothing is ripped after a tumble a few weeks back.

Sarah Heller

Age 30 / Goteborg (Sweden)

BIKE: My adventure pal for this ride is my Fairlight Holt 1.0! A beautiful violet steel frame, equipped with Shimano XT M8100 components, a RockShox suspension fork, and Hunt 29” wheels with Vittoria Barzo/Mezcal 2.35” tyres. The cockpit consists of SQlab grips, inner bar ends, and some borrowed aero bars to provide multiple positions during the ride.
BAGS: I will be using an Ortlieb seat pack and handlebar bag for my sleep system, clothes, electronics, and extra room for food. Tailfin top tube and downtube bags add extra storage for gear and first aid kits. I am carrying 4 x 950ml bottles on my bike, two in the frame and two on the fork. I mounted additional bottle cages with the TOPEAK VersaMount clamps on the suspension fork. I will also wear a hydration vest with 1.5L of water storage to use when needed.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system consists of my Sea to Summit sleeping bag, air mat, and a pillow for extra comfort. I’m riding in a pair, and we opted to take my Big Agnes Copper Spur tent; let’s see if it will be used. I use my Silva trail running headlamp plus a Lezyne light on my handlebar. I used old vitamin tablet packaging, gorilla tape, and cable ties to build a bridge between my areobars to fit my Garmin edge and front light.

Steven Le Hyaric

Age 37 / Paris (France)

BIKE: I will ride the Atlas Mountain Race 2024 with my new buddy, Girs Nomade, with white and gold paint. The bike is an MTB Girs Nomade Carbone equipped with a Shimano XT/DEORE 12-speed mechanical group, Shimano XT/DEORE brake, a new pair of Maxxis Ikon tires, a 1×12 drivetrain with a 32T chainring, and DT Swiss 29″ wheels with a SON Dynamo hub at the front. The handlebar is ENVE, a new special seatpost from Cane Creek with some suspension, Selle Idéale Saddle, Profile Design extension with 70mm shims under the armrests. 2 tubes, tubeless kit, tools, and spare Garmin GPS. Garmin 67i will share my dot (position).
BAGS: Restrap full frame bag and saddle bag 8L, 2 stem bags and canister. I may have 2x 500ml flasks and 1L soft in my Compressport Trail bag. One 800ml bottle on my frame will be a priority, though.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: As always, I will use my Garmin 1040 Solar and Garmin battery. Dynamo Hub SON, Sinewave lamp with USB port, Ravemen as a spare, Lezyne in the rear.

Benjamin Hoehn

Age 36 / Jena (Germany)

BIKE: Salsa Cutthroat with a flat bar and 100mm front suspension. Roval Control wheels, 2.2″ Race King tires, and a SON dynamo up front. SRAM X01 AXS drivetrain (30T x 10-52) and kLite lighting and charging.
BAGS: Rogue Panda custom frame bag, Tailfin top tube bag, and Apidura seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My down pants.

Jacob Hora

Age 18 / Victor, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing on my amazing 2023 Pivot Les hardtail with a Fox 120mm fork. It has a full XTR drivetrain with a 32T front ring for that final day when my legs are tired. I am riding on a pair of 19 Ultralight 24h paired with 2.2″ Continental Race Kings. I also have a pair of Control Tech Mini Aero Bars for the long flat sections.
BAGS: I will be rocking a Tailfin top tube bag and a Tailfin carbon rack set up. My frame bag is TBD as of now.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am running a Garmin Edge Solar for navigation and am excited to see how well it does in the desert.

Tor Hovland

Age 48 / Trondheim (Norway)

BIKE: I’m riding an Orbea Alma M30. I’ve built a wheelset with Btlos carbon rims, Son 28 dynamo hub, and DT Swiss 350 rear hub. The dynamo powers a Forumslader, which charges my electronics and runs my B&M IQ-X headlamp. The drivetrain is an oval Rotor 30T chainring and a Shimano XT 10-51T cassette. The cockpit is Salsa Bend 23° with Ergon GS2 grips and SQlab inner barends. A Selle SMP Well Gel saddle is on top of a Cane Creek eeSilk+ suspension seat post.
BAGS: Bags are from Nittany Mountain Works, Oveja Negra, Rogue Panda, Tailfin, Apidura, Revelate Designs, and Sea to Summit. There are four bottle cages. I won’t have to wear a backpack with all this stuff on my bike.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am carrying an Outdoor Research Helium bivy, a Therm-a-Rest XTherm pad, and a Marmot Hydrogen bag with a -3°C limit. It’s not the most compact setup, but it should be cozy through the cold nights. In addition to the headlamp, I have helmet lights from Exposure and Sofirn. But my favorite bit of kit must be the foam dressings I use to fight off saddle sores.

Josh Ibbett

Age 35 / Cambridgeshire (United Kingdom)

BIKE: Mason Cycles prototype aluminium hardtail. RockShox SID Ultimate 100mm fork. HUNT Proven Beyond Dynamo wheelset (pre-production decals). Shimano XT/ SLX mixed groupset. Vittoria Mezcal 2.35 tyres.
BAGS: Tailfin R&D division bags. The custom frame bag holds cycling layers and food in the top compartment and tools and spares in the lower compartment. The prototype Aeropack holds my sleeping gear and can store extra food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve invested in a new PHD sleeping bag for this event to sleep down to 0°C without a Bivvi.

Niels Ihrman

Age 38 / Knegsel (The Netherlands)

BIKE: Specialized Epic HT, SRAM GX/NX 12-speed. The tyres are Maxxis Ikon Race, 2.35″ wide, set up tubeless with Orange Seal Endurance. I’ll use Profile Design aero bars for a different riding position and to strap things to.
BAGS: Tailfin Aeropack + toptube bag. Apidura backcountry full frame pack (4L) and downtube pack. My sleep kit fits in an Apidura expedition handlebar bag (not pictured), 2×750 ml bottles on the fork, and a Camelback Chase with 2l bladder, which should keep me hydrated.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Tailfin Aeropack is still my favourite piece of kit. It’s always stable.

Sophie Jail

Age 32 / Ceret (France)

BIKE: I will ride a second-hand carbon frame with a tuned Fox 32, custom-made carbon wheels by Velomario, RENE HERSE Fleecer Ridge 55mm endurance tires, and a 12-speed XT groupset. My bike lights will be Exposure Toro + Axis.
BAGS: Revelate Designs 1L ice cream food pouch, Tailfin suspension fork mount to carry water, and Apidura bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Cafe du Cycliste Audax clothes and probably a pair of dishwashing gloves for the first night. One would hate to have wet hands for the hike of Telouet Pass.

Casjen Jeske

Age 24 / Hannover, Niedersachsen (Germany)

BIKE: Spcycle 29er MTB, Shimano XT drivetrain, and ZRace Components.
BAGS: Ortlieb frame bag and saddle bag, Cyclite top tube bag.

Ali Elamrani Joutei

Age 34 / Paris (France)

BIKE: I will be riding the Atlas Mountain Race on a PIVOT LES SL. The bike features DT SWISS carbon Wheels with SON dynamo, Maxxis IKON (Back) and REKON (Front) tires, FOX 120mm FORK, Shimano XTR M9100 12-speed groupset (30T front, 10-51T rear) with XTR pedals. Selle Ideale Saddle. Profile Design Aerobars, Sinewave Beacon v2 front light, and Specialized out back.
BAGS: Apidura Saddle and Frame Pack, Restrap top tube pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin Edge 1030 for navigation and a light bivy for quick sleep.

Theo Kelsey-Verdecchia

Age 28 / Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I’m riding a prototype Uprock V2 Frameset from Curve Cycling, rolling on a set of Curve’s carbon Dirt Hoops. Maxxis Rekon Race tires, AXS XX1 Drivetrain, Magura MT8 SL Brakes, SP Dynamo hub, and a Oneup dropper make up the rest of the build.
BAGS: Revelate Designs seat pack and handlebar roll, JPAKS top tube bag, and a custom frame bag from Nightingale Threadworks. I’ll be wearing a cargo vest from Albion Cycling as well.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A solid sleep kit so I have a productive sleep no matter the temperature, lighting from KLite and Fenix for the long night shifts, and lots of comfy, solid kit from Albion Cycling.

Lukas Klement

Age 28 / Kourim (Czech Republic)

BIKE: I will ride a bike that is custom printed with ZEBRA and decorated with an inscription in Hebrew that says the Israeli phrase “Good people in the middle of the road”; it is my strength for the journey. Technically, it’s a hardtail with drop bars.
BAGS: Apidura bags, saddle bag for sleeping stuff. I won’t be sleeping much, so I don’t need as much. My repair kit, food, hygiene, and spare t-shirt are in the frame bag. The top tube bag is for electronics and stuff I want to keep handy. I’ll also have a vest with a water bladder because it’s supposed to be warm.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Small duck for luck, a camera to capture memories like I did at the SRMR, and new Polartech Alpha toe socks from my grandma.

Adam Kolarski

Age 40 / Tenerife (Spain)

BIKE: Basso Palta 2, GRX 1×12 42-10/50T, Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 50mm tires on 27.5” wheels.
BAGS: Handlebar and frame bag from Batu BicycleBags, saddlebag from JackPack Bikepacking, plus sleeping bag on the fork.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping mat from Decathlon, no-name down sleeping bag, lights also no-name (but powerful), Wahoo Bolt for navigation.

Alexander Kopp

Age 36 / Innsbruck (Austria)

BIKE: I will ride my Specialized Epic with an Intend Samurai Fork, PI ROPE/Beast Components XC25 Wheels, Continental Race King and Shimano 12-speed (30-51T).
BAGS: All the bags are from the awesome brand Tailfin.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lupine lite setup for the helmet/ Supernova for the handlebar, Cumulus sleeping bag, SFM mounts from Tailfin for the water bottles on the fork, a lot of motivation from my side.

Julian Koschik

Age 37 / Leichlingen, NRW (Germany)

BIKE: I’ll ride my Orbea Oiz full suspension 100mm travel with 1×12 SRAM AXS groupset, a 32T chainring and a 10/50T cassette, waxed chain. König Carbon wheels fitted with tubeless Maxxis Ikon 2.25″ / Rekon 2.35″. S-Works Power Mirror Saddle and Ergon grips for a comfy ride. Very nice Deda Jet Aerobar.
BAGS: Restrap Race 7L saddle bag for sleeping gear, top tube bag 2L where i put my electronics and repair kit. Two food pouches for snacks only. Salomon ADV Skin 12 with a 2L bladder, down jacket, arm/leg warmers, and beanie.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Therm-a-Rest Uberlite, Cumulus x-lite400, and a silk liner will keep me worm. Garmin Edge 840 solar. Nitecore Carbo 10000, Oakley photochromic, Lupine Blika 6.9Ah on the stem, Piko with 2x 3.5Ah mount on the helmet, Lezyne Femto, hopefully, no need for my Wolf Tooth 8-Bit repair kit and Dynaplugs.

Veera Lahde

Age 35 / Helsinki (Finland)

BIKE: I will be riding the Atlas Mountains with my pre-loved Canyon Exceed WMN CF SLX 9.0 Pro Race from 2019. It’s a black bike with hints of pink and turquoise on the frame. The SRAM XX1 Eagle 1×12 groupset with 34T chainring and Reynolds XC 259 wheelset with Maxxis Ikon 2.2″ tires are other things that probably matter. All this sounds like a foreign language, but it feels pretty convenient in the mountains.
BAGS: It’s been a real struggle to look for a perfect setup for XS sized bike frame and I haven’t gotten very far in the process. I have a 9L Apidura saddle bag for the AMR, a 1.8L down tube bag for tools and inner tubes, a 2.2L frame bag, and two small top tube bags—all brand new from Apidura. My Cube Acid 11L handlebar bag is stitched, taped, and tied together after SRMR, yet it is the only piece that somewhat survived through the course. To make it fit with all the cables in front, I have to ride with the brake levers adjusted to an unnatural position. The Fjällräven snack bags are perfectly sized for 1-litre bottles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For once, I wish my gear highlight would have nothing to do with cable ties, tape, or plastic bags that have saved me oh so often. In an emergency, I’ve trusted my survival to the Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy and even more for the Rab Ascent 900 sleeping bag (-18C). It’s the weight of sin, but apparently, anything less would leave me freezing.

Pete Lamb

Age 30 / Bristol (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the 2024 Atlas Mountain Race on my Ribble Gravel SL (carbon). The bike is largely unchanged from my winter setup, but I have added Vittoria Barzo 2.10” tyres to the back and Vittoria Mezcal 2.35” to the front to help with the unforgiving terrain ahead. I’m running a 1×11 drivetrain with a 42T chainring and an 11-42T cassette, giving me just about enough range for the mountains, and I have put my Profile Design aero bars on 60mm risers to offer additional comfort.
BAGS: I am a big fan of Restrap for quality and durability. I have loaded up with a half-frame bag, handlebar bar bag, saddle pack, top tube bag, and cockpit pouch. I’ll carry a small Osprey running vest with a 2.5L water capacity and strap another 3L of water bottles to the bike.

Davide Lamparelli

Age 43 / Turku (Finland)

BIKE: HBM carbon bike (handmade in Italy). Heavy duty construction but lightweight, with electronic Shimano GRX, Ingrid crankset (32T) in the front, and DTSwiss GR1600 25 wearing 29×2.25″ Mezcals.
BAGS: Custom 7R Bags (Ukraine) with Midnight Sun gravel logo as side reflector and Ortlieb, Revelate Designs, and Sea to Summit dry bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Machined Ingrid crankset with a bright orange anodization, Fenix battery light systems (no dynamo), Garmin 1030 Navigation with battery extender pack.

Which bikes and stand out for you? Let us know in the conversation below!

Further Reading

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