Rigs of the 2025 Arizona Trail Race

The Arizona Trail Race is an unofficial challenge that takes place every year on the Arizona Trail, which snakes its way across the state. Two distances are available: the Arizona Trail 300 is a 300-mile event that’s been held every April since 2006, and the 800-mile Arizona Trail 800 is the complete traverse from Mexico to Utah, which was offered for the first time in 2010 as the AZTR750. This year, the Arizona Trail 800 is actually closer to 860 miles on account of some re-routes and tweaks.

The end of the 800 route won’t traverse the Grand Canyon due to the indefinite closure of the North Kaibab Trail, which was caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire this summer. Instead, riders will portage down the South Kaibab Trail, then head across on the Tonto Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail. From there, they will take the old legacy AZT route across Babbit Ranch toward Flagstaff. They’ll resume the AZT, and for the first time, have the option to summit Humphreys Peak, Arizona’s highest point at 12,633 feet. The 800 will finish in Flagstaff at Buffalo Park by the sign remembering Dale Shewalter, the father of the AZT. The 300 route once again wraps up at the Picketpost Trailhead, just southeast of Phoenix.

Event organizer John Schilling informed us that the state was recently hit by back-to-back tropical storm remnants, which dropped about half of their yearly rainfall average in just a week. There has been a lot of flooding, so riders should expect ruts, rocks, and loose tread throughout the route. The current weather forecast looks about as perfect as it could get. No heat!

As always, with the help of John and the riders, we gathered a list of over 40 rigs. Each entry includes the name, age, hometown, selected route, a brief kit list, and their navigation device. Check them all out below, then head over to the event tracker to follow along live and find the updates we’ll be posting during the event.

Damion Alexander

Age 53 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Arizona-based Binary Bicycles Kinetik Titanium Expedition with rack, fender, top tube bag mounts, and braze-ons for seven water bottles. Designed in Arizona with everything from the Arizona Trail Race to the Tour Divide in mind. The geometry is tuned to be comfortable for both climbing and descending, with a long wheelbase that makes it stable on rough terrain. Fox 34 step-cast 120mm fork, SRAM Eagle drivetrain, GX carbon crank, Absolute Black oval chainring, Shimano four-piston brakes, Crankbrothers dropper post, WTB Rocket saddle, NOBL carbon wheels, tubeless Vittoria Agarro tires, 2.6″ up front and 2.4″ on the hind end. Binary’s own titanium Falken alt bars with Ergon grips do the steering with a custom front loop bag for keeping things handy.
BAGS: Custom frame bag with desert scenery print and top tube bags by Broadfork Bags. Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag, and Sweetroll. Moloko Handlebar bag. Vacillating on saddlebags between an Krieg saddle bag with unicorns to bring the luck.

Zachary Anderson

Age 28 / Portland, Maine (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Surly Karate Monkey named Diddy Kong in Fool’s Gold (a color I’ve grown to love) with 32T Wolf Tooth oval chaining, 12-speed mechanical XT drivetrain, 4 piston XT brakes, Fox 34 fork, Transfer dropper post, and Bearclaw Bicycles Titanium Riser Bar to help out the hands. Maxxis Rekons 29 x 2.6” EXO+ front and rear tires to try and handle all the chunk and pointy things!
BAGS: Rogue Panda custom full frame bag, Revelate Designs feed bag, mag tag, and nano panniers attached to an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Custom quilt fabricated by my friend Miles Lamberson and a Klymit XL Pillow to keep things comfy! SAMBOB sun hoodie and alpha 90 fleece for the hot days and cool nights of the desert.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 540 with RWGPS on my iPhone for backup.

Matt Annabel

Age 50 / Fruita, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: 1,000-mile ITT
BIKE: I’m intending to ITT a ~1000-mile Southbound route, starting in Flagstaff and finishing in Tuscon, with visits to the Big Ditch and MM103 sandwiched in between. I’ll be riding my bestest bike, ‘Badger’, a singlespeed WhyCycles Slayward outfitted with a 140mm Fox 36 Fork, lightweight I9 wheels, and 2.4″ Maxxis Rekon rubber. Geared 32 x 22T.
BAGS: I forgot my race kit on “picture day” so you’ll have to imagine the saweeet front-roll and seat-bag by Dispersed Bikepacking, and a pair of well-loved feed bags by Revelate Designs. Custom frame bag by Rockgeist. Top tube bag by Dispersed. I’ll be wearing a 20L Ultimate Direction Fastpack the whole way (including for the fire-shortened canyon carry).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a superlight Zpacks tent that I hope not to need and may mail home from Payson if the weather looks dry down South. My sleep kit consists of a Sol Escape bivy, cut-down Z-rest sleeping pad, and a 40-degree Sea to Summit Spark sleeping bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040, and I wear a Garmin Enduro 2 watch that I can use to navigate if the 1040 fails.

Ryan Bartelme

Age 38 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: For the AZTR300, I’ll be riding a single-speed 2023 Niner Air 9 rolling on Stan’s wheels with 2.4″ Maxxis Rekons front and rear. The drivetrain runs a 32:22T gear ratio with a 170mm SRAM GX crankset and Burgtec round chainring. Wolf Tooth Waveform pedals have been a huge upgrade; their concave shape has eliminated much of the foot fidgeting I experienced previously. Up front, I’m running a 120mm travel Manitou R7 fork, titanium handlebars, and a short Deity stem. Hope brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear provide the stopping power.
BAGS: My bag setup is more cohesive than my 2023 attempt, with most pieces vetted through touring this year. The core consists of a Revelate Designs full-frame bag, a Revelate Mag Tank 2000 top tube bag, and a Revelate Joey on the downtube, which holds my bicycle repair kit, pump, rags, and chain lube. For handlebar storage, I’m using Sturdy Bag Designs buckets paired with an Oveja Negra cradle, Rockgeist dry bag, and Oveja Negra handlebar pouch for stabilization and extra capacity. Out back, I borrowed my wife’s hot pink Rogue Panda Ripsey seat bag, complemented by an Oveja Negra seatpost/jerry can bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system keeps things minimal with an Outdoor Research Helium Bivy, 50-degree Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner, and down jacket and pants to augment warmth if temperatures drop or Mt. Lemmon throws a freak snowstorm my way. I’m running Five Ten Trailcross shoes, my go-to for adventure riding in the Sonoran Desert. An Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20 carries rain gear, a 2.5L bladder, two 500mL flasks for liquid calories, food, toiletries, and miscellaneous essentials. Total water capacity sits at 8L spread between the frame bag, backpack, and a Katadyn BeFree filter. After getting sick on gnarly cattle pond water during the 2023 AZTR heat, I’m not taking chances this year, I’m also bringing a SteriPen. Rounding out the kit is my trusty MSR Pocket Rocket stove, fuel, and instant coffee for those early mornings and late evenings.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 840 for navigation, and Garmin inReach for tracking.

Tori Berry

Age 48 / Sun City West, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Pivot Mach 4 SL.
BAGS: Apidura handlebar bag, Rogue Panda and Revelate Designs feed bags, 20L Sea to Summit dry bag, Rogue Panda gas tank, Salsa mini frame bag, and Gregory Jade backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack with Blackburn cages, Vittoria Barzo 2.35″ and Maxxis reckon race 2.4″, flat pedals.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin inReach Mini.

Nick Bierman

Age 28 / American Fork, Utah (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I am riding a Revel El Jefe. Some Fancy carbon (kinda?) Revel wheels that I hope to not ding up thanks to my Tannus front and rear with 2.6″ Rekon tires. SRAM GX carbon cranks with Deity composite flat pedals. Love my leather Brooks seat and Ergonomic grips.
BAGS: Revelate Designs frame bag for all my heavy stuff, Revelate gas tank bag for my snacks and some knock off Amazon bags everywhere else (great quality!). Salomon hydration pack with mostly water. Plus all that junk strapped to my downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I carry a small speaker that protects me from anything spooky at night out on the trail.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

John Breinholt

Age 57 / Los Angeles, California (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: I’m riding a Salsa Spearfish SLX, in more or less the stock setup. I swapped the front wheel for a DT Swiss XM421, which is laced to a SON dynamo hub. I added some Ergon grips and saddle, and I just put on a brand new pair of 2.4″ Maxxis Rekons.
BAGS: I have a pair of top tube bags and a frame bag from Rogue Panda, as well as their Blue Ridge handle bar harness. On the seat I have Wayward Riders’ Louise harness. Both harnesses hold dry bags I bought from an Etsy vendor, Ultralitesacks. There is a pair of Revelate Designs Feedbags on the bars, and a Zpacks Multipack clipped on up front for a bit more storage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have an Old Man Mountain Axle Pack system on the fork which seems pretty slick. It’s holding a pair of King Cage Manything cages, which I’m also impressed with.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040.

Kevin Condron

Age 52 / Bend, Oregon (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I’m riding a custom steel frame that I made myself. The bike has a Berd spoke wheelset (29 x 2.6″ and 27.5 x 2.6″) with Maxxis rekon tires, 32x21T singlespeed gearing with 175mm cranks, and a Fox 120mm SC fork.
BAGS: I specifically made my small/medium frame to fit a large Oveja Negra frame bag. My top tube and cradle bags are Rogue Panda and my seat bag is Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep kit includes OR Helium bivy, Katabatic quilt, and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress all secured by a Mostly Forever titanium harness and riser bar.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Jake Cullen

Age 29 / Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Cannondale Scalpel with Fox Factory 34 SC and Float SL suspension. Wheels are custom built We Are One Convergence rims to an SP dynamo and an I9 rear with Maxxis IKON Tires (I found the dynamo was way more useful during CTR than I anticipated). SRAM XO Transmission for shifting, and Shimano XT for braking. AXS dropper is great for when my hand strength starts to go.
BAGS: Paired back my packing knowing that I’d have to carry everything on my back. I’ve got my warm clothing + sleep kit in a Tailfin Flat-Bar Bar Bag. My electronics and some snacks will be in the Tailfin Long Top Tube Bag, with more food in the Tailfin Rear Top Tube Bag. My spares and tools will live in the Tailfin Down Tube Bag. I’ll be riding from the start with my canyon carry system which is an older Osprey Stratos 24 backpack. This will also carry a few litres of water for me, along with lots of snacks and food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Carrying my NNormal trail shoes from the start will mean I can wear them on the Lemmon Pusch. My Primaloft Body Warmer and Zoa Mountain Jacket, both from Albion, should keep me nice and warm on the sub-zero nights up north. Speaking of cold, I’m bringing the same sleep setup I’ve used at TD and CTR, an OR Helium Bivvy, S2S Spark II Bag, and Rab Ultrasphere 4.5 Mat. I’d rather get good sleeps, than shave a few grams with an e-bivvy.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura. This thing has been a game changer for power management while riding. I basically never have to think about charging my bike computer anymore.

Charlie Farrow

Esko, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Salsa Horsethief serviced by the wonderful folks at The Ski Hut, East Duluth, Minnesota.
BAGS: Cedaero Bags custom crafted in Two Harbors, Minnesota, on the shores of beautiful Lake Superior.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Superior Fleece Hoodie lovingly sewn in picturesque downtown Duluth, Minnesota.
GPS DEVICE: Dura Coros.

Zack Freundlich

Age 38 / McCall, Idaho (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Esker Hayduke Ti, We Are One Faction DT350 wheels, 32x23T singlespeed, Chromag Cutlass bars.
BAGS: Rockgeist Barjam, Rogue Panda framebag, JPaks SnakPak.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SON Dynamo/kLite Ultra, Fenix PD32R, Osprey Syncro backpack.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge Solar.

David Garcia

Age 51 / Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias (Spain)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Jerónimo Ti running Shimano XT. Simple, somewhat heavy, but functional.
BAGS: Ortlieb.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nothing special, but a lot of excitement.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin eTrex 30.

Rocky Gingg

Age 36 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Pivot Mach 4 SL.
BAGS: Dispersed frame bag and top tube bag + Oveja Negra Chuckbuckets.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fresh 2.4″ Maxxis Rekons, Fenix lights, USWE Rush Vest, SOL Bivy.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Miron Golfman

Age 32 / Anchorage, Alaska (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I’ll be riding the AZT300 on a Revel Ranger V2. For suspension I’m running the 120mm DT Swiss F 232 One fork and 115mm MY24 FOX Float shock. Wheels are Hunt Proven Carbon Trails with Schwalbe Wicked Will 2.4″ front and rear. Drivetrain is Eagle 90 with Hope carbon cranks with 32T chainring. Brakes are the new Hope Evo TR4’s. Not seen by the naked eye, I’ve got V2 Rim Saver tire inserts. And for lights I’m running the new Exposure lights Six Pack 15 and HT Raw headtorch.
BAGS: With the intention of staying fast and light on the short course, I’m only running a Tailfin 3L top tube bag and emergency SOL bivy strapped to the saddle on the bike itself. I’ll have three bottles with 1.5L capacity total. I’ll be wearing a Salomon 12L hydration vest with a 3L bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For clothing, I’ll be wearing a full Albion cycling kit. For extra layers I’ll have the Albion ultra-light insulated jacket, body warmer, and burner.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Nate Griffee

Age 50 / Bigfoot County, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: It’s a Chumba Sendero Ti on Nox rims wrapped in Rekons spinning around an Onyx rear/Son dynamo front. Gearing is 30T oval x 21T.
BAGS: By the numbers, there are four Dispersed, one Revelate Designs, and one Salsa.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 24L Osprey pack.
GPS DEVICE: The Garmin Edge 840 Solar will be onboard to demand. U-turns and will be backed up by RWGPS on my iPhone.

Jason Hanson

Age 53 / Florence, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Pivot Mach4SL, it has AXS XX1 Eagle with a 32T front chain ring, Fox 34 front fork, wheels are Reserve with DTSwiss 180 hubs ceramic bearings. Transfer SL Kashima Cort dropper post.
BAGS: Revelate Designs handlebar bag, feed bags, Terrafin 8L seat bag and frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Tailfin top tube bag.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040.

Jennifer Hanson

Age 58 / Florence, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Pivot Mach4SL with an AXS XX1 Eagle drivetrain and 30T front chainring. Fox 34 fork, wheels are Reserve with 180 DT Swiss hubs.
BAGS: Revelate Designs handlebar bag and feed bags, frame bag is the Choss and the Voile seat bag. Restrape top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Some new shoes I am trying.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin eTrex 20.

Aaron Hardin

Age 35 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I will be riding my 2023 Epic with brain and a 120mm fork, 30T with 10-50T SRAM AXS. I’ve opted for tires I trust in Tucson, the new Fast Track Grid Lite.
BAGS: For bike storage I will use the Tailfin Aeropack, the frame bag I made, Cyclite top tube, Ortlieb handlebar bag, and Oveja Negra chuck bucket. After recent rain, I’ll only carry 5.5L with Capacity for 7L. I’ll be wearing the High Above Supernatural pack carrying 3L of water, quick access bits, and food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit will be OR Helium Bivy, Feathered Friends Flicker 30° quilt, Neo Air Uberlite 1/2 mat. Lights will be Exposure Joystick and Petzl on the helmet, Toro MK14 on the Bars.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo Roam for navigation and Garmin inReach Mini 2 for tracking and safety. Will be testing out Tmobile’s Satellite Texting for Pixel 10 as well.

Danny Harper

Age 43 / Phoenix, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: 2023 Specialized Epic Evo Pro. Increased travel to 130mm from 120mm, cause why not. Fox Factory 34/DPS/Transfer. Vittoria Mezcal XC Trail, 2.35″ F/R. Shimano XT/XTR 12-speed drivetrain, 30T Wolf Tooth chainring, and SRAM Level Stealth 4p brakes. Custom Nox Farlow Carbon 29er wheels w/DT350 rear and Son 28 Dyno front. KLite Adventure package (light/charger).
BAGS: Custom Rockgeist Frame Bags, Revelate Salty Roll, assorted Rockgeist cockpit bags and Revelate Designs Mountain Feed Bags. Osprey Stratos 24 and a set of backpacking shoulder straps for the GC portage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Mountain Laurel Designs Bivy, Sea to Summit Spark 40 bag, Sea to Summit pad. Fenix headlamp, an assortment of rechargeable and lithium batteries, hoping to dial in my dynamo charging management. Velocio Cargo bibs, Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit shoes, Velocio Jersey.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar.

Adam Haughey

Age 59 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: I will be riding a 2021 Pivot Mach 4 SL with SRAM XO Eagle with mechanical shifting, front chainring is 28T, older DT Swiss 1200 XMS and Maxxis DHF up front and Maxxis DHR in the back. I will be using a custom Bedrock framebag and no seatpost bag to allow full drop. Fenix BC21R light on helmet and Fenix PD35 on handlebars. I’m using an Ergon Pro saddle, King Cage Universal bolt mounts on fork downtubes with 24oz insulated camelback water bottles. The bottles will ride in the backpack side pockets on the hike a bike sections and in the canyon. I have a carbon handlebar extender for mounting cockpit electronics. I will be using an Osprey Stratos 24L pack along with some borrowed Black Diamond carbon hiking poles to get the bike down the canyon and back up again (hopefully).
BAGS: New Rogue Panda Blue Ridge handlebar harness with Rogue Panda medium custom roll bag. Bedrock custom framepack. Older Revelate designs gas tank and jerry can. Bedrock Wingman handlebar bag for cache battery, cords, charge inverter, plus older Revelate Designs feedbag for lots of snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An actual sleep system including a Klymit Inertia Ozone pad, Western mountaineering 30° sleeping bag, and Montbell ultralight bivvy. What luxury!
GPS DEVICE: Garmin eTrex 30.

Melissa Heggen

Age 48 / Austin, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: 2024 Revel El Jefe with Maxxis Recon 2.6″ tires on Industry Nine Trail S wheels.
BAGS: Mountain Laurel Designs mini panniers, everything else is from Oveja Negra.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Mountain Hardware Nimbus 1P tent because I’m squeamish about the idea of critters joining me in my bag while I’m asleep. Lots of Hammer Sustained Energy and Succeed S-Caps.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin eTrex 22.

Jerry Houser

Age 56 / Palmer, Alaska (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Esker Hayduke GX build mostly left as is. Doom titanium bars on a Paul stem with a little angle for the old guy and sitting on a Brooks Cambium saddle. Ergon grips for the hands. Maxxis Recon 29 x 2.6″ tires.
BAGS: Rouge Panda Blue Ridge Harness for the sleep kit.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Enjoying the new Rogue Panda frame bag.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo and Fenix light for finding my way to Picket Post.

Nicolette Jones

Age 27 / Aspen, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: 300 (with Lemmon pusch)
BIKE: Vassago Optimus Ti, Shimano drivetrain, 28T chainring, Fox 34 Grip SL 120mm, Formula Cura 4 brakes, Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ (exo front, exo+ rear).
BAGS: The tiny bags have been multiplying this summer. Homemade bike bags will be accompanied by a 10L UD backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Strafe Long sleeve sunshirt, Oakley prescription riding glasses.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 540.

Julie Kanagy

Age 52 / Felton, California (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Turner Nitrous with Santa Cruz Reserve wheels, SRAM transmission, XT brakes, Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ up front, Rekon Race 2.4″ rear.
BAGS: Rogue Panda Ripsey dropper bag and new top tube bag, Rockgeist frame bag and feed bags, Oveja Negra rear top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Rogue Panda seatpost bag is awesome – doesn’t hit my rear tire (yay). It ONLY contains food. So does the front top tube and left feed bag and some of the frame bag. I’m cold soaking some dehydrated meals this time. It’s actually not as bad as it sounds! 20° quilt, Borah gear UL bivy and no puffy.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 solar.

Big Karl

Age 38 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Traveling with my loyal steed, Fortune, a Why El Jefe. 130mm Pike, fresh 29 x 2.6″ Vittoria Aggros, and a massive 30x23T! Works Oval + Endless cog.
BAGS: Mix of Dispersed Bikepacking, Tailfin, Bedrock, and Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Stylish white Pearl X-Alps and dirty girls, an iPod full of candy, and a 24L pack with goodies to keep me going. Fenix lights, 30° quilt, sawed-off sleeping pad, and helium bivy.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar.

Chase Kaufman

Age 36 / Fountain Hills, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Riding my trusted 2018 Intense Sniper Trail, this time hauling as much as ever for my biggest ride to date. Bontrager rubber, We Are One rims laced to DT Swiss DT240s, SRAM eagle drivetrain with a 30T oval chainring, Shimano brakes, PNW dropper. Fenix lighting – BC26R on the bar and HM65R on the helmet.
BAGS: Running a full set of Rogue Panda bags with two Happy Jacks on the bars, two on the top tube (Alamo, Rincon), and a Ripsey seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nothing too outside the norm; the most unique bits are Berd spokes and a well-worn Avalanche Suspension cartridge-equipped RockShox Pike set at 120mm.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura and a Garmin inReach Mini 2.

Rich Langford

Age 54 / Simi Valley, California (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I’ll be riding the AZT 300R on a 2023 Ibis DV9. The bike features a new pair of Vittoria Barzo 2.35” tires, a Shimano XT 1×12 drivetrain with a 28T chainring, and Specialized Roval Carbon wheels.
BAGS: The centerpiece of my bag setup is a custom frame bag and top tube bag by Dispersed (super awesome). I have a Revelate Designs handlebar harness and Saltyroll to hold my sleep system and an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rear rack with a big river dry bag from Sea to Summit. I have capacity for just over 8L of water between a 3L Apidura and a variety of water bottles strapped to the bike.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I think the gear that stands out our my custom bags by Dispersed, although I should know better after the event (this will be my first attempt at something other than a leisurely trip).
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 530.

James MacPherson

Age 58 / London, England (UK)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Gloria All Terrain Ti. Fox 34 SC 120mm, XTR mechanical shifters/mech, Garbaruk cassette, Race Face Cinch chainset, cheap,and turns out good, Chinese 4 pot brakes, Maxxis Reckon 2.4″ tires. Brooks saddle.
BAGS: Super old Relevate Designs front bags, Ojeva Negra framebag, Osprey Sirrus 24ltr rucksack. Tailfin with Relevate Designs Satlyroll.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure Six Pack light, Tarptent Protrail Li tent, Cumulus sleeping bag, Rab Zero G down jacket, Rab Downpour Light jacket. In line filter to 3L bladder in rucksack and 3L in the framebag plus 1L Befree filter. Decathlon gorse gaiters. Gossamer Gear trekking poles. Garmin 1040, plus Gaia maps.
GPS DEVICE: Spot Gen 3.

Justin Manring

Age 42 / Carbondale, Illinois (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Salsa Timberjack aluminum, 27.5+ with 2.8″ Rekons, Shimano 12-speed with a 28T oval chainring. Ergon grips and saddle. SON 28 dynamo with kLite. Outbound portal headlamp and tiny light for camp.
BAGS: Dispersed frame bag and gas tank. Rogue Panda Ripsey seat bag with an old school Rogue Panda handlebar bag. Rogue Panda tool kit on downtube. Durango Stich Works feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: One person tent with fly, portal headlamp and the tent are my two luxury items. Sleeping bag and puffy with a wool layer and rain gear. No stove, two pairs of socks and two bibs.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 530, but wish it were a Coros Dura!

Kristen McCune

Age 35 / North Bend, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: The Easter Egg! A Santa Cruz Highball 29er with Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ tires for the sharp Arizona rocks and flat pedals for easier hike-a-bike transitions.
BAGS: I’ve got a small top tube bag a friend made for me many years ago, it’ll hold some of my tools that is a throwback to my first bikepacking setup. My frame bag will be 90% water, with Nalgenes mounted to the fork to minimize water on my back and still have a large carrying capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be wearing my Grand Canyon portage backpack from the start, a 28L Osprey that still feels a little more awkward than I’d like. Inside the pack I’m also bringing some trail runners to help my feet during the GC and Humphrey’s hike. I’m wearing long sleeves and tall socks to protect most of my skin from the sun and cat claw. I’ve got a bivvy and 20° sleeping bag for cold nights. This will be my first time ever riding in Arizona so we’ll see how this setup all works out!
GPS DEVICE: RWGPS on my phone.

Mirko Montanari

Age 45 / San Francisco, California (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I’ll be on a Yeti ASR full-suspension (120mm front / 115mm rear). Stock build, except for tires where I am running Maxxis Rekon dual compound. Coming from a hardtail, the extra squish should make things a bit more comfortable.
BAGS: Rogue Panda custom frame bag (so pretty!), Tailfin AeroPack, top tube bags, feed bags, and an Osprey 22L pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I like the stability of the AeroPack, I am keeping it light with just my bivy and sleeping bag. Also, way too many cables up front for a front bag. Water-wise, I will have 1.5L in the frame, 3L in the pack, and two bottles on the fork.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 840.

Max Morris

Age 55 / Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800 (with Humphreys)
BIKE: Specialized Epic Evo (little piglet), 30/52T drivetrain, 2.35″ Ground controls to eat up all the chunky goodness. Not the fastest tire but bombproof reliability. Fenix BC26R on the bar and helmet to light the way.
BAGS: Mix of Restrap, Revalate, and Nuclear Sunrise.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 30 degree bag, Sol Bivy, Neo Xlite pad, Osprey Stratos 32 backpack with treking poles for the torture box carry, Hoka Anacapa to keep the feet happy, rain jacket/pants, base layer, winter gloves, beanie, down jacket.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Etrex 20.

Miles Morris

Age 37 / Crested Butte, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Specialized Stumpjumper S4 removed parts from old bike to build this one up and just removed the cassette and shifter and replaced it with a 21T cog. Put a few bags on the bike. Planning on 7.5L water capacity.
BAGS: Front bag will have my sleep kit in it, frame bag will have 2L water and some food, and top tube bags will have food in them. Starting the trip with the Osprey Syncros 20L and planning to carry my bike through the Grand Canyon with it.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 30/21T will be the perfect gear.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Daniel Perry

Age 41 / Redmond, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: One of my best friends built this bike and named it Crystal Meth, which seems wildly appropriate. It’s a ti hardtail with some new toys to hopefully finish its triple crown aspirations, 120mm travel and 29 x 2.6” tires. Rev Grips, Trek bar ends, and Fasst Bars to give my hands a fighting chance. A Brooks saddle which is the best I’ve had and still hurts.
BAGS: Revelate bags have stood the test of time (don’t mind the duct tape, it survived CTR!) An Osprey backpack to knock me in the back of the head for 835 miles so I can carry my bike for 13.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My fav bits are packed for extremes. An enormous Rab hooded puffy jacket as an emergency or cold camp layer and an OR sun hoody for when the UV index skyrockets. The Adventure Hydration Cranktank makes water carry easy, I like being able to glance down anytime and know what I have. Trekking poles, bear spray, and a knife, the usual suspects right?
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1030 Plus because the 1040 hasn’t had a big enough sale yet. Garmin inReach Messenger DID go on sale though, one fewer device to charge!

Kyle Peterson

Age 35 / Sun Valley, Idaho (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Salsa Ti Timberjack. Gearing: 32x22T.
BAGS: Frame bag, top tube bag, saddle bag, stem bags by Dispersed. Front roll by Farewell. Osprey backpack (no photo).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Luxury item: Zen Bivy pillow. Sambob Alpha Direct for the cold nights up north.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar. Phone for backup.

Scott Petrie

Age 39 / Van Life (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Same rig as the Colorado Trail Race. A Cervélo ZFS-5. 115mm rear/130mm fork, Fox suspension with remote lockouts. SRAM GX mechanical group with 28T chainring (previous GX Transmission derailleur is out for warranty), Crank Brothers Mallet-e pedals, Hunt Proven XC Race carbon hoops with a Son 28 dynamo hub. OneUp Components dropper post with a DIY PVC drop limiter thingie, WTB Silverado Ti saddle from a Yeti. Spank Spoon riser bars with ODI Rogue grips and some old secondhand Scott bar ends, SRAM Level 4 piston clampers. Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ front/Aggressor 2.5″ rear with a rear Vittoria Airliner insert
BAGS: Mashup. Top tube bag by Restrap, DIY frame bag (don’t look too close at the stitching), secondhand Two Wheel Gear saddle pack (my Tailfin aero pack rack broke in half on day one of CTR), Sea to Summit Big River dry bag out front, a couple random stem packs, and a DaKine tool pouch on the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Gold chain bling, Osprey Stratos 36 (will be wearing this the entire race), Sol bivy, Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree quilt, Nemo 4 season UL pad, kLite lighting and charging system, Voltaic 13,400mAh battery pack, and one of my stem bags is kinda insulated and can keep a Talenti cold for five hours!
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura, phone for backup.

Karin Pocock

Age 45 / Moab, Utah (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: I’ll be riding my Santa Cruz Highball, “Eddy,” who’s been my ride for all 2025 races. I’m really hoping I’m not “under biking” the AZTR but I’m going to appreciate that this is the lightest bike I’ve ever carried on my back. The Highball is built with a Fox 32 step cast 100mm travel fork, NOBL TR 32 Wheelset with I9 Solix hubs and rolling Maxxis Rekons 2.4″ with the EXO+ casing. Drivetrain is an XX1 and X01 blend, SRAM brakes, and a One Up V3 dropper.
BAGS: Mostly running Dispersed custom bags, other than feedbags and a recent addition downtube bag that I’m hopeful to get a custom version of from Dispersed. Carrying a Blue Ice pack to keep the bike a touch lighter.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve been riding with a RAB Mythic G down jacket all season that has been blowing my mind for its weigh to warmth ratio. SQ labs inner bar ends have also been a real highlight this season.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Arjuna Rogers

Age 26 / Oakland, California (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Transition Spur.
BAGS: I’m using a mix of Revelate bags and a Tailfin top tube bag. The best bag though is Dispersed Bikepacking’s front roll. It is seriously the best front roll system I’ve ever used!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Cane Creek eeWings, cause they make me feel like I’m riding my BMX bike.
GPS DEVICE: Wahoo ELEMNT Roam.

Alex Schultz

Age 32 / Marquette, Michigan (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Specialized Epic 8 Evo outfitted with Morrow Packs. Fox 34SL 130mm Grip X fork. 1×12 Eagle 90 drivetrain. 30T Raceface Era chainring.
BAGS: Morrow Packs frame and top tube, Bedrock Moab Handlebar.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The SOL escape bivy is a bit warmer than my others and works for the AZTR usually since there is usually a lack of rain.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar.

Steven Spicka

Age 51 / Phoenix, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: Ibis Ripley, Shimano XT build with 1×12 drivetrain and 28T Oval chainring, on Teravail Honcho tires (2.6 front, 2.4 rear).
BAGS: Rogue Panda bags: frame, seat, and downtube. Rockgeist gas tank. Sea to Summit dry bag mounted on an Aeroe Spider Handlebar Cradle. Two Moosetreks Feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I do like my ridiculously overpriced Outlier Pendulum pedals. Sleep system includes an Outdoor Research Helium bivy, REI sleeping bag, foam pad and inflatable pillow.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 540 Solar.

Mike Symons

Age 48 / Phoenix, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: Ari Signal Peak 3.0 with Maxxis Rekon in the back and Forecaster up front. Both 2.4″. Shimano XT drivetrain with a 28T chainring.
BAGS: Mix of items from all kinds of folks: Dispersed, Rogue Panda, Broadfork, and Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lighting by Fenix. Big Agnes 20° sleeping bag and still not sure on a bivy or tent. Depends on forecast.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 530.

Brian Tongret

Age 36 / Spokane, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: 300
BIKE: I’ll be riding my 2019 Surly Karate Monkey. Singlespeed gearing 32/22T (Wolf Tooth, Wheels MFG). A Marzocchi Z1 150mm fork. Brooks saddle, Hunt Wheels, Ergon grips, Maxxis Ikon 2.2″
tires.
BAGS: Revelate Designs full frame, feed bags and Sweet Roll (handlebar), an Apidura long top tube, and 4L Ortlieb saddle. I will also have a 25L USWE backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix headlamp/handlebar light, 40° bag, helium bivy and Hydrapak seeker packs (8L) and filter.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Conner Truskowski

Age 28 / Fairbanks, Alaska (USA)

ROUTE: 800
BIKE: This muddy machine is my 2024 Kona Hei Hei CR/DL. It’s rolling on a Maxxis Rekon 2.6″ (actually 2.4″) up front and a Pirelli Scorpion XCM 2.4 “(actually 2.2”) in the rear. The bike is driven with a Garbaruk cassette, SRAM XX1 AXS derailleur, and TRP Evo cranks with an Absolute Black 28T chainring. I’ve also got a Wren bar and stem combo, Farr “aero bars” for more hand positions and light/computer mounting, Magura brakes, and the silver PNW Loam dropper post.
BAGS: The frame and handlebar bags are made by me! I’ve got just the right amount of space up front for my sleep system and a decent amount for food in the frame bag, along with a small tool pocket. For the rest of the bags I have a Revelate Designs Shrew for some clothes, a pair of Revelate feed bags for my filter bottles and some bits I’ll access while riding, a Revelate Designs Jerry Can for repair stuff, and a longish Tailfin top tube bag for batteries and whatever else I need.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Enlightened Equipment quilt with a lightweight sleeping pad, down jacket, down pants, liner, and emergency bivy should let me sleep quite nicely. My Evoc backpack will carry my bike in the canyon and most of my water along with some hiking poles. For lights, I have an Outbound Detour out front and Night Rider on my helmet. I’ll also have some bottles with filter caps to get some water out of the tanks and wherever else I need it.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Kara Woolgar

Age 42 / Mesa, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: 800 (with Humphreys).
BIKE: XS Pivot Les hardtail with Maxis Rekon 2.4″ tires and 28T oval chainring. Terry Topo saddle. 120mm RockShox Sid Ultimate fork. 155mm 5dev cranks. Crank Brothers Stamp small pedals.
BAGS: Rogue Panda Ripsey seat bag. This bag is amazing on XS bikes. I still can use my dropper post and get about 75mm drop which is amazing. Rogue Panda frame bag and full length top tube bag. Revelate Designs feed bags and Pronghorn handlebar harness.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix BC26R lights. Loving my Shokz headphones to keep me entertained! My luxury item is my Zpacks Plex Solo Lite tent. Super light and pretty fast to set up. UGQ 950 Down 30F quilt and Nemo Tensor UL pad. Original Free Range Bikepackers Portage strap will help me lift my bike up and over everything on the many hike-a-bike sections. I love my Nemo Persist 30L framed backpack. I am carrying everything from the start for the canyon portage including my Black Diamond Carbon Z hiking poles. My favorite find was Danner hiking shoes. Very comfortable, light and so much grip! Total water capacity is 7L.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040.

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