Rigs of the 2025 Colorado Trail Race

The Colorado Trail features 500 miles and 70,000 feet of elevation gain, winding through the Rockies between Durango and Denver. It’s no walk in the park, with over 300 miles of technical, tire-eating singletrack, elevations ranging from 5,500 up to 13,200 feet. Riders will face a high probability of thunderstorms, hail, and even snow. The event marks the midway point for the iconic Triple Crown Challenge, in which riders attempt to complete the Tour Divide, Colorado Trail Race, and Arizona Trail Race in a single season. The current Colorado Trail Race record is held by Timon Fish, who completed the route in 2023 with an impossibly fast time of just 3 days, 16 hours, and 13 minutes.

The 2025 Colorado Trail Race starts from the College Cafe in Durango this Sunday, August 10th, at 4 a.m. There are 74 spots available, and although there’s no official registration, a mandatory $50 donation to the Colorado Trail Foundation’s trail crew program is required to get on the list. According to event organizer Jefe Branham, the trail is looking better than ever, and this year, riders raised $4,300 for the foundation. The trail conditions are fast and dry, with little to no rain in the forecast, but conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Many familiar names are lining up, including Nicolette Jones (2024 CTR women’s winner), Alexandera Houchin (2022 CTR women’s winner), Alex Kowalski (2024 Tour Divide singlespeed winner), Alex Schultz (2023 AZTR winner), and Karin Pocock (2025 Pinyons and Pines women’s winner).

You can follow the riders’ progress live here on Sunday. But first, enjoy bike and gear details for over 40 folks who’ll be out tackling the route. As always, we’ve included bike, bag, and gear highlights for each of them. Good luck to all the riders!

Kurt Achtenhagen

Age 54 / Golden, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2022 Specialized Epic Evo, SRAM Drivetrain 32T x 10-52T, Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.35″ tires front and rear.
BAGS: Tailfin Long Top Tube Bag, Freewheel Mission Gear (previously Bedrock) custom frame bag, homemade Handlebar Drysack, Camelbak M.U.L.E. Stem Bag for bottle, Salomon 6L race vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: iPhone for navigation, Fenix Headlamp HM65R, BeFree water filter, 2L water capacity, 20,000 mAh backup battery, MSR Pro Bivy, Sea To Summit Spark 1, Klymit Inertia X Light, Luxury item: BigAgnes AXL pillow.

Matt Annabel

Age 50 / Fruita, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be rolling out from Durango with the grand depart, hoping to return there 12-days later (yo-yo attempt). I’ll be riding either ‘Badger’ or ‘Blue’. Badger is my singlespeed Why Cycles Wayward with a 120mm stepcast fork, superlight I9 wheels, and 29 x 2.35″ Mezcals. Blue is my singlespeed Revel Wayward with a big ol’ 140mm fork, beefy I9 wheels, and 2.6″ Rekons. “Same” frame. Same singlespeed gearing (32 x 22T). VERY different spirits. The Gods will decide…
BAGS: Front-roll, top-tube bag, and seat bag by Dispersed Bikepacking. Custom frame bag by Rockgeist. Feed bags by Revelate Designs. I’ll be wearing a lightly loaded 20L Ultimate Direction Fastpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a more robust sleep kit than I would on a one-way CT trip. That includes a superlight Zpacks tent, Sol Escape bivy, Z-rest (cut down to 2/3 width and length), and a 40-degree Sea to Summit Spark sleeping bag. Two Fenix pencils and a big ole pile of batteries will light my way. Otherwise, lots of Light and Love.

Jacob Ashton

Age 33 / Bike Life (USA)

BIKE: Frankenstein’s Murmur by Starling Cycles returns for the Colorado Trail. I’ll be racing for the yoyo FKT starting individually from Denver on the morning of August 2nd, all going well, and hopefully get to Durango on the 8th in time for a rest day before heading back the other way with the grand depart. A grand depart time of less than 4.5 days should break the current yoyo FKT that currently stands at 13 days, 11 hours, as far as I know. Updates from Doom include more suspension at about 150/140mm and 29 x 2.6″ Rekons in an attempt to counterbalance my not-so-great mountain bike skills.
BAGS: Still rocking the custom frame bag by Merz Bags and the Tribulus Endover handlebar bag, along with a Revelate Mag Tank and 14L Terrapin, all of which have survived more than 4,000 miles of bikepacking, including a tour of the Arizona Trail earlier this year.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll carry a tent and full sleep kit for the first half before sending stuff ahead and going down to an air mat and emergency bivy for the grand depart. As shown it comes in at a little more than 1/4 of my body weight which isn’t horrendous, but I’m a big guy for a bike racer (6’6″).

Brad Baker

Age 55 / Monument, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2023 Norco Optic C, 125mm rear travel, 140mm Rockshox Pike, SRAM GX drivetrain (30/52T), Whisky Milhouse bars, Rogue Panda Bamboo Shoots inner bar ends, Maxxis Rekon tires (2.6″/2.4″).
BAGS: JPaks frame bag and SnakPak, Rogue Panda Blue Ridge handlebar harness and Gila dry bag, Rogue Panda Ripsey seatbag, Oveja Negra Lunchbox handlebar bag, Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbags
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 tent, Sea to Summit Etherlight XT sleeping pad and Aeros pillow, Grayl UltraPress Ti purifier, Garmin 1050 and inReach Mini 2.

Justin Bell

Age 38 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Chumba Sendero, I9, Cane creek, Boone, Btchn.
BAGS: Dispersed Bikepacking.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 32x22T

Dr. Tracy Berman

Age 42 / Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Niner SIR 9 (32:22T gearing) with a RockShox Reba RL fork, Niner RDO carbon bars, and Shimano XT levers and brakes. The wheels are Stans Arch EX. I bought the bike pre-loved in 2022 and haven’t changed many of the components. 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis Rekons to conform to the crowd and the trail.
BAGS: Most bags are by Rockgeist. There is also a Revelate Designs Pronghorn on the front and a large Bedrock Bags stash pack under the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be wearing an Osprey Raven 14 pack for extra capacity. My shelter is a Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack tent and a Marmot Hydrogen 30-degree sleeping bag. As always, my Kindle will be in my map pocket for pre-sleep reading. The #KeepItGoing sticker on my handlebars will remind me to be thankful for the challenge.

Kait Boyle

Age 38 / Victor, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: Pivot Mach 4SL with Industry Nine SOLiX M UL300c wheels wearing Maxxis 29 x 2.4″ Rekon Race tires with inserts. The flip chip is set to + for 115mm rear travel and the Fox Factory 34 SL is at 130mm travel. Drivetrain and brakes are Shimano XTR 1×12 with 28T chainring, XT Di2 derailleur and 165mm cranks with a 4iiii power meter. Ergon SR Women’s saddle, Ergon GA3 grips, and Shimano XTR Trail pedals for contact points. A Wolf Tooth stem cap has Hank’s face laser etched onto it so my dog is with me out there.
BAGS: Revelate Designs bags are taking care of all my storage solutions on an XS full-sus frame: Pronghorn harness and handlebar roll, a couple prototype cockpit bags for field testing, a custom tiny frame bag, and a Stoat on the downtube. I’ll also be wearing a Patagonia Sloperunner 18L pack with a 2L hydrapak bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nights will be lit up by a Fenix HM65R on my head and a BC26R on my bars. I’m looking forward to confirming that my COROS Dura will last the whole race without a charge in navigation mode! When sleeping I’ll be cozy in a Western Mountaineering Highlite 35° bag, a SOL bivy, on a thin foam pad.

Richard Brown

Age 40 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the 2025 CTR on a 2023 Stumpjumper Comp with a full SRAM GX grouping. Rolling on the Maxxis Recon on the rear and Dissector up front with four piston Guide 2 brakes to bring them to a stop in Denver. This dream machine is riding smooth on a 140/130mm stock Fox Float on the rear and Rhythm 34 up front.
BAGS: My hodgepodge of mostly custom bags are centered around a Cordura frame bag made of recycled chainsaw chaps from Southwest Conservation Corps right here in Durango, Colorado. The front roll and front tank are custom X-Pax bags from Jordan’s Shit Bags, “They only do seconds”. The front roll is held high and proud with the Rogue Panda Blue Ridge handlebar harness. Both chums are side pockets off retired 1990’s FSA issue fire packs skillfully repurposed by my wife.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Trail naps will be taken in a well-used REI Mohave 10 degree down bag scored from the free box at Durango Outdoor Exchange, Durango’s premier new and used gear shop. I’ll have a Six Moon Designs, Deschutes+ single pole tent and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir to round out the nap system.

Wendall Brown

Age 30 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2020 Pivot Mach 4 SL geared with SRAM 1×12 mechanical and a 30T chainring. I’m rolling on Nextie carbon wheels paired with DT Swiss 350s. My tires are 29 x 2.4″ Continental Dubnitals.
BAGS: The bike is equipped with a Rogue Panda Custom Frame Bag and a spread of Revelate Bags: Pronghorn Small, Gas Tank, Jerry Can, and Shrew. I’ll be wearing a Solomon Active Skin 8L for hydration.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My shelter will be a Gossamer Gear Solo Tarp paired with a DCF ground tarp by Mountain Laurel Designs. Most times I’ll use the tarp as a blanket. If the weather gets wild I’ll pitch it off the bike with 1 stake and a few lucky rocks. I’m sleeping on a comfy Klymit Inertia X-lite pad in a Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 sleeping bag.

Brad Burgtorf

Age 44 / Livingston, Montana (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Colorado Trail Race on a 509 Cycles Up N’Atom titanium hardtail, featuring custom art from my kids to keep me inspired. It’s equipped with Maxxis Rekon tires, a 130mm Fox fork, and Industry Nine aluminum wheels, with a SON Dynamo hub up front for power.
BAGS: My setup includes an Oveja Negra frame bag, with the rest of the bags from Revelate Designs. I’m also carrying an Ultimate Direction backpack to handle water, food, and overflow gear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system includes a SOL bivy, Sea To Summit poncho/tarp, a Therm-a-Rest air mattress, and a 30-degree REI sleeping bag. For navigation and lighting, I’ll be using a Garmin eTrex 32 GPS along with KLite and Feenix BC26 lighting systems.

Sean Cowie

Age 31 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Spearfish 2023 frame, Shimano XT drivetrain with 28T oval AB chainring, Hayes brakes, RockShox 120mm full suspension, Maxxis Forekaster/Rekon tires.
BAGS: Dispersed handlebar roll and dropper seat bag, Salsa frame bag, Apidura top tube bag, Revelate stem bags, and an Apidura backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Loving my new-to-me Whisky Milhouse moto bar. Sleep system is a Katabatic bivy, Therm-a-Rest pad, Enlightened Equipment bag, and potentially a tarp depending on the forecast.

Sam Cramer

Age 30 / Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’m excited to race the CTR on my Surly Karate Monkey set up single-speed with 32x23T gearing, aluminum I9 1/1 wheels, 120mm Rockshox Pike, and 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis Rekons. Ti Doom bars with inner (SQLabs) and outer (Cane Creek) bar ends. I’ve been riding this bike for almost 7 years and toured the route on it last year. It still rips!
BAGS: MYOG frame bag and top tube bag made by me containing my repair kit, electronics, and food. Oveja Negra seat bag with my clothes and med kit. Revelate Designs handlebar harness holds a dry bag with a 30 degree EE quilt, OR bivy, pillow, and my puffy. Black Diamond Distance 8 hydration vest for water, rain layers, filter, and snacks. Half of a Therm-a-Rest to take the edge off the rocks on Sargents Mesa.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Ti DOOM bars are keeping my hands nice and comfy. I’m using a GPS to navigate for the first time, (Coros Dura) so hopefully I won’t have to check my phone as much. A 20k cache battery will power my electronics. Fenix lights with spare batteries will help me find prime bivy spots. NoDoz, Jeff Rosenstock, and audiobooks should hopefully see me to the finish.

Jake Cullen

Age 29 / Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2024 Cannondale Scalpel with a 120mm Fox 34 StepCast Fork, and a Fox Float SL Shock. XO Transmission for shifting and XT 4 pistons for braking. I’ll be rolling on some WeAreOne Convergence rims laced to an SP dynamo up front and an I9 hub in the rear wrapped in 2.4″ Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Tires with Tannus inserts. I’m using this wheelset not because I anticipate the Dynamo hub being much use, but because the wheels were built bombproof and I trust them more than my other wheels.
BAGS: Pretty much all Tailfin generously loaned to me by my wife, Mel. Aeropack in the rear with my sleep kit, Drop Bar Bar Bag up front (it’s a bit more compact) for clothes, 1.6L Long Top Tube Bag in the middle for electronics and food, a Rear Top Tube bag (the 0.9L road one fits perfectly) for more food, and a Downtube Pack for spares and tools.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Full Zoa rain kit from Albion will keep me dry when it gets wet, plus the Zoa Mountain Jacket for warmth on cold mornings. My Coros Dura is unlikely to need to be plugged in once during the whole race. I’ll be sleeping in an OR Helium Bivvy with a Sea To Summit Spark II sleeping bag, and a Rab Ultrasphere 4.5 mat. Unfortunately I broke the zipper on my sleeping bag during this years TD and I have procrastinated getting it fixed, so I’ll be treating it like a quilt. My two little luxury items are my small inflatable Marmot pillow, and my Flextail Zero pump for inflating my sleeping pad.

Austin Denton

Age 34 / Longmont, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2023 Specialized Chisel, RockShox SID Ultimate 100mm fork, and SRAM XX1 wireless groupset with a 30T chainring. Tires are 29 x 2.2″ Continental Racekings. Fox Transfer dropper.
BAGS: The frame bag is by Rogue Panda, Restrap saddle bag, Tailfin downtube bag, Jpaks footlong for easy access, 2x Oveja negra chuck buckets and lunchbox up front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Hammock Gear 30° quilt, OR Bivvy with Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad, and a Sea to Summit inflatable pillow. GPS device is a Garmin 1040 with my cell phone as backup.

Sydney Dickinson

Age 43 / Crested Butte, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I will be epicing on my Specialized Epic EVO Expert. GX, 30T Chainring. Fox 130/120. Her name is Purps.
BAGS: I am using a variety of bags locally made in CO. Seat and handlebar bags from Goodday+Curiosity Bags as well as a custom frame bag from San Until.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be carrying a super cozy sleep system that includes an ultralight Exped air-pad, a Big Agnes hooped bivy, and my all-time favorite sleeping bag, the Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy 15 degree bag—I hate being cold. Navigating with my Garmin Fenix Sapphire Solar watch and the Fenix 1600Lumen bike light. I will make room for my favorite recovery tool, The Wave muscle scraper.

Dylan DiSarro

Age 26 / Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)

BIKE: Trek Top Fuel Gen 5, Shimano XTR.
BAGS: Aeroe rear rack turned into front cradle with front roll. Restrap top tube bag, and two Topeak feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Using a Salomon 15L running vest with 3L bladder.

James Flanagan

Age 46 / Superior, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be tackling the 2025 CTR ITT aboard a 2014 Specialized Epic, size large, with a carbon frame and Roval SL 29” carbon wheels. It’s running a SRAM AXS 12-speed drivetrain and Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires 2.35” out back and 2.4” up front to handle the chunk. I’m testing a prototype 32T chainring from Wheels Manufacturing (not pictured), paired with their PF30 thread-together bottom bracket and rear derailleur hanger. I trust this setup because it’s solid, simple, and built to keep rolling no matter what the trail throws at it. I added a KS Lev dropper post, Ergon GXR grips, Ergon SM Enduro saddle, and Cane Creek bar ends to stay comfortable and efficient through long climbs and big days on the trail.
BAGS: Custom Rockgeist full-suspension frame bag in LiteSkin-42 charcoal black, a Rockgeist Gondola Dropper saddlebag, and a JPAKS LargeFarva SnakPak top tube bag. Up front, I’m running a Salsa EXP Series Anything Cradle with a Topeak FrontLoader roll bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Shelter is a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 with a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT pad. I’ll be navigating with a Coros Dura. Lights are dual (1 helmet mount, 1 bar mount) Fenix BC21R V3.0s, juiced by 4 rechargeable batteries and an Anker 20,000mAh power bank that hopefully makes it to Durango before giving up. Hydration comes via 2 Katadyn BeFree 1L filter bottles and an Airborne 3L Race Hydration Pack with an inline Sawyer Mini filter because I’d rather filter water on the move than dip-and-pray.

George Foster

Age 37 / Mancos, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a new to me Esker Japhy J2. It’s mostly stock with Eagle GX 32T chainring and 10-52T in the back. I9 Enduro S wheels with some fresh 2.6 Rekons. MRP Raven 120mm fork.
BAGS: Mostly Revelate Designs (frame bag from previous owner was a pulloff Surly branded collab) and Oveja Negra front end loader and accessory bag for handlebar roll. New Shrew seatbag is nice for full seatpost travel, but a little room for rain gear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Exped inflatable pillow. Not sleeping much, better sleep hard. Fenix light, Ergon grips with the bar ends, Coros Dura for navigation.

Rocky Gingg

Age 36 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Sanitas Root designed and built here in Durango. 120mm up front with Shimano drivetrain and a Wolf Tooth 30T oval chainring. Monē Light bars for that nice sweep and rise. BERD Hawk wheel up front and a beefy Race Face Era in the back. Rolling on Rekons with 29 x 2.6” in the front and 2.4” in the rear.
BAGS: Dispersed frame bag and top tube bag full of snacks. Bedrock seat bag and a pair of Oveja Negra Chuckbuckets.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix BC26R on the bars and a Fenix HM65R on the helmet for lights. Coros Dura for navigation. Katabatic sleeping quilt and OR Helium Bivy for those precious Zzzs. I have a fat brick of Tailwind and plenty of peanut butter for extra cals.

Nate Griffee

Age 50 / Bigfoot County, Arkansas (USA)

BIKE: Chumba Sendero SS, 30x22T, big knobby tires, quiet hubs, and short bar ends.
BAGS: By the numbers there are four Dispersed and one Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No. No. I’m full natty and my hair is its natural color.

Nolan Van Harte

Age 29 / Salida, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2025 Yeti ASR 115mm and a Fox 34 SL 130mm fork. SRAM Eagle 90 Drivetrain. ENVE M630 rims laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs. 2.4″ Rekon front and 2.4″ Rekon Race rear tires. Ergon SM Pro Saddle and GXR grips.
BAGS: Bodega frame bag, Front End Loader (carrying a dry bag with my sleep kit), Chuckbucket and Lunchbox handlebar bags, all made by Oveja Negra. Restrap top tube bag. Bedrock Bags Black Dragon saddle bag. Rab Veil 12 hydration vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Really excited to be using the new SRAM 90 mechanical drivetrain, meaning less batteries and more reliability. 28T chainring. COROS Dura GPS. Two chamois and three pairs of wool socks.

Caleb Helkenn

Age 32 / Anchorage, Alaska (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the CTR this year with a pretty standard Santa Cruz Blur TR. The major bits are: Rockshox Sid Ult suspension, XX Transmission drivetrain with a 30T chainring, SQ Labs 16x handlebars w/inner and outer bar ends, and Race Face Vault AR27 rims with Vault Hubs and 29 x 2.4″ Ikons.
BAGS: Jerry Can, Mountain Feedbag, Pronghorn, and top tube bag all by Revelate Designs. The frame bag was created on my dining table and may or may not last the race.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Excited to sleep cozy in a Zpacks Solo 30 quilt on a Nemo insulated pad with a sol bivvy for emergencies. Coros Dura for nav, Fenix BC21R x2 for light, and I’ll wear a Salomon running vest for water storage and for extra space.

Josh Hicks

Age 32 / Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be pedaling and pushing my titanium 2025 Black Sheep Speedster setup singlespeed 32x22T with a steel Surly cog, matched with a Fox 140mm fork and Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.6” EXO tires. Black Sheep mid-riser titanium bars and Cane Creek eeWing titanium cranks, Industry Nine hydra hubs, AXS dropper, Cane Creek bar ends, Ergon grips and saddle.
BAGS: Frame bag by Dispersed Bikepacking, Revelate Designs front roll and one feedbag, and the long distance Cedaero top tube bag with a San Util Design Whirlpool hip pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Ultralight bivy and tarp, half z pad, UL Big Agnes down jacket and down pants for sleeping. Rain gear and Ripton jorts. No chamois here. Garmin 840 Solar for nav and Fenix lights on helmet and bars.

Alexandera Houchin

Age 35 / Duluth, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: I’m on a steel Esker Hayduke. Oval 32x22T gearing. Built out with loads of bits from Wolf Tooth, Industry Nine, and Cane Creek (they’re all sponsors). I’m gratefully running my Work Series Helm thanks to Nate at Cane Creek! Rounded out my build with Code brakes, 2.4″ Forekaster Front/2.4″ Rekon Rear (copying big brother Juicy D.) All the other last minute stuff provided by Broken Spoke Bike Studio in Green Bay Wisconsin.
BAGS: All Dispersed, all day.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Dynamo/kLite, Fenix BC26R, Fenix helmet light. New Wolf Tooth Ripsaw pedals.

Mark Johnson

Age 31 / Aspen, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Transition Spur Large.
BAGS: N/A
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This year I am planning to race the CTR on my Transition Spur. I have two 24oz bottles for hydration needs. On the bars I have my race pillow attached with voile straps for quick access (should I need to take a breif and restorative nap on my ride).

Nicolette Jones

Age 26 / Aspen, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Vassago Optimus Ti, 30T chainring with 1×12 Shimano XT, Fox 34 Grip SL 120mm, Garmin Edge 540, Maxxis Forekaster exo 29 x 2.4″, Formula Cura 4 brakes.
BAGS: New frame bag fresh off the 1950’s Singer Slanto’matic along with a homemade feedbag and handlebar mount and roll; a 10L UD pack will round out the kit.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Strafe long sleeve shirt, baggies, and synthetic puffy (not seen here, but worn everyday on trail).

Maxwell Keegan

Age 41 / Bend, Oregon (USA)

BIKE: Mostly Forever frame, handlebars, front rack, and accessory mounts. 130mm fork, 29 x 2.5″ tires, 190mm dropper post, flat pedals, oval 30x21T, extra chunky grips.
BAGS: Dry bag on the rack, Jpaks footlong for the top tube, Dispersed frame bag, Ultimate Direction hydration vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No dynamo, fresh brake pads and rotors.

Alex Kowalski

Age 31 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

BIKE: Rolling on a James Bleakley masterpiece. Speedster frame with some gorgeous twin top tubes that extend along the seat tube and seat stays all the way to the rear axle. Nox rims, parachute rope spokes laced around I9 hubs will make up the hot wheels. Moto bars cause they’re friggin cool. Beyond grateful for Jenna and the folks at Cane Creek for hooking me up this year with a headset, BB, fresh eeWings and a snazzy Helm fork. Maxxis Rekon exo+ 29 x 2.4″ tires. 30x21T gearing.
BAGS: All my bags have been expertly crafted with love by my friend Zach Smith of South City Stitchworks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Old school bell to not completely spook the 1,000 hikers I will encounter along the trail. Botched Bikes water bottle adapter allows me to run a full frame bag and two water bottles along the sides of the down tube. Friggin’ money. Albion vest to carry half my sleep kit and all the herbal remedies.

Mayella Krause

Age 36 / Sao Bento do Sul (Brazil)

BIKE: Juliana Joplin CC crowned with a 12-speed X01 10–50T cassette and 30T chainring. The cranks spin, the brakes work. Wheels are 29” Reserve. Up front, a Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.3″ for fast-rolling optimism; out back, a Maxxis Ardent Race 2.3″ for traction when optimism fails. Ergon grips to keep my hands semi-functional through the Great Carpal Tunnel Migration.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Mag Tank for trash snacks. Revelate Hopper on the frame because triangles are for storage, not speed. The Ortlieb saddle bag is getting benched for a Blackburn Outpost Elite, mostly so I can actually use the dropper and preserve the joy of descending like a greased weasel.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I decided to do this about two weeks ago, which is just enough time to not obsess over gear lists and weigh everything on a kitchen scale. I’m rolling with what’s worked over a few thousand miles of ultra races, long rides, and bad ideas. The plan: pack light, ride hard, and remember which side of the map is north.

Paolo Laureti

Age 49 / Silvi, Abruzzo (Italy)

BIKE: Trek Top Fuel with SRAM GX 1×12, 32T chainring, Vittoria Barzo 29 x 2.25″ tires, and Son Dynamo hub. The rest of the bike is stock.
BAGS: My bag setup is a custom KickingDonkey in Special X-pack lightskeen 21, light and waterproof. The front bag is mounted on new Brevv Bar so I can mount any type of device or light. The saddle bag designed for dropper posts. The downtube bag is mounted without any support.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping pad, Camp Minima Tent, and Cumulus Bivy. Lights from Bush & Muller. Garmin 1030.

Travis Lenberg

Age 38 / Longmont, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Racing my Transition Spur full suspension with a 130mm Fox 34 fork for added comfort and control under load. Gearing is a 28T chainring with a 10-52T cassette. High-rise bars and SQLab Innerbarends help on long rides and hike-a-bikes. Tires are 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis Dissector EXO (front) and Forekaster EXO+ (rear) with a Tubolight insert.
BAGS: Using Dispersed Bikepacking frame and stem bags, with a Ripsey Seat Bag (V2 mount) for tire clearance. Swapped to the Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Harness up front to cut weight and reduce bounce.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Shelter is a Fly Creek UL1 tent for balance of weight and sleep quality. Sleeping on a small NeoAir Xlite pad with a 30° Enlightened Equipment quilt. Lights are a Fenix BC26R (bars) and PD36R (helmet) for long battery life. Navigation is with a Garmin Edge 840.

Valentina Mancera

Age 27 / Mexico City (Mexico)

BIKE: Racing on a Ibis Cycles DV9. Running the SON Dynamo hub up front with the Supernova M99 front light.
BAGS: Using Chaak Gear, a Mexican brand for the top tube bag, feed bags, and bottom tube bag. Carrying my sleeping gear and clothes in my Atlas Pack from Old Man Mountain.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Brought my favorite water filter and tamales from La Costeña to have some proper food when camping out.

Matt Murray

Age 28 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: Stooge [tofu] Scrambler running 32x23T on a 27.5″ Crux/Oxbow tire combo. Gussied up in Doom bars, Paul brakes, SP and Hope hubs, Velocity hoops, innerbarends, and a healthy pinch of gall.
BAGS: Front roll from Dispersed, homemade frame and top tube bags, and a Black Diamond backpack for maximum frito/oreo/swedish fish capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a sleeping pad this time! We’ll see if a new set of mountain lungs arrive by the start…

Tom Nemann

Age 48 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a Why Cycles S7, which can’t get enough of the CT. Hi Ho Silver PNW Dropper, Fox Factory 130mm fork, Stan’s MK4 rims with I9 Hydra hubs, XT Groupset. Goin’ svelte with a 29 x 2.4″ front Forecaster and Rekon in back. Ergon SMC Core Saddle, Garmin eTrex 32x is my north star nav.
BAGS: I have an eclectic mix of reliable bags, including an Oveja Negra Front End Loader with Saltyroll, Cedaero Tank Top Pack, Oveja Negra Bodega Wack Pack frame bag, a Hi Vis Shrew under the saddle, generic stem bags, hand a homemade down tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Henrietta frame bag will be definitely be carrying donuts. Trying to run lighter this year with a SOL Bivvy and UL Tarp, countered by extra Fenix batteries to power the BC26R for nighttime. I also plan to overpack my Salomon vest with a variety of frozen burritos.

Natalie Peet

Age 25 / Walmart City, Arkansas (USA)

BIKE: SSS Warhorn, a custom steel speed machine made by the best frame builder either side of the Mississippi. Running a custom ti handle bar bent from my friend Ben inside of the SSS workshop.
BAGS: Custom matching frame, top tube, bar harness/roll, and tool bag carefully crafted by South City Stitchworks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Running a botched bikes bottle cage adapter for two bottles on my down tube. Bringing a 3/4 length Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad for max comfort for 3/4 of my body. First time racing on flat pedals, hoping it goes well. Probably gonna bring a Harley vest. Yolo.

Daniel Perry

Age 41 / Redmond, Washington (USA)

BIKE: One of my best friends built this bike and named it Crystal Meth, which seems wildly appropriate. It’s a ti hardtail with 100mm travel and 27.5 x 2.35″ tires. Redshift suspension stem to give my hands a fighting chance and Brooks saddle which is the best I’ve had and still hurts.
BAGS: Combination of Bedrock and Revelate Designs bags have stood the test of time (don’t mind the fresh duct tape!).
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. Garmin 1030 Plus because the 1040 hasn’t had a big enough sale yet. inReach Messenger DID go on sale though, one fewer device to charge!

Scott Petrie

Age 39 / Van Life (USA)

BIKE: A Cervélo ZFS-5. 115mm of travel in the rear, slightly overforked out front at 130mm, Fox suspension with remote lockouts. Coming over from my Tour Divide rig, the SRAM GX Transmission groupset with 170mm XO powermeter cranks, and Hunt Proven XC Race carbon hoops with a Son 28 dynamo hub. OneUp Components dropper post, Specialized Bridge saddle, Spank Spoon riser bars with some old secondhand bar ends, SRAM Level 4 piston clampers. Some Ergon grips, and Maxxis Dissector 2.4″ front/Rekon 2.4″ rear.
BAGS: A mashup. Top tube bag and aerobar race bag by Restrap, DIY frame bag (don’t look too close at the stitching), Tailfin aero pack, but with a Sea to Summit Big River dry bag replacing the Tailfin toploader.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent, Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree quilt, Nemo 4 season UL pad, kLite lighting and charging system, Voltaic 13,400mAh battery pack. Coros Dura, Garmin Edge 830 for backup.

Karin Pocock

Age 45 / Moab, Utah (USA)

BIKE: Santa Cruz Highball, NOBL TR 32 wheels with I9 Solix hubs (favorite wheelset so far!), SRAM XX1 drivetrain, One Up V3 dropper.
BAGS: Dispersed Bikepacking. Thanks Andrew & Katie for your amazing custom bags!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Pretty much running the same kit that I took on the Tour Divide in June minus the rack and the aero bars. Lightweight bivy kit (SOL Bivy, Sea to Summit tarp and sleeping bag), Fenix lightning, Coros Dura for navigation, rain gear that works for monsoon season, new RAB veil 12L running vest (I loved to death my first one during the spring and the TD and just got a fresh one). The biggest highlight is taking the same bike on all three triple crown races and hoping it hits the sweet spot between being too much or too little…I’ll know in the fall I guess.

Cade Reichenberger

Age 25 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2025 Yeti ASR. Over-forked to 130mm with a Fox 34 SL. Eagle AXS with 10-50T cassette and madrone derailleur cage. 28T Oval chainring. Schwalbe Rick XC 29 x 2.4″ pro speed out back and Racing Ray 2.35″ Addix Speed in the front.
BAGS: Quality (and size) over quantity here. Custom frame bag and massive top tube bag from South City Stitchworks. Ultralight feedbags from Broadfork bags. Wearing a Camelbak Chase 8 with a 3L bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Not bringing much for sleep gear to keep things light, only an SOL emergency bivy and lots of clothes. I made some small 3D printed “aero bar” arm rests for the rare flat sections.

Alex Schultz

Age 31 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: Specialized Epic 8 with SRAM Transmission. 30T chainring, no dynamo, Fox 34 SL 130mm fork, Navigation with Garmin Edge 1040. I’ve finished the race four times.
BAGS: Morrow Packs, Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Taking the E-Bivy and a quilt instead of a bag since the weather forecast is the best I have seen for the CTR.

Kristen Tonsager

Age 42 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Revel Ranger for my 7th run down the CT! She will be sporting a Fox 34 SL fork, Revel RW30 Rims laced to I9 Hydra hubs with Maxxis Forekaster tires. I’m running a SRAM Eagle 90 transmission with Shimano XT 4 piston brakes.
BAGS: JPaks, baby! The checker printed Nosepak, Toolpak, FarvaPak, BatPak, Ruksaks, Rifugi Race Harness and prototype Race DropperPak. Woo! I will also be wearing a Black Diamond Distance 4 running vest to carry bags of chips and sandwiches on my back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using my tailor made JPaks Dynerma Body Sak and a Sea to Summit Spark bag for those moments of sleep, while the Fenix BC30 bar light and BCR26R head light will keep me riding through the night.

Diego Velasquez

Age 27 / Moab, Utah (USA)

BIKE: Purple Surly Karate Monkey, XT brakes and XT-ish drivetrain with a 30T oval chainring, WTB hoops, 2.4″ WTB peacekeeper on the front and an equally proportioned Rekon exo+ on the rear, Doom up front in the bikepacker’s delight variety. Flat pedals from the Brits. Ergon grips and inner bar ends from SQ Labs.
BAGS: Revelate Designs frame bag still in need of a few patches, Dispersed top tube for all the burritos, Dispersed seat pack, Revelate bar roll, mismatched stem bags from Nuke Sunrise here in Moab.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 40 degree bag, pillow, and a bivy TBD shoved into the bar roll with puffy pants and jacket in the seat bag along with an extra set of bibs, wool sun hoody, and long sleeve. Wahoo bolt tucked in nicely on the stem and InReach Mini for dot following. Rain pants and jacket in the frame. Tailwind and a small bottle on the downtube for the long stretches in between towns. A hygiene kit far more robust than my previous race. 2L bladder in the frame bag. Big ole OneUp pump for the inevitable flat.

Eric Weninger

Age 43 / Driftless, Wisconsin (USA)

BIKE: Esker Hayduke Ti Rigid Singlespeed, old Fargo fork, 30/23T (new chain!), BB7s (new pads!), take-off wheels (crunchy bearings!), Redshift stem, Tumbleweed Mini Pannier, 29 x 2.8″F and 2.6″R, 180mm cranks.
BAGS: South City Stitchworks top tube bag, Revelate Designs Pronghorn harness and drybag, JPaks two-piece framebag, and a running vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Copious quantities of Embark Maple Energy! (Elderberry Lemon in my bottles) A new fox tail, with snaps! Thank you Bree! Seriously, this is a MAJOR upgrade from safety pins. Thank you amazing friends!

Andrew Whiteford

Age 43 / Jackson, Wyoming (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding an Ibis Ripley v4s with SRAM AXS Transmission drivetrain, Fox Float 34 and Float rear and a mix of Magura MT7 front and Shimano XT 4 piston rear brakes with 180mm rotors. The rear wheel is an Ibis S28 rim on an Onyx hub, matched with Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ EXO. Up front I’ve got a 2.6″ Vittoria Agarro on a Hunt Search-SON dynamo wheel. A Reverb AXS seatpost holds a Specialized Phenom Mimic saddle. My handlebars are 780mm Ibis with Innerbarends, and Ergon GA3 grips. Time pedals. Widefoot cargo mounts on the Tailfin legs.
BAGS: I’m running the Tailfin Aeropack frame, holding my foam pad and a drybag. A Goodday Spacer Cradle on the front holds a second drybag. Rockgeist rearward top tube bag and split frame bags with water in the bottom half. A Tailfin top tube bag behind the stem is flanked by Revelate Feedbags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sinewave Beacon 2 front and tail light, and a Fenix HM65r on my helmet. Garmin Edge 840 and InReach. Tarp, bivy, foam pad, quilt, and stove. Wearing a vest to fill with calories and hopes and dreams.

Jaron Wilson

Age 25 / Niwot, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Santa Cruz Chameleon setup 30x24T.
BAGS: Full Dispersed Bikepacking kit and a Restrap race vest for snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Looking forward to not having any water on my back thanks to the 64oz Klean Kanteen on my downtube.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...