Rigs of Doom 2025

Doom is an annual bikepacking event put on by Andrew Onermaa of Ozark Gravel Cyclists, and although it’s relatively new, it’s shaping up to become one of the most popular events in the Southern United States. The first Doom event was in 2022, serving up a challenging 375-mile route with a whopping 41,000 feet of elevation gain. There were just under 30 riders that year, and only half of them finished. The event returned in 2023 with double the number of participants and many scratches. Jeff Kerkove set a new course record, finishing the demanding 390-mile route through the Ozark National Forest in 42 hours and 23 minutes. In 2024, a second route option called Despair was added, giving riders a choice between the full 408-mile route or a shorter but no less challenging 196-mile course.

For 2025, there are three route options to choose from: Doom (400 miles), Despair (200 miles), and Dismay (100 miles). Regardless of the route, riders can expect soul-sucking climbs, rowdy descents, and mega run-outs between resupplies. There is rugged singletrack, water crossings, and terrain that blurs the line between gravel riding and mountain biking. To add an extra layer of complexity to this year’s grand depart, the likelihood of heavy rainfall Wednesday through Saturday has pushed the start to Sunday to hopefully avoid the worst. Andrew is updating the three routes to avoid flood-prone areas, and it sounds like some riders are backing out entirely. No doubt, 2025 will be a wild run for those still planning to tackle one of the three routes.

As always, we worked with Andrew and the participants to showcase a massive list of over 90 riders and rigs participating in the 2025 Doom event. Scroll down to check out the bike and bag details and gear highlights. We’ve also noted what route they’re signed up for, which will impact the necessary type and amount of gear. Stay tuned for our Tracker so you can follow their progress live starting Sunday morning.

Pat Adrian

Age 54 / Roseau, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be surviving the Doom on my 2021 Niner Air 9 RDO. I installed some carbon Roval wheels with a Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ on the rear and a Continental Race King 2.2″ on the front. My drivetrain is SRAM Eagle GX with a 30T chainring and 10-52T cassette. It has G2 brakes and a PNW dropper limited to 65mm of drop. I’m running a pair of 900 Lumen Niterider lights and a Garmin Edge 1050 computer for navigation (Edge 1030+ back up).
BAGS: Revelate Designs frame bag, seat bag, fuel tank, and two feed bags. Plus a Salsa Anything Cradle on the handlebars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Zpacks hexamid tent, Therm-a-Rest Uber Lite pad (with patch kit), inflatable pillow, and Western Mountaineering 35F Caribou sleeping bag. Two 10,000mah Nitecore power banks, Katadyn Befree water filter, and a classic 3L CamelBak.

Ben Alter

Age 24 / Marquette, Michigan (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: 2018 Salsa Fargo Ti with a 32T chainring and SRAM AXS Eagle beep boops on the rear.
BAGS: I’ll be rocking a custom split frame bag /top tube bag from Morrow Packs, Chuckbuckets from Oveja Negra, and a GearJammer from Oveja Negra.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m doing my best to represent some smaller fabricators, with my handlebars from Blacksheep Bikes, rims from Velocity USA, seat and feedbags from Oveja Negra, and custom split frame bag/top tube from Morrow Packs!

Katherine Anderson

Age 50 / Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: My little pony “Dewdrop Dazzle” is a standard 2025 Salsa Cutthroat SRAM Rival GX AXS trans build, 1×12 drivetrain with a 34T chainring and 10-52 cassette. She sits on 29 x 2.4” Maaxis Rekon tires with Cushcore liner and DT Swiss wheels.
BAGS: Beautiful custom full frame and top tube bag from Zach at South City Stitchworks. Apidura 7L saddle bag, USWE hydration pack and Revelate feed bags for carrying up to 3L. Katadyn 1L water filter and Anker powerbank to manage long resupply.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Snuggling up in a Spark bag and Helium bivy, highlights include a custom message board.

Jacob Ashton

Age 33 / Council, Idaho (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be racing Doom on Frankenstein’s Murmur by Starling Cycles. Drop bars and aero extensions have transformed this shred sled into a chunky gravel crusher. Bar end shifting and mechanical brakes keep things easy to fix.
BAGS: Bags are a custom Challenge Ultra framebag by Merz Bags and a Tribulus handlebar bag with a Mag Tank 2000 on the top tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I won’t have a sleep kit, and I haven’t decided on my food carry strategy since riding through the night by shops with limited hours could mean very little resupply.

Steve Baptiste

Age 44 / Bonita Springs, Florida (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: When you see this Trek Pro Caliber rolling your way it’s about to get real. It’s got tires made of rubber and the frame is made of unicorn horn. It also has some gears, 11 of them I think. The good people at Trek put them on for me. Aero bars are a must.
BAGS: Custom South City Stitchworks for frame and top tube, and a couple Revelate Designs bags to fill in the gaps. Keep it light and simple.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: One-of-a-kind proprietary on board all in one “Semi-Smart System.” It pedals, it navigates, it eats, it doesn’t sleep, it cracks jokes.

Justin Bell

Age 38 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Custom Chumba Sendero, aka the ‘Tall boy’. I9 wheels. Parts by Cane Creek, Boone, Shimano, Yoshimura, Btchn, and Exposure lights.
BAGS: Dispersed frame and top tube bag. USWE hydration pack. Seat bag, weather depending.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Top tube bag is a new addition. Hyperlite tarp, Sea to Summit sleep pad and pillow, SOL bivvy will be my sleep kit.

Moez Bhatti

Age 28 / Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be racing on a 2020 Salsa Cutthroat, built up with a 1×12 GX Eagle AXS drivetrain and a 32T chainring. I’m running Light Bicycle carbon rims with a SON dynamo and kLite lighting, and I’ve got a set of 29 x 2.4″ Aspen STs with a 100mm SID Ultimate up front to keep things nice and plush.
BAGS: I’ll be packing pretty light, just running my trusty Rockgeist full frame bag and a Salomon hydration vest. Under the saddle I’ve got my tool kit wrapped up in a little bag made by VeloColour here in Toronto, but I’ll bump this up to a slightly larger saddle bag if the forecast calls for some extra layers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My 2023 edition Doom Gremlin Bell will be keeping me safe.

Andy Boone

Age 39 / Viroqua, Wisconsin (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: 2018 Salsa Cutthroat with a RockShox SID Select. Vittoria Barzo 2.25″ in front and a Parelli Scorpion 2.2″ in the rear. 1×11 SRAM Rival with e*thirteen rear cassette 9-46T and 36T chainring.
BAGS: Mostly Revelate Designs bags with some small random bags.

Miles Boucher

Age 32 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: BMC Twostroke AL, Chris King ISO Hubs in wide carbon wheels, wrapped with tubeless Vittoria Barzo 29 x 2.25″, Eagle 1×12 with a 32T chainring, Ergon Comp Saddle & GP3 bar ends. A couple of liters of water in the frame and another in an Outer Shell stem bag will give me 2.5L of water to filter and fill throughout the ride.
BAGS: Restrap x Look Saddlebag for layers and quilt, Salsa Anything Cradle for bivvy/pad, comically long Zefal Top Tube Bag for tools, toothbrush, batteries.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Black Diamond Distance vest absolutely stuffed full of snacks, Outbound Evo headlight, MapOut on a phone for navigation, Genesis (2007 Remaster) in the headphones, my friends beside me for unlimited power.

Joe Bush

Age 31 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be on an Orbea Alma with a RockShox SID SL 100mm fork, 2.35″ Thunderburt tires, SRAM Transmission 32 x 10-52T gearing, and Profile Design aerobars.
BAGS: Apidura 4L frame and 2L top tube bag, Restrap Race 7L saddlebag, Tailfin 3L downtube bag, a Specialized feedbag, and 2.5L water capacity in bottles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Bottle full of pure maple syrup on the start line. SOL Bivy for some naps.

Chase Cline

Age 40 / Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding the Despair route on a 2024 Revel Tirade. We have a fresh set of 2.5″ Vittoria Mezcals, and a new SRAM 30T chainring to help handle the climbs. The rear rack is the MICA Cycles Rat tail which has one of the raddest designs I have seen in a rear rack. Up front I have some Salsa Guide bars and SQLabs innerbarends.
BAGS: Zach over at South City Stitchworks hooked up the custom Frame bag. I have a Sea and Summit Dry bag on the rear rack and up front I have a freebie bag I got at Mid South a few years back from the SRAM tent.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Nemo Tensor sleeping pad and an Outdoor Research Helium Bivy should keep me cozy at night. I am bringing an old Sony Cybershot mini digi cam to take some pics on the trail that look like they were taken in 2006.

Tyler Collins

Age 37 / Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: Dismay
BIKE: I’ll be riding my 2021 Salsa Cutthroat “Mandy”. It has a 2x GRX 600 drivetrain alongside some goodies I upgraded like the Derby wheelset Angry Catfish built (DT 350 hubs), and Fox 32 suspension fork. I’m running my Ritchey Comp Beacon XL handlebars on this one for extra width with the Salsa EXP handlebar system (holding my sleep kit and shelter). I’m also running Fleecer Ridge tires from René Herse.
BAGS: A couple years ago I had a custom framebag made by Rockgeist for my first bikepacking race here in northern Minnesota, The Fox. It’s been a great friend for carting my water, snacks, and basically everything and anything else. I also have a couple Revelate bags for nutrition and a swift industries saddle bag for my repair kit (might just stash those items in the framebag, we’ll see).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m really excited to try a new Sea to Summit Spark bag (45f) on this route as it’s highly compressible and should pair great with my trusty Big Agnes sleeping pad. I’m most pumped to use my Durston X-mid Pro 1 as it’s been exclusively for backpacking setup so far. I’ll be navigating with my compact Wahoo and Garmin inReach for spotty cell service.

Matthew Crouch

Age 48 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’m an avid and average Crossfit dad of 4 pretending to be a bikepacker. Riding my Niner SIR9 with 2×11 SRAM GX mechanical with 34/24T chainrings and 11-42T cassette. Running a Fox 32 Stepcast Fork. Hands will be comforted by a Sonder Confucius loop bar, SQLabs inner bar ends and Ergon GA3 grips. For descending: Shimano 4 piston brakes and 125mm dropper. Saddle is a comfy C17. Tires are Conti Race Kings. Orange Seal has changed my life. I started running tubeless 5 years ago and have loved it. I have a downtube Widefoot cage, and a Tumbleweed rear rack.
BAGS: Wizard Works custom full frame for food and water, a Wizard Works Houdini saddlebag for tools, Wizard Works top tube bag for electronics, Road Runner drybag for jackets. On the downtube, a Tailfin drybag with a stove and instant coffee. I will be attempting no sleep with POC Vest plus 3L bladder. Packing 10,000 calories of Tailwind because I can’t realistically get to any of the stores during business hours.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite Christmas present has been my Garmin Varia Radar. I was swayed by an Instagram ad, but surprisingly impressed with “AProtobike” 3D printed mount for the dynaplug racer and Silca pump. Packing my Case 3 blade pocket knife I bought at Camp Orr when I was 12.

Jack Davidson

Age 54 / Fort Myers, Florida (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Back to Arkansas again, an adventure cyclist’s worst kept secret! Setting out to tackle DOOM via my 2021 Santa Cruz Highball hardtail. Pretty trad setup for the bike itself, with an Infinity Seat and a set of custom wheels again from Curt Warner of Bikefiix. This bike is really something else, I even ordered a 2025 Highball frame as this one has seen some action—it’s that good.
BAGS: Standard Tailfin Aeropack filled with lots of worries and anxiety. The highlight is the Ultra build South City Stitchworks frame bag and full length top tube bag, very dope
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outbound light setup again, don’t mess with what works. Added more hand positions because hand pain is real. This one is gonna be wild with such a huge field!

Madison Davis

Age 37 / St. Joseph, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Revel El Jefe, 30T x 10-52T, Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25” tires, all the bar ends: inner and outer
BAGS: RideForward Designs JayP rack bag, Dispersed custom Frame (in the mail, fingers crossed) and top tube bags, Revelate Designs feed bag, Apidura seat tube bag, Wolf Tooth bag with tools, Mica Rat Tail Rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Gremlin Bell, it’s seen many miles of doom and ready for more. Hydrapak filters, one inline with 2L bladder in osprey duro vest, one bottle style lid filter, odt buckshot speaker for jams at times.

Nick Davis

Age 41 / Nashville, Tennessee (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding an Amigo Frameworks Bug Out with a carbon Enve fork, 2.25/2.3″ Vittoria Mezcal tires, 1×11 drivetrain with a 36T chainring.
BAGS: South City Stitchworks framebag and Big Lebarski stem bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Shout out to Zach at Amigo Frameworks for the bike and Zach at SCSW for the bags!

Bryan Dougherty

Age 35 / Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’m bringing a Trek Supercaliber 9.8 with RockShox Sid Ultimate 100mm travel fork. The rear is 60mm. SRAM XX1 AXS, 32T up front and a 10-52T cassette. Running a Sinewave Beacon II dynamo light off a Shutter Precision hub. Tires are the tried and true Fleecer Ridge endurance by Rene Herse. Some extra bits from Wolf Tooth sprinkled about.
BAGS: I jammed my Salsa Beargrease frame bag in the main triangle and made it work well enough. I also jumped on the full top tube bandwagon this year with a Rhinowalk bag. Minneapolis-made Sturdy feed bags on the bars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m running a one piece bar/stem combo this year which does not allow for aero bars. I generally love my aero bars and hope I do not regret this decision.

Dave Easley

Age 45 / Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: TI Salsa El Mariachi, singlespeed (32x20T), 2.25” Vittoria Barzos, ENVE wheels, RockShox suspension fork, and lighting from a SON dynamo hub, Sinewave Beacon, and an additional helmet light for night-time riding.
BAGS: Stem and handlebar bags courtesy of Steady Co., frame and top tube bags from Cedaero, and a Topeak saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be bringing an Outdoor Research Helium bivy for shelter, as well as a quilt, and fragment of a Big Agnes TwisterCane sleep pad.

Olivia Esqueda

Age 26 / Austin, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be racing Despair on the titanium Chumba Yaupon that is so kindly being loaned to me. The original owner is the legend herself, Alexandera Houchin. I am incredibly lucky to be able to use this bike for the race season this year. I hope I can do it justice. The components list includes an Industry Nine TR280 wheel set fitted with Maxxis Rekon race and Ikon 29 x 2.35″ tires, Shimano Deore XT 1x 12-speed groupset with a 34t front chainring, Thompson ti MTB riser bars and an axis dropper post.
BAGS: All the bags I’m using are custom. On the frame is a Dispersed frame bag and Buckhorn Bags top-tube bag. The stem bags and handlebar bag I made myself!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be slightly roughing it for my sleep system using a tarp, a Sol escape bivy, a down quilt, sleeping bag liner and two small blow up pillows. I want to shout out the steerer rack I’m using for my bar bag. I got it maybe 4 years ago from an Etsy shop under the name TIMTAS. I use it on my gravel/commuter bike and it has been one of my favorite bike purchases ever.

Chris Farney

Age 41 / Saint Joseph, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Flat bar ti Chumba Yaupon. This bike rides like a goddamn bike, and it makes me smile so much. This build will be the trimmest and most refined build yet, for my 4th Doom lap. Rolling on 2.35″ Mezcals. Dispersed full frame and full length top tube bags, and a couple Revelate holdovers that have seen my needle and thread a few times over the years. Some creative use of some random stretchy paracord I’ve had lying around to stash gloves and wet socks and hold it all together. All the bar ends. King Cages of course. And finally, I’m a new rear rack convert and have been highly impressed with this Mica Rattail rack so far.
BAGS: Keeping two bottles on the rear rack struts, and one on the bars. Sleep kit is in the rear rack dry bag and holds a SOL e-bivy and extra clothing layers. I won’t leave home without my inflatable Sea to Summit pillow either. Probably bring two extra pairs of socks this year. Doom bell is on the rack; it tolls for thee.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outbound lights. The always dependable Garmin nav and messenger. Platypus water filter. Lots of Kurt’s Bars (RIP).

Joe Fox

Age 41 / Kansas City, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Slow Southern Steel Single Speed. 32/20 is the right gear. At least I’ll be telling myself that at hour 58.
BAGS: Bags by Buckhorn and proto seat bag by Dispersed. All perfect.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: All the warm clothes and my trusty Doom bell ti keep me rolling safely. 2.35″ Mezcals, Lupine light, Garmin for nav. Just the right stuff.

Tanner Frady

Age 34 / Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Stainless steel Otso Fenrir single speed (32x19T). 29 x 2.35” Maxxis Ikons. Shimano XT brakes. Industry Nine 1×1 rear hub and a SON dynamo up front powering a Sinewave Beacon for lighting/charging.
BAGS: All of the South City Stitchworks goods including a custom frame bag, full top tube bag, handlebar bag, and stem bags. Oveja Negra Gearjammer saddle bag hold the sleep kit.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be wearing a 1.5L Camelbak hydration vest and a 32oz bottle on the downtube. Mountain Laurel bivy, Sea To Summit 30 degree down sleeping bag, and a Klymit Inertia-X sleep pad. Two toothbrushes: one for my mouth and one for my chain.

Andrew Franks

Age 28 / Charlotte, North Carolina (USA)

ROUTE: Dismay
BIKE: Chumba Sendero with custom geo, rigid Niner fork, XT drivetrain, Maxxis Rekon 2.4”, and Nox rims laced to i9 hubs.
BAGS: Big ol’ top tube bag from Zach at South City Stitchworks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Chumba crew did an amazing job with the frame, and Zach’s work on the top tube bag is incredible! I’ll be navigating with a Karoo Hammerhead 2 and lighting my way with a Fenix BC26R. Running some ESI extra chunky grips with Cane Creek bar ends and an Ergon saddle to stay comfortable.

Kevin Frieh

Age 36 / Victor, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Why Cycles El Jefe, Pike Ultimate 130mm, Revel RW30 wheels, Rekon 2.6” tires.
BAGS: A mix of Oveja Negra, Revelate Designs, and Rockgeist.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outdoor Research Alpine Ascentshell bivy, Sea to Summit Spark 2 sleeping bag, Therm-a-Rest xLite NXT mat, Mountain Hardware down jacket. For hydration, using a Katadyn filter with HydraPak 1L/bottles. Garmin eTrex 32x.

Nick Gilbert

Age 29 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding my Surly Krampus hardtail, set up single speed (32x21T), with 150mm of travel up front, rolling on 29 x 2.6″ rubber. The Tumbleweed Persuader bars: 840mm wide, 50mm of rise and 30° backsweep keeps me pretty upright and comfortable on big days out. I’ve got a Nalgene bottle cage on the down tube and some King Cage universal support bolts enable me to mount a bottle cage on the bossless seat tube.
BAGS: The Transit saddle bag holds my sleep kit (bivy, quilt and sleeping pad). The Oveja Negra Super Wedgie (half frame bag) fits my repair kit and snacks, with extra clothes, food, and electronics going in my Swift Industries Zeitgeist up front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m most excited about my new bike computer, the Coros Dura, with its fabled long battery life. No more recharging my little Wahoo every night on multi-day rides. I also love my Spurcycle bell, and I’m hoping all the dogs on route will too.

Bradley Gilmore

Age 31 / Cincinnati, Ohio (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be ripping my red smoke Trek Procaliber for Doom 2025. Suspended with a Fox Factory 34 120mm Step-Cast fork. Rolling on Bontrager Kovee Pro carbon wheelset, Schwalbe Rick XC 2.4″ tires sealed with Silca for the Arkansas gnar. I’ll be stopping on a dime thanks to my trusty Shimano Deore XT M8120’s with metallic pads and XTR 180mm rotors. Shifting with SRAM AXS powered via my Cane Creek eeWings 165mm cranks & HT pedals. Will be switching to an Absolute Black 28T or 30T chainring for the insane climbs. For the cockpit I have my ultra comfy S-WORKS Power Mirror saddle mounted to a Cane Creek eesilk+ sus seatpost, Spank vibrocore bars with Zipp Vuka carbon aero bars, Ergon rubber grips, SQLab inner bar ends & Cane Creek outer bar ends.
BAGS: Zach at South City Stitchworks put together some amazing custom frame and full-length top tube bags, tailored to my frame and specs. Tailfin rack, aero pack, and downtube bags. Will also have some Revelate Designs feedbags strapped to my bars. Profile Designs bottle cage mount for the aero bars with some more mounting options on the Tailfin rear rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure Toro will bring light to me in dark places, when all other lights go out. Garmin Varia will be watching my back. Apidura 3L water bladder inside the frame bag, I’m excited to race without a backpack thanks to the abundant water sources on rout. Will have an MSR Pocket Rocket for heating up meals, ramen, and coffee to keep me fueled.

Tray Halliburton

Age 34 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding Despair on a custom Kona Sutra Ltd flatbar conversion. Shimano XT/XTR drivetrain and WTB rims laced to Hope Pro4 hubs with Continental Race King tires.
BAGS: Buckhorn framebag (also out of Fayetteville) and a Revelate Designs Visacha seat pack to carry hopes and dreams.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: REI bivy, couple of Nalgene bottles for fluids, Garmin 540 for navigation.

Eric Hamann

Age 33 / Greenville, South Carolina (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I will be riding my Buena Onda Bikes Buena Ti with a Surly Karate Monkey fork and single speed drivetrain.
BAGS: The bags are either Oveja Negra (top tube bags and bar harness) or Spare (full frame bag and seat pack). Spare is the Greenville SC bag brand for whom I sew bags. We have worked with Mark and Colt at Buena Onda as a frame bag partner for their bikes.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have modified my Oveja Negra bar harness to fit the mount points on the bars and added some webbing loops and Voile straps for stability. The fork was previously red and was hand sanded by Benjamin Griswold of Benchmark Bicycle Supply to a raw finish to match the frame.

Ryan Haug

Age 53 / Fargo, North Dakota (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding my Revel Titanium Wayward. It was built up by JC Larson at Paramount Sports in Fargo, ND. It’s running Velocity Blunt SS rims with White Industries hubs and crankset. Tires are a 2.35″ Schwalbe Racing Ralph in back and a 2.35″ Racing Ray up front. The fork is a Fox 34 Step-Cast and the brakes are Magura. Drivetrain is SRAM GX Eagle and I’ll be running a 28T up front and a 10-52T in back. My rear rack is a titanium Tumbleweed.
BAGS: I’m using a Cedaero waxed canvas tank and frame bag. A Revelate Designs Proghorn is on the handlebars along with Revelate feed bags. Sea to Summit bags are on the rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a Durston X Mid Pro 1 tent and either my Western Mountaineering Megalite 30 degree or Sea to Summit Spark 45 degree, depending on what overnight temps are looking like. I’m using a Therm-a-Rest Neo Air for a sleeping pad. For navigation I’ll be using a Garmin 840 solar and Gaia on my phone for a back up. Lighting is a Fenix BC26R on the handlebars and a Fenix HM65R on the helmet.

Katrina Hase

Age 52 / Twin Cities, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2023 Pivot Mach 4 SL Pro full suspension (120/100mm) mountain bike with Maxxis Ardent Race (front) and Ikon (back) 2.35” tires. I’ve swapped in a PNW Loam carbon handlebar with a 38° rise and Ergon GS3 grips for comfort. I’m using the Ergon Women’s SM saddle. I have Shimano XT PD-M8120 trail clipless pedals.
BAGS: My front bag, Swift Industries Catalyst, holds my quilt and toiletries. Oveja Negra Wack Pack stem bags hold two 1L water bottles. Tailfin long top tube bag holds snacks and bike tools. Custom Cedaero frame bag will hold Apidura 3L water bladder. Tailfin 10L mini panniers holds sleeping mat/bivy, electronics and clothing. Rear rack is the Old Man Mountain Divide rack—I’m using the platform to hold meals and water shoes.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Katabatic Gear Piñon Bivy, Therm-a-Rest Neo X-Air Light mattress and Zenbivy Ultralight (25°F) quilt with ultralight sheet. Gossamer Gear solo tarp with Zpacks carbon fiber tent pole. Safety Pizza in lieu of the real thing.

Tyler Higgins

Age 34 / Knoxville, Tennessee (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be running State’s 4130 All-Road with a 30T chainring, Hunt 650b wheels, and some thick 2.35″ FastTraks.
BAGS: Oveja Negra bags for all the snackies.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Coros Dura so I don’t get lost and a bell to ring at the homies as they zoom past me.

Rasch Hole

Age 43 / Metairie, Louisiana (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: IrRascHional hardtail I anodized. 120mm Fox 34 fork, Whisky Skully bars and Mega fat paw grips. Profile Designs aerobars. SRAM Eagle and a 30T chainring. Shimano XT brakes. NOBL TR32’s with DT Swiss hubs, and Mezcals. Garmin 1050, Inreach mini, and Fenix lights.
BAGS: A bunch of Rockgeist bags and one Revelate Designs seatbag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing just enough clothes to stay warm, and hopefully dry.

Jeremy Hornberger

Age 40 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding Despair on my 2023 Stumpjumper Evo Expert RS with 160/150 suspension travel. I figured with all the singletrack, I needed something with suspension and this was my only bike with it! The drivetrain is a SRAM Eagle groupset with 30T chainring. After doing a test overnighter, 30T seems to be just right for this route. I upgraded the rear wheel to a Reserve 29″ carbon wheel, the front is factory Roval 29″. I have the Cane Creek bar ends for extra hand positions.
BAGS: For the saddle bag, I’m running an Ortlieb. For the top tube I got a Rhinowalk extra long bag holding all my food. The Rockbros wedge bag fits perfectly in the frame, it is holding a battery, extra light, and charging cables. Up front is another Rhinowalk product, the handlebar cradle. Using a light Sea to Summit bag to hold my sleeping kit and some other random stuff.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have a 28oz water bottle in the frame and will be using a hydration pack for a little extra water and storage as needed.

Jake Inger

Age 27 / Yarmouth, Maine (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Specialized EPIC 8 EVO custom build. 34T chainring, XTR drivetrain and brakes, ROVAL Control SL wheels with Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4″ tires. S-Works cockpit, Fox Transfer SL dropper post.
BAGS: Running a Apidura Racing Top Tube Pack for quick food access. Hyperlite backpack hydration, sleeping kit, first aid, etc. Salsa full suspension frame bag for extra storage. For food, I am running two SWAT pouches in the frame with all my tools and pump.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Hyperlite gear and inner bar ends.

Zach Smith

Age 45 / St. Louis, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Is Despair/Doom a mountain bike race or a gravel race? I’m not sure, so I’ll be roaming the Ozark hills and hollers on a Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0, set up in flat-bar mode with 2.25–2.1” Mezcals. It’s a rig that lands somewhere between MTB and gravel—meaning I’ll never have the “right” bike. Still, I’ll always have a fun one.
BAGS: My game plan is simple—finish the Despair route as fast as possible, then kick back at the finish line to cheer on the Doom riders. For this mission, I’m rolling with the Luv Handles rear rack system (clothes & layers), a 3/4 frame bag (food), a full-length top tube bag (cache battery, snacks, camera), and a downtube pouch (tools)—all made by South City Stitchworks using Ultra 200, Ecopak, and USA Cordura. Everything is light, durable, and highly functional!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Mica rack? Absolute gold—crazy light and, if you ask me, pretty easy on the eyes. Highly recommend. I’m also testing out a new under-downtube cage, manufactured just a couple miles from South City Stitchworks HQ in St. Louis, and I couldn’t be more stoked. Oh, and I should mention I am the one-man operation at South City Stitchworks. This ride doubles as a final gnarly test for the Luv Handles rear rack system before it officially joins the SCSW lineup.

Aaron Steege-Jackson

Age 42 / Poulsbo, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I am very grateful to have friends that make so many beautiful and useful things. This bike is the bike I love to ride the most and an homage to these friends. Frame is a 2020 Corvid Cycles GRT that my friend Chad built for me when none of us knew what would become of our small businesses. Fork is a Liberation Fab custom steel from our good Seattle buddy Eva. My bud Ben Rainbow laced these wheels for me, son dynamo up front powering Sinewave lights front and rear. Small parts and tools by my trio of talented friends Smith Levi (Rat King) Dan Stranahan (Forager Cycles) and Uriel Eisen (Austere Mfg) me and my bike would simply fall apart if it wasn’t for them.
BAGS: Handlebar and stem bags made by Becky (Makeshifter Canvas Works), custom frame bag by my great friend Shan Wo (Reroot Outdoors) and an Oveja Negra Gearjammer outback for function, style and visibility.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This will be my first extended adventure riding this bike with flat bars. I first rode these Velo Orange Crazy Bars when touring over the winter with my kid on a Wehoo trailer and I truly love them for all types of riding. After riding these bars on a couple of different bikes I feel confident they will take care of me through all the rough stuff the Ozarks have to offer.

Tanner Jackson

Age 33 / Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Long bike ride on my Chumba Stella Ti hardtail. SID 110mm travel fork, a pair of Maxxis Rekon Race 2.4” tires, XT brakes and drivetrain, Cane Creek EESilk post and a Specialized Power saddle on a Cane Creek Easily for the bum.
BAGS: Filling the triangle is a custom frame bag from Nightingale Threadworks here in Toronto. Top tube and downtube bags are made by Tailfin and a jerry can from Revelate Designs. If rain seems to be a thing I may add a small saddle bag or some feed bags for a couple bottles if I’m feeling it last second.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Klite dynamo set up for the lighting and charging. Sol bivy, a Sea to Summit mat and a NEMO pillow for some snoozing when needed. A small bottle of maple syrup to feel at home.

Chris Joice

Age 48 / Knoxville, Tennessee (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Back for another round of DOOM is my trusty RatMonk steed! Dropbar MTB setup with some squish and 2.35/2.2″ 2024 Fast Tracks ready to rip some chunky gravel and keep fatigue in check. endleSS cog, Wolf Tooth 34T chainring, old BB7s, classic i9 Torch/NOX wheelset, and Beacon bar with ESI setup.
BAGS: Simple light… [small frame life] with RoadRunner Burrito on the bars, Rockgeist Top-Tube, Oveja jerry can, and Restrap saddle unit. To handle ALL the snacks and for east-access, I’ll be wearing my favorite Salmon running pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sticking with my usual MO of light and faSSt(ish), I’ll be running an Exposure Race light and Nitecore headlamp, Coros Dura (if it arrives in time!), and cache battery. Napping and safety with bivy, puffy, and rain pants if it’s nasty.

Travis Jolly

Age 30 / Knoxville, Tennessee (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Specialized Epic 8.
BAGS: South City Stitchworks top tube bag, some Restrap feed bags, Revelate Designs Shrew, down tube storage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Full suspension set up zinglespeed style with a Shimano Zee derailleur. 32:20T gearing. My favorite part of the bike is having a lock-out switch for ups and a squishy bit for the downs.

Yevgeny Karpekin

Age 50 / Houston, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding Salsa Cutthroat 2023 equipped with 1×11 drivetrain and a 34T chainring, a wheelset dressed in Teravail Sparwood 2.2″ tires, all from the original build.
BAGS: Framebag by Rogue Panda carries a hydration bladder in the lower deck, repair and camping gear in the upper deck. At the rear is Aeropack by Tailfin to store clothes and a sleeping bag. A small Salsa bag on a side of Tailfin arch stores water and food for overnight camping.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This year I’ve added a Shockstop seatpost from Redshift to improve the comfort and will use Fenix headlamp HC65R as the main source of light for dark hours.

Brian Kearns

Age 49 / Bentonville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Dismay
BIKE: I’ll be riding my 2024 Esker Japhy. I’ve set it up with a SRAM GX T-Type + Wolf Tooth drivetrain. 30T up front and 10-52T in back should take some of the sting out of the hills. It’s rolling on ENVE AM 30 wheels with Vittoria Barzo in front and Mezcal in back, both 2.35″. Cockpit has bits from Santa Cruz, Cane Creek, Wolftooth, SQ Labs, and Rockgeist. Fork is a Fox 34 130mm.
BAGS: Top tube is from Buckhorn Bags in Fayetteville, AR. My frame bag and seat pack are from bag maker to the stars, Zach Smith of South City Stitchworks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I built this up myself and am really stoked with the whole package. Super comfortable and capable on the varied terrain we have in Northwest AR. Wouldn’t change a thing (except if I could afford the Titanium Japhy frame, I would probably change that!).

Jake Kern

Age 31 / Brooklyn, New York (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding my Esker Hayduke in single speed mode, set to 32x20T. We’re running 29er wheels with 2.4″ Rekon Race tires front and back, 130mm Pike Ultimate fork, OneUp dropper post, and a few carbon bits to shave a little weight.
BAGS: Two Revelate Designs feed bags up front, frame bag by Dispersed, and a prototype custom full length top tube bag that I made to match. On my back I’ll have an Ultimate Direction hydration vest that carries about 3L of water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Pretty minimal sleep kit with a Montbell bivy, Big Agnes 40 degree bag, and a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleep pad. Fenix lights on my helmet and handlebar, and a Wahoo Bolt for nav.

Kenny Kocarek

Age 44 / Bolivar, Ohio (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Guiding me through the depths of DOOM is my trusty 2020 Chumba titanium Stella. My choice of dancing shoes for this route is the new Schwalbe Rick XC 2.4″. Properly set up as a singlespeed my gearing choice is 32x22T, with a dynamo hub (not pictured) and Industry Nine Trail Solix rear wheel.
BAGS: The frame bag is a Wanderlust, and Oveja Negra handlebar bag loaded with Flow Formula, Skittles and bars for fuel with Porcelain Rocket seat pack for clothes and sleep system. For water I’ll wear a USWE 2L pack and have the emergency poo catcher bottle for either extra water or to hold calories for those big Doom jumps between fuel options.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Two Garmin 810s, and a lot of positive thoughts!

Dexter Kopas

Age 29 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Otso Waheela C, with Redshift Shockstop suspension seatpost and bar ends, and a Fox 32 TC fork. GRX 1×12 800 drivetrain (don’t worry, I’ll soon have a 36T to swap over). Maxxis Ikon 2.2” tires. Carbon Stryke aero bars.
BAGS: Good Dog Packs half-frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix BC26R headlight. Caffeine pills, hydration pills, homemade ultra-endurance drink mix, and homemade rice krispy treats. Two sets of bibs to swap out every 100 miles or so, and baby powder to dry out the unused one. Probably rain pants, rain jacket, and Sealskinz neoprene socks. Too many stickers. A custom 45-hour playlist.

Alex Kowalski

Age 31 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: This is my second year in a row tackling DOOM on my Black Sheep Hardtail. We will be rolling on Conti Cross Kings laced onto Nox Teocali rims with BERD spokes around Industry 9 hubs. SS always. 30×19 ratio.
BAGS: I’ll be running my well loved Dispersed frame bag and full top tube bag. These have been through it over the years, and are now donning a healthy patina.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Slapped a Botched Bikes bottle cage adapter on the downtube for the ability to run two water bottles on the downtube with a full frame bag in use. Very stoked on the look and burliness of the adapter. Recently adopted a Thomson dropper post, and I’ve been super pleased with the fun gains!

Mayella Krause

Age 35 / São Bento do Sul (Brazil)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Tackling Doom post ITI on my Juliana Quincy because being underbiked is half the fun! For minimal comfort, I put a Fox 32 TC fork. Tires are Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S, 700 x 45mm mounted on Industry Nine Solix G UL250c wheels. Crankbrothers Eggbeater 11 pedals. Rival AXS, XX1 12 speed 10-50T cassette paired to a 34T chainring. Yea, going for positive thinking with this setup.
BAGS: Half frame bag from Apidura. Saddle bag and top tube bag are Cyclite. Ultralight or death.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Bartape takes the cake. Flashing gold while crushing my soul.

Kevin Kruse

Age 27 / Golden, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’m racing on a Yeti ASR. A simple build with SRAM mechanical shifting and a 30T oval chainring. The bike has Rockshox suspension including a handlebar lockout and alloy DT Swiss wheels rolling on 2.35″ Mezcals.
BAGS: There is a smorgasbord of bags on this bike. The frame bag is custom and fits perfect. The Thule rack is a random find off Facebook marketplace and it actually works really well on the fork. An Ortlieb saddle bag and a long Tailfin bag up top complete the set up.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m stoked to ride a full sus bike that weighs less than most hardtails so I can enjoy the fun singletrack on this route. Shout out to the Yeti crew for making such a versatile bike and to AAron for making the frame bag that ties it all together.

Alex Laitamaki

Age 30 / Slayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: SALSA Timberjack, big ‘ol cassette, RockShox fork 120mm, 2.6″ Mezcals, Slow Southern Steel rear rack.
BAGS: Oveja Negra wedgie frame, Apidura aero top tube, Sea to Summit compression sack for sleep kit, sleeping pad in its own bag, Road Runner seat bag strapped up front, tool kit on down tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: FARR aero bars with a Feedback mount stashed in the middle for an extra bottle placement.

Nick Leonard

St Louis, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Trek Supercaliber Gen 1 “Gremlin.” 2.4″ Rick XC Pro tires with Victoria Airliner XC Light inserts front and rear. On custom built light bicycle WG55 rims with Sapim cx ray spokes and one up hubs. Freedom coast +20 disc brake adapters. Running a drop bar 1×12 setup with Rival shifters and a SRAM X01 AXS with Leap Components 3d printed rear derailleur cage. 34T chainring, XX dub wide cranks, Quarq power meter with chainring spaced inboard. XTR pedals. Fox step cast 32 fork and Fox Transfer SL post with Fair bicycle dropbest saddle clamp. Wolf Tooth drop bar remote lever, saddle clamp, and steerer spacers. Lezyne side load cages. Farr components short aero bar with computer/light mount. Will be running outbound lighting front and helmet light. Wahoo elemnt bolt V2.
BAGS: South City Stitchworks full top tube bag. I will be running a 1L and standard bottle in the frame, and I am contemplating a downtube bag for a little extra storage. USWE 2L pack on my back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I bought the bike because someone was selling a good condition rear triangle and was willing to throw in the front triangle with a couple dowtube cracks. Having wanted to tackle carbon repair for a while, I went for it! I hand stripped the frame “dangerholm” style and then repaired the carbon. Then applied paint with spray.bike and spraymax 2k clear. I learned a lot (particularly that you need to let the clear harden for a while before doing ride wrap!)

Chuck Lindner

Age 53 / Warroad, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: 2016 Salsa Cutthroat with new SID and SON Dynamo hub.
BAGS: Revelate Designs frame bag and top tube bags,
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes tent.

Brenden Lingg

Age 41 / Westminster, Maryland (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: WZRD SHRDPCKR rolling on We Are One Converts laced to Onyx Classics, wrapped with Maxxis Ikons in 29 x 2.6″, White Industries crankset with 30T chainring, SRAM GX transmission. Fox 34 SC. Paul Klampers for stopping.
BAGS: Homemade top tube and frame bag (fabric and components from Ripstop By the Roll), Tailfin bar bag up front and 3L down tube pack on seatpost, a pair of Jpaks Ruksaks, and Wolf Tooth Morse cage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: WZRD pocket organizer and WZRD art department organizer keeping all my little bits easily accessible and neat. Custom WZRD rear rack waiting in the wings if I decide I want a little more space.

Cody Lloyd

Age 35 / Dallas, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’m going for a *completion* of the Doom route on my RSD Mayor v5 fat bike. I have it set up in “skinny fat” mode with 29 x 3″ Vittoria Bombolonis. 29+ ain’t dead! Rack on the back—subject to change. The bar ends are only installed when bikepacking.
BAGS: Stoked to use my new Broadfork Bags “Poppies of War” frame bag. Knockoff Ortlieb handlebar bag. Oveja Negra top tube bag. Mix of Sea to Summit and Revelate Designs for the rest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The amount of climbing for Doom has me playing it safe on gearing. I’m running a 28T chainring and an 11-46T cassette for this challenge. I can’t get my check engine light to turn off.

Jacob Loos

Age 27 / Bella Vista, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be racing my Salsa El Mariachi singlespeed with a 32/20T gear ratio. It has an Enve carbon fork, Velo Orange Crazy Bars, and a Thomson Dropper. I’m running Maxxis tires with a Forekaster 29 x 2.4″ in the front and a Rekon Race 29 x 2.25″ in the rear.
BAGS: I’m using my trusty South City Stitchworks full length top tube bag, Revelate Designs Nook, and an Oveja Negra stem bag. The rack and bag shown in the photo will be removed and replaced by a small (8L?) Osprey hiking backpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m testing out a new to me Outbound Trail Evo headlight for the technical night riding.

Zach Loudon

Age 35 / Russellville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: 2021 Salsa Cutthroat, Bontrager Line Elite wheels with SON dynamo. SRAM GX mechanical 10/52T with a 28T front oval. Rockshox SID brain fork. Continental Race Kings and Aeroe Rear Rack.
BAGS: Aero, front roll, top tube and frame bag are all custom from Zach at South city Stitchworks. Special thanks to Zach for putting on my patches. They remind me what’s most important in my life. The rear bag is a ride forward designs bag by Jay Petervary.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sinewave front and rear lights. Rogue Panda harness up front. Holds my clothes and spare kit. Aero bag has my rain gear. Rear bag has a Six Moons Lunar Solo tent with big Agnes bag and Nemo Tensor pad. Frame bag has food and electronics. Trying to travel lighter.

Jason Lytle

Age 56 / Montrose, California (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: My sweaty and dirty and sleep deprived vacation in Arkansas will be happening on my Ibis DV9 Hardtail. I opted for the popular Vittoria Mezcal’s. 2.25″ on the front and 2.1″ on the rear and mounted onto Nobl carbon rims. My seat and palm friendly grips are by Ergon and my SPD clippy pedals are Exustar 215’s.
BAGS: Bags are all over the map with Alpkit (custom) Cyclite, Revelate Designs, EVOC, and a Ride Forward Designs ‘J-Bag’.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Random rig details include my Son Dynamo hub/ Sinewave Beacon light combo, Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack, Profile Designs “lay down sticks”, some tennis racket handle wrap on the handlebars for added comfort, a 26-hour music playlist set to shuffle, a big ziploc bag of (illegal looking) TailWind , a ‘next to nothing’ sleep kit and finally a custom made “Coyote on a Skateboard” sticker which is pretty much the vibe I will be bringing this time around.

Carolyn Mason

Age 30 / Vanlife (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: My bike is a Cannondale Cujo hardtail with 27.5 plus size tires. The gearing is 32T chainring in the front with an 11x51T 11-speed cassette. I am currently planning to use clipless spds. This Ship of Theseus has taken me on the CT, AZT, Baja Divide, and many many bikerafting and other adventure rides. It love it- even though its replacement items are less colorful.
BAGS: Oveja negra seat bag (six moon designs tarp tent, warm clothes layers, rain gear, food), Revelate rifter frame bag (ground sheet, tent poles, pump, tube/ basic repair kit, water, water purifcation tablets), Revelate feed bags, top tube bag, and front pouch (food! and electronics), and Revelate Designs handlebar harness (sleeping bag, sleeping pad).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am really partial to my feebags for quick access to things. I will be using a Fenix HM65R headlamp, which should be nice and bright with lots of battery hours. I thought about riding through the night(s) but I am bringing a sleep kit, so ill probably use it.

Ryan Mantooth

Age 34 / Bentonville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I will be Despair’ing on my 2021 Mondraker Podium R hardtail. Shimano 12-speed XT/XTR mix with 36T chainring, Fox Factory Stepcast 32 100mm fork with lockout, Favero Assioma power meter pedals, 29” Hunt Proven Race XC UD Carbon wheels with Continental Race King 2.2” tires and plenty of Silca sealant.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Choss 3.4L frame bag with hydration bladder, Gas Tank 1.1L top tube bag, and Shrew 2.25L seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This route isn’t known for being ideal for aero bars, but I did decide to run the PRO compact carbon clip-on mini aero bars for extra hand positions, comfort, and it doubles as a nice out-front headunit mount. For electronics will have Fenix lights, a Garmin Edge 540 and Ainope 10,000 mAh power bank. I’ll also be planning to take along some of my wife’s amazing homemade cookies for both energy and morale boost along the way.

Sam Mayberry

Age 26 / Madison, Wisconsin (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Mone La Roca v3 Size XL setup single speed (32x20t) with mismatched carbon wheels, SRAM Wet Brakes, Ti Handlebars w/ bar ends, and Control Tech Aero Bars.
BAGS: Dispersed Top Tube Bag, Nuclear Sunrise Frame Bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be running a kLite front light for night riding, and a hydration vest for liquids.

Paul Miller

Age 57 / St. Charles, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Dismay
BIKE: Tanglefoot Hardtack with SRAM 1x, XT crank, Avid BB7s, old Crossmax rear and WTB front wheels with 2.1″ Mezcals. 3L water with beaucoup extra space.
BAGS: The custom South City Stitchworks frame and top tube bags with Big Lebarskis are the stars of show. Revelate Pronghorn/Egress on the front, Sea to Summit dry bag rear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Full touring sleep kit with Zpacks Duplex, Therm-a-Rest pad/pillow and a 40° bag. NYTimes crosswords to drift to sleep.

Zeno Molteni

Age 43 / Arlington Heights, Illinois (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Litespeed pinhoti III, equipped with: Power Windows, Power Steering, AM/FM radio + CD player, AC, Sunroof, and Armadillo Leather Seats!
BAGS: Rockbros.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Coros Dura (ask me about my Coros Dura cult!!).

Matt Moosa

Age 33 / Austin, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I will be adventuring the Despair course on my 2025 Jamis Renegade C1 Frame Kit. This bike is super trial friendly and it’s equipped with Shimano GRX 12s Di2, 30/48T x 11/34T drivetrain. I am using 42cm Easton carbon bars and the matching EA90 stem. I am running a Maxxis 50mm Rambler in the back and I SQUEEZED in a Maxxis Ikon 2.2″ up front. For wheels I am rocking the Roval Terra C, I mainly chose these because I could pop in the DT 54T ratchet and they are tough wheels.
BAGS: For bags I am using MoosePacks Custom Bags. The handlebar and seat bag are the standard sizes, but the half frame bag is custom fitted to the bike. The bags are made with lightweight recycled materials, and I did a custom bright orange recycled grid fabric on the inside for ease of visibility to find items.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My personal favorite piece is the Bivo Bottles. These aren’t your average water bottles. They’re durable, and they make hydration a breeze. Plus, the people behind them are seriously awesome, so I’m down to support. Next little piece that might be hard to see, are the Wolf Tooth B-Rad systems. I use these to drop my cages lower to fit a bigger frame bag. Lastly, I’m rocking the Outbound Trail Evo Light for darkness times and Garmin stuff for taillight and maps.

Nic Morales

Age 29 / Asheville, North Carolina (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Velo Orange Prototype, singlespeed 32 x 18T, 650b.
BAGS: Swift Indusries Zeitgeist, Wizard Works Forres Frame Bag, Restrap Saddle Pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Durston X-mid Pro 1 to sleep in with a Rumpl quilt and a Cocoon pillow. What you’re gazing at there is my training ratio: 38 x 18T. I found it far too stout for what Andrew warned against, so with multiple test rides at 30 x 18, 30 x 20, and 32 x 20, I found my happy medium at 32 x 18. It’s sort of useless on the flats, but I’m hoping that softer ratio will be better for these stout, loaded climbs. Though Andrew said suspension was all but necessary, I’m not a big sus guy. My compromise is a 90mm dropper actuated by Wolf Tooth’s spectacular drop bar dropper lever. Here’s to surviving what Alex Kowalski called a “harder mile per mile course than the tour divide.”

Matthew Morelli

Age 28 / Sylva, North Carolina (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Salsa Cutthroat with SRAM Eagle transmission, 34T Absolute Black oval chainring with Conti Cross King 2.35″ tires, a dropper, and Redshifts’s Shockstop Stem to help with the chunk.
BAGS: Revelate Designs, Rockgeist, Tailfin, and Restrap bags on the bike, plus a 6L hip pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My pillow is the only critical piece of gear.

Diego Navarro

Age 35 / Stillwater, Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Custom Ti hardtail from Merman Bicycles dubbed “DD” runs a SRAM AXS 1×12 drivetrain with a 40T chainring and 10-52T cassette. Set up rigid with a Whisky MCX+ fork, Whisky Scully bar, and 29 x 2.25″ Maxxis Aspens on Enve AM30 wheels with a SON28 dynamo up front powering a Sinewave Beacon 2.
BAGS: Rogue Panda frame bag, Tailfin top tube bag, Swift Industries Sidekick stem pouch x2, Big River dry bag on a Mica Rat Tail, and eVac dry bag on the handlebar.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Durston X-Mid 1, BA Rapide SL pad, Montbell sleeping bag, Montbell Plasma 1000 down jacket, Montbell wind jacket, Montbell rain jacket, Montbell rain pants, Montbell everything because it fits.

Martin Norment

Age 34 / Missoula, Montana (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Specialized Epic, SRAM GX AXS Transmission, NOBL TR 32 Wheels.
BAGS: Rogue Panda frame bag, South City Stitchworks bottle bags, and Apidura saddle and top tube bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SON 28 front hub to power lights from Outbound Lighting, Garmin 1040 solar, etc. SQ Lab 12° back sweep handlebars, Rene Herse 2.2” Fleecer Ridge tires with endurance plus casing. Zipp aero bars.

Jack Peck

Age 32 / Palatine, Illinois (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’m riding the Ritchey Ultra hardtail with 50cm Beacon drop bars. It’s a mix of SRAM AXS components with a Fox 34 fork and matching 210mm Kashima coated dropper. Rolling on Enve wheels with i9 Hydra hubs and Thunder Burt 2.35” tires.
BAGS: Staying simple with two custom Assbags, a local Chicago startup. Using the Long Assbag on the top tube and the Full Assbag inside the frame.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve got the Exposure Six-Pack light to turn night into day and a Zenith on the helmet for more lumens on the single track sections. I’ll be kitted out with Assos bibs and jersey and an emergency blanket in case I need a rest.

Natalie Peet

Age 25 / Bentonville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Custom SSS (Slow Southern Steel) Warhorn, made by local Fayetteville frame builder Jesse Turner. This bike was designed with speed and steez in mind. Created with a comfortable yet slightly aggressive geo for long hours in the saddle and a slack head tube angle to rip the chunky terrain of Doom.
BAGS: Custom frame, top tube, and feed bags from Zach Smith at South City Stitchworks. The top tube bag has 2 mesh pockets on the non-drive side to store sticky wrappers and small trail collectibles. The frame bag was designed with an upper and lower compartment on the drive side and a map pocket on the non-drive side.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am bringing a tiny clay potato man with me on this ride to keep me company and Doom bells…duh.

Carter Persyn

Age 27 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: My weapon of choice is an XC bike, a 2021 Norco Revolver FS 120mm. Equipped with Maxxis Ardents, 2.4″ front and 2.25″ rear, 34T chainring which feels aggressive but oh well, 10-51T cassette, front/rear suspension both 120mm travel, Bontrager alloy wheels, and Ergon GS1 grips. This year I’m really looking forward to being on a MTB, it’s the rig for around here.
BAGS: Tailfin 2.2L long top tube bag for the fancy gadgets, two food pouches and a bar bag from AGU will make up the rest of the cockpit. Behind me will be a Restrap 4.5L Saddle Pack full of clothes, sleep, and things I hopefully don’t have to use. On my back will be a Salomon vest with a 2L bladder and plenty of pockets.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Fenix BC26R headlight and Fenix HM65R headlamp are some of the favorite gear I own, being able to swap for a fresh battery at any time is such a luxury when trying to do big night rides. Sleep kit favors speed, an emergency sleeping bag that hopefully won’t be used. Wolf Tooth double barrel bottle cage holder adapter is nice. Photochromic glasses lenses keeps one pair of shades on my face day/night. 2 pairs of Merino Wool socks. Gummy bears.

Kurtis Pitts

Age 38 / Hillsboro, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: My bike is a Steel Chumba Sendero with Fox Factory 34 fork. Mason X Hunt Dynamo wheelset wrapped in 29 x 2.6” Vittoria Mezcals. SRAM Maven Brakes. Single speed gearing is 32/20T with a Wolf Tooth oval chainwheel and Wheels MFG Solo-XD cog. Bars, stem, and dropper are from PNW. Saddle and grips are from Ergon.
BAGS: All bags are from Zach at South City Stitchworks. Custom Frame and Top Tube Bags, Big Lebarski Feed Bags, and Ultra 200 Mini Panniers strapped to an Old Man Mountain Divide Rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A kLite Micro and Anker cache should allow my Outbound Lighting Evo and Hangover lights to keep me moving well past dark. When I do stop, I will have an OR Helium Bivy, Nemo Tensor Pad, and Kammok Bobcat Quilt.

Ben Rainbow

Age 49 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: My Crust Bombora “Thereabouts” edition has seen countless backcountry singletrack miles and gobbles up all roads in between. Set up with Di2 11-speed on Crust Shaka Bars w/Hope RX4 calipers, e13’s Helix Race 9-46 cassette, geared down to a White Industries 34T ring. The Beacon Sinewave works like a charm off of the SON28 dyno hub. Love the Conti Race King 27.5 x 2.25″ tires mounted to Light Bicycle XC725, 25mm wide rims. Chris King bearings in all but the front hub.
BAGS: Rocking the tried and true hometown sweeties Swift Industries saddle bag, half-frame, and Ketral strapped to a Rapha handlebar dry bag with Austere Mfg buckles stays locked in. My go-to stem bag is an extralight Outer Shell Stem Caddy.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love my Enlightened Equipment quilt, still unclear how much I’ll need it. Borrowing a Sierra Designs bivy bag, so TBD. My all time fav natural Flite saddle with Ti Eriksen Sweetpost is very agreeable. Probably just gonna run slip-on Vans with my Chester pedals, with flip-flops for the watery bits. Oh, and lots of TJ’s dried mango. That always makes me happy.

Josh Raleigh

Age 38 / Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Otso Fenrir stainless steel drop bar, Running a Fox 32 Step cast 100mm fork, SRAM Apex Eagle Group Set 10-52T, 28T oval chainring, Hunt Proven enduro wheels, Pirelli Scorpion XC M 2.4″ tires, Cane Creek E+Silk Seat post, D20 valve caps, All purple accents.
BAGS: Restrap front bag and top tube bag, Custom Rogue Panda frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: USWE Rush Vest, Garmin 1040 Solar, Outbound lights, couple battery packs in case night riding goes longer than planned. Bringing a couple extra layers once we get in the valleys.

Edward Rogers

Age 24 / Traverse City, Michigan (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding my trusty Bearclaw Buck Macho V2 that I designed during my time in the bike industry. We’ll be running an Ohlins RXF 34 fork, Roval Control wheels and 2.2” Continental Race Kings. For contact points I’ll be running Ergon grips, Cane Creek bar ends, Shimano XTR pedals, a Brooks C13 saddle and Fox Transfer Sl. My drivetrain will simply consist of a 32x20T single speed setup and a set of Shimano brakes.
BAGS: My custom frame bag was made by Three Toes Threadworks, Top tube and Jerry can bags by Revelate Designs. A tool keg to hold all of my repair kit and a 2L USWE pack for water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Exposure six pack and Red eye combo will be along for the nights once again. Also running a set of BBCo Ti bars and some fancy Chris King bearings. Garmin 1040 for navigation.

Aaron Rutzick

Age 52 / Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding a Scott Spark 910 with a new pair of René Herse Fleecer Ridge 700 x 55mm tires, a stock Shimano XT 1×12 drivetrain (10-51T) with a 32T chainring, and Shimano XT derailleur, shifters and brakes. I’m on a Oneup V3 Dropper Post and a Selle Anatomica Taint Saver Saddle.
BAGS: Front to back, I’m riding with a Revelate Designs Sweetroll, two Ellum Bag Works Traveler feed bags, a Rogue Panda frame pack and a Rogue Panda Ripsey Seat Bag.

Shannon Sanders

Age 54 / North Little Rock, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Esker Hayduke Ti with AXS Shifty Bits. 30T ring x 10-52T cassette and covering ground on 29 x 2.35″ Mezcals.
BAGS: Full length top tube bag and feedbags both from Southcity Stitchworks. Swift handlebar bag and seatpack (the latter may get swapped out for the waterproof Tailfin Aeropack given the rain forecast.)
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No framebag to keep the bike light for gnarly hike a bikes and less crosswind sail effect. The SCSW toptube bag is still my number one favorite bike accoutrement. Coros Dura should get me through on one charge with its astonishing battery life.

Billy Schaeffer

Age 36 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Moné La Roca v1 with the OG bread truck triplane fork, running a SRAM GX drivetrain and sitting on 29 x 2.35″ Racing Ralphs around Stan’s Sentry wheels. Bars are VO Crazy Bars and rear rack is the new VO There and Back Rack. Electronics are a Garmin Edge 1040 and an Outbound Beacon.
BAGS: My frame bag is a Nuke Sunrise custom bag, feed bags are split between Swift and Revelate Designs, and the handlebar bag is the Swift capstone bag. Using a standard roll top dry bag for sleep system on the rack. I’ll also carry a Swift hip pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Dangle Supply DangleBong.

Tom Schwemberger

Age 29 / Naperville, Illinois (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: This will be the inaugural race for my Liminal Machine Works custom Ti hardtail. I’m running Mezcals front (2.25”) and rear (2.6”) with a SON dynamo powering an Edelux headlight. The drivetrain is SRAM Eagle E-Tap, with a 34T chainring. For a route which is always up or down, I have inner bar ends, but no aerobars.
BAGS: Bags are all by 7Roads and all custom, including the frame and top tube bags, rack-top bag, and stem backs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m really enjoying the Coros Dura bike computer. Looking forward to not having to charge it for the entire race!

Robert Shine

Age 36 / Round Rock, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be running an aluminum hardtail mountain bike (Cube Reaction TM 2019) with a 140mm fork and a 28T chainring for the climbs.
BAGS: I’ve got a MYOG handle bar harness with a dry bag out front, two MYOG stem bags, top tube bag from Cedaero, half frame bag and another dry bag on a Tumbleweed T rack. Overflow water storage available on the 3 pack mounts on the rack if needed.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be trying to keep it minimal with a homemade tarp/bug bivy sleep system and using a converted Costco down quilt and an inflatable Exped pad for warmth.

Joshua Shouse

Age 33 / Louisville, Kentucky (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: 2023 Revel El Jefe, X01 12-speed running a 30T oval chain ring, 120mm SID Ultimate fork, Ergon GP3 grips, bar taped handle bars, Crankbros Dropper post. Tires will be Aspen ST 170 TPI (but may swap out last minute for Vittoria Peyote XC).
BAGS: Bag set up will be a Tailfin Aero rack (aluminum), Revelate frame bag, Apidura Handbar bag, Apidura food pouch bag, Cedaro top tube bag and a Apidura downtube bag with tools, tube etc.. I have two Tailfin cargo cages on the fork that will be used for my Grayl water filter bottle and spare water bottle.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Stoked to be bringing a Durston X-Mid 2 tent for this event. Decided on a 30T oval chainring due to the amount of vertical, spin to win as they say. Bringing along Pretty Great Instant coffee for early mornings and mid day breaks.

Jesse Smith

Age 30 / Columbus, Indiana (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’m riding a Specialized World Cup with Roval Control World Cup wheels and Maxxis Aspen 2.4″ 170tpi tires. For my drivetrain I’m running a full SRAM wireless setup including using a Flight Attendant fork as a wireless remote lockout.
BAGS: I had a custom frame bag made by South City Stitchworks designed for a lightweight, no-sleeping setup. I’ll be wearing a USWE Outlander Pro 2L hydration pack as well.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a Exposure Diablo MK12 and Sixpack MK11. Last year I only brought one light and it wasn’t enough, and I ended up finishing with a cell phone light. For navigation I’m using the Hammerhead Karoo 3, I think it has the best map interface.

Preston Smith

Age 34 / Olympia, Washington (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Cotic BFE, RockShox SID 120mm fork.
BAGS: Jpaks on top tube bag (thanks Deschutes bike shop!), Yellow gate stitch works stem bag, Tangent frame bag, Rockgiest dry bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Doom Ti bikepackers delight handlebar, Tumbleweed T-Rack, Velo Orange Mojave cage.

Aaron Steinberg

Age 32 / Saint Louis, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be attempting Despair on a SS Vassago Optimus Ti wrapped in some rad locally made South City Stitchworks bags. I’m running 29 x 2.6″ Continental Cross King tires, a RockShox SID fork, OneUp dropper post, and a Mica Rat Tail rear rack for my rain gear and layers. For the fellow nerds, I’m sticking with a 32x18T ratio. A Fenix BC26R with a spare battery will light the way at night.
BAGS: I’m running the South City Stitchworks Special, a combo of a full top tuber and a full frame bag. I’m also running bilateral Big LeBarski feedbags up front to hold my drinks and snacks. Cheers to Zach for whipping these up and giving them a hint of 90s flair. Can’t wait to see how many gas station hot dogs these bad boys will fit.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Brooks B17 is tried and true, love it to death. Ergon cork grips are up front to keep the hands happy. And of course the SCSW bags from Zach make fueling this adventure possible.

Mckay Stephan

Age 35 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be riding my Why Cycles El Jefe, nicknamed Sammy Switchblade. Hunt Carbon Wheels, Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ Tires, and a RockShox SID Ultimate Fork with 120mm of travel. Drivetrain is a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed with a 10-52T cassette and a 32T front chainring. Cockpit includes Ritchey flat bar and stem and Ergon GP2 Grips.
BAGS: Front bag is a Swift Industries Catalyst, my favorite bag brand. I’m also using two Specialized Fjallraven Feed Bags that I got for free from a giveaway. Salsa EXP Series Direct Mount Top Tube Bag and an Oveja Negra Snack Pack to round it out. Rear saddle bag is a Revelate Designs Seatbag 16L.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The most important pieces of gear are my NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow for a good night’s sleep, as well as my Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket and Mont Bell Rain Pants. Instead of a sleeping bag I use a Mont Bell full down suit which includes a jacket, pants and booties and an emergency blanket if it gets too cold. I’ll be sleeping in a Black Diamond Twilight Bivy and bringing my Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack Tent Rain Fly and ground cover and leaving the tent at home. A few wag bags, wet wipes, and caffeine pills are essential.

Jace Stout

Age 36 / Minturn, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be driving my Why Cycles S7. Enve cockpit, Sram shifty bits, Code Stealth brakes, Revel/I9 shoes, Mezcal rubber, Mica Rat Tail rack, and a 120 Stepcast Fox 34. Ergon GS1 grips, Cane Creek bar ends, and SQ Lab inner bar ends wrapped in bar tape should help the hands.
BAGS: Custom frame bag, top tube bag, feed bags, and handlebar bag as well as a rear rack and hydration vest all from the skunk works at San Util Design.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My rear rack bag contains a bivy, pillow, and warm layers if I need to get some rest. Garmin 1040 solar to show me the way. I have never done an effort like this so here’s to rollin’ the dice!

Gary Sweeney

Age 44 / Cortland, Ohio (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding on a Trek Marlin 7. The Spank Rims are equipped with Hope Pro 4 hubs and Continental Race King tires. It also has a modified 1×12 XT drivetrain with a 28T Garbaruk chainring, and a Fusion X dropper post.
BAGS: The sleep system is held in by the Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness. In the back it has an Aeroe Spider Rack with Sea to Summit Bags all around. Finally, the snacks and extra power will be stowed in the Tailfin Top Tube Bag. I’ll also have three Blackburn Cargo Cages held on with a little help from my friends at BarYak.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system consists of an MSR Hubba Hubba and a Nemo Equipment Disco Sleeping bag. Navigation will be Spot 4 tracker, Garmin 1040 Edge, and RidewithGPS as a backup. Outbound lights and MSR water filtration round out the kit.

Liz Thompson

Age 39 / Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I will be riding Despair on my super fun Esker Hayduke Ti! Will be rolling on Industry Nine rims and 2.5″ Victoria Mezcal tires. I have Perseverance Adventure Handlebars from Wren Sports with built in aero bars. Got a 28T oval chain ring from Absolute Black to help me out with all the hills. Many thanks to Bailey at Sincere Cycles, and my partner Dan, for helping me get my bike (and myself) ready to Despair!
BAGS: Top tube and frame bag made by Sam at Buckhorn bags. Snackhole bags made by Makeshifter Canvas Works. I will be using a handlebar bag from San Util Design to store as much food as possible. I will probably also use a downtube pack from Tailfin (not pictured) to make up for lack of space on my xs bike. Likely to also use my Tumbleweed rear rack with a MLD dry bag strapped on top to store my emergency sleep kit, because again, xs bike problems!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The plan is to ride this in one go, but I am bringing a SOL emergency bivy, down pants and down coat in case things get whack and sleep is necessary. Using a Garmin Edge Explore 2 for navigation, and for lights I’ll have a Fenix light attached to my helmet, a ravemen light on the bike, a couple Nitecore battery packs to make sure everything stays charged, and a Nitecore headlamp, just in case. I’m kinda sorta totally afraid of the dark, so I’m hoping biking all night alone in the woods will help me with that!

Jason Thorman

Age 56 / Spearfish, South Dakota (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: 2018 Specialized Stumpjumper with 12,000 miles on it. It creaks a little. Eagle Drivetrain with a 28T up front. RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper seatpost. Vittoria Mezcal up front and Maxxis Icon in the rear. RockShox SID with lockout for the front shock.
BAGS: Apidura Expedition Handlebar Bag, Apidura Gas Tank, Apidura Feed Bag, Tailfin Rack with top bag and two rear panniers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Zpack Hexamid Tent, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir and a 35 degree Western Mountaineering Bag for my sleep kit. Bringing my trusty Garmin eTrex 30 for navigation and Fenix PD36R flashlight to see the dogs at night. I will be using the BeFree Water Filtration System for the first time.

Chris Throop

Age 57 / Austin, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Ride what you’ve got! What I’ve got is a 2020 Surly Bridge Club in “grandma’s lipstick” red. For my first-ever single track experience, I’m transitioning to tubeless on some fresh 2.35″ Mezcals. The gearing is 11-51T with a 32T chainring. Tumbleweed Persuader bar and hydraulic brakes. I plan to install a dropper post before getting to the start.
BAGS: I have a touring background, and despite trying I just can’t let go of the panniers. So, REI panniers on a Tubus rack. I have an Outer Shell half-frame bag, a Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness and a few Oveja Negra pieces around the cockpit. My favorite bag though is not even a bike-specific bag: I’m using a Gossamer Gear Vagabond daypack for a hydration pack. It’s lightweight with lots of well-placed pockets if I want to stash stuff.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m all about good sleep and hoping for 5-6 hours of it each night. My sleep setup is a Western Mountaineering TerraLite sleeping bag on a Nemo Tensor inflatable pad inside an old but very serviceable TarpTent. With some trepidation, I’m relying on a Garmin 840 for navigation. Fenix BC26R with a backup battery for light.

Johnny Townsend

Age 41 / Tabeguache Park, Colorado (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Chromoly steel On-One Huntsman, under-forked at 100mm with a Fox Factory 34 Stepcast and further geo-tweaked with a Works Components -2 degree angle-set. I’m running “sans dérailleur” (French for “extra stupid”) with an oval 34T ring (Works) driving a 21T cog (EndlessBikeCo). Wheels are alloy Hunt Race XC wearing 2.35″ Vittoria Mezcals and Tannus Tubeless Pro inserts – as close to a “run-flat” setup as I’ve come across. SRAM G2 Ultimate stoppers with 180mm rotors front and rear. SDG V3 Overland Saddle, Fox Transfer dropper, Stooge Moto Bars adorned with ESI squishiness. Dual Lezyne Lite Drive 1000XLs and a Lezyne Mega XL GPS on a Bezos-pro cockpit extender. 30W, 3600mAh Rienok bluetooth speaker. Mica Cycles Rat Tail rack rounds out the build.
BAGS: Frame bag and gas tank bag are stout offerings by Nuke Sunrise. Revelate Designs Mountain feed bags. A lone Oveja Negra Bootlegger on the non-drive-side rack-stay. I’ll wear a USWE Patriot 15 to manage hydration and stash a couple layers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit is minimal and includes an SOL escape bivy and a trustworthy, moderately-trimmed Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest. Kit is subject to fortification should extended cold/wet weather be forecast, in the form of a more robust bivy/tarp and a tiny isobutane stove.

Charlotte Turner

Age 27 / Park City, Utah (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Spry hydra Drop bar Mountain Bike, SRAM GX AXS Eagle, Vittoria Mezcal Tires, SID Rock Shox Fork 110mm travel.
BAGS: Topeak bags and Tailfin Rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outbound Lighting Portal bar light using pass-through charging paired with a Fenix BC26R helmet light. Igpsport + Wahoo Roam head Units, Insta360 camera, Neversecond fuel, Limar helmet and photochromatic sunglasses, Jelenew clothing, Use Hydration pack, Velo Saddle Senso special edition saddle.

Jesse Turner

Age 31 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding a custom Slow Southern Steel (sss.bike) Warhorn that I made. For Despair I’ve set it up with a 28T chainring to help me out on the climbs and Maxxis Dissector/Rekon Race tires for ripping the singletrack. This bike also features custom steel handlebars, homemade computer mount, SQlabs Inner and Cane Creek outer bar ends, Helm 130 fork, Wolf Tooth dropper post, Profile cranks and hubs laced to Reserve alloy rims.
BAGS: Framebags by Buckhorn, handmade I Love Misery hydration pack and homemade drybag harness for my sleep kit on the handlebars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite piece of kit right now is the I Love Misery hydration pack, it was made custom for me and has lots of extra storage for layers and items I’d like to keep on my person.

Matthew Turner

Age 29 / Park City, Utah (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Chumba Steel Yaupon with Enve Carbon Fork, Redshift stem, SRAM GX AXS Drivetrain.
BAGS: Dispersed Backpacking Bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outbound Lighting Portal bar light using pass-through charging paired with a Fenix BC26R helmet light.

Dennis Vandegrift

Age 44 / Trussville, Alabama (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: Specialized S-Works Epic hardtail, SRAM AXS mullet with XX1 Eagle rear and Force front, 32T chainring and 12-speed 10-52T cassette, ENVE Mountain Fork, ENVE In-Route gravel handlebar, Maxxis Aspen 29 x 2.4″ tires.
BAGS: 12L bag on Aeroe rear rack for sleep setup, 8L bag on Aeroe front rack for clothing, Relevate Designs Rifter frame bag for food and tools.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nemo Hornet OSMO 2-person tent (if it rains), or a bivy (if it’s dry), Therm-a-Rest UberLite sleeping pad, Marmot 30° sleeping bag, COCOON mummy liner. Cooking with a Jetboil stove. Electronics: Garmin inReach Mini, Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar watch, Garmin 540 Solar bike computer, Outbound Lighting Trail Evo front light and Hangover helmet light.

Jonathan Vota

Age 43 / Coal City, Illinois (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’m riding Ugly Duckling v3.0, a Niner One 9 RDO hardtail that’s been with me through many adventures over the last ten years. SRAM Eagle XO1 with 28×10-50 gearing, ENVE Mountain Fork, Redshift Seatpost, ISM Saddle, SON Dynamo front hub, and Teravail Sparwood 2.2s.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Mag-Tank, Jerrycan, Joey, 2x Feedbags, and a Spinelock.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: CrankTank, Nemo XL sleeping pad, RAB Neutrino 200 sleeping bag, aero bars on 70mm risers because my wrists are naughty, emergency catamaran hull deployment for torrential flooding.

Les Acker

Age 43 / Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE:I will be Doomin on my Crust Evasion. Mezcal 27×2.1’s
36×21 ss mostly Revelate bags with a mica rack and dry bag. I will be using a computer for the first time ever “ thanks Bobby!” Thanks Tyler for getting me a new rear wheel last minute. Oh yeah my tent is a lunar solo and my sleeping bag is a Walmart Johnson.

Jacob Waterman

Age 32 / Springfield, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: Mosaic GT-X rolling on Vittoria Terrenos 2.25″ front and 2.1″ rear. Gearing is 34T with 10-50T. I’ll be holding on for dear life to my flat bars, inner bar ends, and (occasionally) aero bars.
BAGS: Dispersed full frame bag and big top tube bag. Out front is a Sew Bueno burrito bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 3L frame bag bladder for hydration and no hydration vest to keep my back happier. Outbound headlight to show me the way.

Sarah Waterman

Age 30 / Springfield, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding a Salsa Fargo flat bar with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35” tires.
BAGS: A hodgepodge of bags; Oveja Negra frame bag (bought from a friend), Buckhorn top tube bag (won in a raffle), Outer Shell saddle and handlebar bag (took off my husband’s bike).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Extra socks for when my feet get wet.

John Williamson

Age 32 / Kyle, Texas (USA)

ROUTE: Despair
BIKE: I’ll be riding my Trek Checkpoint SL 6. For tires, I’ll be running Maxxis Ravagers 45mm. The drivetrain is Shimano GRX using Ultegra levers. A 36T Wolf Tooth chainring up front with Garbaruk components in the rear (derailleur cage, pulley wheels, and a 11-50T cassette).
BAGS: I will be running a full-length top tube bag made by Zach at Southcity Stitchworks for carrying food and charging my electronics. I have a Bontrager half-frame bag that will have some of my repair kit and self-care items. Finally, an Apidura Racing Saddle Pack will hold my Helium bivy and some extra clothing layers when needed.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Some of my favorite things on this bike are my well worn Brooks B17 Special saddle and the FSA K-Wing AGX handlebars. Also, I will be using a Fenix HM65R headlamp which has been a game changer for me when it comes to riding at night.

Preston Williams

Age 40 / Bonner Springs, Kansas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: For my second year racing Doom, I’ll be back on my Single Speed Otso Ti Fenrir. I’ll be running a slightly easier gear of 32x20T. The bike absolutely loves this course!
BAGS: This will be the first time racing with my new custom bags from South City Stitchworks. The frame bag, top tube bag and stem bags are all hand built by Zach. The saddle bag and handlebar bag are Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep system is an OR Helium bivy, Sierra Designs bag and a chopped Nemo pad. My Exposure Six Pack light is big and bulky, but it’s super bright on 36 hour mode. My new Gremlin bell will take its place next to last year’s bell, where it has been all year long.

Randy Windle

Age 46 / Hot Springs, Arkansas (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be racing the Doom course on my Buena Onda Ti hardtail paired with a Cane Creek Helm coil fork up front. Running an Oddity Razorbar along with 2.4” Schwable Nobby Nics mounted on Enve wheels. 32 x 20T gearing.
BAGS: Full length top tube bag, 3/4 frame bag and front roll were all made by Zach at South City Stitchworks out of St. Louis, MO.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Full sleep kit in the front roll consisting of bivy, sleeping bag, and Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad, all mounted to a Goodday Spacer-Cradle. A Sinewave Beacon headlight powered by a Son dynamo hub and external battery pack will help light the way.

Jamie Wynne

Age 51 / Springfield, Missouri (USA)

ROUTE: Doom
BIKE: I’ll be eating my way through Doom on my Bravo Ti gravel bike built by some really nice guys in Monterrey Mexico, rolling 650b Industry 9 wheels with a Continental Race King 2.2″ on the front and a 2.0″ on the back. SRAM Force drivetrain with 34T chainring and a 10-52T cassette (it’s still not enough rpm’s).
BAGS: Orucuse (yay magnets) mini frame pack, Top tube bag, and Smuggler HC large handlebar bag, and also a Revelate Pika seat bag. I’ll load some Sea to Summit dry bags on Wolf Tooth Morse Cargo cages.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A cheap bivy, a 30 hour audiobook, and some instant coffee.