Rigs of the 2025 Stagecoach 400

The Stagecoach 400 is California’s longest mountain bike route, traversing an incredible patchwork of dirt doubletrack, sandy desert roads, technical singletrack, urban bike paths, and rolling tarmac. The route features the three distinct biomes of Southern California: craggy, forested mountains; spectacularly desolate desert; and the ocean, with its rich coastal canyons and urban center of San Diego.

This year, over 60 riders are registered for live tracking, including a few individual time trials and a small group of riders who took on the Sideshow, a self-paced ride along a shortened version of the full Stagecoach route a week before the main event. As is becoming tradition, riders will face cold nighttime lows, the chance of snow and rain, and warm daytime highs. Anything is possible, so riders must be prepared for it all.

With help from event organizer Meg Knobel and the participants of this year’s event, we gathered rig details for over 30 riders who will be taking on the 2025 Stagecoach 400. Dig into the rigs below, then head over to the event page to follow along live. But first, here is a short introduction to this year’s event by Meg.

Robert Anderson

Age 55 / Coto de Caza, California (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a 2013 Raleigh Talus 29 Carbon Pro, my daily ride for the past 12 years. DT Swiss wheels with Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tires. Front wheel has a SP dynamo powering kLite lights front and rear. Running a SRAM XO 2x drivetrain, 39/26 in the front, with a 10-46T cassette. Keep the 2x alive (hat tip to Russ at Path Less Pedaled). Profile Design aerobars sitting on a Fred Bar.
BAGS: Revelate Designs bags front and back. Apidura bags on the frame and downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Borah Gear Ultralight Bivy, Big Agnes Torchlight 20 sleeping bag, dual water bottle adaptor from cyclewerks.co.nz in the front, and Wahoo Bolt for navigation.

Jordan Armstrong

Age 44 / North Logan, Utah (USA)

BIKE: Ti Unicorn.
BAGS: Mostly Dispersed Bikepacking.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Snacks.

Andre Batista

Age 37 / Portugal

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Stagecoach 400, with a sense of urgency, on a custom Superior XP969. Built with SRAM AXS Force/X01 30t and a 10/52T cassette, RockShox SID Ultimate SL, Hunt Proven Carbon hoops rolling on 2.25” Mezcals, Whisky Spano bars with Profile Designs Aerobars, Easton carbon post, Selle Italia SLR saddle, and Garmin pedals.
BAGS: My setup is a mix of Apidura racing, backcountry, and an older frame bag that has kept me company on many adventures. The saddle bag holds my sleeping gear and a warm top, while the aero bag has a bunch of different layers and rain gear. The top tube is for food and tools. The frame bag contains more food, electronics, emergency bivvy, and sunscreen. Two feedbags by the aero bars for candy and chips. An Apidura hydration vest with a 2L bladder, some food, and Garmin InReach complete the set.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I might do some minor tweaks, but this is the bike I’m riding the Tour Divide and European Divide on this year. A Borah Gear bivvy, polycro cloth, Cumulus quilt and Klymit Inertia make up my lightweight sleeping system. Exposure Lights front, helmet, and rear. PEdALED kit, Lake shoes with mid-foot cleat position to keep me moving. A total of 4.5L of water for the desert sections.

Jonathan Black

Age 54 / Idaho Falls, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) the Stagecoach 400 on a Surly Instigator 2.0. The bike features 26+ tires, Maxis Minion 26 x 2.8″ set up on Hope Pro 4 hubs, 36 spokes, on Kris Holm 47.2mm rims. I’ll be pushing a 1×10 Shimano XT with a 30T chainring and 11-42T tooth cassette. Fox Factory 140mm forks, Fox Transfer dropper, Hope brakes.
BAGS: The bag setup is Revate Designs all around, with Sweet Roll, frame bag, fuel can, feed bags, and seat bag. Each fork stanchion as a 1L water bottle, with a big 2L bottle on the downtube, to get me through the desert sections.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Western Mountaineering bag inside a bivy will serve as my shelter, and I’ll be using my iPhone (RideWithGPS) for navigation.

Robyn Blackfelner

Age 41 / San Diego, California (USA)

BIKE: Santa Cruz Carbon Chameleon, Fox Factory 34 fork at 130mm, SRAM X01/mixed drivetrain, Shimano XTR brakeset, Ibis S35 Carbon wheelset at 29”, Maxxis Ardent 29 x 2.25″ tires, OneUp dropper, Chromag bars and bits throughout.
BAGS: Rockbros framebag and Dakine Drafter 14L hydration pack, the seat post bag in the picture below didn’t make the cut so I can use my full dropper.

Blake Bockius

Age 63 / Truckee, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Otso Fenrir Ti with a 120mm RockShox SID fork. Tires will include a Victoria Mezcal 2.35″ up front and a Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.35″ on the rear. The build also includes SRAM wireless shifting, Hope brakes, a Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post and various other Wolf Tooth bits.
BAGS: I will be using various bags that I’ve collected over the years. The bags include the Porcelain Rocket Charlene Seat bag, Rockeist frame bad, and a Rogue Panda top tube bag. On the bars I have a Revelate Designs feed bag and a Oveja Negra Chuckbucket.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Will include a Garmin 1030 for navigation, Exposure lights on the bars and the helmet. My sleep kit is based on the latest weather forecast. If things don’t change between know and the grand depart I’ll be using the following for my sleep kit, Therm-a-Rest Uberlight pad, SOL Escape Bivy, Sea to Summit pillow, Mont-Bell down pants and a Rab down hoodie.

Becca Book

Age 36 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Stagecoach 400 on my Blacksheep titanium hardtail. I’m trusting a pair of Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge 2.2” tires to lend grip for the loose singletrack and speed on the pavement. Eagle AXS drive train makes it easy to switch my whip into singlespeed mode for other endeavors. Evergreen bling is provided by Wolf Tooth Components, and Salish Sea blue cranks and brakes from Hope. I have a Shutter Precision dynamo hub laced to HiFi sound cycling component hubs and a Sinewave light so I can keep the party going all night long. Profile Designs aerobars to ensure the entire thing looks like an alien spaceship.
BAGS: Bags are primarily by Washington based LOAM equipment. They attended to every detail on the frame bag, including color matching the dyneema fabric, and made me this prototype aerobar harness which I love!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 3L Apidura frame bladder and 1.5L Camelbak for hydration. Opting for a multipurpose down ensemble (puffy jacket, pants, and socks) instead of sleeping bag. Backup vocals provided by OpenRun by Shokz earphones.

Jenni Branam

Age 44 / Tehachapi, California (USA)

BIKE: Riding Salsa Timberjack with industry nine 29ers. 2.2″ Conti Race Kings, Shimano XT, Redcomet light/battery pack, OneUp enduro purple pedals, Aeroe rack with some self adhesive foam as padding, that also stops any sliding down of the rack.
BAGS: I pretty much use whatever bags I have available/found on clearance. My handlebar bag is large because my sleeping bag is rated for -5F, I am a cold sleeper and need the extra warmth. I’m ok with adding a little weight in order to be warm.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m packing the MSR E-bivy with a ground tarp and rain fly with poles for the Big Agnes 1 person backpacking tent. Nemo mat and a small inflatable pillow.

Emmet Byron

Age 28 / Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: 2023 Specialized Epic Evo upgraded with Race Face bars and stem, XX1 cranks and Reserve wheels wrapped with Specialized Fast Trak 2.35″. Cane Creek bar ends, SQLabs innerbarends, Wolf Tooth foam grips, XT trail pedals, and an Ergon SM saddle for the contact points.
BAGS: Frame bag is from Dispersed and will mainly carry food and extra water for the desert. Tailfin downtube pack for human and bike repair items. Restrap top tube bag houses the electronics. Revelate Designs sweetroll up front for my sleep kit and layers. I’m also wearing a Salomon running vest which will hold 2.5L of water and as many snacks as I can stuff into the side pockets.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Cozy tested bivy setup, waterproof socks, and lots of stretchy pockets!

Cliff Clermont

Age 55 / Carlsbad, California (USA)

BIKE: The TREK Procaliber will be my bike for this year’s event. The tires that I’ll run will be a pair of relatively new MAXXIS Ikon Race 2.35″ on a pair of Bontrager RSL (29mm internal ) wheels. SRAM XX1 AXS 1×12 (10-52T cassette and a 32T ring)
BAGS: Tailfin XL fuel bag up top and a Tailfin quarter frame bag. A single Revelate bottle/fuel bag on the drive side of the bars. Also, a small ALMSTHRE handlebar bag with tools/spares/etc. that bag we hope not to have to open. Out back is the Revelate Spinlock housing the sleep system and an item or two.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will wear a Salomon running pack without a bladder for the odd lightweight puffy, rain jacket, and capacity for food and water. A NITECORE UHE60 mounted on the stem and a Niterider Micro950 for the helmet. 2x NITECORE 10,000ma battery packs. SQLabs grips and inner-bars. Garmin 830 for nav.

Drew Darke

Age 25 / Goleta, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the “Viral Derive” with a Pinion belt drive. Running 2.4” tires, mezcal in the front and peyote in the back. Throwing aero bars on for the longer pavement stretches.
BAGS: Full Tailfin set up along with a Camelbak for extra water/snack storage. Tent poles for my MSR Hubba Hubba UL1 strapped to the side of the aeropack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Going for comfort not speed with a tent, Sea to Summit sleeping bag, and Ether Light pad for sleeping set up. Garmin 1030 for navigation with phone for backup.

Sarah Didier

Age 37 / Mission Viejo, California (USA)

BIKE: This is my second Stagecoach 400 and this time I opted for my Scott Scale hardtail bike (vs gravel bike in 2023). It’s a pretty lightweight setup with carbon frame, Fox 32 Podium Gold fork, Light Bicycle carbon wheels, Syncros carbon bars/stem combo, Shimano XT 2-piston brakes, SRAM carbon cranks with a mix of X01/GX drivetrain 34T x 10-52T. For tires I decided to go with a Maxxis Ikon 2.35″ in the front and a fast-rolling Maxxis Aspen ST 2.25″ in the rear.
BAGS: Custom-made Atelier F!KS frame bag (Thank you Jozua!), Restrap Race 7L saddle bag, Oveja Chuckbucket on one side of the bars and REI snack bag on the other side, Almsthre compact bar bag and REI top-tube bag. And I’ll be wearing a Camelbak Chase vest with 1.5L hydropack and some more things stuffed in there.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Definitely the Atelier F!KS custom frame bag. It looks great and allows for maximum storage capacity which is so important on a small bike like mine!

Kevin Emery

Age 54 / Victor, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: Chumba Stella Ti 29er with i9 Trail 270 wheels, Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.35” tires, SRAM 12-speed geared 32-10x52T.
BAGS: Rockgeist bags with a Ride Forward Designs rack bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nothing on my back or in jersey pockets. SON28 Dynamo hub running kLite lighting.

Wade French

Age 32 / Fresno, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding Stagecoach 400 on Bombadil, a 2022 Specialized Epic Evo. The bike features a pair of Continental Raceking 2.2” tires, 34T abosoluteblack oval chainring, Fred Bars with Profile Design Aerobars, a Oneup dropper post, and Hunt Proven Carbon Race XC wheels.
BAGS: The centerpiece of my bag setup is a custom designed and fitted frame bag, seatpack, and top tube bags from Rogue Panda. I am also running a Revelate Pitchfork bag on my aerobars and a Wolf Tooth Teklite Roll Top Bike Bag under the downtube for tools that I hope I don’t need :P. On the note of tools, I also have Wolftooth’s Encase tool set in my barends which is pretty nifty. I’ll be carrying an USWE water bladder on my back. Between that bladder, my frame bag bladder, a water bottle, and my Katahdin Befree filter, I will have the ability to carry up to 6L of water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Zpacks Plex solo tent, along with an Enlightened Equipment quilt (I haven’t decided if I’m bringing my 50° synthetic or 20° down quilt), and a Therm-a-Rest Neoair Short Pad will provide me shelter on the trail. I’ll be navigating with a Garmin Edge 1040 Solar and using a Garmin inreach for tracking on Trackleaders.

Kyle Gilbert

Age 29 / Austin, Texas (USA)

BIKE: Why Cycles El Jefe, 120mm RockShox SID.
BAGS: Old Man Mountain rack and pack. Mixed assortment for the frame bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love my SQlab innerbarends, dynamo and klite set up, and the new Transmission is sick.

Frances Hacker

Age 32 / Flagstaff, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Woodsmoke, SRAM GX drivetrain, Shimano XT brakes, I9 Hydra hubs and CW USA carbon rims, Maxxis rubber.
BAGS: Mostly Oveja Negra plus a well-loved, second-hand Broadforks Frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be trying out a new Fenix HM65R-T V2.0 Headlamp. I wear Dirty Girl shoe gaiters for all bikepacking adventures to keep the rocks out of the socks.

Eric House

Age 36 / Conroe, Texas (USA)

BIKE: Surly Steel Karate Monkey (eggplant purple) Single Speed 32x18t with a SID ULTI race day, serviced by my family at Race Ready Repair.
BAGS: Custom South City Stitchworks colorful bags comfortably hug the frame and carry all my snacks and clothes! Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack and Atlas pack hold my sleep kit. Hand-crafted titanium Doom Bars for comfort and stability. The sleep set consists of the Big Agnes 30 degree bag wrapped by the Outdoor Research bivy. Klite’s system keeps the trails bright and my electronics charged.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The monkey is equipped with my Arkansas Doom gremlin bell and my ghostly buddy, Bella Boo. Also, my duel bell keeps the wolves at bay (all bikes deserve a good bell). Oh! And a Silca mini pump!

Jake Jackson

Age 23 / San Luis Obispo, California (USA)

BIKE: Unikorn Esker Hayduke in size XL. 12-speed mechanical XO (best drivetrain ever) with a 10-52T cassette and a 30t chainring. Specialized Fast Trak and Ground control Combo, extra sealant. Busy but comfortable cockpit with 2 sets of bar ends and ins, carbon aeroloop and wide armrest. All electronics minus phone on bars. Fenix Lighting with spare batteries.
BAGS: From Revelate Designs, Sweetroll and Shrew. From Oveja Negra, big ass framebag (counting my blessings). From Frog Bags (made by me), long ass top tube bag for maximum snack storage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: All gear is stored on bike, including water, allowing for the lack of any sort of on-body packs. A mix of Reggae and Techno to fuel the journey.

Jerome Lacote

Age 49 / Carlsbad, California (USA)

BIKE: Riding a similar setup to last year. A Specialized Epic Evo with a few strips of electrical tape here and there to keep mud and sand from grinding away at the carbon frame. I might swap out the tires and return to a flat bar with aero extensions to avoid the months-long hand numbness I dealt with last time.
BAGS: My sleep kit fits neatly into a 13L Sea to Summit dry bag, strapped to a clever Aeroe Spider rear rack that still allows me to use my dropper post. I’ve also got a custom frame bag from PratsPacks (Ukraine, via Etsy) and a budget-friendly RockBros handlebar bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love my Specialized down jacket, it’s super cozy on cold nights. I’m also bringing an iGPSPORT radar tail light, because I’d really prefer not to get hit by a car again. Thinking of going ultralight for sleep: Tyvek groundsheet, maybe a Nemo pad, and an REI Magna 30 sleeping bag. My goal is to stay fast, nimble, and keep it all simple.

Dennis Loewen

Age 49 / San Jose, California (USA)

BIKE: 2016 Salsa Cuthroat Rigid. 1x 12 SRAM RED AXS Derailleur, Brakes, Levers, and Derailleur, Wolf Tooth 36T Front ChainRing, 10-44T Rear Cassette. DT Swiss Rims. SON Dynamo front hub. Sinewave front headlight. Ritchey Carbon WCS seat post, Ergon saddle.
BAGS: Relevate Feedbags, Wedge, and Gas Tank, Tailfin Carbon Back Rack and Luggage Bag. Sea to Summit Compression Bag on front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have always used a Big Agnus UL1 tent so stoked for the quick setup and takedown of a bivvy.

Emma Loy

Age 36 / Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my beloved 2013 Salsa El Mariachi, which features a newly updated 1×11 drivetrain, SON dynamo hub, and Maxxis Ikon 2.35″ tires.
BAGS: My bag setup includes a Salsa/Revelate frame bag, Tailfin AeroPack, Canyon/Apidura snack pouch, and Revelate Egress Pocket paired with my Big Agnes tent roll on the front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love sleep, so am going all-out comfort with a Big Agnes Copper Spur bikepack edition, and Nemo Tensor mat with an Enlightened Equipment Enigma quilt.

Andrew Manalo

Age 46 / California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my 2014 Salsa Cycles El Mariachi TI XTR. From stock, I’ve since upgraded to all Shimano XTR M9100 components: 12-speed 10-51T cassette, 32T crankset, 4-piston brakes, shifters and levers. A recent addition is a PNW components Pine 27.2 dropper seat post. I’m using a Specialized seat with a mount for a Garmin Varia rearview radar tail light. On the handlebar, I’ll have a Garmin Edge 830 for navigation, a Peak Design iPhone mount, and an L&M Seca Enduro 2500 front light. The battery pack for the light is stored in the frame bag. Tires are Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.35″.
BAGS: I have a collection of Revelate Designs bags (frame, handlebar, feed bag, downtube, and cockpit), a Mission Workshop saddle bag, and an Ortlieb fork-pack. I’m also planning to carry a USWE 6L hip pack for additional storage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m bringing a tarp/bivy combo along with a Katabatic Gear 30deg quilt and a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite pad for my sleep system. I’m hoping to ride based on time rather than distance and plan to sleep 6 hours a night (10pm-3am?). Other than sleep, I’m also focusing on having a consistent nutrition strategy for the ride: eat/drink every 20-30 minutes with at least 60g-90g of carbs per hour. I have a small bottle mounted to the side of the frame bag. At the start, I’ll initially have it filled with maple syrup which I’ll mix with water in another water bottle. In the fork-pack, I have packets of Tailwind Nutrition, a stash of Lucho’s guava bocadillos, and gummy candies from Trader Joe’s. The down tube bag has a 1L Nalgene which currently holds a stash of Maurten gels. I’ll start the day off with solid foods and gradually switch to drink mixes and gels. I’ll replenish my on-the-bike food stash at town stops. Before the end of the day, I’ll try to get at least one proper meal.

Joe Mangan

Age 34 / Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2024 Stanton Sherpa Ti+, 29 x 2.8″ tires, RockShox Pike Ultimate, Brooks Cambium C17 saddle, SRAM GX drivetrain, RaceFace Arc 36 carbon wheels, and profile aero bars w/ Vans/Cult bmx grips.
BAGS: frame bag was generously crafted by Rogue Panda designs in Flagstaff, Revelate Designs Spinelock saddlebag, Salsa Anything bag Voilet strapped to aero bars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: ibuprofen, Yerba mate, California burritos, 99 bananas shooters, and uncrustables.

Sean Martin

Age 45 / Los Angeles, California (USA)

BIKE: Cervelo ZHT-5 with Fox fork and dropper, Raceface bits fully kitted, Maxxis Recon for rubber.
BAGS: Mix of Apidura Back Country and Racing Bags, Outer Shell Stem Caddy x2, Silca Mattone Grande Saddle Pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Mix of Outbound and Knog Lights to light my way, some of my dads ashes to leave along the trail & pieces of my kit from the last time I attempted SC400 (I got hit by a car and came close to death), gonna bury those pieces out there and take a moment to remember that life is pretty cool.

Emma Missale

Age 27 / Copenhagen (Denmark)

BIKE: Orbea Alma H30 size S with FOX 32 suspension fork. Wizard Wheels carbon rims with Hope pro5 rear hub and Son Dynamo front hub connected to kLite lights and prototype charging kit. Tire choice is Maxxis Ikon 2.2″. Brakes Hope tech4x2 and drivetrain is SRAM AXS XO 12s 11-52T with Leonardi Capo 165mm crankset and Aarn 32T direct mount chainring. Time Atac carbon pedals. Brooks C13 (158mm) carved saddle on Redshift PRO-Race shock-stop seatpost, OC carbon handlebar bar MP10 with Redshift aero bars, SQLab grips and bar ends.
BAGS: Brooks Scape long top tube, a small saddlebag placed next to the BB and two feed pouches. The frame bag is a custom handmade one from THLP.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No sleeping system!

Zachary Morvant

Age 41 / San Francisco, California (USA)

BIKE: Lauf Seigla with Force AXS and Maxxis 2.25″ tires.
BAGS: A mix of bought and borrowed Apidura: 7L seatpack, 2L top tube bag, 1L mini frame thingy. USWE hydration pack on my back.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Very excited to have some “comfort bars” with blips this year. Also Exposure lights so I won’t be sweating my runtime.

Daniel Nickel

Age 41 / San Jose, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my old trusty Lynskey Ridgeline, Shimano 12-speed mixed XT and SLX. I’ve added a suspension fork, just to try and save my hands a little. SP Dynamo and Hydra hubs on We Are One rims built by Dave’s Wheels. Mescal 2.25″ because that’s what I had on hand. I’ll end up strapping some bottles to the forks, since I can’t seem to get on the hydration vest train.
BAGS: A bunch of Revelate Designs, Oveja Negra seat bag, JPacks top tube bag. They’ve all seen a lot of miles and hopefully they’ll survive another 400.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A nice slice of Safety Pizza on the back, for safety. Otherwise, pretty much the same setup I use for the Tour Divide, UL bivvy plus a super light tarp. For me the ride is going to be about comfort and familiarity over being ultra light and fast. Just crossing the finish line is my goal.

Maxwell Olmos

Age 28 / San Juan Capistrano, California (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a 2020 Ritchey Ultra 1×11 with full Shimano XT, ti Thompson bars, garbaruk cassette and 27.5″ Vittoria Mezcals 2.6″!
BAGS: Oveja Negra frame bag and gas can, Revelate Designs stem bag and terrapin seat pack. Newest edition: Rogue Panda Blue ridge handlebar harness. Restrap hydration vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m running all merino base layers that I love. Garmin etrex 32x for nav. I’m running a Sierra designs bivy and UL pad and down quilt from big Agnes . And SQlabs inner bar end for comfort. I’m also sun rider organic mix for natty nutrition.

Al Parks

Age 27 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Singlespeed Revel Wayward. 28x20T gear ratio, with itty bitty 155mm cranks. 2.6″ Schwalbe Nobby Nics for the sand, Rockshox Pike Ultimate for the washboard. New rear wheel with an Onyx hub and a Kasai dynamo up front. Mismatched pedals, Redshift aero bars, and a pair of ultra wide Doom bars to get me stuck in the Willows.
BAGS: Mishmash of bags, including double top tube bags made by my partner Marc. Clapped out running vest with a 3L bladder so I can carry too much through the desert.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Cutoff shorts. Chacos. Tassels.

JP Prutzman

Age 30 / Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)

BIKE: To conquer this feat, I built up a new Stanton Sherpa Gen 4 steel hardtail. It’s dressed up with a Shimano XTR drivetrain and Cane Creek eeWings ti cranks, XT brakes, 130mm Pike Ultimate fork, Enve AM30 wheelset, Maxxis Forekaster and Rekon to keep me planted and plowing, and a Brooks C17 saddle to help soften the blow.
BAGS: My friend River with Kawa Designs here in SLC got me rolling in style with a custom matching frame bag and mini top tube bag, they really made this rig pop. They’ll carry all my calories and essentials. My rear rack is a Mica Rat Tail (no mounts necessary!) with Widefoot cargo cages to secure my water and front is a Musguard handlebar harness with roll top dry bags for all my sleep gear and clothing.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve been really pleased with Coros Dura solar bike computer over the last few months to keep me pointed in the right direction.

Michael Rabe

Age 39 / Los Angeles, California (USA)

BIKE: Custom Ti from Significant Other Bikes.
BAGS: As few as possible.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: All of it.

Roy Ramirez

Age 35 / Los Angeles, California (USA)

BIKE: Falconer Hardtail. I’ve been running ‘er in mullet mode (29 x 2.4″ / 27.5 x 2.25″) for a couple months and it’s been a blast!
BAGS: Swift Industries Zeitgeist in the rear, a top tube bag and wedge by Road Runner Bags in the center, and a Fab’s Chest up front.

Jocelyn De La Rosa

Age 35 / Kelowna, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: Wildwood Cycles Ti hardtail paired with a 120mm Manitou R8 and some blingy purple bits. XT/XTR drivetrain, Vittoria Peyote 2.4″ tires, SQ labs inner bar ends and faar aero extension + profile design armrests to hide from the wind.
BAGS: Dispersed frame bag, Tailfin top tube bag, Velocolour Pocket Rocket saddle bag. I’ll also be wearing a Salomon hydration vest with a 2l bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure lights and warm layers to ride through the night, lots of sugar, no sleep kit.

Florian Schleich

Age 42 / Burbank, California (USA)

BIKE: I’m back on my trusted Yeti ARC. Running Rekon Race tires in 2.4″ to fly over tarmac and float on the desert sand. Ergon grips so that I can (hopefully) still feel some of my fingers back in Idyllwild.
BAGS: Two feeder bags on the handlebar, Oveja Negra top tube bag mounted to the seat post, and a dry bag on the rear rack! Evoc vest to carry some extra juice.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m especially excited about my new Aeroe rear rack. Feels very sturdy, even on rough trails!

Alex Schultz

Age 31 / Marquette, Michigan (USA)

BIKE: 509 Cycles Up an Atom. I have an AXS Eagle 12-speed drivetrain. 34T Chainring and 52T cassette in the back. I am running a Fox 32 fork with 100mm of squish. I have a 100mm AXS Reverb dropper post and two Maxxis Aspen ST EXO 120TPI 2.4″ tires. The wheels are Berd XC 25 with the front built around a SON dynamo hub.
BAGS: Morrow Packs. Custom frame bag and full length top tube from Morrow.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I really like being able to confidently use a Dynamo hub on these faster races.

Hannah Simon

Age 27 / Austin, Texas (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be rockin’ my titanium Chumba Sendero with a Cane Creek Helm fork set up at 120mm. I’m hoping to glide through the sand with a hefty 2.8″ Teravail Oxbow up front and a 2.5″ Ehline in the rear. My kLite dynamo set up will guide me through the night and Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack will house my (very warm!) sleep kit.
BAGS: I’ve got my trusty South City Stitchworks fully custom and beautifully colorful bag set up. Feed bags for snacks, full length top tube bag for tools (and snacks), full frame bag for electronics plus some more snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: With the forecast of chilly nights, I decided I’d need my full sleep kit: OR Helium bivvy, Klymit inflatable pad, Hammock Gear 30°F quilt and Cocoon sleeping bag liner. Rest well, race well.

Drew Taylor

Age 27 / San Luis Obispo, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be tackling my first ever Stagecoach on my trusty 2014 Niner Sir 9. It’s a steel framed hardtail (with a cool eccentric BB that I never use lol), with ENVE M50 wheels laced to Chris King hubs, 1×12 GX Eagle with a 30T Absolute Black oval ring, XT brakes, and an old Fox fork.
BAGS: My bags are mostly Oveja Negra, including the frame bag (hydration, food, electronics), saddle bag (med kit, food, and light layers), top tube bag (food), and handlebar mount with a Revelate Designs drybag (sleep and night kit). Paired with two Giant Silo feed bags (water and food) and another top tube bag (repair kit) from the nice guy at Nuke Sunrise Bike Bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite kit on these long bikepacking rides is the Cane Creek bar ends. They have a nice, soft rubberized texture and help to keep your lungs open and massage out your hands; I’m almost always using them on long climbs. My sleep kit is a 40f Enlightened Equipment synthetic quilt and a Nemo Tensor inflatable pad. I also couldn’t go without my lovely blue Gatorade powder for all the carbs; I just hope it stays within my Scandanavian Swimmers bag this time.

Jean-François Vidon

Age 48 / San Diego, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Stagecoach 400 for my first time on a 2024 Salsa Cutthroat (RIP for my former Cutty V1 frame). The bike features Vittoria Mezcal 2.6″ tire front and 2.35″ tires back, an eagle 1×12 drivetrain with a 30T chainring, a dropper post and Garmin power pedals.
BAGS: The centerpiece of my bag setup is a Tailfin Aeropack with a Mini-panier and a bottle holder. I am also running a Salsa Framebag and front fork mounts for a Salsa Anything Bag and another 1.5L Nalgene bottle.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I opted for a full sleep kit for comfort, and will be carrying extra lights and power banks for redundancy.

Wesley Wright

Age 48 / Santa Clarita, California (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding my Surly ECR named Kendra. Rohloff speedhub transmission with 16x34T gearing. Son28 dynamo hub in the front powering a Sinewave Beacon 2. Riding on Jones C-Rims with 3.0″ meats. Stopping this 65-pound beast are Paul Klamper disc brakes.
BAGS: Rogue Panda, Bedrock Bags, and Relevate Designs. Also Mica Rat Tail rack holding an Outdoor Research stuff sack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Kinekt suspension seatpost. Profile Designs aero bars for comfort and speed too!

Further Reading

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