Rigs of the 2018 BC Epic 1000

In its first year, the BC Epic 1000 saw just 15 registered riders, and only half of those completed the route. In 2017, 25 brave souls lined up to take on the Epic, with 20 completing the entire ride. The BC Epic 1000 has continued to grow in numbers and popularity over the last few years – and at Saturday’s grand depart there were nearly 75 riders at the start line in Merritt, British Columbia. Thanks to the participants of this year’s event, we’ve put together a list of over 60 rigs, including rider and kit details. We also sent Miles Arbour, a BC Epic 1000 veteran himself, over to the grand depart for a look at the festivities leading up the big day and to capture the grand depart.

Good luck to all the riders this year!

Fun Fact: With some big names in this year’s race, the ones out front will likely be closing in on the 800km mark already. Will we see a three day finish? Evan Deutsch, 2017 Trans Am winner, managed to cover over 600km with less than an hour of sleep. If they keep this pace up, we’ll be seeing new course records!

UPDATE (July 3): Evan Deutsch smashed the current record by over 20 hours, finishing in 2 days, 19 hours, 40 minutes. He rode almost entirely non stop, with only around 3 hours of sleep during the entire race. Dion Clark should be finishing today as well.

A Grand Depart Done Right

This year, BC Epic 1000 organizer Lennard Pretorius made the decision to gather those registered for the event for a BBQ and quick meeting on Friday evening before the big day. In previous years, riders often showed up around 30 minutes before the start time on the day of the event, leaving limited opportunity to meet other bikepackers before everyone got rolling. Almost all registered riders showed up, and it was a pleasure to meet up with so many likeminded people, many of whom I have communicated with in some form before the event.

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Not only did the mayor of Merritt, Neil Menard, show up to send the riders off safely, but Erika Doyon, President of the Merritt Mountain Bike Association, shared a few words, as well as Katrina Rosen on behalf of Bikepack Canada. The chance to check out the different bike setups and the wide variety of bags and gear present was particularly enjoyable, and well worth showing up a day early.

The starting location of the BC Epic 1000 was also adjusted, moving to downtown Merritt outside of Breathe Bikes. Travis Fehr, the owner of the shop, was stationed out front of the shop with coffee and energy rich snacks for the riders, bringing an even greater sense of community to the event. Parking in downtown Merritt was provided for those who needed it during the week, and many locals opened up their homes, driveways, and lawns for those with nowhere to stay. From a spectator’s perspective, Lennard is definitely doing something right with the BC Epic 1000. I believe the huge increase in numbers over the past three years and the growing community involvement is a testament to this. If there is some sort of bikepacking event or race near you this summer, I urge you to consider participating or even just showing up to the festivities. You won’t regret it.

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Rigs of the 2018 BC Epic 1000

Darch Oborne

Age 73 / Merritt, BC (CANADA)

Bike: TRANSITION Smuggler Al. (2015) 29; 2X10 with Hammerschmidt; stock full suspension; TRK–SMP seat; 26″ bars with old style horns; Reverb dropper. Tires: F; Kenda Saber Pro 2.6 Sct.  R; Maxxis Ikon. 2.35 Exo. Bags: Revelate seat bag; Salsa Anything on RF; all others scrounged!  Water in 2  cages on LF, and a Wolktooth double on downbar. OTHER: Kelty air pad; 50 degree bag; Tyvek fly. water purifier. lots of butt balm. 2  Sugoi chamois. THANKS; Travis Fehr @ Breathe Bikes, Merritt’s LBS

Tim Bulger

Age 47 / Edmonton, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Fargo, in the Tinky Winky colourway. Bags: Mix of Arkel, Rogue Panda, Oveja Negra, Porcelain Rocket. Favourite Gear: Sea To Summit sleeping mat + MEC inflatable pillow

Carl Miiller

Age 46 / Calgary, AB (CANADA)

I obviously needed to make a lot of changes following my learning experiences from last year and all the great gear coaching from you. I’m now set up with Apidura front and rear packs instead of the saddle bags. Tubeless Racing Ralph 2.25” tires (but have spare tubes just in case), Sinewave charging system and I’m bring my Stella 200 light this year to hopefully catch some early AM riding. My luxury item is a cap strapped to my back pack to hide the helmet head. And ya, I’m bringing a tent this year. My favorite item is my Chain Reactions water bottle from Grande Forks, BC. As you are aware, the owner opened the shop for me when they were closed to get me set up with new tires. I don’t think I could have finished without his help. I’ll be stopping there to thank them again if I pass through during business hours.

Dave Campbell

Age 41 / Victoria, BC (CANADA)

Bike: I will be employing the “ride what you have” strategy and making my BC Epic attempt on my 2013 Surly Cross Check. I’ve been able to accommodate Panaracer Gravel King 700c x 45mm tires into the “Fatties Fit Fine” frame. Bags: Timbuk2 seat bag to carry sleep system and cold-weather gear, Porcelain Rocket half-frame bag for repair kit, electronics and personal items, and an Osprey Randonneuring bag, with Velo Orange rack and decaleur, up front for food and rain gear. I love the ease of access of the big flip-top front bag, and am hoping the rigid rack system holds up to the rigours of the race (I managed to break one during training!) Favorite Gear: Shutter Precision Hub with Sinewave USB charger, Garmin Edge 520, MEC Crinkum Shorts, Darn Tough ultra-light socks, SOL Bivy sack, Outdoor Research Helium Jacket.

Nathan Siemens

Age 38 / Cranbrook, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Rocky Mountain Blizzard converted to 29er, A bit of a beautiful Frankenstein, 1×10 with OneUp cog, Handbuilt wheels on Hope Fatsno hubs, Maxxis Ardent 2.4 tires, Selle Anatomica for happy bum-bum. Bags: are a mixed bag from Rockgeist, Blackburn, Porcelain Rocket, Randi Jo Fabrications and an Arc’teryx backpack lid. Favourite gear: would have to be the saddle and the Klymit sleep pad and pillow. I’m hoping this lil’ set-up will help me finish with no intentions of grandeur. A custom first aid kit lovingly packed by my wonderful wife, because I’m too forgetful to pack my own.

Evan Deutsch

Age 43 / Portland, OR (USA)

Bike: Moots Baxer, Shimano 2x 38/28, Custom built carbon rim wheels with DT Swiss Hubs from Cyclepath bike shop in Portland. Bags: Revelate Saddle and Handlebar bags, Oveja Negra top tube bag.

Jay Connolly

Age 55 / Shawnigan Lake, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Jones Plus BAGS: Apidura roll bag, pocket, and seatbag. Jones frame bag.

Graeme Casorso

Age 43 / Kelowna, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Specialized AWOL Comp. Bags: Specialized BurraBurra Seat Pack, Rogue Panda Custom Framebag, Porcelain Rocket MCA Bar Harness. Gear: Outdoor Research Helium Bivy (easy, light, stealthy!)

James McGrew

Age 44 / White Salmon, WA (USA)

Bike: Salsa Cutthroat. Bags: My bike is equipped with a Salsa Framebag, Oveja Negra Snackpack-bolt on and Frontend Loader to hold a drybag. I chose the Revelate brand Viscacha seat bag and two Feedbags mounted forward on the aerobars. The kLite Bikepacker pro headlight and Sinewave USB charger are mounted with a custom wiring harness and switch. Gear: My current favorite piece of gear is my new Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt that took 2 lbs off total loaded weight by replacing my sleeping bag – that was one of the more affordable purchases of “lightness”.

Andrew Cant

Age 50 / Kamloops, BC (CANADA)

Bike: 2016 Salsa Deadwood Large Bags: Apidura Class: Rookie Inspiration: Hoping to Finish

Tim Johnson

Age 44 / Canmore, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Mukluk with Jones bars and 29 x 2.6 tires. Bags: Revelate harness up front will have a MEC drybag with tent and sleeping bag, Patagonia Black Hole cube for food. Revelate and Bedrock accessory bags, Revelate frame bag. Green Guru Gear seat bag with a cargo net to strap down comfortable shoes for Naramatta vineyard tours, and possibly a tube of pringles. Favorite gear: Bikepack Canada water bottle & my dad’s circa 1982 official NHL Hartford Whalers wristbands (not pictured).

Carl Diederichs

Age 33 / Kamloops, BC (CANADA)

Bike: 2013 Rocky Mountain Element BC Edition. Bags: Giant Scout seat bag, Blackburn Outpost top tube bag, MEC drybag/voile straps.

Harvey Bergen

Age 57 / Abbotsford, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Specialized Diverge. Bags: Specialized Burra Burra bags, Ortlieb Panniers

Guy Stuart

Age 58 / Canmore, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Scott Spark Pro 29 f/s with We Are One Agent enduro rims and Specialized Fast Track 2.3 tires. Stefan Bullock at the Bicycle Cafe does amazing craftsmanship at upgrading bikes! Bags: Custom bags from Tim O’Brien at Phantom Pack Systems, a Salsa gas tank, and a heavily modified MEC frame bag as a rear top tube bag. Favorite gear: includes a sun hoody, a MSR Germ Guardian water purifier, an Aquabot water bottle, and a yellow foam rear fender/cycling flag/seat/tent mat/fire fan/= more than two uses. :)

Greg Johnson

Age 41 / Kimberley, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Fargo Ti, her name is Go-far it! Bags: are all Revelate: Terrapin seat bag, Salsa Frame Bag made for the Fargo, Feed bags x2, Sweet Roll, a Gas Tank, a Jerry Can, and a front pocket. The components are Shimano XT with a 2 x 10 drivetrain, bar end shifters, carbon niner fork, Salsa Woodchiper bars, Airstryke Aerobars, Hope rear hub, Son SP Dynamo front hub, wired to the K-Lite system with a USB plug.

Robert Bigelow-Rubin

Age 28 / Chicago, IL (USA)

Bike: Surly Ogre. Bags: Revelate seat pack, frame bag, sweet roll, top tube bag, and feed bag. Also a Must-stache colabb with Comrade Cycles xl feed bag. Favourite gear: my eggshell foldable sit pad – slightly bulky but keeps my butt comfy when taking that much needed break. Oh also my Crud Caps valve cap hand made in Chicago.

Janie Hayes

Age 45 / Salida, CO (USA)

Bike: I am riding a Specialized Epic HT with Roval wheels and 29 x 2.1 Fast Trak tires. 1 x 12 (flying with the SRAM Eagle!) Bags: I’ll be using Oveja Negra under-seat and feed bags, and a Revelate Mag Tank top-tube bag. Favorite gear: is probably going to be a Timber bear bell.

Gemma Hamilton & Ryan Hamilton

Age 43 & 44 / Cranbrook, BC (CANADA)

Gemma: Bike: I will be riding a Surly Karate Monkey with a 1X10 setup. Bags: I have an Oveja Negra Super Wedgie Frame bag so I can still run a water bottle. I have a Vivascha seat bag for my size small frame.

Ryan: Bike: I will be riding a Niner Sir with a Niner carbon fork. I have a 1X10 setup. Bags: Revelate Terrapin Seat Bag, Apidura Frame Bag.

Sam Campbell

Age 51 / Port Coquitlam, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Cutthroat. Sram Force 1 shifters brakes and rear derailleur. Stan Arch rims. DT Swiss 350 rear hub. SP dynamo front hub. Maxxis Ikon 29×2.35 3C/EXO/TR tires. Sapim CXRay spokes. Sapim Brass nipples. Turbine stem and seat-post. Cane Creek headset. XG 1150 cassette. KMC X11 chain. Race Face Next SL crankset with 36 ring. Race Face bottom bracket. Carbon Woodchippers bars 46Brooks B17 titanium. Lizard skins bar tape 3.2. Frame size is XL. Pedals are Shimano XT Trail PD M8020 SPD. Helmet is Fox Flux. Gearing is Absolute Black oval 34 tooth /SRAM XG-1150 11 Speed 10-42.

Penny Lawless

Age 53 / Banff, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Surly Ogre Bags: Porcelain Rocket Mr Fusion V2 Seat Pack, Revelate Designs Ranger Frame Bag and Jerry Can, Blackburn Outpost Top Tube Bag, Salsa Anything Cages HD and Bags, Apidura Backcountry Food Pouch, MEC Water Bottle Holster.

Eric Ross

Age 51 / Cranbrook, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Riding a 2015 Salsa Fargo with Revelate Bags. Gear includes: Big Agnes sleeping bag and sleeping pad (which I think is my favorite piece of gear), OR Helium Bivy and an inflatable pillow. Carrying all my snacks in a Deuter backpack. Electronics: main navigation will be Edge 1000 with Etrex 20 as back-up. SON dyno hub will power beacon headlight.

Chris Williams

Age 30 / Nelson, BC (CANADA)

Bike: I will be riding a mostly stock 2017 Salsa Fargo. Bags: Orlieb seat bag, Revelate ranger frame bag, Garmin eTrex30 with Brooks flyer saddle. Favourite Gear: what I call my “sale rack.” This is a mish mash of things I had laying around in my rubber-maids. I have a trusty old black diamond climbing rope bag fastened to my old aero bars by an old rafting NRS4′ strap. Inside is my sleeping system, which is my mountain hardware -7 down and exped wrapped in my MEC sil tarp to keep away the muck that might come through the bag. No need to burn cash on a front roll when you can piece it together and put the cash toward cheese burgers and beer after a good training ride.

Ray Patterson

Age 55 / Vernon, BC (CANADA)

Bike: 2015 steel Salsa Fargo (The Grey Goose). She has a new set of Stan’s Flow Mk3 rims, Hope hubs and 2.35 Maxxis Ardent Race tires set up tubeless. Drivetrain is a 2×10 with a 42 tooth ‘Oneup’ kit on the cassette and a Brooke’s B17 saddle. Bags: are a mix of Ortlieb, Revelate and other odds n ends. Electronics are my iPhone with Gaia mapping, Garmin InReach, Knog lights, Petzl headlamp and an Anker 20200ma powerbank. For sleeping a cozy Taiga bag, Thermarest, bug bivy, and a tarp (not that it’s going to rain). For cooking duties I have an MSR Rocket stove and pot, a spork and a COFFEE cup for Starbucks coffee packets. Last but no least a bug shirt cause the bugs are nasty this season.

Diella Siemens

Age 49 / Abbotsford, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Giant Pique Bags: Revelate + Ortlieb bags

Matthuw Ronald-Jones

Age 43 / Shawnigan Lake, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Trek 29 hardtail with RockShox Recon front fork, Deore XT components, 2×10 drivetrain, Jones H bars, Sella Anotomica saddle,handbuilt Zed wheels with hope hubs laced to Stans arch rims and Maxxis Ardents front and rear. Bags: A mish mash of bags including; Salsa EXP seat pack & top tube bag, Alpkit frame bag, a couple of Farsik stem bags, Oveja Negra front end loader matched with their lunchbox bag on the front. Also packing an Osprey Raptor 14L hydration bag with tools and other odds and ends. A big thanks to Velofix Vancouver Island for keeping me moving.

Peter “Crash” Nickerson

Age 65 / Yarmouth, NS (CANADA)

Bike: Kona G-Unit, Shimano XT components 2X, 27.5 rear 2.2 tube, 29 Front SP dyno hub maxxis tubeless 2.2. Bags: Custom camo frame/front roll bags & 2 feed bags, Blackburn camo seat bag. fork & downtube mounted cages. Gear: Exposure Revo headlite, aero bars, Garmin 520, Anker 10,000 MaH battery, Sinewave charger, Apidura gas tank and top tube bag, 2l evo hydration pack.

Lennard Pretorius

Age 37 / Kamloops, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Kona Raijin with Lauf Trailracer Fork, TRP Spyre mechanicals, 2×10 shimano slx drivetrain, sp dynohub with k-lite system with sinewave charger. Bags: Mix of revelate toptube and seatpack with apidura feedbags.

Brian Kennelly

Age 68 / Quesnel, BC (CANADA)

Bike: My ride acquired in 2016 and modified over the years is a Rocky Mtn Sherpa. Bags: My bags are all made by PhantomPacks and have proven reliable and well designed. I also have Adipura feedbags and Elite fork mounts (formerly stocked by MEC). All of it is valued gear but I’m looking forward to some more naps in my MSR E-bivy under my SeatoSummit tarp/poncho!

Scott Tyler

Age 17 / Calgary, AB (CANADA)

Bags: Surly Krampus. Bags: Porcelain Rocket/Blackburn/Homemade, the frame and stem bags my grandmother made.

Dion Clark

Age 41 / Calgary, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Stumpjumper HT, Bags: All Apidura, The bicycle I ride at the time is my favorite gear as it lets me explore and adventure, provides fitness and a fun way to/from work. I am happy when I ride. Second favorite would be my tire boot that saved my race last year when I really sliced my sidewall open on the south side of Mt. Broadwood.

George Bailey

Age 36 / Vancouver, BC (CANADA)

Bike: The bike is a Landyachtz custom Titanium frame set with a RockShox Pike RCT3 100mm suspension fork and a king headset. The drive train is Sram’s Force1 1×11 its on a set of RaceFace NextR carbon 29er wheels and Maxxis Chronicles also with NextR cranks and a Wolftooth oval ring, finishing it off with a Thomson cockpit (stem, dirtdrop bars and seatpost). Bags: Gear is from Porcelain rocket, Scott made the custom black on black polkadot Mr. Fusion full frame bag and MCA bar bag. Accessories are a Kingcage anything cage a swift campout 2016 bartender from RandyJo and a Bunyan Velo x Porcelain rocket mini slinger and Vole straps galore. Other gear, north face triarch tent, Thermarest mat, Fjallraven ultralight sleeping bag, Garmin edge explore 1000 a spot gen3 and a Anker powerbank to charge all the gadgets.

Dan Yancey

Age 67 / Kamloops, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Rocky Mountain Sherpa Bags: Phantom Bags

RJ Sauer

Age 44 / North Vancouver, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Cutthroat Bags: Salsa Expeditions Series, Revelate Designs Seat Bag, Giant Frame Bag. Favourite Gear: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 and RAB Neutrino Quilt (light and tight)

Bryan Teeuwen

Age 33 / Red Deer, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Norco torrent , with a blackspire 28T front chainring – sunrace mx8 cassette 11 – 46T
Running maxxis Chronicles 27.5×3.0’s. Bags: front rack from overlander bikes, lower cage mounts via overlander bikes, porcelain rocket frame bag, Timbuk2 seatpack. Favourite Gear: is my overlander front rack, it’s so secure, clears my fork and is super expendable deping on what type of trip your going to do.

Andy Brinton

Age 55 / Victoria, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Surly Ogre legacy frame with 2.35 Icons. Bags: The bags are mostly Otlieb bikepacking stuff. Going with small panniers up front rather than a handlebar bag. Loaded they are about 11 pounds combined so we’ll see how that goes. Favourite Gear: I can’t say what my favorite gear is but will know 1100 km from now!

Chip Andrus

Age 62 / Hood River, OR (USA)

Bike: Giant Anthem Bags: Rogue Panda / Revelate.

Bart Slotman

Vancouver, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Fargo Bags: Revelate Designs

Dace Simpson

Age 43 / Coldstream, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Fargo Bags: Revelate Designs

Fred Menu

Age 66 / Kamloops, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Fargo Bags: Phantom Packs, Arkel, Topeak.

Frank Fodor

Age 62 / Castlegar, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Specialized Chisel Bags: Blackburn

Anna Horváth

Age 36 / New Westminster, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Salsa Cutthroat Bags: Apidura Saddle Bag, Revelate Frame Bag + Gas Tank, and Front roll.

Chris Follmar

Age 49 / Vancouver, WA (USA)

Bike: Trek Farley 9.6 Bags: Revelate Designs

Nigel Rahkola

Age 25 / Vancouver, BC (CANADA)

Bike:Giant TranceBags: Specialized Frame Bag, MEC Top Tube Bag, DIY Saddle Bag / Front Roll.

Greg Grandgeorge

Age 53 / Polk City, IA (USA)

Bike: Specialized Epic FS. Bags: Oveja Negra and a custom Bedrock Bags frame bag Favorite gear: probably my 50 tooth cog, which I’m sure I’ll wish was bigger when I start the climb by Gray Creek. ;) This is my first bike packing event, so I’ll have to get back to you on my real favorite gear after the race… probably whatever keeps me the most comfortable over some long cycling days.

Jimmy Bisese

Age 56 / Salida, CO (USA)

Bike:Salsa Woodsmoke Bags: Salsa / Revelate Designs

Katrina, Mike, and Zion Rosen

Banff, BC (CANADA)

Bikes:Trek 1120s + Tout Terrain Streamliner Bags: A little bit of everything!

Rider Submitted Photos

Robert Biron

Age 50 / Victoria, BC (CANADA)

Bike: 2015 Kona Big Kahuna 29er carbon. Pretty much stock. Mix Deore/SLX. 38/24 with PraxisWorks 11-40. Jones H-bar (only bar that works with a fused wrist). Brooks Swift saddle with DIY cutout. Ortlieb seat bag, Porcelain Rocket 1/2 frame bag, the rest are all Revelate Design. Sleep system: ultralight down quilt & a hammock. Fully loaded 51 lbs. Favourite gear is actually my MSR gravity water filter, but I can’t live without my Brooks, my H-Bars and my beard!

Jeff O’Leary

Age 42 / Banff, AB (CANADA)

Salsa El Mariachi, bags are Revelate

Eric Harvie

Age 55 / Banff, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Niner Air Nine Carbon Fork: Lauf Hub: DT Swiss Rear & Schmidts Son Front Bars: Jones Bar Bags: Relevate

Mark Bohnet

Age 52 / Canmore, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Scott Scale Carbon Bags: Relevate Designs Bags Bars: Jones H Loop Bar

Tom De Vries

Age 58 / Sherwood Park, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Spot Rocker, SS. Bags: Revelate, Salsa and Apidura, with a custom designed and 3D printed light and Garmin mount, made by my son Nathan! Thanks Nathan! Anything I actually use is my favorite gear!

Perry Grunenberg

Age 60 / Kamloops, BC (CANADA)

I chose to ride my DeKerf Team bike with a moots rear mini-shock and front Rock Shock. It rides much like a gravel bike when the front shock is locked out. I have used it in multi-day adventure racing with some success. I have not done the Epic 1000 or ridden much of the route. I am just testing the course this first go-round and will probably ride just the Saturday-Sunday. I prefer to be minimalist in my packing, but I like apparent space available in the Rock Brothers seat bag, but have yet to actually use it. I may have to reconsider my packing options following this first test.

Matt Levesque

Age 22 / Edmonton, AB (CANADA)

Bike: Surly ECR, 1×10 Shimano deore/Raceface aeffect cranks w/32t chainring coupled w/eggbeaters, TRP spyke stoppers, salsa regulator post w/ Chromag saddle, stock wheels w/ Bontrager chupacabra tires. Bags: Revelate saddle & frame, Oveja top tube, seal line dry bag w/ Porcelain Rocket harness.

Derek Slykerman

Age 47 / Port Coquitlam, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Norco Threshold SL Force CX1, Loving the Lauf Grit. SP dynamo & Signwave Beacon. Rolling 40mm Maxxis Ramblers & Wishing I had bigger tires. Bags: Apidura bags & Revelate gas tank.

David McInerney

Age 33 / Kelowna, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Caruso Carbon 29er- 1 x 10 with 100mm front fork. Bags: Revelate. Favorite gear: Revelate seat bag – has a removable dry bag which makes equipment access and packing easy.

Dee McGonigle

Age 60 / Spokane, WA (USA)

My Bike: Salsa Cutthroat, Force 1 SRAM group with Raceface BB & cranks. Upgraded to Carbon Ridefast Racing wheelset with Schmidt Son 28 dynamo hub & Sinewave Beacon light/USB Converter. My Gear: Frame Bag by Salsa, Dry bag by Sea to Summit, all other bags by Oveja Negra including “Gearjammer” seat bag, 2 “Chuckbucket” bags, “Lunchbox” handlebar bag, 2 “Snack Pack” top tube bags. My favorite gear has to be my custom carbon wheels. They have taken a beating and are a true as the day they were built. I also have to give a big shout out to the cool folks at Oveja Negra. They’ve been very eager and willing to make custom gear for how I am outfitting my ride. My Sinewave Beacon is really cool too.

Norm Cowan

Age 61 / Ottawa, ON (CANADA)

I won’t be at the Grand Depart as I’m riding a westbound ITT July 3rd. Looking forward to seeing the Grand Depart riders along the route. Bike: My ride is a steel Salsa El Mariachi with a Salsa Firestarter carbon fork. The Stan’s Flow wheelset is built around a Schmidt SON dynamo hub. Thanks Peter White. The drivetrain and brakes are Shimano XT. Bags: I have a custom Porcelain Rocket frame bag and the rest is Revelate except for my Bedrock Bags Mountain Feedbag. Thanks Andrew and Joey. She’s been there and back and is ready for more, Yip!

Tom Hainisch

Age 45 / Bend, OR (USA)

Bike: Salsa Cutthroat Bags: a mix of Oveja Negra, Salsa, Revelate Designs, and a Sea to Summit dry bag. I suppose I am an equal opportunity gear rider. The gear is a mix of items I have accumulated over the years thrown onto one bike.

Steve O’Shaughnessy

Age 47 / Invermere, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Maggie, is a Chromag Nice Dreams Fatbike set up 27+ Bags: Porcelain Rocket custom frame bag, MCA Harness with pouch, Mr Fusion seat pack. Revelate feed bags. Favourite Gear: My favourite piece of gear is my Sawyer water filter.

Jason de Rijk

Age 32 / Cranbrook, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Trek Stache Bags: Giant Handlebar Bag – Apidura Top Tube Bag & Food Pouches – Surly Frame Pack – Blackburn Saddle Pack Favourite gear: is the Voile strap + fingerless gloves

Anne St Clair

Age 34 / Moab, UT (USA)

Bike: Why Cycles S7 Bags: Revelate Designs throughout!

Mark Brown

Age 34 / Shawnigan Lake, BC (CANADA)

Bike: Specialized Chisel Bags: Ortlieb Saddle Bag, Oveja Negra cockpit.