Rigs of the 2023 Tour Divide (Part 2): Flat-Bar Bikes

There’s something about the Tour Divide that brings the bikepacking community together. Maybe it’s because so many people participate, traveling from all over the world to ride the iconic route between Alberta and New Mexico. Or maybe it’s because of the mix of racers, riders, and tourers all enjoying the 2,750-mile route in their own way. There’s certainly a shared sense of accomplishment among those who show up for the grand depart, and we’re excited to follow along each year.

Continuing on from yesterday’s post, in which we shared more than 50 loaded drop-bar bikes planning to tackle this year’s Tour Divide, we’re thrilled to present the second part of our extensive roundup. This time around, we’re highlighting more than 60 flat-bar rigs that will be lined up for the grand depart tomorrow morning in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Browse all the rigs below, featuring bag and gear highlights for each. And when the event kicks off, you’ll be able to follow along live over on our 2023 Tour Divide Tracker.

Tim Allan

Age 55 / Christchurch (New Zealand)

BIKE: Riding in from Jasper prior to the Grand Depart, I’ll be riding (not racing) the Tour Divide on a 2019 SWorks Epic Evo. Set up for comfort, my bike features 120mm full suspension, vibration dampening Passchier handlebars (bamboo laminate bar made locally in Christchurch, NZ), Ergon grips, Vision aero bars, Brooks C17 saddle, Vittoria Mezcal 2.25′ tyres and XTR 1×12 drivetrain with a 30T chainring.
BAGS: Apart from the custom Stealth frame bag (made in Wellington, NZ), I am using standard Revelate bags including Spinelock seat pack, Sweet Roll, Feedbags(2), Mag Tank and Jerry Can. Rounding out my set-up is a Zefal keg mounted on the bottom tube and two standard bottle cages on the forks for more water bottles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be equiped for camping and dining under the stars, but generally aiming for more bear proof lodgings with beer flavoured carbohydrates. All my gear is off-the-shelf apart from a couple of pockets sewn into my shirt and some over-mitts made up from a scrap of left-over waterproof fabric. An interesting bit of gear is my Ledlenser 5,000mAh battery bank. It is built around a standard 21700 battery which is removable. This means I can swap with my headlight batteries and spare batteries to ensure I have power where I need it. For navigation I will be using the sun with a Garmin for back-up. I’ve got my fingers crossed and a horseshoe out front to catch the luck!

Rob Adams

Age 67/ Boise, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: Open One+ hardtail. The bike features a new pair of Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires, a 1×12 SRAM drivetrain with a 28T chainring, Whiskey rims with an Industry Nine rear hub with a SON Dynamo hub up front with a Sinewave light. Redshift suspension seat post with a Selle Anatomical saddle.
BAGS: Frame bag, Mountain Feed bags (2), Mag Tank 2000 and Jerry Can are all Revelate. New this run is a custom FBJ Creations aerobar bag and Tailfin AeroPack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 1030+. New this trip is an Outbound Lighting Hangover helmet light. Most excited about the Tailfin AeroPack which eliminates two dry bags, one on my handlebars and one on the seat.

Rich Baty

Age 52 / Coromandel (New Zealand)

BIKE: ‘Elevensies’ is a 2017 Trek 1120 built for comfort rather than speed, which will hopefully translate to speed in the final stages of the race. 32T x 11-51T groupset, experience says “it’s better to be looking at climbing gears than looking for them”
BAGS: 1120 front rack carrying ‘The Boot’, a modified Cedaero for on-the-go access to food, rain coat, food, gloves, food, etc. Revelate Mag Tank for more food. Revelate Tangle frame bag with a Hydrapak 3 litre bladder. Modified Trek dry bag cradles on 1120 rack, these keep the weight down low and allow me to run a dropper post.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Lazy Camper setup, Nemo Switchback sleeping pad. MacPac Alpine Cocoon bivvy, Sea To Summit Ember quilt, and bag liner. SON dynamo hub/K-Lite lights and USB splitter. Garmin 1040 GPS. Luxury must haves: Inflatable pillow. Brooks B17 Imperial captain’s chair. NZO Sifters (baggies) and Cruiseliners.

Daniel Bijan Connell

Age 27 / Goleta, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 rolling on a Rodeo 2.0 wheelset. Sram AXS drivetrain (36t chainring, 10-50t 12 speed cassette), Hope Tech4 X2 brakes, and Maxxis Ikon 2.0″ / Vittoria Mezcal 2.1″ tires.
BAGS: Tailfin Carbon Aeropack, Class 4 Designs frame bag, Dispersed hip pack, and an Evoc Hydration Vest will carry the bulk of my goodies.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be navigating the course and tracking all sorts of data with my Coros Vertix 2 smartwatch. Stuffed into the deep crevices of my bags will be a handful of emergency Range Meal bars, each one packed with 700 calories. I have 4 liters of milk carrying capacity. Luxury sleep kit items include a pillow and down booties. Body comfort will be handled with the Voler Superbib / Brooks Saddle killer combo.

Steve Briley

Age 58 / Moab, Utah (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding a Chumba Stella Ti with Enve fork. Mezcal 2.2″ tires. Drivetrain is SRAM Xo1. 32T chainring with 10-50T cassette.
BAGS: Frame bag is Rockgeist. Revelate seatbag and Pronghorn up front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Gossamer Gear one for tent, Enlightened quilt along with some Spider-Man underwear.

Gail Brown

Age 32 / Bristol (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’m riding a Scott Scale 930 with Shimano XT-Deore groupset 32T chainring and 10-51T cassette. Fox 32 Float Rhythm 100mm shocks. Rolling on Hunt Carbon XC wide 29″ wheels with a SON dynamo hub up front. Tyres are Schwalbe Racing Ray and Ralph 2.25″. Specialized Oura saddle and Profile designs aerobars for cruisin’.
BAGS: Tailfin alloy arch and aeropack holds my sleep system. Tailfin R&D front bag holds waterproofs, warm layers, gloves etc and has easy access pockets for snacking on the move. R&D frame bag holds tools and spares. Tailfin flip top tube bag for electronics. Mini-panniers for food, med kit, spares and toiletries. Apidura snack pouch for bear spray.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system highlight is my Rab Mythic Ultra 180 sleeping bag. Lighting is my trusty Exposure Revo and Petzl Nao headtorch. Water storage is a 3L Katadyn Befree gravity filter combined with a platypus hose and nozzle, stored in a Rab Veil 6L vest. Navigation is by Garmin Edge 530.

Marie-Soleil Blais

Age 34 / Bromont, Quebec (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a Cannondale Scalpel Hardtail featuring the RockShox SID SL Select+ 100mm fork and the the ultra light XC carbon wheels Lucky Jack SL4 from Duke Racing Wheels (1200g the pair). The wheels are customized with a SON28 dynamo hub on a 28mm rim in the front and 26mm rim in the back. The drivetrain is SRAM X01 34T oval chainring with Eagle 10-52T cassette. Tires will be Maxxis 2.2″ Ardent Race and Ikon. On the flat handlebar, I added the Ergo Grip on each ends with aero bars.
BAGS: I’m running the full set of Backcountry Pack Series from Apidura, including the 11L handlebar pack, a 4L frame pack with hydration bladder, a 10L saddle pack and a few feedbags. I’ll use the packable musette for longer stretches. 2 bottles in total, one mounted on the fork.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love my MEC Talon 0C Quilt (800 down) paired with the MEC ultralight Vectair air mat (385g, insulated) and my vapor barrier jersey and socks from Warmlite Gear to keep me warm at night. Among my riding clothes, I love my Sky Pilot Gore-tex rain jacket from 7mesh as well as their thin Hollyburn pants to wear under my rain pants.

Chris Burkard

Age 37 / Pismo Beach, California (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding the Tour Divide fully rigid on a Fezzari solitude setup with an Enve carbon fork. This is paired with a set of ZIPP zero moto wheels, Dynamo hub & schwalbe racing ray/ ralph both in a 2.1”. Im running SRAM transmissionon the bike with a 34T chainring and 10-52T cassette. Suspension can be found in the Redshift stem and Cane Creek Seatpost. Most importantly, infinity seat to keep the ride comfy and a hodgepodge aero bar.
BAGS: Bags are a mix of Tailfin R&D products which holds the bulk of the cargo in the rear, along with some Revelate mountain feedbags up front and in the frame. The centerpiece is a Bedrock Bags between the aero bars to hold some gloves.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: It took a few months, but I had a custom made “JayP Skirt” from Nanutuk that was filled with Eidar down from Iceland. It’s the warmest sleep kit and puffy jacket I have ever used.

Patrick Cistac

Age 59 / Challes Les Eaux, Savoie (France)

BIKE: I’ll be riding and living my adventure on a Chiru Divider with 1×12 drive SRAM GX AXS (10-50 x 34). The bike features a Fox 32, Redshift saddle + stem, a Selle Anatomica saddle for my comfort, and a SON 28 Dynamo hub up front for my autonomy.
BAGS: I’m using a mix of Tailfin and Apidura.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A KLite light (gravel) in front to see in the dark, a Nordisk Lofoten 1p tent if it’s raining a lot, a Garmin 1040 Solar (and a Garmin 830 as backup) for keeping calm in the middle of nowhere and a Timber bell on the bar so I don’t surprise the bears.

Andrew Currier

Age 20 / Buffalo, New York (USA)

BIKE: I am riding (not racing) the Tour Divide on my 2021 Niner SIR9. My bike is set up rigid with a Whiskey #9 carbon fork. It’s also set up singlespeed with a 32t Absolute Black oval chain ring and 18t Wolftooth cog. I’m rolling on new 2.35″ vittoria mezcal tires. I’m holding onto Corvus Sweet16 handlebars with Ergon grips and bar ends provide for maximum comfort and leverage.
BAGS: I have a Revelate frame bag, top tube bag, and two feed bags. A Blackburn handlebar roll houses most of my sleep kit. I have two Salsa Anything cages mounted to a Tumbleweed rack and a Revelate seat bag strapped to the top. A Tailfin cargo cage holds a metal water bottle on my downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am carrying a full NEMO sleep system with a Kayu 15⁰ bag, Quasar wide pad, and a fillo elite pillow.

Lawrence Dragon

Age 62 / Adams, Massachusetts (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding briskly, not racing, my 2009 Salsa Fargo Steel Frame (it’s second trip on this route). This rig is rolling on Schwalbe 2.1″ Marathon Plus MTB tires, and features a 9-speed triple drivetrain, Planet Bike Cascadia fenders, vintage Scott AT-3 Bar, with top mount shifters.
BAGS: Fork Mounted Salsa Anything Cages W/Salsa Dry Bags, Revelate Handlebar Mounted Sweet Roll W/Egress, Inertia Designs Stem Bag W/ Map Holder, Topeak Top Tube Fuel Bag, Bento Box Feed Bag, Revelate Designs Terrapin Seat Bag, Tumbleweed Mini Pannier Rack, Generic Rack Top Tool Bag, Altura Ultralite Rear Panniers W/Covers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be resting in a MSR Hubba Hubba 1, on an MSR Therm-a-Rest Uberlite, in a Western Mountaineering MityLite. I’ll be finding my way with Maps and a Garmin Edge 130 and my phone.

Greg Edwards

Age 31 / Otautahi, Christchurch (New Zealand)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my spicy Chiru Divider titanium frame and carbon fork, which I picked up this year. It’s paired with a Sram X01 groupset, 34T chainring, Vittoria Mezcal 2.25’s, and Shimano XT hydraulic brakes for those long gnarly descents. Wheels are Hunt XC, with the front laced to a SON Dynamo hub. Up front I’m running a Salsa Rustler flat bar, Profile Designs aerobars, Ergon bar ends, and Wolftooth mega fat paw grips for comfort. Klite for on the move lighting and power.
BAGS: Mixture. The framebag is a homemade MYOG project using Liteskin and X-pac fabrics. Rockgeist front roll, top tube and saddle bag. Revelate feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SMD Lunar Solo (for a bit more comfort and shelter), Katabatic Gear Palisade 30 quilt, Nemo Tensor pad, and Goosefeet Gear down booties to keep me toes snug. Wahoo Roam for navigation. For water I have a 3l bladder in the framebag and a 1.5l bottle on the downtube. Katadyn befree and aqautabs for purification.

Lucy Eykamp

Age 44 / Fernie, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: Attempting the Tour Divide on a 2021 Canyon Exceed. Will be rolling on Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires, Reynolds wheels and Rockshock SID forks upfront. Upgraded to a SRAM GX AXS Eagle 1×12 drivetrain with a 32T chainring, SON Dynamo hub to a K-Lite MTB light. Cane creek eesilk carbon seat post with Ergon saddle. Profile aero extensions.
BAGS: A Rockgiest frame bag, Revelate Terrapin, Salty roll, Gas Tank and Joey Downtube Bag with 2 Apidura feed bags. Rogue Panda GlidePlate to protect the head tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Bora Gear Tarp overhead with a MLD superlight solo bivy paired with a Western Mountaineering Quilt and a Sea To Summit UL Air Mat and pillow. Bearclaw holder for the bear spray. Garmin Edge 530 for navigation, Garmin Mini-In-reach for safety, Fenix light on the helmet and tunes off my Mighty Vibe.

Mira (co-pilot) & John Freeman (pilot)

Age 5.5 and 52 / Canmore, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: Custom Titanium Dogpacker (197mm rear hub spacing), Pinion Drive P1.12 (32T x 34T), Gates CDX carbon belt, WREN Inverted mountain bike fork, WREN Persuader Aero bars, Astral Serpentine Carbon X rims (SON28 F/ Onyx Fatbike R), Maxxis IKON 29×2.2″ F/ 2.35″ R, SwissStop Catalyst Pro Rotors with EXOTherm2 pads, TRP DH EVO brakes, K-Lite power and light system.
BAGS: Porcelain Rocket frame bag (custom roll-top dyneema), Revelate SaltyRolls along the underside of the basket for sleep-kit and supplies, Revelate Mag-tank 2000, Jerrycan, Custom padded Uline dogpacking crate.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This is a purpose built machine for our Dogpacking World Tour. Durable and adaptable with long term comfort for both riders.

Erich Gnewikow

Age 44 / Missoula, Montana (USA)

BIKE: Attempting to race on my 2017 Jamis Dragon Slayer. Kitted with Rene Herser Fleecer Ridge on Hunt Race XC 29” wheels. 1×12 drive, 32T, 11-50T. Jones loop bars, Profile Design T2 aero bars. Pedal Cell for charging.
BAGS: Frame bag, one handle bar bag, front bag, and front harness from Oveja Negra. Seat bag, one handle bar bag, top tube bag and front roll from Revelate Designs. Zefal tool bottle.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll sleep in an OR Advanced Bivy with a Therm-a-Rest Neoair pad and Stone Glacier quilt. Wahoo for navigation. Apidura 1.5 bladder and their musette. Outbound Trail Evo front light and Fenix head lamp mounted on helmet. Secret weapon: custom googly eye bar ends.

Adam Goldberg

Age 22 / Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) on a 2023 Specialized Epic Hardtail. Running Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires, 11-50T out back with 32T on the front. Not using a dynamo hub and will be rocking 50k mAh of capacity for all my charging needs.
BAGS: Using Revelate Terrapin, Ranger, Mag Tank, and Feedbags, with Ortlieb handlebar bag. Widefoot CargoMount + Litercage on each fork for additional storage. Also will be wearing an Osprey Siskin 8 hydration backpack to free up some space.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lighting the way will be a Magicshine Monteer 8000 Lumen main light, with a Black Diamond Storm 500-R headlamp. Garmin Edge 530 and Varia radar tail light to alert me of chasing grizzlies. Sleep System is a Big Agnes Fly Creek Tent, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, and Nemo Disco -1C Sleeping bag. Can’t forget my good luck charm riding with me on the aerobars!

Brian Hall

Age 46 / River Falls, Wisconsin (USA)

BIKE: I custom built my frame specifically for the Tour Divide this year. It is a Rare Earth Huckleberry Dragon (named for all the delicious huckleberry treats in Montana in the summer), Reynolds 853 steel frame with a steel truss fork with integrated mini rack and K-Lite dynamo light. I’m using a 36-18T single speed drivetrain with an oval Absolute Black chainring on an XTR crank and a Chris King stainless rear cog. Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires with endurance casing on a custom carbon wheel set with Berd spokes and a Son SL self connecting dynamo hub.
BAGS: The aesthetics and theme of this bike revolve around the amazing purple dragon dyneema fabric on the custom Alpine Luddites frame bag. The seat bag is a Rockgeist Mr Fusion, top tube bag from Dispersed Bikepacking and a Tribulus High Roller up front on the mini rack secured with straps from Austere Manufacturing.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: It’s all about the contact points! SQ Lab 60X Infinergy saddle and Cane Creek eeSilk seat post, Doom titanium riser bar, Cane Creek bar ends, Wolftooth Fat Paw grips and SQ Labs Innerbarends and Profile Designs aero bars nice and high. Wolf Tooth flat pedals with Arcteryx Norvan SL 3 shoes. Finally, my trusty Dispersed Bikepacking Roll Top Hip Pack that I used on the Baja Divide this past winter. Best adventure purse out there!

Doug Hanna

Salida, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Moots Mountaineer with Fox 34 fork, XT/XTR plus Absolute Black Oval 28T drivetrain. Son Dyno hub and carbon hoops. Whiskey carbon post, Pro carbon flat bar and Pro alloy aero bars. Tires are Mezcal 29×2.25″.
BAGS: The bags are a collected assortment. Tailfin rear bag, Revelate Designs frame and front roll bag, Oveja Negra chuck buckets and Jerry can and Rockgeist Top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Therm-a-Rest 20 degree quilt, Nemo 1 person tent and Therm-a-Rest pad will keep me warm and cozy. Garmin 1030 will record my efforts and point the way.

Trey Harrison

Age 56 / El Dorado, Kansas (USA)

BIKE: My home for a while will be an Ibis 29’er hardtail. Using flatbars rather than drop bars due to a pretty serious wrist injury sustained last summer while trail running. I will also be running aerobars and a handlebar roll (not pictured). Pretty typical setup otherwise, though I’m running my Pedal Cell system rather than my SON dynamo.
BAGS: I’ve spread the love around, with bags by Revelate, Rockgeist, Bedrock, JPaks, and Tailfin. Have 6+ L capacity for my beverages if needed.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Dropped out at Butte last summer. My gear was pretty dialed, but one change has been to my sleep kit. Kept the Katabatic Gear quilt and Therm-a-Rest pad, but replaced my OR bivy with a Durston 1p tent. Also now using Bike Iowa Pogie-Lites to protect my Raynaud’s-stricken hands.

William Harvey

Age 63 / Lethbridge, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: Salsa Deadwood, XT components. Modifications include Carbon Jones Bars, B17 with Redshift suspension seat post.
BAGS: Crank Tank because this might be a dry one. Bags are a dogs breakfast with Wildcat mostly, otherwise Zpacks for front roll, Nuclear Sunrise Silo bags, Apidura top tube bag and Arkel 1/2 frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Hammerhead & Sinwave both on a Kedge mount for simplicity, with SON supplying power. Highlights would include my hammock and Zpacks tarp giving me a chance at sleep. Escape bivy when the trees disappear.

Ben Hastings

Age 32 / Chicago, Illinois (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding a Specialized Epic Hardtail for the 2023 Divide. The primary light source will be a Sinewave Beacon, powered by a SON dynamo, accompanied by a Fenix PD36R and HM65 as backup lights. As for the tires, I have opted for a Race King Protection 2.2″ at the rear for its low rolling resistance, and the classic Mezcal at the front to provide additional grip.
BAGS: The majority of my kit and water will be carried in a hand crafted dyneema frame bag. The rest will fit into Tailfin bags and a couple of Relevate feeder bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: One notable feature is an integrated GPS and light mount that repositions my lighting setup, making room to strap extra water or food to the aero bars.

Caleb Helkenn

Age 30 / Anchorage, Alaska (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the 2023 Tour Divide on my Why Cycles S7. Wheels are We Are One Triads with a Son 28 and Onyx Classic. Will be running 2.2” Fleecer Ridge tires for the race. Drivetrain is SRAM AXS GX, brakes are Shimano 4pot XT. Lauf TR fork and SQ labs bars combined with profile designs aero bars w/SRAM Blips. Seatpost is a stock Thompson that just barely makes it high enough for me! Brooks Cambium C17 saddle.
BAGS: Revelate Designs front to back for the bags. Aero bar harness, x2 Feed Bags, Mag Tank XL, custom frame bag, and a Salty Roll strapped to the rack. Rack is a Tumbleweed Mini-Pannier rack. It has a Profile Designs cage on the side of it for extra water as needed. I’ll also wear a UD running vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Full sleep kit with a Tiger Wall UL1, 30 degree Marmot bag, and Nemo air pad. Navigation from a Garmin Edge 540. Loving the kLite lights on the front and back! A Fred Bar + 70mm Profile Design spacers finally got my aero bars up high enough for me – maybe next year I’ll find a bigger bike!

Justin Hettinga

Age 49 / Calgary, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: I intend to race southbound from the grand depart. My frame is a BXT carbon 29er. SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain (10-50) with 32 tooth chainring. 2.2″ Continental Race Kings mounted on carbon Elite-Wheels. No dynamo. Suspension is a Fox 32sc fork and Thudbuster seatpost with a Specialized Bridge saddle. Ritchey Koyote bars with Decathlon aerobars. Garmin 530 to guide me to the end.
BAGS: Tailfin Aerobag and a mix of other brands throughout. The standout bags are 3 huge stem bags by Ukranian bikepack bag maker Kasybag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: OR Helium bivy and raingear. A tiny tarp will be packed if the forecast looks extra wet. A wide Therm-a-Rest Uber pad, thin down quilt, down puffy jacket and pillow to get a good sleep. GSI Fairshare mug for cold soaking oats, ramen and mashed potatoes or carrying that extra plate of spaghetti. Lights and cache batteries all use swappable fast charging 21700 batteries (total of 6 x 5000mah). It’s enough power for 3 days (in June). I’ll be drinking out of 1L Zefal water bottles and filtering with a Katadyn Befree.

Jonathan Hogg

Age 40 / Banff, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: 2023 Norco Revolver with a 1×11 drivetrain and 32T ring. SID fork wt 120mm suspension. Aero bars. Pedalcel generator mounted on the front fork. 29” wheels with 2.2″ Continental Race King (Black Chili) tires. Cane Creek suspension seat post.
BAGS: Combination of Revelate Designs bags, including a frame bag, mag tank and Jerrycan, Rock Bros feed bags and the rear Aero Spider rack with a waterproof top entry roll top bag.

GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Pedalcel generator is proving to be very effective! Wahoo V2 for navigation with In-reach mini.

Alexandera Houchin

Age 33 / Cloquet, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: Chumba Yaupon Singlespeed 34x17T.
BAGS: Dispersed and Baryak.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Andrew makes the best bike racery bag sets. Joe makes a beautiful cockpit set up. The Cane Creek Work Series Helm has blown my mind and I can’t believe it took me so long to start running their forks. Amazing.

Steven Le Hyaric

BIKE: I’m going to ride Tour Divide with my new buddy: Girs Nomade with very special paint for this project. The bike is an MTB Girs Nomade Carbone equipped with a Sram 12-speed mechanical group, Shimano XT/DEORE brake, a new pair of Maxxis Ikon tires, a 1×12 drivetrain with a 32T chainring, and DT Swiss 29 inch wheels with a SON Dynamo hub at the front. Handlebars is ENVE, Cane Creek post with some suspension, Selle Idéale Saddle, Profile Design extension with 70mm shims under the armrests. Garmin 67i to share my position.
BAGS: Restrap full frame and saddle bag 8L, 2 stem bags and Canister. I will possibly have 2x 500ml flasks and 1L soft in my Compressport Trail bag. One 800ml bottles on my frame will be a priority though.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: As always, I will use my Garmin 1040 Solar and Garmin battery. Dynamo Hub SON + Sinewave lamp with USB port and Ravemen in spare + lezyne in rear. Another modification is a special paint job from Orion Paint works, very creative painter in Paris, bike build by Cycles Victor in Paris too.

Ralph Karsten

Age 67 / St. Paul, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: Jones Plus LWB Ti. In the photo it’s equipped with Vittoria Bombilinis for training, on the race it will have 2.6” Mezcals on Hunt rims. Rohloff hub with belt drive, cable operated brakes with 203mm rotors. I’m using battery power with a 20AHr solar charging Anker.
BAGS: Revelate frame bag and Spinelock seat bag. The seat bag is for clothing, the frame bag for tools, water treatment, medical and food plus spares. Sturdy made the gas tank which is snacks. Apdura bar bag holds my sleep system and rain jacket. Two water bottles are mounted to the handlebars with Apdura bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Navigation by Wahoo. 5L water capacity. I’m using an OR Alpine bivy, this served well on the CT and has no condensation. Western Mountaineering down bag and Klymit pad. Clothing is mostly Merino wool.

Ted King

Age 40 / Richmond, Vermont (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a Cannondale Scalpel HT with SRAM Eagle Transmission, a 38T front and 10-50T in the rear. There’s a plush RockShox SID Ultimate fork. I have a Dynamo Hub and Sinewave Beacon for charging my electronics. Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, front and rear. 1040 Solar by Garmin, Zipp Vuka clip-on aero bars with eTap wireless blips. Thumb Togs for even more hand position options. A comfy Berthoud Cycles Avaris saddle.
BAGS: Custom Moosepacks frame and stem bags, Apidura for saddle bag, top tube bag, handlebar bag, and downtube bag. I’m certain that I have a mix of way too much stuff and plenty of stuff I wish I had.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A mix of Velocio kit for a wide range of temperatures and weather. SunGod Airas sunglasses with photochromatic lenses. Sea to Summit sleeping bag, pad, and pillow, plus Outdoor Research bivy.

Julie Labrecque

Age 43 / Squamish, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be pedaling as fast as I can on a 2021 Santa Cruz Highball CC hardtail. The We Are One Revive carbon rims are paired with a DT Swiss 240 rear hub and a SON Dynamo front hub to power the Sinewave Beacon. The rest is a mix of SRAM X01 and XX1 Eagle components, chainring is 34T. SQLab Innerbarends and PRO Missile aero bars for more hand positions. The carbon seatpost was recently swapped with an alloy Thomson Elite…I’ve heard and seen too many horror stories. A brand new pair of Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tires will be installed juuuust before the Grand Depart.
BAGS: Apidura-Revelate-Ortlieb mix and match. I got an aero bar bag from Cyclite, a newer bikepacking gear company from Germany. The attention to details is incredible, the bag is light and waterproof. Shipping took forever but was well worth the wait!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My 7mesh Copilot Gore-Tex jackets can clip to my frame to free up bag space if needed, and can be isolated from the rest of my stuff when dripping with mud. But my most favorite piece of gear of all times is my Freshette (or “female urination device”; also known as a pee funnel (!)) – no time wasted trying to find a private spot!

Aldean Lim

Age 40 / Iloilo City, Iloilo (Philippines)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a Trek Procaliber. The bike features isospeed on the rear and a Fox 32 fork for compliance and comfort. Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ in the front and 2.1” in the rear, SRAM Eagle XX1 Mechanical 1×12 drivetrain with a 32T chainring. Bontrager Kovee Pro wheels on the rear with Rimpact inserts. No dynamo hub as i plan to ride from sun up to sun down only to see and enjoy the views. Bar Yak Expedition aero bars and mounts on the handlebars for my navigation device, phone and gopro.
BAGS: The centerpiece of my cargo setup is that all bags are Dyneema Cuben Fiber (DCF) bags. Frame bag is a custom DCF Rockgeist frame bag. On the front is Baryak Expedition bars with Baryak fidlock harness with 44zero5 DCF compression bag. My friend Mac of 44zero5 made all of my custom DCF bags, including DCF compression bags, feedbags, top tube bags, dry bag with mesh sides on the Tailfin rear rack. He also made all of my DCF stuff sacks for electronics and down gear. Two 1L bottles and bear spray will be mounted to the fork.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Tarptent Aeon Li DCF tent (550g) will serve as my shelter along with a Cumulus Equipment custom xlite 200 and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir. For Main navigation will be using a Garmin 1040 Solar and for back up will be using Suunto 9 peak pro and Komoot on my phone. For lights, I am running full Fenix BC21R on the front lights and Fenix HM60R on helmet mount, and backup light is a Petzl eLite. Will be bringing a titanium cookset and katadyn water filter.

Hal Loewen

Age 61 / Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada)

BIKE: Custom Ti frame made by Lyle Wiens from Altona, MB. 1×12 XT drivetrain and XT brakes. Race Face carbon rims, Hope rear hub, SON dynamo in front. Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tyres. Tumbleweed Persuader handlebars and T rack. Profile Design aero bars.
BAGS: Mini panniers by Hwy 19. Homemade frame bag, trunk, and front roll. Revelate stem bags and toptube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sinewave Beacon headlight, Big Agnes Tiger Wall tent, Enlightened Equipment quilt Sea to Summit sleeping pad.

Peter Loewenson

Age 63 / Saint Paul, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Chumba Stella Ti with Enve Mountain fork. Wheels are Santa Cruz Reserve 30 rims on SON 28 dynamo and DT Swiss 350 hubs. 29 X 2.25″ Mezcal tires. Drivetrain is a 34T White Industries crank and 10-52T SRAM AXS. Thomson stem, post, and Ti handlebar. Profile Designs aerobars.
BAGS: I am lucky to have a Mary Ehlers custom frame bag. Revelate handlebar, Spinelock saddle, Mag-Tank top tube, and Mountain feed bags. Forks have Polecats on King Manything cages.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Klite gravel light. Big Agnes Fly Creek tent and Axl air pad, Western Mountaineering bag. Soto Windmaster stove and Aeropress for coffee.

Jacob Loos

Age 25 / Bella Vista, Arkansas (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing on my singlespeed Chumba Stella Ti.
BAGS: Bags made by South City Stitchworks, Rockgeist, and a few bags I designed and made myself.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite pice of equipment is my Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post.

Darren Madley

Age 48 / Okotoks, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: Chromag Surface Voyager. Light bike homebuilt wheels with Spank rear hub and SON dynamo up front mounted on a Whiskey No9 Fork. XX1 cassette and chain being moved by a GX AXS derailleur with a 32T Absolute Black oval ring. Pro Missile aero bars laying ontop of 60mm risers.
BAGS: Rogue Panda frame bag. Apidura aero, handlebar, and feed bags. Revelate feedbag and a blackburn toptube bag below the seat. Carrying a dual entry drybag on strapped to a Tumbleweed rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Copper Spur UL tent with a Sea to Summit 5 degree UL bag, UL pad with a UL pillow (Such comfort has been unkown to me).

Shaun Madley

Age 33 / Taupo (New Zealand)

BIKE: Excited to be riding TD23 on my Niner Sir 9. It is running a Niner carbon fork, Thomson bits and was custom painted by Brendon at Velo Creations in NZ. XTR 12-speed, 4 pot brakes, 34T Absolute Black chainring, Stans No Tubes Crest CB7 rims with SON and I9 hubs and fresh Mezcal tyres. Full kLite front and rear light setup with dual USB charging my Wahoo Roam for navigation.
BAGS: Custom Stealth frame bag, top tube and feed bags. Restrap front and rear for waterproof bits and a Pedaled hydro vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleep kit consists of a Terra Nova Laser Pulse 1 person tent, Therm-a-Rest Vesper quilt and a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir inflatable mat. Affirmations from my wife and kid to keep me going. Motto for the race: “next km” and “have fun”.

Simon Maindonald

Age 59 / Christchurch (New Zealand)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Yeti ARC with Rockshox SID 120mm fork, AXS 1×12 with 30T chainring, and Mezcal 2.25” tires on Praxis23 rims on DT Swiss 350 hubs.
BAGS: The framebag, feedbags, and jerrycan are DIY, with Revelate Terrapin, Pronghorn and Front bag, with a long Apidura top tube bag. Three water bottles on forks and a feedbag, with spare capacity on a second downtube cage and 3l of bladders.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 1040 with Gaia as back up, a windbreaker, and a locally made quilt and Aarn 15l adventure pack.

Zack Martinez

Age 41 / Schertz, Texas (USA)

BIKE: Trek Top Fuel 9.8 Carbon Fiber with Magnesium Sid XX and Burley Coho XC trailer. Mods include over sized rotors, 28T boost direct mount elliptical (26-30T) chainring and e-thirteen 9-46T cassette. I rebuilt the trailer wheel to accept a Shimano DH-S501 dynamo hub.
BAGS: Two quick-release panniers on rear trailer wheel cage. In the trailer everything is in dry bags, and compression sacks. I carry extra water in two 1.5L Nalgenes under the trailer, it adds a counterweight and makes pulling MUCH more stable.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I built my own dynamo USB adapter for about 10 dollars using a simple rectifier and 4-5V solid state step up. It charges my Garmin Mini 2, backup battery or my cellphone directly (albeit a bit slowly). My favorite piece of gear is the US Army ACU MSS bag my brother, Michael, gave me. Rain, shine, blizzard, tidal wave, it’s always nice and cozy in there.

Justin McKinley

Age 35 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding an Otso Voytek trimmed with Wolf Tooth Components stuff (headset, chainring, dropper, grips, bottle cages, tools… etc). Maxxis Ikon 29×2.35″ tires. Widefoot cargo cages. Fenix BCR21Rv3 and HM50R headlight and helmet lights, cygolite rear tail light, and 36,000ma/h of battery capacity. Ride Farr mini aero bar, BikeTog thumb hooks, spurbell, and Garmin Inreach. Shimano XT stuff. Brooks C13 for my butt.
BAGS: Porcelain Rocket seat pack and front roll. JPaks top tube bag. OruCase feed bags. Wolf Tooth downtube tool roll. Oveja Negra seatpost bag. And I’ll be wearing a PedalEd hydration vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: HydraPak and Nalgene water stuff for ~7L flex. Enlightened Equipment 40F quilt, puffy jacket, pants, and booties with a Therm-a-Rest Uberlite pad and Mountain Laurel Designs FKT Event bivy makes up my sleep kit. PedalEd bibs and riding stuff. Garmin for navigation and tracking stuff.

Karl Moorhouse

Age 62 / Hampshire, England (United Kingdom)

BIKE: Running a Sonder Broken Road ti in reverse mullet set up ie 27.5×2.8″ IKON on the front and a 29×2.35″ Mezcal on the rear. Using an Ergon post, so hoping comfort will win out in the end. Carbon rigid fork. Running old school 3×11 gear with 628% spread as my legs aren’t as young as they used to be. Cockpit is generic with bar ends and arm rests being used as a modifies tri set up. also short stubbies for additional hand placement.
BAGS: On the fork I’m running a water bottle on one side and a Revelate polecat on the other containing wet weather gear. Front back Top Peak contains tent, sleeping bag, mat and liner, frame bag and rear seat bag from Alpkit containing clothes etc. Running 2 top tube bags, one for electrics, lights etc, the other for tools/tubes. Front stash bags for water & eating on the move.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m taking a LOT of kit, maybe too much. Time will tell.

Michael Morgen

Age 66 / Boise, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: The bike I am riding this year is an Otso Fenrir Stainless flat bar XL with Sram X01 Eagle AXS 10-52 cassette & 34t oval chainring. DT Swiss rims are dressed with Vittoria Mescal; 29×225 in the rear and 29×235 in the front.
BAGS: Revelate Designs all over for a consistent package.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A GORE Torrent jacket & wind/waterproof mittens have been added to my kit. An Enlightened Equipment quilt, Apex sleeping pad, and 1 person tent round out the camp gear. Battery packs will keep electrical charged, Garmin InReach mini2 & Wahoo Bolt2, Eagle AXS, and headlights. And of course the iPhone for pics and videos of this fantastic adventure.

Mathias Muller

Age 40 / Petershagen (Germany)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a Surly Karate Monkey. The bike features Vittoria Mezcal 2.35” tires, a Rohloff Speedhub, and a SON Dynamo hub up front. The Rock Shox Pike gives a lot of comfort.
BAGS: My setup is built around my tried and trusted Revelate bags: frame bag, top tube bags, downtube bag, and handlebar bag. In addition I’ll use an Elkhorn rack with a dry bag and some small Ortlieb bags. Apidura feed bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Copper Spur tent, Sea to Summit inflatable mat, Enlightened Equipment 30°F quilt, Garmin Edge 1040 for navigation, Garmin GPSMap 67i for backup and Tracking, a Forumslader for charging the electronics, Camelbak bladder in frame bag and some soft bottles for dryer stretches.

Joe Nation

Age 33 / Christchurch (New Zealand)

BIKE: Santa Cruz Highball, DT Swiss 1501 wheelset with Son hub, 2.25″ Maxxis Aspen tyres, Fox 34, Sram AXS drivetrain with 4x blip box buttons for shifting, 34T Revolution Components Chainring, K-Lite, Raceface cranks/seatpost, Prologo saddle, Shimano brakes/pedals.
BAGS: Restrap Race Bags top to bottom including the Aero Bar bag and small frame bag which allows 3 x drink bottles and a tool box. Also saddle bag and full length top tube bag. I’ll also be carrying a back pack with another 4L of water capacity which will only filled occasionally.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be wearing POC clothing/helmet/glasses as well as their waterproof jacket and pants. Bivy and blow up mattress sleep system paired with a 3 part puffer jacket/pant/bootie for warmth and versatility. Garmin 530 and Gaia as backup. 2 x 10,000 battery banks.

Kevin Nemethy

Age 42 / North Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: Riding my fast, fun and versatile Santa Cruz Highball, set up this time with Fox 34 SC, Shimano XT 12 speed 32/10-51T, Roval Control SL rims laced to SON dynamo/DT350 hubs, Sinewave Beacon/Klite qube/Lynx OGT lights, and Pro/Ergon/Sqlab cockpit bits.
BAGS: Bags are by Rockgeist with a Tailfin Aeropack. Framebag can carry up to 6L in 2 reservoirs if needed, sleep kit in the front roll, clothing in the aeropack, snacks up front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Kit is mostly 7mesh. EE Torrid puffy. Sleeping in a Tarptent Rainbow Li tent or MLD bivy, WM Nanolite quilt, Neoair Uberlite pad. Navigating with a Garmin 1040 solar.

Daniel Nickel

Age 39 / San Jose, California (USA)

BIKE: This year I’m riding basically the same set-up as last year. Lynskey Ridgeline 29 frame with a Niner RDO fork, wheelset built by Dave’s Wheels, I9 Hydra & SP Dynamo on We Are One rims. Drivetrain is mix and match Shimano 12-speed 1x.
BAGS: A mixed collection of bags, mostly Revelate Designs, with a JPacks Footlong SnakPak, and Oveja Negra Gearjammer seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Safety Pizza. Sinewave Cycles Beacon headlight and Supernova E3 tail light. Since it looks like it’ll be a hot, dry year, I’m bringing a better rain kit, and heavier sleep system. Really I’m bringing the kit I should have last year so I’ll have a larger margin of safety out on the trail.

Dan Perron

Age 49 / Squamish, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding Orbea’s XC hardtail, the Alma, paired with a blue SID ultimate SL. SON dynamo hub with Sinewave beacon. Shimano 12-speed drivetrain and brakes.
BAGS: Mostly Apidura, with a Revelate Mag tank, Ortlieb seatpost bag and a Cyclite aerobar bag.

Kyle Peterson

Age 33 / Jackson, Wyoming (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Ti Timberjack. Fox Performance 120mm step cast fork. 32 X 16 ratio, Absolute Black oval chainring. Always feels rewarding to completely assemble your own bike.
BAGS: Rockgeist Mr. Fusion Saddle bag, I love being able to pull out the waterproof stuff sack. J Paks footlong top tube bag for lots of snacks. Andrew Strempke nailed it with the stem bags, the Dispersed Bags design makes it easy to open and close, and fits so much stuff. Apidura aero bar bag has my entire rain kit at 2.5 L. Salsa frame bag, just waiting for it to finally fall apart.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: We all have our own particular needs. Things we will compromise on, things we won’t. Our own particular flavor of shit sandwich if you will. Just pack the gear you need to get to the finish no matter what happens.

Keith Richards

Age 45 / Portland, Oregon (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Moots MootX YBB with 2×10 Shimano XT drivetrain and a Whiskey carbon fork. Custom wheels by Sugar Wheelworks with We Are One Revive rims laced to DT 240 rear and SON front.
BAGS: Oveja Negra Superwegie frame bag. Revelate Tarapin, Sweetroll and Polecats on the fork round out the storage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nemo 1 person tent, quilt and inflatable pad keep me comfortable through the night. Added a Sea to Summit air pillow to make sure when I sleep I sleep well.

Randall Riecker

Ann Arbor, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: This is Jude. We are very grateful to be rolling the Divide this season. She is wearing a fork from Oddity, Doom bars, Paul stoppers, White Industries rear hub with a SON up front. SRAM shifty bits. First time ever rocking gears, but stoked for some mechanical advantage.
BAGS: Rockgeist frame, saddle and feed bag. Revelate Polecats on the forks with a Swift handlebar stash.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleepin in an Altaplex with a quilt and an x-therm mattress. Following the route on an Etrex 30 complimented by a Wahoo Bolt. Three bladders for 5.5L capacity. We are stoked!

Jens Van Roost

Age 37 / Antwerp (Belgium)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Mondraker Podium Carbon RR 2021. It’s a pretty light XC machine, possibly not the very best choice for a demanding 4000km route. I did reinforce the frame with a few metal plates to protect it from mud rubbing. It has a rigid carbon fork and your typical 1×12 drivetrain with 34T chainring and 10-50T cassette.
BAGS: Bags are a mix of light Apidura bags and sturdy Revelate Designs bags. I’ll bring 4L of bidon capacity because I really like my chocolate milk.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This bike rocks the Flite saddle straight from the 90’s, my arse has grown used to this particular model. For comfort, I have the extra chunky ESI Grips, slightly backbent carbon bars and aero elbow rests (no bars) that are basically a simple PVC mount with PUR padding. Tyres are Conti RaceKing Protection. No dyno hub but a big fat powerbank and a 120W charger.

Mike Sagan

Age 34 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing this year on a custom Corvid Corax, built right here in Boulder. When I met with Chad to design this bike I told him I needed something that was both comfy for long days but also zippy, and boy did he deliver. This thing climbs like a homesick angel. Reserve wheels, 1×12 SRAM drive train, and some cane creek bar ends.
BAGS: Frame bag and handlebar packs stitched by the venerable and talented JPaks (as well as an aero mounted bag, not shown, to be deployed for extra food storage). Tailfin and some feed bags to round it out.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 3 watt alternator up front (mostly there to power by mattress inflator and boom box, but also my Sinewave Beacon). AOHI fast charging cache battery to keep the electronics running and a few letters from home to open along the way.

Liam Schifferli

Age 18 / Amherst, Massachusetts (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding (not racing) the Tour Divide on a 2022 Trek Roscoe warranty void. My bike is setup single speed, made possible with a Surly Singleator, 32T Wolf Tooth oval chainring, and Wolf Tooth 18T cog. A whiskey carbon fork No.9 on the front end will help make the bumps bumpier. Vitoria Mezcals 29 x 2.35″ provide just the right speed of comfort and speed. The Fatback sweet 16 carbon handlebars and Ergon GP2 grips provide just the right amount of backsweep to make the ride a little more comfy.
BAGS: My Tailfinn alloy rack will hold a 17L Sea to Summit Big River dry bag and two Salsa anything cages with accompanying bags. My Chaco sandals will also be strapped to the cages. An Ortlieb frame pack, Revelate Designs Mag tank, and Mountain feed bag complete the setup.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite modification are the three riv nuts on the down tube which allow me to mount a small Tailfinn cage. I also modified my Topeak front-loader by sewing on NRS canoe straps. I’m carrying a full Nemo sleep system: Quasar 3D sleeping pad, Dragonfly 2P tent, men’s Disco 15 sleeping bag, and Fillo Elite pillow.

Matt Schweiker

Age 37 / Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA)

BIKE: Litespeed Pinhoti 3. Proudly made in Chattanooga TN, ENVE rigid fork, Maxxis Ikon 2.25’s, SON Dynamo Hub powering a Sinewave Beacon. Litespeed Ti Seatpost.
BAGS: Rockgeist framebag, top tube bag and feed bags, Bedrock Coconino Seat Bag, Ojeja Negra Front Loader and Lunchbox Handlebar Bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Western Mountaineering 30degree down bag, Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xlite NXT pad, OR Helium Bivy, Garmin 1040 for navigation and Garmin Messenger for Tracking. HANDUP shorts and gloves!

Oz Scott

Age 26 / Crested Butte, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’m touring northbound on a Surly Karate Monkey. 12-speed, 11-51T w/ 30T crank. WTB ST i35 TCS 2.0 wheels with Ardent 27.5 x 2.40’s. ESI Wrapped Surly Moloko bars. NO BRAKES! Who needs ‘em, (just kidding) Avid bb5’s.
BAGS: On the back is the Tailfin AreoPack and Widefoot CargoMounts with Revelate Design PoleCats. Up front is a Restrap 14L Handlebar Bag, bonus food bags, Moloko bag, and Restrap 1/2 Frame Bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: CRANK TANK 4.0 for 4L of gasoline as low as it can go, Bowtie ProblemSolver strap anchors for jars of peanut butter and pickles and a 4ft NRS Strap to hold the crocs on board. I’m going to have extra storage for extra refreshments, enough weight to stop and smell the flowers, and probably will carry fireworks as a bear deterrent.

Ken Scovill

Age 63 / Garden Grove, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide On a Specialized Epic Hardtail, Sram GX with 9-46T E*Thirteen Cassette and 30T up front, Mezcal 2.25’s on Roval Wheels, Ergon SMC Core saddle.
BAGS: Revelate Designs and Rogue Panda. Front Bag: Tent, air mattress, Rain Gear. Seat Bag: clothes, toiletries, cooking stuff. Frame bag: food, some tools, electronics, 2L water reservoir. Front Accessory Bag: Water filter system, personal items.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Fly Creek tent, Exped Ultra 3R pad, Marmot 30deg bag, Wahoo for navigation, two Anker Power Banks, also a small Snow Peak stove.

Francisco Sevilla

Age 40 / Quito (Ecuador)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a Motobecane Fantom Ti. The bike features a new pair of Maxxis Ikon 2.2” tires, a 1×12 (10-52T) drivetrain with a 34T chainring (Sram X01) and a WTB Frequency i23 wheels with a Son Dynamo hub.
BAGS: I am running with a Oveja Negra seat pack, two Apidura food pouch, one Apidura downtube pack, one Apidura long top tube pack, and a small Urcu bags pocket on the handlebars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An AtomicBear bivy will serve as my shelter along with an Sea To Summit UL Air Mat. I’ll also be carrying a Wahoo Roam for navigation.

Gregory Smith

Age 53 / San Antonio, Texasa (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a 2020 Trek Supercaliber 9.8 GX mechanical. It’s a lightweight, short travel, full squish with a large enough center triangle to hold a medium Apidura frame bag. Updates for the bike include a pair of 2.2” Teravail Sparwood tires with Vittoria XC tire inserts for low pressure riding.
BAGS: My top tube and feed bags are from Revelate. The center and front bags are from Apidura. The Seatpack is a small dropper compatible Rockgeist bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My center bag holds water and food. The tent, sleeping bag and pad are up front. Spare clothes are in the seatpack. No room for a camp chair on this trip.

Adrian Stingaciu

Age 50 / Mukilteo, Washington (USA)

BIKE: 2009 Windsor Clockwork Single Speed Fixed Gear (42x16T). Steel frame, steel fork. 700×38 Panaracer GravelKing tires, SRAM Dynamo.
BAGS: Carousel Seat bag, generic handlebar bag. 4 liter bottles will be mounted to the fork and frame.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Montbell bivy with 40F North Face synthetic bag and space bag. Big Agnes air mat. Maps and GPS for navigation.

Sky Tettero-Crosby

Age 39 / Guelph, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a 2022 Salsa Fargo Ti with a RockShox SID Select suspension fork. Titanium handlebars and seatpost should dampen vibrations. 29 x 2.25″ Vittoria Mescals and a 1×12 drivetrain with SRAM AXS X01 wireless derailleur. The SON dynamo powers the kLite light system and battery recharging. I’ll be using the Profile Design Subsonic 35A aero bars for multiple resting positions. Ergon saddle and grips for comfort.
BAGS: Seatpost bag, frame bag, top tube bags and feed bags by Relevate Designs. Zeitgeist by Swift Industries on the handlebars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system includes an Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy, Feathered Friends Flicker UL Quilt on top of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (short). Noteworthy Gadget: OnePlus 11G cellular phone with SuperVooc 80w Rapid Charge. It can charge the 5000mAh phone battery from 0-100% in 25 minutes. Resupply = full belly and full battery.

Bulent Tezcan

Age 56 / Calgary, Alberta (Canada)

BIKE: I will be riding my custom-built Surly Krampus starting from Antelope Wells, NOBO. It is a size medium with 29 WTB i40 Tough wheels with DT Swiss 240 hubs. Tires are WTB fast rolling 3.0″ tubeless. I will have an extra 2.80″ tire as a spare. The brakes are Paul Klamper, 202mm front, and 180mm back Magura rotors. Avid 7 brake levers, total Shimano XT group set, 1-12 speed 10-51T cassette, with 30T oval chainring from Blackspire, Snaggletooth. The handlebar is the Tumbleweed Persuader bar. I’ve attached Profile Designs Ergo A35 Aero bars to it. The headset is Cane Creek 40, Bottom Bracket is Wheels Manufacturing BB30 Abec-3. The seat is Brooks C17.
BAGS: A mixture of bags. In the front, there is Revelate Designs Salty Roll with harness and Egress pocket. The frame bag is an Ortlieb. The top tube bag is 2L Apidura Racing Long. The rear rack is equipped with Arkel dry lites. I also attached a 35L Sea to Summit Big River dry bag on the surly steel rack to carry the sleeping bag and the tent, and some clothing. In the front, I have two Sea To Summit 8L dry bags, attached to Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack. I have attached two anything cages from Alibaba to the fork in order to be able to carry two 2L bottles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Navigation is via a Wahoo Elemnt Roam V1. I will be carrying a Garmin inReach mini, solar panel for charging the electronics, Sea to Summit Spark IV sleeping bag, and a 2-person MSR Hubba Hubba tent.

Kristen Tonsager

Age 40 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Me and the Revel El Jefe will toe the Tour Divide start line and race our way to Mexico. Jeffie sports a Fox Float 34 fork, Revel RW30 Rims laced to an I9 Hydra hub in the rear and a SON dynamo hub up front. Vittoria Mezcals are the tire of choice, while a SRAM Eagle drivetrain and Shimano XT 4 piston brakes complete the build.
BAGS: JPAKS all the way, baby! Custom blue, alpine camo, heather gray and checker print Framepak, Toolpak, Footlong Snakpak and BattPak down low. The kit is rounded out with JPAKS Dropperpak, Refugi Handlebar Harness with front pouch and two Ruksaks in that killer checker print! I will also be wearing a Dakine Hot Laps 5-liter Fannypak with my bear spray attached!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No TD bike is complete without the Fred Bar and Profile Designs Aero Bars, so I’ll be relaxing in those while I eat donuts from my custom feedsak, also courtesy of JPAKS. A 3L Apidura Bladder in the framepak should help for those long dry stretches of trail, along with my NoxGear mini-speaker. For lights, I’ll be running the Fenix BC30 bar light with the BC26R head lamp and hoping that I can ride at a steady MPH to keep the Sinewave Revolution charging all of my batteries.

Josh Tucker

Age 36 / Richmond, Virginia (USA)

BIKE: Why El-Jefe “Orbi”, setup single speed (34 x 18T, with Absolute Black oval chainring). Fox 34 120mm fork, Vittoria Mezcal 2.25″ tires, Hope Tech 4 brakes, Ergon SM comp saddle. SON-28 Dynamo setup, with K-lite front/rear light and charging kit.
BAGS: My bags are a combination of Rockgeist (frame bag, top tube bag, and front drybag) and Revelate Designs (front harness, feed bags, rear top tube bag, and saddle bag).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree quilt, Zpacks Plex Solo tent, Therm-a-Rest Xlite sleeping pad, Montbell Plasma 1000 down jacket, two Nitecore NC 10000 batteries, Fenix BC26r Bike Light, Fenix HM65r Headlamp, Garmin Edge 830, and my trusty JBL clip for the tunes. For hydration, I’m bringing three 24oz bike bottles, along with a 48oz Nalgene strapped to the down tube.

Achim Walther

Age 52 / Darmstadt (Germany)

BIKE: I’m riding the Tour Divide northbound on a Salsa Fargo Ti with Firestarter carbon fork, SRAM Eagle 1×12 drivetrain (32 x 10-52T), carbon flat bar, Syntace C3 Clip On Aerobar, Ergon GA3 grips, Brooks Cambium C17 Saddle, TRP Spyre Mechanical Disc Brake, SON dynamo hub, Continental Race King 2.2″ tires.
BAGS: Salsa EXP Frame Bag, Revelate Designs Mag-Tank, Revelate Designs Jerrycan, Revelate Designs Egress Pocket, Sleeping Bag in a Sea-To-Summit waterproof bag mounted on Revelate Designs Harness, Ortlieb waterproof seat bag, Restrap 5L fork bag, MSR carbon reflex tent.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: SON dynamo hub charging AA Lithium batteries and powerbank via Busch+Müller Lumotec Luxos USB, 3D printed bottle mounts with cargo option, Supernova rear light, Garmin etrex 32x, Joschka the travel frog.

Dave Waugh

Age 37 / Golden, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2022 Salsa Beargrease on a diet with a 29” wheelset. I’m running 2.6” Vittoria Mezcals and a Lauf Carbonara fork to keep my hands happy on a Surly Moloko handlebar. Drivetrain is 1×12 with a SRAM 10-50T cassette and Raceface Turbine crankset. For power I’m using a SP hub with KLite Bikepacker lights.
BAGS: My frame bag and feed bags are homemade by creeping on Thief Bikepacking bags and poorly trying to replicate them. My front roll is a Revelate cradle and Saltyroll, and the seat bag is a fancy purple Revelate as well.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My absolute, most important piece of gear is my coveted, stylish, handmade in Golden, ultralight donut safety reflector.

Joel Wenham

Age 30 / Sault ste. Marie, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour on my ole’ Singlespeed Sally, a 2015 Trek Superfly SS, 32x16T, Mezcals on trusty handbuilt wheels, Son28 front hub, Hope Pro4 Rear.
BAGS: Smorgasbord of bags including an Arkel Seatpacker on the rear, Salsa HT frame bag, Apidura Racetoptube, Oveja Negra Snackpack and Chuckbuckets.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Custom Topcap “JHAP”, Vision Mini TT Aero Bars, Bivy w/ a Enlighted Equipment Quilt, and Therm-a-Rest ¾ Pad for sleep.