2026 Doom: Route, Conditions, and Who to Watch

Words by Aaron Arnzen, photos by Kai Caddy, Maxwell Johnston, and Aaron Arnzen

With the first week of March now in the rear view, the fifth edition of DOOM is in plain sight. After four years in the Boston Mountains, we venture out of the Ozarks, taking riders south below the Arkansas River Valley to the rugged and remote Ouachita Mountains. Embracing the event’s nature, this new route incorporates more backcountry singletrack, bringing with it a large field of 130 riders in the main event alone.

While rain continues to fall here in the Ouachitas, riders are making final preparations as their names slowly populate the Trackleaders map. Among many audacious newcomers are a handful of seasoned ultra legends, numerous DOOM veterans, and the largest singlespeed field in ultra-cycling history. This fifth edition is shaping up to be one of the most exhilarating North American events of the year, and I’m eager to take you all along for this extended event coverage over the next two weeks.

The Ouachita Mountains

Still in the Natural State, this new backdrop offers riders an engaging off-road experience in a dynamic landscape full of steep, rocky, pine-covered ridges, surrounded by countless bodies of water. Centered in the Diamond Lakes Region, this year’s route embarks from the healing Hot Springs of Garland County and heads west, crossing the Ouachita and Little Missouri Rivers while tracing the perimeter of Lake Ouachita and eventually tagging Lake Winona. From the deck of the historic Tall Peak Tower in the southwest to the Forked Mountain Vista in the northeast, riders will navigate the Northwoods, LOViT, Womble, and Ouachita Trail systems, offering a truly immersive mixed terrain experience.

Current Course Conditions

The old saying that “March rolls in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” seems to be holding true—fingers crossed. Late winter and early spring conditions were uncharacteristically joyful for local riders, with year-to-date totals close to 40 percent below average across the region. Uniquely, we’ve already seen almost three inches of rain in the first week of March, and another inch is forecast in the coming days.

While this sounds eerily reminiscent of the biblical floods that ultimately delayed the start of last year’s edition by an entire day, this year’s Grand Depart weekend forecast is refreshing. Replenished creeks and streams will likely provide abundant filtering opportunities along the route, while the rock-laden surfaces will shed moisture without concern. Paired with highs in the mid-70s and average lows around 50 degrees, this will lead to notably pleasant, fast-riding conditions.

Who To Watch

Succinctly describing the riders of this event is a unique undertaking, as DOOM continues to attract a beautifully balanced crowd of top-tier, elite-level riders, as well as notable numbers of folks who truly embody the heart and soul of American bikepacking. It’s what makes Doom, DOOM! With that said, the event has continued to prove itself as one of the most challenging and engaging off-road, mixed-terrain bikepacking races in North America, and this year’s participant list validates that identity. As seen on the tracker, there’s a full field of 250 participants across all three event distances this year.

Unlike most Grand Depart-style events, DOOM’s constantly evolving route structure distinguishes itself from FKT culture and, instead, each edition offers new opportunities to measure performance through its palpable spirit of ultra-cycling adventure. With respect and admiration for each participant in these categories, below is a deeper dive into a handful of notable riders to keep an eye on this year.

The Women’s Race

This year’s women’s field boasts a unique variety of speed, multi-day experience, and technical skill. Alongside the several riders mentioned below, there are a handful of women who may very well shake up the field in one way or another.

Natalie Peet

While winning the women’s race in last year’s edition of DOOM, Natalie also finished fifth overall in a stacked field that encountered incredibly challenging conditions. In and of itself, this result speaks to her grit and mental fortitude, which, paired with her prowess on technical singletrack, make her a strong candidate for another podium finish. Having started last year’s Colorado Trail Race, Natalie pulled out of the event late on day one with an ankle injury and has been focusing on strength and endurance ever since. Before heading into the offseason, Natalie completed the 200-mile Fayetteville Ultra Circuit last September, finishing as the second woman. You can follow Natalie on Instagram here.

Michelle Roth

Continuing to dig deeper into multi-day mountain biking efforts, Michelle is also making the trip over from Northwest Arkansas. Last September, Michelle took the overall field win at the 200-mile Fayetteville Ultra Circuit (FUC), establishing her presence in multi-day mixed-terrain efforts. With almost 50 miles of singletrack scattered throughout the 200-mile FUC course, Michelle has proven to be able to motor through the night alone, and with pace. She’s also a skilled mountain biker and has had a taste of what it’s like to ride in the Ouachitas – all reasons to keep an eye on her as this race evolves beyond the first day of riding.

Paige Redman

Paige comes to DOOM via the Boston-based Butcherbox Cycling “Speed Team”. She brings with her a bit of momentum, having finished second overall at the Vermont Super 8 last Fall, setting a new women’s FKT in the process. Adding to her ultra-endurance resume, Paige has two previous wins at the 300-mile Gravel Worlds Long Voyage and took second place in the 350-mile Unbound XL in 2023. Having spent the majority of her career in the gravel and road disciplines, Paige’s recent focus on high-level cross-country mountain biking will surely help her bid for a podium finish at DOOM this year. You can follow Paige on Instagram here.

Carrie Bax

From Central Missouri, Carrie is an experienced ultra-endurance gravel cyclist who’s dipping her toes in more backcountry mixed-terrain events. Carrie is rolling into Doom with a new speed record on the Missouri Katy Trail, riding the 240-mile route in just 14½ hours last November. Known for her positive outlook and steadfast perspective, it will be exciting to see how her experience from spirited efforts at The Rift, Unbound, Gravel Worlds, and Iowa Wind & Rock align with the more demanding and engaging Ouachita Mountain terrain over the course of a couple of days. You can follow Carrie on Instagram here.

From last year’s 200-mile DOOM Despair winner, Liz Thompson, to the experience of Kayla Hall, Jocelyn Powelson, Sarah Waterman, and Teddie Vidolova, it will be an exciting year of dot watching in this women’s field.

The Men’s Race

Like the women’s race, there are likely many dark horses that will keep known competitors on their toes. The percentage of return riders at DOOM is higher than most events around the world, but with an all-new route in the Ouachitas, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Jacob Ashton

Jacob returns to DOOM with strong intentions after finishing second in the overall field during last year’s edition. Known for putting in big miles in the saddle, year in and year out, Jacob ended his 2025 season with the final stretch of riding on his tour of the Orogenesis Route. Having ridden in over one hundred countries, totalling over 120,000 miles, he brings his diesel engine and an incredible amount of experience to the Ouachitas this year – surely someone to keep an eye out for. You can follow Jacob on Instagram here.

Jesse Reeves

Jesse is an incredibly accomplished bikepack racer and someone to definitely keep an eye on this year. Having competed in the ultra endurance cycling space for almost two decades, a few of Jesse’s latest accomplishments include winning the 2024 Pinyon’s and Pine’s before finishing second in the Colorado Trail race that same year. Jesse took third in the 2025 Mega Hopper Ultra and has now thrown his hat into the DOOM ring. It will be interesting to see how his technical riding ability and experience stack up against a field full of DOOM veterans.

Cade Reichenberger

This will be Cade’s first Edition here at DOOM, and there’s no doubt he’ll be contesting the front of the pack from the start. The 26-year-old has already pocketed some big results in just a few years of racing. Cade took 4th in the 2024 Tour Divide and won last year’s North to South Colorado race before finishing second at the Colorado Trail Race in August. Like any ultra-distance cycling event, he persevered through a timely setback early on, and his steadfast approach to enjoying the process will be something to consider as this race unfolds into day two. You can follow Cade on Instagram here.

Kurt Refsnider

Kurt is hard to keep off this list of riders that could likely contend at the front of the race. While his recent efforts on the bike are obviously a bit more adventure-based, like his completion of the massive Orogenesis Route, his unparalleled volume of big days in the backcountry pair well with his high-level understanding of racing strategy and gear management. With his vast experience in racing ultras, it will be interesting to see how this Ultra-MTB coach will fare in the rugged Ouachita Mountains. You can follow Kurt on Instagram here.

Jesse Smith

While Jesse brings notably less multi-day ride experience than the above names, he has a knack for finding efficiency in places most riders don’t consider. His attention to detail in planning his body, bike, and gear approach for optimized speed is mostly unparalleled. Jesse took the overall win in the 200-mile Despair distance of the 2024 edition of the DOOM, and after scratching from last year’s race, he’s intent on having another clean run. From Columbus, Indiana, Jesse is known for his relationship with his Bicycle Station shop and tech-related gear videos on YouTube. You can follow Jesse on Instagram here.

Among these five listed above, riders like Austin Denton, Micah Bray, Quinlan Bock, and local rider Carter Persyn may help keep the pace honest before factoring in a wild bunch of single-speeders.

The Singlespeed Race

There are an unimaginable number of single-speed riders signed up for this fifth edition of DOOM. As a single-speed rider myself, I think this consistent SS ridership at DOOM speaks to both the spirit of the event and the terrain. There are currently 39 toeing the line for the full DOOM course, and double-clicking into that list, it’s difficult to highlight just a few. The quality and depth of the experience are unbelievably deep, especially among a large portion of DOOM veterans. At any given point, I wouldn’t be surprised to find a couple of them contesting for an overall podium finish.

Edward Rogers

Ed is one of the DOOM veterans, with a second-place finish in 2023 and a fourth-place finish in 2024. His 2025 DOOM run ended halfway through the route after succumbing to an insurmountable amount of tire issues, a bummer as he was pushing the pace near the front of the pack. Coming off an overall win at the Crusher Point to Point 500-mile race last year, Ed has spent a little time down in the Ouachitas preparing for another honest attempt at the race. Expect to see Ed pushing the pace from the start. You can follow Ed on Instagram here.

Zeno Molteni

Zeno is another DOOM veteran from the upper Midwest worth keeping an eye on this year. Overall Winner of the Inaugural DOOM event back in 2022, Zeno seems to have fallen deeply in love with off-road riding and racing in the Natural State and has continued to return ever since. He brings a unique balance of cross-country mountain bike race experience to more intentional multi-day efforts and does so with a notable sense of humor. Follow Zeno on Instagram here.

Travis Jolly

Back for another edition of DOOM, Travis is another prolific single speeder to watch for this year. Travis finished first overall in the 2024 TNGA and also claimed the top step in the National Ultra Endurance SS category this past year. His simple approach, tactical awareness, and need for speed on technical trails make him a force to be reckoned with in mixed-terrain, multi-day races. While earning his second-place SS finish in last year’s edition, Travis is focused on executing a more intentionally well-rounded effort this year and will be an exciting rider to follow on the route.

Jacob Loos

Just one of two four-time DOOM finishers, Jacob is never a rider you can count out of any competition. He brings a balanced skill set of technical riding ability, extensive multi-day experience, and a stubborn mentality when the going gets tough. Jacob was the first SS rider and third overall in last year’s edition – a surefire candidate for a fast run around this year’s course. You can follow Jacob on Instagram here.

Alongside these four singlespeed riders is a whole host of others who will surely keep things interesting throughout the race. DOOM veterans like Chris Joice, Christopher Farney, Dave Easley, Tanner Frady, and Joe Fox are just some of those to keep tabs on. The first-ever DOOM route finisher and single-speed ultra extraordinaire, Brett Stepanik, is also making a return to DOOM and always puts up a good fight.

With a field of 250 riders and an all-new course linking sizable amounts of singletrack, there’s only one thing that’s certain in this fifth edition: adventure awaits.

Check out the Doom Tracker page for all of our coverage from the 2026 Doom event, including updates, winner’s posts, and more. Find it here.

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