Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Last week, 30-year-old Jackson Long took first place at the 2024 Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 in Idaho, flying through the 400-mile route in just 1 day, 20 hours, and 40 minutes. Find a reflection from Jackson after some well-earned sleep over the weekend here…
Congratulations to Jackson Long of Hailey, Idaho, who was the first to finish the 2024 Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 on Friday. Jackson was one of the recipients of the 2023/2024 Be Good Foundation Bikepacking Scholarship. He has only recently fallen in love with ultra-endurance races, lining up for the Fitzgerald’s Joyride in 2022, Smoke ‘n’ Fire in 2023, and Tour Divide earlier this year. Find a short recap from Jackson below.
Words and photos by Jackson Long
I came into this year’s Smoke ‘n’ Fire prepared and dreamed of personal redemption. One year ago, I scratched from the race after a knee injury stopped me in my tracks. I also scratched from this year’s Tour Divide, just 700 miles from the finish, after crashing and fracturing my wrist. I fell in love with ultra racing but was beginning to lose a little faith in myself. The mental side of this sport is tremendous, but I knew it would come together if I kept focused on my process and approach. I’d be lying if I didn’t also want to squeeze the most out of myself and win the thing.
The race was off at midnight, and I took an early lead through Featherville and rolled into Ketchum at my goal pace. The route then takes riders north through some sweet singletrack and epic views toward the turnaround point at Fisher Creek, where I started hallucinating mountain-goat-sized rabbits and so opted for a quick power nap before heading back toward Ketchum. I then gambled, sleeping for about three hours on the Harriman Trail, knowing many people would skip sleep to try and push through the night. It paid off, as I woke feeling refreshed and strong and able to open up a big lead by the end of the race back into Boise. I’m a big believer in paying the weight and time penalty to sleep so I can ride faster later.
The rest of the route was equally beautiful and challenging. Big temperature swings, tough climbs, and remoteness add to the race’s mystique. Highlights (or lowlights) included the long Phifer Creek summit climb toward the Middle Fork of the Boise River, a roughly 50-mile stretch of the worst washboard road I’ve ever ridden, all while it was over 90 degrees. I pushed through painful knees and Achilles, saddle sores, and a funky stomach to return to the finish in Hyde Park as the first finisher just after sunset. Redemption.
A massive thank you to Norb and Bart, everyone involved in this epic event, and my supporters, family, and friends who keep the energy flowing.
Further Reading
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