A few weeks ago, when we were busy planning our coverage for this year’s Colorado Trail Race, we weren’t even sure the race would happen. As Neil shared in his latest video, hotter, drier, more unstable conditions mean more wildfires and trail closures. With this comes a difficult question for event organizers: at what point does the race get canceled?

Multiple fires have affected the Colorado Trail this month, and some recent precipitation has offered some relief, but there are still re-routes and closures in place. Race organizer Jefe Branham has been working around the clock to ensure rider safety, and, thankfully, most of the route has been seeing scattered showers most afternoons. Jefe is also riding the route this year, adding some further complexity to his race director role. There are nearly 70 registered for live tracking at this year’s grand depart, which starts from Waterton Canyon at 4 a.m. on Sunday. We’re excited to see how this year’s race shakes out.

As always, we worked with this year’s riders to collect bike and gear info for over 40 people taking on the route. Scroll through and get a good look at everyone’s rigs below, then head over to the 2026 Colorado Trail tracker page to follow along live. And stay tuned for plenty more from the race, as we’ll be covering it in detail as all the action unfolds.

Matt Annabel

Age 51 / Glenwood Springs, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Badger, my nine-year-old, patched-up singlespeed Why Cycles Wayward with a 140mm Fox Fork, superlight I9 wheels, and 2.4″ Maxxis Rekon rubber (EXO+ always/only/forever). Geared 32 x 22T.
BAGS: As few as possible. Front-roll and top-tube bag by Dispersed Bikepacking. Custom frame bag by Rockgeist. Feed bags by Revelate Designs. I’ll be wearing a lightly loaded 20L Ultimate Direction Fastpack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The weather looks reasonable so I’m not bringing much of a sleep kit. Sol escape bivy, a thin 2/3 length mini-cell foam pad for a bit of insulation, a small tarp/ground cover, and a 40-degree Sea to Summit Spark freezer bag. A pair of Fenix BC26R and a small pile of batteries will light my way. I might have also packed a little Go-Yo. We’ll see.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Max Berkowitz

Age 29 / Cumberland, BC (Canada)

BIKE: The Ultimate Freeride XC Plow: the 2026 Norco Revolver 130. The green carbon is delicious. The performance is sublime. I’ve added a Fox Factory 34SL up front for a very subtle orange note, and I’ve upgraded to XT Di2 across the build. Continental Trinotal 2.4″ tires will complete the setup. Finally, I’ve strapped a tiny plastic baby to my brake hose to accompany me on this rip.
BAGS: Less is more. Revelate Pronghorn carries my sleep system (cowboy/bivy). Apidura racing long bag, two feed bags, and a hydration vest for snacks. 7mesh Mission jacket with its stash system makes for a surprisingly useful pocket. Everything else is hodgepodge in a couple tiny dry bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My proto NOBL Ethos XC Wheels are just insane to ride. Under 1,175g but somehow not afraid to drop in, smack the lip, wapow. Berd Spokes and an ultra shallow profile make these guys, soft, sweet, and ready for big business.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura baby!

Chris Besnia

Age 41 / Gunnison, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I built myself a one-off custom bike, a long-and-low-down country bike. The Goodday ‘Javelina’ 29′ single-speed has a 130 MRP Ribbon SL fork. I’m running a 28:18 Gear Ratio with 160mm 5DEV cranks. I’m running 2.4″ Kenda Booster tires.
BAGS: Custom, fully bolt-on Curiosity bags with Javelina and Prickly Pear Appliqué.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m running my proprietary front bar rack, the Goodday ‘Spacer Cradle’, Purple Lewis LH4 brakes.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin.

Jefe Branham

Age 53 / Gunnison, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Revel Ranger V2 with gears!
BAGS: Assorted bags: Jpaks Footlong, Bedrock Tapias, Frame/Handlebar/Downtube Bags and Hydration Vest are homemade.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Gear is always an evolution, always trying to push it. My kit is light and made for moving forward, skipping the luxuries. Still got a solid clothing kit, first aid/bike repair kits. Fenix BC26 lights and batteries for extending the day. Room for lots of snacks, and 3.6 liters of water capacity. Platypus squeeze filter. SOS Escape Lite Bivy. Not Much Else.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge POS 540.

Ryan Britton

Age 25 / Falmouth, Maine (USA)

BIKE: 2023 Transition Spur.
BAGS: Oveja Negra Superwedgie, Rhinowalk Large Top Tube Bag, and ULAC Saddle Bag strapped to the top tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Rhythmus CZ 6L Vest (Not Pictured), HydraPak Breakaway+ Bottle, SOL Escape Bivvy.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Davis Capaccioli

Age 35 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding a titanium Buena Onda. Built in Durango, this bike rips downhill while still being efficient on the ups. Cane Creek Helm Coil Fork, 2.6″ Rekon tires, GX Transmission, Tectonic flat pedals.
BAGS: Dispersed Bikepacking frame bag. Revelate Designs handlebar, downtube, top tube and 2 feed bags. An Oveja Negra top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit is a Black Diamond Bivy, light down bag, and Therm-a-Rest air mat.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Andrew Cole

Age 29 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Chester, a 2023 Epic Evo Pro. Not pictured is some fresh rubber (Forekaster/Rekon) I swapped in for the rocks of the high country.
BAGS: Frame and top tube are from Zach at South City Stitchworks, handlebar roll from Bedrock Bags, and a Revelate feedbag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit (featuring a leaky pad) and layers all fit in the handlebar roll, leaving the frame bag and top tube for snacks and water. I’m running a dynamo setup to power all the gizmos and have a full rain suit for the inevitable monsoons.
GPS DEVICE: Edge 810 for navigation with FarOut & CalTopo backup.

Sam Cramer

Age 31 / Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Singlespeed Esker Hayduke (To spin is to transcend 32:23T Quadrinthians). 29 x 2.6″ Vittoria Agarro tires. 130mm Pike. Aluminum I9 wheels. -1 Wolftooth geoshift headset to slacken the HTA, Ti doom bars, Wolftooth grips and dropper, SQL inner bar ends. SLX brakes. The frame is new to me, but most parts are from the bike I rode last year.
BAGS: DIY frame and top tube bag, might add a seat bag too, I am not dialed in yet. Black Diamond running vest will hold my water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A dropper that returns instantly, DIY tarp and bivy for rainy nights. 7-year-old Ergon saddle that keeps my taint happy!
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Jesse Davis

Age 58 / Manteo, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: Lynskey Live Wire with a Fox 34 fork and XT Di2. DT Swiss XRC 1500 wheels with Maxxis Rekon 2.4″. Beat-up Cane Creek cranks with a 28T ring. Ti handlebars with inner bar ends and some Wolftooth grips flipped and mated with some Ergon bar ends. Ergon Allroad Core seat cushion.
BAGS: SSSW frame bag and top tube bag. Ortlieb handlebar roll stuffed with puffy items. Salsa anything bag with shelter strapped to the Mica Rat Tail rack. Black Diamond pack/vest will hold overflow items.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Small triangle-shaped tool bag that fits down in my frame bag, full rain kit, Fenix lighting top and bottom, credit card, ti Grand Loop stem cap!
GPS DEVICE: Pretty happy with the Coros Dura this year. Couple of CT apps on my phone and the data book down in the frame bag.

Jocelyn De La Rosa

Age 36 / Kelowna, BC (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Colorado Trail Race on a Specialized Epic 8 equipped with a Manitou R8 Pro fork, 120mm of travel front and rear. XT/XTR groupset with a 30T chainring, Hope brakes. Berd spoked wheels, Maxxis Rekon Race rear and Aspen AT front tires. The left seatstay cracked 5 days before the race and is currently being repaired by Altitude Composite in Denver; huge kudos to Jon for expediting the fix and allowing me to race!
BAGS: Dispersed framebag, Tailfin long top tube bag and handlebar cradle, Revelate Speedbags. I’ll also be wearing a 6L hydration vest with a 2L bladder and room for more snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit is a MLD bivvy, Cumulus bag, S2S pad and pillow. Exposure Toro light to ride through the night, and full rain gear for those afternoon showers. Also carrying a small camera (Ricoh GR) to bring back some memories from the trail!
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Lucy Eykamp

Age 47 / Fernie, BC (Canada)

BIKE: Riding a 2025 Canyon Lux Trail, otherwise known as the ‘Silver Bullet’. Some aftermarket upgrades, including an ERA SL carbon bar, 165mm XTR cranks, Fox Transfer SL dropper, Wolf Tooth 30T oval chainring. Carbon wheels with 2.4″ Reckon rubber.
BAGS: Bags are a mix of custom builds from Rockgeist, Rogue Panda, Revelate Designs, and MLD.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Have a sweet super-lightweight Durston X-mid Pro 1 in Dyneema for my shelter and hope to stay warm in my Western Mountaineering down quilt and custom down pants from Goosefeet. After watching Neil’s video on riding the CT, I went with the Tailfin rack to take weight off the front end for faster, safer descents.
GPS DEVICE: Trying out the new Coros Dura unit.

Charlie Farrow

Age Medicare Recipient / Near Duluth, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: Given my many deficiencies, my plan is to do my best to simply finish the CTR. I will be pedaling, pushing, and languishing on a Salsa Horsethief. Components are mainly Shimano XT/SLX. Time pedals. Ergon saddle. Dialed in by the good folks at Ski Hut, Duluth, Minnesota. They feel sorry for me.
BAGS: The custom bags are made up here in the great Northland. Specifically in Two Harbors, Minnesota, by the artisans at Cedaero. The seatpost bag (not yet attached) was borrowed from a former student many years ago, and I never returned it. I do feel bad about it, and thus will use it (again) in his honor.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Refurbished right hip using super lightweight, race-ready ceramic bearing surfaces coupled with a full-on, podium-level, high performance engineered titanium femoral stem. Did I mention that it’s an incredibly light titanium model?
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

George Foster

Age 38 / Mancos, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Specialized Epic Evo. Sram Transmission with 30T, 2.4″ Rekon front, 2.35″ Rekon Race rear.
BAGS: Dispersed custom frame and top tube. Revelate roll in a Tailfin Bar Cage. Revelate seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Breathe-rite strips, xylitol gum.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Tanner Frady

Age 35 / Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Ti Timberjack, SID 120mm fork, Oval Wolf Tooth 32x22t, Raceface ERA wheels. Maxxis Rekon 2.6″ front, 2.4″ rear.
BAGS: South City Sitchworks frame bag, top tube bag, stem bags, and handlebar roll/harness. Borrowing a Shrew seat bag from a friend (thanks Dave!).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: ALTRA Timp 5s.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Rocky Gingg

Age 37 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Pivot Mach 4 SL. Shimano drivetrain paired with a 30T Race Face chainring + cranks. Wolf Tooth Fat Paw grips and ALT pedals.
BAGS: Dispersed frame bag, and top tube bag, Oveja Negra Chuckbuckets, Bedrock seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fresh 2.4” Maxxis Rekons, Fenix lights, USWE Rush Vest, SOL Bivy.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Alan Gustin

Age 64 / San Antonio, Texas (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Colorado Trail Race on my 2015 Jones 29+ with a Diamond frame and Truss fork. It runs a SON 28 dynamo hub up front and a Rohloff Speedhub with a Gates belt drive in the rear. I’ve fitted a 46T chainring for better climbing power, WTB Scraper rims with Maxxis Recon 2.8” tires, and Jones bars mounted with extra stem spacers for a comfortable aero position using the Gnarwal.
BAGS: Revelate frame bag with Gas Tank and Sweetroll on the handlebars. I recently installed a dropper post and switched to an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn with a 12L Atlas bag on the rear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lighting is a Fenix BC30 (switched from Klite), with the SON dynamo charging a Nitecore 20,000mAh battery directly.
GPS DEVICE: Hammerhead Karoo 3 for navigation.

John Gustin

Age 22 / San Antonio, Texas (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Colorado Trail Race on my 2017 Jones Spaceframe Plus and Truss fork. It has a SON 28 dynamo hub up front, a new Shimano 1×12 XTR Di2 drivetrain with a 28T chainring, Jones C rims with Maxxis Rekon 2.8” tires, and a DT Swiss 240 rear hub. The Jones bars are mounted on extra stem spacers to achieve a comfortable aero position with the Gnarwal. The dynamo hub feeds directly into a Nitecore 20,000mAh battery.
BAGS: Revelate Designs frame bag with Gas Tank and Sweetroll on the handlebars, plus a Mountain Man rack and bag on the rear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I recently added a dropper post for improved technical descending. Lighting is now Fenix helmet and bike lights (switched from Klite).
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura Solar GPS for navigation.

Hunter Hamilton

Age 40 / Allenspark, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing (ITT) the Colorado Trail on a 2025 Specialized Epic 8. The bike features a new pair of Maxxis Forekaster 2.4” tires, a modified 1×12 drivetrain with a 28T oval chainring, and Industry Nine 1:1 wheels with a freshly rebuilt hub. One other modification is adding SQlabs Innerbarends.
BAGS: I’m running a JPaks custom FramePak, Footlong Snakpak, Ruksaks, and small seat Pak.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Ultimate Direction FK bivy and tarp will serve as my shelter along with an Enlightened Equipment 50 degree quilt.
GPS DEVICE: I’ll be using a Coros Dura for navigation and Garmin inReach Mini 2 for tracking.

Rasch Hole

Age 45 / Flatlandia, Louisiana (USA)

BIKE: IrRascHional ti hardtail. 120 Fox and PNW suspension post. Shimano XT 30/10-51 drivetrain and brakes. Continental Magnotal 2.6″, Nobl 32 rims, dt350 hubs.
BAGS: Rockgeist and Revelate Designs bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Six Moons tent, ee quilt, Therm-a-Rest pad, and a pillow. My usual kit, a bunch of wool, Outdoor Research down jacket, and rain gear. I’ll be struggling to breathe coming from 4 to 13,000 feet while hiking in Salomon water shoes, bc, I bring the rain with me. Anker battery, Fenix lights, and a GoPro. 2 Nalgene bottles, Swig 63, and a Be Free filter. I’m bringing a bunch of pills for when I get migraines and start puking.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1050, Garmin inReach.

Jacob Holladay

Age 18 / Cashmere, Washington (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing the CTR on my 2024 Santa Cruz Blur TR. Rolling on 2.4″ Continental Dubnital tires front and rear wrapped around the Zipp 1Zero HiTop SW’s. I have a SRAM GX T-Type group with a 28T ring as well as Fox 34 SC and a Fox Float, both the performance model. Then to make sure I go slow we have a set of SRAM Motive Silver’s.
BAGS: Super stoked on my custom bag set up from Leavenworth Mountain Products, with the full length top tube bag for ample snacks. I have a 10L dry bag up front for my sleep kit and clothes, attached to the Tailfin Cycling bar cage.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I think the gear highlights for me are the custom made (by me!) water bottle holders on the side of the down tube, as well as the Alpha hoodie for my mid layer.
GPS DEVICE: I am going to be using a Coros Dura for primary navigation, with a Garmin Fenix 6 as my backup.

George Hollerbach

Age 71 / Newtown, Pennsylvania (USA)

BIKE: Esker Hayduke single-speed 30x22T, 2.6″ Maxxis Rekons.
BAGS: An assortment of bags by Rogue Panda, Mountain Laurel Designs, and Ride Forward Designs. Also using an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping gear includes an OR Helium Bivy, an Enlightened quilt and a Nemo Tensor sleeping Pad.
GPS DEVICE: Corus Dura for navigating duties.

Jacob Hora

Age 21 / Victor, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: Pivot Mach 4 SL 2025, full Shimano XTR wireless drivetrain, with 170mm cranks 28T chainring, 180mm rotors, 4p front and 2 piston rear XTR brakes, XTR Trail pedals. Bags by Tailfin and Ride Forward Designs. OneUp 150mm dropper, Vittoria Syerra tires 29 x 2.4″, i9 1/1 Trail wheels, Enve M6 bars, Fizik Argo adaptive 140 saddle.
BAGS: Rear rack by Tailfin with a Ride Forward Designs Burnin bag, Tailfin R&D frame bag, Tailfin 2.2L top tube bag, and a Pedaled hydration pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: sleep kit, Timmermade sleeping bag with a Nemo Tensor Elite pad and Montbell bivy. We will see how much I sleep, but I’ll be happy I have it.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 Solar and RWGPS on the phone for backup.

Leila Husain

Age 29 / Brevard, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: Izzy Bear, a 2020 YT Izzo, comes to the start line kitted up with some freshly rebuilt suspension and a blinged out gold chain.
BAGS: Rockgeist Frame Bag custom sewn in Asheville, NC. Two custom handlebar bags and a downtube bag from Stringbean Bags based right out of my hometown of Brevard, NC. Up front, I have a seam to summit front roll that houses my sleeping bag, pad, pillow, and puffy jacket. Under my saddle I shoved my Mountain Laurel Designs Bivy to keep any of that moisture away from my sleep kit! I will also be wearing my trustee USWE vest that I know and love.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Just some fully tuned suspension and a bike that is in ripping form, thanks to so many people back home that I’m endlessly thankful for to get me to the start line. I love youse all!
GPS DEVICE: Lezyne Mega XL GPS.

Jacob Johnson

Age 33 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be heading out for a proper scurry on my Kokopelli Ti Hardtail named Hell Bitch. I’m running a Shimano XTR drivetrain with a 10-51 XT cassette and a 28T chainring. She just recently got some new I9 Sector carbon wheels laced to Hydra 2 hubs. Vittoria 2.35″ Barzo in the front, 2.1″ Mezcal and CushCore in the back. XTR brakes. RF Atlas cranks and flats. RF Era carbon bars and Wolf Tooth Mega Fat Paw grips. Fox 34 fork and a OneUp V3 dropper. Ergon SM Pro saddle for my sad little bony butt.
BAGS: Custom dyneema framebag with some beefy new zippers! (Thanks Andrew!) Tailfin top tube bag and bar bag system. Rockgeist Honeypot feedbag. I’ll also be wearing my Osprey Duro Pro 10 hydration vest to increase my Uncrustable carrying capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Steady stream of caffeine, Aleve, Tailwind and dad rock playlists. EE 30º quilt, Therm-a-Rest Neoair, OR Helium Bivy, Tyvek groundcloth. Eye mask and earplugs for nap times. OpenSnow app for monitoring the monsoon/lightning situation in the alpine. Victory spliff for Junction Creek.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Torin Lackmann

Age 23 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Santa Cruz Blur 2020, named Rooster, he’s near and dear to my heart. Big thanks to the folks at MRP for spotting me the Ribbon SL 29″ fork, with 120mm travel. 115mm travel in the rear. Proven Carbon XC wheels, thanks to the crew at Hunt. And tires are Vittoria Mezcal XC Trail 2.4″.
BAGS: Apidura all the way. 14L handlebar roll for the sleep kit. The 1.8L top tube bag is home to electronics + toiletries. 1L downtube bag with repair kit. Topped off with the 20L backcountry hydration backpack for water, food, raingear, and extra layers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve been loving the Wolf Tooth CTRL Trail pedals, mega stable + confidence inspiring for these long days. The fat paw grips to keep my hands comfy through all of the chunk, and the 8-bit kit tool for the inevitable mechanicals. I’ll be sleeping in the Feathered Friends Viero down bag, my favorite. And last but not least, I love fueling with Blanks Sports Nutrition, so I am packing a load of electrolytes for the day and protein for the nights.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Kevin Lowe

Age 34 / Denver, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Specialized Epic 8 SRAM T Type 30T x 10-52T Maxxis Rekon 2.4” in the front and Maxxis Rekon Race 2.35” in the rear. SQ Labs Innerbarends for some hand comfort.
BAGS: Frame bag was made at my kitchen table with my Featherweight. Tailfin long top tube bag for snacks. Rockgeist Gondola in the back. Rogue Panda harness will carry my homemade tangerine handlebar roll.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Zpacks quilt, MLD Bivy and a sleeping pad will hopefully help me catch some Zs. Lighting the trail will be a Fenix headlamp on my head and a BC26R on my bars. Botched Bikes Dragonfly and Tailfin downtube to carry water.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Gordon MacMillan

Age 41 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: For my forth attempt of the Colorado Trail Race, I’ll be running what I deem the ultimate backcountry weapon. The wheels are Light Bicycle/DT Swiss, built by C3 of Golden. I’ll run Fenix lighting and Maxxis Tires (Tires shown are Specialized).
BAGS: Stoked as always to run JPaks FramePak and Footlong EXT SnakPak. Joe is the best! My seat bag is the Dispersed Dropper Seat Bag by Katie and Andrew Strempke. Rounding out my bags are a Revelate Designs Pronghorn and 2x Mountain Speed Bag, their minimalist stem caddy.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Plan on sleeping a lot so I’m bringing a tent, the Durston X-Mid Pro 1, and a 20* quilt by Hyperlite mountain gear. Also really looking forward to not having rocks in my shoes thanks to Dirty Girl Gaiters.
GPS DEVICE: Hammerhead Karoo.

Alex Malex

Age 32 / Bonedale, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be taking on the CTR this year aboard my dear vessel, the Blacksheep Speedster. It is truly at home on the CT. I’m rocking a very similar build as last year with the same moto riser handlebars from Whisky (now Teravail), Maxxis Rekons, Bikeyoke dropper, and Cane Creek cranks. I’ve made some upgrades to the bike including a fresh Fox 34 SL (thanks Rafa!), Chris King bb and headset, and of course the freshest Berd wheels imaginable laced to some Onyx hubs. Sending out a massive thanks to the folks who have supported me this year to help me put this bike together. Rides like an absolute dream!
BAGS: The speedster lives in South City Stitchworks clothing, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An obvious gear highlight is the masterfully designed Botched Bikes Dragonfly, which allows me to run two bottles along the downtube while using a full frame bag. Finally caved and got myself an Exposure Lights handlebar light, stoked to see what all the fuss is about.
GPS DEVICE: Coros always.

Justin McKinley

Age 38 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: OTSO Fenrir Ti, 32x22T.
BAGS: JPaks Framepak, Footlong, Double-ended drybag, San Util Saguaro Hydration Vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Pre-punctured and Dynaplugged Maxxis Recon Race, Wolf Tooth Components Dropper and stuff, DOOM Bars, Mica Rat Tail Rear Rack, Goodday Space Cradle, kLite Dynamo Lights, Zpacks Tarp, MLD Bivy, Enlightened Equipment Quilt, OrNot Clothes.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, Garmin inReach Mini 3.

Miles Morris

Age 38 / Crested Butte, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Full Suspension singlespeed.
BAGS: Four bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 32x22T.
GPS DEVICE: Smoke signals.

Gnar Nasty

Age 47 / Flagstaff, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: Revel Wayward Ti frame rolling on lightweight NOBL TR32 carbon wheels wrapped in fresh Maxxis 29×2.4 Rekons. DOOM custom ti crossbar handlebars to help relieve numb hands for the next 6 months. Paul stem clamp, OneUp dropper and flat pedals (all purple and worth at least 15 style points), CaneCreek Hellbender bottom bracket, Wolf Tooth seat clamp, headset, fatty foam grips, and 32T chainring. Out back is a big-ass Surly steel 22T cog because walking is slower than spinning…usually. XT Deore cranks convert gas station burritos into forward motion and Fox Performance 34s up front to smooth out my poor line choices.
BAGS: MYOG frame and top tube bags made from Gore-Tex camo and black Cordura because if I can’t go fast, I can at least disappear into the trees. Rockgeist Gondola seat bag, Pack2Ride feed bags carrying enough gummies to legally qualify as emotional support, and an Aeroe handlebar rack with an 8L dry bag because this year’s forecast appears to be sponsored by cold, wet suffering.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: OR Helium bivy and Bora shelter for those 2-3 hours of pretend sleeping. Kahtoola gaiters to keep Colorado out of my shoes. Fenix lights on the helmet and bars plus a couple of NiteRider Luminas to help me identify exactly what I’m about to hit at 2 a.m. Botched Dragonfly bottles for premium sugar water delivery and a 14L Restrap hydration vest carrying 2L of water, layers, and enough calories to negotiate with my bad decisions.
GPS DEVICE: COROS Dura for navigation. Garmin inReach so my family can watch my dot stop moving in suspicious places and assume I’m either enjoying the view… or star fishing in a ditch.

Denny Newell

Age 56 / North Logan, Utah (USA)

BIKE: Pivot Trailcat SL, Shimano XT Di2 1×12, Reynolds carbon wheels, Maxxis Recon 2.4″ tires.
BAGS: Mix of Dispersed (front, frame, seat, top tube) and Revelate bags, UD running vest.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Capacity to carry up to 4.5L water, Sea to Summit 30°F bag, Nemo pad, with a tarp for shelter, Fenix BC26r lights on handlebars and helmet.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin 1040 solar.

John Orosz

Age 39 / Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Ti Timberjack featuring ultra reliable 12-speed mechanical shifting with a madrone jab derailleur, a SID 120mm Fork, and Hunt Proven XC Wheels with SON Dynamo.
BAGS: I’ve got feed bags and bento by Rewd Bags out of Greeley, Colorado, an Oveja Negra frame bag, a Co-op cycles front roll and a Rockgeist dry bag on a Mica rat tail will carry my necessary gear to Durango.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A few proven carryovers from racing the divide include the feed bags and frame bag. I’ll keep running a dynamo until I can generate my own electricity.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Greg Parham

Age 44 / Bondad, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Custom Sanitas, handcrafted in Durango from aerospace-grade metal. Goes by the callsign SISSIFAST*. 465mm chainstays and a low BB, along with a 67° HTA, keep it smooth fully loaded, but not floppy on the road. SID Fork. 34-24T gearing. Growtac Equal brakes. Rekon Race 2.4″. Swoopy bar. Non-telescoping seatpost. Leather saddle.
BAGS: With the exception of a lovely J Paks footlong, the other bags are homemade with Challenge Ultra 200x. I crafted the rear rack from ⅜” 4130, and my friends at Sanitas welded it up for me. Bike carries everything. I hate having luggage on my person.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I upgraded my standard size orange SOL bivy to the grey XL version. Gamechanger. Nemo Switchback sleep pad. 35d down quilt. Hydrapak bottle filter.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura Computer. *A twist on the mythological Greek Sisyphus, a disgraced king sent to the underworld to endlessly roll a huge boulder up a steep hill, which is kinda what SS feels like sometimes, but the name is an acronym for Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is FAST.

Natalie Peet

Age 26 / Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA)

BIKE: Slow Southern Steel Warhorn made by Jesse Turner out of Fayetteville, AR. Custom Ti Bar made by SSS x Bear Creek Ben. Bike adorned with Wolf Tooth Components and their super sick CTRL pedals. Industry Nine Wheels. Mad Monkey piggie.
BAGS: South City Stitchworks full length top-tube, bar roll/harness, and double compartment frame bag. Dispersed cheetah feedbag fo flava.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This is the best bicycle in the world. No doubt about it. Running a 20-degree Hyper lite Sleeping bag and strapping my sleeping pad to the back of my High Above backpack in case I go OTB. Backpack will also be carrying 2L of water and for safe measure an extra 1.5L collapsable bladder in frame bag for runouts.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Remi Ray

Age 37 / Brooklyn, New York (USA)

BIKE: Why Cycles S7 titanium frame with a Fox 34 fork and BikeYoke Revive dropper. White Industries crank with a Wolf Tooth elliptical chainring, Shimano mechanical 1×12 and four-piston XT brakes. The wheels were hand-built long ago by Tony Buccino.
BAGS: I made all the bags myself. This way, I’ll feel accomplished even if I don’t make it to Durango. They’re made from Challenge Ultra 400 with bits of Venom stretch mesh, nylon ripstop, and a dozen cord locks. My favorite pieces are the waterproof handlebar roll, where my sleep kit and down jacket will go, and the two feedbags, which were a lot of fun to design and construct. There’s an Apidura hydration bladder in the lower frame bag, and plenty of empty space in the upper bags for snacks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The reflective zipper pulls, the totally unnecessary rear triangle bag containing my drivetrain maintenance kit, and the packable backpack for carrying to-go pizzas and burritos into the backcountry.
GPS DEVICE: I’ll be navigating with my trusty Garmin Edge 840 Solar.

Mike Soucy

Age 47 / Longmont, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Transition Spur with Fox suspension 130/120mm. SRAM mechanical drivetrain 30t x 10-50. Hayes Dominion Brakes. Maxxis Forekaster front/Rekon rear.
BAGS: Rogue Panda frame bags and Blue Ridge handlebar harness, Rockgeist Gondola seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Therm-a-Rest 30* quilt and old school ¾ length prolite pad. Black Diamond bivy. Fenix lights.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Matthew Thor

Age 40 / Boulder, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2026 Salsa Spearfish with too many AXS batteries. 30T Wolf Tooth oval chainring, Garbaruk cassette. Maxxis Rekon EXO+ 29 x 2.4″ tires mounted to We Are One Whisp rims laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs. Wolf Tooth ALT pedals.
BAGS: Dispersed frame bag and handlebar roll, Revelate Designs Ultra Joey. Apidura feed bags. Tailfin top tube bag. I’ll also have an USWE Rush 8L vest with a 3L hydration bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This space available for any potential sponsors.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, RWGPS on my phone.

Josh Uhl

Age 34 / Cable, Wisconsin (USA)

BIKE: Chumba Stella Ti Set up with an MRP Ribbon SL Rally 130mm fork. 32x23T gearing, Onyx hubs, Spank 369 rims with 27.5 x 2.8″ Rekon tires. BB7 brakes. BTCHN’ Ti Flat Track Bars and a Mica Rat Tail rack. Wolf Tooth Mega Fat Paw grips and Cane Creek bar ends.
BAGS: JPaks, Outer Shell and MLD.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix Lights. SOL bivy, foam pad and a tarp for when I’m chilly wet and scared. Hydrapak water filter and Aquamira treatment.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura.

Ezra Ward-Packard

Age 32 / Vanlife, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: For my first CTR, I’ll be aboard my 2021 Specialized Epic Evo built up with a combination of mechanical XTR and XT components. Squishy bits are Fox Factory 120/110 and One Up V3 dropper. Wheels are DT Swiss 350 hubs laced up to Reserve 30 SL rims with 2.4″ Maxxis Reckons. Only battery on the bike is for my Favero Assioma power pedals to record all the zeros from hike-a-biking everything over ~10% grade.
BAGS: Frame, top tube, and seatpost bags are all Dispersed, handmade by Andrew and Katie Strempke in Old La Sal, CO. Handlebar bag is a heavily modified Revelate Designs Sweetroll plus some Revelate Feedbags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Kit is Pearl Izumi, with Outdoor Research rain and cold weather gear. USWE vest for liquids and all the calories. Fenix BC26R to light the way with plenty of spare batteries. Sleep kit is an OR helium bivy, Sea to Summit pad and pillow, and a Sol emergency bivy as a bag. Dexcom G7 continuous blood glucose monitor to keep track of my blood sugars. Lyumjev and Glargine-yfgn insulin pens to keep me alive.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 540.

Andrew Whiteford

Age 44 / Jackson, Wyoming (USA)

BIKE: I’m in for an adventure on my Ibis Ripley. Recently went from electric to analog SRAM drivetrain, Ibis S28 rear rim on an Onyx hub, and a Hunt x SON front wheel. 2.6″ Vittoria Agarro up front and a 2.4″ Conti Magnotal in back. Contact points include Innerbarends, Ergon grips, Specialized Phenom saddle, and Time pedals. Fenix tail and helmet lights, Sinewave Beacon 2 on the bike.
BAGS: Tailfin rear rack with a drybag and Goodday Spacer-Cradle up front. Revelate Designs feed bags, Tailfin top tube bag, and Rockgeist gas tank and frame bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Can’t wait to see who my gear MVPs of the ride will be!
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 840 and phone backup.

Geoffrey Wong

Age 36 / Costa Mesa, California (USA)

BIKE: Buena Onda single-speed 32×22 full sendy, SID Ultimate 120mm, Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.4”.
BAGS: Always Alpine Camo. Witslingers Top tube and Framebag. Skingrowsback handlebar, JPaks dry bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Borah bivy, 30 degree Sea to Summit, Z-Packs pocket tarp, Nemo sleeping pad. Doom gremlin bell. Mini boombox to keep the stoke going. “Aero Garbaruk chainring”. Eye drops. Gum. Coke. Vans shoes.
GPS DEVICE: Coros Dura all the way.

Willis Wood

Age 30 / Durango, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Transition Spur with a coil and Maven brakes to make it more fun. I am really only out there for the downhills! Kat Litty designs bags for the one hand zip action. Tectonic for the flats because they are the best flats around. Forkaster front Rekon rear, big brake rotors to slow the thickness down. Psyched on the bike!
BAGS: All Kat Litty Design Bags: Frame bag for the snacks, two top tube bags, one for snacks and the other for more snacks and a couple battery banks. one front roll for sleep stuff. A BD vest for water and small sleeping bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My favorite price of gear is the bike itself it’s amazing to have a fast bike that I can rally when it’s unloaded! Sleeping wise: Tensor pad, Nemo 50 degree, bivy bag, and puffy socks which rock. Exposure light for the nights.
GPS DEVICE: Garmin Edge 1030 solar and my watch as back up!

Check out the 2026 Colorado Trail Race Tracker page to follow along on the live tracking map, and stay tuned in for more event coverage. Find it here.

Further Reading

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